Recent Updates
Recently added Catalysts

Elpipodect

Phase 2

Schizophrenia | Small molecule | Psychiatry |Merck & Company, Inc.|Last Updated: Apr 29, 2026

Success Probability

Subscribe to view

Market & Valuation

Subscribe to view

Trial Design

RandomizedDouble-BlindPLACEBO_CONTROLLEDDMC
Total Trials5
Total Enrollment777

FDA Designations

No designations recorded

Clinical trial landscape

Elpipodect · 10 trials · 6 indications

Phase 2 2Phase 1 8
NCT04624243Efficacy and Safety of Elpipodect (MK-8189) in Participants With an Acute Episode of Schizophrenia (MK-8189-008)Schizophrenia
COMPLETED499 Analytics
NCT03055338An Active-Controlled Early Phase Study of Elpipodect (MK-8189) in Adults With Schizophrenia (MK-8189-005)Schizophrenia, Acute Episode
COMPLETED224 Analytics
PHASE2COMPLETED
Efficacy and Safety of Elpipodect (MK-8189) in Participants With an Acute Episode of Schizophrenia (MK-8189-008)
SchizophreniaUnlock trial analytics
PHASE2COMPLETED
An Active-Controlled Early Phase Study of Elpipodect (MK-8189) in Adults With Schizophrenia (MK-8189-005)
Schizophrenia, Acute EpisodeUnlock trial analytics

Study Endpoints

Primary Endpoints

Change From Baseline in Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) Total Score at Week 6
Baseline and Week 6

The PANSS assesses the severity of schizophrenia symptoms through a 30-item clinician-rated inventory organized into a positive subscale (7 items), a negative subscale (7 items) and a general psychopathology subscale (16 items). For each item, symptoms are rated on a 7-point scale from 1 (absent) to 7 (extreme). The PANSS total score for each participant was calculated as the sum of the rating assigned to each of the 30 PANSS items, and ranges from 30 (lowest total score) to 210 (highest total score). Higher and lower change scores reflect symptom worsening and improvement, respectively. Risperidone and placebo were active and inactive controls, respectively.

Number of Participants Who Experience One or More Adverse Events (AEs)
Up to Week 6

An AE is any untoward medical occurrence in a clinical study participant, temporarily associated with the use of study intervention, whether or not considered related to the study intervention. Per protocol, events were assessed for the first 6 weeks of treatment.

Number of Participants Who Discontinued From Study Intervention Due to AE
Up to Week 6

An AE is any untoward medical occurrence in a clinical study participant, temporarily associated with the use of study intervention, whether or not considered related to the study intervention. Per protocol, events were assessed for the first 6 weeks of treatment.

Least Squares Mean (LSM) Change From Baseline in the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) Total Score at Week 4
Baseline and Week 4

The LSM change from baseline at week 4 was assessed for PANSS total score. The PANSS assesses the severity of schizophrenia symptoms through a clinician-rated inventory of 30 items organized in 3 subscales: 1) positive subscale (7 items); 2) negative subscale (7 items); and 3) general psychopathology subscale (16 items). For each item, symptoms are scored from 1 (absent) to 7 (extreme) and sum to a total PANSS score (range: 30-210). Higher scores reflect more severe symptoms of schizophrenia. Further, reduced symptom severity over time is reflected by decreases in score.

Percentage of Participants Experiencing an Adverse Event (AE)
Up to 6 weeks

The percentage of participants experiencing an AE was assessed. An AE is defined as any untoward medical occurrence in a participant administered a pharmaceutical product and which does not necessarily have to have a causal relationship with this treatment. An AE can therefore be any unfavorable and unintended sign, symptom, or disease temporally associated with the use of a medicinal product or protocol-specified procedure, whether or not considered related to the medicinal product or protocol-specified procedure. Any worsening of a preexisting condition that is temporally associated with the use of the Sponsor's product, is also an AE.

