A Phase 2 interventional study of Aramchol in Fatty Liver, Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis and Liver Diseases, sponsored by Galmed Research and Development, Ltd.. Completed at 78 sites in 11 countries. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 75 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2021-07-14.
Sponsored by Galmed Research and Development, Ltd. · Phase 2, Interventional, and Treatment
This is a multicenter, Phase IIb, randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of two Aramchol doses in subjects that are 18 to 75 years of age, with Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) confirmed by liver biopsy performed in a period of 6 months before entering the study, with overweight or obesity and who are pre diabetic or type II diabetic.
Eligible subjects will be enrolled into three treatments arms: Aramchol 400 and 600 mg tablets and placebo tablets in ratio 2:2:1.
The subjects will be evaluated at study sites for 11 scheduled visits during one year (52 weeks). After completion of the study treatment period, the subjects will be followed for an additional period of 13 weeks without study medication (until visit 11 (week 65)).
This is a multicenter, Phase IIb, randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of two Aramchol doses in subjects that are 18 to 75 years of age, with Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) confirmed by liver biopsy performed in a period of 6 months before entering the study, with overweight or obesity and who are pre diabetic or type II diabetic.
Eligible subjects will be enrolled into three treatments arms: Aramchol 400 and 600 mg tablets and placebo tablets in ratio 2:2:1.
The subjects will be evaluated at study sites for 11 scheduled visits: at screening (visit 1(weeks -4 - 0)), baseline (visit 2 (day 0)), visit 3 (week 2), visit 4 week 4), visit 5 (week 8), visit 6 (week 12), visit 7 (week 24), visit 8 (week 32), visit 9 (week 40) and visit 10 (week 52 - (End of Treatment/early termination visit)). After completion of the study treatment period, the subjects will be followed for an additional period of 13 weeks without study medication (until visit 11 (week 65)).
During the screening period, the severity of the disease will be evaluated with blood tests, liver biopsy and NMRS.
During the study the following assessments will be performed:
The following blood tests will be performed: complete blood count (CBC), serum chemistry (including electrolytes, liver enzymes, direct and total bilirubin, glucose, lipid profile which include triglyceride, cholesterol, HDL, LDL and VLDL, CPK, creatinine, urea, albumin, alkaline phosphatase), ESR and urinalysis during the screening visit, baseline, week 2, 4, 8, 24, 40, 52 and 65 (end of follow up) visits. Serology (HBV, HCV and HIV) will be performed during the screening visit. Coagulation (fibrinogen, PT/INR, aPTT) will be measured during screening and at baseline, week 24, End of Treatment/early termination and week 65 visits. Insulin (HOMA) will be measured during the screening, at week 24 and End of Treatment/early termination visits. HbA1C will be measured during the screening, at week 8, 24, 40 and End of Treatment/early termination visits. C reactive protein, Leptin and Adiponectin will be measured during baseline visit and at end of treatment period. The blood samples taken at these visits, will be tested for possible biomarkers. TSH, T3 and T4 will be measured during the screening visit. beta-hCG in women of childbearing potential will be performed during the screening visit. A serum sample will be collected and kept frozen until study end in case special investigation needs to be performed. This sample will be collected during the screening and visit 10/Early Termination.
Safety assessment will include frequency and severity of treatment-emergent AEs, clinically significant laboratory abnormalities, ECG changes and physical examination findings.
2,081 studies on the registry are indexed under Liver Diseases; 390 are open to participants now.
This study's enrollment of 247 is above the median of 50 across 1,323 interventional studies indexed under Liver Diseases.
Browse Liver Diseases studies →Galmed Research and Development, Ltd. is the lead sponsor of 3 studies on the registry; none are open to participants now.
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Exclusion Criteria:
Treatment with other anti-diabetic medications:
GLP-1 receptor agonists and Thiazolidinediones (TZDs), unless started at least 12 months prior to biopsy and on stable dose for 6 months. In case of GLP-1 receptor agonists stopped, it should be at least 6 months before biopsy as per medical history.
One tablet of Aramchol 400 mg and one tablet of Aramchol 200 mg.
Drug: Aramchol
One tablet of Aramchol 400 mg and one tablet of matching placebo for Aramchol.
Drug: Aramchol
Two tablet of Aramchol matching placebo.
