Clinical trial Recruiting at 53 sites Phase 3 Interventional Ages 18 to 74

Seltorexant (JNJ-42847922) as monotherapy for adults and older adults with major depressive disorder

Official title: A Multicenter, Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Study to Evaluate Efficacy and Safety of Seltorexant as Monotherapy in Adult and Elderly Participants With Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and an Open-label Long-term Extension Treatment With Seltorexant

Run by Janssen Research & Development, LLC · NCT07573176 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This trial will test whether seltorexant works better than a placebo to reduce depressive symptoms in adults and elderly people with major depressive disorder.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 3
Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years to 74 Years
SexAll
Enrollment600 (estimated)
SponsorJanssen Research & Development, LLC
Industry-sponsored
Locations53 sites (Bryant, Arkansas and 52 other locations)
StatusRecruiting
StartedApril 30, 2026
Main results expectedAugust 24, 2028
Study endsMay 3, 2029
Registry record updatedNovember 3, 2026
Trial IDNCT07573176 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Adults and elderly patients who meet DSM-5 criteria for major depressive disorder, have a current episode lasting at least two weeks, have had at least one prior MDD episode, and either are not currently on antidepressants or can be washed out per the protocol (BMI 18–40 kg/m²).

Probably not a fit

Patients with psychotic features, unstable medical conditions, those who cannot stop disallowed medications or meet the BMI limits, or those with conditions excluded by the protocol may not receive benefit from participation.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This Phase 3, randomized, double-blind trial compares seltorexant (JNJ-42847922) with placebo as a monotherapy for adults and elderly participants diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Participants may enter either medication-free or after a washout of up to two recent antidepressants, and must have a current depressive episode of at least two weeks. After the double-blind treatment phase, participants may enter an open-label phase to collect longer-term safety and tolerability data. The trial is conducted at outpatient clinical research sites with regular in-person visits for symptom rating and safety monitoring.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, seltorexant could offer a new monotherapy option that reduces depressive symptoms and may have a tolerability profile distinct from existing antidepressants.

How similar studies have gone: This orexin-2 receptor antagonist approach is relatively new; early-phase trials of seltorexant and related compounds have shown some promising signals but limited large-scale confirmation to date.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria:

* Meet diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders-5th edition (DSM-5) diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder (MDD), without psychotic features based upon clinical assessment and confirmed by the SCID-CT diagnosed with first depressive episode prior to age 55
* Experienced at least one MDD episode prior to their current episode based on clinician-confirmed MDD diagnosis/MDE and documented in source records
* Current episode of MDD must be a minimum of 8 weeks in duration and maximum of 24 months duration
* Must meet one of the following criteria regarding current medication status.

  1. Can be presenting for a new episode of MDD with no adequate antidepressant treatment started in the current episode; however, must have been treated with an antidepressant medication in a prior episode for a minimum of 6 weeks at a stable dose at or above the minimum therapeutic level.

     OR
  2. Have taken up to two antidepressant treatments started in the current episode that were stopped (withdrawn), or will be withdrawn (washed out) due to inadequate response as defined by the Massachusetts general hospital antidepressant treatment response questionnaire (MGH-ATRQ)
* Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18 and 40 kilograms per square meter (kg/m\^2)
* Must be medically stable on the basis of the following performed at screening and double-blind (DB) baseline: physical examination (including a brief neurological examination), vital signs (including blood pressure), and 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG)

Exclusion criteria:

* Use of ketamine/esketamine in the current depressive episode (up to 2 doses are allowed prior to screening)
* Has treatment-resistant depression (TRD)
* Has a primary DSM-5 diagnosis of panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, or specific phobia which has been the primary focus of psychiatric treatment within the past 2 years
* Current active DSM-5 diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or fibromyalgia
* Has a history or current diagnosis of a psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, autism spectrum disorder, borderline personality disorder, or somatoform disorders
* Has dementia, any dementing disease, intellectual disability, or neurocognitive disorder
* Has a current or recent history of homicidal ideation or serious suicidal ideation within the past 3 months or a history of suicidal behavior within the past 6 months
* Has a history of moderate-to-severe substance use disorder including alcohol use disorder according to DSM-5 criteria within 6 months
* Has any significant sleep disorder, including but not limited to untreated/uncontrolled conditions
* Has known allergies, hypersensitivity, intolerance, or any contraindication to seltorexant or its excipients

