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Comparison of Vonoprazan to Esomeprazole in Participants With Symptomatic GERD Who Responded Partially to a High Dose of Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI)

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Proof-of-Concept, Phase 2 Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Once Daily Oral Vonoprazan 20 mg or Vonoprazan 40 mg Compared to Esomeprazole 40 mg for the Treatment of Subjects With Symptomatic Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease Who Have a Partial Response Following Treatment With a High Dose of Proton Pump Inhibitor

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT02743949
Enrollment
256
Registered
2016-04-19
Start date
2016-07-14
Completion date
2018-10-12
Last updated
2020-02-18

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Gastroesophageal Reflux

Keywords

Drug therapy

Brief summary

The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of vonoprazan compared to esomeprazole for preventing heartburn symptoms over a 4-week treatment period in participants who have a partial response to treatment with esomeprazole.

Detailed description

The drug being tested in this study is called vonoprazan. Vonoprazan is being tested to treat people who have symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with a partial response to treatment with a high dose of esomeprazole. This study will look at improvement in heartburn symptoms in participants who take vonoprazan compared to esomeprazole. The study will enroll approximately 213 patients. All participants will receive esomeprazole or esomeprazole placebo-matching capsules (this is a capsule that looks like esomeprazole but has no active ingredient) during a 7-week run-in period. Participants will then be randomly assigned (by chance, like flipping a coin) to one of the three treatment groups-which will remain undisclosed to the patient and study doctor during the study (unless there is an urgent medical need): * Esomeprazole 40 mg * Vonoprazan 20 mg * Vonoprazan 40 mg All participants will be asked to take one capsule at the same time each day throughout the study. All participants will be asked to record heartburn symptoms in a diary every morning upon waking and every evening before going to sleep. This multi-center trial will be conducted in Europe. The overall time to participate in this study is 12 weeks. Participants will make multiple visits to the clinic, and will be contacted by telephone 1 week after the last dose of study drug for a follow-up assessment.

Interventions

DRUGVonoprazan

Vonoprazan over-encapsulated capsules

DRUGEsomeprazole

Esomeprazole over-encapsulated tablets

Esomeprazole placebo-matching capsules

Sponsors

Takeda
Lead SponsorINDUSTRY

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

1. In the opinion of the investigator, the participant is capable of understanding and complying with protocol requirements. 2. The participant or, when applicable, the participant's legally acceptable representative signs and dates a written, informed consent form and any required privacy authorization prior to the initiation of any study procedures. 3. Is a man or a woman and ≥18 years of age, at the time of the Screening visit. 4. Has a documented history of symptoms of both heartburn (burning pain) and acid regurgitation prior to entry into the study. 5. The subject has a medical history of ≥ 8 weeks of persistent heartburn symptoms in the presence of regurgitation symptoms (persistent heartburn symptoms defined as heartburn symptoms on ≥ 2 days a week) that are troublesome despite appropriate and correctly performed treatment with a PPI at standard doses. 6. Is ≥85% compliant at taking their Run-in medication and completing their e-Diary. Compliance for taking the Run-in medication is defined as the medication provided (esomeprazole and placebo) taken for 85% of the 6 weeks Run-in Period (or on 36 of 42 days of the Run-in Period).Compliance for the e-Diary is defined as the percentage of scheduled assessments that are completed based on 2 assessments per day (daytime and nighttime). For randomization, 85% compliance is required and is defined as 12 of 14 assessments completed over the 7-day period (Day -21 to Day-14) prior to the single blind Placebo Run-in Period. 7. Has a partial response to a PPI defined as having heartburn on 2 to 5 days and regurgitation on at least one day of the last week (Week 4) of a 4 week PPI Run-In Period with esomeprazole 40 mg and an increase of at least 2 symptom days of heartburn in the last week of a 2 week Placebo Run-In Period (4 to 7 symptom days) and at least one symptom day with regurgitation compared with the last week of the PPI Run-In Period. 8. A female participant of childbearing potential who is sexually active with a nonsterilized male partner agrees to use routinely adequate contraception from signing of informed consent throughout the duration of the study and for 4 weeks after last dose of the study medication.

