A Phase 2/3 interventional study of OCA and Matching Placebo in Biliary Atresia, sponsored by Intercept Pharmaceuticals. Terminated at 24 sites in 10 countries. Open to participants aged 1 Day to 18 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-07-07.
Sponsored by Intercept Pharmaceuticals · Phase 2/3, Interventional, and Treatment
This study will evaluate the efficacy, safety and tolerability, as well as PK/PD of OCA in eligible pediatric participants with biliary atresia with successful hepatoportoenterostomy (HPE, also known as a Kasai portoenterostomy). The double-blind period comprises of 2 phases: dose titration phase and age expansion treatment phase.
75 studies on the registry are indexed under Biliary Atresia; 25 are open to participants now.
This study's enrollment of 28 is below the median of 43 across 42 interventional studies indexed under Biliary Atresia.
Browse Biliary Atresia studies →Intercept Pharmaceuticals is the lead sponsor of 21 studies on the registry; none are open to participants now.
Of its 9 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 8 (89%) have results posted.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Exclusion criteria:
Current or history of complications of decompensated chronic liver disease including:
Participants will be randomized to receive OCA (starting at 1.5 milligrams \[mg\] adult equivalent dose \[AED\]) orally, with water, once daily. Dose will be titrated every 2 weeks in a stepwise manner for the first 6 weeks, starting at 1.5 mg AED and titrating through 3 mg AED to a maximum of 5 mg AED, as tolerated; a discussion with the Medical Monitor is encouraged when determining uptitration if considerable signs or symptoms have arisen. Following the 6-week dose titration phase, participants will continue at the tolerated dose for approximately 24 months in Age Expansion Treatment Phase.
Drug: OCA
Participants will be randomized to receive matching placebo orally, with water, once daily. Dose will be titrated every 2 weeks in a stepwise manner for the first 6 weeks, starting at 1.5 mg AED and titrating through 3 mg AED to a maximum of 5 mg AED, as tolerated; a discussion with the Medical Monitor is encouraged when determining uptitration if considerable signs or symptoms have arisen. Following the 6-week dose titration phase, participants will continue at the tolerated dose for approximately 24 months in Age Expansion Treatment Phase.
Drug: Matching Placebo
OCA will be administered.
Matching Placebo will be administered.
Number of Participants With Composite Liver-Related Clinical Events
Number of participants experiencing any of the following: All-cause death; Liver transplantation; Hospitalization (≥24 hours) for variceal bleeding, hepatic encephalopathy, or spontaneous bacterial peritonitis; Clinically relevant ascites requiring therapeutic paracentesis have been presented. No clinical outcome events were reported at the time of the study termination; hence It was not possible to conduct the planned primary efficacy analysis.
Time frame: Up to Week 48
Change From Baseline in Pediatric End-stage Liver Disease (PELD) Score
The Pediatric End-stage Liver Disease (PELD) score is a scale used to assess the severity of chronic liver disease in pediatric participants younger than 12 years of age. The total PELD score ranges from negative values to positive values, with no absolute minimum or maximum, with higher scores indicating more severe liver disease and greater urgency for liver transplantation. The score is calculated using total bilirubin, international normalized ratio (INR), albumin, age at listing, and growth failure. Baseline was defined as the last assessment prior to first study drug administration. Change from baseline was calculated as the last post-baseline value minus the baseline value. A negative change from baseline indicates improvement, while a positive change indicates worsening.
Time frame: Baseline and up to Week 48
Change From Baseline in Model of End-stage Liver Disease With Sodium (MELD-NA) Score
The Model of End-stage Liver Disease with Sodium (MELD-Na) score is a scale used to assess the severity of chronic liver disease in participants 12 years of age and older, ranging from 6 (less ill) to 40 (gravely ill). Higher scores indicate more severe liver disease and greater urgency for liver transplantation. The score is derived from total bilirubin, serum creatinine, INR, and serum sodium. Baseline was defined as the last assessment prior to first study drug administration. Change from baseline was calculated as the last post-baseline value minus the baseline value. A negative change from baseline indicates improvement, while a positive change indicates worsening.
