NRX101 Glx Biomarker Validation Study

Subnormal level of Glutamate+Glutamine (Glx) in the Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC) of the brain has been associated with depression and PTSD. Similarly, interventions that increase the level of Glx in the brain, specifically electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and intravenous ketamine infusion have been associated with a rapid decrease in depression and suicidal ideation. This effect has been demonstrated in a dose-dependent manner in randomized clinical assessments. D-cycloserine, a glycine site modulator of NMDA receptor function has been demonstrated to increase Glx in the ACC of normal volunteers. The purpose of this study is to determine whether NRX-101, an experimental drug containing a fixed dose combination of D-cycloserine and lurasidone (1) raises Glx by a greater amount than either placebo or lurasidone alone in patients with bipolar depression, and (2) whether that elevation in Glx is correlated with a decrease in depression.


Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

A subject will be eligible for inclusion in this study only if all of the following criteria apply:

1. 18 to 65 years of age, inclusive, at screening.
2. Able to understand and provide written and dated informed consent prior to screening. Deemed likely to comply with study protocol and communicate AEs and other clinically important information, and agree to be hospitalized to complete screening and initiate experimental treatment.
3. Resides in a stable living situation, in the opinion of the investigator
4. Has an identified reliable informant, in the opinion of the investigator
5. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder (BD) according to the criteria defined in the DSM-5. The diagnosis of BD will be made by a psychiatrist and supported by the MINI 7.0.2.
6. Suicidal ideation or behavior as evidenced by an answer of "Yes" to item 2 or item 3 on the C-SSRS.
7. A score of greater than or equal to 20 on the MADRS.
8. In good general health, as ascertained by medical history, physical examination (including measurement of seated vital signs), clinical laboratory evaluations, and electrocardiogram
9. If female, a status of non-childbearing potential or use of an acceptable form of birth control per the following specific criteria:

   1. Non-childbearing potential (e.g., physiologically incapable of becoming pregnant, i.e., permanently sterilized \[status post hysterectomy, bilateral tubal ligation\], or post-menopausal with last menses at least one year prior to screening); or
   2. Childbearing potential, and meets the following criteria:

   i. Using any form of hormonal birth control, on hormone replacement therapy started prior to 12 months of amenorrhea, using an intrauterine device (IUD), having a monogamous relationship with a partner who has had a vasectomy, or sexually abstinent.

   ii. Negative urinary pregnancy test at screening, confirmed by a second negative urinary pregnancy test at randomization prior to receiving study treatment.

   iii. Willing and able to continuously use one of the following methods of birth control during the course of the study, defined as those which result in a low failure rate (i.e., less than 1% per year) when used consistently and correctly: implants, injectable or patch hormonal contraception, oral contraceptives, IUD, double-barrier contraception, sexual abstinence. The form of birth control will be documented at screening and pre-ketamine baseline.
10. Body mass index between 18-35kg/m2.
11. Concurrent psychotherapy will be allowed if the type and frequency of the therapy (e.g., weekly or monthly) has been stable for at least three months prior to screening and is expected to remain stable for the duration of the study.
12. Concurrent hypnotic therapy (e.g., with zolpidem, zaleplon, melatonin, benzodiazepines, or trazodone) will be allowed if the therapy has been stable for at least four weeks prior to screening and if it is expected to remain stable during the course of the subject's participation in the study. Subjects can also continue treatment with benzodiazepines used for anxiety if therapy has been stable for at least four weeks prior to screening and if it is expected to remain stable during the course of the subject's participation in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

A subject will not be eligible for inclusion in this study if any of the following criteria apply:

