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Depressive Disorder, MajorPhase 3VENTURA-1NCT05455684

A Study of Aticaprant as Adjunctive Therapy in Adult Participants With Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) With Moderate-to-severe Anhedonia and Inadequate Response to Current Antidepressant Therapy

A Phase 3 study testing Aticaprant in people with Depressive Disorder, Major and Anhedonia, run by Janssen Research & Development, LLC at 120 sites in 13 countries.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of aticaprant compared with placebo as adjunctive therapy to an antidepressant in improving depressive symptoms in adult participants with major depressive disorder (MDD) with moderate-to-severe anhedonia (ANH+) who have had an inadequate response to current… Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 74 years
Conditions the study is for
Depressive Disorder, Major, Anhedonia
What is being tested?
Aticaprant
Type of treatment
Pill or oral medicine
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
513 participants
Where
120 sitesin 13 countries
Study dates
22 Jun 2022to 18 Sep 2024
Phase
Phase 3
Are there results?
Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 to 74 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Be medically stable on the basis of physical examination, medical history, vital signs, and 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) performed at screening and baseline
  • Have a Hamilton Depression Rating Scale 17 item (HDRS-17) total score of 20 or higher at the first and second screening interviews and must not demonstrate a clinically significant improvement between the first and the second independent HDRS-17 assessments
  • Meet Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5th edition (DSM-5) diagnostic criteria for recurrent or single episode major depressive disorder (MDD), without psychotic features, based upon clinical assessment and confirmed by the structured clinical interview for DSM-5 Axis I disorders-clinical trials version (SCID-CT). Participants 65 years of age or older must have had the first onset of depression prior to 55 years of age
  • Have had an inadequate response to at least 1 oral antidepressant treatment, administered at an adequate dose (at or above the minimum therapeutic dose per Massachusetts General Hospital Antidepressant Treatment Response Questionnaire [MGH ATRQ]) and duration (at least 6 weeks) in the current episode of depression. An inadequate response is defined as less than(<) 50% reduction in depressive symptom severity but with some improvement (>0%) (ie, there may be minimal to moderate symptomatic improvement since the initiation of treatment, but some of the initial symptoms are still present, troubling to the participant and affecting behavior and function), as assessed by the MGH ATRQ
  • Is currently receiving and tolerating well any one of the following selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) for depressive symptoms at screening, in any approved formulation and available in the participating country/territory: citalopram, duloxetine, escitalopram, fluvoxamine, fluoxetine, milnacipran, levomilnacipran, paroxetine, sertraline, venlafaxine, desvenlafaxine at a stable dose for at least 6 weeks. The current antidepressant cannot be the first antidepressant treatment for the first lifetime episode of depression
  • Participant's current major depressive episode, and antidepressant treatment response in the current depressive episode, must all be confirmed by the site independent qualification assessment

Who cannot join

  • Have had in the current depressive episode, no response (treatment failure) to 5 or more antidepressant treatments including the current SSRI/SNRI (that is, the one presumed to be continued in the treatment phase) assessed using the Massachusetts General Hospital Antidepressant Treatment Response Questionnaire (MGH ATRQ)
  • Has a history or evidence of clinically meaningful noncompliance with current antidepressant therapy
  • Has a history of moderate-to-severe substance use disorder including alcohol use disorder according to DSM-5 criteria within 6 months before screening
  • Has had in the current episode an inadequate response to adequate course of intravenous or intranasal ketamine or esketamine, electroconvulsive therapy, vagal nerve stimulation, or deep brain stimulation device
  • Has current, or a history (past 6 months), of seizures
  • Has a current homicidal ideation/intent, per the investigator's clinical judgment, or has suicidal ideation with some intent to act within 3 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 or Item 5, or a history of suicidal behavior within the past 6 months prior to the start of the Screening Phase. Participants reporting suicidal ideation with intent to act or suicidal behavior at baseline should be excluded
  • Has one or more of the following diagnoses: a) A DSM-5 diagnosis (which has been the primary focus of psychiatric treatment within the past 2 years) of any of the following: panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, specific phobia; b) A current (in the past year) DSM-5 diagnosis of: obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa; c) A current or prior (lifetime) DSM-5 diagnosis of: a psychotic disorder or MDD with psychotic features, bipolar or related disorders, intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, borderline personality disorder, antisocial personality disorder, histrionic personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorders, somatoform disorders

Trial locations and contacts

120 sites in 13 countries.

