New pill shows promise for stubborn depression
NCT ID NCT05066672
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested a new drug called NV-5138 in 250 adults with treatment-resistant depression (depression that hasn't improved with standard treatments). Participants took either the drug or a placebo for several weeks. The main goal was to see if the drug reduces depression symptoms better than placebo, measured by a standard depression scale.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- NV-5138 (also called SPN820), a drug that boosts a cell signaling pathway
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a new option for people with depression that hasn't responded to other treatments.
- What could go wrong
- This is a Phase 2 trial, so it's still early. The drug may not work better than placebo, and side effects are possible.
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
-
Phase 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
-
250 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Jan 2022
- Finished
-
Jan 2025
- Lead sponsor
-
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
-
18 to 70 years
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
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.
Inclusion Criteria: * Male or female, aged 18 to 70 years at Screening. * Diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) for either recurrent or single episode MDD without psychotic features that is confirmed by the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). * Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) Total Score of ≥24 for the current MDE at all Screening visits and Baseline (Day 1). * CGI-S score of ≥4 (moderately ill or worse) at the Screening visits and Baseline. * History of inadequate response to ≥1 but ≤4 prior ADT therapies (including the current ADT for the current MDE) ≥ 2 weeks at Screening and ≥ 8 weeks at Baseline. * Stable therapeutic dose of one of the following ADTs for the current MDE for ≥2 weeks prior to Screening and maintain the therapeutic dose throughout the study: citalopram, escitalopram, paroxetine, fluoxetine, sertraline, duloxetine, venlafaxine (IR or XR), desvenlafaxine, vilazodone, levomilnacipran, vortioxetine, bupropion or dextromethorphan//bupropion. * Detectable blood level of the approved ADT at Visits 1 and 2 of the Screening Period. Exclusion Criteria: * MADRS Total Score improvement of ≥25% from the highest to the lowest score during the Screening Period and Baseline. * Clinically significant abnormal laboratory profiles, vital signs, or electrocardiograms (ECGs), per Investigator judgment. * Judged by the Investigator to be at significant risk for suicide or answers 'Yes' to items 4 or 5 on the Suicidal Ideation section of the C-SSRS in the 1 year before Screening; a history of suicide attempt in the last 2 years; or more than 2 lifetime suicide attempts. * History of psychotic disorder, including but not limited to schizophrenia, MDD with psychotic features, or bipolar I/II disorder with and without psychotic features. * Diagnosis within 12 months before Screening or current diagnosis of PTSD, OCD, panic disorder, intellectual disability, autism, acute stress disorder, or Cluster A or B personality disorder (per DSM-5 criteria). * History of substance use disorder within 6 months prior to Screening or currently using or had positive results (UDS) at Screening or Baseline for drugs of abuse. * History of alcohol and cannabis use disorder within 6 months prior to Screening and had a positive alcohol test at Baseline or a positive UDS for cannabis at Screening.
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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.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Northwest Clinical Research Center, Inc.
Bellevue, Washington, 98007, United States
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