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CompletedNCT02520388Updated Jul 23, 2021Results posted

A Pivotal Efficacy Trial to Evaluate HLD200 in Children With ADHD in a Naturalistic Setting

A Phase 3 interventional study of HLD200 methylphenidate hydrochloride (MPH) Capsules and Placebo in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, sponsored by Ironshore Pharmaceuticals and Development, Inc. Completed at 21 sites in United States. Open to participants aged 6 Years to 12 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2021-07-23.

Sponsored by Ironshore Pharmaceuticals and Development, Inc · Phase 3, Interventional, and Treatment

Phase
Phase 3
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
163
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
6 Years to 12 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

This Phase 3 pivotal efficacy trial will examine the effects of HLD200 (methylphenidate) in patients aged 6-12 years with ADHD in a naturalistic setting. Following a screening/washout period (Visit 1), subjects will randomized to double-blind placebo or HLD200 for a period of 3 weeks (Visits 2-5) before assessing clinical study endpoints at last study visit.

Read the detailed description

To address the unmet need for early morning ADHD symptom control, Ironshore has developed a novel drug delivery system that incorporates the active ingredient methylphenidate HCl in a delayed/extended release formulation. This formulation provides a controlled, approximately 8-hour delay in initial drug release, followed by a subsequent controlled rate of drug release throughout the day. The goal of this system is to enable nighttime dosing of methylphenidate to provide control of ADHD symptoms at the beginning of the next morning (immediately upon awakening) and throughout the remainder of the day.

At Visit 2, Baseline Visit), subjects were randomized to receive either HLD200 or placebo and instructed to begin dosing at 40 mg each evening (8:00 pm ±30 minutes) for 1 week, with scheduled titration, as medically indicated and tolerated, over the subsequent 2 weeks to 60 mg (Visit 3) and 80 mg (Visit 4) and/or a dose not to exceed 3.7 mg/kg (based on the subject's most recently assessed weight). Following dose escalation above 40 mg (i.e., after Visit 3), subjects were permitted to reduce the dose by 1 step (i.e., from 60 to 40 mg or from 80 to 60 mg), if necessary, for safety or tolerability. Subjects who were unable to tolerate a dose of at least 40 mg during the final (third) week of treatment, from Visit 4 to 5, were discontinued. Subjects were also permitted to adjust the timing of the evening dosing at Visits 3 and 4 in increments of 30 to 60 minutes/week to achieve optimal morning control of observed ADHD symptoms; however, the dose was not to be taken any later than 9:30 pm or any earlier than 6:30 pm, regardless of the ±30-minute dosing window.

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Conditions studied

  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
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In context

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity

1,514 studies on the registry are indexed under Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; 255 are open to participants now.

This study's enrollment of 163 is above the median of 72 across 1,207 interventional studies indexed under Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity.

Browse Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity studies →

Lead sponsor

Ironshore Pharmaceuticals and Development, Inc is the lead sponsor of 7 studies on the registry; none are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
6 Years to 12 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

  1. Subjects must be male or female children (6 to 12 years at the time of consent).
  2. Subjects must have a diagnosis of ADHD as defined by DSM5 criteria and confirmation using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview for Children and Adolescents (MINI-KID).
  3. Subjects must have a baseline ADHD-RS-IV score at or above the 90th percentile normalized for sex and age in total score. In addition, this ADHD-RS-IV total score must be ≥26 at Baseline.
  4. Subjects must have a Clinical Global Impression of Severity (CGI-S) score ≥4 and a CGI-P score >10 at the Baseline Visit.
  5. Subjects have demonstrated, in the judgment of the investigator, at least a partial clinical response to MPH.
  6. Parental or legal guardian confirmation of the child's before-school functional impairment and/or difficulties performing a morning routine of at least 30 minutes minimum duration occurring between 6:00 and 9:00 am.
  7. Subject body weight must be ≥20 kg.
  8. Subject must be considered clinically appropriate for treatment with MPH and HLD200, including ability to swallow treatment capsules.
  9. Subject must be in general good health based upon the medical history, physical, and laboratory examinations (including urine drug screen).
  10. Subject and parent or legal guardian must be able to read, write, and/or understand at a level sufficient to provide informed consent (parent/legal guardian) and assent (subject) prior to study participation and to complete study-related materials. Subject and parent or legal guardian must plan to be available for the entire study period.
  11. Female subjects of childbearing potential (i.e., post-menarche) are required to have a negative result on urine pregnancy testing at screening (and will be given specific instructions for avoiding pregnancy during the study).
  12. A medically highly effective form of birth control must be used during the study and for 90 days thereafter for subjects of either sex of childbearing potential. Examples of medically highly effective forms of birth control are as follows:

