Clinical trial • Phase II • Psychiatry

KETAMINE HYDROCHLORIDE for Major Depressive Disorder

Phase II trial of KETAMINE HYDROCHLORIDE for Major Depressive Disorder. open-label. 12 participants.

Overview

Trial Therapeutic Area
Psychiatry
Trial Disease
Major Depressive Disorder
Trial Stage
Phase II
Drug Modality
Small molecule

Key dates

Initial CTIS Submission Date
19-12-2025
First CTIS Authorization Date
05-03-2026

Trial design

open-label Phase II trial across 1 site in Sweden.

Open Label
Yes
Target Sample Size
12
Trial Duration For Participant
29

Eligibility

Recruits 12 The protocol indicates vulnerable population not selected (isVulnerablePopulationSelected: false). Inclusion criterion: "The subject has given their written consent to participate in the trial." Participants are adults (Age ≥ 18 and ≤ 75 years); written informed consent is required from the participant. No assent process for minors is described as minors are excluded..

Pregnancy Exclusion
Pregnancy, breastfeeding or planned pregnancy (if female).
Vulnerable Population
The protocol indicates vulnerable population not selected (isVulnerablePopulationSelected: false). Inclusion criterion: "The subject has given their written consent to participate in the trial." Participants are adults (Age ≥ 18 and ≤ 75 years); written informed consent is required from the participant. No assent process for minors is described as minors are excluded.

Inclusion criteria

  • {"criterion_text":"- The subject has given their written consent to participate in the trial.\n- Age ≥ 18 and ≤ 75 years.\n- Body mass index (BMI) ≥ 18 and ≤ 35 kg/m2.\n- Primary diagnosis of MDD meeting Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR) criteria and one of the following episode characteristics: (1) MDD, single episode, moderate (ICD-10-CM: F32.1); (2) MDD, single episode, severe, without psychotic features (ICD-10-CM: F32.2); (3) MDD, recurrent, moderate (ICD-10-CM: F33.1); (4) MDD, recurrent, severe, without psychotic features (ICD-10-CM: F33.2)\n- Duration of current depressive episode no longer than 12 months prior to screening.\n- MADRS score ≥ 22 at screening\n- Willingness to start a new, conventional antidepressant treatment which is chosen by the treating physician with regards to side effect profile and previous treatments, together with KET01, dosed according to the prescribed schedule.\n- Willingness to terminate any ongoing antidepressant treatment if deemed ineffective by study physician in accordance with clinical practice (tapering or immediate stop), followed by a wash-out phase of at least 7 days without medication before treatment with the new antidepressant is initiated together with KET01.\n- For women of childbearing potential (WOCBP; definition: A WOCBP is defined as any female who has experienced menarche and who has not undergone surgical sterilisation (hysterectomy or bilateral oophorectomy) or is not postmenopausal. Menopause is defined clinically as 12 months of amenorrhea in a woman over age 45 in the absence of other biological or physiological causes.): Must be willing to undergo pregnancy tests and will be required to use highly effective contraceptive measures from the time of informed consent until 28 days after last IMP intake. Methods that can achieve a failure rate of less than 1% per year when used consistently and correctly are considered as highly effective birth control methods. Such methods include combined (oestrogen and progestogen containing) hormonal contraception associated with inhibition of ovulation (oral, intravaginal or transdermal); progestogen-only hormonal contraception associated with inhibition of ovulation (oral or injectable); implantable intrauterine device (IUD); intrauterine hormone-releasing system (IUS), bilateral tubal occlusion or practicing sexual abstinence (if this is in line with the preferred and usual lifestyle of the participant).\n- For male participants with a partner of childbearing potential (see definition of WOCBP above): Must be willing to use adequate contraceptive measures (barrier method) or practice sexual abstinence (if this is in line with the preferred and usual lifestyle of the participant) from the time of informed consent until 28 days after last IMP intake. Note: These requirements also apply for male participants who have had a vasectomy."}