Percentage of Participants Discontinuing Study Treatment Due to an Adverse Event
Up to 4 weeks

The percentage of participants discontinuing study treatment due to an AE was assessed. An AE is defined as any untoward medical occurrence in a participant administered a pharmaceutical product and which does not necessarily have to have a causal relationship with this treatment. An AE can therefore be any unfavorable and unintended sign, symptom, or disease temporally associated with the use of a medicinal product or protocol-specified procedure, whether or not considered related to the medicinal product or protocol-specified procedure. Any worsening of a preexisting condition that is temporally associated with the use of the Sponsor's product, is also an AE.

Number of Participants Who Discontinue Study Treatment Due to an AE
Up to 14 days

An AE is any untoward medical occurrence in a clinical study participant, temporally associated with the use of study intervention, whether or not considered related to the study intervention.

Change From Baseline in QT Interval Corrected for Heart Rate (QTc) Following MK-8189 Treatment
Day 1 (MK-8189 48 mg and placebo) and Day 2 (MK-8189 80 mg and placebo)

Electrocardiogram data was obtained using a digital Holter device and the Fridericia correction of the QT interval (QTcF) was determined. The change from baseline in QTcF (ΔQTcF \[msec\]) was calculated by subtracting the QTcF value at the timepoint from the QTcF baseline value. Negative values represent a decrease from baseline and vice versa. An average of up to 9 predose ECGs on Day 1 served as baseline to compare postdose effects. Per protocol, the primary endpoint compares MK-8189 to placebo.

Number of Participants With Adverse Events (AEs)
Up to ~30 days after each dose

An AE is any untoward medical occurrence in a clinical study participant, temporally associated with the use of study intervention, whether or not considered related to the study intervention.

Number of Participants Discontinuing Study Therapy Due to AE
Up to ~30 days after each dose

An AE is any untoward medical occurrence in a clinical study participant, temporally associated with the use of study intervention, whether or not considered related to the study intervention.

Number of Participants Experiencing an Adverse Event (AE)
Up to approximately 17 days

An AE is any untoward medical occurrence in a clinical study participant, temporarily associated with the use of study intervention, whether or not considered related to the study intervention. The number of participants who experienced one or more AEs were reported.

Number of Participants Who Discontinue From Study Treatment Due to an AE
Up to approximately 3 days

An AE is any untoward medical occurrence in a clinical study participant, temporarily associated with the use of study intervention, whether or not considered related to the study intervention. The number of participants who discontinued study due to an AE were reported.

Number of Participants Who Experienced an Adverse Event (AE)
Up to approximately 42 days

An AE is any untoward medical occurrence in a clinical study participant, temporally associated with the use of study intervention, whether or not considered related to the study intervention. An AE can therefore be any unfavorable and unintended sign (including an abnormal laboratory finding), symptom, or disease (new or exacerbated) temporally associated with the use of a study intervention. Results are reported according to dose.

Number of Participants Discontinuing From Study Therapy Due to AE
Up to approximately 42 days

An AE is any untoward medical occurrence in a clinical study participant, temporally associated with the use of study intervention, whether or not considered related to the study intervention. An AE can therefore be any unfavorable and unintended sign (including an abnormal laboratory finding), symptom, or disease (new or exacerbated) temporally associated with the use of a study intervention. Results are reported according to dose.

Area Under the Concentration-Time Curve from 0 to 24 hours (AUC0-24) of Elpipodect
Predose and postdose up to 24 hours

Blood samples will be collected to determine the AUC0-24 of elpipodect.

Area Under the Concentration-Time Curve from Time 0 to Last (AUC0-Last) of Elpipodect
Predose and at designated timepoints up to Day 15

Blood samples will be collected to determine the AUClast of elpipodect.

Area Under the Concentration-Time Curve from Time 0 to Infinity (AUC0-Inf) of Elpipodect
Predose and at designated timepoints up to Day 15

Blood samples will be collected to determine the AUC0-inf of elpipodect.

