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NCT Number: NCT07671027

PIEZO-101 First-in-Human Safety and Proof-of-Concept Study

The aim of this first-in-human clinical study is to explore the safety, tolerability, pharmacodynamics, and exploratory efficacy of PIEZO-101, an investigational plasmid DNA biostimulator that aims to restore expression of key proteins in the skin for extracellular matrix rejuvenation. PIEZO-101 is administered using an intradermal injection followed by localized electroporation using the investigational device Piezopen. This clinical trial will study safety and tolerability, pharmacodynamics using biopsies from the left knee, and exploratory efficacy using photography on the décolleté. Up to 8 participants may be enrolled to ensure 6 evaluable participants complete the study.

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Key information

Age range

40 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Early Phase 1

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

(Participants must meet ALL of the following criteria to be eligible for enrollment):

  • Healthy female adults aged 40-65 years
  • Fitzpatrick skin phototype score I-IV
  • Visible signs of skin laxity, wrinkling, or crepiness in the knee area, confirmed by photographic documentation reviewed by at least two independent assessors
  • Visible signs of wrinkling or crepiness in the décolleté area suitable for standardized photography, free of tattoos, significant scarring, or confounding skin conditions in the photography field, confirmed by photographic documentation reviewed by at least two independent assessors
  • Willingness to undergo all protocol-required skin punch biopsies (four at Day 7 and four at Day 35) from the knee area
  • Willingness to abstain from other aesthetic or dermatologic treatments in the knee and décolleté areas during the study
  • For women of childbearing potential (WOCBP): commitment to use a highly effective method of contraception (combined hormonal contraception, progestogen-only contraception, intrauterine device or hormone-releasing system, bilateral tubal occlusion, vasectomized partner, or sexual abstinence) from the Screening Visit through the Day 90 End-of-Study visit. Postmenopausal status, defined as ≥12 months of natural amenorrhea, is not considered childbearing potential.
  • Negative serum β-hCG pregnancy test at the Screening Visit (Visit 1) and negative urine pregnancy test at the treatment visits (Visit 2 and Visit 6) prior to dose for participants of child-bearing potential
  • Willing and able to comply with all scheduled visits (10 study site visits), treatment plan, and study procedures for the full 90-day study duration
  • Able to understand and willing to sign a written informed consent document.

Exclusion criteria

(Participants must meet NONE of the following criteria to be eligible for enrollment):

  • History of keloid or hypertrophic scarring
  • Known allergy or hypersensitivity to any antibiotic
  • Known hypersensitivity to lidocaine, prilocaine, or any component of the topical anesthetic preparation
  • Active dermatologic conditions or infections (such as psoriasis, eczema, active acne, or dermatitis) in the knee or décolleté treatment areas
  • History of knee surgery or significant scarring in the knee treatment area; history of breast augmentation, reduction, or surgery resulting in scarring in the décolleté treatment area
  • Use of systemic corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, or medications affecting wound healing within 30 days of Day 0
  • Known autoimmune disease or immunodeficiency
  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding
  • Participation in another investigational study within 30 days of Day 0
  • Known allergy to metals such as stainless steel
  • Prior gene therapy of any kind (for clarity, prior receipt of RNA and DNA vaccines is not exclusionary)
  • Implanted electronic device (e.g., cardiac pacemaker, defibrillator, neurostimulator)
  • Any aesthetic procedure (injectable, energy-based device, laser, filler, biostimulator, chemical peel, topical prescription product) in the knee or décolleté areas within 6 months of screening
  • Tattoos, permanent makeup, or scarring in the knee or décolleté treatment areas that could interfere with clinical or photographic assessments
  • History of any malignancy within 5 years prior to screening, except adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin outside the treatment areas
  • Any condition that, in the opinion of the PI, would compromise participant safety or study integrity.

Treatment and study plan

PIEZO-101

Biological

Plasmid DNA biostimulator

Piezopen

Device

Intradermal electroporation device

Sterile Saline (0.9% NaCl)

Other

Intra-participant comparator (control)

Primary outcomes

  1. Safety and tolerability of intradermal delivery of PIEZO-101 followed by Piezopen EP

    Time frame: Up to 3 months

    Described via Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v6.0 through Day 90, including clinical laboratory assessments (hematology, serum chemistry, inflammatory markers) and vital signs

Secondary outcomes

  1. Characterize local tissue responses in treatment (PIEZO-101 + Piezopen EP) and control (saline) sites

    Time frame: Up to 3 months

    Scoring to characterize tissue responses such as erythema, edema, bruising, induration, pain, and itching after treatment application

  2. Describe Piezopen EP procedural tolerability

    Time frame: Up to 3 months

    Scoring to describe pain level of procedure

  3. Explore transgene mRNA expression 7 days after each dose

    Time frame: Up to 3 months

    Characterization of PIEZO-101-treated biopsy versus saline-treated biopsy via qPCR assay

Other outcomes

  1. Describe protein-level pharmacodynamic evidence in biopsy specimens from treated vs control sites

    Time frame: Up to 3 months

    Characterization of PIEZO-101 and saline groups for extracellular matrix protein expression via immunofluorescence and histological changes using standardized stains, performed on respective biopsies

  2. Explore aesthetic improvements over time

    Time frame: Up to 3 months

    Characterization of changes in skin quality and wrinkle severity over time relative to baseline using GAIS scale, scored by blinded independent assessor and participant self-assessment

  3. Describe anti-drug antibody (ADA) immunogenicity

    Time frame: Up to 3 months

    Explore whether PIEZO-101 with Piezopen EP elicits any anti-drug antibody responses in participants using ELISA

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Piezo Therapeutics, Inc.

Industry

Registry information

Official study title

An Open-Label, Within Participant-Controlled, First-in-Human (FIH) Study to Explore the Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacodynamic Effects of PIEZO-101, an Investigational Plasmid DNA Biostimulator Delivered by Intradermal Electroporation to the Knee and Décolleté Regions in Healthy Adult Female Participants

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2027
First posted
Jun 26, 2026
Registry last updated
Jun 26, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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