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An Open Label Study in Adults to Test the Efficacy of Mitoquinone/Mitoquinol Mesylate to Prevent Severe Viral Illness

An Open Label Study in Adults to Test the Efficacy of Mitoquinone/Mitoquinol Mesylate as Prophylaxis for Development of Severe Viral Illness

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 1Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT05381454
Enrollment
80
Registered
2022-05-19
Start date
2022-04-28
Completion date
2023-05-09
Last updated
2025-12-16

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

Conditions

Antiviral Treatment, COVID-19, Respiratory Viral Infection

Keywords

Respiratory Viral Infection, Antiviral treatment, COVID-19, Prophylaxis COVID-19

Brief summary

Open label clinical trial of persons (adults) that will determine the safety and efficacy of the diet supplement oral mitoquinone/mitoquinol mesylate (Mito-MES) to prevent the development and progression of severe viral infections like COVID-19 after high-risk exposure to a person with possible respiratory viral infection such as SARS-CoV-2 infection in persons who will receive Mito-MES compared to persons who will not receive Mito-MES (controls).

Detailed description

Overview of study design Open label clinical trial of persons (adults) that will determine the safety and efficacy of the diet supplement oral mitoquinone/mitoquinol mesylate (Mito-MES) to prevent the development and progression of severe viral infections like COVID-19 after high-risk exposure to a person with possible respiratory viral infection such as SARS-CoV-2 infection in persons who will receive Mito-MES compared to persons who will not receive Mito-MES (controls). A study participant will have the option to enroll either in the treatment arm or the control arm (no intervention but will complete relevant questionnaires and study procedures). Efficacy: To determine the efficacy of the treatment with mito-MES 20 mg daily for up to 14 days compared to no treatment with mito-MES to prevent development of severe clinical symptoms of any viral infection in high-risk close household contacts of cases with viral infection. Viral infection will be defined clinically based on history obtained by the investigator who is an infectious diseases physician and stringent criteria will be followed. Viral infection will be defined as presence of at least two new onset independent symptoms or signs (fever) of respiratory disease that cannot be attributed to bacterial cause (for example the combination of runny nose and sore throat is very characteristic of a viral illness). The combination of fever and cough is not specific enough presentation since it can be attributed also to bacterial bronchitis or pneumonia. A study participant with chronic allergies or chronic sinusitis or asthma will not be included in the study.

Interventions

Mitoquinone/mitoquinol mesylate

Sponsors

University of California, Los Angeles
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* All enrolled participants must meet the following criteria: * Age 18-65 years old. * Asymptomatic (no symptoms of viral infection) on study entry. * Exposure to a person with at least two new onset independent symptoms or signs (fever) of respiratory viral disease * High risk exposure without use of masks and physical distancing to suspected case of viral illness (based on established symptoms of viral illness) in the household within 3 days prior to study entry. Rationale: Antivirals are most efficacious when given as early as possible post exposure. * Ineligible for FDA approved alternative treatments to prevent progression to severe COVID-19 based on established criteria https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-with-medical-conditions.html or FDA approved alternative treatment cannot be obtained or not indicated (e.g. allergy). * Without established significant coronary artery/vascular disease, lung, stroke, kidney, liver, heart disease) based on history. * Adequate renal function. This is defined as absence of documented history of any kidney disease.

Exclusion criteria

* Participants who meet any of the following criteria at screening will be excluded from the study: 1. Use of Coenzyme Q10 or Vitamin E \< 120 days from enrollment 2. Women with variations in physiological functions due to hormones that may effect immune function and (taking hormones, pregnant, breastfeeding, on contraceptives). 3. Pregnant (based on history). 4. History of known gastrointestinal disease (such as gastroparesis) that may predispose patients to nausea. Gastrointestinal symptoms are the most common side effects of MitoQ. 5. History of auto-immune diseases 6. Chronic viral hepatitis 7. History of underlying cardiac arrhythmia 8. History of severe recent cardiac or pulmonary event 9. A history of a hypersensitivity reaction to any components of the study drug or structurally similar compounds including Coenzyme Q10 and idebenone 10. Unable to swallow tablets 11. Use of any investigational products within 28 days of study enrollment 12. Any other clinical condition or prior therapy that, in the opinion of the investigator, would make the patient unsuitable for the study or unable to comply with the study requirements. Such conditions may include, but are not limited to, current or recent history of severe, progressive, or uncontrolled renal, hepatic, hematological, gastrointestinal, endocrine, pulmonary, neurological, or cerebral disease 13. Participants who are eligible for FDA approved alternative treatments to prevent progression to severe COVID-19 based on established criteria https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-with-medical-conditions.html