Maximum Concentration (Cmax) of Elpipodect
Predose and at designated timepoints up to Day 15

Blood samples will be collected to determine the Cmax of elpipodect.

Apparent Half Life (t½) of Elpipodect
Predose and at designated timepoints up to Day 15

Blood samples will be collected to determine the t1/2 of elpipodect.

Time to Reach Maximum Concentration (Tmax) of Elpipodect
Predose and at designated timepoints up to Day 15

Blood samples will be collected to determine the Tmax of elpipodect.

Amount Excreted (Ae) in Urine of Elpipodect
Predose and at designated timepoints up to Day 15

Urine samples will be collected to determine the Ae of elpipodect

%Dose Excreted in Urine of Elpipodect
Predose and at designated timepoints up to Day 15

Urine samples will be collected to determine the %dose of elpipodect

Amount Excreted (Ae) in Feces of Elpipodect
Predose and at designated timepoints up to Day 15

Feces samples will be collected to determine the Ae of elpipodect.

%Dose Excreted in Feces of Elpipodect
Predose and at designated timepoints up to Day 15

Feces samples will be collected to determine the %dose of elpipodect.

Metabolites in Plasma of Elpipodect
Predose and at designated timepoints up to Day 15

Blood samples will be collected to determine the metabolites of elpipodect.

Metabolites in Urine of Elpipodect
Predose and at designated timepoints up to Day 15

Urine samples will be collected to determine the metabolites of elpipodect.

Metabolites in Feces of Elpipodect
Predose and at designated timepoints up to Day 15

Feces samples will be collected to determine the metabolites of elpipodect.

Area Under the Plasma Concentration-time Curve From Time Zero to Infinity (AUC0-inf) of MK-8189
Pre-dose (0), 2, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 24, 36, 48, 72 and 96 hours post-dose (hepatic impairment and healthy participants); 60, 84, 108 and 120 hours post-dose (hepatic impairment participants)

AUC0-inf is a measure of the total amount of drug in the plasma from the dose administration extrapolated to infinity. Blood samples collected pre and post-dose at multiple timepoints were used to estimate AUC0-inf following MK-8189 administration. Geometric least-squares mean and confidence intervals for AUC0-inf were calculated using a linear fixed effects model performed on natural log-transformed values.

Maximum Observed Plasma Concentration (Cmax) of MK-8189
Pre-dose (0), 2, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 24, 36, 48, 72 and 96 hours post-dose (hepatic impairment and healthy); 60, 84, 108 and 120 hours post-dose (hepatic impairment)

Cmax is the maximum concentration of MK-8189 observed in plasma. Blood samples collected pre and post-dose at multiple timepoints were used to estimate Cmax following MK-8189 administration. Geometric least-squares mean and confidence intervals of Cmax were calculated using a linear fixed effects model performed on natural log-transformed values.

Part 1 & 2: Number of Participants Who Experienced an Adverse Event (AE)
Up to approximately 27 days

The number of participants with ≥1 AE is reported. An AE is any untoward medical occurrence in a clinical study participant, temporally associated with the use of study intervention, whether or not considered related to the study intervention.

Part 1 & 2: Number of Participants Discontinuing Study Treatment Due to an AE
Up to approximately 27 days

The number of participants discontinuing from study treatment due to ≥1 AE is reported. An AE is any untoward medical occurrence in a clinical study participant, temporally associated with the use of study intervention, whether or not considered related to the study intervention.

Plasma Concentration at 24 Hours Post-dose (C24hr) of MK-8189 in Schizophrenia Participants
Day 1, 4, 8, 11 and 14 pre-dose and 24 hours post-dose

C24hr was defined as the concentration of MK-8189 observed in plasma at the 24-hour nominal sampling time after administration of MK-8189. In participants receiving MK-8189, blood samples were collected pre-dose and 24 hours post-dose to estimate C24hr following MK-8189 administration. As specified by the protocol, C24hr was analyzed by part, dose and dosing schedule. Due to differing dosing schedules, some time points were not applicable for certain arms/doses as indicated by zero participants analyzed entered in the table. Per protocol, healthy participants (Part 3) and participants receiving placebo were excluded from C24 analysis.

