Actively Recruiting

Phase 2
Age: 18Years - 65Years
All Genders
ID06524830

A Phase 2, Multicenter, Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Trial to Assess the Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of Repeated Doses of VLS-01 Buccal Film in Participants With Treatment Resistant Depression

Led by atai Therapeutics, Inc. · Updated on 2026-05-11

142

Participants Needed

48

Research Sites

4 weeks

Total Duration

On this page

AI-Summary

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of VLS-01 buccal film (VLS-01-BU) in adults with treatment resistant Major Depressive Disorder (TRD). This Phase 2, multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled trial aims to understand the onset and duration of antidepressant effects of VLS-01-BU compared to placebo in patients who have not responded to previous treatments. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive two doses of either VLS-01-BU or placebo administered via a buccal transmucosal film, with two weeks between doses. After a 12-week follow-up monitoring period, all participants will be re-randomized to receive one additional dose of VLS-01-BU at one of two dose strengths. Safety and efficacy will be assessed two weeks after this third dose during a non-placebo-controlled treatment phase. Throughout the study, participants' depressive symptoms will be regularly monitored using the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) from baseline to Day 29 and through Day 43. The study includes multiple assessments to measure the antidepressant effects and safety of the treatment. The total duration of participant involvement covers the initial dosing, follow-up, re-randomization, and final evaluation, ensuring thorough observation of treatment impact and tolerability.

CONDITIONS

Brief Title

A Study to Assess the Efficacy, Safety and Tolerability of VLS-01 Buccal Film, Compared to Placebo in Patients With Treatment Resistant Depression (ELUMINA)

Who Can Participate

Age: 18Years - 65Years
All Genders

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible

You may qualify if you...

  • Participant must be 18 to 65 years of age inclusive at the time of signing the Informed Consent.
  • Has a diagnosis of recurrent moderate or severe Major Depressive Disorder without psychotic features or single-episode MDD lasting 3 months or more without psychotic features and currently experiencing a major depressive episode.
  • Onset of first depressive episode occurred before age 55.
  • Has not responded to an adequate dose and duration of at least two and no more than five antidepressant medications for the current depressive episode.
  • Capable of giving signed informed consent and complying with study requirements.
Not Eligible

You will not qualify if you...

  • Has a current or prior diagnosis of schizophrenia spectrum, psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, or any disorder with psychotic features.
  • Has moderate or severe substance use disorder within 6 months before screening or history within 1 year before screening.
  • Has diseases or conditions that would compromise well-being or interfere with study assessments.
  • Has suicidal ideation with intent within 6 months before screening or history of suicidal behavior within 1 year before screening.
  • Has significant cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, or peripheral vascular disease or risk factors for long QT Syndrome.
  • Has active or recent malignancy within 2 years before screening, excluding certain skin cancers.
  • Has known allergy or hypersensitivity to VLS-01 or excipients.
  • Has started or plans to start directive psychotherapy within 30 days before screening or during the study.
  • Has received any prohibited therapies.
  • Has significant laboratory abnormalities at screening.

AI-Screening

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Your Study Journey

Screening

Duration - 2 to 4 weeks

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.

1 visit (in-person)

Placebo-Controlled Treatment

Duration - 4 weeks

Participants receive two administrations of VLS-01 buccal film or placebo via the buccal transmucosal route with a 2-week interval between doses.

2 visits spaced 2 weeks apart

Placebo-Controlled Follow-up

Duration - 12 weeks

Participants' symptoms are monitored following the second administration to assess efficacy and safety.

Periodic visits during follow-up

Non-Placebo-Controlled Treatment

Duration - Single dose administration plus 2 week observation

Participants are re-randomized to receive one double-blinded administration of VLS-01 buccal film at one of two dose strengths.

1 administration visit and 1 follow-up visit 2 weeks later

Trial Site Locations

Total: 48 locations

1

Noble Clinical Research

Tucson, Arizona, United States, 85704

Actively Recruiting

2

Pillar Clinical Research, LLC

Little Rock, Arkansas, United States, 72204

Actively Recruiting

3

Preferred Research Partners, Inc.

