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A Dose-ranging Study to Investigate Efficacy of Buntanetap in Mild to Moderate AD

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Dose-Ranging, Multicenter Study of Buntanetap in Participants With Mild to Moderate Alzheimer's Disease

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 2Phase 3
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT05686044
Enrollment
351
Registered
2023-01-17
Start date
2023-04-01
Completion date
2024-02-13
Last updated
2025-04-29

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

Conditions

Alzheimer Disease

Keywords

Alzheimer

Brief summary

The purpose of this study is to measure efficacy and safety of three different doses of buntanetap/Posiphen compared with placebo in participants with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. Study details include: The double-blind treatment duration will include a screening period of up to 42 days followed by 12 weeks of treatment at home. The study duration will be 4-5 months. There will be 4 in-clinic visits and 1 phone call.

Detailed description

320 mild to moderate AD participants will be randomized to 7.5 mg, 15 mg, 30mg of buntanetap/Posiphen once daily (QD) or placebo. If they provide informed consent, they will undergo a Screening Visit, and if they are considered eligible per the inclusion and exclusion criteria, they will proceed to participate in the treatment period. Randomized participants will visit the clinic for the first-time dosing in clinic, followed by an at home dosing period of 12 weeks, with daily administration of 7.5 mg, 15 mg or 30 mg of buntanetap/Posiphen or placebo. Participants will be required to visit clinics Day 0 (baseline), 6 weeks, and 12 weeks (end-of-trial), where they will undergo study procedures that include safety assessments (AE and concomitant medication monitoring, 12-lead ECGs, clinical laboratory testing, vital signs assessments, and physical examinations) and psychometric tests (Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale 11 (ADAS-Cog11), Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study-Clinical Global Impression of Change (ADCS-CGIC), Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study-Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale (ADCS-ADL), Digital Symbol Substitution Test (DSST), Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE)). At the end of blood sampling, the participants will need to stay for a minimum of 1 hour of observation. After all end-of-study procedures are complete, the subject will be discharged to home. A 24-hour follow-up call will occur after all clinical visits to assess the participants current condition and if there are any additional adverse events or questions. The study will be a 12-weeks, placebo-controlled and double-blind trial: participants, investigators and the sponsor will be blinded to the participants' treatment. Qualified participants will be randomly assigned at a 1:1:1:1 ratio to one of the four treatment arms: buntanetap/Posiphen 7.5 mg, buntanetap/Posiphen 15 mg, buntanetap/Posiphen 30mg, and placebo, through an Interactive Randomization System, after a screening period of up to 42 days. ADAS-Cog 11, ADCS-CGIC, ADCS-ADL, DSST, and MMSE will be assessed by clinicians who have successfully completed the requisite certifications/trainings for each assessment. One interim analysis is planned. It will take place when 90 enrolled subjects (\ 30%) have completed the Week 6 assessments to re-assess the sample size. No interim analyses are planned for the purpose of stopping the study early for futility.

Interventions

HPMC (vegetarian source) capsule shells

DRUGPlacebo

HPMC (vegetarian source) capsule shells

Sponsors

Annovis Bio Inc.
Lead SponsorINDUSTRY

Study design

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

Intervention model description

Randomized

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
55 Years to 85 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

1. Diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease according to National Institute on Aging and National Institute on Aging and Alzheimer's Association criteria for probable AD 2. Male or female aged 55 - 85 years. 3. MMSE 14-24. 4. Have a study partner who will provide written informed consent to participate, is in frequent contact with the participant (defined as at least 10 hours per week) and will accompany the participant to study visits at designated times. 5. Female participants of childbearing potential\* must have a negative urine pregnancy test at Screening, must be non-lactating and must agree to use a highly effective method of contraception (i.e., a method resulting in a failure rate of less than 1% per year when used consistently and correctly) during the trial and for 4 weeks after the last dose of trial treatment, such as: * Oral, intravaginal, or transdermal combined (estrogen plus progestogen) hormonal contraception associated with inhibition of ovulation * Oral, injectable, or implantable progestogen-only hormonal contraception associated with inhibition of ovulation * Intrauterine device (IUD) * Intrauterine hormone-releasing system (IUS) * Bilateral tubal occlusion * Vasectomized partner (a vasectomized partner is a highly effective contraception method provided that the partner is the sole male sexual partner of the participant, and the absence of sperm has been confirmed. If not, an additional highly effective method of contraception should be used) * Sexual abstinence (sexual abstinence is considered a highly effective method only if defined as refraining from heterosexual intercourse during the entire period of risk associated with the study treatment. The reliability of sexual abstinence needs to be in relation to the duration of the study and the preferred and usual lifestyle of the participant) \*Non-childbearing potential includes surgically sterilized or postmenopausal with no menstrual bleeding for at least one year prior to study start. 6. Male participants must be sterile or sexually inactive or agree not to father a child during the study and one month after the last dose of study medication and must agree to use a barrier method for contraception. Female partners of male subject must adopt a highly effective method of contraception with a failure rate of less than 1% per year when used consistently and correctly such as: * Oral, intravaginal, or transdermal combined (estrogen plus progestogen) hormonal contraception associated with inhibition of ovulation * Oral, injectable, or implantable progestogen-only hormonal contraception associated with inhibition of ovulation * Intrauterine device (IUD) * Intrauterine hormone-releasing system (IUS) * Bilateral tubal occlusion 7. Participants can provide written informed consent. If PI deems that participant cannot fully understand the consent form to give consent, their legally authorized representative (LARs) can provide written informed consent. Participants can comply with scheduled visits, and other study-related procedures to complete the study with the help of the study partner. 8. No evidence of current suicidal ideation or previous suicide attempt in the past 2 months as evaluated in the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale nor suicidal behavior in the past 6 months as per investigator. 9. Stability of permitted medications for at least 4 weeks prior to screening. 1. Cholinesterase inhibitors and/or memantine medication 2. Anticonvulsant medications used for epilepsy or mood stabilization, neuropathic pain indications. 3. Mood-stabilizing psychotropic agents, including, but not limited to, lithium. 10. Adequate visual and hearing ability (physical ability to perform all the study assessments) as per investigator. 11. Good general health with no disease expected to interfere with the study as per investigator.