Time frame: Baseline and up to Week 48
Percentage of Participants With Improvement in GGT and Direct Bilirubin (Composite Responder Endpoint)
Participants were considered responders if both of the following criteria were met at EOS: ≥40% reduction from baseline in Gamma Glutamyl Transferase (GGT), and ≥25% reduction from baseline in direct (conjugated) bilirubin. Participants with missing values were considered non-responders.
Time frame: Up to Week 48
Change From Baseline in GGT
Blood samples were collected to assess GGT levels. Baseline was defined as the last assessment prior to first study drug administration. Change from baseline was computed by subtracting the baseline value from the post-baseline value, with a positive change indicating improvement.
Time frame: Baseline and up to Week 48
Change From Baseline in Total and Direct (Conjugated) Bilirubin
Blood samples were collected to assess direct bilirubin levels. Baseline was defined as the last assessment prior to first study drug administration. Change from baseline was computed by subtracting the baseline value from the post-baseline value, with a positive change indicating improvement.
Time frame: Baseline and up to Week 48
Change From Baseline in Endogenous Bile Acids
Plasma samples were collected to assess endogenous bile acids. Baseline was defined as the last assessment prior to first study drug administration. Change from baseline was computed by subtracting the baseline value from the post-baseline value, with a positive change indicating improvement.
Time frame: Baseline and up to Week 48
Change From Baseline in Liver Stiffness as Assessed by Transient Elastography
Liver stiffness was measured using ultrasound elastography. Baseline was defined as the last assessment prior to first study drug administration. Change from baseline was computed by subtracting the baseline value from the post-baseline value, with a positive change indicating improvement.
Time frame: Baseline and up to Week 48
Number of Participants Reporting Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events (TEAEs) and Serious TEAEs
TEAEs were defined as adverse events that were reported or worsened on or after the first dose of study treatment. Serious adverse events are adverse events resulting in death, are immediately life threatening, requires in-patient hospitalization or prolongation of existing hospitalization, or results in persistent or significant disability/incapacity.
Time frame: Up to Week 48
Change From Baseline in Plasma Levels of Fat-Soluble Vitamin D
Plasma samples were collected to assess levels of fat-soluble vitamins D. Baseline was defined as the last assessment prior to first study drug administration. Change from baseline was computed by subtracting the baseline value from the post-baseline value, with a positive change indicating improvement.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 48
Change From Baseline in Plasma Levels of Fat-Soluble Vitamin K
Plasma samples were collected to assess levels of fat-soluble vitamin K. Baseline was defined as the last assessment prior to first study drug administration. Change from baseline was computed by subtracting the baseline value from the post-baseline value, with a positive change indicating improvement.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 48
This was a global, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled study that evaluated efficacy, safety, and tolerability as well as pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic of Obeticholic Acid (OCA) in pediatric participants with biliary atresia with successful Hepatoportoenterostomy (HPE).
| Milestone | Obeticholic Acid | Placebo |
|---|---|---|
| Started | 14 | 14 |
| Completed | 11 | 12 |
| Not completed | 3 | 2 |
| Withdrew: Sponsor decision | 2 | 2 |
| Withdrew: Withdrawal by subject | 1 | 0 |
| Milestone | Obeticholic Acid | Placebo |
|---|---|---|
| Started | 11 | 12 |
| Completed | 0 | 0 |
| Not completed | 11 | 12 |
| Withdrew: Sponsor decision | 11 | 11 |
| Withdrew: Investigator's decision | 0 | 1 |
Number of participants experiencing any of the following: All-cause death; Liver transplantation; Hospitalization (≥24 hours) for variceal bleeding, hepatic encephalopathy, or spontaneous bacterial peritonitis; Clinically relevant ascites requiring therapeutic paracentesis have been presented. No clinical outcome events were reported at the time of the study termination; hence It was not possible to conduct the planned primary efficacy analysis.
