Updated June 2026 · ClinicalTrials.gov

RECRUITINGPhase 4INTERVENTIONAL

A Study of Esketamine Nasal Spray in Korean Participants With Treatment-resistant Depression

An Interventional, Open-label, Single Arm, Multicenter Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Esketamine Nasal Spray in Korean Participants With Treatment-Resistant Depression(TRD)

A Study of Esketamine Nasal Spray in Korean Participants With Treatment-resistant Depression (NCT07053345) is a Phase 4 interventional studying Depressive Disorder, Treatment-Resistant, sponsored by Janssen Korea, Ltd., Korea. RECRUITING as of the most recent ClinicalTrials.gov update. Talk to your doctor before contacting the trial site.

About This Trial

The purpose of this study is to evaluate how well esketamine nasal spray works in improving depressive symptoms in participants with treatment resistant depression (TRD). This will be assessed by the change from baseline in the Hamilton depression rating scale (HAM-D; 17-item) total score from Day 1 (baseline) to the end of the 4-week treatment phase (Day 28).

What Stage of Research Is This?

Phase 4 studies happen after a treatment has been approved by the FDA. They monitor long-term safety, real-world effectiveness, and any rare side effects that only emerge in larger populations over longer periods. Phase 4 results sometimes lead to label changes, additional warnings, or — rarely — withdrawal of approval.

This trial is currently recruiting participants. The sponsor has registered the study with ClinicalTrials.gov as actively enrolling, which means new applicants who meet the eligibility criteria can be considered for screening. Trial status can change between updates — confirm current recruiting status with the study contact before traveling for a screening visit.

With a target enrollment of 47 participants, this is a small study — typical of early-phase research, rare-disease trials, or pilot studies designed to generate preliminary signal before a larger study is launched.

Who May Be Eligible (Plain English)

Who May Qualify: - Must have a confirmed diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD) according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition at the time of enrollment, without psychotic features, based on clinical assessment, and confirmed by mini international neuropsychiatric interview (MINI) - Must have a Hamilton depression rating scale (HAM-D; 17-item) total score greater than or equal to (\>=) 22 at screening and Day 1 - Participants must have had non-response (less than or equal to \[\<=\] 25 percent \[%\] improvement of symptoms) to \>= 2 oral antidepressant treatments in the current moderate to severe episode of depression after having been given at an adequate dosage for an adequate duration of at least 6 weeks - At baseline (Day 1), the investigator will evaluate any changes in the participant's signs/symptoms of depression since the screening assessment and confirm that the inclusion criteria for the current antidepressant (AD) treatment are still met (that is, nonresponse and minimal clinical improvement) - A female participant of childbearing potential must have a negative serum pregnancy test at screening and urine prior to the first dose of study intervention on Day 1 Who Should NOT Join This Trial: - Participants with hyperthyroidism that has not been sufficiently treated - History of malignancy within 5 years of enrollment before screening - Known allergies, hypersensitivity, or intolerance to esketamine/ketamine or its excipients - Received an investigational intervention or used an invasive investigational medical device within 60 days before the planned first dose of study intervention or first data collection time point - Currently enrolled in an investigational study that involves treatments for MDD or may otherwise be expected to impact mood Always talk to your doctor about whether this trial is right for you.

These are translations of the protocol\'s inclusion and exclusion criteria, simplified for patients and caregivers. The original clinical text appears below. Eligibility is ultimately confirmed by the trial site\'s screening process — this summary is a starting point for a conversation with your doctor, not a final determination.

Original Eligibility Criteria

View original clinical language

Inclusion Criteria: * Must have a confirmed diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD) according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition at the time of enrollment, without psychotic features, based on clinical assessment, and confirmed by mini international neuropsychiatric interview (MINI) * Must have a Hamilton depression rating scale (HAM-D; 17-item) total score greater than or equal to (\>=) 22 at screening and Day 1 * Participants must have had non-response (less than or equal to \[\<=\] 25 percent \[%\] improvement of symptoms) to \>= 2 oral antidepressant treatments in the current moderate to severe episode of depression after having been given at an adequate dosage for an adequate duration of at least 6 weeks * At baseline (Day 1), the investigator will evaluate any changes in the participant's signs/symptoms of depression since the screening assessment and confirm that the inclusion criteria for the current antidepressant (AD) treatment are still met (that is, nonresponse and minimal clinical improvement) * A female participant of childbearing potential must have a negative serum pregnancy test at screening and urine prior to the first dose of study intervention on Day 1 Exclusion Criteria: * Participants with hyperthyroidism that has not been sufficiently treated * History of malignancy within 5 years of enrollment before screening * Known allergies, hypersensitivity, or intolerance to esketamine/ketamine or its excipients * Received an investigational intervention or used an invasive investigational medical device within 60 days before the planned first dose of study intervention or first data collection time point * Currently enrolled in an investigational study that involves treatments for MDD or may otherwise be expected to impact mood

