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MK-8189

Phase 1

Schizophrenia | Small molecule | Psychiatry |Merck & Company, Inc.|Last Updated: Mar 29, 2021

Success Probability

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Market & Valuation

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Trial Design

RandomizedDouble-BlindPLACEBO_CONTROLLED
Total Trials1
Total Enrollment75

FDA Designations

No designations recorded

Clinical trial landscape

MK-8189 · 1 trial · 1 indication

Phase 1 1
NCT03565068A Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacokinetics Study of MK-8189 in Participants With Schizophrenia and in Healthy Participants (MK-8189-007)Schizophrenia
COMPLETED75 Analytics
PHASE1COMPLETED
A Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacokinetics Study of MK-8189 in Participants With Schizophrenia and in Healthy Participants (MK-8189-007)
SchizophreniaUnlock trial analytics

Study Endpoints

Primary Endpoints

The Number of Participants Who Experienced One or More Adverse Events (AEs)
Up to ~32 days

An AE was defined as 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. Per protocol, safety was analyzed by panel and dose. The number of participants who experienced one or more AEs was reported.

The Number of Participants Who Discontinued Study Treatment Due to an AE
Up to ~18 days

An AE was defined as 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. Per protocol, safety was analyzed by panel and dose. The number of participants who discontinued study treatment due to an AE was reported.

Secondary Endpoints

Area Under the Plasma-concentration Curve at Zero to 24 Hours Post-dose (AUC0-24hr) of MK-8189
Pre-dose, 2, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 24 hours post-dose; no pre-dose on Day 18 (Panel A, B, C), Day 15 (Panel D); Panel A, B: Days 7, 10, 13, 16, 18; Panel C: Days 9, 12, 15, 18; Panel D: Days 1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 15
Maximum Observed Post-dose Plasma Concentration (Cmax) of MK-8189
Pre-dose, 2, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 24 hours post-dose; no pre-dose on Day 18 (Panel A, B, C), Day 15 (Panel D);additional 36, 48 hours post-dose on Days 18, 15; Panel A, B: Days 7, 10, 13, 16, 18; Panel C: Days 9, 12, 15, 18; Panel D:Days 1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 15
Plasma Concentration at 24 Hours Post-dose (C24hr) of MK-8189
24 hours post-dose; Panel A, B: Days 7, 10, 13, 16, 18; Panel C: Days 9, 12, 15, 18; Panel D: Days 1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 15
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Study Design & Arms

AllocationRANDOMIZED
MaskingDOUBLE
ModelPARALLEL
PurposeTREATMENT

Treatment Arms

ArmTypeDescription
Panel A (Healthy Participants): MK-8189 Monotherapy 4-24 mgEXPERIMENTALHealthy participants will receive MK-8189 monotherapy orally once daily (QD) in escalating doses from 4 mg to 24 mg, as follows: Days 1-3: 4 mg, Days 4-6: 8 mg, Days 7-9: 12 mg, Days 10-12: 16 mg, Days 13-15: 20 mg, Days 16-18: 24 mg, depending on safety and tolerability.
Panel A (Healthy Participants): Placebo MonotherapyPLACEBO_COMPARATORHealthy participants will receive MK-8189 monotherapy matching placebo orally QD on Days 1-18.
Panel B (Schizophrenia Participants): MK-8189 Monotherapy 4-24 mgEXPERIMENTALParticipants with Schizophrenia will receive MK-8189 monotherapy orally QD in escalating doses from 4 mg to 24 mg, as follows: Days 1-3: 4 mg, Days 4-6: 8 mg, Days 7-9: 12 mg, Days 10-12: 16 mg, Days 13-15: 20 mg, Days 16-18: 24 mg, depending on safety and tolerability.
Panel B (Schizophrenia Participants): Placebo MonotherapyPLACEBO_COMPARATORParticipants with Schizophrenia will receive MK-8189 monotherapy matching placebo orally QD on Days 1-18.
Panel C (Schizophrenia Participants): MK-8189 Add-on Therapy 4-24 mgEXPERIMENTALIn addition to background atypical antipsychotic (AAP) treatment, participants with Schizophrenia will receive MK-8189 add-on therapy orally QD in escalating doses from 4 mg to 24 mg, as follows: Days 1-3: 4 mg, Days 4-6: 8 mg, Days 7-9: 12 mg, Days 10-12: 16 mg, Days 13-15: 20 mg, Days 16-18: 24 mg, depending on safety and tolerability.
Panel C (Schizophrenia Participants): Placebo Add-on TherapyPLACEBO_COMPARATORIn addition to background AAP treatment, participants with Schizophrenia will receive MK-8189 add-on therapy matching placebo orally QD on Days 1-18.
Panel D (Schizophrenia Participants): MK-8189 Monotherapy 8-48 mgEXPERIMENTALParticipants with Schizophrenia will receive MK-8189 monotherapy orally QD in escalating doses from 8 mg to 48 mg, as follows: Days 1-3: 8 mg, Days 4-6: 16 mg, Days 7-9: 24 mg, Days 10-12: 36 mg, Days 13-15: 48 mg, depending on safety and tolerability.
Panel D (Schizophrenia Participants): Placebo MonotherapyPLACEBO_COMPARATORParticipants with Schizophrenia will receive MK-8189 monotherapy matching placebo orally QD on Days 1-15.

