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A Study of Esketamine Nasal Spray Versus Placebo Spray in Adult Participants With Treatment-resistant Depression

A Randomized, Double-blind, Multicenter, Placebo-controlled Study to Evaluate the Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of Esketamine Nasal Spray, Administered as Monotherapy, in Adult Participants With Treatment-resistant Depression

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Phase 3
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07716098
Enrollment
348
Registered
2026-07-21
Start date
2026-07-23
Completion date
2029-09-12
Last updated
2026-08-28

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Depressive Disorder, Treatment-Resistant

Brief summary

The purpose of this study is to evaluate how well each individual dose of esketamine (56 milligrams \[mg\] and 84 mg) works when compared with placebo in improving depressive symptoms in participants with treatment resistant depression (individuals with major depressive disorder \[MDD\] who have not responded to at least 2 different antidepressant treatments given at an adequate dose for an adequate duration in the current episode of depression).

Interventions

Participants will self-administer 56 mg of esketamine as intranasal spray into each nostril.

Participants will self-administer 84 mg of esketamine as intranasal spray into each nostril.

DRUGPlacebo

Participants will self-administer placebo as intranasal spray into each nostril.

Sponsors

Janssen Research & Development, LLC
Lead SponsorINDUSTRY

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Investigator)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Participant must meet the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th edition) (DSM-5) diagnostic criteria for single-episode major depressive disorder (MDD) (if single episode MDD, the duration of the episode must be greater than or equal to \[\>=\] 12 months) or recurrent MDD, without psychotic features, based upon clinical assessment and confirmed by the mini international neuropsychiatric interview (MINI) as the primary diagnosis. Participant must have had the first onset of depression prior to 55 years of age * Participant must have had nonresponse (less than or equal to \[\<=\] 25 percent \[%\] improvement) to \>=2 oral antidepressant treatments in the current episode of depression, assessed using the massachusetts general hospital-antidepressant treatment response questionnaire (MGH-ATRQ), and confirmed by documented records (for example, medical/pharmacy/prescription records or a letter from a treating physician) * The participant's current major depressive episode, depression symptom severity, and antidepressant treatment response in the current depressive episode, must be confirmed by the state versus trait, assessability, face validity, ecological validity, rule of three P's (SAFER) Interview * Participant must be comfortable with self-administration of nasal spray medication and be able to follow the nasal spray administration instructions provided * A female participant of childbearing potential must have a negative highly sensitive serum (β-human chorionic gonadotropin \[β-hCG\]) at the start of screening and a negative urine pregnancy test must be obtained before the first dose of study drug on Day 1, prior to randomization

Exclusion criteria

* The participant has used ketamine/esketamine (lifetime) * The participant's depressive symptoms have demonstrated nonresponse in the current major depressive episode to an adequate course of treatment with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), defined as at least 7 treatments with unilateral/bilateral ECT, or to adequate course of treatment with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), defined as at least 4 weeks of treatment with 5 sessions per week * Participant has received vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) or deep brain stimulation (DBS) in the current episode of depression * Participant has homicidal ideation/intent, per the investigator's clinical judgment, or has suicidal ideation with some intent to act within 6 months prior to the start of the screening phase, per the investigator's clinical judgment or based on the columbia suicide severity rating scale (C-SSRS), corresponding to a response of "Yes" on Item 4 (active suicidal ideation with some intent to act, without specific plan) or Item 5 (active suicidal ideation with specific plan and intent) for suicidal ideation on the C-SSRS, or a history of suicidal behavior within the past year prior to the start of the screening phase. Participants reporting suicidal ideation with intent to act or suicidal behavior prior to the start of the double-blind treatment phase should be excluded * Participant has a history of moderate or severe substance or alcohol use disorder according to DSM-5 criteria, except nicotine or caffeine, within 6 months before the start of the screening phase. a. A history (lifetime) of ketamine, phencyclidine (PCP), lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), or 3, 4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA) hallucinogen-related use disorder is exclusionary * Participant has a current or history of seizures (uncomplicated childhood febrile seizures with no sequelae are not exclusionary)

