An Eight-Week Study Evaluating the Efficacy of Two Fixed Doses (250 mg Twice Daily and 100 mg Twice Daily) of SSR149415 in Patients With Major Depressive Disorder

Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of major depressive disorder, recurrent, as defined by Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) criteria (296.3) and confirmed by the semi-structured Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) Exclusion Criteria: * Total score of less than 24 on the MADRS. * HAM-D total score less than 18. * Duration of the current depressive episode less than 1 month or greater than 2 years. * Patients with a history or presence of bipolar disorders or psychotic disorders. * Patients with alcohol dependence or abuse or substance dependence or abuse in the past 12 months except nicotine or caffeine dependence. * Patients who have used the following prior to entry into Acute Phase: antipsychotics within 3 months, fluoxetine within 1 month, MAOIs within 2 weeks, other antidepressants, or mood-stabilizer (lithium, anticonvulsants) within 1 week. The investigator will evaluate whether there are other reasons why a patient may not participate