Drug: Aramchol
Subjects will be administered Aramchol as follows: * One tablet of Aramchol 400 mg and one tablet of matching placebo for Aramchol. * One tablet of Aramchol 400 mg and one tablet of Aramchol 200 mg. * Two tablet of Aramchol matching placebo. The tablets should be taken orally in the morning within 30 min after breakfast with a glass of water (250 ml). Subjects are allowed to omit study drugs up to 3 consecutive days during the study.
Also known as: Placebo
Change From Baseline in Mean Liver Fat
absolute % change from baseline to end of study in liver triglycerides to water ratio (fat/water+fat) as measured by MRS
Time frame: At screening (baseline) and at week 52
NASH Resolution Without Worsening of Fibrosis
The endpoint was defined as end of study biopsy, observed under microscope and showing: * Cell Ballooning (special form of liver cell injury associated with cell swelling and enlargement)= 0 * Inflammation (presence or absence of cells from the immune system) = 0 or 1 * No worsening of fibrosis (scar formation) = increase in fibrosis score by 1 or more point
Time frame: At screening and at week 52
Fibrosis Improvement Without Worsening of NASH
The endpoint was defined as end of study biopsy showing: * A decrease in fibrosis score ≥ 1 point * No worsening of NASH (defined by an increase of inflammation and/or ballooning)
Time frame: At screening and at week 52
Change From Baseline to Week 52/Termination in ALT
Change from baseline to Week 52 or Termination visit in ALT levels (U/L)
Time frame: At baseline until week 52
Change From Baseline to Termination/Early Termination in HbA1C
Change from baseline to Week 52 or Termination visit in Hemoglobin A1C (%)
Time frame: At baseline until week 52
| Milestone | Aramchol 600mg | Aramchol 400mg | Placebo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Started | 98 | 101 | 48 |
| Completed | 88 | 90 | 41 |
| Not completed | 10 | 11 | 7 |
| Withdrew: Withdrawal by subject | 3 | 6 | 3 |
| Withdrew: Adverse event | 4 | 3 | 2 |
| Withdrew: Lost to follow-up | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Withdrew: Disallowed medication | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Withdrew: Bariatric surgery | 1 | 0 | 0 |
absolute % change from baseline to end of study in liver triglycerides to water ratio (fat/water+fat) as measured by MRS
| Abs. % Change from Baseline Liver Fat | Aramchol 600mg | Aramchol 400mg | Placebo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Change From Baseline in Mean Liver Fat | -3.18 ± 1.01 | -3.41 ± 0.96 | -0.09 ± 1.38 |
The endpoint was defined as end of study biopsy, observed under microscope and showing: * Cell Ballooning (special form of liver cell injury associated with cell swelling and enlargement)= 0 * Inflammation (presence or absence of cells from the immune system) = 0 or 1 * No worsening of fibrosis (scar formation) = increase in fibrosis score by 1 or more point
| % of subjects reaching the end-point | Aramchol 600mg | Aramchol 400mg | Placebo |
|---|---|---|---|
| NASH Resolution Without Worsening of Fibrosis | 16.7 | 7.5 | 5 |
The endpoint was defined as end of study biopsy showing: * A decrease in fibrosis score ≥ 1 point * No worsening of NASH (defined by an increase of inflammation and/or ballooning)
| % of subjects reaching the end-point | Aramchol 600mg | Aramchol 400mg | Placebo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fibrosis Improvement Without Worsening of NASH | 29.5 | 21.3 | 17.5 |
Change from baseline to Week 52 or Termination visit in ALT levels (U/L)
| U/L | Aramchol 600mg | Aramchol 400mg | Placebo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Change From Baseline to Week 52/Termination in ALT | -17.3 ± 3.7 | -12.0 ± 3.6 | 11.8 ± 5.2 |
Change from baseline to Week 52 or Termination visit in Hemoglobin A1C (%)
| % of HbA1C | Aramchol 600mg | Aramchol 400mg | Placebo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Change From Baseline to Termination/Early Termination in HbA1C | -0.1268 ± 0.0769 | -0.0417 ± 0.0754 | 0.3202 ± 0.1089 |
Change from baseline to Week 52 or termination visit in AST levels (U/L)
| U/L | Aramchol 600mg | Aramchol 400mg | Placebo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Change From Baseline to Week 52/Termination in AST | -10.83 ± 2.49 | -7.21 ± 2.42 | 6.68 ± 3.50 |
A responder is defined according to \>5% absolute improvement from baseline. A cutoff of 5% absolute reduction in liver F/(F+W) ratio was used as a surrogate for potentially clinically meaningful MRI reduction.