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Double-Blind (DB) Treatment Phase: Change From Baseline in Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) Total Score From Day 1 to the End of the 4-Week Double-Blind Treatment PhaseBaseline (Day 1 [prerandomization]) up to end of the 4-Week DB treatment phase (Day 28)The MADRS is a clinician-rated scale designed to measure depression severity and detects changes due to antidepressant treatment. The scale consists of 10 items, each of which is scored from 0 (item not present or normal) to 6 (severe or continuous presence of the symptoms), for a total possible score of 60. Higher scores represent a more severe condition.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
DB Treatment Phase: Change From Baseline in MADRS Total Score From Day 1 to Day 2Baseline (Day 1 [prerandomization]) up to Day 2 (approximately 24 hours after the first dose)The MADRS is a clinician-rated scale designed to measure depression severity and detects changes due to antidepressant treatment. The scale consists of 10 items, each of which is scored from 0 (item not present or normal) to 6 (severe or continuous presence of the symptoms), for a total possible score of 60. Higher scores represent a more severe condition.
DB Treatment Phase: Percentage of Responders in MADRS Over Time to the End of the 4-Week DB Treatment PhaseUp to end of the 4-Week DB treatment phase (Day 28)Percentage of responders (greater than or equal to \[\>=\] 50 percent \[%\] reduction from baseline in MADRS total score) over time to the end of the 4-week DB treatment phase will be reported. The MADRS is a clinician-rated scale designed to measure depression severity and detects changes due to antidepressant treatment. The scale consists of 10 items, each of which is scored from 0 (item not present or normal) to 6 (severe or continuous presence of the symptoms), for a total possible score of 60. Higher scores represent a more severe condition.
DB Treatment Phase: Percentage of Participants in Remission in MADRS Over Time to the End of the 4-Week DB Treatment PhaseUp to end of the 4-Week DB treatment phase (Day 28)Percentage of participants in remission (MADRS less than or equal to \[\<=\] 10 and MADRS \<= 12) over time to the end of the 4-week DB treatment phase will be reported. The MADRS is a clinician-rated scale designed to measure depression severity and detects changes due to antidepressant treatment. The scale consists of 10 items, each of which is scored from 0 (item not present or normal) to 6 (severe or continuous presence of the symptoms), for a total possible score of 60. Higher scores represent a more severe condition.
DB Treatment Phase: Change From Baseline in Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) Over Time to the End of the 4-Week DB Treatment PhaseBaseline up to end of the 4-Week DB treatment phase (Day 28)Change from baseline in CGI-S over time to the end of the 4-week DB treatment phase will be reported. The CGI-S is a clinician-rated scale that measures illness severity. The CGI has proved to be a robust measure of efficacy in many clinical drug trials and is easy and quick to administer. The CGI-S is rated on a 7-point scale, with the severity of illness scale using a range of responses from 1 (normal) through to 7 (among the most severely ill participants).
DB Treatment Phase: Change From Baseline in MADRS Total Score Over Time to the End of the 4-Week DB Treatment PhaseBaseline up to end of the 4-Week DB treatment phase (Day 28)Change from baseline in MADRS total score over time to the end of the 4-week DB treatment phase will be reported. The MADRS is a clinician-rated scale designed to measure depression severity and detects changes due to antidepressant treatment. The scale consists of 10 items, each of which is scored from 0 (item not present or normal) to 6 (severe or continuous presence of the symptoms), for a total possible score of 60. Higher scores represent a more severe condition.
DB Treatment Phase: Change From Baseline in Individual MADRS Item Scores Over Time to the End of the 4-Week DB Treatment PhaseBaseline up to end of the 4-Week DB treatment phase (Day 28)Change from baseline in individual MADRS item scores over time to the end of the 4-week DB treatment phase will be reported. The MADRS is a clinician-rated scale designed to measure depression severity and detects changes due to antidepressant treatment. The scale consists of 10 items, each of which is scored from 0 (item not present or normal) to 6 (severe or continuous presence of the symptoms), for a total possible score of 60. Higher scores represent a more severe condition.
DB Treatment Phase: Change From Baseline in Anhedonia Symptoms Over Time to the End of the 4-Week DB Treatment Phase As Assessed by MADRS Anhedonia Factor ScoreBaseline up to end of the 4-Week DB treatment phase (Day 28)Change from baseline in anhedonia symptoms over time to the end of the 4-week DB treatment phase as assessed by MADRS anhedonia factor score will be reported. The MADRS anhedonia factor is a widely used 5-item subscale of the MADRS used to specifically measure the lack of pleasure (anhedonia) in depression, combining items for apparent sadness, reported sadness, concentration difficulties, lassitude (tiredness), and inability to feel. The sum of these five items (each scored 0-6), resulting in a score from 0 to 30, with higher scores indicating more severe anhedonia. This score helps assess treatment effectiveness for anhedonia, correlates with functional improvement, and provides a deeper look beyond the total depression score, showing significant clinical relevance in major depressive disorder (MDD) trials.
