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CompletedNCT04604652PRONTO-PBCUpdated Aug 25, 2026Results posted

Open-Label Study of HTD1801 in Adult Subjects With Primary Biliary Cholangitis

A Phase 2 interventional study of HTD1801 (BUDCA) in Primary Biliary Cholangitis, Primary Biliary Cirrhosis and Cholangitis, sponsored by HighTide Therapeutics (Hong Kong) Limited. Completed at 12 sites in United States. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 75 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-08-25.

Sponsored by HighTide Therapeutics (Hong Kong) Limited · Phase 2, Interventional, and Treatment

Phase
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
24
Allocation
Not applicable
Ages
18 Years to 75 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

The purpose of this open-label study is to evaluate the safety and tolerability of HDT1801 (BUDCA) over 12 weeks in adult subjects with PBC who have an inadequate response to standard therapy. Inadequate response is defined as persistently elevated serum alkaline phosphatase at greater than or equal to1.5 times the upper limits of normal for the testing lab in spite of having been on adequate doses of standard therapy with UDCA (ursodeoxycholic acid) at 13-15 mg/kg for at least 6 months.

02

Conditions studied

  • Primary Biliary Cholangitis
  • Primary Biliary Cirrhosis
  • Cholangitis
  • Cholestasis
  • Biliary Tract Diseases
  • Bile Duct Stricture

Keywords

  • Open-label
03

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years to 75 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

  • Have a clinical diagnosis of PBC as confirmed by patient history consistent with the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) Practice Guideline confirmed by two of the following three criteria:

    1. Biochemical evidence of cholestasis with elevation of ALP activity
    2. Presence of antimitochondrial antibody (AMA)
    3. Histopathologic evidence of non-suppurative cholangitis and destruction of small or medium-sized bile ducts if biopsy performed Note: historical AMA and liver biopsy data may be used but must be recorded in source documentation.
  • Has been taking a stable, adequate dose of at least (13-15 mg/kg/day) of UDCA for at least 6 months with a serum ALP of at least ≥1.5 × ULN at any time after being on UDCA for >6 months (historical value) and at Screening. If the historical ALP was obtained less than 6 months prior to study start as part of standard of care, the subject may be screened and a second ALP value should be obtained as part of screening, There must be at least a 4-week interval between the ALP values and the ALP values must be ≥1.5 × ULN
  • If the subject is taking cholestyramine or other bile acid sequestrant for pruritus, must be on a stable dose no more than once a day for at least 8 weeks prior to Baseline visit. Must be willing and able to take cholestyramine at least 2 hours before or after study medication
  • Females of child-bearing potential and males participating in the study must either agree to use at least two approved barrier methods of contraception or be completely abstinent from sexual intercourse, if this is their usual and preferred lifestyle, throughout the duration of the study and for three months after stopping study drug. Females who are postmenopausal must have appropriate documentation
  • Able to provide consent

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Uncontrolled concomitant autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). Subject should be on no more than 5 mg per day of prednisone (or equivalent dose for other corticosteroids) or no more than 150 mg per day of azathioprine at stable doses and serum ALT should be ≤ 5 × ULN. Enrollment of subjects with controlled AIH will be limited to a total of 5 subjects.
  • History of alcohol or substance abuse
  • Prior liver transplantation or currently listed for liver transplantation
  • History of chronic viral hepatitis, types B or C
  • Platelet count ≤150,000/mm3, albumin \<3.0 g/dL, International Normalized Ratio (INR) >1.2, or a history of ascites, or encephalopathy, or history of variceal bleeding
  • Total bilirubin >1.3 × ULN unless subject has Gilbert Syndrome. If subject has increased total bilirubin due to Gilbert's Syndrome, then direct bilirubin should be \<0.3 mg/dL.
  • Hemoglobin \<10 g/dL for males or females
  • Serum TSH level \<0.1 or >10 u/mL (subject may be re-screened if hyper- or hypothyroidism has been corrected)
  • Renal impairment with eGFR \<60 ml/min (CKD stages 3, 4 or 5)
  • Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 or HIV-2 infection by history
  • Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency
  • History of malignancy within the past 2 years or ongoing malignancy other than basal cell carcinoma, or resected noninvasive cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma
  • Active, serious infections that require parenteral antibiotic or antifungal therapy within 30 days prior to Screening
  • Major surgical procedure within 30 days of Screening or prior solid organ transplantation
  • Females who are pregnant or breastfeeding
  • Current or anticipated treatment with radiation therapy, cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents, and immune-modulating agents (such as interleukins, interferons)
  • Diseases that may result in increased serum ALP activities from sources other than the biliary system (e.g., Paget's disease of bone, osteomalacia)
  • Allergy to the clinical trial material or its components
  • Having received any experimental medications within 28 days prior to Screening
  • Use of bezafibrate or fenofibrate within 28 days prior to first day of IP dosing
  • Use of obeticholic acid (OCA) within 28 days prior to first day of IP dosing
  • Any other clinically significant disorders or prior therapy that, in the opinion of the investigator, would make the subject unsuitable for the study or unable to comply with the dosing and protocol requirements
04