120 sites in 13 countries

United States46 sites
  • Advanced Research Center Inc

    Anaheim, California, 92805

  • West Houston Clinical Research Service

    Bellaire, Texas, 77401

  • Northwest Clinical Research Center

    Bellevue, Washington, 98007

  • Research Network America

    Berwyn, Illinois, 60402

  • University of Virginia

    Charlottesville, Virginia, 22903

  • Chicago Research Center

    Chicago, Illinois, 60634

  • Patient Priority Clinical Sites LLC

    Cincinnati, Ohio, 45215

  • University of Cincinnati Medical Center

    Cincinnati, Ohio, 45219

  • Innovative Research of West Florida, Incorporated

    Clearwater, Florida, 33756

  • Vertex Research Group, Inc

    Clermont, Florida, 34711

  • Alpine Research Organization

    Clinton, Utah, 84015

  • Proscience Research Group

    Culver City, California, 90230

  • Midwest Clinical Research Center

    Dayton, Ohio, 45417

  • University of Connecticut Health Center

    Farmington, Connecticut, 06030

  • Gulfcoast Medical Research Center

    Fort Myers, Florida, 33912

  • North Texas Clinical Trials

    Fort Worth, Texas, 76104

  • Bay Area Clinical Services

    Friendswood, Texas, 77546

  • Charak Center for Health and Wellness

    Garfield Heights, Ohio, 44125

  • Behavioral Research Specialists LLC

    Glendale, California, 91206

  • New Life Medical Research Center, Inc.

    Hialeah, Florida, 33012

  • Amedica Research Institute Inc

    Hialeah, Florida, 33013

  • Convenient Medical Center

    Hialeah, Florida, 33013

  • Galiz Research

    Hialeah, Florida, 33016

  • Clinical Trial Network - Houston

    Houston, Texas, 77074

  • University of Kansas Medical Center Research Institute

    Kansas City, Kansas, 66160

  • Asclepes Research

    Long Beach, California, 90807

  • Suburban Research Associates

    Media, Pennsylvania, 19063

  • ActivMed Practices and Research

    Methuen, Massachusetts, 01844

  • Pharmax Research Clinic Inc

    Miami, Florida, 33126

  • A Plus Research

    Miami, Florida, 33144

  • Meridian International Research

    Miami Gardens, Florida, 33014

  • University of Miami

    Miami Lakes, Florida, 33016

  • Clinical Trials of America

    Monroe, Louisiana, 71203

  • Bioscience Research LLC

    Mount Kisco, New York, 10549

  • Fieve Clinical Research Inc

    New York, New York, 10168

  • Psychiatric Care and Research Center (PCRC)

    O'Fallon, Missouri, 63368

  • Excell Research Inc

    Oceanside, California, 92056

  • Medical Research Group of Central Florida

    Orange City, Florida, 32763

  • University of Pennsylvania - Perelman School of Medicine

    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104

  • Finger Lakes Clinical Research

    Rochester, New York, 14618

  • Syrentis Clinical Research

    Santa Ana, California, 92705

  • USF, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences

    Tampa, Florida, 33613

  • Viking Clinical Research Ltd

    Temecula, California, 92591

  • Montefiore Medical Center PRIME

    The Bronx, New York, 10467

  • SW Biomedical Research LLC

    Tucson, Arizona, 85712

  • University of Arizona

    Tucson, Arizona, 85713

Other trials in United States

Spain10 sites
  • Institucion Hosp Hestia Palau

    Barcelona, 08025

  • Hosp Univ Vall D Hebron

    Barcelona, 08035

  • Hosp Clinic de Barcelona

    Barcelona, 08036

  • Hosp. Univ. La Paz

    Madrid, 28046

  • Hosp Regional Univ de Malaga

    Málaga, 29011

  • Hosp. Univ. Son Espases

    Palma de Mallorca, 07120

  • Hosp. El Bierzo

    Ponferrada, 24404

  • Corporacio Sanitari Parc Tauli

    Sabadell, 08208

  • Hosp. Alvaro Cunqueiro

    Vigo, 36312

  • Hosp. Psiquiatrico Alava

    Vitoria-Gasteiz, 01006

Other trials in Spain

Argentina8 sites
  • Hospital Italiano

    Buenos Aires, 1199

  • STAT Research S A

    Buenos Aires, C1013AAB

  • CIPREC

    Buenos Aires, C1061AAS

  • CENydET - Centro Neurobiologico y de Stress Traumatico

    Ciudad Autonoma Buenos Aires, 1058 AAJ

  • Fundacion Lennox

    Córdoba, 5000

  • CENPIA

    La Plata, 1902

  • Resolution

    Mendoza, M5502AHV

  • Instituto Medico de La Fundacion Estudios Clinicos

    Rosario, S2000DEJ

Other trials in Argentina

Brazil8 sites
  • Universidade Federal do Ceara Hospital Universitario Walter Cantidio