    • No sexual activity
    • Use of acceptable methods of birth control including intra-uterine device, oral, implantable,or injectable contraceptives.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. History of, or current, medical condition or laboratory result which, in the opinion of the investigator, unfavorably alters the risk-benefit of study participation, may jeopardize subject safety, or may interfere with the satisfactory completion of the study and study-related procedures.
  2. Serious structural cardiac abnormalities, cardiomyopathy, serious heart rhythm abnormalities, or other cardiac problems that may place the subject at increased vulnerability to the sympathomimetic effects of a stimulant drug.
  3. History of seizure disorder (except febrile seizures prior to age 5 and with last occurrence at least 1 year prior to study participation), Tourette's disorder, or intellectual disability of minor severity or greater (DSM5 criteria).
  4. History of psychosis, bipolar disorder, anorexia nervosa, bulimia, or suicide attempt. Current depression, anxiety, conduct/behavior disorder, substance use disorder, or other psychiatric condition which, in the investigator's opinion, may jeopardize subject safety or may interfere with the satisfactory completion of the study and study-related procedures.
  5. Active suicidal ideation as evidenced by an ideation score of 2 or greater on the C-SSRS.
  6. History of severe allergic reaction or intolerance to MPH.
  7. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin, or creatinine greater than 1.5x the upper limit of normal. Elevated bilirubin due only to Gilbert's syndrome is not exclusionary.
  8. History of alcohol abuse or illicit drug use.
  9. Use of prescription medications (except per protocol allowed medications) within 7 days of Baseline (Visit 2), except for ADHD stimulant medication (72 hours) and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) (14 days), and over-the-counter medications (except birth control and allowed medications) within the 3 days preceding Baseline (Visit 2). Medications not covered in allowed medications or prohibited medications must be cleared by the medical monitor prior to enrolling the subject.
  10. Use of psychotropic medications including antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and antipsychotics.
  11. Participation in a clinical trial with an investigational drug within the 30 days preceding study enrollment.
  12. Previous treatment experience with HLD200.
  13. Positive screening for illicit drug use or nicotine and/or current health conditions or use of medications that might confound the results of the study or increase risk to the subject.
  14. In the opinion of the investigator, the subject may have problems complying with the protocol or the procedures of the protocol, or for which the study could pose unnecessary safety risks. This includes current health conditions or use of medications that might confound the results of the study or increase risk to the subject.
  15. A sibling or step-sibling that is concurrently participating in this study who resides with and is cared for by the same parent/legal guardian as the subject.
05

Study design

Phase
Phase 3
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Quadruple (Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor)
Enrollment
163 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    HLD200 (methylphenidate)

    Experimental: HLD200 (methylphenidate) The investigational drug for this study is HLD200 MPH MR capsules comprised of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (MPH) in a dual-coated drug-layered core. Following a minimum 72-hour washout, subjects will be randomized (1:1) to double-blind HLD200 to be taken once daily during the evening for a period of 3-weeks prior to testing.

    Drug: HLD200 methylphenidate hydrochloride (MPH) Capsules

  • Placebo comparator
    Placebo

    Placebo capsules will be composed of microcrystalline cellulose beads in place of MPH containing beads found in the HLD200 capsules. Following a minimum 72-hour washout, subjects will be randomized (1:1) to double-blind placebo to be taken once daily during the evening for a period of 3-weeks prior to testing.

    Drug: Placebo

Interventions

  • DrugHLD200 methylphenidate hydrochloride (MPH) Capsules

    HLD200 Doses: 40, 60 or 80 mg

    Also known as: methylphenidate

  • DrugPlacebo
06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Rating Scale Based on DSM-IV Criteria (ADHD-RS-IV) Total Score.

    The ADHD-RS-IV was developed to measure the behaviors of children with ADHD (DuPaul et al., 1998). The scale consists of 18 items designed to reflect current symptomatology of ADHD. Each item is scored in a range from 0 (reflecting no symptoms or a frequency of never or rarely) to 3 (reflecting severe symptoms or a frequency of almost always), with a range of total scores ranging from 0 to 54. In this study, a site clinican (required to be an MD, PhD, DO, licensed social worker, or any trained mental health professional approved by the sponsor) completed ADHD-RS-IV assessments at each visit using a structured interview format.

