Depressive Disorder, MajorPhase 3NCT07573176
A Study of Seltorexant as Monotherapy in Adults and Elderly Participants With Major Depressive Disorder
A Phase 3 study testing Seltorexant in people with Depressive Disorder, Major, run by Janssen Research & Development, LLC at 53 sites in 7 countries.
Trial summary
The main purpose of this study is to assess how well the study drug (JNJ-42847922) works (efficacy) compared with placebo in improving depressive symptoms in participants with major depressive disorder ([MDD], a common mood disorder that causes a lasting feeling of sadness and a loss of interest in everyday… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 74 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Depressive Disorder, Major
- What is being tested?
- Seltorexant
- Type of treatment
- Pill or oral medicine
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 600 participants
- Where
- 53 sitesin 7 countries
- Study dates
- 30 Apr 2026to 3 May 2029
- Phase
- Phase 3
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
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
- Meet diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders-5th edition (DSM-5) diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder (MDD), without psychotic features based upon clinical assessment and confirmed by the SCID-CT diagnosed with first depressive episode prior to age 55
- Experienced at least one MDD episode prior to their current episode based on clinician-confirmed MDD diagnosis/MDE and documented in source records
- Current episode of MDD must be a minimum of 8 weeks in duration and maximum of 24 months duration
- Must meet one of the following criteria regarding current medication status.
- Can be presenting for a new episode of MDD with no adequate antidepressant treatment started in the current episode; however, must have been treated with an antidepressant medication in a prior episode for a minimum of 6 weeks at a stable dose at or above the minimum therapeutic level.
- OR
Show all 9Show fewer
- Have taken up to two antidepressant treatments started in the current episode that were stopped (withdrawn), or will be withdrawn (washed out) due to inadequate response as defined by the Massachusetts general hospital antidepressant treatment response questionnaire (MGH-ATRQ)
- Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18 and 40 kilograms per square meter (kg/m^2)
- Must be medically stable on the basis of the following performed at screening and double-blind (DB) baseline: physical examination (including a brief neurological examination), vital signs (including blood pressure), and 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG)
Who cannot join
- Use of ketamine/esketamine in the current depressive episode (up to 2 doses are allowed prior to screening)
- Has treatment-resistant depression (TRD)
- Has a primary DSM-5 diagnosis of panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, or specific phobia which has been the primary focus of psychiatric treatment within the past 2 years
- Current active DSM-5 diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or fibromyalgia
- Has a history or current diagnosis of a psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, autism spectrum disorder, borderline personality disorder, or somatoform disorders
- Has dementia, any dementing disease, intellectual disability, or neurocognitive disorder
Show all 10Show fewer
- Has a current or recent history of homicidal ideation or serious suicidal ideation within the past 3 months or a history of suicidal behavior within the past 6 months
- Has a history of moderate-to-severe substance use disorder including alcohol use disorder according to DSM-5 criteria within 6 months
- Has any significant sleep disorder, including but not limited to untreated/uncontrolled conditions
- Has known allergies, hypersensitivity, intolerance, or any contraindication to seltorexant or its excipients
Trial locations and contacts
53 sites in 7 countries. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
53 sites in 7 countries
United States39 sites, 39 recruiting
- Recruiting
Agile Clinical Research Trials, LLC
Atlanta, Georgia, 30328
- Recruiting
Pharmasite Research, Inc.