    Fortaleza, 60430-370

  • Instituto Goiano de Neuropsiquiatria

    Goiânia, 74093 040

  • NPCRS Nucleo de Pesquisa Clinica do Rio Grande do Sul

    Porto Alegre, 90430001

  • Ruschel Medicina e Pesquisa Clínica Ltda

    Rio de Janeiro, 22270 060

  • CEMEC - Centro Multidisciplinar de Estudos Clínicos

    São Bernardo do Campo, 09715-090

  • Fundacao Faculdade Regional de Medicina de Sao Jose do Rio Preto Hospital de Base

    São José do Rio Preto, 15090-000

  • CPQuali Pesquisa Clinica LTDA ME

    São Paulo, 01228-900

  • BR Trials

    São Paulo, 05003 020

Other trials in Brazil

Czechia7 sites
  • Narodni ustav dusevniho zdravi

    Klecany, 25067

  • A Shine S R O

    Pilsen, 301 00

  • Clintrial s r o

    Prague, 100 00

  • AD71 s.r.o.

    Prague, 109 00

  • Praglandia s r o

    Prague, 15000

  • NeuropsychiatrieHK, s.r.o.

    Prague, 160 00

  • Psychiatricka ordinace

    Ústí nad Labem, 400 01

Other trials in Czechia

Hungary7 sites
  • Obudai Egeszsegugyi Centrum Kft

    Budapest, 1036

  • Semmelweis Egyetem

    Budapest, 1083

  • Nyiro Gyula Korhaz

    Budapest, 1135

  • Bugat Pal Korhaz

    Gyöngyös, 3200

  • Dr Mathe es Tarsa Bt

    Kalocsa, 6300

  • PsychoTech Kft

    Pécs, 7633

  • Tolna Megyei Balassa Janos Korhaz

    Szekszárd, 7100

Other trials in Hungary

Italy7 sites
  • Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale Papa Giovanni XXIII (Presidio Papa Giovanni XXIII)

    Bergamo, 24127

  • Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Mater Domini

    Catanzaro, 88100

  • AUSL LE di Lecce

    Lecce, 73100

  • Fondazione IRCCS Ca Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico

    Milan, 20122

  • ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco

    Milan, 20157

  • Ospedale San Raffaele

    Milan

  • Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese Policlinico Santa Maria alle Scotte

    Siena, 53100

Other trials in Italy

Poland7 sites
  • Gabinet Lekarski Psychiatryczny Ireneusz Kaczorowski

    Bełchatów, 97-400

  • Mlynowamed Specjalistyczny Psychiatryczny Gabinet Lekarski Joanna Lazarczyk

    Bialystok, 15-404

  • Centrum Badan Klinicznych PI House sp z o o

    Gdansk, 80 546

  • Specjalistyczna Indywidualna Praktyka Lekarska

    Lodz, 90-009

  • SPZOZ Uniwersytecki Szpi.Klin. nr 4 UM w Lodzi

    Lodz, 92-215

  • Osrodek Badan Klinicznych CROMED

    Poznan, 61-360

  • Specjalistyczny Gabinet Psychiatryczny Kowalkowski Gerard

    Torun, 87 100

Other trials in Poland

Bulgaria6 sites
  • Ambulatory for Individual Practice for Specialized Medical Care in Psychiatry Dr. Ivo Natsov ET

