The announcement was welcome news for those with major depressive disorder, affecting an estimated 8.3% of the adult population.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration expanded approval for Johnson & Johnson’s nasal spray, Spravato, to allow it to be used as a standalone treatment for patients with severe depression, the company said on Tuesday.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Johnson & Johnson's ketamine-based nasal spray Spravato to treat adults with major depressive disorder, the company said on Tuesday. The approval paves the way for use of Spravato in patients whose disease has stopped responding to at least two oral anti-depressants.