DB Treatment Phase: Change From Baseline in Patient-Reported Anhedonia Symptoms Over Time to the End of the 4-Week DB Treatment Phase As Assessed by Patient Health Questionnaire 9-item (PHQ-9) Item 1 ScoreBaseline up to end of the 4-Week DB treatment phase (Day 28)Change from baseline in patient-reported anhedonia symptoms over time to the end of the 4-week DB treatment phase as assessed by PHQ-9 item 1 score (little interest/pleasure in things) will be reported. The PHQ-9 is a participant-reported outcome measure that will be used to assess depressive symptoms. The scale scores each of the 9 symptom domains of the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th edition) (DSM-5) MDD criteria and it has been used both as a screening tool and a measure of response to treatment for depression. Each item is rated on a 4-point scale (0=not at all, 1=several days, 2=more than half the days, and 3=nearly every day).
DB Treatment Phase: Change From Baseline in PHQ-9 Total Score Over Time to the End of the 4-Week DB Treatment PhaseBaseline up to end of the 4-Week DB treatment phase (Day 28)Change from baseline in PHQ-9 total score over time to the end of the 4-week DB treatment phase will be reported. The PHQ-9 is a participant-reported outcome measure that will be used to assess depressive symptoms. The scale scores each of the 9 symptom domains of the DSM-5 MDD criteria and it has been used both as a screening tool and a measure of response to treatment for depression. Each item is rated on a 4-point scale (0=not at all, 1=several days, 2=more than half the days, and 3=nearly every day). The participant's item responses are summed to provide a total score (range of 0 to 27) with higher scores indicating greater severity of depressive symptoms.
DB Treatment Phase: Percentage of Responders in PHQ-9 Over Time to the End of the 4-Week DB Treatment PhaseUp to end of the 4-Week DB treatment phase (Day 28)Percentage of responders (\>= 50% reduction from baseline in PHQ-9 total score) over time to the end of the 4-week DB treatment phase will be reported. The PHQ-9 is a participant-reported outcome measure that will be used to assess depressive symptoms. The scale scores each of the 9 symptom domains of the DSM-5 MDD criteria and it has been used both as a screening tool and a measure of response to treatment for depression. Each item is rated on a 4-point scale (0=not at all, 1=several days, 2=more than half the days, and 3=nearly every day). The participant's item responses are summed to provide a total score (range of 0 to 27) with higher scores indicating greater severity of depressive symptoms.
DB Treatment Phase: Percentage of Participants in Remission in PHQ-9 Over Time to the End of the 4-Week DB Treatment PhaseUp to end of the 4-Week DB treatment phase (Day 28)Percentage of participants in remission (PHQ-9 total score \< 5) over time to the end of the 4-week DB treatment phase will be reported. The PHQ-9 is a participant-reported outcome measure that will be used to assess depressive symptoms. The scale scores each of the 9 symptom domains of the DSM-5 MDD criteria and it has been used both as a screening tool and a measure of response to treatment for depression. Each item is rated on a 4-point scale (0=not at all, 1=several days, 2=more than half the days, and 3=nearly every day). The participant's item responses are summed to provide a total score (range of 0 to 27) with higher scores indicating greater severity of depressive symptoms.
Open-Label (OL) Treatment Phase: Percentage of Responders in MADRS Over Time to the End of the OL Treatment PhaseUp to 12 WeeksPercentage of responders (\>= 50% reduction from baseline in MADRS total score) over time to the end of the OL treatment phase will be reported. The MADRS is a clinician-rated scale designed to measure depression severity and detects changes due to antidepressant treatment. The scale consists of 10 items, each of which is scored from 0 (item not present or normal) to 6 (severe or continuous presence of the symptoms), for a total possible score of 60. Higher scores represent a more severe condition.
OL Treatment Phase: Percentage of Participants in Remission in MADRS Over Time to the End of the OL Treatment PhaseUp to 12 WeeksPercentage of participants in remission (MADRS \<= 10 and MADRS \<= 12) over time to the end of the OL treatment phase will be reported. The MADRS is a clinician-rated scale designed to measure depression severity and detects changes due to antidepressant treatment. The scale consists of 10 items, each of which is scored from 0 (item not present or normal) to 6 (severe or continuous presence of the symptoms), for a total possible score of 60. Higher scores represent a more severe condition.
OL Treatment Phase: Change From Baseline in CGI-S Over Time to the End of the OL Treatment PhaseBaseline (Day 28) up to 12 WeeksChange from baseline in CGI-S over time to the end of the OL treatment phase will be reported. The CGI-S is a clinician-rated scale that measures illness severity. The CGI has proved to be a robust measure of efficacy in many clinical drug trials and is easy and quick to administer. The CGI-S is rated on a 7-point scale, with the severity of illness scale using a range of responses from 1 (normal) through to 7 (among the most severely ill participants).
