Also known as: preservative-free ketamine
Ketamine is a cyclohexanone-derived general anesthetic with analgesic and dissociative properties used in anesthesia, pain care, and depression-related treatment settings. It is pharmacologically an NMDA receptor antagonist with broader CNS effects. Ketamine was approved for use in the United States in 1970.
South Korean police arrested 5,203 drug offenders in a four-month crackdown, with distribution arrests up 39.2%. Doctor arrests hit a record 395 last year, fueled by high-profile propofol cases. Authorities are expanding undercover operations and social media monitoring.
The FDA granted Fast Track Designation to Quoin's QRX003 for Netherton Syndrome and supported NRx's NRX-100 NDA path under Fast Track for treatment-resistant depression, addressing serious unmet needs.
Biotech companies announced new financings: HMNC closed a $50M Series B, Cartesian secured a $150M credit facility, Waiv raised $33M, and Brainstorm raised $1M. KET01 showed early efficacy but missed its primary endpoint.
The Trump administration is reclassifying medical marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III and accelerating psychedelic research with a $50 million executive order. The FDA commissioner says marijuana has medical benefits but warns of potency and risks to youth. The DEA says the rescheduling process remains pending.
The Trump administration moved to reclassify marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act. The change is expected to ease research restrictions but will not immediately legalize marijuana.
NRx said the FDA issued a positive review letter on its preservative-free ketamine ANDA, requesting only minor administrative changes. The company also received FDA guidance outlining a path to an NDA for NRX-100 using clinical trial data and real-world evidence.
NRx Pharmaceuticals said an FDA Type C meeting indicated a path to an NDA for NRX-100, using clinical trial results and real-world ketamine data from more than 65,000 patients.
NRx said the FDA outlined a path for a New Drug Application for NRX-100, a preservative-free ketamine formulation for depression with suicidality. The company plans to submit the NDA by June 2026 and said no additional nonclinical or bridging studies would be required.
New Zealand police arrested 11 people and seized drugs, cash, and firearms after uncovering a dark web drug import network, while Canadian police made a separate bust seizing cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine. The New Zealand operation involved international cooperation and intercepted over 200kg of drugs at borders. The busts come as New Zealand data shows record-breaking cocaine consumption nationwide.
Clinical trials show psychedelic substances like psilocybin, LSD and MDMA combined with therapy can effectively treat depression, anxiety and addiction. Several substances are in Phase III trials, with esketamine already approved for treatment-resistant depression. Research suggests these treatments may work with fewer doses than traditional medications.
| NCT ID | Title | Status | Phase |
|---|---|---|---|
| NCT07768618 |
Electrophysiologic Mechanisms of Ketamine Antidepressant Response |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING | PHASE2 |
| NCT07705022 |
Assessing Covert Consciousness During Dexmedetomidine and Ketamine Sedation: An fMRI Study |
ENROLLING_BY_INVITATION | PHASE2 |
| NCT07680140 |
Biomarker-Guided Antidepressant Selection |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING | PHASE4 |
| NCT07676955 |
Dexmedetomidine Versus Ketamine Loading for Dexmedetomidine Sedation During Elective Cesarean Section Under Spinal Anesthesia |
COMPLETED | PHASE4 |
| NCT07670052 |
Intraperitoneal Ketamine Versus Fentanyl as Adjuvants to Bupivacaine in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING | PHASE4 |
| NCT07640243 |
Sedation Methods in Percutaneous Transhepatic Biliary Drainage: Procedure Quality and Recovery |
RECRUITING | NA |
| NCT07536633 |
Investigation of the Anti-inflammatory Effect of Ketamine in Cardiac Surgery |
COMPLETED | PHASE4 |
| NCT07526454 |
Electroconvulsive Therapy Versus Intravenous Ketamine in Treatment-Resistant Major Depressive Disorder |
COMPLETED | NA |
| NCT07443254 |
Prospective IR-led Sedation Feasibility |
RECRUITING | PHASE1/PHASE2 |
| NCT07385352 |
Caudal Dexmedetomidine vs Ketamine for Postoperative Analgesia in Pediatric DDH Surgery |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING | NA |
