Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. announced that the first patient has been randomized for its Phase 2 clinical study to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of investigational compound NBI-1070770 in adults with major depressive disorder. NBI-1070770 is a novel, selective, and orally active, negative allosteric modulator (NAM) of the NR2B subunit-containing N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA NR2B) receptor. The NBI-1070770 Phase 2 multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study will enroll approximately 72 adults and is being conducted at centers throughout the United States.

The study will evaluate the safety and efficacy of NBI-1070770 in subjects with major depressive disorder compared to placebo on improving symptoms of depression as measured by the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale. Neurocrine Biosciences acquired the rights to develop and commercialize NBI-1070770 from Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Ltd.