    Cherven Bryag, 5980

  • Ambulatory Group practice for specialized help in psychiary Philipopolis ODD

    Plovdiv, 4002

  • Medical Center Mentalcare OOD

    Plovdiv, 4004

  • Mental Health Center - Rousse

    Rousse, 7003

  • Medical Center St. Naum

    Sofia, 1113

  • Mental Health Center - Veliko Tarnovo EOOD

    Veliko Tarnovo, 5000

Other trials in Bulgaria

Belgium4 sites
  • Anima

    Alken, 3570

  • C.H.U. Brugmann

    Brussels, 1020

  • Pz Duffel

    Duffel, 2570

  • Vitaz

    Sint-Niklaas, 9100

Other trials in Belgium

Sweden4 sites
  • Sahlgrenska Universitetssjukhuset

    Gothenburg, 416 85

  • ProbarE i Lund AB

    Lund, 22222

  • ProbarE i Stockholm AB

    Stockholm, 113 29

  • Studieenheten Akademiskt Specialistcentrum Stockholm

    Stockholm, 113 61

Other trials in Sweden

Australia3 sites
  • Peninsula Therapeutic & Research Group

    Frankston, 3199

  • Albert Road Clinic

    Melbourne, 3004

  • The Alfred Hospital

    Melbourne, 3004

Other trials in Australia

Portugal3 sites
  • Hospital de Braga

    Braga, 4710-243

  • Hospital CUF Inf. Santo

    Lisbon, 1350 179

  • Fund. Champalimaud

    Lisbon, 1400 038

Other trials in Portugal

About this study

Official title: A Randomized, Double-blind, Multicenter, Parallel-group, Placebo-controlled Study to Evaluate the Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of Aticaprant 10 mg as Adjunctive Therapy in Adult Participants With Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) With Moderate-to-severe Anhedonia and Inadequate Response to Current Antidepressant Therapy

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of aticaprant compared with placebo as adjunctive therapy to an antidepressant in improving depressive symptoms in adult participants with major depressive disorder (MDD) with moderate-to-severe anhedonia (ANH+) who have had an inadequate response to current antidepressant therapy with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI).

Read the detailed description

Depression is a common and serious psychiatric disorder which is a leading cause of disability worldwide and is associated with elevated mortality and suicide risk. Aticaprant (JNJ-67953964) is a once daily, highly selective kappa opioid receptor (KOR) antagonist, with demonstrated selectivity over mu opioid receptor (MOR) and delta opioid receptor (DOR) being developed for adjunctive treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) with moderate-to-severe anhedonia (ANH+). The study consists of a screening phase (up to 30 days prior to randomization), double-blind treatment phase (43 days), and follow-up phase (up to 14 days). The total duration of the study will be up to 87 days. Safety evaluations including adverse events, physical examinations, urine drug test, alcohol breath tests, and clinical laboratory tests will be assessed at specific time points during this study.

Being tested
Aticaprant, Placebo
Medical subject headings
Depressive Disorder, Major, Anhedonia

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • AticaprantDrug

    Also called JNJ-67953964

    Aticaprant will be administered orally as tablets.

  • PlaceboOther

    Placebo will be administered orally as tablets.

Study groups in NCT05455684
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
AticaprantExperimentalParticipants will receive aticaprant tablets orally once daily for 42 days during double-blind treatment phase in addition to the current antidepressant selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor/serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SSRI/SNRI) therapy. Participants who will complete the double-blind treatment phase (Day 43) may be eligible to participate in a separate 52-week open-label long-term safety study (67953964MDD3003).
Receives: Drug: Aticaprant
PlaceboPlacebo comparatorParticipants will receive matching placebo orally once daily for 42 days during double-blind treatment phase in addition to their current antidepressant (SSRI/SNRI) therapy. Participants who will complete the double-blind treatment phase (Day 43) may be eligible to participate in a separate 52-week open-label long-term safety study (67953964MDD3003).
Receives: Other: Placebo

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Change From Baseline to Day 43 in the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) Total Score

    The MADRS is a clinician-rated scale designed to measure depression severity and detect changes due to antidepressant treatment. The scale consists of 10 items (apparent sadness, reported sadness, inner tension, reduced sleep, reduced appetite, concentration difficulties, lassitude, inability to feel, pessimistic thoughts, and suicidal thoughts), each of which is scored from 0 (item not present or normal) to 6 (severe or continuous presence of symptoms). MADRS total score is the sum of scores from individual question items, which ranges from 0 to 60; higher scores represent a more severe condition. Negative change in MADRS total score indicates improvement.

    Measured: Baseline (Day 1) to Day 43

Secondary outcomes (12)
  1. Change From Baseline to Day 43 in Dimensional Anhedonia Rating Scale (DARS) Total Score

    The DARS is a 17-item self-report questionnaire that is designed to assess anhedonia in MDD across the 4 domains: hobbies, social activities, food/drink, and sensory experience. The DARS scale measures desire, motivation, effort, and consummatory pleasure. The DARS is rated on a 5-point Likert scale (0=not at all, 1=slightly, 2=moderately, 3=mostly, 4=very much) and responses are summed to generate the total score (ranges from 0 to 68). A lower total score is indicative of greater anhedonia. Positive changes in DARS total score indicate improvement.