1. Female of childbearing potential who is not willing to use one of the specified forms of birth control during the study.
2. Female who is pregnant or breastfeeding.
3. Female with a positive pregnancy test at screening or before oral dosing of investigational product.
4. Current DSM-5 diagnosis of moderate or severe substance use disorder (except marijuana or tobacco use disorder) within the 12 months prior to screening. Substance abuse cannot be the precipitant of entry to treatment.
5. Subjects with a lifetime history of PCP/ketamine drug use, or failed use of ketamine for depression.
6. History of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, or any history of psychotic symptoms when not in an acute bipolar mood episode.
7. History of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or eating disorder NOS (OSFED) within five years of screening.
8. Has dementia, delirium, amnestic, or any other cognitive disorder.
9. Any major psychiatric disorder, including a personality disorder, which is clinically predominant to BD at screening, or has been the primary focus of treatment predominant to BD at any time within six months prior to screening.
10. Current major psychiatric disorder, diagnosed at screening with the MINI 7.0.2, that is the primary focus of treatment, with BD as the secondary focus of treatment, within the past six months.
11. A clinically significant abnormality on the screening physical examination that might affect safety or study participation, or that might confound interpretation of study results according to the study clinician.
12. Current episode of:

    1. Untreated hypertension, (Stage 1 or greater) as defined by a systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mmHg at screening on two of three measurements at least 15 minutes apart. If untreated due to missing medication dose/s this is not exclusionary.
    2. Hypertension, Stage 2, as defined by a systolic blood pressure ≥155 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure ≥99 mmHg within 1.5 hours prior to ketamine infusion on two of three measurements at least 15 minutes apart at the pre-ketamine assessment (on Day 0 at Visit 1).
    3. Recent myocardial infarction (within one year).
    4. Syncopal event within the past year.
    5. Congestive heart failure (CHF) New York Heart Association Criteria \>Stage 2.
    6. Angina pectoris.
    7. Heart rate \<50 or \>105 beats per minute at screening, pre-ketamine infusion (Day 0) or at randomization (Day 1).
    8. QTcF ≥450 msec at screening for men, ≥ 470 msec for women, pre-ketamine infusion (Day 0), or at randomization (Day 1), on two of three measurements at least 15 minutes apart.
13. History of hypertension, or on antihypertensives for the purpose of lowering blood pressure, with either an increase in antihypertensive dose or increase in the number of antihypertensive drugs used to treat hypertension over the last two months.
14. Chronic lung disease, excluding asthma.
15. Lifetime history of surgical procedures involving the brain or meninges, encephalitis, meningitis, degenerative central nervous system (CNS) disorder (e.g., Alzheimer's or Parkinson's Disease), epilepsy, mental retardation, or any other disease/procedure/accident/intervention that, according to the screening clinician, is deemed associated with significant injury to or malfunction of the CNS; or history of significant head trauma within the past two years.
16. Presents with any of the following lab abnormalities:

    a. Subjects with diabetes mellitus fulfilling any of the following criteria: i. Unstable diabetes mellitus defined as glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) \>8.0 % at screening.

    ii. Admitted to hospital for treatment of diabetes mellitus or diabetes mellitus-related illness in the past 12 weeks.

    iii. Not under physician care for diabetes mellitus. iv. Has not been on the same dose of oral hypoglycemic drug(s) and/or diet for the four weeks prior to screening. For thiazolidinediones (glitazones) this period should not be less than eight weeks.

    b. Any other clinically significant abnormal laboratory result (as determined by the investigator and medical monitor) at the time of the screening.
17. Any current or past history of any physical condition which, in the investigator's opinion, might put the subject at risk or interfere with study results interpretation.
18. Subjects on exclusionary concomitant psychotropic medications (see Appendix 1) as defined in the study manual.
19. At randomization, subjects prescribed more than one agent in each category;

    1. Approved antidepressants (e.g., SSRIs, SNRIs, TeCAs, fluoxetine), but not 5-HT-2a antagonists (lurasidone, aripiprazole, olanzapine, quetiapine)
    2. Mood stabilizers (e.g., lithium, carbamazepine, valproic acid)
20. Subjects with exclusionary laboratory values (see Table 2).
21. Known allergies to lurasidone or Latuda, cycloserine or Seromycin, or the excipients mannitol, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, silicon dioxide, and/or HPMC (hydroxypropylmethylcellulose).
22. Participation in any clinical trial with an investigational drug or device within the past month or concurrent to study participation.
23. Study site personnel and/or persons employed by NeuroRx, Inc. or Target Health or by the investigator or study site (i.e., permanent, temporary contract worker, or designee responsible for the conduct of the study), or an immediate family member (i.e., spouse or parent, child, or sibling \[biological or legally adopted\]) of such persons.