Baltimore, Maryland, 21208
- Recruiting
Northwest Clinical Research Center
Bellevue, Washington, 98007
- Recruiting
CI Trials
Bellflower, California, 90706
- Recruiting
Adams Clinical Boston
Boston, Massachusetts, 02116
- Recruiting
Integrative Clinical Trials LLC
Brooklyn, Mississippi, 11229
- Recruiting
SPRI Clinical Trials, LLC
Brooklyn, Mississippi, 11235
- Recruiting
SanRo Clinical Research Group LLC WCG Clinical Network
Bryant, Arkansas, 72022
- Recruiting
Magnolia Clinical Research LLC
Cary, North Carolina, 27511
- Recruiting
Chicago Research Center
Chicago, Illinois, 60634
- Recruiting
Patient Priority Clinical Sites LLC
Cincinnati, Ohio, 45215
- Recruiting
Alpine Research Organization
Clinton, Utah, 84015
- Recruiting
Future Search Trials of Dallas
Dallas, Texas, 75251
- Recruiting
UHC Research
Doral, Florida, 33178
- Recruiting
Conrad Clinical Research
Edmond, Oklahoma, 73013
- Recruiting
Behavioral Research Specialists LLC
Glendale, California, 91206
- Recruiting
Reliable Clinical Research
Hialeah, Florida, 33012
- Recruiting
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, Texas, 77030
- Recruiting
DM Clinical Research
Houston, Texas, 77081
- Recruiting
Vector Clinical Trials
Las Vegas, Nevada, 89128
- Recruiting
K2 Medical Research
Maitland, Florida, 32751
- Recruiting
CenExel Marlton NJ
Marlton, New Jersey, 08053
- Recruiting
Pharmax Research Clinic Inc
Miami, Florida, 33126
- Recruiting
Nuovida Research Center
Miami, Florida, 33186
- Recruiting
Bioscience Research LLC
Mount Kisco, New York, 10549
- Recruiting
Fieve Clinical Research Inc
New York, New York, 10017
- Recruiting
Adams Clinical Harlem
New York, New York, 10029
- Recruiting
Manhattan Behavioral Medicine
New York, New York, 10036
- Recruiting
Excell Research Inc
Oceanside, California, 92056
- Recruiting
Sooner Clinical Research
Oklahoma, Texas, 73116
- Recruiting
NRC Research Institute
Orange, California, 92868
- Recruiting
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104
- Recruiting
Cenexel
Riverside, California, 92506
- Recruiting
Accelerated Clinical Research Group LLC
Snellville, Georgia, 30078
- Recruiting
R and H Clinical Research
Stafford, Texas, 77494
- Recruiting
IPTB Clinical Research
Tampa, Florida, 33629
- Recruiting
Sunwise Clinical Research
Walnut Creek, California, 94596
- Recruiting
Adams Clinical Watertown
Watertown, Massachusetts, 02472
- Recruiting
Health Synergy Clinical Research
West Palm Beach, Florida, 33407
Taiwan4 sites, 4 recruiting
- Recruiting
Chung Shan Medical University Hospital
Taichung, 402
- Recruiting
Taipei Mackay Memorial Hospital
Taipei, 10449
- Recruiting
Taipei Medical University Hospital
Taipei, 110
- Recruiting
Taipei Veterans General Hospital
Taipei, 112
Brazil3 sites, 3 recruiting
- Recruiting
Instituto Apice
Salvador, 40170 108
- Recruiting
Centro Integrado Facili
São Bernardo do Campo, 09726 150
- Recruiting
BR Trials
São Paulo, 01236030
Argentina2 sites, 2 recruiting
- Recruiting
Iternova Consultorios en Salud Mental
Córdoba, X5021
- Recruiting
Resolution
Mendoza, M5502AHV
Canada2 sites, 2 recruiting
- Recruiting
Providence Care Hospital
Kingston, Ontario, K7L 4X3
- Recruiting
Medical Arts Research Health Group
North Vancouver, British Columbia, V7P2T4
China2 sites, 2 recruiting
- Recruiting
Beijing Huilongguan Hospital
Beijing, 102208
- Recruiting
Shanghai Mental Health Center
Shanghai, 201108
Malaysia1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
University Malaya Medical Centre
Kuala Lumpur, 59100
About this study
Official title: A Multicenter, Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Study to Evaluate Efficacy and Safety of Seltorexant as Monotherapy in Adult and Elderly Participants With Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and an Open-label Long-term Extension Treatment With Seltorexant
The main purpose of this study is to assess how well the study drug (JNJ-42847922) works (efficacy) compared with placebo in improving depressive symptoms in participants with major depressive disorder ([MDD], a common mood disorder that causes a lasting feeling of sadness and a loss of interest in everyday activities) in double-blind treatment phase. Further, to evaluate long-term safety and tolerability of JNJ-42847922 in participants with MDD in the open label treatment phase.