Interventions

NameTypeDescription
MK-8189DRUGMK-8189 4 mg tablet(s) will be administered orally QD for a total daily dose of 4 mg, 8 mg, 12 mg, 16 mg, 20 mg, 24 mg, 36 mg or 48 mg.
PlaceboDRUGMK-8189 dose-matching placebo tablets will be administered orally QD.
Background AAP TherapyDRUGParticipants with schizophrenia in Panel C will be on background therapy with an AAP medication (e.g., olanzapine, quetiapine, paliperidone, asenapine, iloperidone, aripirprazole, lurasidone, risperidone \[not to exceed daily dose of 6 mg\], or ziprasidone) throughout the study. Participants should be on a stable and well tolerated treatment regimen for at least 2 months prior to screening. NOTE: clozapine is not allowed.
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Eligibility Criteria

Age Range18 Years to 60 Years
SexALL
Healthy VolunteersYes
Study Sites1

Inclusion Criteria Panel A (Healthy Participants) \- If participant is of Japanese descent, both biological parents and all biological grandparents must be born in Japan. Panels B and D (Participants with Schizophrenia; MK-8189 or Placebo Monotherapy / 15-Day Titration Monotherapy) - Is able to d...

Countries:United States
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Frequently asked questions about MK-8189

What is MK-8189 used for in schizophrenia?

MK-8189 is an investigational small molecule being developed for the treatment of schizophrenia. It is currently in Phase 1 clinical development and has not been approved by regulatory authorities. The drug is being studied to evaluate its safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics in participants with schizophrenia and in healthy participants.

What does MK-8189 target?

The molecular target of MK-8189 has not been disclosed in the available information. As a small molecule in Phase 1 development for schizophrenia, its specific mechanism of action is not publicly detailed. The ongoing clinical trial focuses on safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics rather than target engagement.

Who makes MK-8189?

MK-8189 is being developed by Merck & Company, Inc., a pharmaceutical company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol MRK. Merck is conducting clinical research on this investigational drug for the treatment of schizophrenia.

What phase is MK-8189 in?

MK-8189 is in Phase 1 of clinical development. It is an investigational drug and has not received regulatory approval. The completed Phase 1 trial assessed safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics in participants with schizophrenia and in healthy participants, with a total enrollment of 75 individuals.

What clinical trials is MK-8189 in?

MK-8189 has one completed clinical trial registered as NCT03565068, titled "A Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacokinetics Study of MK-8189 in Participants With Schizophrenia and in Healthy Participants (MK-8189-007)." This Phase 1 study was conducted in the United States, enrolled 75 participants, and was randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled.

Is MK-8189 FDA approved?

MK-8189 is not FDA approved. It is an investigational drug currently in Phase 1 clinical development for schizophrenia. The completed Phase 1 trial (NCT03565068) evaluated safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics, but the drug has not yet progressed through the later phases required for regulatory approval.