Treatments Being Tested

DRUG

Esketamine 56 mg

Participants will self-administer 56 mg of esketamine as intranasal spray into each nostril.

DRUG

Esketamine 84 mg

Participants will self-administer 84 mg of esketamine as intranasal spray into each nostril.

Locations (6)

Trial sites listed on ClinicalTrials.gov for this study. Site activation status can vary — confirm with the specific site before traveling for a screening visit.

Cha Ilsan Medical Center

Goyang Si Gyeonggi Do, South Korea

Wonkwang University Hospital

Iksan, South Korea

Kangbuk Samsung Hospital

Seoul, South Korea

Asan Medical Center

Seoul, South Korea

Samsung Medical Center

Seoul, South Korea

Kyung Hee University Hospital

Seoul, South Korea

How to Talk to Your Doctor About This Trial

Bring the printable summary of this trial — including the NCT ID (NCT07053345), the sponsor (Janssen Korea, Ltd., Korea), and the key eligibility criteria — to your next appointment. Your doctor can review the inclusion and exclusion criteria against your medical history, lab values, and current treatments to assess whether you are likely to qualify. They can also help you weigh whether trial participation makes sense alongside your existing care plan.

Useful questions to walk through together: What does the trial protocol require beyond standard care? How long is the active treatment phase, and how long is follow-up? Are there study visits at sites I can reach? Who pays for the trial-specific procedures, and who pays for standard-of-care portions? See our 25 questions to ask about clinical trials guide for a more complete checklist.

Authoritative Sources

The official record for this trial lives on ClinicalTrials.gov — the federal registry maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. For background on how this trial fits into the FDA approval pathway, see the FDA drug approval process. For oncology-specific guidance for patients considering trials, the National Cancer Institute publishes patient-oriented overviews. International trial registries are aggregated by the WHO ICTRP.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NCT07053345 clinical trial studying?

Who can participate in NCT07053345?

Eligibility for this trial depends on the specific inclusion and exclusion criteria set by the sponsor. The plain-English summary above translates the most important criteria into accessible language; the official clinical text is preserved in the collapsible section underneath. Whether you fit any specific trial is a medical decision your doctor needs to confirm — bring the trial information to your treating physician for a full review against your medical history.

How do I contact the trial site for NCT07053345?

Contact information registered with ClinicalTrials.gov is shown in the sidebar of this page. Before reaching out, confirm with your treating physician that this trial is appropriate for your situation. The trial site will then walk you through the screening process to determine final eligibility.

Is participating in a clinical trial safe?

Clinical trials in the United States are regulated by the FDA and overseen by Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) that review the protocol for safety. Risk varies by trial — Phase 1 studies test new treatments in humans for the first time, while Phase 3 trials use treatments that have already passed earlier safety screening. The informed consent document for any specific trial details the known risks and what to expect. Discuss those risks with your physician before deciding whether to participate.

Where can I verify the data on this page?

Every detail on this page comes directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API. Click "View on ClinicalTrials.gov" in the sidebar to see the official, unmodified record. The federal record is always authoritative; this page is a structured presentation with a plain-English eligibility translation. For background on how clinical trials are regulated, see the FDA drug approval process documentation.

How This Page Is Built

Every field on this page is pulled directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 — no estimates, no proxies. The plain-English eligibility translation is generated from the original protocol text and reviewed for fidelity to the underlying clinical criteria. The original clinical text remains visible in the collapsible section above so users and clinicians can verify the translation. Read the full methodology for the data pipeline and known limitations.

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 record for NCT07053345. Maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. Public domain. Cite as: "TrialFinderData. NCT07053345. Data: ClinicalTrials.gov."

Medical disclaimer: This page is informational, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.

Last updated 2026-06-07 · Data from ClinicalTrials.gov.