Area Under the Plasma-concentration Curve at Zero to 24 Hours Post-dose (AUC[0-24hr]) of MK-8189 in Schizophrenia Participants
Day 1 pre-dose and 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 24 hours post-dose; Days 4, 8, 11 pre-dose and 6, 10, 16, 24 hours post-dose; Day 14 pre-dose and 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, 24 hours post-dose

AUC was defined as a measure of MK-8189 exposure that was calculated as the product of plasma drug concentration and time. The linear-up-log down rule was used to estimate AUC. Blood samples were collected pre-dose and up to 24 hours post-dose to estimate AUC(0-24hr) following MK-8189 administration. As specified by the protocol, AUC(0-24hr) was analyzed by part, dose and dosing schedule. Due to differing dosing schedules, some time points were not applicable for certain arms/doses as indicated by zero participants analyzed entered in the table. Per protocol, healthy participants (Part 3) and participants receiving placebo were excluded from AUC(0-24hr) analysis.

Maximum Observed Post-dose Plasma Concentration (Cmax) of MK-8189 in Schizophrenia Participants
Day 1 pre-dose and 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 24 hours post-dose; Days 4, 8, 11 pre-dose and 6, 10, 16, 24 hours post-dose; Day 14 pre-dose and 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, 24, 36, 48 hours post-dose

Cmax was defined as the maximum concentration of MK-8189 observed in plasma. Blood samples were collected pre-dose and up to 48 hours post-dose at multiple time points to estimate Cmax following MK-8189 administration. As specified by the protocol, Cmax was analyzed by part, dose and dosing schedule. Due to differing dosing schedules, some time points were not applicable for certain arms/doses as indicated by zero participants analyzed entered in the table. Per protocol, healthy participants (Part 3) and participants receiving placebo were excluded from Cmax analysis.

Time Post-dose at Which the Maximum Plasma Concentration (Tmax) of MK-8189 Was Observed in Schizophrenia Participants
Day 1 pre-dose and 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 24 hours post-dose; Days 4, 8, 11 pre-dose and 6, 10, 16, 24 hours post-dose; Day 14 pre-dose and 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, 24, 36, 48 hours post-dose

Tmax was defined as the time required post dose to reach a maximum plasma concentration of MK-8189. It was estimated as the actual sampling time at the highest MK-8189 plasma concentration. Blood samples were collected pre-dose and up to 48 hours post-dose at multiple time points to estimate Tmax following MK-8189 administration. As specified by the protocol, Tmax was analyzed by part, dose and dosing schedule. Due to differing dosing schedules, some time points were not applicable for certain arms/doses as indicated by zero participants analyzed entered in the table. Per protocol, healthy participants (Part 3) and participants receiving placebo were excluded from Tmax analysis.

Time Required for Plasma Concentration of MK-8189 to Decrease by Half (Apparent t1/2) in Schizophrenia Participants on Day 14
Day 14 pre-dose and 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, 24, 36, 48 hours post-dose

t1/2 was defined as the time required to divide the MK-8189 plasma concentration by half after reaching pseudo-equilibrium. At least three quantifiable post-Cmax, terminal phase concentrations collected were used to calculate the apparent t1/2. Blood samples were collected pre-dose and up to 48 hours post-dose at multiple time points on Day 14 to estimate t1/2 following MK-8189 administration. As specified by the protocol, t1/2 was analyzed by part, dose and dosing schedule. Due to differing dosing schedules, the Day 14 timepoint was not applicable for certain arms/doses as indicated by zero participants analyzed entered in the table. Per protocol, healthy participants (Part 3) and participants receiving placebo were excluded from t1/2 analysis.