| Participants | Obeticholic Acid (OCA) | Placebo |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Participants With Composite Liver-Related Clinical Events | 0 | 0 |
The Pediatric End-stage Liver Disease (PELD) score is a scale used to assess the severity of chronic liver disease in pediatric participants younger than 12 years of age. The total PELD score ranges from negative values to positive values, with no absolute minimum or maximum, with higher scores indicating more severe liver disease and greater urgency for liver transplantation. The score is calculated using total bilirubin, international normalized ratio (INR), albumin, age at listing, and growth failure. Baseline was defined as the last assessment prior to first study drug administration. Change from baseline was calculated as the last post-baseline value minus the baseline value. A negative change from baseline indicates improvement, while a positive change indicates worsening.
| score on a scale | Obeticholic Acid (OCA) | Placebo |
|---|---|---|
| Change From Baseline in Pediatric End-stage Liver Disease (PELD) Score | 0.8 ± 2.56 | 0.8 ± 3.10 |
The Model of End-stage Liver Disease with Sodium (MELD-Na) score is a scale used to assess the severity of chronic liver disease in participants 12 years of age and older, ranging from 6 (less ill) to 40 (gravely ill). Higher scores indicate more severe liver disease and greater urgency for liver transplantation. The score is derived from total bilirubin, serum creatinine, INR, and serum sodium. Baseline was defined as the last assessment prior to first study drug administration. Change from baseline was calculated as the last post-baseline value minus the baseline value. A negative change from baseline indicates improvement, while a positive change indicates worsening.
| score on a scale | Obeticholic Acid (OCA) | Placebo |
|---|---|---|
| Change From Baseline in Model of End-stage Liver Disease With Sodium (MELD-NA) Score | 0.0 ± 0.00 | -0.3 ± 0.29 |
Participants were considered responders if both of the following criteria were met at EOS: ≥40% reduction from baseline in Gamma Glutamyl Transferase (GGT), and ≥25% reduction from baseline in direct (conjugated) bilirubin. Participants with missing values were considered non-responders.
| percentage of participants | Obeticholic Acid (OCA) | Placebo |
|---|---|---|
| Percentage of Participants With Improvement in GGT and Direct Bilirubin (Composite Responder Endpoint) | 0 | 0 |
Blood samples were collected to assess GGT levels. Baseline was defined as the last assessment prior to first study drug administration. Change from baseline was computed by subtracting the baseline value from the post-baseline value, with a positive change indicating improvement.
| Units/liter (U/L) | Obeticholic Acid (OCA) | Placebo |
|---|---|---|
| Change From Baseline in GGT | 3.6 ± 28.30 | -7.8 ± 25.28 |
Blood samples were collected to assess direct bilirubin levels. Baseline was defined as the last assessment prior to first study drug administration. Change from baseline was computed by subtracting the baseline value from the post-baseline value, with a positive change indicating improvement.
| micromol/liter (mcmol/L) | Obeticholic Acid (OCA) | Placebo |
|---|---|---|
| Total Bilirubin | -1.0 ± 1.92 | -0.6 ± 3.18 |
| Direct Bilirubin | -1.2 ± 0.69 | -1.1 ± 1.36 |
Plasma samples were collected to assess endogenous bile acids. Baseline was defined as the last assessment prior to first study drug administration. Change from baseline was computed by subtracting the baseline value from the post-baseline value, with a positive change indicating improvement.
| micromol/liter (mcmol/L) | Obeticholic Acid (OCA) | Placebo |
|---|---|---|
| Change From Baseline in Endogenous Bile Acids | -8.4 ± 19.70 | -9.7 ± 15.72 |
Liver stiffness was measured using ultrasound elastography. Baseline was defined as the last assessment prior to first study drug administration. Change from baseline was computed by subtracting the baseline value from the post-baseline value, with a positive change indicating improvement.
