Neurocrine Biosciences announced it will present expanded data from the Phase 2 SAVITRI study of osavampator at Psych Congress 2025, marking a significant milestone in the development of what could become the first-in-class treatment for major depressive disorder. The presentation, scheduled for September 18 in San Diego, will showcase additional results from the pivotal trial that led to the initiation of a comprehensive Phase 3 program.
Novel Mechanism Targets Treatment-Resistant Depression
Osavampator (NBI-1065845) represents a breakthrough approach to treating major depressive disorder through its selective positive allosteric modulation of the alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor (AMPA-PAM). The investigational drug is being developed as an adjunctive treatment specifically for adults with MDD who have shown inadequate response to oral antidepressant therapy.
"The expanded data we will share at Psych Congress from our Phase 2 SAVITRI study represent an important step forward in understanding and addressing major depressive disorder," said Sanjay Keswani, M.D., Chief Medical Officer at Neurocrine Biosciences. "We are confident in our osavampator program and its potential to be a first-in-class treatment."
Phase 2 Study Demonstrates Clinical Promise
The Phase 2 SAVITRI study was conducted as a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial designed to evaluate both efficacy and safety of osavampator in adult subjects with MDD. The study enrolled 183 adults with a primary diagnosis of major depressive disorder who had demonstrated inadequate response to their current antidepressant treatment.
According to the company's announcement, osavampator demonstrated statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in depression severity while maintaining a favorable tolerability profile. These positive results, first announced in April 2024, provided the foundation for advancing the program to Phase 3 development.
Accelerated Path to Registration
The strength of the Phase 2 data prompted Neurocrine to rapidly advance osavampator into a comprehensive Phase 3 registrational program, which was initiated in January 2025. The program encompasses five studies that are currently active and enrolling patients, representing one of the most robust development efforts in the depression treatment landscape.
The company obtained exclusive licensing rights to osavampator from Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited for all indications across all territories worldwide, with the exception of Japan, positioning Neurocrine as the global leader in the drug's development and commercialization.
Addressing Critical Unmet Medical Need
Major depressive disorder affects more than 21 million people in the United States alone and represents one of the leading causes of disability according to the World Health Organization. The condition is characterized by persistently depressed mood, loss of interest, poor concentration, and decreased energy, among other debilitating symptoms.
Particularly concerning is the treatment gap in current therapeutic options. Approximately half of patients do not achieve adequate relief from their first antidepressant, highlighting the critical need for novel therapeutic approaches like osavampator's AMPA receptor modulation mechanism.
Recognition at Scientific Conference
The clinical significance of the osavampator program has been recognized by the scientific community, with the SAVITRI poster presentation selected as a finalist for the Psych Congress Poster Awards. This recognition underscores the potential impact of the research on the field of depression treatment.
The poster, titled "Osavampator (NBI-1065845/TAK-653) Demonstrates Statistically Significant and Clinically Meaningful Improvements in Depression Severity and is Well Tolerated in Adults with Major Depressive Disorder: Phase 2 SAVITRI Results," will be displayed during multiple sessions throughout the conference.
Broader Pipeline Context
While osavampator represents a key focus area, Neurocrine Biosciences maintains a diverse portfolio of treatments for neurological, neuroendocrine, and neuropsychiatric disorders. The company's existing FDA-approved treatments include therapies for tardive dyskinesia, chorea associated with Huntington's disease, classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia, endometriosis, and uterine fibroids.
The advancement of osavampator to Phase 3 development represents a significant milestone in Neurocrine's three-decade commitment to applying unique insights into neuroscience and the interconnections between brain and body systems to treat complex conditions affecting patients with significant unmet medical needs.
