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Aticaprant

Phase 3

Depressive Disorder, Major | Small molecule | Psychiatry |Johnson & Johnson|Last Updated: Aug 28, 2026

Target and mechanism

Molecular targetOPRK1
Target classAntagonist
ModalitySmall molecule

Success Probability

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Market & Valuation

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Trial Design

RandomizedDouble-BlindPLACEBO_CONTROLLEDDMC
Total Trials2
Total Enrollment957

FDA Designations

No designations recorded

Clinical trial landscape

Aticaprant · 3 trials · 3 indications

Phase 3 2Phase 1 1
NCT05550532A 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 TherapyDepressive Disorder, Major
COMPLETED444 Analytics
NCT05455684A 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 TherapyDepressive Disorder, Major
COMPLETED513 Analytics
PHASE3COMPLETED
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
Depressive Disorder, MajorUnlock trial analytics
PHASE3COMPLETED
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
Depressive Disorder, MajorUnlock trial analytics

Study Endpoints

Primary Endpoints

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

Screen Pass Rate
Up to 28 days

Screening pass rate of participants will be reported.

Exploratory Assessment-Specific Completion Rate
Up to 126 days

Assessment specific completion rate of participants will be reported.

Total Assessment Completion Rate
Up to 126 days
Study Completion Rate
Up to 126 days
Adverse Events (AEs) Including AEs of Special Interest (AESI)
Up to 126 days
Number of Participants with Abnormalities in Vital Signs
Up to 126 days
Number of Participants with Abnormalities in 12-lead Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Up to 84 days
Number of Participants with Abnormalities in Laboratory Parameters
Up to 84 days
Number of Participants Reporting Changes in Body Weight
Up to 84 days
Number of Participants Reporting Changes in Body Mass Index (BMI)
Up to 84 days
Suicidality Using the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) Over Time
Up to 126 days

The C-SSRS is a clinical interview providing a summary of both ideation and behavior that can be administered during any evaluation or risk assessment to identify the occurrence and intensity of suicidal thoughts and suicidal behaviors.

Extrapyramidal Symptoms (EPS) Assessment Using the Modified Simpson-Angus Scale (MSAS) Total Score
Up to 84 days

Secondary Endpoints

Change From Baseline to Day 43 in Dimensional Anhedonia Rating Scale (DARS) Total Score
Baseline (Day 1) to Day 43
Change From Baseline Over Time in MADRS Total Score
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
At Day 43
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Study Design & Arms

AllocationRANDOMIZED
MaskingDOUBLE
ModelPARALLEL
PurposeTREATMENT

Treatment Arms

ArmTypeDescription
AticaprantEXPERIMENTALParticipants 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.
PlaceboPLACEBO_COMPARATORParticipants 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.
Arm A: AticaprantEXPERIMENTALParticipants will receive aticaprant during the double blind (DB) treatment phase.
Arm B: PlaceboPLACEBO_COMPARATORParticipants will receive placebo during the DB treatment phase.

Interventions

NameTypeDescription
AticaprantDRUGAticaprant tablet will be administered orally.
PlaceboOTHERPlacebo tablet will be administered orally.
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Eligibility Criteria

Age Range18 Years to 74 Years
SexALL
Healthy VolunteersNo
Study Sites131

Inclusion Criteria: * 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 scree...

Countries:United StatesArgentinaBrazilBulgariaCanadaChinaCzechiaFrancePolandSlovakiaSouth AfricaSouth KoreaTaiwanUnited KingdomAustraliaBelgiumHungaryItalyPortugalSpainSweden
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Recent Changes (Last 90 Days)

LOWAug 28, 2026NCT07615426lastUpdatePostDate: changed
LOWAug 28, 2026NCT07615426lastUpdatePostDate: changed
LOWJul 6, 2026NCT07615426Completion: 2027-06-21 → 2027-07-05
LOWJul 6, 2026NCT07615426Completion: 2027-06-21 → 2027-07-05

Frequently asked questions about Aticaprant

What is Aticaprant used for?

Aticaprant is an investigational small molecule being developed for use in major depressive disorder (MDD) with moderate-to-severe anhedonia and as an adjunctive treatment in schizophrenia. It is studied as an add-on therapy for adults with inadequate response to current antidepressant therapy.

Who makes Aticaprant?

Aticaprant is being developed by Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ). The company is conducting clinical trials to evaluate the drug as an adjunctive treatment for major depressive disorder with anhedonia and for schizophrenia.

What phase is Aticaprant in?

Aticaprant is in Phase 3 clinical development for major depressive disorder with anhedonia. Two Phase 3 trials have been completed. A separate Phase 1 trial is currently recruiting participants to study the drug as an adjunctive treatment in schizophrenia.

What clinical trials is Aticaprant in?

Aticaprant has been studied in two completed Phase 3 trials: NCT05455684 and NCT05550532, both evaluating the drug as adjunctive therapy in adults with MDD with moderate-to-severe anhedonia. An ongoing Phase 1 trial, NCT07615426, is recruiting to study the drug in schizophrenia.

Is Aticaprant FDA approved?

Aticaprant is not FDA approved. It is an investigational drug currently in clinical development. Completed Phase 3 trials have evaluated its use in major depressive disorder with anhedonia, but the drug has not yet received regulatory approval.

How does Aticaprant work?

Aticaprant is a small molecule being studied as an adjunctive treatment for major depressive disorder with anhedonia and for schizophrenia. Its specific molecular target has not been disclosed in the available clinical trial information.