ClinicalTrials.gg
CompletedNCT03311932Updated Sep 14, 2026

A Study of Infacort® Versus Cortef® in Healthy Adult Male and Female Subjects

A Phase 1 interventional study of Infacort® and Cortef® in Adrenal Insufficiency, sponsored by Neurocrine UK Limited. Completed at 1 site in United Kingdom. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 55 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-09-14.

Sponsored by Neurocrine UK Limited (formerly part of Neurocrine Biosciences) · Phase 1, Interventional, and Treatment

From the registry’s dates

  • Primary completion was Jul 2018, 8 years 3 months ago, and no results have been posted to the registry.
Phase
Phase 1
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
51
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
18 Years to 55 Years
Sex
All
01

Where this study stands

Counted across the records on this site · 2026-11-12

Among 23 studies testing hydrocortisone in Adrenal Insufficiency — 2 open to participants now, 2 under way, none of them phase 3. Hydrocortisone · Adrenal Insufficiency.

Enrollment
11th of 23
51 · median 50
Started
2018
with 1 other
Phase 1
6 of 23
none open now
Registered
17th of 23
by date
Lead sponsor
9 of 23
Neurocrine UK Limited

Among the 23 studies testing hydrocortisone in Adrenal Insufficiency, this one is the 11th largest by enrollment, is one of 2 that started in 2018, is one of 6 in phase 1, and was the 17th registered.

Adrenal Insufficiency

136 studies on the registry are indexed under Adrenal Insufficiency; 27 are open to participants now.

Browse Adrenal Insufficiency studies →

Open to participants now

2 of the 23 studies testing hydrocortisone in Adrenal Insufficiency are open now, in 1 country. Recruiting first, the newest first:

By country, each count listing its studies:

All 2 open studies →

About hydrocortisone

Hydrocortisone: first FDA approval 1951 (HYDROCORTONE), first EMA approval 2011. What it is approved for, and how studies give it, is on its page →

Who these studies take

Of the 20 Adrenal Insufficiency studies recruiting now, 7 (35%) set no upper age limit and 7 (35%) stop at 75 or younger; 5 take children under 18; 5 take healthy volunteers.

This study: 18 Years to 55 Years · all sexes · healthy volunteers too.

The full table on the hub →

This tab as a report to print or save as PDF → With an account.

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Watch this landscapeDownload CSVNarrow it in search →With an account: a weekly mail of what changed among 23 studies testing hydrocortisone in Adrenal Insufficiency, or all of them as a file.
02

Study summary

This was a two-part, single centre, open-label, randomised, single dose, two-period, crossover study to evaluate the bioavailability of Infacort® versus Cortef® immediate release hydrocortisone tablets in dexamethasone-suppressed healthy adult male and female subjects in the fasted and fed states.

Read the detailed description

The study was conducted in two parts (Part 1 and 2) which were not performed sequentially. In Part 1, 26 subjects were dosed in a fasted condition and in Part 2, 25 subjects were dosed in a fed condition. Each part comprised of a pre-study screen, followed by 2 treatment periods (1 and 2) and a post-study follow-up.

Screening assessments (for Parts 1 and 2) were conducted within the 28 days before the first administration of a study intervention. Eligible participants were asked to return for the 2 treatment periods. Continued eligibility was confirmed pre-dose for each treatment period.

Part 1 (fasted state): Treatment Periods: Eligible participants received a single dose of each study intervention over 2 treatment periods (1 per treatment period). Each treatment period was approximately 1.5 days in duration. Participants arrived at the Clinical Unit on Day -1 and dexamethasone 1 mg was administrated at approximately 22:00 hours and then again at approximately 06:00 and 12:00 of Day 0 of each treatment period to suppress endogenous cortisol production. The study intervention was administered at approximately 08:00 on Day 0 in the fasted state (after an overnight fast of at least 10 hours). Participants were discharged following the 12-hour post-dose blood sampling and consumption of a snack (Day 0).

Part 2 (fed state): The same procedures were followed as for Part 1 except that study interventions were administered in a fed condition (30 minutes after the start of a standardised high-fat breakfast). PK samples in both study parts were collected pre-dose and up to 12 hours post-dose (19 samples for each treatment period) for measurement of cortisol levels. Safety was evaluated throughout the study. There was at least a 7-day washout period (up to a maximum of 14 days) between dose administrations. After completion of both study periods, participants were to return 7±2 days later for a final follow-up visit.

