Actinogen Medical (ASX:ACW) said results from a proof-of-concept phase two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of its therapy candidate, emestedastat or Xanamem, in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and cognitive impairment (CI) were published as a peer-reviewed article in the British Journal of Psychiatry, according to a Monday Australian bourse filing.

The study enrolled 165 participants with clinically significant residual MDD and measurable CI. The trial showed that Xanamem was safe and well-tolerated.

The antidepressant benefit compared with placebo was maximal at week 10 of the trial, with 2.7 points on the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating scale, during the blinded follow-up phase. A similar benefit was seen in key subgroups, including the 46% of patients who were on background selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor medication with 4.2 points on the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating scale.

Further Xanamem trials in MDD will depend on future funding and partnership arrangements, the filing added.

Its shares fell over 1% in recent trading on Monday.