Exclusion criteria

  • {"criterion_text":"- Known hypersensitivity or intolerance to ketamine or any of the excipients.\n- Pregnancy, breastfeeding or planned pregnancy (if female).\n- High suicide risk according to the overall assessment of the research physician.\n- Known psychiatric and neurological concomitant condition of: MDD, single episode, severe, with psychotic features (ICD-10-CM: F32.3). MDD, recurrent, severe, with psychotic features (ICD-10-CM: F33.3) Schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders (ICD-10-CM: F21, F22, F23, F20.81, F20.9, F25.0, F25.1, F06.0, F06.1, F06.2, F28 and F29) or bipolar disorder (ICD-10-CM: F31), other mental disorder due to known physiological condition (ICD-10-CM: F06). Participants with first-degree relatives (parents, brothers, sisters or children) with psychotic or bipolar disorders are also not considered eligible. Paranoid or schizoid personality disorder (ICD-10-CM: F60.0, F60.1). Antisocial, borderline, histrionic or narcissistic personality disorder (ICD 10 CM: F60.2, F60.3, F60.4, F60.81). Neurodevelopmental disorders, e.g. moderate to profound intellectual developmental disorders (ICD-10-CM: F71, F72, F73), or autism spectrum disorders (ICD-10-CM: F84).\n- Known or suspected lifetime history of surgical procedures involving the brain or meninges, encephalitis, meningitis, degenerative central nervous system (CNS) disorder, epilepsy (excluding uncomplicated childhood febrile seizures with no sequelae) or any other disease/procedure/accident/intervention which, according to the investigator is deemed associated with significant injury to or malfunction of the CNS.\n- History of significant head trauma within the past 2 years prior to Visit 1.\n- History of cerebrovascular event (e.g. stroke, prolonged ischaemic neurologic deficit [PRIND], transient ischaemic attack).\n- Known or suspected ongoing cardiac disease (e.g. unstable angina, congestive heart failure, tachyarrhythmia or myocardial infarction).\n- Clinically significant abnormal electrocardiogram findings at Visit 1 which may jeopardize participant’s safety according to the investigator.\n- Untreated or uncontrolled hypertension (after 5 minutes of rest, systolic blood pressure ≥ 180 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 120 mmHg confirmed by three sequential measurements with at least 5 minutes between the single measurements).\n- Laboratory findings suggesting impaired hepatic function or liver cirrhosis i.e. gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) or aspartate aminotransferase (AST) values > 2x times the upper limit of normal (ULN) or total bilirubin > 1.5 times the ULN at Visit 1. Participants with an isolated increase of indirect bilirubin not previously documented as a diagnosis of Gilbert’s syndrome must be discussed with the medical monitor.\n- Known hepatitis B or C.\n- Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 or creatinine > 200 µmol/L at Visit 1 or ongoing dialysis or kidney transplants.\n- Diabetes mellitus with a haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) value > 64 mmol/mol at the screening visit.\n- Hyperthyroidism.\n- Uncontrolled hypothyroidism i.e. not at stable treatment with thyroid hormones (triiodothyronine/thyroxine [T3/T4]) within the 6 weeks before Visit 1 or abnormal thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (fT4) values at Visit 1.\n- History (within 5 years before Visit 1) of complicated cystitis (defined as cystitis in males; due to anatomical abnormalities; due to immunocompromised state, in pregnant women; recurrent infections despite adequate treatment; infections occurring after instrumentation such as nephrostomy).\n- Any other significant disease or disorder which, in the opinion of the investigator, may either put the participant at risk because of participation in the trial, or jeopardise the conduct of the trial according to the protocol.\n- Previous administration of ketamine (with exception of known or suspected ketamine-anaesthesia) or esketamine.\n- Prohibited prior and concomitant therapies and medication (see 7.3 Concomitant use of other medicinal products and treatments in Study Protocol).\n- History of moderate to severe alcohol use disorder or substance use disorder, including e.g. benzodiazepines, opiates, ketamine, hallucinogens and related drugs, stimulants (e.g. phencyclidine [PCP]), lysergic acid diethylamide [LSD], 3,4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine [MDMA], dextromethorphan, amphetamines, cocaine) or cannabis, except nicotine and caffeine, within 6 months before Visit 1 or a positive drug abuse test except for allowed medication prescribed for a medical condition.\n- Participation in other treatment studies.\n- Ongoing electroconvulsive treatment (ECT) or repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS).\n- Ongoing compulsory psychiatric care.\n- Other reason, as assessed by the investigator, that prevents the research subject’s participation such as risk that the subject is unable to complete the trial (non-compliance).\n- Recently started psychotherapy (within 6 weeks) or planning to start such treatment during participation in the trial."}

Endpoints

Primary endpoints

  • {"endpoint_text":"- Change in total Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) score after one week of treatment (day 8) compared to the baseline visit (day 1).","definition_or_measurement_approach":"Change in total MADRS score measured at day 8 compared to baseline (day 1)."}