    Time frame: Last week of 3-week treatment period assessed at Visit 5.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Before School Functioning Questionnaire (BSFQ) Total Score

    The BSFQ was developed as a hybrid measure completed by a clinician or parent/legal guardian to assess commonly reported areas of morning dysfunction - both behaviors and functions associated with the post-waking, early morning period (from approximately 6:00 am to 9:00 am) - in children and adolescents with ADHD (Wilens et al., 2010; Wilens et al., 2013). Symptom severity and functional impairment were rated from 0 (none) to 3 (severe - different from peers all days, all settings) with total scores ranging from 0 to 60. Ratings were completed by a site clinician (MD, PhD, DO, licensed social worker, or trained mental health professional approved by the sponsor) at Visits 2 through 5 using a structured interview format.

    Time frame: Last week of 3-week treatment period assessed at Visit 5.

07

Results

Posted Oct 3, 2018

Participant flow

The study was conducted at 22 sites in the United States. First subject enrolled was on 13 August, 2015 and last subject completed was on 13 May, 2016.

Participant flow — Overall Study
MilestoneHLD200 (Methylphenidate)Placebo
Started8281
Treated8180
Completed7365
Not completed916
Withdrew: Physician decision10
Withdrew: Subject or parent/guardian request06
Withdrew: Adverse event14
Withdrew: Lost to follow-up32
Withdrew: Other (reason not defined)44

Outcome measures

PrimaryAttention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Rating Scale Based on DSM-IV Criteria (ADHD-RS-IV) Total Score.

The ADHD-RS-IV was developed to measure the behaviors of children with ADHD (DuPaul et al., 1998). The scale consists of 18 items designed to reflect current symptomatology of ADHD. Each item is scored in a range from 0 (reflecting no symptoms or a frequency of never or rarely) to 3 (reflecting severe symptoms or a frequency of almost always), with a range of total scores ranging from 0 to 54. In this study, a site clinican (required to be an MD, PhD, DO, licensed social worker, or any trained mental health professional approved by the sponsor) completed ADHD-RS-IV assessments at each visit using a structured interview format.

Time frame:
Last week of 3-week treatment period assessed at Visit 5.
Reported as:
Least squares mean · ADHD-RS-IV total score
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Rating Scale Based on DSM-IV Criteria (ADHD-RS-IV) Total Score.
ADHD-RS-IV total scoreHLD200 (Methylphenidate)Placebo
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Rating Scale Based on DSM-IV Criteria (ADHD-RS-IV) Total Score.24.1 ± 1.531.2 ± 1.6
Statistical analysis
  • HLD200 (Methylphenidate) vs Placebo · Mixed model repeated measures analysis · p = 0.05
SecondaryBefore School Functioning Questionnaire (BSFQ) Total Score

The BSFQ was developed as a hybrid measure completed by a clinician or parent/legal guardian to assess commonly reported areas of morning dysfunction - both behaviors and functions associated with the post-waking, early morning period (from approximately 6:00 am to 9:00 am) - in children and adolescents with ADHD (Wilens et al., 2010; Wilens et al., 2013). Symptom severity and functional impairment were rated from 0 (none) to 3 (severe - different from peers all days, all settings) with total scores ranging from 0 to 60. Ratings were completed by a site clinician (MD, PhD, DO, licensed social worker, or trained mental health professional approved by the sponsor) at Visits 2 through 5 using a structured interview format.

Time frame:
Last week of 3-week treatment period assessed at Visit 5.
Reported as:
Least squares mean · BSFQ total score
Before School Functioning Questionnaire (BSFQ) Total Score
BSFQ total scoreHLD200 (Methylphenidate)Placebo
Before School Functioning Questionnaire (BSFQ) Total Score18.7 ± 1.6328.4 ± 1.73
Statistical analysis
  • HLD200 (Methylphenidate) vs Placebo · Mixed model repeated measures analysis · p = 0.05

Adverse events

Collected over Treatment emergent adverse events were collected from the start of study treatment up to the safety follow-up assessment (35 days). Non-serious events are listed at a 5% frequency threshold.

