Neumora fails in late-stage trial for depression therapy

Neumora Therapeutics (NASDAQ:NMRA) announced Thursday that its Phase 3 KOASTAL-1 study for its lead asset navacaprant (NMRA-140) didn’t reach the main goals in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD).

The U.S.-based trial of 383 adult patients failed to hit the primary endpoint, as navacaprant didn’t lead to a statistically significant reduction in depressive symptoms, measured by the six-week change in the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale.

KOASTAL-1, one of three late-stage trials that make up Neumora’s (NASDAQ:NMRA) pivotal KOASTAL program, also didn’t achieve the key secondary endpoint of change in Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale, a clinical measure.

However, citing topline data from the trial, the company added that the experimental therapy was well tolerated with a favorable safety profile compared to placebo.

With a cash balance of $342M as of the end of Q3, Neumora (NMRA) indicated a cash runway into mid-2026 and announced its plans to provide additional updates on its pipeline, including its navacaprant program on Jan. 14 at the upcoming J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference.