New depression pill could lift the fog: phase 3 trial underway
NCT ID NCT07076407
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Sep 09, 2026 · Updated 4 times
Summary
This study tests an experimental drug called azetukalner in 450 adults with moderate-to-severe major depression. Participants take the drug or a placebo daily for 6 weeks to see if it reduces depression symptoms like low mood and loss of pleasure. The goal is to find a new treatment option for people who need better symptom control.
Why investors are watching
Xenon Pharmaceuticals is running a Phase 3 trial of its drug azetukalner in 450 adults with moderate-to-severe major depressive disorder. The trial compares the drug against a placebo to see if it eases symptoms safely. For a small company like Xenon, this readout is a major test of whether its lead drug can succeed in a large, competitive market.
If it works: A positive result could show that azetukalner works as a depression treatment, which might lead to regulatory approval and a new revenue source for Xenon. That outcome would validate the company's research and strengthen its position.
If it fails: Phase 3 trials often fail, and a negative or unclear result could delay or end the drug's development, hurting Xenon's prospects. A safety problem would also raise serious concerns about the drug's future.
AI-written from the trial record. Speculative, and not investment advice.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 3
Large-scale testing in a bigger group. Usually the last step before a treatment can be approved.
- Participants
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About 450 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Jul 2025
- Expected to finish
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Jul 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 74 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Key Inclusion Criteria: * Adults ≥18 and ≤74 years of age and experienced their first major depressive episode (MDE) prior to 50 years of age * Body Mass Index (BMI) ≤40 kg/m2 * Meets the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revised (DSM-5-TR) criteria for current major depressive disorder and is currently in an MDE, confirmed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) * Participant's current MDE has a duration of ≥6 weeks and ≤24 months. Key Exclusion Criteria: * Participant has a primary diagnosis of a mood disorder other than MDD. * Participant has a history of any of the following: MDD with psychotic or catatonic features; MDD with mixed features; Bipolar I or II disorder; Obsessive-compulsive disorder; Schizophrenia, primary thought disorder, or other psychotic disorder. * Participant has a current diagnosis of any of the following: MDD with seasonal pattern; Depression with peripartum or perimenopausal onset; Post traumatic stress disorder; Antisocial or borderline personality disorder (or presence of clinically significant borderline personality traits); Panic disorder and/or agoraphobia; ADHD treated with a psychostimulant, diagnosed during the current MDE, or with unstable symptoms, as judged by the investigator. * Participant has a substance (excluding tobacco) or alcohol use disorder within the 12 months prior to screening. * Participant has had an active suicidal plan/intent within the 6 months prior to screening, presence of suicidal behavior in the last 2 years, or \>1 suicide attempt \> 24 years of age. * Participant has a history of non-suicidal self-harm behavior in the 12 months prior to screening. * Participant has used antidepressants or other prohibited medications (including benzodiazepines), within the 2 weeks (4 weeks for fluoxetine) or within a period less than 5 times the drug's half-life, whichever is longer, prior to randomization. * Participant has a history of non-response to ≥2 antidepressant drugs of adequate dose and duration in the current MDE as determined by the Antidepressant Treatment Response Questionnaire (ATRQ). * Participants with medical conditions that may interfere with the purpose or conduct of the study * Participant is pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant.
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Get notified about this study
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
48 sites in 7 countries. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Activmed Practices & Research, Llc - Methuen
RECRUITINGMethuen, Massachusetts, 01844, United States
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Adams Clinical Boston
RECRUITINGBoston, Massachusetts, 02116, United States
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Adams Clinical Watertown
RECRUITINGWatertown, Massachusetts, 02472, United States
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Advanced Quality Medical Research
RECRUITINGOrland Park, Illinois, 60462, United States
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Artemis Institute for Clinical Research
RECRUITINGSan Diego, California, 92103, United States
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Austin Clinical Trial Partners
RECRUITINGAustin, Texas, 78737, United States
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Bio Behavioral Health
RECRUITINGToms River, New Jersey, 08755, United States
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Bioscience Research, LLC
RECRUITINGMount Kisco, New York, 10549, United States
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Boehm-Peters PartGmbB - Praxis fur Psychiatrie, Psychotherapie, Neurologie
RECRUITINGRosenheim, 83022, Germany
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Boeson Research
RECRUITINGProvo, Utah, 84604, United States
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California Neuroscience Research
RECRUITINGSherman Oaks, California, 91403, United States
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Center for Neurohealth
RECRUITINGLa Jolla, California, 93037, United States
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Centru De Evaluare Si Tratament A Toxicodependentenlor Pentru Tineri Sf. Stelian
RECRUITINGBucharest, 011216, Romania
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Charite - Universitatsmedizin Berline
RECRUITINGBerlin, 10117, Germany
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Clinica Nutrimed Cercetare Sr
RECRUITINGBucharest, 020744, Romania
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Clinical Innovations Inc
RECRUITINGBellflower, California, 90706, United States
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Clinical Medical Research Sp. z o.o.