Adverse event summary by group
GroupDeathsSeriousOther
HLD200 (Methylphenidate)—0/81 (0%)27/81 (33.3%)
Placebo—0/80 (0%)24/80 (30%)
Most frequent other events
Most frequent other events
EventHLD200 (Methylphenidate)Placebo
Any InsomniaPsychiatric disorders27/817/80
Decreased appetiteMetabolism and nutrition disorders15/813/80
HeadacheNervous system disorders8/814/80
VomitingGastrointestinal disorders7/810/80
Affect lability/mood swingsPsychiatric disorders5/811/80
NauseaGastrointestinal disorders5/810/80
Sleep disorderPsychiatric disorders2/814/80
Upper respiratory tract infectionInfections and infestations1/814/80
Psychomotor hyperactivityNervous system disorders4/811/80

Baseline characteristics

Intent-to-Treat

Age, Continuous
Age, Continuous(Years)HLD200 (Methylphenidate)PlaceboTotal
Mean9.6 ± 1.799.0 ± 1.739.3 ± 1.79
Sex: Female, Male
Sex: Female, Male(Participants)HLD200 (Methylphenidate)PlaceboTotal
Female262248
Male5558113
08

Study locations

21 sites
  • AVIDA
    Newport Beach, California 92660, United States
  • Florida Clinical Research Center, LLC
    Bradenton, Florida 34201, United States
  • Sarkis Clinical Trials
    Gainesville, Florida 32607, United States
  • Clinical Neuroscience Solutions, Inc
    Jacksonville, Florida 32256, United States
  • Florida Clinical Research Center, LLC
    Maitland, Florida 32751, United States
  • Scientific Clinical Research, Inc.
    North Miami, Florida 33161, United States
  • Medical Research Group of Central Florida
    Orange City, Florida 32763, United States
  • Clinical Neuroscience Solutions, Inc.
    Orlando, Florida 32801, United States
  • QPS MRA, dba Miami Research Associates, LLC
    South Miami, Florida 33143, United States
  • Children's Developmental Center, P.A.
    Winter Park, Florida 32792, United States
  • Pedia Research, LLC
    Owensboro, Kentucky 42301, United States
  • Duke University Medical Center, Duke Child and Family Study Center
    Durham, North Carolina 27705, United States
  • IPS Research Company
    Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73103, United States
  • Cutting Edge Research Group
    Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73116, United States
  • Clinical Neuroscience Solutions, Inc.
    Memphis, Tennessee 38119, United States
  • Bayou City Research, Ltd
    Houston, Texas 77007, United States
  • Red Oak Psychiatry Associates, PA
    Houston, Texas 77090, United States
  • Westex Clinical Investigations
    Lubbock, Texas 79423, United States
  • University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
    San Antonio, Texas 78229, United States
  • Ericksen Research and Development
    Clinton, Utah 84015, United States
  • Seattle Children's Hospital
    Seattle, Washington 98105, United States
09

References and documents

Publications

  • Wilens TE, Faraone SV, Hammerness PG, Pliszka SR, Uchida CL, DeSousa NJ, Sallee FR, Incledon B, Newcorn JH. Clinically Meaningful Improvements in Early Morning and Late Afternoon/Evening Functional Impairment in Children with ADHD Treated with Delayed-Release and Extended-Release Methylphenidate. J Atten Disord. 2022 Mar;26(5):696-705. doi: 10.1177/10870547211020073. Epub 2021 Jun 4. PubMed 34085581 ↗
  • Lopez FA, Faraone SV, Newcorn JH, Doll HA, Rhoten S, Lewis HB, Khan TF, DeSousa NJ, Sallee FR, Incledon B. Effect of Delayed-Release and Extended-Release Methylphenidate on Caregiver Strain and Validation of Psychometric Properties of the Caregiver Strain Questionnaire: Results from a Phase 3 Trial in Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2021 Apr;31(3):179-186. doi: 10.1089/cap.2020.0159. Epub 2021 Apr 1. PubMed 33797983 ↗
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Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Jul 23, 2021, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
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Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT02520388
Lead sponsor
Ironshore Pharmaceuticals and Development, Inc
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Aug 11, 2015
Start date
Aug 2015
Primary completion
Apr 2016
Completion
May 2016
Results posted
Oct 3, 2018
Last update
Jul 23, 2021

Study contacts

Newcorn Jeffrey, MD
principal investigator · Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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