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Safety and Biomarker Response to (+)-Epicatechin in Becker Muscular Dystrophy

A Phase 1, Open-label, Dose Escalation Study to Evaluate the Safety and Preliminary Efficacy of Orally Administered (+)-Epicatechin in Patients With Becker or Becker-like Muscular Dystrophy With Continued Ambulation Past 16 Years of Age

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 1
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04386304
Enrollment
22
Registered
2020-05-13
Start date
2020-07-13
Completion date
2022-03-01
Last updated
2022-03-23

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

Conditions

Becker Muscular Dystrophy

Brief summary

This is a Phase 1, open-label, dose escalation study aimed at evaluating the safety, early efficacy and potential biomarkers of (+)-epicatechin in patients with Becker or Becker-like Muscular Dystrophy (BMD).

Detailed description

The safety and tolerability of three escalating doses of (+)-epicatechin will be assessed and early effectiveness measured by changes in plasma biomarkers, tissue biomarkers from muscle biopsies, cardiac imaging, and on clinical function assessments of participants' muscle strength. All patients will receive oral (+)-epicatechin for a total duration of approximately 52 weeks. Three doses of (+)-epicatechin will be tested in sequential 2 month periods with total daily doses of 75, 150, and 225 mg/day (+)-epicatechin. Doses will be escalated every 2 months, if tolerated, for the first 6 months of the study. Participants will then continue to receive the highest does they tolerated for an additional 6 months.

Interventions

(+)-Epicatechin is a synthetic flavanol

Sponsors

Epirium Bio Inc.
Lead SponsorINDUSTRY

Study design

Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SEQUENTIAL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
MALE
Age
16 Years to 59 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

1. Participant must be ≥16 to \<60 years of age. 2. Genotype confirmation showing a mutation of the dystrophin gene. 3. Ambulation - participants must show a history of ambulation past the age of 16 years, with continued ambulation thereafter. 4. If on glucocorticoid treatment in the last 12 months, participants must be on a stable dose at screening. Participants cannot start steroids during the study.

Exclusion criteria

1. A diagnosis of other neurological diseases or presence of relevant somatic disorders that are not related to Becker muscular dystrophy. 2. Participants with a history of migraine headaches requiring medical attention and active treatment within the past 6 months. 3. Participants with allergies to chocolate or cocoa. 4. Surgery or orthopedic injury that might affect muscle strength or function within 3 months before study entry or planned surgery at any time during the study. 5. Presence of a concomitant neurologic disease (e.g., Parkinson's disease) that could negatively impact mobility or balance. 6. Symptomatic heart failure (New York Heart Association Class III or IV) or known left ventricular ejection fraction \<40% by echocardiogram. 7. Presence of documented intrinsic lung disease (e.g., chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary fibrosis). 8. Evidence of current liver disease or impairment. 9. Inadequate renal function. 10. Platelet count, WBC count, and hemoglobin at Screening \<Lower Limit of Normal (LLN). 11. Surgery or orthopedic injury that might affect muscle strength or function within 3 months before study entry or planned surgery at any time during the study

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Number of participants with treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs)Through study completion, up to 1 yearThe TEAEs will be graded using the adult National Cancer Institute (NCI) Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE, Version 5.0).

Secondary

MeasureTime frame
Change in cardiac function as assessed by plasma biomarkers [e.g. pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (pro-BNP), nitrates].Through study completion, up to 1 year
Change in muscle function as assessed by 6-minute walk test (6MWT)Through study completion, up to 1 year
Change in muscle function as assessed by Time to Run/Walk 10-meter Test (TTRW10)Through study completion, up to 1 year
Change in muscle function as assessed by Time to 4-stair Climb Test (TT4SC)Through study completion, up to 1 year
Change in cardiac function as assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)Through study completion, up to 1 year
Change in muscle structure and function as assessed by Western blot analysis of biopsy specimens (e.g. dystrophin expression)Through study completion, up to 1 year
Change in muscle biomarkers of regeneration in biopsy specimens (e.g. follistatin)Through study completion, up to 1 year
Change in plasma biomarkers of muscle regeneration (e.g. follistatin, myostatin)Through study completion, up to 1 year
Change in muscle function as assessed by Time to Run/Walk 100-meter Test (TTRW100)Through study completion, up to 1 year

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

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