Little Rock, Arkansas, United States, 72211

Actively Recruiting

4

Woodland Research Northwest

Rogers, Arkansas, United States, 72758

Actively Recruiting

5

CenExel

Garden Grove, California, United States, 92845

Actively Recruiting

6

Behavioral Research Specialists, LLC

Glendale, California, United States, 91206

Actively Recruiting

7

Kadima Neuropsychiatry Institute

La Jolla, California, United States, 92037

Actively Recruiting

8

Collaborative Neuroscience Research, LLC

Los Alamitos, California, United States, 90720

Actively Recruiting

9

TRIP Clinical at Psychedelic Science Institute

Santa Monica, California, United States, 90404

Actively Recruiting

10

Mountain View Clinical Research Inc.

Denver, Colorado, United States, 80209

Actively Recruiting

11

CenExel

Hollywood, Florida, United States, 33024

Actively Recruiting

12

Bioresearch Partner

Miami, Florida, United States, 33155

Actively Recruiting

13

University of South Florida, Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences

Tampa, Florida, United States, 33613

Actively Recruiting

14

CenExcel

Decatur, Georgia, United States, 30030

Actively Recruiting

15

CenExel

Savannah, Georgia, United States, 31405

Actively Recruiting

16

Pillar Clinical Research LLC

Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60641

Actively Recruiting

17

Sheppard Pratt

Baltimore, Maryland, United States, 21204

Actively Recruiting

18

Sunstone Medical, PC

Rockville, Maryland, United States, 20850

Actively Recruiting

19

Elixia MA

Springfield, Massachusetts, United States, 01103

Actively Recruiting

20

Adams Clinical

Watertown, Massachusetts, United States, 02472

Actively Recruiting

21

Institute for Integrative Therapies

Eden Prairie, Minnesota, United States, 55347

Actively Recruiting

22

Midwest Research Group

Saint Charles, Missouri, United States, 63304

Actively Recruiting

23

Clinilabs, LLC

Eatontown, New Jersey, United States, 07724

Actively Recruiting

24

Bio Behavioral Health

Toms River, New Jersey, United States, 08755

Actively Recruiting

25

The Medical Research Network, LLC

New York, New York, United States, 10128

Actively Recruiting

26

The Ohio State University

Columbus, Ohio, United States, 43210

Actively Recruiting

27

Neuro Behavioral Clinical Research, Inc.

North Canton, Ohio, United States, 44720

Actively Recruiting

28

Scranton Medical Institute, LLC

Moosic, Pennsylvania, United States, 18507

Actively Recruiting

29

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, 19104

Actively Recruiting

30

Biobehavioral Research of Austin

Austin, Texas, United States, 78759

Actively Recruiting

31

InSite Clinical Research

DeSoto, Texas, United States, 75115

Actively Recruiting

32

Aim Trials, LLC

Plano, Texas, United States, 75093

Actively Recruiting

33

Cedar Clinical Research Inc

Draper, Utah, United States, 84020

Actively Recruiting

34

Seattle Neuropsychiatric Treatment Center

Bellevue, Washington, United States, 98004

Actively Recruiting

35

Sydney Local Health District (SLHD) Mental Health

Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia, 2050

Actively Recruiting

36

Royal Prince Alfred Hospital

Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia, NSW 2050

Actively Recruiting

37

NeuroCentrix

Carlton, Victoria, Australia, 3053

Actively Recruiting

38

The University of Melbourne

Carlton, Victoria, Australia, 3053

Actively Recruiting

39

Royal Melbourne Hospital

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 3000

Actively Recruiting

40

Paratus Clinical Research Melbourne

Northcote, Victoria, Australia, 3070

Actively Recruiting

41

Royal Melbourne Hospital Parkville

Parkville, Victoria, Australia, 3050

Actively Recruiting

42

University of Melbourne

Parkville, Victoria, Australia, 3052

Actively Recruiting

43

Centre for Neurology Studies

Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, V3V 0E8

Actively Recruiting

44

Providence Care Hospital

Kingston, Ontario, Canada, K7L 4X3

Actively Recruiting

45

Clerkenwell Health

Doncaster, England, United Kingdom, DN 4 8QN

Actively Recruiting

46

Clerkenwell Health

London, England, United Kingdom, W1U 6RP

Actively Recruiting

47

NeuroClin

Motherwell, England, United Kingdom, ML1 4UF

Actively Recruiting

48

Clerkenwell Health

London, United Kingdom, W1G 8DR

Actively Recruiting

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Research Team

K

Kevin Craig, MD

How is the study designed?

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Masking

TRIPLE

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Model

PARALLEL

Primary Purpose

TREATMENT

Number of Arms

2

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