BI 1569912

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the most common mental health conditions. People with MDD can experience a prolonged depressed mood, anxiety, and loss of interest in daily activities, alongside other symptoms such as lack of energy, poor concentration, appetite changes, sleep disturbances, or suicidal thoughts.

 Early diagnosis and treatment are important to limit the impact of MDD on people’s quality of life. The treatment goal of MDD is complete remission of all symptoms and the patient’s return to full-functioning capacity. However, current first-line treatments can take several weeks to have an effect, and only half of patients experience a clinical response. There is a significant need for more convenient treatment options that start to work faster, show better and sustained efficacy, and have fewer side effects. 

 Building on the highly effective therapeutic concept of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor blockers, BI 1569912 is an investigational oral NMDA subunit 2b-selective negative allosteric modulator (NR2B NAM) designed to rapidly relieve depressive symptoms in patients with MDD, potentially without dissociative side effects. 

BI 1569912 is currently being investigated in Phase II trials as monotherapy (NCT06556344) and adjunctive therapy (NCT06280235) in people living with MDD.