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NCT Number: NCT07434271

Study to Evaluate the Potential Effects of KH-001 on Intravaginal Ejaculatory Latency Time (IELT), Patient-Reported Outcomes, and Safety in Men With Lifelong Premature Ejaculation (LPE)

This is a Phase 2a, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study evaluating the efficacy, safety, and patient-reported outcomes of KH-001 in men with lifelong premature ejaculation (LPE). Approximately 40 participants will receive KH-001 or placebo in two 4-week treatment periods separated by a washout.

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Key information

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

Male

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 2

Primary location

Emeritus Research Sydney

Botany, New South Wales, 2019, Australia

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Juliet Freeborn, Dr

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

About this study

This Phase 2a, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study is designed to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and patient-reported outcomes of KH-001, a selective serotonin transporter (SERT) inhibitor, in men with lifelong premature ejaculation (LPE). Approximately 40 participants will be enrolled across sites in Australia. Each participant will receive both KH-001 and placebo during two separate 4-week treatment periods, with a 4-week washout in between. KH-001 will be administered sublingually as an orally disintegrating tablet (ODT), taken on demand 15 minutes before vaginal penetration, with intake limited to one dose (2 tablets) per day. The primary endpoint is change in intravaginal ejaculatory latency time (IELT). Secondary endpoints include assessments of patient global impression, premature ejaculation profile, and safety parameters.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Male participants aged 18 to 65 years (inclusive) at the time of informed consent.
  • In a stable (≥6 months) monogamous heterosexual relationship.
  • Self-reported lifelong premature ejaculation (LPE), meeting the ISSM definition.
  • Intravaginal Ejaculatory Latency Time (IELT) ≤1 minute on at least 75% of intercourse attempts during the 4-week run-in period.
  • PEDT (Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool) score ≥11.
  • Normal erectile function (IIEF Questions 1-5 sum score ≥21).
  • Personal distress rated at least "moderate" on the Premature Ejaculation Profile (PEP) after the run-in period.
  • In good general health and medically stable as per investigator's judgment.
  • Willing to attempt intercourse at least 4 times during each 4-week treatment period.
  • For partners of childbearing potential: agreement to use acceptable contraception methods from Screening until 30 days post last dose.
  • Willing to avoid sperm donation from first dose until at least 90 days after the last dose.
  • Willing to limit alcohol intake on dosing days.
  • Ability to provide written informed consent and comply with study requirements.

Exclusion criteria

  • IELT >1 minute on more than 25% of attempts during the run-in period.
  • Fewer than 4 intercourse attempts during the run-in period.
  • Self-rated control of ejaculation as fair, good, or very good on the PEP.
  • Low personal distress ("not at all" or "a little bit") on the PEP.
  • Erectile dysfunction (IIEF Questions 1-5 sum score <21).
  • Significant anatomical penile deformities or history of penile surgery affecting erection.
  • History of other forms of sexual dysfunction.
  • Untreated or unstable thyroid dysfunction.
  • Recent use (within 4 weeks) of SSRIs, SNRIs, PDE5 inhibitors, MAO inhibitors, alpha blockers, 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, topical anesthetics, or tramadol.
  • History of sexual dysfunction treatments like Botox for PE in the past 6 months.
  • Active or uncontrolled sexually transmitted infections.
  • Severe psychiatric disorders, major depression, or suicidal ideation.
  • Clinically significant laboratory abnormalities or cardiovascular risk factors.
  • Positive drug screen (unless explained by prescription use).
  • Positive for HIV, Hepatitis B, or Hepatitis C.
  • Planned major surgery during study period.
  • BMI outside 18.0-35.0 kg/m² or weight <50 kg.

Treatment and study plan

KH-001 ODT

Drug

KH-001 besylate formulated as an orally disintegrating tablet (ODT), administered sublingually on demand 15 minutes before vaginal penetration, with intake limited to one dose (2 tablets) per day during the treatment periods.

Placebo ODT

Drug

Matching placebo orally disintegrating tablet (ODT), administered sublingually on demand 15 minutes before vaginal penetration, with intake limited to one dose (2 tablets) per day during the treatment periods.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Geometric Mean Intravaginal Ejaculatory Latency Time (IELT) from Baseline

    Time frame: Study Week 4 and Study Week 12

    The primary endpoint is the change in geometric mean IELT from baseline during each 4-week treatment period (KH-001 vs. placebo). IELT will be measured using a stopwatch by the participant's partner.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Fold Change in Geometric Mean IELT from Baseline

    Time frame: Study Week 4 and Study Week 12

    Assessment of the fold change in geometric mean IELT for KH-001 compared to baseline and placebo.

  2. Change in Arithmetic Mean IELT from Baseline

    Time frame: Study Week 4 and Study Week 12

    Assessment of the arithmetic mean IELT change from baseline for each treatment period.

  3. Improvement in Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC)

    Time frame: Study weeks 4 and 12 - Single question, 7 point Likert scale (1-7) - maximum value = worse outcome

    Proportion of patients reporting at least "better" on the PGIC scale following KH-001 treatment compared to placebo.

  4. Improvement in Patient Global Impression of Severity (PGIS)

    Time frame: Study weeks 4 and 12 - Single question, 5 point Likert scale (1-5) - maximum value = worse outcome

    Proportion of patients showing at least a one-category improvement in PGIS if baseline severity was moderate or worse.

  5. Improvement in Premature Ejaculation Profile (PEP) Scores

    Time frame: Study weeks 4 and 12 - Four questions, 5 point Likert scale (0-4) - maximum value = best outcome

    Assessment of changes in PEP domains including control over ejaculation, personal distress, interpersonal difficulty, and satisfaction with sexual intercourse. Composite responder analysis for control and distress improvement will also be assessed.

  6. Incidence of Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events (TEAEs) and Serious Adverse Events (SAEs)

    Time frame: Throughout study duration (Approx. 4.5 months per participant)

    Number and percentage of participants experiencing TEAEs and SAEs during the study.

  7. Changes in Laboratory Parameters, Vital Signs, and ECGs from Baseline

    Time frame: Throughout study duration

    Evaluation of changes in safety laboratory tests, vital signs, and ECG parameters from baseline to post-treatment.

  8. Change in Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) Scores

    Time frame: Study weeks 4 and 12 - up to 45 question assessment (number of total questions depends on answers), multiple answer formats, where 5 point Likert scales are used in answers (1-5), maximum value = worse outcome

    Assessment of changes in suicidal ideation and behavior using the C-SSRS compared to baseline.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Maya Worth

CONTACT

[email protected]

0395096166

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Kadence Bio

Industry

Registry information

Official study title

Explorative Double-Blind Placebo Controlled Crossover Study to Evaluate the Potential Effects of KH-001 on Intravaginal Ejaculatory Latency Time (IELT), Patient-Reported Outcomes, and Safety in Men With Lifelong Premature Ejaculation (LPE)

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Feb 25, 2026
Registry last updated
Feb 25, 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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