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OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT05308472

Study of Bitopertin to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability, Efficacy, and PPIX Concentrations in Participants With EPP

This is a Phase 2, multi-center, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group study of bitopertin to evaluate the safety, tolerability, efficacy, and PPIX concentration change in participants with EPP. Participants may roll over to an open label extension portion after completing the double-blind treatment period.

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Key information

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 2

Primary location

University of Alabama Hospital, Birmingham, Alabama, United States

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Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Aged 18 years or older at the time of signing the informed consent form (ICF).
  • Diagnosis of EPP, based on medical history by ferrochelatase ( FECH) genotyping or by biochemical porphyrin analysis.
  • Body weight ≥50 kg.
  • Washout of at least 2 months prior to Screening of afamelanotide and dersimelagon, if applicable.
  • Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) <2× upper limit of normal (ULN) and total bilirubin <ULN (unless documented Gilbert syndrome) at Screening. Albumin >lower limit of normal (LLN).

Exclusion criteria

Medical History:

  • Major surgery within 8 weeks before Screening or incomplete recovery from any previous surgery.
  • Other than EPP, an inherited or acquired red cell disease associated with anemia.
  • A history or known allergic reaction to any investigational product excipients or history of anaphylaxis to any food or drug.
  • History of liver transplantation.
  • History of alcohol dependence or excessive alcohol consumption, as assessed by the Investigator.
  • Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), active Hepatitis B, or C.
  • Other medical or psychiatric condition or laboratory finding not specifically noted above that, in the judgment of the Investigator or Sponsor, would put the participant at unacceptable risk or otherwise preclude the participant from participating in the study
  • Condition or concomitant medication that would confound the ability to interpret clinical, clinical laboratory, or participant diary data, including a major psychiatric condition that has had an exacerbation or required hospitalization in the last 6 months.

Treatment History:

  • Concurrent or planned treatment with afamelanotide or dersimelagon during the study period.
  • Treatment with opioids for any period >7 days in the 2 months prior to screening or anticipated to require opioid use for >7 days at any point during the study.
  • New treatment for anemia, including initiation of iron supplementation, in the 2 months prior to Screening.
  • Current or planned use of any drugs or herbal remedies known to be strong inhibitors or inducers of CYP3A4 enzymes for 28 days prior to the first dose and throughout the study.

Laboratory Exclusions:

  • Hemoglobin <10 g/dL at Screening.

Treatment and study plan

DISC-1459

Drug

Oral dose level 1, once a day for 120 days

Other names: Bitopertin, RO4917838

Placebo

Drug

Oral dose, once a day for 120 days

Primary outcomes

  1. Percent Change From Baseline in Whole Blood Metal-free PPIX Levels

    Time frame: 121 days

    Percent change from baseline in PPIX concentration was analyzed using a mixed model repeated measures analysis in the ITT population.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Total Hours of Sunlight Exposure to Skin on Days With no Pain From 1000 to 1800 Hours (10:00am to 6:00pm)

    Time frame: 121 days

    Cumulative total hours of sunlight exposure on days with no pain from 1000 to 1800 hours from baseline to Day 121 (EOS) was analyzed using analysis of variance in the ITT population.

  2. Daily Sunlight Exposure Time (Minutes) to First Prodromal Symptom (Burning, Tingling, Itching, or Stinging) Associated With Sunlight Exposure Between 1 Hour Post-sunrise and 1 Hour Pre-sunset

    Time frame: 121 days

    Participants exposed their skin to sunlight once a week and measured the time it takes to experience a prodrome. The time (minutes) to first prodromal symptom (e.g., burning, tingling, itching, or stinging) associated with sunlight exposure was recorded in a diary. This sun exposure challenge was performed weekly. The average time (minutes) to first prodromal symptom (e.g., burning, tingling, itching, or stinging) associated with sunlight exposure was averaged over two-week intervals through Study Day 121.

  3. Total Pain Intensity

    Time frame: Sum of Day 1 to Day 121

    The maximum total daily pain intensity scores of phototoxic reactions over the entire treatment period (D1-D121). The maximum pain score of a phototoxic reaction was measured on a Likert Scale (0-10). Total scores range from 0-1210. A score of "0" is the best outcome; and higher scores are a worse outcome. The maximum pain values on a scale of 0-10 in a day were summed across 121 days.

  4. Incidence of Treatment-emergent Adverse Events

    Time frame: 121 days

    Incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events

  5. Erythrocyte Total PPIX Concentrations

    Time frame: 121 days

    Percent change from baseline in erythrocyte total PPIX concentration was summarized by analysis visit in the ITT population.

  6. Plasma Total PPIX Concentrations

    Time frame: 121 days

    Percent change from baseline in plasma total PPIX concentration was summarized by analysis visit in the ITT population.

  7. Whole Blood Total PPIX Concentrations

    Time frame: 121 days

    Percent change from baseline in whole blood total PPIX concentration was summarized by analysis visit in the ITT population.

  8. Plasma Bitopertin Concentrations

    Time frame: Day 29

    Day 29 plasma bitopertin concentrations, 4 hours post-dose

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Disc Medicine, Inc

Industry

Registry information

Official study title

(AURORA) A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of Bitopertin to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability, Efficacy, and Protoporphyrin IX (PPIX) Concentrations in Participants With Erythropoietic Protoporphyria (EPP)

Important dates

Study start
2022
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2024
First posted
Apr 4, 2022
Registry last updated
Jan 8, 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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