Neumora bins depression drug after Phase III failures

16 June 2026

US biotech Neumora Therapeutics (Nasdaq: NMRA) is discontinuing development of navacaprant in major depressive disorder after two Phase III studies failed, dealing a heavy blow to what had been its lead program.

The company said the oral kappa opioid receptor antagonist missed the primary and key secondary endpoints in the KOASTAL-2 and KOASTAL-3 trials, which tested navacaprant 80mg against placebo in adults with major depressive disorder.

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