Will J&J TRANSFORM Esketamine Into A Viable Depression Treatment?

In early 2018 Johnson & Johnson is expecting to announce the first data from its long-awaited pivotal clinical trial program for esketamine in treatment-resistant depression; a successful result will open a lucrative commercial opportunity for J&J and give the wider depression market a new direction for growth.

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Approval of J&J's esketamine could give the wider depression market a new direction for growth • Source: Shutterstock

The efficacy of esketamine is already well established; the main hurdle for Johnson & Johnson to overcome is demonstrating that a recreational drug can be safely formulated into an appropriate prescription therapy, controlling the risks for abuse, addiction, and bladder toxicity.

J&J is developing an inhaled, intranasal formulation of esketamine as a potential adjunctive treatment for major depressive disorder patients who...

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