A Phase 2 interventional study of Pacritinib and Placebo in VEXAS and VEXAS Syndrome, sponsored by Swedish Orphan Biovitrum. Active, not recruiting at 39 sites in 8 countries. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-09-15.
Sponsored by Swedish Orphan Biovitrum · Phase 2, Interventional, and Treatment
This trial is to assess the effectiveness and safety of pacritinib in patients with VEXAS (i.e., Vacuoles in myeloid progenitors, E1 ubiquitin-activating enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory manifestations, and somatic) syndrome. In phase 2a, approximately 78 participants will be randomized to either pacritinib dose A, pacritinib dose B + placebo, or placebo. In Phase 2b, approximately 78 participants will be randomized. Phase 2b participants will initially be randomized to either pacritinib dose A, pacritinib dose B + placebo, or placebo. After dose selection, Phase 2b further participants will be randomized to either the selected pacritinib dose or placebo.
Randomization will be stratified by prescribed GC dose on the day of randomization.
This trial is a randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2a and 2b trial designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pacritinib for the prevention of VEXAS flares after glucocorticoid (GC) taper. The trial will enroll participants ≥18 years with inflammatory VEXAS syndrome receiving ongoing GC therapy for ≥4 consecutive weeks, requiring between 15 and 45 mg daily (of prednisone / prednisolone or equivalent) at the time of enrollment (randomization).
In phase 2a, participants will be randomized 1:1:1 to receive pacritinib dose A (n=26), pacritinib dose B plus placebo (n=26), or placebo (n=26) for up to 24 weeks during a double-blind treatment period, followed by treatment with pacritinib during an open-label treatment period for up to 48 weeks.
In Phase 2b, approximately 78 participants will be randomized (enrollment starts after completion of Phase 2a enrollment). Randomization will initially be conducted in a 1:1:1 ratio to receive pacritinib dose A, pacritinib dose B plus placebo, or placebo, consistent with Phase 2a. Following Phase 2a results, a single pacritinib dose will be selected for continued evaluation. After dose selection, Phase 2b further participants will be randomized in a 2:1 ratio of the selected pacritinib dose to placebo until the total target of 78 participants are randomized.
Randomization will be stratified by prescribed GC dose on the day of randomization. All outcomes will be reported by treatment arm, and comparisons between each pacritinib arm and placebo (Phase 2a) or between the selected pacritinib dose and placebo (Phase 2b) will be performed in the double-blind treatment periods.
Participants who complete the double-blind treatment period at EOW 24 or meet Early Failure criteria at EOW 12 will transition to an open-label pacritinib treatment period through EOW 48. In addition, if a trial arm closes (due to interim futility or safety in Phase 2a or due to dose selection in Phase 2b), all participants currently randomized to the terminated arm will transition to open-label treatment.
Participants who complete the open-label treatment period at End of Week (EOW) 48 and who are benefitting from pacritinib in the opinion of the Investigator may continue to receive treatment for an additional 2 years on the extension period. Participants who discontinue study treatment will have a 30-day post-End of Treatment (EOT) follow-up period.
The trial (including the double-blind and open-label treatment periods, as well as the extension period) is planned to end approximately 3 years from the first dose of the last participant.
Key Inclusion Criteria:
Adequate organ function, meeting all the following criteria within 30 days prior to enrollment:
Key Exclusion Criteria
History of clinically significant cardiovascular disease, or clinically significant abnormalities in rhythm or conduction during Screening ECG, including:
To receive oral administration of pacritinib dose A for up to 24 weeks.
Drug: Pacritinib
To receive oral administration of pacritinib dose B plus placebo for up to 24 weeks
Drug: Pacritinib · Drug: Placebo
To receive oral administration of placebo for up to 24 weeks.
Drug: Placebo
Supplied in hard capsules.
Supplied in hard capsules.
Overall Response Rate (ORR), defined as achieving Partial Clinical Response or better at any time during the double-blind treatment period.