| percentage of participants | Aramchol 600mg | Aramchol 400mg | Placebo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Change From Baseline in Mean Liver Fat - Responder Analysis | 47.0 | 36.7 | 24.4 |
Fibrosis stage 4 in liver biopsy
| Participants | Aramchol 600mg | Aramchol 400mg | Placebo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Progression to Cirrhosis | 1 | 6 | 3 |
Collected over 52 weeks + 13 weeks follow-up. Non-serious events are listed at a 5% frequency threshold.
| Group | Deaths | Serious | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aramchol 600mg | 0/98 (0%) | 9/98 (9.2%) | 77/98 (78.6%) |
| Aramchol 400mg | 0/101 (0%) | 9/101 (8.9%) | 75/101 (74.3%) |
| Placebo | 0/48 (0%) | 6/48 (12.5%) | 33/48 (68.8%) |
| Event | Aramchol 600mg | Aramchol 400mg | Placebo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bile duct stoneHepatobiliary disorders | 0/98 | 0/101 | 1/48 |
| Retinal detachmentEye disorders | 0/98 | 0/101 | 1/48 |
| CholecystitisHepatobiliary disorders | 0/98 | 0/101 | 1/48 |
| Abscess limbInfections and infestations | 0/98 | 0/101 | 1/48 |
| Mammogram abnormaInvestigations | 0/98 | 0/101 | 1/48 |
| Colon cancerNeoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyps) | 0/98 | 0/101 | 1/48 |
| Gallbladder cancerNeoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyps) | 0/98 | 0/101 | 1/48 |
| Hepatocellular carcinomaNeoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyps) | 0/98 | 0/101 | 1/48 |
| MyelofibrosisNeoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyps) | 0/98 | 0/101 | 1/48 |
| Abdominal wall haematomaGastrointestinal disorders | 1/98 | 0/101 | 0/48 |
| Event | Aramchol 600mg | Aramchol 400mg | Placebo |
|---|---|---|---|
| HeadacheNervous system disorders | 15/98 | 14/101 | 6/48 |
| Urinary tract infectionRenal and urinary disorders | 13/98 | 15/101 | 3/48 |
| ConstipationGastrointestinal disorders | 8/98 | 5/101 | 6/48 |
| NauseaGastrointestinal disorders | 9/98 | 10/101 | 6/48 |
| PruritusSkin and subcutaneous tissue disorders | 10/98 | 7/101 | 2/48 |
| CoughRespiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders | 5/98 | 4/101 | 4/48 |
| FatigueGeneral disorders | 3/98 | 8/101 | 4/48 |
| InfluenzaRespiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders | 5/98 | 8/101 | 2/48 |
| Abdominal painGastrointestinal disorders | 4/98 | 7/101 | 2/48 |
| ArthralgiaMusculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders | 4/98 | 7/101 | 1/48 |
| Age, Continuous(years) | Aramchol 600mg | Aramchol 400mg | Placebo | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mean | 54.9 ± 9.8 | 53.9 ± 10.9 | 54.4 ± 10.3 | 54.4 ± 10.3 |
| Sex: Female, Male(Participants) | Aramchol 600mg | Aramchol 400mg | Placebo | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Female | 70 | 65 | 25 | 160 |
| Male | 28 | 36 | 23 | 87 |
| Race/Ethnicity, Customized(Participants) | Aramchol 600mg | Aramchol 400mg | Placebo | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asian | 5 | 4 | 1 | 10 |
| Black or African American | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Hispanic | 12 | 17 | 11 | 40 |
| Latin | 16 | 14 | 3 | 33 |
| Latin American | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Latin Race | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Mixed (Martinican) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| White | 63 | 63 | 30 | 156 |
| BMI (kg/m^2) at Screening(kg/m^2) | Aramchol 600mg | Aramchol 400mg | Placebo | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mean | 33 ± 4.2 | 32.4 ± 4.5 | 32.6 ± 4.9 | 32.7 ± 4.4 |
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Galmed Research and Development, Ltd.