Safety and Efficacy of the NMDA‐2b‐Selective Negative Allosteric Modulator BI 1569912: A Phase Ib Randomized Trial in Major Depressive Disorder
R. McIntyre, G. Sanacora, David P. Walling, Elan A. Cohen, S. Malhotra, Holger Rosenbrock, M. Schmitz, A. Scholz, S. Süssmuth, F. de Crescenzo
Clinical pharmacology and therapy August 14, 2025 DOI: 10.1002/cpt.70018 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Phase Ib randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 59 |
| Population | Adults with moderate-to-severe major depressive disorder and insufficient response to ongoing antidepressant monotherapy |
| Intervention | BI 1569912 |
| Dose | 5 mg or 20 mg tablet |
| Duration | From start of treatment to Day 15; efficacy assessed within 7-day intervals and at individual time points |
| Measures | Clinician-Administered Dissociative States Scale (CADSS), Bowdle-Visual Analog Scale (B-VAS), Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) |
| Topics | Depression |
| Key findings | BI 1569912 was generally well tolerated, with adverse event rates similar to placebo and no dose-dependent trend, and no increase in suicidal or dissociative symptoms or abuse-potential signals. Although the maximum 7-day MADRS decrease was similar across groups, a single 20 mg dose produced a 3.4- to 4.9-point MADRS improvement versus placebo at Days 2, 4, and 6, meeting predefined criteria for further development. |
Abstract
Selective N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptor subunit 2b negative allosteric modulators (NR2B NAMs) are being explored as potential new treatment options for major depressive disorder (MDD). This Phase Ib, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, parallel‐group trial was conducted in adults (N = 59) with moderate‐to‐severe MDD and insufficient response to ongoing antidepressant monotherapy. Participants were randomized (1:1:1) to a novel NR2B NAM, BI 1569912 (5 mg or 20 mg tablet) or placebo. The primary safety endpoint was the number and percentage of participants with drug‐related adverse events (AEs) from the start of treatment to Day 15. Dissociation and psychedelic symptoms were assessed by the Clinician‐Administered Dissociative States Scale (CADSS) and Bowdle‐Visual Analog Scale (B‐VAS), respectively. Preliminary efficacy assessments included the maximum decrease from baseline in the Montgomery‐Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) total score within a 7‐day interval (primary) and the change from baseline in MADRS total score at individual time points (exploratory). The proportion of participants with ≥ 1 AE was similar between BI 1569912 and placebo, with no dose‐dependent trend. There was no increase in suicidal or dissociative symptoms and no clinically relevant sign of human abuse potential. The maximum decrease from baseline in MADRS within a 7‐day interval was similar across groups; however, a single BI 1569912 20‐mg dose provided a clinically relevant 3.4‐ to 4.9‐point improvement in MADRS total score vs. placebo at Days 2, 4, and 6, meeting predefined criteria for further development. The favorable safety profile and preliminary efficacy signals support continued development of BI 1569912 for adults with MDD.