Buprenorphine/samidorphan

Buprenorphine/samidorphan
Buprenorphine (top) + samidorphan (bottom)
Combination of
BuprenorphineOpioid modulator
SamidorphanOpioid antagonist
Clinical data
Other namesALKS-5461
Routes of
administration
Sublingual[1]
Legal status
Legal status
Identifiers
CAS Number

Buprenorphine/samidorphan (developmental code name ALKS-5461) is a combination formulation of buprenorphine and samidorphan which is under development as an add on to antidepressants in treatment-resistant depression (TRD).[2]

ALKS-5461 failed to meet its primary efficacy endpoints in two trials from 2016.[3] On the basis of a third study that did meet its primary endpoints, Alkermes initiated a rolling New Drug Application with the FDA.[4]

In November 2018, an FDA panel voted against recommending approval, finding that evidence was insufficient.[5] As such, approval of the medication was rejected in 2019.[6] It is a κ-opioid receptor (KOR) antagonist and is being developed by Alkermes.

  1. ^ Dhir A (January 2017). "Investigational drugs for treating major depressive disorder". Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs. 26 (1): 9–24. doi:10.1080/13543784.2017.1267727. PMID 27960559. S2CID 45232796.
  2. ^ Machado-Vieira R, Henter ID, Zarate CA (May 2017). "New targets for rapid antidepressant action". Progress in Neurobiology. 152: 21–37. doi:10.1016/j.pneurobio.2015.12.001. PMC 4919246. PMID 26724279.
  3. ^ Steele A (21 January 2016). "Alkermes Depression Drug Disappoints in Trials". WSJ. Retrieved 21 January 2016.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference Fiercethird was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference FierceBiotech2018 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ "FDA declines to approve Alkermes opioid-based depression drug". Reuters. 1 February 2019. Retrieved 4 February 2019.