Study design

Phase
Phase 2
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Not applicable
Intervention model
Single group
Masking
None (open label)
Enrollment
24 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    Open-label

    HTD1801 (BUDCA) 250 mg tablets. Dosed at 1000 mg BID with food.

    Drug: HTD1801 (BUDCA)

Interventions

  • DrugHTD1801 (BUDCA)

    HTD1801 (BUDCA) 250 mg tablets. Dose 1000 mg twice daily with food for 12 weeks.

05

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Percent Change in Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) at Week 12 Compared to Baseline

    To evaluate the effects of HTD1801 on serum ALP in adult subjects with PBC who have experienced an inadequate response to standard therapy. Inadequate response is defined as ALP ≥1.5 × upper limit of normal (ULN) despite having been on adequate doses of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) for at least 6 months. A reduction in ALP represents an improvement.

    Time frame: Baseline to Week 12

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in Total Bilirubin From Baseline to Week 12

    To evaluate the effects of HTD1801 on serum markers of cholestasis. A reduction in total bilirubin represents an improvement in a marker of cholestasis.

    Time frame: Baseline to Week 12

  2. Change in Serum Gamma-glutamyl Transferase (GGT) From Baseline to Week 12

    To evaluate the effects of HTD1801 on serum markers of cholestasis. A decrease in GGT represents an improvement in a marker of cholestasis.

    Time frame: Baseline to Week 12

  3. Change in Serum Total Cholesterol From Baseline to Week 12

    To evaluate the effects of HTD1801 on serum lipids. A reduction in total cholesterol represents an improvement in serum lipids.

    Time frame: Baseline to Week 12

  4. Change in Immunoglobulin M (IgM) From Baseline to Week 12

    To evaluate the effects of HTD1801 on serum markers of inflammation. A reduction in IgM represents an improvement in a marker of inflammation.

    Time frame: Baseline to Week 12

  5. Change in GLOBE Score Between Baseline and Week 12

    The GLOBE score is a validated risk assessment tool providing an estimate of transplant-free survival for patients with PBC. It was developed by the GLOBAL PBC Study Group using Cox regression model on over 4,000 patients with PBC. Lower GLOBE score predicts lower risk. It is calculated using age and levels of ALP, total bilirubin, platelets, and albumin.

    Time frame: Baseline to Week 12

  6. Change in Pruritus as Measured by Pruritus Visual Analog Score (VAS) From Baseline to Week 12

    Pruritus Visual Analog Scale (VAS) is a self-reported instrument for measurement of itch intensity using 24-hour recall period. Subjects were asked to rate the average intensity of their itch on a 10 cm horizontal line ranging from 0 cm (no itch) to 10 cm (worst imaginable itch). A decrease in the Pruritus VAS represents an improvement in itch intensity.

    Time frame: Baseline to Week 12.

06

Results

Posted Apr 24, 2024
Limitations and caveats
This was a small, open-label, proof of concept study with no control group where subjects discontinued UDCA at Baseline. Limitations of the study include potentially being underpowered for the primary endpoint and the safety included adverse events from the 4-week follow-up period after treatment discontinuation. Additional placebo-controlled studies are needed to further evaluate the benefit of HTD1801 in PBC.

