Biopharmaceutical Characterization and Oral Efficacy of a New Rapid Acting Antidepressant Ro 25-6981.

Ro 25-6981 is a highly potent and selective blocker of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors that has been shown to possess both rapid and sustained antidepressant activity. In the present study, we report the biopharmaceutical characterization of Ro 25-6981 by evaluating gastrointestinal stability, transepithelial permeability, stability in human liver microsomes, and in silico metabolic prediction. Moreover, in vivo efficacy of Ro 25-6981 after oral administration was evaluated in animal models of depression.