Secondary endpoints

  • {"endpoint_text":"- Change in total MADRS score between baseline (day 1) and day 3, 5, 15 and 29.","definition_or_measurement_approach":"MADRS total score change measured at days 3, 5, 15 and 29 versus baseline (day 1)."}
  • {"endpoint_text":"- Change in Clinical Global Impression – Severity (CGI-S) rating scale from baseline (day 1) to every post-baseline measurement (day 3, 5, 8, 15, 29)","definition_or_measurement_approach":"CGI-S score change from baseline measured at days 3, 5, 8, 15 and 29."}
  • {"endpoint_text":"- Total score of Clinical Global Impression – Efficacy Index (CGI-E) rating scale at every post-baseline measurement (day 3, 5, 8, 15, 29)","definition_or_measurement_approach":"CGI-E total score measured at days 3, 5, 8, 15 and 29."}
  • {"endpoint_text":"- Change in Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) between baseline (day 1) and the two follow-up visits (day 15 and 29)","definition_or_measurement_approach":"PHQ-9 score change measured at days 15 and 29 versus baseline (day 1)."}
  • {"endpoint_text":"- Change in composite inflammatory depressive symptom score (InfDep score) consisting of PHQ-9 items # 3, 4 and 5 between baseline (day 1) and the two follow-up visits (day 15 and 29)","definition_or_measurement_approach":"Change in composite InfDep score (PHQ-9 items 3,4,5) measured at days 15 and 29 vs baseline."}
  • {"endpoint_text":"- Change in generalized anxiety disorder-7 (GAD-7) between baseline (day 1) and the two follow-up visits (day 15 and 29)","definition_or_measurement_approach":"GAD-7 score change at days 15 and 29 vs baseline."}
  • {"endpoint_text":"- Change in Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) between baseline (day 1) and three post-baseline visits (day 8, 15, 29)","definition_or_measurement_approach":"C-SSRS change measured at days 8, 15 and 29 versus baseline."}
  • {"endpoint_text":"- Response rate (≥ 50% decrease from baseline in MADRS total score) at every post-baseline visit (day 3, 5, 8, 15, 29).","definition_or_measurement_approach":"Proportion of participants with ≥50% decrease in MADRS total score at days 3,5,8,15,29 compared to baseline."}
  • {"endpoint_text":"- Remission rate (MADRS score of ≤10) at every post-baseline visit (day 3, 5, 8, 15, 29).","definition_or_measurement_approach":"Proportion of participants with MADRS ≤10 at days 3,5,8,15,29."}
  • {"endpoint_text":"- Change in Sedentary Behaviour (SED), Low-Intensity Physical Activity (LPA) and Moderate- to Vigorous Physical Activity (MVPA) and number of steps, between baseline (day 1) and every post-baseline visit (day 3, 5, 8, 15, 29).","definition_or_measurement_approach":"Change in activity measures (SED, LPA, MVPA, steps) at days 3,5,8,15,29 versus baseline."}
  • {"endpoint_text":"- Change in sleep patterns total sleep time (TST), sleep efficiency (SE), wake after sleep onset (WASO) and number of awakenings (NA) between baseline (day 1) and every post-baseline visit (day 3, 5, 8, 15, 29).","definition_or_measurement_approach":"Sleep parameter changes (TST, SE, WASO, NA) measured at days 3,5,8,15,29 vs baseline."}
  • {"endpoint_text":"- Changes in blood plasma levels of the inflammatory biomarkers high-sensitive C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha and white blood cell count between baseline (day 1) and three post-baseline visits (day 8, 15, 29).","definition_or_measurement_approach":"Plasma biomarker level changes measured at days 8, 15 and 29 vs baseline."}
  • {"endpoint_text":"- Change in DNA methylation patterns between baseline (day 1) and two post-baseline visits (day 8 and day 29).","definition_or_measurement_approach":"Change in DNA methylation patterns measured at days 8 and 29 vs baseline."}
  • {"endpoint_text":"- Change in Connor-Davidsson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-25) between baseline (day 1) and two post-baseline visits (day 8 and 29).","definition_or_measurement_approach":"CD-RISC-25 score change measured at days 8 and 29 vs baseline."}
  • {"endpoint_text":"- Patient's personal experience with effect of ketamine treatment on mood (qualitative interview with open-ended question at last follow-up (day 29)).","definition_or_measurement_approach":"Qualitative interview at day 29 collecting patient's personal experience on mood changes."}

Recruitment

Digital Remote Recruitment
Yes
Planned Sample Size
12
Recruitment Window Months
5
Consent Approach
Written informed consent is required: "The subject has given their written consent to participate in the trial." Subject information and informed consent form documents are provided (L1_SIS and ICF). Participants are adults (≥18); no assent described for minors. Patient-facing documents include English and Swedish versions where indicated (e.g. Emergency card for wallet_EN_SV).

Methods

  • K1_Recruitment arrangements document present (country: Sweden) - recruitment arrangements provided as a document in CTIS.
  • K2_Recruiting material_announcement document present (recruitment announcement material).
  • K2_Recruiting material_Questions for digital prescreening (digital prescreening questionnaire) and template for screening call (telephone screening).

Geography

Total Number Of Sites
1
Total Number Of Participants
12

Sweden

Earliest CTIS Part Ii Submission Date
18-02-2026
Latest Decision Or Authorization Date
05-03-2026
Processing Time Days
15
Number Of Sites
1
Number Of Participants
12

Sites

Site Name
Region Skane - Dockplatsen 26, Malmo S:t Petri
Department Name
Psychiatry
Contact Person Name
Daniel Lindqvist
Contact Person Email
daniel.lindqvist@med.lu.se
Number Of Participants
12

Sponsor

Primary sponsor

Full Name
Region Skane
Organisation Type
Hospital/Clinic/Other health care facility
Country Of Registered Address
Sweden

Investigational products

Investigational Product Name
Ketamine hydrochloride prolonged release tablets
Active Substance
KETAMINE HYDROCHLORIDE
Modality
Small molecule
Routes Of Administration
ORAL
Route
ORAL
Starting Dose
240 mg
Dose Levels
240 mg
Frequency
4 doses over 8 days
Maximum Dose
Max daily 240 mg; max total 960 mg
Combination Treatment
Yes

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