Participant flow

Participant flow — Overall Study
MilestoneHTD1801 1000 mg Twice Daily (BID)
Started24
Completed24
Not completed0

Outcome measures

PrimaryPercent Change in Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) at Week 12 Compared to Baseline

To evaluate the effects of HTD1801 on serum ALP in adult subjects with PBC who have experienced an inadequate response to standard therapy. Inadequate response is defined as ALP ≥1.5 × upper limit of normal (ULN) despite having been on adequate doses of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) for at least 6 months. A reduction in ALP represents an improvement.

Time frame:
Baseline to Week 12
Reported as:
Mean · percent change
Percent Change in Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) at Week 12 Compared to Baseline
percent changeHTD1801 1000 mg BID
Percent Change in Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) at Week 12 Compared to Baseline-7.7 ± 23.3
Statistical analysis
  • HTD1801 1000 mg BID · t-test, 1 sided · p = =0.077
SecondaryChange in Total Bilirubin From Baseline to Week 12

To evaluate the effects of HTD1801 on serum markers of cholestasis. A reduction in total bilirubin represents an improvement in a marker of cholestasis.

Time frame:
Baseline to Week 12
Reported as:
Mean · mg/dL
Change in Total Bilirubin From Baseline to Week 12
mg/dLHTD1801 1000 mg BID
Change in Total Bilirubin From Baseline to Week 12-0.10 ± 0.20
SecondaryChange in Serum Gamma-glutamyl Transferase (GGT) From Baseline to Week 12

To evaluate the effects of HTD1801 on serum markers of cholestasis. A decrease in GGT represents an improvement in a marker of cholestasis.

Time frame:
Baseline to Week 12
Reported as:
Mean · U/L
Change in Serum Gamma-glutamyl Transferase (GGT) From Baseline to Week 12
U/LHTD1801 1000 mg BID
Change in Serum Gamma-glutamyl Transferase (GGT) From Baseline to Week 12-34.1 ± 153.8
SecondaryChange in Serum Total Cholesterol From Baseline to Week 12

To evaluate the effects of HTD1801 on serum lipids. A reduction in total cholesterol represents an improvement in serum lipids.

Time frame:
Baseline to Week 12
Reported as:
Mean · mg/dL
Change in Serum Total Cholesterol From Baseline to Week 12
mg/dLHTD1801 1000 mg BID
Change in Serum Total Cholesterol From Baseline to Week 12-18.8 ± 35.1
SecondaryChange in Immunoglobulin M (IgM) From Baseline to Week 12

To evaluate the effects of HTD1801 on serum markers of inflammation. A reduction in IgM represents an improvement in a marker of inflammation.

Time frame:
Baseline to Week 12
Reported as:
Mean · mg/dL
Change in Immunoglobulin M (IgM) From Baseline to Week 12
mg/dLHTD1801 1000 mg BID
Change in Immunoglobulin M (IgM) From Baseline to Week 12-36.8 ± 71.4
SecondaryChange in GLOBE Score Between Baseline and Week 12

The GLOBE score is a validated risk assessment tool providing an estimate of transplant-free survival for patients with PBC. It was developed by the GLOBAL PBC Study Group using Cox regression model on over 4,000 patients with PBC. Lower GLOBE score predicts lower risk. It is calculated using age and levels of ALP, total bilirubin, platelets, and albumin.

Time frame:
Baseline to Week 12
Reported as:
Mean · units on a scale
Change in GLOBE Score Between Baseline and Week 12
units on a scaleHTD1801 1000 mg BID
Change in GLOBE Score Between Baseline and Week 12-0.07 ± 0.3
SecondaryChange in Pruritus as Measured by Pruritus Visual Analog Score (VAS) From Baseline to Week 12

Pruritus Visual Analog Scale (VAS) is a self-reported instrument for measurement of itch intensity using 24-hour recall period. Subjects were asked to rate the average intensity of their itch on a 10 cm horizontal line ranging from 0 cm (no itch) to 10 cm (worst imaginable itch). A decrease in the Pruritus VAS represents an improvement in itch intensity.