| kilopascals (kPa) | Obeticholic Acid (OCA) | Placebo |
|---|---|---|
| Change From Baseline in Liver Stiffness as Assessed by Transient Elastography | -1.0 ± 3.93 | 0.6 ± 4.03 |
TEAEs were defined as adverse events that were reported or worsened on or after the first dose of study treatment. Serious adverse events are adverse events resulting in death, are immediately life threatening, requires in-patient hospitalization or prolongation of existing hospitalization, or results in persistent or significant disability/incapacity.
| Participants | Obeticholic Acid (OCA) | Placebo |
|---|---|---|
| Any TEAE | 13 | 11 |
| Any Serious TEAE | 3 | 0 |
Plasma samples were collected to assess levels of fat-soluble vitamins D. Baseline was defined as the last assessment prior to first study drug administration. Change from baseline was computed by subtracting the baseline value from the post-baseline value, with a positive change indicating improvement.
| nanomoles/L (nmol/L) | Obeticholic Acid (OCA) | Placebo |
|---|---|---|
| Change From Baseline in Plasma Levels of Fat-Soluble Vitamin D | 8.1 ± 14.85 | 15.8 ± 23.95 |
Plasma samples were collected to assess levels of fat-soluble vitamin K. Baseline was defined as the last assessment prior to first study drug administration. Change from baseline was computed by subtracting the baseline value from the post-baseline value, with a positive change indicating improvement.
| nanograms/millilitres (ng/mL) | Obeticholic Acid (OCA) | Placebo |
|---|---|---|
| Change From Baseline in Plasma Levels of Fat-Soluble Vitamin K | 0.1 ± 0.40 | 0.1 ± 1.43 |
Collected over Up to Week 48. Non-serious events are listed at a 0% frequency threshold.
| Group | Deaths | Serious | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obeticholic Acid (OCA) | 0/14 (0%) | 3/14 (21.4%) | 13/14 (92.9%) |
| Placebo | 0/14 (0%) | 0/14 (0%) | 11/14 (78.6%) |
| Event | Obeticholic Acid (OCA) | Placebo |
|---|---|---|
| Infected aural fistulaInfections and infestations | 1/14 | 0/14 |
| PneumoniaInfections and infestations | 1/14 | 0/14 |
| Rhinovirus infectionInfections and infestations | 1/14 | 0/14 |
| Event | Obeticholic Acid (OCA) | Placebo |
|---|---|---|
| Upper respiratory tract infectionInfections and infestations | 3/14 | 5/14 |
| DiarrhoeaGastrointestinal disorders | 1/14 | 4/14 |
| Alanine aminotransferase increasedInvestigations | 4/14 | 1/14 |
| Gamma-glutamyltransferase increasedInvestigations | 4/14 | 1/14 |
| NasopharyngitisInfections and infestations | 2/14 | 1/14 |
| Viral upper respiratory tract infectionInfections and infestations | 1/14 | 2/14 |
| GastroenteritisInfections and infestations | 0/14 | 2/14 |
| Viral infectionInfections and infestations | 0/14 | 2/14 |
| Abdominal painGastrointestinal disorders | 2/14 | 2/14 |
| ConstipationGastrointestinal disorders | 1/14 | 2/14 |
The intent-to-treat (ITT) Population included all randomized participants.
| Age, Continuous(years) | Obeticholic Acid (OCA) | Placebo | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean | 7.4 ± 4.31 | 8.6 ± 5.17 | 8.0 ± 4.71 |
| Sex: Female, Male(Participants) | Obeticholic Acid (OCA) | Placebo | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Female | 5 | 6 | 11 |
| Male | 9 | 8 | 17 |
| Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)(Participants) | Obeticholic Acid (OCA) | Placebo | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hispanic or Latino | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Not Hispanic or Latino | 14 | 14 | 28 |
| Unknown or Not Reported | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Race (NIH/OMB)(Participants) | Obeticholic Acid (OCA) | Placebo | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Indian or Alaska Native | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Asian | 10 | 10 | 20 |
| Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Black or African American | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| White | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| More than one race | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown or Not Reported | 1 | 2 | 3 |
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Intercept Pharmaceuticals