Melbourne

Researchers are investigating the safety and effects of 4D-150 gene therapy in adults aged 50 and older with neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD) who are already receiving anti-VEGF treatment and have shown a clinical response. This Phase 1/2 trial includes dose-escalation and randomized, controlled, masked expansion phases, aiming to evaluate 4D-150 administered by intravitreal injection in one eye, with additional substudies assessing dosing in the second eye and vector shedding. Participants will receive a one-time dose of 4D-150 by injection into the study eye, followed by monthly assessments for 24 months to monitor safety and effectiveness. Those who receive 4D-150 will then enter a long-term follow-up period up to 5 years to assess ongoing safety and the duration of treatment effects. Substudies include one for contralateral eye dosing and another to characterize vector shedding, with participants monitored regularly for safety through one year and continuing long-term follow-up through year 5. Throughout the study, participants will undergo tests of visual and retinal function and structure, with assessments performed monthly initially and safety monitored for up to five years. Researchers will track treatment-emergent adverse events, serious adverse events, and any significant changes in safety parameters. Participants must comply with study procedures and visits, and males receiving 4D-150 will be advised to use barrier methods during intercourse for six months to prevent fluid transmission.

Researchers are conducting an open-label, multi-center, non-randomized pivotal Phase 3 study to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of PET imaging using [18F]PI-2620 for detecting tau protein buildup in people with Alzheimer's disease and control subjects. The study compares PET imaging results during life with brain tissue analysis obtained after death through autopsy, aiming to improve diagnosis of tau-related brain changes. Participants will receive an intravenous injection of the radioligand [18F]PI-2620 at a dose of 185 MBq 20%. The PET imaging will be performed to visualize tau deposits in the brain. This study focuses on assessing the diagnostic accuracy of this imaging method by comparing it to post-mortem histopathology findings. Throughout the study, participants will undergo PET scans and assessments to determine the presence and extent of tau pathology. The primary outcome measure is the ability of visual assessment of [18F]PI-2620 PET images to correctly distinguish tau neurofibrillary pathology associated with Alzheimer's disease, confirmed at autopsy within about one year. Safety and tolerability during imaging procedures will also be monitored, with a total participation period depending on the timing of brain autopsy after death.

Researchers are studying a treatment called MK-2214 to see if it can slow certain brain changes in people with early Alzheimer's disease (AD). AD is a form of dementia that causes memory loss, difficulties with communication, and challenges in decision-making, which affect daily activities. The study aims to find out if MK-2214 can slow the spread of tau protein in the brain compared to a placebo and to assess the safety and tolerability of MK-2214. Participants will receive either MK-2214 or a placebo through an intravenous (IV) infusion. The study is designed as a phase 2, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial with parallel groups. The treatment period lasts up to about 23 months, during which participants will receive infusions as scheduled. The placebo looks like the study treatment but contains no active drug, helping researchers understand the treatment's effects. Throughout the study, participants will be monitored for changes in tau protein levels in the brain using PET scans and for any adverse events or side effects. Researchers will track the number of participants experiencing adverse events and those who stop treatment because of them, with safety follow-up lasting up to approximately 26 months. Participants will also undergo brain imaging such as CT, PET, or MRI scans. The study involves regular assessments to measure the treatment's impact and ensure participant safety over the study duration.

Researchers are investigating whether buntanetap/Posiphen can help treat early Alzheimer's disease in adults aged 55 to 85 years. This Phase 3 study aims to find out if buntanetap/Posiphen improves thinking abilities and daily functioning compared to a placebo. It also evaluates the safety of buntanetap/Posiphen by monitoring any medical issues that participants may experience during the trial. Participants will take either a 30 mg capsule of buntanetap/Posiphen or a placebo capsule by mouth once daily for 18 months. The study includes regular clinic visits at screening, enrollment, and months 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18. During some visits, participants will have brain MRI scans. The study uses a double-blind design, meaning neither participants nor researchers know who receives the active drug or placebo. Throughout the study, participants will complete tests and questionnaires to measure cognitive function and daily living activities, including the ADAS-Cog13 and ADCS-iADL scales. Phone calls before and after visits help track progress and adherence. Safety is closely monitored with ongoing assessments from screening through the 18-month treatment period.

This research aims to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and impact on albuminuria of the drug MZE829 in adults who have proteinuric chronic kidney disease and carry the APOL1 high-risk genotype. This Phase 2 open-label study focuses on participants with specific genetic markers associated with kidney disease to better understand treatment effects. Participants will receive MZE829 in the form of oral capsules. The study involves monitoring the participants over a 12-week period to assess the drug's safety and how well patients tolerate it. Researchers will also measure changes in albuminuria, which reflects kidney function. During the study, participants will be closely monitored for any adverse events from the first day through week 12. Safety assessments and laboratory tests will be performed to track the drug’s effects. The main goal is to determine how safe and tolerable MZE829 is, along with its impact on kidney disease markers over the treatment duration.

