Neumora Discontinues Navacaprant Following Phase 3 KOASTAL Trial Failures in MDD

Neumora Therapeutics announced that its Phase 3 KOASTAL-2 and KOASTAL-3 studies evaluating navacaprant for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) failed to achieve statistical significance on the primary or key secondary endpoints. In KOASTAL-2, navacaprant showed a similar change from baseline on the MADRS scale compared to placebo (p=0.813), and KOASTAL-3 showed a numerically lower improvement than placebo (p=0.480). Consequently, the company is discontinuing the development of navacaprant. In response, Neumora is implementing a 35% reduction in force to extend its cash runway into Q3 2027. The company also amended its loan agreement with K2 HealthVentures to extend interest-only payment periods and modify liquidity covenants. Neumora will now pivot focus toward its other pipeline candidates, including NMRA-511 for Alzheimer’s disease agitation and NMRA-898 for schizophrenia. Restructuring is expected to result in $10 million in annualized savings, offset by a $2 million one-time charge in Q2 2026.