Secondary Endpoints

Change From Baseline in PANSS Positive Subscale (PSS) Score at Week 6
Baseline and Week 6
Change From Baseline in Clinical Global Impression-Severity of Illness (CGI-S) Score at Week 6
Baseline and Week 6
Change From Baseline in Body Weight at Week 12
Baseline and Week 12
Unlock Study Endpoints

Study Design & Arms

AllocationRANDOMIZED
MaskingTRIPLE
ModelPARALLEL
PurposeTREATMENT

Treatment Arms

ArmTypeDescription
Elpipodect 8 mgEXPERIMENTALParticipants received elpipodect 8 mg QD from Weeks 1 to 12, with 2 weeks of follow-up
Elpipodect 16 mgEXPERIMENTALParticipants received elpipodect 16 mg QD from Weeks 1 to 12, with 2 weeks of follow-up.
Elpipodect 24 mgEXPERIMENTALParticipants received elpipodect 24 mg QD from Weeks 1 to 12, with 2 weeks of follow-up.
Risperidone 6 mgACTIVE_COMPARATORParticipants will be treated for a total of 12 weeks. Participants will receive risperidone 6 mg QD in the acute treatment period from Week 1-6 followed by risperidone 6 mg QD in the extension treatment period from Week 7-12.
Placebo and Elpipodect 24 mgEXPERIMENTALParticipants received placebo QD from Weeks 1 to 6 and elpipodect 24 mg from Weeks 7 to 12, with 2 weeks of follow-up.
ElpipodectEXPERIMENTALParticipants receive elpipodect (4 mg controlled release \[CR\] oral tablet\[s\]) in combination with placebo matching risperidone (oral capsule\[s\]) once daily (QD) for 4 weeks. Over the initial 7 treatment days, elpipodect is titrated from 4 mg to 12 mg as follows: 4 mg (1 tablet; Day 1); 8 mg (2 tablets; Day 4); and 12 mg (3 tablets; Day 7). Placebo matching risperidone is also titrated as follows: 1 capsule (Day 1), 2 capsules (Day 4), and 3 capsules (Day 7). After Day 7, elpipodect is maintained at 12 mg (3 tablets) in combination with placebo matching risperidone (3 capsules), QD for 3 weeks.
RisperidoneACTIVE_COMPARATORParticipants receive risperidone (2 mg oral capsule\[s\]) in combination with placebo matching elpipodect (oral tablet\[s\]), QD for 4 weeks. Over the initial 7 treatment days, risperidone is titrated from 2 mg to 6 mg as follows: 2 mg (1 capsule; Day 1); 4 mg (2 capsules; Day 4); and 6 mg (3 capsules; Day 7). Placebo matching elpipodect is also titrated as follows: 1 tablet (Day 1), 2 tablets (Day 4), and 3 tablets (Day 7). After Day 7, risperidone is maintained at 6 mg (3 capsules) in combination with placebo matching elpipodect (3 tablets), QD for 3 weeks.
PlaceboPLACEBO_COMPARATORParticipants receive both placebo matching elpipodect (oral tablet\[s\]) as well as placebo matching Risperidone (oral capsule\[s\]), QD for 4 weeks. Over the initial 7 treatment days, placebo matching both elpipodect and risperidone are respectively titrated as follows: 1 tablet/1 capsule (Day 1); 2 tablets/2 capsules (Day 4); and 3 tablets/3 capsules (Day 7). After Day 7, placebo matching both elpipodect and risperidone are respectively maintained at 3 tablets/3 capsules, QD for 3 weeks.
Panel A: 24 mg ElpipodectEXPERIMENTALParticipants received 24 mg elpipodect once daily (QD) for 14 days.
Panel B: 16 & 24 mg ElpipodectEXPERIMENTALParticipants received 16 mg elpipodect QD on Days 1 to 3 and 24 mg MK-8189 QD on Days 4 to 14.
Panel C: 8, 16, & 24 mg ElpipodectEXPERIMENTALParticipants received 8 mg elpipodect Day 1, 16 mg on Day 2 ,and 24 mg on QD Days 3 to 14.
Panel C: PlaceboPLACEBO_COMPARATORParticipants received Panel C MK-8189-matching placebo QD for 14 days.
Panel A: PlaceboPLACEBO_COMPARATORParticipants received Panel A MK-8189-matching placebo QD for 14 days.
Panel B: PlaceboPLACEBO_COMPARATORParticipants received Panel B MK-8189-matching placebo for 14 days.