Researchers are investigating the effectiveness, safety, and tolerability of combining baxdrostat with dapagliflozin compared to dapagliflozin alone in people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and high blood pressure. This Phase III, international, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled study aims to see if this combination reduces risks such as significant kidney function decline, kidney failure, heart failure events, or cardiovascular death. The study includes a 4-week run-in period where participants not previously treated with SGLT2 inhibitors receive dapagliflozin alone. After this, participants are randomly assigned to receive either baxdrostat plus dapagliflozin or placebo plus dapagliflozin in a double-blinded manner. Study visits occur frequently initially (at 2, 4, 8, 16, 34, and 52 weeks after randomization) and then approximately every 4 months. If participants stop the blinded treatment early, they continue dapagliflozin alone unless specific criteria require its discontinuation. Participants will undergo regular assessments including blood pressure monitoring and laboratory tests related to kidney function and cardiovascular health. The primary outcome measures the reduction in risk of major kidney and heart events over up to 37 months. Even if participants stop the study treatment, they will continue follow-up visits and data collection to ensure comprehensive safety and efficacy evaluation throughout the study duration.

Researchers are studying the effectiveness and safety of a combination inhaler containing fluticasone propionate and albuterol sulfate delivered through a multidose dry powder inhaler with an electronic module (Fp/ABS eMDPI). This Phase 3 trial focuses on people aged 12 years and older who have asthma. The study also looks at the safety and tolerability of this inhaler when used four times daily over four weeks, as well as the pharmacokinetics of the combination and its individual components after a single dose. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either the Fp/ABS combination inhaler, fluticasone propionate alone, albuterol sulfate alone, or a placebo inhaler. All treatments are given as inhalation powders. The main treatment period lasts four weeks, during which the inhalers are taken four times a day. The total study duration for each participant is about 10 weeks, not counting an optional prescreening visit. Throughout the study, researchers will measure lung function changes, specifically forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), from baseline to week 4. Participants will undergo assessments including lung function tests and safety evaluations. The study monitors how the inhaler affects breathing over time and checks for any side effects or tolerability issues during the treatment period.

Researchers are evaluating efruxifermin (EFX) in adults aged 18 to 80 who have compensated cirrhosis caused by nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) or metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). This Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study aims to assess the safety and effectiveness of EFX in improving liver health and delaying disease progression in this population. The study focuses on subjects with advanced liver fibrosis (stage 4) but without liver decompensation. Participants are randomly assigned to receive either efruxifermin or a placebo, both administered by subcutaneous injection. The study includes two cohorts: Cohort 1 requires biopsy confirmation of liver fibrosis and specific metabolic features, while Cohort 2 allows biopsy or non-invasive diagnosis. Treatment and observation continue over an extended period to evaluate changes in liver fibrosis and clinical events. During the study, researchers will monitor the time until significant clinical events such as disease progression or liver decompensation occur, with a follow-up of up to five years. For Cohort 1, the proportion of participants showing improvement in fibrosis without worsening steatohepatitis will be assessed at 96 weeks. Participants will undergo regular evaluations including clinical assessments and laboratory tests to track liver function and safety throughout the study period.

Researchers are investigating the safety and effectiveness of efruxifermin in people with non-cirrhotic nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) or metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) who have moderate to advanced liver fibrosis (stage 2 or 3). This Phase 3 study is randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled, enrolling a total of 1650 participants in two groups to evaluate treatment outcomes. Participants will receive either efruxifermin or a placebo by subcutaneous injection. The study involves two cohorts, with Cohort 1 including patients who have biopsy-confirmed NASH or MASH and specific liver fibrosis and activity scores. The treatment period and detailed dosing schedules are not provided but the study compares the effects of the active drug against placebo. During the study, participants will be monitored for improvement in liver disease status, including resolution of NASH/MASH and at least a one-stage improvement in liver fibrosis after 52 weeks for Cohort 1. Long-term outcomes such as event-free survival will be observed over 240 weeks. Safety and efficacy assessments will be conducted throughout the study period, including evaluations of liver histology and metabolic health.

Researchers are evaluating the effects of ECC4703, a thyroid hormone receptor beta isoform agonist, and ECC0509, a semicarbazide sensitive amine oxidase inhibitor, alone and combined, on reducing liver fat in adults with presumed metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). This Phase 2a trial aims to measure changes in liver fat using magnetic resonance imaging proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF) after 12 weeks of treatment. Participants are randomly assigned to receive low or high doses of ECC4703, ECC0509, their combination, or placebo in oral capsule form. The study compares the dose-dependent effects of these treatments on hepatic fat reduction. Placebo capsules match the active treatments to maintain blinding. The treatment period lasts for 12 weeks. During the study, participants undergo MRI scans to measure liver fat content at baseline and week 12. Researchers monitor liver enzymes, metabolic markers, and safety throughout the trial. Participants must comply with study procedures, including regular assessments and biomarker tests, to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the treatments over the 12-week period.