VistaGen CEO notes broad market potential of ketamine-like AV-101

In the USA alone, more than 10% of adults or adolescents take antidepressants, and fully two-thirds of these people do not respond to first-line treatment, normally a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) such as Zoloft (sertraline) or Celexa (citalopram).

For years, ketamine has been explored as an alternative, with encouraging clinical signs on its potential in this indication.

Perhaps most notably, US health care giant Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) has won Breakthrough designation for its candidate esketamine product, and appears close to approval.