Exclusion criteria

1. Has received any investigational compound within 30 days prior to the Screening Visit. 2. Has received vonoprazan in a previous clinical study. 3. Is an immediate family member, study site employee, is in a dependent relationship with a study site employee who is involved in conduct of this study (eg, spouse, parent, child, sibling), or may have consented under duress. 4. Has, in the judgment of the investigator, clinically significant abnormal hematological parameters of hemoglobin, hematocrit, or erythrocytes at Screening. 5. Has a history of erosive esophagitis of Los Angeles (LA) Classification Grade B severity or worse prior to screening or at Screening endoscopy. 6. Has a history of or any coexisting diseases affecting the esophagus (eg, Barrett's esophagus, eosinophilic esophagitis, esophageal varices, scleroderma, viral or fungal infection, or esophageal stricture), history of radiation therapy or cryotherapy to the esophagus, caustic trauma, or physiochemical trauma such as sclerotherapy to the esophagus. 7. Has alarm features in symptomatology, including odynophagia, severe dysphagia, bleeding, weight loss, anemia, and blood in stool, pointing to a possible malignant disease of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Participants displaying alarm symptoms in addition to the typical gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms may be included based on endoscopic exclusion of malignancy. 8. Has current or historical chest pain due to cardiac diseases (eg, within one year). 9. Has had surgical treatment for GERD (eg, cardiaplasty), dilation of an esophageal stricture (other than Schatzki ring) or gastric or duodenal surgery, except simple oversew of an ulcer or endoscopic polypectomy of benign polyps. 10. Has active gastric or duodenal ulcers which have been confirmed by endoscopy within 30 days prior to Screening. Gastric or duodenal erosions are not exclusionary, unless considered severe and symptomatic by the investigator. 11. Has had an acute upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage within 30 days prior to Screening. 12. Has current or historical evidence of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome or other hypersecretory condition. 13. Has current or historical evidence of eosinophilic esophagitis (evidence may be based on the following: missing response to acid suppressive therapy, the presence of eosinophilia in histological probes of the esophageal mucosa, a normal pH profile of the distal esophagus, symptoms of dysphagia and food impaction). The exclusion of participants based on a predominance of the typical eosinophilic esophagitis symptoms only (as above) is considered acceptable. However, in participants with a predominance of typical symptoms and co-existing significant dysphagia and food impaction, the syndrome should be excluded by endoscopy with biopsy. 14. Has a documented history (within 6 months prior to screening) of functional dyspepsia (suggested by the presence of one or more of the following symptoms: epigastric pain, postprandial fullness or early satiety), or irritable bowel syndrome or other gastrointestinal diseases which are not acid-related, and therefore, are nonresponsive to gastric acid-blocking treatment. 15. Has a documented history of familial adenomatous polyposis. 16. Has known intolerance, hypersensitivity or allergies to any PPI or their components (including lansoprazole, dexlansoprazole, omeprazole, rabeprazole, pantoprazole, or esomeprazole), any component of vonoprazan, or antacid(s) selected as rescue medication for this study. 17. Has a history of alcohol abuse, illegal drug use, or drug addiction within the 12 months prior to Screening, or regularly consumes \>21 units of alcohol (1 unit = 12 oz/300 mL beer, 1.5 oz/25 mL hard liquor/spirits, or 5 oz/100 mL wine) per week. Participants must have a negative drug screen at Screening. 18. Has evidence of a serious uncontrolled concomitant disease including: clinically significant neurologic, cardiovascular, pulmonary, hepatic, renal, metabolic, gastrointestinal, systemic, or endocrine disease or other abnormality (other than the disease being studied), which may impact the ability of the participant to participate or potentially confound the study results. 19. Has planned, or is likely to require, in-patient surgery during the course of the study. 20. Has a history of cancer (except basal cell carcinoma of the skin) within 3 years prior to Screening. 21. Is known to have acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or chronic hepatitis due to any etiology. 22. Has abnormal laboratory values at Screening that suggest a clinically significant underlying disease or condition that may prevent the participant from completing the study. 23. Has an alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) or T-bilirubin level which exceeds upper limit of normal (ULN) set by the testing laboratory at the Screening. 24. If female, the participant is pregnant or lactating or intending to become pregnant before, during, or within 1 month after participating in this study; or intending to donate ova during such time period. 25. Is required to take excluded medications or it is anticipated that the participant will require treatment with at least 1 of the disallowed concomitant medications during the study. 26. In the opinion of the investigator, is unable to comply with the requirements of the study or is unsuitable for any reason.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Percentage of Heartburn-Free 24-Hour Periods (Day and Night) During 4 Weeks of Treatment4 WeeksParticipants used the Reflux Symptom Questionnaire Electronic Diary (RESQ-eD) every morning upon waking and every evening before going to sleep to document the presence of daytime and nighttime heartburn and regurgitation. The percentage of heartburn-free (HBF) 24-hour periods was calculated for each participant using the following formula: (total 24-hour periods that are heartburn free / total 24-hour periods for which both a daytime and nighttime result is marked) x 100%.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Percentage of Participants With ≥1 Sustained Resolution of Heartburn During the 4-Week Treatment Period4 Weeks≥1 sustained resolution of heartburn is defined as ≥7 consecutive days without both daytime and nighttime heartburn anytime during the 4-week treatment period. Daytime and nighttime heartburn were documented by all participants using the Reflux Symptom Questionnaire Electronic Diary (RESQ-eD).