03

Conditions studied

  • Adrenal Insufficiency

Browse trials for

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years to 55 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
Yes

Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.

Inclusion criteria

  1. Healthy males and females between 18 and 55 years of age, inclusive (at screening).
  2. A (BMI) of 18 to 30 kg/m2 (inclusive)
  3. No abnormal serum biochemistry, haematology or urine examination values, as defined by the Investigator.
  4. A negative urinary drugs of abuse screen. A positive alcohol test or drugs of abuse test could be repeated at the discretion of the Investigator.
  5. Negative (HIV) and and C test results.
  6. No clinically significant abnormalities in the 12-lead , as defined by the Investigator.
  7. No clinically significant deviation outside of the normal ranges for blood pressure and heart rate measurements, as defined by the Investigator.
  8. Male participants (unless anatomically sterile or abstinence from sexual intercourse was in line with preferred and usual lifestyle) and sexual partners were to use an effective method during the study and for 3 months after the last intervention, for example:

    • Established use of oral, injected or implanted hormonal contraceptive.
    • Intrauterine device or intrauterine system.
    • Condom and diaphragm with spermicide.
  9. Female participants of (unless abstinence from sexual intercourse was in line with preferred and usual lifestyle) with a negative pregnancy test at screening and on admission, and willing to use an effective method of contraception from the first dose until 3 months after the last intervention, for example:

    • Established use of oral / injected / implanted hormonal methods of contraception.
    • Intrauterine device or intrauterine system.
    • Barrier methods: condom + occlusive cap (diaphragm or cervical/vault caps) with spermicidal foam/gel/film/cream/suppository.
  10. Female participants of non-childbearing potential with negative pregnancy test at screening. For the purposes of the study, non-childbearing was defined as being amenorrhoeic for at least 12 consecutive months or at least 4 months post-surgical sterilisation (including bilateral fallopian tube ligation or bilateral oophorectomy with or without hysterectomy). Menopausal status was confirmed at screening by demonstrating that levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) fell within the respective reference range. In the event a participant's menopausal status had been clearly established (for example, the participant indicated she had been amenorrhoeic for 10 years) but FSH levels were not consistent with a condition, determination of eligibility was at the Investigator's discretion following consultation with the Sponsor.
  11. Participants were available to complete both study periods and the follow-up visit.
  12. Participants satisfied a medical examiner that they were fit to participate in the study.
  13. Participants were able to read and understand the ICF and provide written to take part in the study.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. A history of gastrointestinal disorder likely to influence drug absorption.
  2. Receipt of any medication other than acetaminophen within the 14 days prior to dosing (including topical , vitamins, dietary supplements or herbal remedies).
  3. Evidence of renal, hepatic, central nervous system, respiratory, cardiovascular or metabolic dysfunction.
  4. Receipt of any vaccination within the previous one month.
  5. Presence of infections (systemic fungal and viral infections, acute bacterial infections).
  6. Current or previous history of tuberculosis.
  7. A clinically significant history of previous allergy/sensitivity to hydrocortisone and/or dexamethasone.
  8. Meeting any of the for Cortef® and/or dexamethasone, as detailed in the USPI and Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC).
  9. A clinically significant history of drug or alcohol abuse.
  10. Inability to communicate well with the Investigator (i.e. language problem, poor mental development or impaired cerebral function).
  11. Participation in a New Chemical Entity or marketed drug clinical study within the previous 3 months or, five half-lives of study drug, whichever is the longer period. (NB. the three-month between trials is defined as the period of time elapsed between the last dose of the previous study and the first dose of the next study).
  12. Participants who had consumed more than 2 units of alcohol per day within the 7 days prior to the first dose or had consumed any alcohol within the 48-hour period prior to the first dose.
  13. Donation or receipt of equal to or greater than 450 mL of blood within the previous three months.
  14. Participants who smoked (or ex-smokers who had smoked within the 6 months prior to the first dose). This included e-cigarette and shisha users.
  15. Participants who worked shifts (i.e. regularly alternated between days, afternoons and nights).
  16. Vegetarians, vegans or those with other dietary restrictions which meant they were unable to consume the standardised high-fat breakfast (applicable to Part 2 only).
Terms in these criteria, in plain language(12)

Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.

