Depressive Disorder, MajorPhase 3VENTURA-2NCT05550532
A Study of Aticaprant 10 Milligrams (mg) as Adjunctive Therapy in Adult Participants With 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 131 sites in 14 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
- 444 participants
- Where
- 131 sitesin 14 countries
- Study dates
- 6 Dec 2022to 13 Nov 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 (that is, an improvement of more than 20 percent [%] on their HDRS-17 total score) 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 structural 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
- 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 (at or above the minimum therapeutic dose per Massachusetts General Hospital Antidepressant Treatment Response Questionnaire [MGH-ATRQ] 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 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 diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders-5th edition (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 (that is, at least 7 treatments), 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 (active suicidal ideation with some intent to act, without specific plan) or Item 5 (active suicidal ideation with specific plan and intent), 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 diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders-5th edition (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 major depressive disorder (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
131 sites in 14 countries.
131 sites in 14 countries
United States51 sites
Lehigh Center for Clinical Research LLC
Allentown, Pennsylvania, 18103
Michigan Clinical Research Institute
Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48105
Donald J Garcia Jr MD PA
Austin, Texas, 78737
Northwest Clinical Research Center
Bellevue, Washington, 98007
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, Alabama, 35205
Erie County Medical Center
Buffalo, New York, 14215
Clinical Trials of South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina, 29406
New Hope Clinical Research
Charlotte, North Carolina, 28211
The Cleveland Clinic Foundation
Cleveland, Ohio, 44195
MCB Clinical Research Centers LLC
Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80910
Wexner Medical Center at the Ohio State University
Columbus, Ohio, 43221
CNS Clinical Research Group
Coral Springs, Florida, 33067
Relaro Medical Trials
Dallas, Texas, 75243
UT Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, Texas, 75247-9119
Conrad Clinical Research
Edmond, Oklahoma, 73013
Core Clinical Research
Everett, Washington, 98201
Revive Research Institute
Farmington Hills, Michigan, 48334
Sarkis Clinical Trials
Gainesville, Florida, 32607
CBH Health
Gaithersburg, Maryland, 20877
New Life Medical Research Center, Inc.
Hialeah, Florida, 33012
Sunwise Clinical Research
Lafayette, California, 94549
Premier Psychiatric Research Institute, LLC
Lincoln, Nebraska, 68526
K2 Medical Research
Maitland, Florida, 32751
Tandem Clinical Research
Marrero, Louisiana, 70072
Vital Care Research
Miami, Florida, 33122
Global Medical Institutes
Miami, Florida, 33125
LCC Medical Research Institute Inc
Miami, Florida, 33126
Florida Research Center Inc.
Miami, Florida, 33174
Ezy Medical Research
Miami, Florida, 33175
Felicidad Medical Research
Miami, Florida, 33184
Monroe Biomedical Research
Monroe, North Carolina, 28112
Global Medical Institutes
Moosic, Pennsylvania, 18507
Cedar Psychiatry
Murray, Utah, 84107
Manhattan Behavioral Medicine
New York, New York, 10036
Bravo Health Care Center
North Bay Village, Florida, 33141
Sooner Clinical Research
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73112
Paradigm Research Professionals, LLC
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73118
Pacific Neuropsychiatric Specialists
Orange, California, 92868
APG Research LLC
Orlando, Florida, 32803
Combined Research Orlando
Orlando, Florida, 32803
Quantum Laboratories
Pompano Beach, Florida, 33064
CDC Research Institute LLC
Port Saint Lucie, Florida, 34952
Prospective Research Innovations Inc
Rancho Cucamonga, California, 91730
Midwest Research Group
Saint Charles, Missouri, 63304
University of California San Diego Medical Center
San Diego, California, 92103
CMB Clinical Trials
Santee, California, 92071
California Neuroscience Research
Sherman Oaks, California, 91403
Psychiatric Medicine Associates
Skokie, Illinois, 60076
R and H Clinical Research
Stafford, Texas, 77477
Pacific Clinical Research Medical Group
Upland, California, 91786
Next Level Clinical Trials, LLC
West Covina, California, 91790
China17 sites
Hebei Mental Health Center
Baoding, 071000