    Measured: Baseline (Day 1) to Day 43

  2. Change From Baseline Over Time in MADRS Total Score

    Change from baseline over time in MADRS total score is reported. The MADRS is a clinician-rated scale designed to measure depression severity and detect changes due to antidepressant treatment. The scale consists of 10 items (apparent sadness, reported sadness, inner tension, reduced sleep, reduced appetite, concentration difficulties, lassitude, inability to feel, pessimistic thoughts, and suicidal thoughts), each of which is scored from 0 (item not present or normal) to 6 (severe or continuous presence of symptoms). MADRS total score is the sum of scores from individual question items, which ranges from 0 to 60; higher scores represent a more severe condition. Negative change in MADRS total score indicates improvement.

    Measured: Baseline (Day 1), Days 15, 29 and 43

  3. Percentage of Participants Who Achieved Response on Depressive Symptoms Scale Based on MADRS Total Score at Day 43

    Percentage of participants who achieved response on depressive symptoms scale based on MADRS total score at Day 43 are reported. Responders are defined as participants with a >=50 percent (%) improvement in the MADRS total score from baseline to a given timepoint. The MADRS is a clinician-rated scale designed to measure depression severity and detect changes due to antidepressant treatment. The scale consists of 10 items (apparent sadness, reported sadness, inner tension, reduced sleep, reduced appetite, concentration difficulties, lassitude, inability to feel, pessimistic thoughts, and suicidal thoughts), each of which is scored from 0 (item not present or normal) to 6 (severe or continuous presence of symptoms). MADRS total score is the sum of scores from individual question items, which ranges from 0 to 60; higher scores represent a more severe condition.

    Measured: At Day 43

  4. Percentage of Participants With Remission of Depressive Symptoms Based on MADRS Total Score at Day 43

    Percentage of participants with remission of depressive symptoms based on MADRS total score at Day 43 is reported. Participant is defined as a remitter at a given time point if the MADRS total score is less than or equal to (<=)10 at that time point. The MADRS is a clinician-rated scale designed to measure depression severity and detect changes due to antidepressant treatment. The scale consists of 10 items (apparent sadness, reported sadness, inner tension, reduced sleep, reduced appetite, concentration difficulties, lassitude, inability to feel, pessimistic thoughts, and suicidal thoughts), each of which is scored from 0 (item not present or normal) to 6 (severe or continuous presence of symptoms). MADRS total score is the sum of scores from individual question items, which ranges from 0 to 60; higher scores represent a more severe condition.

    Measured: At Day 43

  5. Change From Baseline to Day 43 in Patient Health Questionnaire, 9-Item (PHQ-9) Total Score

    Change from baseline to Day 43 in PHQ-9 total score is reported. The PHQ-9 is a 9-item, participant reported outcome measure 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. 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. The severity of the PHQ-9 is categorized as follows: none-minimal (0-4), mild (5-9), moderate (10-14), moderately severe (15-19) and severe (20-27). Negative changes in PHQ-9 total score indicate improvement.

    Measured: Baseline (Day 1) to Day 43

  6. Change From Baseline Over Time in DARS Total Score

    Change from baseline over time in DARS total score is reported. The DARS is a 17-item self-report questionnaire that is designed to assess anhedonia in MDD across the 4 domains: hobbies, social activities, food/drink, and sensory experience. The DARS scale measures desire, motivation, effort, and consummatory pleasure. The DARS is rated on a 5-point Likert scale (0=not at all, 1=slightly, 2=moderately, 3=mostly, 4=very much) and responses are summed to generate the total score (range of 0 to 68). A lower total score is indicative of greater anhedonia. Positive changes in DARS total score indicate improvement.

    Measured: Baseline (Day 1), Days 15, 29, and 43

  7. Change From Baseline Over Time in the PHQ-9 Anhedonia-specific Item (PHQ-9, Item 1)

    Change from baseline over time in the PHQ-9 anhedonia-specific item (PHQ-9, item 1 is little interest or pleasure in doing things) is reported. The PHQ-9 is a 9-item, participant reported outcome measure 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. 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. The severity of the PHQ-9 is categorized as follows: none-minimal (0-4), mild (5-9), moderate (10-14), moderately severe (15-19) and severe (20-27). Negative changes in PHQ-9 total score indicate improvement.

