Diepenbeek

Researchers are evaluating a study medicine called MK-1045 in adults with systemic lupus erythematosus SLE or rheumatoid arthritis RA. The main goal is to learn about the safety and tolerability of MK-1045 when given at different dose levels. This is a phase 1 clinical trial focused on treatment and led by Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC. Participants will receive MK-1045 through intravenous infusion. The study has three parts Part 1 involves single doses at various levels, Part 2 includes three step-up doses over three weeks as prime, step-up, and target doses, and Part 3 offers optional dose expansion with similar dosing. This sequential study uses randomized allocation without masking. During the study, participants will be monitored for adverse events and treatment discontinuations up to approximately 52 weeks depending on the study part. Researchers will also measure how the drug behaves in the body and its effect on peripheral B cell counts. Participants will have regular assessments including safety and pharmacokinetic evaluations throughout the study period, which runs up to July 2029.

Researchers are evaluating the effects of a flavonoid-rich Mediterranean diet on individuals with multiple sclerosis MS, a condition influenced by environmental factors like nutrition. This study aims to understand how this specialized diet might impact disease parameters in people living with MS. Participants will follow a set of dietary guidelines focusing on consuming foods rich in flavonoids as part of an adjusted Mediterranean diet. The study includes three key assessment timepoints before starting the strict diet, after completing the diet, and following a three-month follow-up period. During the study, researchers will monitor changes in the participants gut microbiota at these three intervals. The total study duration includes initial diet adherence and a follow-up phase to evaluate lasting effects. Participants will be regularly assessed to track how the diet influences their condition over time.

Researchers are evaluating brenipatide, compared to a placebo, for adults with Alcohol Use Disorder AUD and hazardous alcohol use. This phase 3 study aims to assess whether brenipatide affects drinking patterns and cravings over approximately 56 weeks. The study is sponsored by Eli Lilly and Company and involves participants motivated to reduce or stop alcohol consumption. Participants receive escalating doses of brenipatide or placebo via subcutaneous injection. The study includes two experimental periods with LY3537031 brenipatide and a placebo group, all administered by injection. Participants who cannot self-inject may have assistance from a trained support person. The treatment phase lasts up to 56 weeks. During the study, participants attend scheduled visits and complete questionnaires and diaries to track alcohol use and cravings. Researchers monitor changes in drinking patterns using the Timeline Followback Method and assess alcohol craving, health outcomes, body weight, and potential immune responses to the drug. Safety and pharmacokinetics are also evaluated throughout the study duration.

Researchers are evaluating brenipatide for adults with moderate-to-severe Alcohol Use Disorder AUD to see how it compares to a placebo in effectiveness and safety. This Phase 3, multicenter, randomized, double-blind study is led by Eli Lilly and Company and aims to better understand treatment options for AUD. Participants in this study will be adults aged 18 to 75 years and will remain in the study for about 56 weeks. Participants will receive either brenipatide or a placebo through subcutaneous injections. The study has multiple treatment periods with escalating doses of brenipatide administered under medical supervision. Both the active drug and placebo are given by injection under the skin. The study uses a randomized design to assign participants to one of the study groups to compare outcomes. During the study, participants will be regularly assessed using questionnaires and diaries to track drinking patterns, alcohol cravings, and overall health. Researchers will also monitor changes in alcohol consumption, body weight, and health survey scores. Blood tests will check drug levels and the presence of antibodies against brenipatide. Safety and treatment effects will be observed for up to 56 weeks, with study visits scheduled throughout this period.

Researchers are studying the effectiveness and safety of eloralintide in adults who are obese or overweight but do not have type 2 diabetes. This Phase 3 trial aims to understand how eloralintide affects body weight and related health measures over a long period. The study includes a main phase and an extension phase for those with prediabetes to evaluate ongoing effects. Participants are randomly assigned to receive one of four doses of eloralintide or a placebo, all given by subcutaneous injection once weekly. The main phase lasts about 75 weeks, and participants with prediabetes may continue in an extension phase for an additional two years. This structure allows researchers to assess both short-term and longer-term outcomes. During the study, participants will have regular visits to measure body weight, body fat, waist size, blood pressure, blood markers like triglycerides and insulin, and quality of life questionnaires. Safety and treatment effects are monitored throughout. The main outcome is the percent change in body weight from the start to week 64, with follow-up continuing up to week 191 for some. Overall participation can last up to several years depending on the participants health status.

Researchers are evaluating the safety and side effects of LY4005130, a drug given through a vein, in adults with non-segmental vitiligo NSV. This study compares LY4005130 to a placebo to better understand how well the drug is tolerated. The trial is a Phase 2, randomized, double-blind study lasting about 48 weeks, including screening, to provide detailed information on treatment effects. Participants receive either LY4005130 or a placebo intravenously during the 24-week treatment period. Blood tests will be used to see how the drug moves through and affects the body. The study measures changes in vitiligo skin area using scoring indexes and also examines gene expression from skin biopsies. The comparison between the drug and placebo aims to provide clear insights into treatment effects. Throughout the study, participants will have assessments including blood tests and skin biopsies at the start and after treatment. Researchers will track side effects and changes in vitiligo by measuring the affected skin area. The study includes regular evaluations of drug levels in the blood and gene activity related to vitiligo. Participation involves about 48 weeks total, covering screening, treatment, and follow-up to monitor safety and response.

