a long-term comparison of esketamine nasal spray versus quetiapine extended release, both in combination with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor/serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, in participants with treatment resistant major depressive disorder

Conditions: Depressive Disorder, Major

Summary: the primary purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of flexibly dosed esketamine nasal spray compared with quetiapine extended-release (xr), both in combination with a continuing selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor/serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (ssri/snri), in achieving remission in participants who have treatment-resistant major depressive disorder (mdd) with a current moderate to severe depressive episode.

a depressive state with classical symptoms such as low (depressive/sad) mood, markedly diminished interest in activities, significant weight loss/gain, insomnia or hypersomnia, psychomotor agitation/retardation, excessive fatigue, inappropriate guilt, diminished concentration, and recurrent thoughts of death, persisting for more than 2 weeks is classified as major depressive disorder (mdd). the mechanism of action of ketamine is distinct from conventional antidepressants (ads), which target the monoamines (serotonin, norepinephrine, and/or dopamine). esketamine, the s-enantiomer of ketamine, is approved and widely used for the induction and maintenance of anesthesia via intramuscular or intravenous (iv) administration. there is a significant unmet need to develop novel ad treatments based on the relevant psychophysiological pathways underlying mdd. the goal of any novel treatment would be the rapid and long-lasting relief of depressive symptoms, especially in participants with treatment-resistant depression (trd), who lack a sufficient response to the currently available treatment strategies. the study consists of a screening phase (up to 14 days), an acute phase (8 weeks), a maintenance phase (24 weeks) and a safety follow-up phase (2 weeks). safety assessment includes adverse event, serious adverse events, physical examination, vital signs, electrocardiogram, clinical safety laboratory assessments, suicidal risk monitoring. the total duration of the study is approximately 36 weeks for all participants.

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: * at screening, each participant must meet diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, fifth edition (dsm-5) diagnostic criteria for single-episode major depressive disorder (mdd) or recurrent mdd, without psychotic features, based on clinical assessment and confirmed by the mini international neuropsychiatric interview (mini) * at screening and baseline, each participant must have an inventory of depressive symptomatology - clinician-rated, 30 item (ids-c30) total score of greater than or equal to (\>=) 34 * must be on a current antidepressive treatment that includes an selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (ssri)/ serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (snri) at screening that resulted in nonresponse (less than 25% improvement of symptoms) after having been given at an adequate dosage (based on antidepressive dosages from smpc \[or local equivalent, if applicable\]) for an adequate duration of at least 6 weeks and having been uptitrated to the maximum tolerated dose; however, at screening the participant must show signs of minimal clinical improvement to be eligible for the study. clinical improvement of a participant on their current ad treatment will be retrospectively evaluated in a qualified psychiatric interview performed by an experienced clinician. at baseline (day 1) prior to randomization, 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 ad treatment are still met (that is nonresponse and minimal clinical improvement) * the current antidepressive treatment, was immediately preceded by nonresponse to at least 1 but not more than 5 different, consecutive treatments (all within the current moderate to severe antidepressive episode) with anti-depressants (ads) taken at an adequate dosage for an adequate duration of at least 6 weeks and must be documented * must have been treated with at least 2 different antidepressive substance classes among the treatments taken at an adequate dosage for an adequate duration of at least 6 weeks resulting in nonresponse in the current moderate to severe depressive episode (including the current treatment with an selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor/serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor \[ssri/snri\]) * must be on a single oral ssri/snri on day 1 prior to randomization exclusion criteria: * received treatment with esketamine or ketamine in the current moderate to severe depressive episode * received treatment with quetiapine extended- or immediate-release in the current moderate to severe depressive episode of a dose higher than 50 milligram per day (mg/day) * had depressive symptoms in the current moderate to severe depressive episode that previously did not respond to an adequate course of treatment with electroconvulsive therapy (ect), defined as at least 7 treatments with unilateral/bilateral ect * has no signs of clinical improvement at all or with a significant improvement on their current ad treatment that includes an ssri/snri as determined at screening by an experienced clinician during the qualified psychiatric interview * received vagal nerve stimulation or has received deep brain stimulation in the current episode of depression * has a current or prior dsm-5 diagnosis of a psychotic disorder or mdd with psychotic features, bipolar or related disorders (confirmed by the mini international neuropsychiatric interview \[mini\]), obsessive compulsive disorder (current only), intellectual disability (dsm-5 diagnostic codes 317, 318.0, 318.1, 318.2, 315.8, and 319), autism spectrum disorder, borderline personality disorder, or antisocial personality disorder, histrionic personality disorder, or narcissistic personality disorder * age at onset of first episode of mdd was more than or equal to (\>=) 55 years * has homicidal ideation or intent, per the investigator's clinical judgment; or has suicidal ideation with some intent to act within 1 month prior to screening, per the investigator's clinical judgment; or based on the columbia-suicide severity rating scale (c-ssrs), corresponding to a response of "yes" on item 4 (active suicidal ideation with some intent to act, without specific plan) or item 5 (active suicidal ideation with specific plan and intent) for suicidal ideation, or a history of suicidal behavior within the past year prior to screening. participants reporting suicidal ideation with intent to act or suicidal behavior prior to the start of the acute phase should also be excluded