Sequence 1: Elpipodect (Treatment A)→Moxifloxacin (Treatment B)→Placebo (Treatment C)EXPERIMENTALParticipants receive a sequence of Treatment A in Period 1 followed by Treatment B in Period 2 followed by Treatment C in Period 3; there will be a 5-day washout between periods. Treatment A consists of elpipodect administered orally at 48 mg on Day 1 and 80 mg on day 2. Treatment B consists of placebo administered orally on Day 1 and moxifloxacin administered orally at 400 mg on Day 2. Treatment C consists of placebo administered orally on Day 1 and Day 2.
Sequence 2: Moxifloxacin (Treatment B) →Placebo (Treatment C) →Elpipodect (Treatment A)EXPERIMENTALParticipants receive a sequence of Treatment B in Period 1 followed by Treatment C in Period 2 followed by Treatment A in Period 3; there will be a 5-day washout between periods. Treatment B consists of placebo administered orally on Day 1 and moxifloxacin administered orally at 400 mg on Day 2. Treatment C consists of placebo administered orally on Day 1 and Day 2. Treatment A consists of elpipodect administered orally at 48 mg on Day 1 and 80 mg on Day 2.
Sequence 3: Placebo (Treatment C) →Elpipodect (Treatment A) →Moxifloxacin (Treatment B)EXPERIMENTALParticipants receive a sequence of Treatment C in Period 1 followed by Treatment A in in Period 2 followed by Treatment B in Period 3; there will be a 5-day washout between periods. Treatment C consists of placebo administered orally on Day 1 and Day 2. Treatment A consists of elpipodect administered orally at 48 mg on Day 1 and 80 mg on Day 2. Treatment B consists of placebo administered orally on Day 1 and moxifloxacin administered orally at 400 mg on Day 2.
Sequence 4: Moxifloxacin (Treatment B) →Elpipodect (Treatment A) → Placebo (Treatment C)EXPERIMENTALParticipants receive a sequence of Treatment B in Period 1 followed by Treatment A in Period 2 followed by Treatment C in Period 3; there will be a 5-day washout between periods. Treatment B consists of placebo administered orally on Day 1 and moxifloxacin administered orally at 400 mg on Day 2. Treatment A consists of elpipodect administered orally at 48 mg on Day 1 and 80 mg on Day 2. Treatment C consists of placebo administered orally on Day 1 and Day 2.
Sequence 5: Elpipodect (Treatment A) →Placebo (Treatment C) →Moxifloxacin (Treatment B)EXPERIMENTALParticipants receive a sequence of Treatment A in Period 1 followed by Treatment C in Period 2 followed by Treatment B in Period 3; there will be a 5-day washout between periods. Treatment A consists of elpipodect administered orally at 48 mg on Day 1 and 80 mg on Day 2. Treatment C consists of placebo administered orally on Day 1 and Day 2. Treatment B consists of placebo administered orally on Day 1 and moxifloxacin administered orally at 400 mg on Day 2.
Sequence 6: Placebo (Treatment C) →Moxifloxacin (Treatment B) → Elpipodect (Treatment A)EXPERIMENTALParticipants receive a sequence of Treatment C in Period 1 followed by Treatment B in Period 2 followed by Treatment A in Period 3; there will be a 5-day washout between periods. Treatment C consists of placebo administered orally on Day 1 and Day 2. Treatment B consists of placebo administered orally on Day 1 and moxifloxacin administered orally at 400 mg on Day 2. Treatment A consists of elpipodect administered orally at 48 mg on Day 1 and 80 mg on Day 2.
Elpipodect Panel AEXPERIMENTALParticipants will receive elpipodect starting at 48 mg on Day 1 and 60 mg on Day 2.
Elpipodect Panel A-1EXPERIMENTALParticipants will receive elpipodect 48 mg on Day 1 and 80 mg on Day 2.
Elpipodect Panel CEXPERIMENTALParticipants will receive elpipodect 48 mg on Days 1-2 and 80 mg on Day 3 based on safety and tolerability.
Carbon-14 radiolabeled [14C] ElpipodectEXPERIMENTALParticipants receive a dose of 4.5-mg immediate release (IR) (\~ 50 μCi) orally on Day 1.