Researchers are studying how different levels of fatigue during power training affect strength, movement, and muscle function in healthy older adults aged 65 to 85 years. The study aims to understand the immediate and recovery effects of varying fatigue levels on muscle soreness, exercise effort, and physical performance to help design safer and more effective training programs for this age group. Participants will complete three supervised power-training sessions on a pneumatic leg press machine about one week apart. Each session involves 4 sets with different fatigue levels stopping when movement speed drops by 10% low fatigue, stopping at 30% speed loss moderate fatigue, or performing cluster sets with rest breaks to match the volume of the moderate fatigue session while maintaining low fatigue. Movement speed is continuously monitored during exercise. During the study, participants undergo strength and mobility tests before and after exercise, provide small blood samples to measure physiological responses, rate exercise effort, and report muscle soreness up to two days post-exercise. Researchers will measure outcomes like maximum voluntary contraction, torque development, muscle activity, muscle oxygenation, blood markers, functional performance tests, perceived exertion, and delayed muscle soreness over multiple timepoints. Participants are monitored for safety and recovery throughout the trial, which lasts about three weeks in total.

Researchers are evaluating the safety and effectiveness of NNC0487-0111 for treating adults with excess body weight. This phase 3 clinical trial compares weekly injections of NNC0487-0111 against placebo injections, both given under the skin. Participants also follow a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity as part of the study. Participants receive subcutaneous injections once a week of either NNC0487-0111 or a placebo. The study uses a randomized, parallel design with quadruple masking to assign treatments by chance. Treatments are given alongside lifestyle changes involving diet and exercise. During the trial, participants will be monitored over 92 weeks with regular assessments including body weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, blood sugar markers, cholesterol levels, and quality of life questionnaires. Safety is evaluated by tracking any adverse events. The primary measurement is the relative change in body weight from week 40 to week 92. The study is sponsored by Novo Nordisk AS and runs until mid-2028.

Multiple sclerosis MS is a chronic disease affecting the central nervous system that often causes walking difficulties, balance problems, fatigue, cognitive challenges, and higher fall risk even in early stages. Standard walking tests may not fully capture these issues because they mainly measure speed or distance, missing the complex adaptations needed for safe walking in everyday life. This research aims to better understand how people with MS adjust their walking in response to changing environments by studying both anticipatory and reactive gait adaptations and their brain activity. The study includes 16 people with MS and 16 healthy adults matched by age and sex. Participants undergo a single testing session where various motor performance tests and questionnaires assess walking, balance, fatigue, and cognitive function. Proactive gait adaptability is tested by having participants walk on a 10-meter path with stepping targets at varying difficulty levels. Reactive gait adaptability is measured using a treadmill system that applies unexpected disturbances while tracking detailed movement and brain blood flow using special sensors. Participants will complete physical tests like the Timed 25-Foot Walk and 6-Minute Walk Test, along with cognitive assessments and balance evaluations. Researchers will record responses to gait challenges and brain oxygen levels during these tasks. The main measures include performance on the Walking Adaptability Ladder Test and reactive gait changes during treadmill perturbations. This comprehensive approach aims to reveal new insights into walking adaptations in MS, supporting improved outcome measures and rehabilitation strategies. The study is expected to run until late 2026.

Researchers are evaluating two multi-component dietary interventions aimed at promoting healthy and sustainable eating habits and preventing weight gain among Flemish higher education students. This study focuses on supporting students during the transition from secondary school to higher education, a period when unhealthy eating and weight gain are common. The interventions are part of a collaboration involving several research groups and the Flemish Institute for Healthy Living, with the goal of encouraging healthier lifestyle choices to reduce cancer risk. The interventions last for eight weeks and are implemented at a university and a college campus. They include social media campaigns on Instagram, behavioral nudges in student cafeterias to encourage healthier food choices, and interactive workshops that teach practical skills such as reading nutrition labels. Physical changes in dining areas and information stands on campus also support awareness and behavior change. Two other campuses serve as control groups with no intervention. Sales data of healthy food options will also be monitored during the intervention period. Participants will complete questionnaires before the intervention, immediately after, and five months later to measure changes in nutrition behavior, attitude, knowledge, self-efficacy, perceived food environment, intentions, barriers, cooking skills, weight, and height. A process evaluation involving focus groups and questionnaires will assess how the interventions are implemented and experienced. The study runs from February to December 2025 and aims to provide insights that could lead to scaling up the program for broader cancer prevention efforts.