Beijing Anding Hospital of Capital Medical University
Beijing, 100088
Beijing Huilongguan Hospital
Beijing, 100096
Peking University Sixth Hospital
Beijing, 100191
The second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University
Changsha, 410011
West China Hospital Sichuan University
Chengdu, 610041
Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital
Guangzhou, 510060
Huzhou third people's Hospital
Huzhou, 313000
Shanghai Mental Health Center
Shanghai, 200030
Tongji Hospital of Tongji University
Shanghai, 200065
The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University
Shijiazhuang, 050031
Suzhou Guangji Hospital
Suzhou, 215003
Tianjin Anding Hospital
Tianjin, 300222
Wuhan Mental Health Center
Wuhan, 430000
Wuhu Hospital of Beijing Anding hospital
Wuhu, 242407
XiAn Mental Healthcare Center
Xi'an, 710061
The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University
Zhengzhou, 450052
South Korea10 sites
Bucheon St. Mary's Hospital
Bucheon-si, 14647
Inje University Haeundae Paik Hospital
Busan, 48108
CHA University ilsan Medical Center
Goyang, 10414
Korea University Ansan Hospital
Gyeonggi-do, 15355
KyungHee University Hospital
Seoul, 02447
Korea University Anam Hospital
Seoul, 02841
Asan Medical Center
Seoul, 05505
Samsung Medical Center
Seoul, 06351
The Catholic University of Korea Yeouido St. Mary's Hospital
Seoul, 07345
Seoul National University Hospital
Seoul, 3080
Argentina9 sites
Fundacion para el Estudio y Tratamiento de las Enfermedades Mentales
Buenos Aires, C1133AAH
CEN Consultorios Especializados en Neurociencias
Córdoba, 5000FJF
Instituto Medico DAMIC
Córdoba, X5003DCE
Centro Medico Luquez
Córdoba, X5006IKK
INSA Instituto de Neurociencias San Agustín
La Plata, 1900
Clinica Privada de Salud Mental Santa Teresa de Ávila
La Plata, Thanks
C I A P Centro de investigacion y Asistencia en Psiquiatria
Rosario, 2000
Clinica Mayo de UMCB
San Miguel de Tucumán, 4000
Clinica El Jardin
Santiago del Estero, 4200
Slovakia8 sites
Psychomed-Svatosavsky, s.r.o.
Banská Bystrica, 97401
Nemocnica s poliklinikou Prievidza so sidlom v Bojniciach
Bojnice, 97201
Psychiatricka Ambulancia Mentum S.R.O.
Bratislava, 82007
Epamed sro
Košice, 040 11
Univerzitna nemocnica L. Pasteura Kosice
Košice, 04190
Liptovska Nemocnica S Poliklinikou Mudr. Ivana Stodolu
Liptovský Mikuláš, 03123
Psychiatricka Ambulancia Psycholine S.R.O.
Rimavská Sobota, 97901
Crystal Comfort s.r.o.
Vranov nad Topľou, 9301
France6 sites
CHU de Brest - Hopital de la Cavale Blanche
Bohars, 29820
CHU Clermont-Ferrand - Hopital Gabriel Montpied
Clermont-Ferrand, 63000
Cabinet Medical des Drs Prizac-Desbonnet Scottez
Douai, 59500
CHU de Nantes hotel Dieu
Nantes, 44093
Hopital Sainte Anne
Paris, 75674
CHRU de Tours Clinique Psychiatrique Universitaire
Tours, 37044
United Kingdom6 sites
University of Sussex
Brighton, BN1 9RY
Royal Edinburgh Hospital
Edinburgh, EH10 5HF
Institute of Psychiatry
London, SE5 8AF
Renfrewshire CMHT
Paisley, PA1 1JS
Moorgreen Hospital
Southampton, SO30 3JB
Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment Team
Wigan and Leigh, WN7 1YN
Bulgaria5 sites
MHC - Sofia, EOOD
Sofia, 1202
DCC 'Sv. Vrach and Sv. Sv. Kuzma and Damyan', OOD
Sofia, 1408
Medical Center Hera EOOD
Sofia, 1510
Medical Center Intermedica, OOD
Sofia, 1680
Diagnostic Consulting Center Mladost - M Varna
Varna, 9020
Czechia4 sites
Psychiatricka ambulance, MUDr. Marta Holanova
Brno, 61500
Neuroterapie KH S R O
Kutná Hora, 284 01
Medical Services Prague S R O
Prague, 16000
Institut Neuropsychiatricke pece
Prague, 186 00
Poland4 sites
Clinsante Osrodek Badan Klinicznych
Bydgoszcz, 85 794
Centrum Medyczne Care Clinic Katowice
Katowice, 40568
Filip Rybakowski Specjalistyczna Praktyka Lekarska
Poznan, 60-744
Indywidualna Specjalistyczna Praktyka Lekarska Agnieszka Remlinger Molenda
Suchy Las, 62-002
Taiwan4 sites
China Medical University Hospital
Taichung, 40447
Taipei Medical University
Taipei, 110
Taipei Veterans General Hospital
Taipei, 11217
Cheng Hsin General Hospital
Taipei, 112
South Africa3 sites
Cape Town Clinical Research Centre
Cape Town, 7530
Gert Bosch Pretoria South Africa
Pretoria, 181
Somerset West Clinical Research Unit
Strand, 7140
Brazil2 sites
Trial Tech Tecnologia em Pesquisas com Medicamentos
Curitiba, 80240-280
Associacao Hospitalar Moinhos de Vento
Porto Alegre, 90035-001
Canada2 sites
Alpha Recherche Clinique
Québec, Quebec, G2J 0C4
DIEX Recherche Sherbrooke Inc
Sherbrooke, Quebec, J1L 0H8
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 MDD with ANH+. The total duration of the study will be up to 87 days. Safety evaluation 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 tablet will be administered orally.