Time frame:
Baseline to Week 12.
Reported as:
Mean · units on a scale
Change in Pruritus as Measured by Pruritus Visual Analog Score (VAS) From Baseline to Week 12
units on a scaleHTD1801 1000 mg BID
Change in Pruritus as Measured by Pruritus Visual Analog Score (VAS) From Baseline to Week 12-0.9 ± 1.5

Adverse events

Collected over Adverse events were collected over a 16-week period, including a 12-week treatment period and 4-week followup.. Non-serious events are listed at a 5% frequency threshold.

Adverse event summary by group
GroupDeathsSeriousOther
HTD1801 1000 mg BID0/24 (0%)1/24 (4.2%)23/24 (95.8%)
Most frequent serious events
Most frequent serious events
EventHTD1801 1000 mg BID
COVID-19 PneumoniaInfections and infestations1/24
Most frequent other events
Showing 10 of 17
Most frequent other events
EventHTD1801 1000 mg BID
DiarrheaGastrointestinal disorders9/24
PruritusSkin and subcutaneous tissue disorders5/24
Abdominal DistensionGastrointestinal disorders4/24
Liver Function Test IncreasedInvestigations4/24
VomitingGastrointestinal disorders3/24
HeadacheNervous system disorders3/24
Abdominal Pain UpperGastrointestinal disorders2/24
ConstipationGastrointestinal disorders2/24
NauseaGastrointestinal disorders2/24
PyrexiaGeneral disorders2/24

Baseline characteristics

Age, Continuous
Age, Continuous(years)HTD1801 1000 mg BID
Mean59.5 ± 10.8
Sex: Female, Male
Sex: Female, Male(Participants)HTD1801 1000 mg BID
Female22
Male2
Race (NIH/OMB)
Race (NIH/OMB)(Participants)HTD1801 1000 mg BID
American Indian or Alaska Native0
Asian0
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander0
Black or African American2
White22
More than one race0
Unknown or Not Reported0
Region of Enrollment
Region of Enrollment(participants)HTD1801 1000 mg BID
United States24
Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)
Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)(U/L)HTD1801 1000 mg BID
Mean289.6 ± 119.8
Total Bilirubin
Total Bilirubin(mg/dL)HTD1801 1000 mg BID
Mean0.7 ± 0.3
Gamma-glutamyl Transferase (GGT)
Gamma-glutamyl Transferase (GGT)(U/L)HTD1801 1000 mg BID
Mean211.0 ± 187.6
Total Cholesterol
Total Cholesterol(mg/dL)HTD1801 1000 mg BID
Mean216.7 ± 47.8

3 further baseline measures are reported on the registry.

07

Study locations

12 sites
  • University of Miami Schiff Center for Liver Disease
    Miami, Florida 33136, United States
  • Piedmont Healthcare
    Atlanta, Georgia 30309, United States
  • Massachusetts General Hospital
    Boston, Massachusetts 02114, United States
  • Henry Ford Health Services
    Detroit, Michigan 48202, United States
  • St. Louis University
    St Louis, Missouri 63104, United States
  • Northshore University Hospital
    Manhasset, New York 11030, United States
  • University GI
    Providence, Rhode Island 02905, United States
  • Baylor Research Institute
    Dallas, Texas 75246, United States
  • The Texas Liver Institute
    San Antonio, Texas 78215, United States
  • Liver Institute of Virginia
    Newport News, Virginia 23602, United States
  • Bon Secours Liver Institute of Richmond
    Richmond, Virginia 23226, United States
  • Liver Institute Northwest
    Seattle, Washington 98105, United States
08

References and documents

Study documents

  • Study protocol · Aug 17, 2021
  • Statistical analysis plan · Apr 25, 2022

Documents are hosted by the registry — open the source record to download them.

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No

09

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT04604652
Lead sponsor
HighTide Therapeutics (Hong Kong) Limited
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Oct 27, 2020
Start date
May 27, 2021
Primary completion
May 31, 2022
Completion
May 31, 2022
Results posted
Apr 24, 2024
Last update
Aug 25, 2026

Study contacts

Adrian DiBisceglie, MD
study director · HighTide Therapeutics Biopharma Pty.

Oversight

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

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