Difference in the proportion of participants achieving ORR for the pairwise comparison of pacritinib dose A vs. placebo and pacritinib dose B plus placebo vs. placebo (Phase 2a) and selected pacritinib dose compared to placebo (Phase 2b)
Time frame: up to End of Week 24
Overall Clinical Response (OCR), defined as achieving Clinical Response or better at any time during the double-blind treatment period
Difference in the proportion of participants achieving OCR for the pairwise comparison of pacritinib dose A vs. placebo and pacritinib dose B plus placebo vs. placebo (Phase 2a) and selected pacritinib dose compared to placebo (Phase 2b)
Time frame: up to End of Week 24
Number of flare-free days with GC dose ≤10 mg
Time frame: up to End of Week 24
Proportion of participants on each arm achieving each Best Response category (Clinical Biochemical Response, Clinical Response, Partial Clinical Response, Stable Disease, or Non-response).
Time frame: up to End of Week 24
Hematologic Improvement - Erythroid
Erythroid (HI-E) at any time among participants with baseline hemoglobin \<10 g/dL per modified International Working Group (IWG) criteria
Time frame: up to End of Week 24
Hematologic Improvement - Platelets
Platelets (HI-P) at any time among participants with baseline platelet count \<100 × 10\^9/L per modified IWG criteria
Time frame: up to End of Week 24
Change in health-related quality of life (QOL) as measured by Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information Systems (PROMIS) fatigue short form
The PROMIS short form domains of fatigue 4a will be summarized, raw score from 4 to 20 (T-score from 33.7 to 75.8). A higher score is associated with more fatigue.
Time frame: up to End of Week 24
Change in health-related QOL as measured by PROMIS physical function short form
The PROMIS short form domains of physical function 4a will be summarized, raw score from 4 to 20 (T-score from 22.5 to 57.0). A higher score is associated with better physical function.
Time frame: up to End of Week 24
Change in health-related QOL as measured by PROMIS sleep disturbance short form
The PROMIS short form domains of sleep disturbance 4a will be summarized, raw score from 4 to 20 (T-score from 32.0 to 73.3). A higher score is associated with more sleep disturbance.
Time frame: up to End of Week 24
Change in health-related QOL as measured by the 36-item short form (SF) Survey
The SF-36 Survey measures eight domains of health status; physical functioning, role limitations due to physical health, role limitations due to emotional problems, energy/fatigue, emotional well-being, social functioning, pain, and general health. The values for each domain range from 0 to 100, with the higher score indicating a better health status.
Time frame: up to End of Week 24
Change in health-related QOL as measured by Patient's Global Impression of Change (PGIC) response
The number and percentage of participants achieving PGIC response (reporting symptoms as "much" or "very much" improved).
Time frame: up to End of Week 24
Mean plasma concentration of pacritinib
Mean plasma concentrations (pre-dose and post-dose) will be determined for each pharmacokinetic sampling timepoint.
Time frame: up to Week 24 (pre-dose only)
Change in pharmacodynamic (PD) inflammatory biomarker: C-reactive protein (CRP)
Time frame: up to 30-day Post-End of Trial
Change in PD inflammatory biomarker: erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
Time frame: up to 30-day Post-End of Trial
Change in PD inflammatory biomarker: ferritin
Time frame: up to 30-day Post-End of Trial
Plan to share: Yes — Qualified researchers may request access to patient level data and related trial documents. Patient level data will be anonymized and trial documents, if applicable will be redacted to protect the privacy of trial participants.
This study is active, not recruiting, as verified in Sep 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
Get an email when the registry record changes — status, dates, results — or when someone posts here.
Sign in to followQuestions and observations about this study, from anyone following it. Not medical advice, and not a channel to the study team — their contact details are on the registry record.
Sign in to join the discussion. Reading takes no account; posting does. You choose a display name, and a pseudonym is the default.
Nothing here yet. If you are running this trial, taking part in it, or weighing whether to, this is the place to say so.
VEXAS syndrome
Swedish Orphan Biovitrum