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Clinical Study Of caNNabidiol in childrEn and adolesCenTs With Fragile X (CONNECT-FX)

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Multiple-Center, Efficacy and Safety Study of ZYN002 Administered as a Transdermal Gel to Children and Adolescents With Fragile X Syndrome

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 2Phase 3
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT03614663
Acronym
CONNECT-FX
Enrollment
212
Registered
2018-08-03
Start date
2018-06-12
Completion date
2020-06-14
Last updated
2022-07-06

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

Conditions

Fragile X Syndrome

Brief summary

This trial will evaluate the efficacy and safety of ZYN002, a clear cannabidiol gel that can be applied to the skin (called transdermal application) twice a day for the treatment of behavioral symptoms of Fragile X Syndrome (FXS). Eligible participants will then participate in up to a 14 week treatment period, where all participants will receive placebo or active study drug. Patients ages 3 to \< 18 years, will be eligible to participate.

Detailed description

This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multiple-center study, to assess the efficacy and safety of ZYN002, a pharmaceutically manufactured cannabidiol, formulated as a transdermal gel, for the treatment of children and adolescent with FXS. Approximately 204 male and female patients, ages 3 to \< 18 years, will undergo a screening process. Eligible participants will be randomized 1:1 to either trial drug or placebo and will undergo a 14-week treatment period. Randomization will be stratified by gender, weight category and geographic region. All participants may receive placebo during the trial. Participants who are taking anti-seizure drugs may undergo an additional 1-2 weeks of blinded treatment to taper off study drug treatment. The assignment will be done by a computer generated system and neither the trial doctor or the participant or their caregivers will know which treatment is being given to them. The dose of the treatment will depend on the weight of the participants. If the participants weigh less than or equal to 35 kg, they will receive 2 sachets of the gel twice a day (1 sachet approximately every 12 hours) and if they weigh more than 35 kg, they will receive 4 sachets of gel per day (2 sachets approximately every 12 hours). Parents/ caregivers will be instructed on proper application of the gel. The gel will be applied to clean, dry, intact skin of the upper arms/ shoulders. Blood samples will be collected for safety analysis of ZYN002. An independent analytical laboratory will also perform CGG repeat and methylation status analyses. Additionally, the parents/caregivers will be asked to complete some questionnaires. There will be other questionnaires and scales that will be completed at the site by the trial doctor. After the final dose, patients will be followed weekly for 4 weeks by telephone, prior to discharge from the study.

Interventions

Pharmaceutically manufactured. Cannabidiol formulated as a clear gel (transdermal delivery)

Placebo formulated as a clear gel (transdermal delivery)

Sponsors

Zynerba Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Lead SponsorINDUSTRY

Study design

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

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
3 Years to 17 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Male or female children and adolescents aged 3 to less than 18 years, at the time of Screening. * Diagnosis of FXS through molecular documentation of FMR1 full mutation. * Judged to be in good health based on physical exam, 12-lead ECG and clinical laboratory test results. * Patients must be assessed by the Investigator as being moderately to severely impacted due to FXS. * Patients taking psychotropic medication(s) should be on a stable regimen of not more than two such medications for at least fours weeks preceding Screening and must maintain that regimen throughout the study. * If patients are receiving non-pharmacological, behavioral and/or dietary interventions, they must be stable and have been doing so for three months prior to screening. * Patients and parents/caregivers must be adequately informed of the nature and risks of the study and given written informed consent prior to Screening. * In the Investigator's opinion, patients and parents/caregivers are reliable and willing and able to comply with all protocol requirements and procedures.