Where it's running

  • SanRo Clinical Research Group LLC WCG Clinical Network
    Bryant, Arkansas, United States
    Recruiting
  • CI Trials
    Bellflower, California, United States
    Recruiting
  • Behavioral Research Specialists LLC
    Glendale, California, United States
    Recruiting
  • Excell Research Inc
    Oceanside, California, United States
    Recruiting
  • NRC Research Institute
    Orange, California, United States
    Recruiting
  • Cenexel
    Riverside, California, United States
    Recruiting
Show 44 more locations
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    Walnut Creek, California, United States
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    Doral, Florida, United States
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    Hialeah, Florida, United States
    Recruiting
  • K2 Medical Research
    Maitland, Florida, United States
    Recruiting
  • Pharmax Research Clinic Inc
    Miami, Florida, United States
    Recruiting
  • Nuovida Research Center
    Miami, Florida, United States
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    Tampa, Florida, United States
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  • Health Synergy Clinical Research
    West Palm Beach, Florida, United States
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  • Agile Clinical Research Trials, LLC
    Atlanta, Georgia, United States
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  • Accelerated Clinical Research Group LLC
    Snellville, Georgia, United States
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  • Chicago Research Center
    Chicago, Illinois, United States
    Recruiting
  • Pharmasite Research, Inc.
    Baltimore, Maryland, United States
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  • Adams Clinical Boston
    Boston, Massachusetts, United States
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    Watertown, Massachusetts, United States
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  • Integrative Clinical Trials LLC
    Brooklyn, Mississippi, United States
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  • SPRI Clinical Trials, LLC
    Brooklyn, Mississippi, United States
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  • Vector Clinical Trials
    Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
    Recruiting
  • CenExel Marlton NJ
    Marlton, New Jersey, United States
    Recruiting
  • Bioscience Research LLC
    Mount Kisco, New York, United States
    Recruiting
  • Fieve Clinical Research Inc
    New York, New York, United States
    Recruiting
  • Adams Clinical Harlem
    New York, New York, United States
    Recruiting
  • Manhattan Behavioral Medicine
    New York, New York, United States
    Recruiting
  • Magnolia Clinical Research LLC
    Cary, North Carolina, United States
    Recruiting
  • Patient Priority Clinical Sites LLC
    Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
    Recruiting
  • Conrad Clinical Research
    Edmond, Oklahoma, United States
    Recruiting
  • University of Pennsylvania
    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
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    Dallas, Texas, United States
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  • Baylor College of Medicine
    Houston, Texas, United States
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  • DM Clinical Research
    Houston, Texas, United States
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  • Sooner Clinical Research
    Oklahoma, Texas, United States
    Recruiting
  • R and H Clinical Research
    Stafford, Texas, United States
    Recruiting
  • Alpine Research Organization
    Clinton, Utah, United States
    Recruiting
  • Northwest Clinical Research Center
    Bellevue, Washington, United States
    Recruiting
  • Iternova Consultorios en Salud Mental
    Córdoba, Argentina
    Recruiting
  • Resolution
    Mendoza, Argentina
    Recruiting
  • Instituto Apice
    Salvador, Brazil
    Recruiting
  • Centro Integrado Facili
    São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil
    Recruiting
  • BR Trials
    São Paulo, Brazil
    Recruiting
  • Medical Arts Research Health Group
    North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Recruiting
  • Providence Care Hospital
    Kingston, Ontario, Canada
    Recruiting
  • Beijing Huilongguan Hospital
    Beijing, China
    Recruiting
  • Shanghai Mental Health Center
    Shanghai, China
    Recruiting
  • University Malaya Medical Centre
    Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
    Recruiting
  • Chung Shan Medical University Hospital
    Taichung, Taiwan
    Recruiting

+3 more sites. See ClinicalTrials.gov for the full list.

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.