RECRUITINGKatowice, 40156, Poland
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Dana Ignjatovićová, spol. s r.o
RECRUITINGBanská Bystrica, 97401, Slovakia
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Delricht Research
RECRUITINGAtlanta, Georgia, 30329, United States
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Emory University Brain Health Center
RECRUITINGAtlanta, Georgia, 30329, United States
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Equipath Health and Research Tampa Bay, Llc
RECRUITINGRiverview, Florida, 33578, United States
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Fieve Clinical Research, Inc.
RECRUITINGNew York, New York, 10017, United States
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Gulfcoast Clinical Research Center
RECRUITINGFort Myers, Florida, 33912, United States
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Harmonex Neuroscience Research
TERMINATEDDothan, Alabama, 36303, United States
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Hospital Universitari Vall D'Hebron
RECRUITINGBarcelona, 8035, Spain
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Hospital Universitario Son Espases
RECRUITINGPalma de Mallorca, 07120, Spain
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IMA Clinical Research
RECRUITINGNew York, New York, 10128, United States
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In Vivo Sp. z.o.o.
RECRUITINGBydgoszcz, 85-048, Poland
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Insight Clinical Trials
RECRUITINGIndependence, Ohio, 44195, United States
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Institute of Living
RECRUITINGHartford, Connecticut, 06106, United States
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Institutul Privat De Cercetari Melchisedec (ICPM) Pentru Boli Autoimune Ereditare si Rare - ICPM
RECRUITINGCraiova, 200157, Romania
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Liptovska Nemocnica S Poliklinikou Mudr. Ivana Stodolu Liptovsky Mikulas
RECRUITINGLiptovský Mikuláš, 03123, Slovakia
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Lumina Clinical Research Center
RECRUITINGCherry Hill, New Jersey, 08002, United States
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Magnolia Clinical Research, Llc
RECRUITINGCary, North Carolina, 27511, United States
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Oulu Mentalcare Oy
RECRUITINGOulu, 90100, Finland
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Pacific Clinical Research Management Group
COMPLETEDUpland, California, 91786, United States
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Pharmasite Research Inc.
RECRUITINGBaltimore, Maryland, 21208-6605, United States
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Pillar Clinical Research
RECRUITINGBentonville, Arkansas, 72712, United States
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Praktyka Lekarska Malgorzata Wojtanowska-Bogacka
RECRUITINGPoznan, 60192, Poland
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Princeton Medical Institute
RECRUITINGPrinceton, New Jersey, 08540, United States
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Psychiatric Care and Research Center
RECRUITINGO'Fallon, Missouri, 63368, United States
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SanRo Clinical Research Group
RECRUITINGBryant, Arkansas, 72022, United States
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Sarkis Clinical Trials
RECRUITINGGainesville, Florida, 32607, United States
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Smart Trials, LLC
RECRUITINGJefferson, Louisiana, 70121, United States
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Sooner Clinical Research
RECRUITINGOklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73116, United States
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Specjalistyczna Praktyka Lekarska, Filip Rybakowski
RECRUITINGPoznan, 60744, Poland
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St. Charles Psychiatric Associates - Midwest Research Group
RECRUITINGSaint Charles, Missouri, 63304, United States
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Suomen Terveystalo Oy
RECRUITINGHelsinki, 00180, Finland
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University of Alabama at Birmingham, Huntsville Regional Medical Campus
RECRUITINGHuntsville, Alabama, 35801, United States
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Vitalix Clinical, Inc
RECRUITINGWorcester, Massachusetts, 01608, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Can an antipsychotic restore feelings in people with depression?
- Can intense brain zaps lift depression? scientists track blood flow in real time
- Can an ancient herbal capsule boost antidepressant power?
- Can talk therapy keep Esketamine's relief going?
- Can brisk walking boost antidepressant results?
- Scientists probe brain's reward system in mental illness