An Active-Controlled Early Phase Study of MK-8189 in Adults With Schizophrenia (MK-8189-005)
Schizophrenia, Acute Episode

About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Schizophrenia, Acute Episode focused on measuring Schizophrenia, acute episode, Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders, Mental Disorders
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- 18 to 50 years of age at Screening
- Male
- Female not of reproductive potential (e.g., postmenopausal or has had a hysterectomy), or agrees to practice abstinence or use acceptable contraception
- Meets the diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia according to the DSM-5 criteria, or has a past diagnosis of schizophrenia with the onset of the first episode being >=1 year prior to study entry, and has illness duration of <=20 years
- Is confirmed to be experiencing an acute episode of schizophrenia
- Minimum PANSS score >= 80 at Screening
- Has a score of >=4 in 3 or more of the following items (delusions, conceptual disorganization, hallucinatory behavior, grandiosity, suspiciousness/persecution) in the positive subscale of the PANSS at Screening
- Has a CGI-S score >= 4 at Screening
- Is able to taper off psychotropic medications without significant destabilization or increased suicidality
- Has responded positively to an antipsychotic medication other than clozapine in a prior psychotic episode
- Has an identified responsible external contact person who has regular contact (no less than once per week) with the participant
Exclusion Criteria:
- Is currently under involuntary commitment because he/she is considered a danger to himself/herself or others
- Is unwilling to remain hospitalized for the duration of trial treatment
- Is currently participating in or has participated in an interventional clinical research study <=6 months prior to Screening, or has participated in more than one interventional clinical trial research study within 12 months prior to Screening
- Is unwilling to allow audio/video taping of the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview for Schizophrenia and Psychotic Disorders (MINI) and/or PANSS interview at Screening and Baseline
- Is currently being treated with and benefiting from medications with a moderate or strong inhibiting or inducing effect on Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A and/or CYP2C9 and/or sensitive substrates of CYP2B6
- Has a history of malignancy <= 5 years except for adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer or in situ cervical cancer
- Has a body mass index <18.5 or >40 kg/m˄2
- Has a history of treatment-resistant schizophrenia
- Has a prolactin laboratory value of >= 5 times the upper limit of normal at Screening
- Has a known history or clinical evidence of clinically significant hepatic, cardiovascular, or renal disease, or of untreated narrow-angle glaucoma- Has ever been diagnosed with epilepsy or had any seizure disorder beyond one childhood febrile seizure
- Has known serological evidence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibody
- Has a history of neuroleptic malignant syndrome
- Has a current diagnosis other than schizophrenia, or a comorbid diagnosis primarily responsible for current symptoms and functional impairment
- Has a known history of borderline personality disorder, antisocial personality disorder, or bipolar disorder
- Has a known history of traumatic brain injury, or Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia
- Currently meets DSM-5 criteria for substance abuse or alcohol use disorder
- Is at imminent risk of self-harm or harm to others
Sites / Locations
- Woodland International Research Group, LLC ( Site 0001)
- Woodland Research Northwest, LLC ( Site 0014)
- CITRIALS ( Site 0013)
- Comprehensive Clinical Development ( Site 0049)
- Collaborative Neuroscience Network, LLC ( Site 0057)
- Behavioral Research Specialists, LLC ( Site 0006)
- Synergy East ( Site 0003)
- NRC Research Institute ( Site 0043)
- CNRI - Los Angeles, LLC ( Site 0026)
- Artemis Institute for Clinical Research ( Site 0027)
- Schuster Medical Research Institute ( Site 0032)
- Collaborative Neuroscience Network, LLC ( Site 0046)
- Larkin Community Hospital Behavioral Health Services ( Site 0020)
- Clinical Research Centers of America, LLC ( Site 0038)
- Aspire Health Partners ( Site 0016)
- Radiant Research - Atlanta ( Site 0008)
- Atlanta Center For Medical Research ( Site 0056)
- Alexian Center for Psychiatric Research ( Site 0015)
- Lake Charles Clinical Trials, LLC ( Site 0040)
- CBH Health, LLC ( Site 0022)
- Precise Research Centers ( Site 0018)
- Psych Care Consultants Research ( Site 0025)
- St. Louis Clinical Trials, LLC ( Site 0012)
- Altea Research Institute ( Site 0017)
- Radiant Research -CliniLabs ( Site 0037)
- Midwest Clinical Research Unit ( Site 0041)
- InSite Clinical Research ( Site 0033)
- Pillar Clinical Research, LLC ( Site 0004)
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Arm 3
Experimental
Active Comparator
Placebo Comparator
MK-8189
Risperidone
Placebo
Participants receive MK-8189 (4 mg controlled release [CR] oral tablet[s]) in combination with placebo matching risperidone (oral capsule[s]) once daily (QD) for 4 weeks. Over the initial 7 treatment days, MK-8189 is titrated from 4 mg to 12 mg as follows: 4 mg (1 tablet; Day 1); 8 mg (2 tablets; Day 4); and 12 mg (3 tablets; Day 7). Placebo matching risperidone is also titrated as follows: 1 capsule (Day 1), 2 capsules (Day 4), and 3 capsules (Day 7). After Day 7, MK-8189 is maintained at 12 mg (3 tablets) in combination with placebo matching risperidone (3 capsules), QD for 3 weeks.
Participants receive risperidone (2 mg oral capsule[s]) in combination with placebo matching MK-8189 (oral tablet[s]), QD for 4 weeks. Over the initial 7 treatment days, risperidone is titrated from 2 mg to 6 mg as follows: 2 mg (1 capsule; Day 1); 4 mg (2 capsules; Day 4); and 6 mg (3 capsules; Day 7). Placebo matching MK-8189 is also titrated as follows: 1 tablet (Day 1), 2 tablets (Day 4), and 3 tablets (Day 7). After Day 7, risperidone is maintained at 6 mg (3 capsules) in combination with placebo matching MK-8189 (3 tablets), QD for 3 weeks.
Participants receive both placebo matching MK-8189 (oral tablet[s]) as well as placebo matching Risperidone (oral capsule[s]), QD for 4 weeks. Over the initial 7 treatment days, placebo matching both MK-8189 and risperidone are respectively titrated as follows: 1 tablet/1 capsule (Day 1); 2 tablets/2 capsules (Day 4); and 3 tablets/3 capsules (Day 7). After Day 7, placebo matching both MK-8189 and risperidone are respectively maintained at 3 tablets/3 capsules, QD for 3 weeks.