Moderate Hepatic Impairment ParticipantsEXPERIMENTALParticipants with hepatic impairment will receive a single dose of elpipodect 4 mg orally on Day 1.
Healthy ParticipantsEXPERIMENTALHealthy participants will receive a single dose of MK-8189 4 mg orally on Day 1.
Part 1 (Panel A) ElpipodectEXPERIMENTALYoung adult participants with schizophrenia receive elpipodect titrated from 16 mg to 24 mg once daily (QD), orally, over a course of 7-day treatment.
Part 1 (Panel B) ElpipodectEXPERIMENTALYoung adult participants with schizophrenia receive elpipodect titrated up to 24 mg QD, orally, over a course of 7-day treatment period with starting doses based on safety and tolerability of previous starting dose in previous panel.
Part 1 (Panel C) ElpipodectEXPERIMENTALYoung adult participants with schizophrenia receive elpipodect titrated from 8 mg to 24 mg QD, orally, over a course of 7-day treatment period with starting doses based on safety and tolerability of previous starting dose in previous panels.
Part 2 (Panel D) ElpipodectEXPERIMENTALElderly adult participants with schizophrenia receive elpipodect titrated from 8 mg to 24 mg QD, orally, over the course of a 13-day treatment period with starting doses based on safety and tolerability of previous starting dose in previous panels.
Part 2 (Panel E) ElpipodectEXPERIMENTALElderly adult participants with schizophrenia receive elpipodect titrated from 16 mg to 24 mg QD, orally, over the course of 10-day treatment period with starting doses based on safety and tolerability of previous starting dose in previous panels.
Part 2 (Panel F) ElpipodectEXPERIMENTALHealthy elderly adult participants receive elpipodect titrated from 8 mg to 24 mg QD, orally, over the course of a 13-day treatment period with starting doses based on safety and tolerability of previous starting dose in previous panels.
Part 2 (Panel G) ElpipodectEXPERIMENTALHealthy elderly adult participants receive elpipodect titrated from 16 mg to 24 mg QD, orally, over the course of 10-day treatment period with starting doses based on safety and tolerability of previous starting dose in previous panels.
Part 1 (Panels A, B, C) PlaceboPLACEBO_COMPARATOROral tablets of dose-matched placebo to total daily dose of elpipodect.
Part 2 (Panels D, E, F, G) PlaceboPLACEBO_COMPARATOROral tablets of dose-matched placebo to total daily dose of elpipodect.
Part 1 Panel A & B Elpipodect Monotherapy 2-40 mg: SchizophrenicEXPERIMENTALParticipants with schizophrenia will receive monotherapy of elpipodect in escalating doses starting at 2 mg once daily (QD) up to 40 mg QD, depending on safety and tolerability
Part 2 Panel C Elpipodect Add-on Therapy 2-20 mg: SchizophrenicEXPERIMENTALParticipants with schizophrenia will receive add-on therapy of elpipodect in escalating doses starting at 2 mg QD up to 20 mg QD, depending on safety and tolerability
Part 2 Panel C Elpipodect Add-on Therapy 4-20 mg: SchizophrenicEXPERIMENTALParticipants with schizophrenia will receive add-on therapy of elpipodect in escalating doses starting at 4 mg QD up to 20 mg QD, depending on safety and tolerability
Part 3 Panel D Elpipodect Monotherapy 2-16 mg: HealthyEXPERIMENTALHealthy participants will receive monotherapy of elpipodect in escalating doses starting at 2 mg QD up to 16 mg QD, depending on safety and tolerability
Part 1 Panel A & B Placebo Monotherapy: SchizophrenicPLACEBO_COMPARATORParticipants with schizophrenia will receive dose-matched placebo to elpipodect monotherapy
Part 2 Panel C Placebo Add-on Therapy: SchizophrenicPLACEBO_COMPARATORParticipants with schizophrenia will receive dose-matched placebo to elpipodect add-on therapy
Part 3 Panel D Placebo Monotherapy: HealthyPLACEBO_COMPARATORHealthy participants will receive dose-matched placebo to elpipodect monotherapy

