Esketamine could transform depression treatment landscape, says Janssen exec

The use of esketamine as a treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD) could transform the treatment landscape and prevent thousands of people from taking their own lives, according to scientists at Janssen Pharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of US healthcare giant Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ).

The drug, which has historically been used as a general anesthetic, was granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation (BTD) by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) earlier this week as a treatment for patients with major depression and suicidal ideations.

Phase II trials have seen dramatic results, with some patients responding to treatment within hours.