OL Treatment Phase: Change From Baseline in MADRS Total Score Over Time to the End of the OL Treatment PhaseBaseline (Day 28) up to 12 WeeksChange from baseline in MADRS total score over time to the end of the OL treatment phase will be reported. The MADRS is a clinician-rated scale designed to measure depression severity and detects changes due to antidepressant treatment. The scale consists of 10 items, each of which is scored from 0 (item not present or normal) to 6 (severe or continuous presence of the symptoms), for a total possible score of 60. Higher scores represent a more severe condition.
OL Treatment Phase: Change From Baseline in Individual MADRS Item Scores Over Time to the End of the OL Treatment PhaseBaseline (Day 28) up to 12 WeeksChange from baseline in individual MADRS item scores over time to the end of the OL treatment phase will be reported. The MADRS is a clinician-rated scale designed to measure depression severity and detects changes due to antidepressant treatment. The scale consists of 10 items, each of which is scored from 0 (item not present or normal) to 6 (severe or continuous presence of the symptoms), for a total possible score of 60. Higher scores represent a more severe condition.
OL Treatment Phase: Change From Baseline in Anhedonia Symptoms Over Time to the End of the OL Treatment Phase As Assessed by MADRS Anhedonia Factor ScoreBaseline (Day 28) up to 12 WeeksChange from baseline in anhedonia symptoms over time to the end of the OL treatment phase as assessed by MADRS anhedonia factor score will be reported. The MADRS is a clinician-rated scale designed to measure depression severity and detects changes due to antidepressant treatment. The scale consists of 10 items, each of which is scored from 0 (item not present or normal) to 6 (severe or continuous presence of the symptoms), for a total possible score of 60. Higher scores represent a more severe condition.
OL Treatment Phase: Change From Baseline in Patient-Reported Anhedonia Symptoms Over Time to the End of the OL Treatment Phase As Assessed by PHQ-9 Item 1 ScoreBaseline (Day 28) up to 12 WeeksChange from baseline in patient-reported anhedonia symptoms over time to the end of the OL treatment phase as assessed by PHQ-9 item 1 score will be reported. The PHQ-9 is a participant-reported outcome measure that will be used to assess depressive symptoms. The scale scores each of the 9 symptom domains of the DSM-5 MDD criteria and it has been used both as a screening tool and a measure of response to treatment for depression. Each item is rated on a 4-point scale (0=not at all, 1=several days, 2=more than half the days, and 3=nearly every day). The participant's item responses are summed to provide a total score (range of 0 to 27) with higher scores indicating greater severity of depressive symptoms.
OL Treatment Phase: Change From Baseline in PHQ-9 Total Score Over Time to the End of the OL Treatment PhaseBaseline (Day 28) up to 12 WeeksChange from baseline in PHQ-9 total score over time to the end of the OL treatment phase will be reported. The PHQ-9 is a participant-reported outcome measure that will be used to assess depressive symptoms. The scale scores each of the 9 symptom domains of the DSM-5 MDD criteria and it has been used both as a screening tool and a measure of response to treatment for depression. Each item is rated on a 4-point scale (0=not at all, 1=several days, 2=more than half the days, and 3=nearly every day). The participant's item responses are summed to provide a total score (range of 0 to 27) with higher scores indicating greater severity of depressive symptoms.
OL Treatment Phase: Percentage of Responders in PHQ-9 Over Time to the End of the OL Treatment PhaseUp to 12 WeeksPercentage of responders (\>= 50% reduction from baseline in PHQ-9 total score) over time to the end of the OL treatment phase will be reported. The PHQ-9 is a participant-reported outcome measure that will be used to assess depressive symptoms. The scale scores each of the 9 symptom domains of the DSM-5 MDD criteria and it has been used both as a screening tool and a measure of response to treatment for depression. Each item is rated on a 4-point scale (0=not at all, 1=several days, 2=more than half the days, and 3=nearly every day). The participant's item responses are summed to provide a total score (range of 0 to 27) with higher scores indicating greater severity of depressive symptoms.
OL Treatment Phase: Percentage of Participants in Remission in PHQ-9 Over Time to the End of the OL Treatment PhaseUp to 12 WeeksPercentage of participants in remission (PHQ-9 total score \< 5) over time to the end of the OL treatment phase will be reported. The PHQ-9 is a participant-reported outcome measure that will be used to assess depressive symptoms. The scale scores each of the 9 symptom domains of the DSM-5 MDD criteria and it has been used both as a screening tool and a measure of response to treatment for depression. Each item is rated on a 4-point scale (0=not at all, 1=several days, 2=more than half the days, and 3=nearly every day). The participant's item responses are summed to provide a total score (range of 0 to 27) with higher scores indicating greater severity of depressive symptoms.

Countries

Japan, Taiwan, United States

Contacts

CONTACTStudy Contact
Participate-In-This-Study1@its.jnj.com844-434-4210
STUDY_DIRECTORJanssen Research & Development, LLC Clinical Trial

Janssen Research & Development, LLC

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Aug 29, 2026