A recent study has found that combining an antidepressant with a small molecule drug called Caplyta (lumateperone) can significantly improve recovery rates in adults with major depressive disorder (MDD), a condition commonly known as severe depression. This combination therapy nearly doubled the chances of achieving remission—meaning a complete or near-complete reduction of symptoms—compared to using an antidepressant alone. The findings were presented at the 2026 Annual Meeting of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ACNP).
In the six-month study, 65 percent of patients who took Caplyta alongside their regular antidepressant achieved remission within six weeks. Even better, 43 percent of these patients experienced lasting relief, meaning their symptoms stayed significantly improved over time. Complete remission, where all or nearly all symptoms disappeared, was achieved by 44.1 percent of participants. By the end of the 24-week study, 42.8 percent of patients had sustained remission, with their progress continuing to improve as the treatment went on.
Dr. Michael Thase, a Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania, explained that these results are important because they measure not just the reduction of symptoms but also how long those improvements last. He said, ‘These data capture not only symptom reduction, but also the durability and depth of treatment response, which are critical benchmarks for patients and clinicians striving for lasting relief.’
Dr. Bill Martin, who leads neuroscience research at Johnson & Johnson, added that many people with depression go through years of trying different treatments, often settling for treatments that only partially work because they don’t realize full recovery is possible. He said, ‘These data demonstrate that remission is within reach and should be the expectation, not the exception.’
Caplyta (lumateperone) was approved in the U.S. in November 2025 as an additional treatment option for adults with major depressive disorder. It is also used to treat schizophrenia and depression linked to bipolar I or II disorder.
This research offers new hope for the millions of adults living with major depressive disorder, showing that more effective and lasting treatments may now be available.