Interventions

NameTypeDescription
ElpipodectDRUGMK-8189 administered QD at a dose of 8 mg, 16 mg, or 24 mg via oral tablet.
RisperidoneDRUGRisperidone administered QD at a dose of 6 mg via oral capsule.
Placebo to MK-8189DRUGMK-8189-matching placebo administered QD via oral tablet.
Placebo to risperidoneDRUGRisperidone-matching placebo administered QD via oral capsule.
Placebo matching MK-8189DRUGOral placebo tablet(s) matching the MK-8189 tablet, administered QD.
Placebo matching risperidoneDRUGOral placebo capsule(s) matching the risperidone capsule, administered QD.
PlaceboDRUGOral Tablet
MoxifloxacinDRUGOral Tablet
[14C]ElpipodectDRUGOral administration
Base MonotherapyDRUGFor Part 2 only: participants need to be on monotherapy with an atypical antipsychotic medication (eg, Olanzapine, Quetiapine, Paliperidone, Asenapine, Iloperidone, Aripirprazole, Lurasidone, Risperidone \[not to exceed daily dose of 6 mg\], or Ziprasidone.) The participant should be on a stable and well tolerated treatment regimen for at least 2 months prior to screening. NOTE: Clozapine is not allowed.
Unlock Study Design Details

Eligibility Criteria

Age Range18 Years to 55 Years
SexALL
Healthy VolunteersNo
Study Sites121

Inclusion Criteria: The main inclusion criteria include, but are not limited to the following: * Meet the diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia according to the DSM-5 * Have an illness duration for schizophrenia of at least 1 year * Be confirmed to be experiencing an acute episode of schizophrenia...

Countries:United StatesBulgariaCroatiaJapanLatviaPolandRomaniaRussiaSerbiaSouth KoreaTaiwanUkraine
Unlock Eligibility Criteria

Frequently asked questions about Elpipodect

What is Elpipodect used for?

Elpipodect is an investigational small molecule being developed for neurology conditions, including schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, bipolar I disorder, and hepatic impairment. It is currently in Phase 1 clinical development and has not been approved by the FDA.

Who makes Elpipodect?

Elpipodect is being developed by Merck & Company, Inc., which trades under the ticker symbol MRK. The drug is currently in Phase 1 clinical trials.

What phase is Elpipodect in?

Elpipodect is in Phase 1 clinical development. It is an investigational drug and has not been approved by the FDA. All five clinical trials for Elpipodect have been completed.

What clinical trials is Elpipodect in?

Elpipodect has completed Phase 1 trials, including NCT02181803 and NCT04506905 in schizophrenia, NCT05227118 in Alzheimer's disease, and NCT05406440 in schizophrenia. These trials studied safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics.

Is Elpipodect the same as MK-8189?

Yes, Elpipodect is also known as MK-8189. Clinical trials for Elpipodect, such as NCT02181803 and NCT04506905, use the MK-8189 designation in their titles.