Countries

Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Estonia, Poland, United Kingdom

Participant flow

Recruitment details

Participants took part in the study at 33 investigative sites in Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Poland and United Kingdom from 14 July 2016 to 12 October 2018.

Pre-assignment details

Participants with a symptomatic gastro-esophageal reflux disease who have a partial response following treatment with a high dose of proton pump inhibitor were enrolled in a 1:1:1 ratio to receive esomeprazole 40 mg, vonoprazan 20 mg, or vonoprazan 40 mg.

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Esomeprazole 40 mg
Esomeprazole 40 mg over-encapsulated tablets, orally, once daily for 4 weeks then esomeprazole placebo-matching capsules, orally, once daily for 2 weeks during the run-in period, followed by esomeprazole 40 mg, over-encapsulated tablets, orally, once daily for 4 weeks during the active treatment period.
86
Vonoprazan 20 mg
Esomeprazole 40 mg over-encapsulated tablets, orally, once daily for 4 weeks then esomeprazole placebo-matching capsules, orally, once daily for 2 weeks during the run-in period, followed by vonoprazan 20 mg, over-encapsulated capsules, orally, once daily for 4 weeks during the treatment period.
85
Vonoprazan 40 mg
Esomeprazole 40 mg over-encapsulated tablets, orally, once daily for 4 weeks then esomeprazole placebo-matching capsules, orally, once daily for 2 weeks during the run-in period, followed by vonoprazan 40 mg, over-encapsulated capsules, orally, once daily for 4 weeks during the active treatment period.
85
Total256

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000FG001FG002
Overall StudyAdverse Event002
Overall StudySignificant Protocol Deviation201
Overall StudyVoluntary Withdrawal210

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicTotalEsomeprazole 40 mgVonoprazan 20 mgVonoprazan 40 mg
Age, Continuous52.6 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 14.21
53.9 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 13.94
52.0 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 14.67
51.8 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 14.09
Alcohol Classification
Participant has never drunk
160 Participants57 Participants49 Participants54 Participants
Alcohol Classification
Participant is a current drinker
90 Participants27 Participants33 Participants30 Participants
Alcohol Classification
Participant is an ex-drinker
6 Participants2 Participants3 Participants1 Participants
Alcohol Use
Less than 21 units of alcohol per week
90 Participants27 Participants33 Participants30 Participants
Alcohol Use
Missing
166 Participants59 Participants52 Participants55 Participants
Body Mass Index (BMI)27.03 kg per square meter (kg/m^2)
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4.835
27.13 kg per square meter (kg/m^2)
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4.611
27.21 kg per square meter (kg/m^2)
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4.854
26.76 kg per square meter (kg/m^2)
STANDARD_DEVIATION 5.076
Caffeine Consumption
No
61 Participants26 Participants18 Participants17 Participants
Caffeine Consumption
Yes
195 Participants60 Participants67 Participants68 Participants
Depression Total6.0 score on scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.7
5.9 score on scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.62
6.0 score on scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.5
6.2 score on scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.99
Did the Endoscopist Visualize Findings Suggestive of Eosinophilic Esophagitis?
No
256 Participants86 Participants85 Participants85 Participants
Height168.9 centimeters (cm)
STANDARD_DEVIATION 8.71
169.9 centimeters (cm)
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.17
168.5 centimeters (cm)
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.07
168.1 centimeters (cm)
STANDARD_DEVIATION 7.81
Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) Anxiety Total6.6 score on scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.67
6.5 score on scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.81
6.2 score on scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.38
7.0 score on scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.78
H Pylori Status
Negative
226 Participants78 Participants72 Participants76 Participants
H Pylori Status
Positive
29 Participants8 Participants13 Participants8 Participants
If Yes, Grade of Erosive Esophagitis
Grade 0
2 Participants0 Participants1 Participants1 Participants
If Yes, Grade of Erosive Esophagitis
Grade A
73 Participants30 Participants27 Participants16 Participants
Is Erosive Esophagitis Present?
No
181 Participants56 Participants57 Participants68 Participants
Is Erosive Esophagitis Present?
Yes
75 Participants30 Participants28 Participants17 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
1 Participants0 Participants0 Participants1 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
1 Participants0 Participants1 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
1 Participants0 Participants0 Participants1 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
253 Participants86 Participants84 Participants83 Participants
Region of Enrollment
Belgium
1 Participants0 Participants1 Participants0 Participants
Region of Enrollment
Bulgaria
177 Participants61 Participants55 Participants61 Participants
Region of Enrollment
Czech Republic
40 Participants14 Participants16 Participants10 Participants
Region of Enrollment
Estonia
11 Participants2 Participants5 Participants4 Participants
Region of Enrollment
Poland
22 Participants8 Participants7 Participants7 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United Kingdom
5 Participants1 Participants1 Participants3 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
152 Participants48 Participants53 Participants51 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
104 Participants38 Participants32 Participants34 Participants
Smoking Status
Participant has never smoked
156 Participants50 Participants53 Participants53 Participants
Smoking Status
Participant is a current smoker
66 Participants21 Participants23 Participants22 Participants
Smoking Status
Participant is an ex-smoker
34 Participants15 Participants9 Participants10 Participants
Weight77.36 kilograms (kg)
STANDARD_DEVIATION 16.481
78.78 kilograms (kg)
STANDARD_DEVIATION 17.003
77.46 kilograms (kg)
STANDARD_DEVIATION 16.353
75.81 kilograms (kg)
STANDARD_DEVIATION 16.126

