First oral NMDA receptor antagonist approved by FDA for major depression

25th August 2022

The first-in-class NMDA receptor antagonist auvelity has been approved by the FDA for use in adults with major depressive disorder

According to the manufacturer Axsome Therapeutics, the oral N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, auvelity (dextromethorphan-bupropion) has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of patients with major depressive disorder.

The introduction of a NMDA receptor antagonist is an important development in the treatment of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD).

The condition is characterised by an individual who has a persistently low or depressed mood, anhedonia or decreased interest in pleasurable activities, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, lack of energy, poor concentration, appetite changes, psychomotor retardation or agitation, sleep disturbances, or suicidal thoughts.

It is a highly prevalent condition with a 2020 systemic review of 63 articles identifying a lifetime prevalence of MDD ranging from 2 to 21%, with the highest rates found in some European countries and the lowest in some Asian countries. 

Treatment of MDD relies on the use of antidepressants such as selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors though response rates to some drugs within this class such as citalopram only approach 50%.

Recent neuroimaging studies have demonstrated abnormalities in glutamatergic transmission in major depression which is one of the major mediators of excitatory neurotransmission in the central nervous system.

Furthermore, post-mortem data suggests that the NMDA receptor represents a target for novel antidepressants. Dextromethorphan is an antagonist of the NMDA receptor and a σ₁ receptor agonist and it has been postulated that the drug exerts some of its antidepressant actions through σ1 receptors.

Thus, blockade of the NMDA receptor and agonism of the σ₁ receptor modulate glutamate signalling in the central nervous system. Inclusion of the bupropion component serves to increase plasma dextromethorphan concentrations by competitively inhibiting cytochrome P450 2D6, which is a major biotransformation pathway for dextromethorphan.

NMDA receptor antagonism and auvelity clinical efficacy

Two clinical studies have provided the necessary data to assess the clinical effectiveness of auvelity. The first, GEMINI, randomised patients to either dextromethorphan-bupropion (45 mg/105 mg tablet, i.e., auvelity) or bupropion (105 mg tablet), once daily for the first 3 days and twice daily thereafter, for a total of 6 weeks.

Both trials used the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) score to assess depression. The results from GEMINI showed that in patients with major depression, dextromethorphan-bupropion significantly improved depressive symptoms compared with bupropion after 6 weeks and was generally well tolerated.

The second trial found that after 6 weeks, response rates (defined as a ≥ 50% decrease in MADRS score from baseline) at week 6 were 60.5% with dextromethorphan-bupropion and 40.5% with bupropion.

Auvelity is a proprietary extended-release oral tablet and though currently the mode of action in depression remains unclear.

Commenting on the FDA approval, Maurizio Fava, Psychiatrist-In-Chief, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, said: ‘The approval of Auvelity represents a milestone in depression treatment based on its novel oral NMDA antagonist mechanism, its rapid antidepressant efficacy demonstrated in controlled trials, and a relatively favourable safety profile.’

They added: ‘Given the debilitating nature of depression, the efficacy of Auvelity observed at one week and sustained thereafter may have a significant impact on the current treatment paradigm for this condition.’

To date, there is no information on when the EMA might review Auvelity.