- Conditions
- Depressive Disorder, Major
- Being tested
- Seltorexant, Placebo
- Medical subject headings
- Depressive Disorder, Major
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
SeltorexantDrug
Also called JNJ-42847922
Seltorexant tablet will be administered orally.
PlaceboDrug
Placebo tablet will be administered orally.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Seltorexant | Experimental | Participants will receive seltorexant tablet orally once daily, from Day 1 to Day 42 in double blind (DB) treatment phase. Eligible participants who will enter the open label (OL) treatment phase will receive seltorexant tablet daily from OL baseline until the end of phase/ early withdrawal (EW) visit (up to 6 months). Receives: Drug: Seltorexant |
| Placebo | Placebo comparator | Participants will receive matching placebo tablet orally once daily from Day 1 to Day 42 in double-blind treatment phase. Eligible participants who will enter the OL treatment phase will receive seltorexant tablet daily from OL baseline until the end of phase/ EW visit (up to 6 months). Receives: Drug: Seltorexant; Drug: Placebo |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Double Blind (DB) Treatment Phase: Change from Baseline in Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) Total Score in Participants with Major Depressive Disorder with Moderate-to-Severe Insomnia Symptoms (MDDIS)
The MADRS is a clinician-administered scale designed to measure depression severity and detects changes due to antidepressant treatment. The scale consists of 10 items, each of which is scored from 0 (item not present or normal) to 6 (severe or continuous presence of the symptoms), for a total possible score of 60. Higher scores represent a more severe condition.
Measured: Baseline up to Day 43
Open-Label (OL) Treatment Phase: Number of Participants with Adverse Events Including Adverse Event of Special Interests (AESIs)
An AE is any untoward medical occurrence in a clinical study participant administered with a pharmaceutical (investigational or non investigational) product. An AE does not necessarily have a causal relationship with the intervention. The following AESIs are considered in this study: Suicidal thoughts, suicidal ideation, and suicidal behavior; Cataplexy; Sleep paralysis; Complex, sleep-related behaviors/parasomnias; Fall and Motor vehicle accident.
Measured: OL Baseline (Day 43) Up to 6 months
OL Treatment Phase: Number of Participants with Vital Signs Abnormalities
Number of participants with vital signs (blood pressure and pulse/heart rate measurements) abnormalities will be reported.
Measured: OL Baseline (Day 43) Up to 6 months
OL Treatment Phase: Number of Participants with Suicidality Assessment using Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS)
The C-SSRS is a low-burden measure of the spectrum of suicidal ideation and behavior that was developed to assess severity and track suicidal events through any treatment. The C-SSRS scale consists of 28 items in 4 sections: suicide behavior, actual attempts, suicidal ideation, and intensity of ideation. Suicidal ideation consists of 5 'yes/no' items: wish to be dead, non-specific active suicidal thoughts, active suicidal ideation with any methods (not plan) without intention to act, active suicidal ideation with some intent to act without specific plan, active suicidal ideation with specific plan and intent.
Measured: OL Baseline (Day 43) Up to 6 months
OL Treatment Phase: Number of Participants with Withdrawal Symptoms Assessment Using Physician Withdrawal Checklist (PWC-20)
Potential withdrawal effects will be assessed by the PWC-20. The PWC-20 is a simple and accurate method used to assess potential withdrawal symptoms following cessation of treatment. The PWC-20 is a reliable and sensitive instrument for the assessment of discontinuation symptoms.
Measured: End of Treatment/Early withdrawal to end of the Follow-up visit (up to 14 days)
OL Treatment Phase: Number of Participants with Abnormalities in Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Number of participants with abnormalities in ECG will be reported.
Measured: OL Baseline (Day 43) up to 6 months
OL Treatment Phase: Number of Participants Reporting Sexual Functioning using Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale (ASEX)
The ASEX is a patient-reported 5-item rating scale that quantifies sex drive, arousal, vaginal lubrication/penile erection, ability to reach orgasm, and satisfaction from orgasm. Possible total scores range from 5 to 30, with the higher scores indicating more sexual dysfunction. The scale has shown satisfactory reliability and validity.
Measured: Up to 6 months
OL Treatment Phase: Change from Baseline in the Body Weight
Change from baseline in body weight will be reported.