BMI (body mass index)

Weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared. Example: 70 kg and 1.75 m gives 70 ÷ (1.75 × 1.75) ≈ 22.9.

What counts as overweight or obesity differs between countries (some use lower cut-offs), so go by the range the study states.

Clinically significant

Judged by the study doctor to matter for your health or for the study. It is a doctor’s decision, so ask the study team if you are unsure whether something counts.

HIV

The human immunodeficiency virus, which weakens the immune system.

Many studies now accept people whose HIV is controlled on treatment, judged by the viral load and the CD4 count. Check the limits this study sets.

Hepatitis B tests

Hepatitis B is a virus that infects the liver. These are separate tests: HBsAg positive usually means a current infection (a recent vaccination can briefly cause it too); total anti-HBc (HBcAb) positive means an infection now or in the past; HBV DNA measures how much virus is in the blood.

Some studies accept a past infection if HBV DNA is undetectable, sometimes with antiviral medicine during the study. Check what this study allows.

ECG (electrocardiogram)

A recording of the heart’s electrical activity, taken with stickers on the chest, arms and legs. It takes a few minutes and does not hurt.

Contraception

Ways of preventing pregnancy. “Highly effective” methods fail less than 1% of the time a year when used correctly — for example an IUD or an implant.

Criteria usually say which methods count and how long to keep using them after the last dose, sometimes for male participants too. Some studies accept a partner’s vasectomy if it was confirmed successful and that person is the participant’s only sexual partner.

Childbearing potential

Able to become pregnant: from the first period until menopause, unless permanently unable to through surgery (removal of the womb, or of both ovaries or both fallopian tubes).

Criteria for people of childbearing potential usually ask for a negative pregnancy test and for contraception during the study and for a time after it.

Postmenopausal

Periods have stopped for good: usually no period for 12 months in a row without another medical reason, sometimes confirmed by a blood test (FSH).

Informed consent

Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.

You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.

Corticosteroids (steroids)

Anti-inflammatory medicines such as prednisone, prednisolone and dexamethasone — not the anabolic steroids used for muscle.

Studies differ in what they allow: check which steroid medicines, routes (tablets, injections, creams, inhalers, eye drops) and doses this study accepts.

Contraindication

A reason a treatment, test or procedure should not be given to a particular person, such as an allergy, another illness or a medicine they take.

Washout period

A planned gap after a treatment, so that its effects can lessen before the study treatment or a study assessment. Ask the study team and the doctor who prescribed it before changing any medicine.

05

Study design

Phase
Phase 1
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Crossover assignment
Masking
None (open label)
Enrollment
51 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Active comparator
    Cortef® Tablets - fasted

    Single dose of 20mg Cortef® Tablets - fasted arm

    Drug: Cortef®

  • Experimental
    Infacort® - fasted

    Single dose of 20mg Infacort® - fasted arm

    Drug: Infacort®

  • Active comparator
    Cortef® Tablets - fed

    Single dose of 20mg Cortef® Tablets - fed arm

    Drug: Cortef®

  • Experimental
    Infacort® - fed

    Single dose of 20mg Infacort® - fed arm

    Drug: Infacort®

Interventions

  • Immediate release multiparticulate formulation (granules) of hydrocortisone

  • Immediate release hydrocortisone tablets

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Pharmacokinetic parameters for serum cortisol - Maximum serum concentration (Cmax)

    Comparing the maximum serum cortisol concentration (Cmax) of Infacort® compared to Cortef® immediate release hydrocortisone tablets.This PK endpoint will be derived from baseline adjusted and unadjusted serum cortisol concentration-time data following administration of each IMP.

    Time frame: Blood samples taken at 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, 1.25, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10 and 12 hours; in both periods

  2. Pharmacokinetic parameters for serum cortisol - Area under the serum cortisol concentration-time curve (AUC0-t)

    Comparing the total drug exposure over time for Infacort® compared to Cortef®. This PK endpoint will be derived from baseline adjusted and unadjusted serum cortisol concentration-time data following administration of each IMP.

