York

Researchers are evaluating two different methods of pacing the heart in patients with slow heart rates (bradycardia). This multi-center randomized controlled trial, called PROTECT-HF, aims to compare the standard right ventricular pacing approach with a newer physiological pacing technique, which includes His bundle and left bundle area pacing. The study will enroll 2600 patients to assess differences in outcomes related to heart function and survival. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either right ventricular pacing or physiological pacing through pacemaker implantation. The physiological pacing method may involve His bundle pacing or left bundle pacing, with biventricular pacing used if these are not possible. Both treatments will be performed at participating centers, with patients and outcome assessors blinded to the treatment allocation. A subgroup of 500 patients will also take part in an optional echocardiographic sub-study to observe heart changes over 24 months. During the study, participants will be monitored from the time of consent for up to 78 months. Evaluations will occur at the start and every six months afterward to track mortality and heart failure-related health events. Researchers will gather data on heart function, treatment effects, and safety. The main analysis will consider all patients as originally assigned, and additional analysis will assess those who received the assigned treatment.

Researchers are evaluating whether the drugs retatrutide and tirzepatide can prevent major adverse liver outcomes (MALO) in adults with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) who are at high risk. This Phase 3 trial enrolls about 4,500 adults with MASLD identified by non-invasive tests indicating an increased likelihood of developing serious liver problems. The study aims to understand how these treatments might affect liver health over time compared to a placebo. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either retatrutide, tirzepatide, or a placebo, all given by subcutaneous injection. The study will last approximately 224 weeks, during which participants may attend 25 to 30 clinic visits for monitoring and assessment. After the main study, eligible participants can join an optional 2-year extension where all will receive either retatrutide or tirzepatide regardless of their original group. Throughout the trial, participants’ liver function and disease progression will be closely monitored through various health assessments. Researchers will track the time to the first major adverse liver event as the main outcome. Safety and health status will be evaluated regularly during clinic visits, ensuring thorough observation over the long study period.

This research aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of two different dose schedules of pegozafermin compared to a placebo in adults with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) who have liver fibrosis at stage F2 or F3. This phase 3 study focuses on improving liver fibrosis and steatohepatitis in this patient group, which involves chronic liver disease associated with metabolic dysfunction. Participants will receive either pegozafermin or a placebo through subcutaneous injections. The study compares two doses of pegozafermin to assess their impact on liver fibrosis and steatohepatitis. The treatment period lasts up to 52 weeks, with outcomes measured at this time point. During the study, participants will be monitored for improvements in liver fibrosis and resolution of steatohepatitis without worsening fibrosis by week 52. Researchers will also track the time until any disease progression occurs, up to 5 years. Throughout the trial, safety and efficacy will be carefully assessed through clinical evaluations and laboratory tests to ensure participant well-being.

Researchers are studying the effects of two experimental drugs, pozelimab and cemdisiran, in adults aged 50 to 85 who have Geographic Atrophy (GA) caused by Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), a condition that affects central vision. The study aims to compare how quickly GA progresses in patients treated with cemdisiran alone, a combination of pozelimab and cemdisiran, or a placebo. Additional goals include monitoring possible side effects, measuring drug levels in the blood, and checking for antibodies that might reduce drug effectiveness or cause side effects. Participants receive subcutaneous injections of either pozelimab combined with cemdisiran, cemdisiran alone, or a placebo. The study is randomized, double-masked, and placebo-controlled, conducted at multiple centers. Treatment schedules and dosing are managed as described in the protocol, with vaccinations for meningococcal and pneumococcal infections required prior to participation. Throughout the study, participants undergo regular clinic visits where eye imaging using Fundus Autofluorescence (FAF) tracks the progression of GA lesion area over 52 weeks. Researchers also monitor safety, side effects, and immune responses, ensuring adherence to study procedures. The main outcome measured is the growth rate of the GA lesion area over one year, helping to evaluate the potential benefits and risks of the study drugs.

Researchers are evaluating the effectiveness and safety of a gene therapy called AAV2-hAQP1 in adults who have Grade 2 or Grade 3 late xerostomia caused by radiation treatment for cancers of the upper aerodigestive tract, excluding the parotid glands. This Phase 2 study focuses on people who completed radiation therapy at least three years ago and still experience dry mouth symptoms. The goal is to see if this therapy can improve saliva production and relieve symptoms associated with radiation-induced xerostomia. The study involves administering different concentrations of AAV2-hAQP1 directly into each parotid gland through Stensen's duct. There are four different dosing groups receiving varying concentrations of the gene therapy and a placebo group receiving a diluent. The treatment is given bilaterally to both parotid glands, allowing comparison of safety and efficacy across doses and with placebo. Participants will be closely monitored over a 12-month period. Researchers will measure changes from the start of the study to month 12 in a xerostomia-specific questionnaire score to assess symptom improvement. Other assessments include saliva flow rates and imaging to rule out cancer recurrence. Medication use, adverse events, and overall safety will be tracked throughout the study. The total participation time includes screening, treatment administration, and follow-up visits to evaluate both short- and long-term effects of the gene therapy.

