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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Belgium4 sites
Anima
Alken, 3570
C.H.U. Brugmann
Brussels, 1020
Pz Duffel
Duffel, 2570
Vitaz
Sint-Niklaas, 9100
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
Australia3 sites
Peninsula Therapeutic & Research Group
Frankston, 3199
Albert Road Clinic
Melbourne, 3004
The Alfred Hospital
Melbourne, 3004
Portugal3 sites
Hospital de Braga
Braga, 4710-243
Hospital CUF Inf. Santo
Lisbon, 1350 179
Fund. Champalimaud
Lisbon, 1400 038
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.
- Conditions
- Depressive Disorder, Major, Anhedonia
- 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 group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Aticaprant | Experimental | Participants 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 |
| Placebo | Placebo comparator | Participants 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.
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)
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
- First posted13 Jul 2022
- Study start22 Jun 2022
- Primary completion18 Sep 2024
- Study completion18 Sep 2024
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, outcome measures and adverse events reported by the sponsor.
- Other trials for Depressive Disorder, MajorStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Janssen Research & Development, LLCThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
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)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Janssen Research & Development, LLC
- Sponsor type
- Industry (pharma, biotech, devices)
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Janssen Research & Development, LLC Clinical Trial, Study director, Janssen Research & Development, LLC
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
- Results posted
- Yes, on ClinicalTrials.gov
- 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
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 6 Nov 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- 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
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05455684
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- VENTURA-1 / CR109217
- Conditions
- Depressive Disorder, Major, Anhedonia
- Phase
- Phase 3
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 513 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Janssen Research & Development, LLCIndustry (pharma, biotech, devices)
- Study start
- 22 Jun 2022 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 18 Sep 2024 (actual)
- Study completion
- 18 Sep 2024 (actual)
- First posted
- 13 Jul 2022 (actual)
- Results
- Posted 6 Nov 2025
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
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).
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.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (participant, investigator)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Aticaprant | Experimental | Drug: AticaprantParticipants 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). |
| Placebo | Placebo comparator | Other: PlaceboParticipants 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). |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 74 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- 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
Key exclusion criteria (7 listed)
- 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
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| AticaprantAlso: JNJ-67953964Aticaprant will be administered orally as tablets. | Drug | Aticaprant |
| PlaceboPlacebo will be administered orally as tablets. | Other | Placebo |
Primary outcome
Change From Baseline to Day 43 in the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) Total Score
Time frame: Baseline (Day 1) to Day 43
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.
12 secondary outcomes
Change From Baseline to Day 43 in Dimensional Anhedonia Rating Scale (DARS) Total Score
Time frame: Baseline (Day 1) to Day 43
Change From Baseline Over Time in MADRS Total Score
Time frame: Baseline (Day 1), Days 15, 29 and 43
Percentage of Participants Who Achieved Response on Depressive Symptoms Scale Based on MADRS Total Score at Day 43
Time frame: At Day 43
Percentage of Participants With Remission of Depressive Symptoms Based on MADRS Total Score at Day 43
Time frame: At Day 43
Change From Baseline to Day 43 in Patient Health Questionnaire, 9-Item (PHQ-9) Total Score
Time frame: Baseline (Day 1) to Day 43
Change From Baseline Over Time in DARS Total Score
Time frame: Baseline (Day 1), Days 15, 29, and 43
Change From Baseline Over Time in the PHQ-9 Anhedonia-specific Item (PHQ-9, Item 1)
Time frame: Baseline (Day 1), Day 15, Day 29, and Day 43
Percentage of Participants With a Score Less Than (<) 2 in the PHQ-9 Anhedonia-specific Item (PHQ-9, Item 1) at Day 43
Time frame: At Day 43
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)
Time frame: Baseline (Day 1), Days 15, 29, and 43
Percent Change From Baseline Over Time in Work Productivity and Activity Impairment: Depression (WPAI:D)
Time frame: Baseline (Day 1), Days 29 and 43
DB Treatment Phase: Percentage of Participants With Treatment Emergent Adverse Events (TEAEs)
Time frame: From start of treatment (Day 1) up to Day 43
Follow-up (FU) Phase: Percentage of Participants With AEs
Time frame: From Day 44 up to Day 57
Results and safety
Loading the posted results from ClinicalTrials.gov…
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 6 Nov 2025.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, baseline, all outcome measures and adverse events.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: 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
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Janssen Research & Development, LLC Clinical Trial study director
Janssen Research & Development, LLC
120 sites in 13 countries: see every site and its status.
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.