    Measured: Baseline (Day 1), Day 15, Day 29, and Day 43

  8. Percentage of Participants With a Score Less Than (<) 2 in the PHQ-9 Anhedonia-specific Item (PHQ-9, Item 1) at Day 43

    Percentage of participants with a score <2 in the PHQ-9 anhedonia-specific item (PHQ-9, item 1 is little interest or pleasure in doing things) at Day 43 is reported. The PHQ-9 is a 9-item, participant reported outcome measure 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. 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. The severity of the PHQ-9 is categorized as follows: none-minimal (0-4), mild (5-9), moderate (10-14), moderately severe (15-19) and severe (20-27).

    Measured: At Day 43

  9. Change From Baseline Over Time in Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Short Form - Ability to Participate in Social Roles and Activities - 8a (PROMIS-APS 8a)

    Change from baseline over time in the PROMIS-APS 8a is reported. This 8-item measure assesses participants' ability to participate in social roles and activities. The items measures the degree of involvement in social roles, activities, and responsibilities, including work, family, friends, and leisure. Each item is rated on a 5-point ordinal scale including 1=always, 2=usually, 3=sometimes, 4=rarely and 5=never, with higher scores indicating better social functioning. The total scores of PROMIS-APS 8a ranges from 8 to 40 and is transformed using a T-score metric with a mean of 50 and a standard deviation of 10. T-score ranges from 25.9 to 65.4, a higher score indicates better social functioning. Positive change in score indicates improvement.

    Measured: Baseline (Day 1), Days 15, 29, and 43

  10. Percent Change From Baseline Over Time in Work Productivity and Activity Impairment: Depression (WPAI:D)

    The WPAI:D questionnaire is a validated short instrument that assesses impairment in work and other regular activities over the past 7 days. The WPAI yields four types of scores: (a) Absenteeism (work time missed); (b) Presenteeism (impairment at work / reduced on-the-job effectiveness); (c) Work productivity loss (overall work impairment / absenteeism plus presenteeism); (d) Activity Impairment. The first three scores are derived only for respondents who were working (should be missing for non-working), but the last score is applicable for all respondents. Each score ranges from 0 to 100 with higher scores indicating greater impairment and less productivity. Negative changes in score indicates less impairment and greater productivity.

    Measured: Baseline (Day 1), Days 29 and 43

  11. DB Treatment Phase: Percentage of Participants With Treatment Emergent Adverse Events (TEAEs)

    Percentage of participants with TEAEs during DB treatment phase are reported. A TEAE is any untoward medical occurrence in a clinical study participant administered a medicinal (investigational or non-investigational) product. A TEAE does not necessarily have a causal relationship with the intervention. TEAEs included both serious and non serious adverse events. TEAEs were defined as AEs with onset during the DB Treatment Phase, or AEs that are a consequence of a pre-existing condition that has worsened since baseline (Day 1).

    Measured: From start of treatment (Day 1) up to Day 43

  12. Follow-up (FU) Phase: Percentage of Participants With AEs

    An AE is any untoward medical occurrence in a clinical study participant administered a medicinal (investigational or non-investigational) product. An AE does not necessarily have a causal relationship with the intervention.

    Measured: From Day 44 up to Day 57

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted13 Jul 2022
  2. Study start22 Jun 2022
  3. Primary completion18 Sep 2024
  4. Study completion18 Sep 2024

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 3
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Double blind
Who is masked
Participant, Investigator
Enrolment
513 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT05455684
Sponsor's protocol ID
CR109217
Other IDs
67953964MDD3001, 2022-000439-22
Acronym
VENTURA-1
Status last verified
Oct 2025
First submitted
10 Jul 2022
Last updated
6 Nov 2025
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
Yes
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Yes: The data sharing policy of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson \& Johnson is available at www.janssen.com/clinical-trials/transparency. As noted on this site, requests for access to the study data can be submitted through Yale Open Data Access (YODA) Project site at yoda.yale.edu

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 3 study testing Aticaprant in people with Depressive Disorder, Major and Anhedonia, run by Janssen Research & Development, LLC at 120 sites in 13 countries.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 7 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 6 Nov 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 120 sites in United States, Spain, Argentina, Brazil, Czechia and 8 more countries. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this phase mean?

Phase 3 studies compare the treatment with the current standard treatment or a placebo in a large group, to confirm how well it works and watch for side effects.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 6 Nov 2025). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Change From Baseline to Day 43 in the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) Total Score (time frame: Baseline (Day 1) to Day 43). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 6 Nov 2025.

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