Oral Ketamine Eases Depression With Less Dissociation, New Data Show
A German company may have moved oral ketamine one step closer to the home. HMNC Brain Health published peer reviewed results for its KET01 formulation in JAMA Network Open. The prolonged release capsule produced fast antidepressant effects in people with treatment resistant depression. It also caused far less dissociation than the ketamine therapies patients rely on today.
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An Overview
| Key Takeaway | Detail |
|---|---|
| The drug | KET01, an oral prolonged release ketamine from HMNC Brain Health |
| The publication | Peer reviewed results in JAMA Network Open |
| The benefit | Rapid relief with minimal dissociation and cardiovascular effects |
| The speed | Antidepressant effects seen as early as seven hours after dosing |
| The catch | Phase II missed its Day 21 endpoint amid a high placebo response |
| The signal | Significant improvement over placebo on Days 4 and 7 at 240 mg daily |
| What comes next | Phase III planned after a 50 million dollar Series B round |
Looking for treatment? Find Spravato clinics (which is covered by insurance) and ketamine clinics closest to you as well as other psychedelic therapies in your area.
What the Study Showed
HMNC Brain Health is based in Germany. It reported results from its Ketabon KET01 program. The design of the drug matters most. KET01 is an oral, prolonged release form of ketamine. Most ketamine therapies today require a clinic visit and supervision. An oral capsule could one day be taken at home. That would set it apart from Spravato, the intranasal esketamine from Johnson and Johnson.
Why Dissociation Is the Key Issue
Why does ketamine treatment usually require a clinic chair? The answer is dissociation. Many patients feel detached from their body or surroundings during dosing. Clinics monitor patients closely for that reason. This supervision adds cost, time and staffing. HMNC says its formulation eased the problem. In an early study, KET01 caused markedly less dissociation than intranasal ketamine. It also produced fewer cardiovascular side effects. Gentler tolerability could reduce the need for close observation.
Strong Signals, One Clear Caveat
The publication included a Phase I crossover study and a Phase II trial. The Phase II study did not meet its main goal. Researchers measured depression scores at Day 21 using the MADRS scale. A high placebo response blurred that result. Still, the drug showed real promise. Patients taking 240 mg a day improved significantly by Days 4 and 7. Some felt effects within seven hours of dosing. Speed like that remains rare in depression care.
What Happens Next
HMNC is now preparing KET01 for Phase III trials. The move follows a 50 million dollar Series B raised in June 2026. MEDICE led the round and holds European commercial rights. The company is also developing nelivabon for major depressive disorder. Larger trials will decide whether these early signals hold. The missed endpoint means the case is promising, not proven. For now, supervised ketamine care remains the standard. This research suggests that model could eventually change.
