Little River

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 evaluating the effect of muvalaplin on reducing cardiovascular risk in adults with elevated lipoprotein(a) levels who either have atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease or are at risk for a heart attack or stroke. This Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study focuses on adults with high Lp(a) levels and prior or potential cardiovascular events. The study aims to assess the time to the first major adverse cardiovascular event over about 5.25 years. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either muvalaplin or a placebo, both administered orally. The study includes individuals with Lp(a) levels of at least 175 nanomoles per liter who have had a prior cardiovascular event within 10 years or are at risk for a first event due to conditions such as coronary artery disease, carotid stenosis, peripheral artery disease, high coronary artery calcium score, reduced kidney function with diabetes, or other high-risk factors. The treatment period lasts through the study duration, with close monitoring. During the study, participants will be regularly evaluated to track the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events, including heart attacks and strokes. Safety assessments will monitor blood pressure, kidney function, and heart failure status among other health indicators. The primary outcome measures the time to the first major cardiovascular event from baseline up to the end of the study, which spans approximately 5.25 years.

Researchers are evaluating surgical and minimally invasive treatments for lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) by comparing Medicare patients who received the MILD procedure against those who had interspinous process decompression (IPD). The study focuses on outcomes such as the rate of harms related to the initial procedure and the frequency of additional surgical or minimally invasive interventions within 24 months after treatment. Enrollment includes patients treated from January 1, 2017, onward, with continuation until the sponsor decides to stop. The MILD procedure involves percutaneous image-guided lumbar decompression, performed under fluoroscopy through a dorsal approach to partially remove tissue and bone at the affected spinal level. The control group receives the IPD procedure for LSS. Both groups are monitored for a 24-month period post-index procedure using Medicare claims data to track reoperations and any harms. Participants contribute data through Medicare claims without needing prior enrollment or consent, as the study is exempt from IRB oversight. Researchers collect and analyze information on procedure-related harms and subsequent interventions over two years. This approach allows evaluation of long-term safety and effectiveness outcomes for patients treated with either MILD or IPD.

Researchers are investigating the effect of olpasiran compared to a placebo in reducing the risk of coronary heart disease death, heart attack, or urgent coronary revascularization in people at risk for their first major cardiovascular event who have elevated lipoprotein(a) levels. This Phase 3 study focuses on participants aged 50 years and older with multiple cardiovascular risk factors or evidence of atherosclerosis. The goal is to understand whether olpasiran can help prevent these serious heart-related events in this population. Participants will receive either olpasiran or a placebo through subcutaneous injections. The study is double-blind and randomized, meaning neither participants nor researchers will know who receives the active drug or placebo. The intervention period and follow-up will continue for up to approximately 6.2 years to monitor the occurrence of major cardiovascular events. During the study, participants will be closely monitored for outcomes including time to coronary heart disease death, myocardial infarction, or urgent coronary revascularization. Regular assessments will be performed to track cardiovascular health and safety. The long observation period aims to ensure thorough evaluation of olpasiran's impact on preventing first major cardiovascular events in people with elevated lipoprotein(a).