Exclusion criteria

* Females who are pregnant, nursing or planning a pregnancy. * Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) or total bilirubin levels greater than or equal to 2 times the upper limit of normal or alkaline phosphatase levels greater than or equal to 3 times the upper limit of normal. * Use of a strong inhibitor/inducer of CYP3A4 or sensitive substrate of CYP3A4. * Use of minocycline for 30 days prior to screening or throughout the study. * Use of any benzodiazepine at screening or throughout the study. * Use of THC or CBD-containing product within three months of Screening Visit or during the study. * Change in pharmacologic or non-pharmacologic intervention during the course of the study. * Any skin disease or condition including eczema, psoriasis, melanoma, acne, contact dermatitis, scarring, imperfections, lesions, tattoos, or discoloration that may affect treatment application, application site assessments or absorption of the trial drug. * Patient is using the following ASMs: clobazam, phenobarbital, ethosuximide, felbamate or vigabatrin. * Patients has an advanced, severe or unstable disease that may interfere with the study outcome evaluations. * Patient has acute or progressive neurological disease, psychosis, schizophrenia or any other psychiatric disorder or severe mental abnormalities (other than FXS) that are likely to require changes in drug therapy or interfere with the study objectives or ability to adhere to protocol requirements. * Patient has suspected or confirmed cardiovascular disease, advanced arteriosclerosis, structural cardiac abnormality, cardiomyopathy, serious heart rhythm abnormalities, coronary artery disease, cardiac conduction problems, exercise-related cardiac events including syncope and pre-syncope, risk factors for Torsades de pointes (e.g. heart failure, hypokalemia, family history of Long QT Syndrome) or other serious cardiac problems. * History of treatment for, or evidence of drug abuse within the past year. * Patient responds yes to Question 4 or 5 on the C-SSRS (Children) during Screening or at any time on study.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Aberrant Behavior Checklist-Community Fragile X Factor Structure (ABC-C FXS) Social Avoidance Subscale - Full Analysis SetChange from Baseline to end of treatment (Week 12)The Aberrant Behavior Checklist-Community is a standard parent/caregiver reported behavioral outcome measure for use in developmental disability clinical trials. The range for score for the subscale is from 0 to 12, and a higher value indicates a worse outcome.
Aberrant Behavior Checklist-Community Fragile X Factor Structure (ABC-C FXS) Social Avoidance Subscale - Ad Hoc AnalysisChange from baseline to end of treatment (Week 12)The Aberrant Behavior Checklist-Community is a standard parent/caregiver reported behavioral outcome measure for use in developmental disability clinical trials. The range for score for the subscale is from 0 and 12, and the higher score means a worse outcome.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Number of Participants With Any Improvement - Clinical Global Impressions- Improvement (CGI-I) - Full Analysis SetChange in CGI-I at end of treatment (Week 12)The Clinical Global Impressions- Improvement global improvement item is a 7-point Likert scale designed to measure behavioral symptomatic change at a specific time compared to baseline. CGI-I is a standard global measure of potential change with treatment in placebo-controlled pharmacotherapy trials in developmental disabilities. The score ranges form 1-very much improved to 7-very much worse. The percentage of patients with any improvement (minimally, much, very much improved) was assessed.
Aberrant Behavior Checklist-Community Fragile X Factor Structure (ABC-C FXS) Irritability Subscale - Ad Hoc AnalysisChange from baseline in ABC-C to end of treatment (Week 12)The Aberrant Behavior Checklist-Community is a standard parent/caregiver reported behavioral outcome measure for use in developmental disability clinical trials. The range for score for the subscale is between 0 and 54, and the higher score means a worse outcome.
Aberrant Behavior Checklist-Community Fragile X Factor Structure (ABC-C FXS) Irritability Subscale - Full Analysis SetChange from baseline to end of treatment (Week 12)The Aberrant Behavior Checklist-Community is a standard parent/caregiver reported behavioral outcome measure for use in developmental disability clinical trials. The range for score for the subscale is between 0 and 54, and the higher score means a worse outcome.
Number of Participants With Any Improvement - Clinical Global Impressions- Improvement (CGI-I) - Ad Hoc AnalysisChange in CGI-I at end of treatment (Week 12)The Clinical Global Impressions- Improvement global improvement item is a 7-point Likert scale designed to measure behavioral symptomatic change at a specific time compared to baseline. CGI-I is a standard global measure of potential change with treatment in placebo-controlled pharmacotherapy trials in developmental disabilities. The score ranges form 1-very much improved to 7-very much worse. The percentage of patients with any improvement (minimally, much, very much improved) was assessed.
Aberrant Behavior Checklist-Community Fragile X Factor Structure (ABC-C FXS) Socially Unresponsive/Lethargic Subscale - Ad Hoc AnalysisChange from baseline in ABC-C to end of treatment (Week 12)The Aberrant Behavior Checklist-Community is a standard parent/caregiver reported behavioral outcome measure for use in developmental disability clinical trials. The range for score for the subscale is from 0 to 39 , and the higher score means a worse outcome.
Aberrant Behavior Checklist-Community, Fragile X Factor Structure (ABC-C FXS) Socially Unresponsive/Lethargic Subscale - Full Analysis SetChange from baseline to end of treatment (Week 12)The Aberrant Behavior Checklist-Community is a standard parent/caregiver reported behavioral outcome measure for use in developmental disability clinical trials. The range for score for the subscale is from 0 and 39, and a higher mean indicates a worse outcome.