PlaceboOther
Placebo tablet will be administered orally.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Aticaprant | Experimental | Participants will receive Aticaprant 10 milligrams (mg) tablet orally, once daily for 42 days during double-blind (DB) treatment phase in addition to their current antidepressant selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor/serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SSRI/SNRI) therapy. Participants who will complete the DB 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 tablet orally, once daily for 42 days during DB treatment phase in addition to their current antidepressant SSRI/SNRI therapy. Participants who will complete the DB 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 (11)
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 (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) 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), Day 15, Day 29, and Day 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. Negative change in MADRS total score indicates improvement.
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. Negative change in MADRS total score indicates improvement.
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). PHQ-9, item 1 score ranged from 0-3. Higher score indicates more severe disease. Negative change in PHQ-9, item 1 score indicates 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 are scaled on a T-score metric with a mean of 50 and a standard deviation of 10. PROMIS-APS 8a total score ranges from 8 to 40 and 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
DB Treatment Phase: Percentage of Participants With Treatment Emergent Adverse Events (TEAEs)
Percentage of participants with TEAEs during DB treatment phase are reported. 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. TEAE is defined as any AE occurring at or after the initial administration of study intervention through the end of DB phase.
Measured: From start of treatment (Day 1) up to Day 43
Follow-up (FU) Phase: Percentage of Participants With AEs
Percentage of participants with AEs during FU phase are reported. 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 posted22 Sep 2022
- Study start6 Dec 2022
- Primary completion8 Nov 2024
- Study completion13 Nov 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
- 444 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
- NCT05550532
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- CR109230
- Other IDs
- 67953964MDD3002, 2022-000461-41
- Acronym
- VENTURA-2
- Status last verified
- Feb 2026
- First submitted
- 20 Sep 2022
- Last updated
- 13 Feb 2026
- 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 13 Feb 2026. 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
- NCT05550532
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- VENTURA-2 / CR109230
- Conditions
- Depressive Disorder, Major, Anhedonia
- Phase
- Phase 3
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 444 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Janssen Research & Development, LLCIndustry (pharma, biotech, devices)
- Study start
- 6 Dec 2022 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 8 Nov 2024 (actual)
- Study completion
- 13 Nov 2024 (actual)
- First posted
- 22 Sep 2022 (actual)
- Results
- Posted 2 Jan 2026
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 MDD with ANH+. The total duration of the study will be up to 87 days. Safety evaluation 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 10 milligrams (mg) tablet orally, once daily for 42 days during double-blind (DB) treatment phase in addition to their current antidepressant selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor/serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SSRI/SNRI) therapy. Participants who will complete the DB 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 tablet orally, once daily for 42 days during DB treatment phase in addition to their current antidepressant SSRI/SNRI therapy. Participants who will complete the DB 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 (5 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 (that is, an improvement of more than 20 percent [%] on their HDRS-17 total score) 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 structural 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
- 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 (at or above the minimum therapeutic dose per Massachusetts General Hospital Antidepressant Treatment Response Questionnaire [MGH-ATRQ] 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
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 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 diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders-5th edition (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 (that is, at least 7 treatments), 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 tablet will be administered orally. | Drug | Aticaprant |
| PlaceboPlacebo tablet will be administered orally. | 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.
11 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), Day 15, Day 29, and Day 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
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 13 Feb 2026.
- 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
131 sites in 14 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 131 sites in 14 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 5 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 13 Feb 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 131 sites in United States, China, South Korea, Argentina, Slovakia and 9 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 2 Jan 2026). 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 13 Feb 2026.