    Time frame: Blood samples taken at 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.25, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5 , 6, 8, 10 and 12 hours; in both periods

  3. Pharmacokinetic parameters for serum cortisol - Area under the curve extrapolated to infinity (AUC0-inf)

    Comparing the total drug exposure over time for Infacort® compared to Cortef® extrapolated to infinity from dosing time, based on the last observed concentration. This This PK endpoint will be derived from baseline adjusted and unadjusted serum cortisol concentration-time data following administration of each IMP.

    Time frame: Blood samples taken at 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.25, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5 , 6, 8, 10 and 12 hours; in both periods

Secondary outcomes

  1. Adverse events (AEs)

    AEs observed throughout the study

    Time frame: Through study completion - approximately 6 weeks

  2. Vital signs

    Observed changes in vital signs data during the course of the study

    Time frame: Through study completion - approximately 6 weeks

  3. Electrocardiogram (ECG)

    Observed changes in ECG data during the course of the study

    Time frame: Through study completion - approximately 6 weeks

  4. Safety Laboratory Data

    Observed changes in Safety Laboratory data during the course of the study

    Time frame: Through study completion - approximately 6 weeks

  5. Pharmacokinetic parameters for serum cortisol - Time to maximum cortisol concentration (Tmax)

    This PK endpoint will be derived from baseline adjusted and unadjusted serum cortisol concentration-time data following administration of each IMP.

    Time frame: Blood samples taken at 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, 1.25, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10 and 12 hours; in both periods

  6. Pharmacokinetic parameters for serum cortisol - Elimination rate constant (Kel)

    This PK endpoint will be derived from baseline adjusted and unadjusted serum cortisol concentration-time data following administration of each IMP.

    Time frame: Blood samples taken at 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, 1.25, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10 and 12 hours; in both periods

  7. Pharmacokinetic parameters for serum cortisol - Terminal half life (t 1/2)

    This PK endpoint will be derived from baseline adjusted and unadjusted serum cortisol concentration-time data following administration of each IMP.

    Time frame: Blood samples taken at 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, 1.25, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10 and 12 hours; in both periods

  8. Pharmacokinetic parameters for serum cortisol - Serum cortisol clearance (CL/F)

    Calculated as Dose / AUC0-inf. This PK endpoint will be derived from baseline adjusted and unadjusted serum cortisol concentration-time data following administration of each IMP.

    Time frame: Blood samples taken at 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, 1.25, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10 and 12 hours; in both periods

  9. Pharmacokinetic parameters for serum cortisol - Distribution during terminal elimination (Vz/F)

    Volume of distribution based on the terminal elimination phase following extravascular administration derived from baseline adjusted and unadjusted serum cortisol.

    Time frame: Blood samples taken at 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, 1.25, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10 and 12 hours; in both periods

07

Study locations

1 site
  • Simbec Research Ltd.
    Merthyr Tydfil, CF48 4DR, United Kingdom
08

References and documents

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No

No publications or documents are linked to this record.

09

Timeline

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
ElapsedEstimatedEstimated, not yet reached

Ran from Apr 2018 to primary completion in Jul 2018, 2 months.

How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.

Registered
Jul 11, 2017
First posted
Oct 17, 2017
StartActual
Apr 16, 2018
Primary completionActual
Jul 13, 2018
CompletionActual
Jul 13, 2018
Last update
Sep 14, 2026
What these dates mean
Start.
When the first participant enrolled; while estimated, when the study expects to open to recruitment.
Primary completion.
When the last participant was examined or treated to collect data for the study's main question, its primary outcome. A study that stopped early gives the date its data collection stopped.
Completion.
When the last participant's last visit took place, for every outcome, secondary ones and side effects included: the end of the study. Often later than primary completion, sometimes the same day.
Actual and Est.
Actual means the registry says the date has happened. Est. (estimated) is a date the sponsor plans or expects. It can still move, and the sponsor is expected to change it to actual once it has passed.
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Sep 14, 2026, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT03311932
Collaborators
Simbec Research, Brush Clinical Research Ltd., Voet Consulting, Bionical-Emas Pharma Ltd, Medical Matters International Ltd, Nichol Pharma Services Ltd.
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Oct 17, 2017
Start date
Apr 16, 2018
Primary completion
Jul 13, 2018
Completion
Jul 13, 2018
Last update
Sep 14, 2026

Study contacts

A Koch
principal investigator · Simbec Research

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
Yes
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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This study is completed, as verified in Sep 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.

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Discussion

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Studies of the drug tested here: Hydrocortisone

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