Measured: OL Baseline (Day 43) up to 6 months
OL Treatment Phase: Change from Baseline in the Body Mass Index (BMI)
Change from baseline in BMI will be reported.
Measured: OL Baseline (Day 43) up to 6 months
OL Treatment Phase: Change from Baseline in the Waist Circumference
Change from baseline in waist circumference will be reported.
Measured: OL Baseline (Day 43) up to 6 months
OL Treatment Phase: Number of Participants with Abnormalities in Clinical Laboratory Parameters
Number of participants with laboratory abnormalities related to hematology, serum chemistry will be reported.
Measured: OL Baseline (Day 43) up to 6 months
Secondary outcomes (12)
DB Treatment Phase: Change from Baseline in MADRS-Without Sleep Item (WOSI) Total Score
MADRS-WOSI considered 9 of the 10 MADRS items, excluding "reduced sleep" item. The total score ranged from 0 to 54, with higher scores corresponding to greater symptom severity.
Measured: Baseline up to Day 43
DB Treatment Phase: Change from Baseline in Sleep Disturbance using Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System-Sleep Disturbance (PROMIS-SD) Short Form 10a(8a + 2a ) T-score
The PROMIS-SD is used to assess self-reported perceptions of sleep quality, sleep depth and restoration associated with sleep. The full PROMIS-SD includes 27 items with each item based on a 7-day recall period and assessed on a 5 level Likert-type scale. The 10-item short form will be used, in which responses are scored 1 to 5 for each item. T-score for the PROMIS-SD scales represent the value obtained after using a conversion table to convert the total raw score. To find the total raw score for a short form with all questions answered, sum the values of the response to each question. For example, for the adult 10-item form, the lowest possible raw score is 10; the highest possible raw score is 50. Higher overall score indicates more sleep disturbance.
Measured: Baseline up to Day 43
DB Treatment phase: Change from Baseline in MADRS-6 Total Score
The MADRS-6 scale is a clinician-administered questionnaire used to measure the severity of major depressive disorder (MDD) symptoms. The MADRS-6 scale is a subset of the MADRS -10 scale, comprised of the following individual questionnaire items: apparent sadness, reported sadness, inner tension, lassitude, inability to feel, and pessimistic thoughts. Scores range from 0 (no apparent symptoms) to 36 (most severe symptoms).
Measured: Baseline up to Day 43
DB Treatment Phase: Proportion of Participants with Response on Depressive Symptoms Scale
Responders are defined as proportion of participants with greater than or equal to (>=) 50 percent (%) improvement in the MADRS total score from baseline to Day 43.
Measured: Baseline up to Day 43
DB Treatment Phase: Change from Baseline in Sleep Disturbance using PROMIS-SD Short Form 8a T-Score
The PROMIS-SD is used to assess self-reported perceptions of sleep quality, sleep depth and restoration associated with sleep. The full PROMIS-SD includes 27 items with each item based on a 7-day recall period and assessed on a 5 level Likert-type scale. The 8-item short form will be used in this study, in which responses are scored 1 to 5 for each item. T-score for the PROMIS-SD scales represent the value obtained after using a conversion table to convert the total raw score. To find the total raw score for a short form with all questions answered, sum the values of the response to each question. For example, for the adult 8-item form, the lowest possible raw score is 8; the highest possible raw score is 40. Higher overall score indicates more sleep disturbance.
Measured: Baseline up to Day 43
DB Treatment Phase: Change from Baseline in Patient Health Questionnaire 9-Item (PHQ-9) Total Score
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 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.
Measured: Baseline up to Day 43
DB Period: Change from Baseline in Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire, Depression (WPAI-D) Scores
The WPAI-D questionnaire is a patient-reported instrument to measure impairments in both paid work and unpaid work. It measures absenteeism, presenteeism as well as the impairments in unpaid activity because of health problems during 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 up to Day 43
OL Treatment Phase: Change from Baseline Over Time in MADRS Total Score
The MADRS is a clinician-administered scale designed to measure depression severity and detects changes due to antidepressant treatment. The scale consists of 10 items, each of which is scored from 0 (item not present or normal) to 6 (severe or continuous presence of the symptoms), for a total possible score of 60. Higher scores represent a more severe condition.