Countries

Australia, New Zealand, United States

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
ZYN002 - Cannabidiol Transdermal Gel
ZYN002 supplied as a transdermal gel. Patients weighing less than or equal to 35 kg will be randomized to receive either 125 mg cannabidiol Q12H or placebo. Patients weighing greater than 35 kg will be randomized to receive 250 mg cannabidiol Q12H or placebo. ZYN002 - cannabidiol Transdermal Gel: Pharmaceutically manufactured. Cannabidiol formulated as a clear gel (transdermal delivery)
110
Placebo Transdermal Gel
Matching ZYN002 placebo supplied as a transdermal gel. Placebo Transdermal Gel: Placebo formulated as a clear gel (transdermal delivery)
102
Total212

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicZYN002 - Cannabidiol Transdermal GelPlacebo Transdermal GelTotal
ABC-C FXS
Irritability Subscale
28.49 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 13.1
27.65 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 12.96
28.09 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 13.01
ABC-C FXS
Social Avoidance Subscale
7.12 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 2.71
7.24 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 2.8
7.18 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 2.75
ABC-C FXS
Socially Unresponsive / Lethargic
13.42 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 6.75
12.82 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 7.09
13.13 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 6.9
Age, Continuous9.6 years9.8 years9.7 years
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
1 Participants5 Participants6 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
7 Participants4 Participants11 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
6 Participants7 Participants13 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
2 Participants0 Participants2 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
9 Participants5 Participants14 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
85 Participants81 Participants166 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
29 Participants24 Participants53 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
81 Participants78 Participants159 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 1090 / 102
other
Total, other adverse events
45 / 10930 / 102
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 1090 / 102

Outcome results

Primary

Aberrant Behavior Checklist-Community Fragile X Factor Structure (ABC-C FXS) Social Avoidance Subscale - Ad Hoc Analysis

The Aberrant Behavior Checklist-Community is a standard parent/caregiver reported behavioral outcome measure for use in developmental disability clinical trials. The range for score for the subscale is from 0 and 12, and the higher score means a worse outcome.

Time frame: Change from baseline to end of treatment (Week 12)

Population: A pre-specified, ad hoc analysis of the data collected in patients with ≥90% methylation of the FMR1 gene to evaluate the effect of ZYN002 versus placebo was developed prior to unblinding the trial.

ArmMeasureValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)Dispersion
ZYN002 - Cannabidiol Transdermal GelAberrant Behavior Checklist-Community Fragile X Factor Structure (ABC-C FXS) Social Avoidance Subscale - Ad Hoc Analysis-2.99 Change in scoreStandard Error 0.323
PlaceboAberrant Behavior Checklist-Community Fragile X Factor Structure (ABC-C FXS) Social Avoidance Subscale - Ad Hoc Analysis-1.99 Change in scoreStandard Error 0.345
p-value: 0.02MMRM - Mixed model for repeated measures
Primary

Aberrant Behavior Checklist-Community Fragile X Factor Structure (ABC-C FXS) Social Avoidance Subscale - Full Analysis Set

The Aberrant Behavior Checklist-Community is a standard parent/caregiver reported behavioral outcome measure for use in developmental disability clinical trials. The range for score for the subscale is from 0 to 12, and a higher value indicates a worse outcome.

