Kite Trial Takes Flight: Investigating Ketamine for Bipolar Depression

The Department of Psychiatry is pleased to highlight the launch of the Kite trial, a new investigator-initiated study led by Professor Chris Davey, exploring whether low-dose ketamine can reduce depressive symptoms in adults with bipolar depression.

Funded by the Medical Research Future Fund and established through the MAGNET Clinical Trials Network (Mental Health Australia General Clinical Trials Network), the trial is sponsored by the University of Melbourne, with the Royal Melbourne Hospital acting as the lead site.

Kite is a randomised controlled trial assessing the efficacy of twice-weekly low-dose subcutaneous ketamine, compared to an active control (midazolam), in individuals with bipolar I or II disorder experiencing moderate-to-severe depression. An optional open-label extension phase and follow-up assessments are included.

The trial is off to a strong start, with nine participants enrolled and over 75 treatments administered to date.

The research team includes:

• Professor Chris Davey – Coordinating Principal Investigator
• Dr Eleanor Pilioussis – Study Doctor
• Dr Orli Schwartz – Clinical Research Coordinator
• Gregory Humble – Project Manager
• Nikki Read – Research Nurse
• Natalie De Bono and Tilly Tonkovic – Research Assistants
• Clare Walton – Lived Experience Research Partner

For more information, visit the Kite Trial webpage or contact the team via kite-enquiries@unimelb.edu.au. To learn more about the MAGNET network, visit MAGNETCTN.com.