Measured: OL Baseline (Day 43) up to 6 months
OL Treatment Phase: Change from Baseline Over Time in Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) Score
The CGI-S provides an overall clinician-determined summary measure of the severity of the participant's illness that takes into account all available information, including knowledge of the participant's history, psychosocial circumstances, symptoms, behavior, and the impact of the symptoms on the participant's ability to function. The CGI-S evaluates the severity of psychopathology on a scale of 1 to 7. Considering total clinical experience with the depression population, a participant is assessed on severity of illness at the time of rating according to the following criteria: 1=normal (not at all ill); 2=borderline ill; 3=mildly ill; 4=moderately ill; 5=markedly ill; 6=severely ill; 7=among the most extremely ill patients.
Measured: OL Baseline (Day 43) up to 6 months
OL Treatment Phase: Change from Baseline Over Time in MADRS-WOSI Total Score
MADRS-WOSI considered 9 of the 10 MADRS items, excluding "reduced sleep" item. The total score ranged from 0 to 54, with higher scores corresponding to greater symptom severity.
Measured: OL Baseline (Day 43) up to 6 months
OL Treatment Phase: Change from Baseline Over Time in Sleep Disturbance using PROMIS-SD Short Form 10a(8a+2a) T-score
The PROMIS-SD 10a(8a+2a) is used to assess self-reported perceptions of sleep quality, sleep depth and restoration associated with sleep. The full PROMIS-SD includes 27 items with each item based on a 7-day recall period and assessed on a 5 level Likert-type scale. The 10-item short form will be used, in which responses are scored 1 to 5 for each item. T-score for the PROMIS-SD 10a(8a+2a) scales represent the value obtained after using a conversion table to convert the total raw score. To find the total raw score for a short form with all questions answered, sum the values of the response to each question. For example, for the adult 10-item form, the lowest possible raw score is 10; the highest possible raw score is 50. Higher overall score indicates more sleep disturbance.
Measured: OL Baseline (Day 43) up to 6 months
OL Treatment Phase: Change from Baseline in Work Productivity and Activity Impairment-Questionnaire Depression (WPAI-D) Score
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: OL Baseline (Day 43) up to 6 months
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted7 May 2026
- Study start30 Apr 2026
- Primary completion24 Aug 2028 (estimated)
- Study completion3 May 2029 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- 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
- 600 participants (estimated)
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
- NCT07573176
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 42847922MDD3011
- Status last verified
- Nov 2026
- First submitted
- 1 May 2026
- Last updated
- 3 Nov 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- Yes
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: The data sharing policy of Johnson \& Johnson Innovative Medicine is available at innovativemedicine.jnj.com/our-innovation/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 3 Nov 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- A Multicenter, Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Study to Evaluate Efficacy and Safety of Seltorexant as Monotherapy in Adult and Elderly Participants With Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and an Open-label Long-term Extension Treatment With Seltorexant
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07573176
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 42847922MDD3011
- Conditions
- Depressive Disorder, Major
- Phase
- Phase 3
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 600 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Janssen Research & Development, LLCIndustry (pharma, biotech, devices)
- Study start
- 30 Apr 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 24 Aug 2028 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 3 May 2029 (estimated)
- First posted
- 7 May 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The main purpose of this study is to assess how well the study drug (JNJ-42847922) works (efficacy) compared with placebo in improving depressive symptoms in participants with major depressive disorder ([MDD], a common mood disorder that causes a lasting feeling of sadness and a loss of interest in everyday activities) in double-blind treatment phase. Further, to evaluate long-term safety and tolerability of JNJ-42847922 in participants with MDD in the open label treatment phase.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (participant, investigator)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Seltorexant | Experimental | Drug: SeltorexantParticipants will receive seltorexant tablet orally once daily, from Day 1 to Day 42 in double blind (DB) treatment phase. Eligible participants who will enter the open label (OL) treatment phase will receive seltorexant tablet daily from OL baseline until the end of phase/ early withdrawal (EW) visit (up to 6 months). |
| Placebo | Placebo comparator | Drug: Seltorexant, Drug: PlaceboParticipants will receive matching placebo tablet orally once daily from Day 1 to Day 42 in double-blind treatment phase. Eligible participants who will enter the OL treatment phase will receive seltorexant tablet daily from OL baseline until the end of phase/ EW visit (up to 6 months). |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 74 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (9 listed)
- Meet diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders-5th edition (DSM-5) diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder (MDD), without psychotic features based upon clinical assessment and confirmed by the SCID-CT diagnosed with first depressive episode prior to age 55
- Experienced at least one MDD episode prior to their current episode based on clinician-confirmed MDD diagnosis/MDE and documented in source records
- Current episode of MDD must be a minimum of 8 weeks in duration and maximum of 24 months duration
- Must meet one of the following criteria regarding current medication status.
- OR
Key exclusion criteria (10 listed)
- Use of ketamine/esketamine in the current depressive episode (up to 2 doses are allowed prior to screening)
- Has treatment-resistant depression (TRD)
- Has a primary DSM-5 diagnosis of panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, or specific phobia which has been the primary focus of psychiatric treatment within the past 2 years
- Current active DSM-5 diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or fibromyalgia
- Has a history or current diagnosis of a psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, autism spectrum disorder, borderline personality disorder, or somatoform disorders
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 |
|---|---|---|
| SeltorexantAlso: JNJ-42847922Seltorexant tablet will be administered orally. | Drug | Placebo, Seltorexant |
| PlaceboPlacebo tablet will be administered orally. | Drug | Placebo |
Primary outcome
Double Blind (DB) Treatment Phase: Change from Baseline in Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) Total Score in Participants with Major Depressive Disorder with Moderate-to-Severe Insomnia Symptoms (MDDIS)
Time frame: Baseline up to Day 43
The MADRS is a clinician-administered scale designed to measure depression severity and detects changes due to antidepressant treatment. The scale consists of 10 items, each of which is scored from 0 (item not present or normal) to 6 (severe or continuous presence of the symptoms), for a total possible score of 60. Higher scores represent a more severe condition.
Open-Label (OL) Treatment Phase: Number of Participants with Adverse Events Including Adverse Event of Special Interests (AESIs)
Time frame: OL Baseline (Day 43) Up to 6 months
An AE is any untoward medical occurrence in a clinical study participant administered with a pharmaceutical (investigational or non investigational) product. An AE does not necessarily have a causal relationship with the intervention. The following AESIs are considered in this study: Suicidal thoughts, suicidal ideation, and suicidal behavior; Cataplexy; Sleep paralysis; Complex, sleep-related behaviors/parasomnias; Fall and Motor vehicle accident.
OL Treatment Phase: Number of Participants with Vital Signs Abnormalities
Time frame: OL Baseline (Day 43) Up to 6 months
Number of participants with vital signs (blood pressure and pulse/heart rate measurements) abnormalities will be reported.
OL Treatment Phase: Number of Participants with Suicidality Assessment using Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS)
Time frame: OL Baseline (Day 43) Up to 6 months
The C-SSRS is a low-burden measure of the spectrum of suicidal ideation and behavior that was developed to assess severity and track suicidal events through any treatment. The C-SSRS scale consists of 28 items in 4 sections: suicide behavior, actual attempts, suicidal ideation, and intensity of ideation. Suicidal ideation consists of 5 'yes/no' items: wish to be dead, non-specific active suicidal thoughts, active suicidal ideation with any methods (not plan) without intention to act, active suicidal ideation with some intent to act without specific plan, active suicidal ideation with specific plan and intent.
OL Treatment Phase: Number of Participants with Withdrawal Symptoms Assessment Using Physician Withdrawal Checklist (PWC-20)
Time frame: End of Treatment/Early withdrawal to end of the Follow-up visit (up to 14 days)
Potential withdrawal effects will be assessed by the PWC-20. The PWC-20 is a simple and accurate method used to assess potential withdrawal symptoms following cessation of treatment. The PWC-20 is a reliable and sensitive instrument for the assessment of discontinuation symptoms.