Time frame: Change from Baseline to end of treatment (Week 12)

Population: The prospective comparison of the full analytical set between ZYN002 and placebo.

ArmMeasureValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)Dispersion
ZYN002 - Cannabidiol Transdermal GelAberrant Behavior Checklist-Community Fragile X Factor Structure (ABC-C FXS) Social Avoidance Subscale - Full Analysis Set-2.68 change in scoreStandard Error 0.31
PlaceboAberrant Behavior Checklist-Community Fragile X Factor Structure (ABC-C FXS) Social Avoidance Subscale - Full Analysis Set-2.29 change in scoreStandard Error 0.318
p-value: 0.321MMRM - Mixed model for repeated measures
Secondary

Aberrant Behavior Checklist-Community Fragile X Factor Structure (ABC-C FXS) Irritability Subscale - Ad Hoc Analysis

The Aberrant Behavior Checklist-Community is a standard parent/caregiver reported behavioral outcome measure for use in developmental disability clinical trials. The range for score for the subscale is between 0 and 54, and the higher score means a worse outcome.

Time frame: Change from baseline in ABC-C to end of treatment (Week 12)

Population: A pre-specified, ad hoc analysis of the data collected in patients with ≥90% methylation of the FMR1 gene to evaluate the effect of ZYN002 versus placebo was developed prior to unblinding the trial.

ArmMeasureValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)Dispersion
ZYN002 - Cannabidiol Transdermal GelAberrant Behavior Checklist-Community Fragile X Factor Structure (ABC-C FXS) Irritability Subscale - Ad Hoc Analysis-6.43 Change in scoreStandard Error 1.02
PlaceboAberrant Behavior Checklist-Community Fragile X Factor Structure (ABC-C FXS) Irritability Subscale - Ad Hoc Analysis-4.13 Change in scoreStandard Error 1.088
p-value: 0.091MMRM - Mixed model for repeated measures
Secondary

Aberrant Behavior Checklist-Community Fragile X Factor Structure (ABC-C FXS) Irritability Subscale - Full Analysis Set

The Aberrant Behavior Checklist-Community is a standard parent/caregiver reported behavioral outcome measure for use in developmental disability clinical trials. The range for score for the subscale is between 0 and 54, and the higher score means a worse outcome.

Time frame: Change from baseline to end of treatment (Week 12)

Population: The prospective comparison of the full analytical set between ZYN002 and placebo.

ArmMeasureValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)Dispersion
ZYN002 - Cannabidiol Transdermal GelAberrant Behavior Checklist-Community Fragile X Factor Structure (ABC-C FXS) Irritability Subscale - Full Analysis Set-5.88 Change in scoreStandard Error 0.96
PlaceboAberrant Behavior Checklist-Community Fragile X Factor Structure (ABC-C FXS) Irritability Subscale - Full Analysis Set-4.14 Change in scoreStandard Error 0.984
p-value: 0.149MMRM - Mixed model for repeated measures
Secondary

Aberrant Behavior Checklist-Community Fragile X Factor Structure (ABC-C FXS) Socially Unresponsive/Lethargic Subscale - Ad Hoc Analysis

The Aberrant Behavior Checklist-Community is a standard parent/caregiver reported behavioral outcome measure for use in developmental disability clinical trials. The range for score for the subscale is from 0 to 39 , and the higher score means a worse outcome.

Time frame: Change from baseline in ABC-C to end of treatment (Week 12)

Population: A pre-specified, ad hoc analysis of the data collected in patients with ≥90% methylation of the FMR1 gene to evaluate the effect of ZYN002 versus placebo was developed prior to unblinding the trial.

ArmMeasureValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)Dispersion
ZYN002 - Cannabidiol Transdermal GelAberrant Behavior Checklist-Community Fragile X Factor Structure (ABC-C FXS) Socially Unresponsive/Lethargic Subscale - Ad Hoc Analysis-3.91 Change in scoreStandard Error 0.592
PlaceboAberrant Behavior Checklist-Community Fragile X Factor Structure (ABC-C FXS) Socially Unresponsive/Lethargic Subscale - Ad Hoc Analysis-2.74 Change in scoreStandard Error 0.631
p-value: 0.135MMRM - Mixed model for repeated measures
Secondary

Aberrant Behavior Checklist-Community, Fragile X Factor Structure (ABC-C FXS) Socially Unresponsive/Lethargic Subscale - Full Analysis Set

The Aberrant Behavior Checklist-Community is a standard parent/caregiver reported behavioral outcome measure for use in developmental disability clinical trials. The range for score for the subscale is from 0 and 39, and a higher mean indicates a worse outcome.

Time frame: Change from baseline to end of treatment (Week 12)

Population: The prospective comparison of the full analytical set between ZYN002 and placebo.

ArmMeasureValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)Dispersion
ZYN002 - Cannabidiol Transdermal GelAberrant Behavior Checklist-Community, Fragile X Factor Structure (ABC-C FXS) Socially Unresponsive/Lethargic Subscale - Full Analysis Set-3.50 Change in scoreStandard Error 0.565
PlaceboAberrant Behavior Checklist-Community, Fragile X Factor Structure (ABC-C FXS) Socially Unresponsive/Lethargic Subscale - Full Analysis Set-3.14 Change in scoreStandard Error 0.577
p-value: 0.607MMRM - Mixed model for repeated measures
Secondary

Number of Participants With Any Improvement - Clinical Global Impressions- Improvement (CGI-I) - Ad Hoc Analysis

The Clinical Global Impressions- Improvement global improvement item is a 7-point Likert scale designed to measure behavioral symptomatic change at a specific time compared to baseline. CGI-I is a standard global measure of potential change with treatment in placebo-controlled pharmacotherapy trials in developmental disabilities. The score ranges form 1-very much improved to 7-very much worse. The percentage of patients with any improvement (minimally, much, very much improved) was assessed.

Time frame: Change in CGI-I at end of treatment (Week 12)

Population: A pre-specified, ad hoc analysis of the data collected in patients with ≥90% methylation of the FMR1 gene to evaluate the effect of ZYN002 versus placebo was developed prior to unblinding the trial.

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
ZYN002 - Cannabidiol Transdermal GelNumber of Participants With Any Improvement - Clinical Global Impressions- Improvement (CGI-I) - Ad Hoc Analysis43 Participants
PlaceboNumber of Participants With Any Improvement - Clinical Global Impressions- Improvement (CGI-I) - Ad Hoc Analysis25 Participants
p-value: 0.056MMRM - Mixed model for repeated measures
Secondary

Number of Participants With Any Improvement - Clinical Global Impressions- Improvement (CGI-I) - Full Analysis Set

The Clinical Global Impressions- Improvement global improvement item is a 7-point Likert scale designed to measure behavioral symptomatic change at a specific time compared to baseline. CGI-I is a standard global measure of potential change with treatment in placebo-controlled pharmacotherapy trials in developmental disabilities. The score ranges form 1-very much improved to 7-very much worse. The percentage of patients with any improvement (minimally, much, very much improved) was assessed.

Time frame: Change in CGI-I at end of treatment (Week 12)

Population: The prospective comparison of the full analytical set between ZYN002 and placebo.

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
ZYN002 - Cannabidiol Transdermal GelNumber of Participants With Any Improvement - Clinical Global Impressions- Improvement (CGI-I) - Full Analysis Set46 Participants
PlaceboNumber of Participants With Any Improvement - Clinical Global Impressions- Improvement (CGI-I) - Full Analysis Set37 Participants
p-value: 0.426ANOVA

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Apr 3, 2026