Researchers are studying the immune response and safety of mRNA-1018-H5, a pandemic influenza vaccine, in adults aged 18 years and older. The trial aims to assess how well two doses of this vaccine trigger antibody production and to monitor any side effects or reactions. This is a Phase 3, randomized, observer-blind, placebo-controlled study focused on the influenza virus. Participants will receive either the mRNA-1018-H5 vaccine or a placebo, both provided as sterile liquid injections. The study involves two doses and includes detailed monitoring for immune response and side effects after vaccination. The trial compares the vaccine to a placebo to evaluate its immunogenicity and safety. During the study, individuals will undergo medical evaluations including physical exams and pregnancy testing if applicable. Researchers will measure antibody levels at Day 43 and record any local or systemic reactions up to Day 29 after injections, as well as any adverse events up to Day 205. The study tracks serious and medically-attended adverse events to ensure careful safety monitoring throughout the participation period.

Researchers are evaluating the safety and effectiveness of trontinemab in people with early symptomatic Alzheimer's disease, ranging from mild cognitive impairment to mild dementia caused by Alzheimer's. This Phase III study is designed to better understand how trontinemab affects cognitive decline in this population. Participants have confirmed Alzheimer's disease pathology and meet specific clinical criteria related to memory and cognitive function. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either intravenous trontinemab or a placebo. The study is double-blind, meaning neither the participants nor the researchers know who receives the active drug or placebo. Treatment will be given over a defined period, and participants will be monitored closely throughout. During the study, participants will undergo various assessments including MRI scans, clinical genotyping, and PET imaging or cerebrospinal fluid tests to confirm disease status. Cognitive tests such as the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Clinical Dementia Rating are used to track changes. Researchers will measure the change in Clinical Dementia Rating Sum of Boxes from baseline to week 72 to evaluate treatment effects. Safety and tolerability will also be monitored throughout the study duration.

Researchers are evaluating the efficacy and safety of verekitug (UPB-101) in adults with moderate-to-severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), a long-term inflammatory lung condition. This global, multicenter Phase 2b study aims to understand how well verekitug works compared to a placebo, alongside participants' usual COPD medications. Participants must have a confirmed COPD diagnosis and meet specific lung function and symptom criteria to join the study. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive one of two doses of verekitug or a matching placebo, in addition to their regular COPD background treatments. The study includes a screening period of about 4 weeks, followed by treatment lasting between 60 and 108 weeks. After treatment, there is a 16-week follow-up period to monitor participants after their last dose. Throughout the study, participants will undergo various assessments including lung function tests and symptom evaluations. Researchers will track the annual rate of moderate or severe COPD flare-ups from the start of treatment through week 108. Safety and tolerability will be closely monitored during the treatment and follow-up periods to ensure participants' well-being over the course of the trial.

Researchers are evaluating how effective, safe, and tolerable a vaccine for Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) infection is in adults aged 65 years and older. The study focuses on reducing the number of C. difficile infections, which can cause diarrhea, in this older adult population. This is a Phase 3, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, randomized trial involving participants who are at risk because of recent or planned contact with healthcare systems or recent antibiotic use. Participants will receive either the C. difficile vaccine or a saline placebo. Both are given by injection into the upper arm muscle. The study includes 3 planned clinic visits and 3 phone visits initially, followed by yearly clinic visits until the study ends. Participants will remain in the study until enough infection events have occurred—this period may last up to about three and a half years, but could be shorter or longer depending on how quickly events happen or if the study stops early due to clear results. Throughout the study, participants will report any side effects such as local reactions and systemic events for 7 days after each vaccination, and adverse events for up to one month. Serious adverse events are monitored for up to 18 months after the last dose. If participants experience 3 or more loose stools within 24 hours during the study, they must save the next stool and contact the study team for infection testing. This ongoing monitoring helps assess the vaccine's impact on preventing medically attended C. difficile infections over time.

Researchers are studying the safety and effects of an investigational medicine called PF-08653944 in adults who are overweight or have obesity along with type 2 diabetes. This condition involves carrying too much body weight and having high blood sugar levels. The study is a phase 3, multi-center, randomized placebo-controlled trial that aims to evaluate the medicine's ability to help with weight loss and monitor its safety. Participants will receive either the study medicine or a placebo by weekly injections under the skin in the belly area. About two-thirds of participants will get the study medicine, while one-third will receive the placebo. Participants will be trained to administer the injections themselves at home. The study will last about 21 months and includes up to 14 visits to the study site and 5 phone calls. During the study, participants will be closely monitored through visits and phone contacts. Researchers will measure changes in body weight from the start to week 64 to evaluate effectiveness. The study will also include assessments of safety and treatment effects over the entire duration. Participants need to perform finger-stick glucose monitoring as required and follow the study procedures throughout the trial.