OL Treatment Phase: Number of Participants with Abnormalities in Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Time frame: OL Baseline (Day 43) up to 6 months
Number of participants with abnormalities in ECG will be reported.
OL Treatment Phase: Number of Participants Reporting Sexual Functioning using Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale (ASEX)
Time frame: Up to 6 months
The ASEX is a patient-reported 5-item rating scale that quantifies sex drive, arousal, vaginal lubrication/penile erection, ability to reach orgasm, and satisfaction from orgasm. Possible total scores range from 5 to 30, with the higher scores indicating more sexual dysfunction. The scale has shown satisfactory reliability and validity.
OL Treatment Phase: Change from Baseline in the Body Weight
Time frame: OL Baseline (Day 43) up to 6 months
Change from baseline in body weight will be reported.
OL Treatment Phase: Change from Baseline in the Body Mass Index (BMI)
Time frame: OL Baseline (Day 43) up to 6 months
Change from baseline in BMI will be reported.
OL Treatment Phase: Change from Baseline in the Waist Circumference
Time frame: OL Baseline (Day 43) up to 6 months
Change from baseline in waist circumference will be reported.
OL Treatment Phase: Number of Participants with Abnormalities in Clinical Laboratory Parameters
Time frame: OL Baseline (Day 43) up to 6 months
Number of participants with laboratory abnormalities related to hematology, serum chemistry will be reported.
12 secondary outcomes
DB Treatment Phase: Change from Baseline in MADRS-Without Sleep Item (WOSI) Total Score
Time frame: Baseline up to Day 43
DB Treatment Phase: Change from Baseline in Sleep Disturbance using Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System-Sleep Disturbance (PROMIS-SD) Short Form 10a(8a + 2a ) T-score
Time frame: Baseline up to Day 43
DB Treatment phase: Change from Baseline in MADRS-6 Total Score
Time frame: Baseline up to Day 43
DB Treatment Phase: Proportion of Participants with Response on Depressive Symptoms Scale
Time frame: Baseline up to Day 43
DB Treatment Phase: Change from Baseline in Sleep Disturbance using PROMIS-SD Short Form 8a T-Score
Time frame: Baseline up to Day 43
DB Treatment Phase: Change from Baseline in Patient Health Questionnaire 9-Item (PHQ-9) Total Score
Time frame: Baseline up to Day 43
DB Period: Change from Baseline in Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire, Depression (WPAI-D) Scores
Time frame: Baseline up to Day 43
OL Treatment Phase: Change from Baseline Over Time in MADRS Total Score
Time frame: OL Baseline (Day 43) up to 6 months
OL Treatment Phase: Change from Baseline Over Time in Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) Score
Time frame: OL Baseline (Day 43) up to 6 months
OL Treatment Phase: Change from Baseline Over Time in MADRS-WOSI Total Score
Time frame: OL Baseline (Day 43) up to 6 months
OL Treatment Phase: Change from Baseline Over Time in Sleep Disturbance using PROMIS-SD Short Form 10a(8a+2a) T-score
Time frame: OL Baseline (Day 43) up to 6 months
OL Treatment Phase: Change from Baseline in Work Productivity and Activity Impairment-Questionnaire Depression (WPAI-D) Score
Time frame: OL Baseline (Day 43) up to 6 months
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 3 Nov 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. The data sharing policy of Johnson \& Johnson Innovative Medicine is available at innovativemedicine.jnj.com/our-innovation/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.
Janssen Research & Development, LLC Clinical Trial study director
Janssen Research & Development, LLC
53 sites in 7 countries: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A Phase 3 study testing Seltorexant in people with Depressive Disorder, Major, run by Janssen Research & Development, LLC at 53 sites in 7 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 9 inclusion and 10 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: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 3 Nov 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 53 sites in United States, Taiwan, Brazil, Argentina, Canada and 2 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?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Study Contact (844-434-4210, Participate-In-This-Study1@its.jnj.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Double Blind (DB) Treatment Phase: Change from Baseline in Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) Total Score in Participants with Major Depressive Disorder with Moderate-to-Severe Insomnia Symptoms (MDDIS) (time frame: Baseline up to Day 43). The study lists 11 primary outcomes in all. 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 3 Nov 2026.