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
EG002
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 860 / 850 / 85
other
Total, other adverse events
1 / 860 / 856 / 85
serious
Total, serious adverse events
1 / 860 / 850 / 85

Outcome results

Primary

Percentage of Heartburn-Free 24-Hour Periods (Day and Night) During 4 Weeks of Treatment

Participants used the Reflux Symptom Questionnaire Electronic Diary (RESQ-eD) every morning upon waking and every evening before going to sleep to document the presence of daytime and nighttime heartburn and regurgitation. The percentage of heartburn-free (HBF) 24-hour periods was calculated for each participant using the following formula: (total 24-hour periods that are heartburn free / total 24-hour periods for which both a daytime and nighttime result is marked) x 100%.

Time frame: 4 Weeks

Population: The full analysis set (FAS) included all participants randomized to a double-blind study medication. Data are reported for evaluable participants.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Esomeprazole 40 mgPercentage of Heartburn-Free 24-Hour Periods (Day and Night) During 4 Weeks of Treatment36.54 percentage of HBF 24-hour periodsStandard Deviation 35.57
Vonoprazan 20 mgPercentage of Heartburn-Free 24-Hour Periods (Day and Night) During 4 Weeks of Treatment36.69 percentage of HBF 24-hour periodsStandard Deviation 33.42
Vonoprazan 40 mgPercentage of Heartburn-Free 24-Hour Periods (Day and Night) During 4 Weeks of Treatment38.43 percentage of HBF 24-hour periodsStandard Deviation 34.793
p-value: 0.74897.5% CI: [0.71, 1.5778]Wilcoxon rank-sum test
p-value: 0.598597.5% CI: [0.7368, 1.6349]Wilcoxon rank-sum test
Secondary

Percentage of Participants With ≥1 Sustained Resolution of Heartburn During the 4-Week Treatment Period

≥1 sustained resolution of heartburn is defined as ≥7 consecutive days without both daytime and nighttime heartburn anytime during the 4-week treatment period. Daytime and nighttime heartburn were documented by all participants using the Reflux Symptom Questionnaire Electronic Diary (RESQ-eD).

Time frame: 4 Weeks

Population: The full analysis set (FAS) included all participants randomized to a double-blind study medication.

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Esomeprazole 40 mgPercentage of Participants With ≥1 Sustained Resolution of Heartburn During the 4-Week Treatment Period32.6 percentage of participants
Vonoprazan 20 mgPercentage of Participants With ≥1 Sustained Resolution of Heartburn During the 4-Week Treatment Period30.6 percentage of participants
Vonoprazan 40 mgPercentage of Participants With ≥1 Sustained Resolution of Heartburn During the 4-Week Treatment Period31.8 percentage of participants
p-value: 0.78297.5% CI: [0.44, 1.91]Pearson chi-square
p-value: 0.91297.5% CI: [0.46, 2.01]Pearson chi-square

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026