A Pilot Study to Evaluate the Lipid Effects of TRIA-662

The primary objective of this pilot study is to assess the feasibility of a large,full-scale study that would evaluate the regulating effects of TRIA-662 on serum triglycerides (TG) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels. In this study, patients will first enter a Single-blind, dietary-controlled baseline period and receive 1000 mg placebo or active drug three times daily with meals (i.e., breakfast, lunch, and dinner) for 6 - 8 weeks. Upon completion of the 6 to 8 -week dietary-controlled baseline period, subjects meeting all inclusion and no exclusion criteria will be randomized to the double-blind treatment period. In the double-blind treatment period patients will be randomized such that at least 48 subjects will be randomized to TRIA-662 and at least 16 patients will be randomized to placebo (3:1 ratio). The forced-dose titration will be achieved as follows: Weeks 1 - 2: Two 500 mg tablets three times daily with meals (total daily dose 3000 mg); Weeks 3 - 14: Two 1000 mg tablets three times daily with meals (total daily dose 6000 mg).

Investigational product will be administered three times daily with meals (i.e., breakfast, lunch, and dinner). Down titration to 3000 mg daily (two 500 mg tablets, three times daily) is allowed in the event that a patient cannot tolerate the 6000 mg daily treatment for the stipulated period. Under this scenario, the down-titrated patient will remain on the tolerated dose for the remainder of the study. Lipid and ancillary exploratory parameters will be evaluated during the baseline period, upon randomization and throughout the active treatment period. Throughout the study, patients must adhere to a heart-healthy diet, abstain from/minimize ethyl alcohol intake and control any other variables that may alter serum lipid levels (e.g., exercise, weight loss programs, drugs including over the counter agents preparations that may alter serum lipid levels. Safety and tolerability will be assessed throughout the trial through the evaluation of physical exams, electrocardiograms (ECGs), routine hematology and blood chemistry testing, vital signs and adverse events.

Inclusion criteria

• Women of childbearing potential must have a negative serum pregnancy test at screening and Visit 4

Women are considered not of childbearing potential if they:

• have had a hysterectomy or tubal ligation prior to Visit 1.
• are postmenopausal (12 months no menses or menopausal follicle stimulating hormone level) Women of childbearing potential must agree to use an effective method of birth control throughout the study. Acceptable means of birth control include: implantable contraceptives, injectable contraceptives, oral contraceptives, transdermal contraceptives, intrauterine devices, male or female condoms with spermicide, abstinence, or a sterile sexual partner.
• Patients who at Weeks -4 and -2 demonstrate mean LDL-C at the levels at which lipid-modifying drug therapy is not indicated according to investigator judgment under ATP III guidelines.
• Patients who demonstrate mean serum triglycerides = or >200 mg/dL (2.26 mmol/L) but < or = 500 mg/dL (5.65 mmol/L) as measured at 2 sequential visits during the dietary controlled baseline period (Visits 2 and 3 or Visits 3 and 3a) and having lower level within 25% of upper level (higher value minus lower value)/higher value < 0.25).
• Patients willing to maintain a stable diet and physical activity level throughout the study
• Patients willing and able to sign the information and consent form and follow the protocol including availability for all visits/telephone follow-up for approximately 24 weeks.

Exclusion criteria

• pregnant, planning to become pregnancy during the study, or nursing
• clinically significant electrocardiographic abnormalities at Visit 1 or 4
• body mass index > 45 kg/m2 at Visit 1
• weight change of > 5% of initial body weight between Visit 1 and 4
• poorly controlled diabetes defined as a hemoglobin A1c > 9.5% prior to Visit 4
• evidence of hepatic disease (ALT or AST greater than 2.0 upper limit of normal (ULN), bilirubin > 1.5 ULN, or cirrhosis) at visit 1
• renal dysfunction defined as glomerular filtration rate (GFR) < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 at Visit 1
• hypothyroidism that is not treated or not stable for at least 6 months prior to study entry
• poorly controlled hypertension defined as a mean systolic blood pressure > 160 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure > 100 mmHg at Visit 1. In individuals with end-organ damage, mean systolic blood pressure > 140 mmHg and mean diastolic blood pressure > 90 mmHg at Visit 1
• severe hypotension defined as systolic blood pressure =< 90 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure =< 60 mm Hg AND symptomatic
• active peptic ulcer
• known intolerance or allergy to niacin (nicotinic acid), niacinamide (nicotinamide), or any of the tablet ingredients: 1-methylnicotinamide chloride, microcrystalline cellulose, povidone, silicified microcrystalline cellulose, crospovidone, anhydrous dibasic calcium phosphate, hydroxypropyl cellulose, magnesium stearate (vegetable origin), polyvinyl alcohol, titanium dioxide, talc, polyethylene glycol, methacrylic acid copolymer, and sodium bicarbonate.
• any known history of coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease or peripheral arterial disease
• Use after screening to the conclusion of the study of any of the following lipid modifying medications/supplements:

• Niacin (nicotinic acid) or niacinamide (nicotinamide)
• Fibrates/fibric acid derivatives like fenofibrate, gemfibrozil, clofibrate
• Bile acid sequestrants like cholestyramine, colesevelam, colestipol
• HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) including atorvastatin, cerivastatin, fluvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin, simvastatin, rosuvastatin
• Ezetimibe
• Omega-3 fatty acids
• Supplements containing flaxseed, tryptophan, fish oil, or algal oil.
• Sterol/stanol products
• Red yeast rice supplements or soy isoflavone supplements.
• Dietary fiber supplements including > 2 teaspoonfuls of Metamucil® or psyllium containing supplements per day.
• Other natural health products or prescription agents judged by the investigator to have the potential to alter serum lipid levels in an individual subject.
• history of angina or myocardial infarction
• hyperuricemia or with a history of gouty arthritis
• known nephritic syndrome or >3 g protein/day in urine at Visit 1
• known familial lipoprotein lipase deficiency, apo CII deficiency, or familial dysbetalipoproteinemia.
• requirement for peritoneal dialysis or hemodialysis for renal insufficiency.
• history of malignancy, except patients who have been disease-free for > 5 yrs, or resected basal or squamous cell skin carcinoma or cervical carcinoma in situ.
• history of bariatric surgery.
• history of pancreatitis, except secondary to cholelithiasis.
• anticipation of major surgery during the study.
• treatment with weight loss drugs or programs during the trial.
• treatment with HIV-protease inhibitors, cyclophosphamide or isotretinoin.
• treatment with tamoxifen, estrogens, or progestins that have not been stable for > 4 week prior to screening at Visit 1
• routine or anticipated use of all systemic corticosteroids at Visit 1. Local, topical, inhaled, or nasal corticosteroids are permitted
• blood donation of > pint (0.5 L) within 30 days prior to screening, or plasma donation within 7 days prior to screening at Visit 1
• consumption of > 14 alcoholic drinks per week (1 drink = 12 oz beer, 5 oz wine, or 1.5 oz hard liquor) at Visit 1.
• history of drug abuse at Visit 1
• participation in another clinical trial within 30 days of signing the information and consent form.
• non-compliant to single blind investigational product (< 80% investigational product) or diet as per local judgment between Visit 1 and 4.
• Any condition or therapy that the investigator believes might pose a risk or make participation in the study not in the patient's best interest.
• Poor mental function or any reason to expect difficulty complying with the requirements of the study