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Number of Participants With Viral Illness14 daysDevelopment of viral illness based on diagnostic test
Severity Score of Symptoms of Viral Illness14 daysSeverity of viral illness based on a quantitative score system. Each of the above 14 symptoms will be given a score based on severity: 1 for mild, 2 for moderate, 3 for severe. Then a total severity score will be estimated (range of score is 0-42). Common example: a person with mild coryza, sore throat and cough will be given a score of 3. A higher score means worse outcome

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Incidence of Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events as Assessed by the Proportion of Participants Exhibiting Adverse Events of Any Grade14 daysAssessment of adverse events up to 14 days post initiation of therapy. Adverse events: the proportion of participants exhibiting adverse events of any grade
Number of Participants With Fever14 daysDevelopment of new onset fever (T\> 100.3 F or 38C) based on documented
Number of Participants With Any Symptoms of Viral Illness14 daysDuration in days of at least three respiratory/systemic symptom of viral illness. This means that if any of the listed symptoms last more than a day, then the participant is considered to have a viral illness. (Symptom 1: fever, Symptom 2: cough, Symptom 3: coryza, Symptom 4: sore throat, Symptom 5: shortness of breath, Symptom 6: chills, Symptom 7: fatigue, Symptom 8: loss of smell or taste, Symptom 9: myalgias, Symptom 10: arthralgias, Symptom 11: headache, Symptom 12: nausea, Symptom 13: vomiting, Symptom 14: diarrhea

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
MitoQ 20 mg Orally Daily
Treatment group Mitoquinone/mitoquinol mesylate: Mitoquinone/mitoquinol mesylate
40
Control
Control group
40
Total80

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicMitoQ 20 mg Orally DailyControlTotal
Age, Continuous39.5 years44.0 years41.5 years
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
2 Participants1 Participants3 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
1 Participants1 Participants2 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
37 Participants38 Participants75 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
40 participants40 participants80 participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
23 Participants19 Participants42 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
17 Participants21 Participants38 Participants
Vaccinated with COVID-19 mRNA vaccine within 6 months prior to exposure13 Participants18 Participants31 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 400 / 40
other
Total, other adverse events
0 / 400 / 40
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 400 / 40

Outcome results

Primary

Number of Participants With Viral Illness

Development of viral illness based on diagnostic test

Time frame: 14 days

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
MitoQ 20 mg orally dailyNumber of Participants With Viral Illness12 Participants
ControlNumber of Participants With Viral Illness30 Participants
Primary

Severity Score of Symptoms of Viral Illness

Severity of viral illness based on a quantitative score system. Each of the above 14 symptoms will be given a score based on severity: 1 for mild, 2 for moderate, 3 for severe. Then a total severity score will be estimated (range of score is 0-42). Common example: a person with mild coryza, sore throat and cough will be given a score of 3. A higher score means worse outcome

Time frame: 14 days

ArmMeasureValue (MEDIAN)
MitoQ 20 mg orally dailySeverity Score of Symptoms of Viral Illness2.0 score on a scale
ControlSeverity Score of Symptoms of Viral Illness3.0 score on a scale
Secondary

Incidence of Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events as Assessed by the Proportion of Participants Exhibiting Adverse Events of Any Grade

Assessment of adverse events up to 14 days post initiation of therapy. Adverse events: the proportion of participants exhibiting adverse events of any grade

Time frame: 14 days

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
MitoQ 20 mg orally dailyIncidence of Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events as Assessed by the Proportion of Participants Exhibiting Adverse Events of Any Grade0 Participants
ControlIncidence of Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events as Assessed by the Proportion of Participants Exhibiting Adverse Events of Any Grade0 Participants
Secondary

Number of Participants With Any Symptoms of Viral Illness

Duration in days of at least three respiratory/systemic symptom of viral illness. This means that if any of the listed symptoms last more than a day, then the participant is considered to have a viral illness. (Symptom 1: fever, Symptom 2: cough, Symptom 3: coryza, Symptom 4: sore throat, Symptom 5: shortness of breath, Symptom 6: chills, Symptom 7: fatigue, Symptom 8: loss of smell or taste, Symptom 9: myalgias, Symptom 10: arthralgias, Symptom 11: headache, Symptom 12: nausea, Symptom 13: vomiting, Symptom 14: diarrhea

Time frame: 14 days

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
MitoQ 20 mg orally dailyNumber of Participants With Any Symptoms of Viral Illness4 Participants
ControlNumber of Participants With Any Symptoms of Viral Illness23 Participants
Secondary

Number of Participants With Fever

Development of new onset fever (T\> 100.3 F or 38C) based on documented

Time frame: 14 days

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
MitoQ 20 mg orally dailyNumber of Participants With Fever0 Participants
ControlNumber of Participants With Fever10 Participants

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 8, 2026