A study of the effects of LY2216684, a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, in the treatment of major depression

The current study sought to test the efficacy and safety of the novel selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor LY2216684 compared to placebo in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Escitalopram was used as a control for assay sensitivity. Adult outpatients with MDD, confirmed at screening by the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview, a Self-Rated Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (QIDS-SR) score of at least 12 and a Clinical Global Impression-Severity Score of at least 4, were randomly assigned to LY2216684 (N = 269), placebo (N = 138), or escitalopram (N = 62). Efficacy, safety, and tolerability outcomes were compared during 8 weeks of double-blind treatment. LY2216684 plasma concentrations were measured. LY2216684 did not show statistically significant improvement from baseline compared to placebo in the primary analysis of the Hamilton depression rating scale (HAM-D17) total score. Escitalopram demonstrated significant improvement compared to placebo on the HAM-D17 total score, suggesting adequate assay sensitivity. Both LY2216684 and escitalopram showed statistically significant improvement from baseline on the patient-rated QIDS-SR total score compared to placebo. Headache, nausea, constipation, dry mouth, and insomnia were the most frequently reported adverse events in the LY2216684 group. A 3–6 beats per minute mean increase from baseline in pulse rate was observed in the LY2216684 group. LY2216684 plasma concentrations increased as the dose increased from 3 mg to 12 mg. The results of this initial investigation of LY2216684’s efficacy suggest that it may have antidepressant potential. More definitive data to confirm this is necessary. Its safety profile does not preclude further clinical development.