Exclusion criteria

1. Has a history of a psychiatric disorder such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or major depression according to the criteria of the most current version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). Mild depression or history of depression that is stable on treatment with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) or selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) medication at a stable dose is acceptable. 2. Has non-AD dementia, such as vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal disease, Parkinson disease dementia, B12 and thyroid deficiency caused dementia. 3. History of a seizure disorder, if stable on medication is acceptable. 4. Has a history or current evidence of long QT syndrome, Fridericia's formula corrected QT (QTcF) interval ≥ 450 ms for men and 460 ms for women, or torsades de pointes. 5. Has bradycardia (\<50 bpm) or tachycardia (\>100 bpm) on the ECG at screening. 6. Has uncontrolled Type-1 or Type-2 diabetes. A subject with HbA1c levels up to 7.5% can be enrolled if the investigator believes the subject's diabetes is under control. 7. Has clinically significant renal (CKD-EPI with normal \<60 mL/min/BSA (body surface area) or hepatic impairment (ALP \> 2.0 ULN and/or total bilirubin \> 2.0 ULN) . 8. Has any clinically significant abnormal laboratory values. Participants with liver function tests (aspartate aminotransferase \[AST\] or alanine aminotransferase \[ALT\]) greater than twice the upper limit of normal will be excluded. 9. Is at imminent risk of self-harm, based on clinical interview and responses on the C SSRS, or of harm to others in the opinion of the Investigators. Participants must be excluded if they report suicidal ideation with intent, with or without a plan or method (e. g. positive response to Items 4 or 5 in assessment of suicidal ideation on the C SSRS) in the past 2 months, or suicidal behavior in the past 6 months. 10. Has cancer or has had a malignant tumor within the past year, except participants who underwent potentially curative therapy with no evidence of recurrence. (Participants with stable untreated prostate cancer or skin cancers are not excluded). 11. Alcohol / Substance use disorder, moderate to severe, in the last 5 years according to the most current version DSM. 12. Participation in another clinical trial with an investigational agent and have taken at least one dose of study medication, unless unblinded on placebo, within 4 weeks prior to the start of screening, or five half-lives of the investigational drug, whichever is greater. The end of a previous investigational trial is the date the last dose of an investigational agent was taken. 13. Participants with learning disability or developmental delay. 14. Participants whom the site PI deems to be otherwise ineligible. 15. Participants with a known allergy to the investigational drug or any of its components. Here are all the inactive ingredients of the investigational medicinal product: * Silicified Microcrystalline Cellulose * Dibasic Calcium Phosphate Dihydrate * Mannitol * Magnesium Stearate * Hypromellose (capsule shells structure) * titanium dioxide (opacifier of the capsule shells) 16. Subject is currently pregnant, breast-feeding and/or lactating. 17. Subject is currently taking strong and moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors and/or inducers. (e.g., CYP3A4 inhibitors Itraconazole, Ketoconazole, Azamulin, Troleandomycin, Verapamil; CYP3A4 inducers Rifampicin)

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change From Baseline to Week 12 in ADAS-Cog11Baseline to the end of treatment period (12 weeks)Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale 11 (ADAS-Cog11) measures cognitive functions and non-cognitive functions such as mood and behavior. It was designed to measure the cognitive and behavioral domains known to be affected in Alzheimer disease, including memory, language, orientation, construction, and planning of simple designs, and completed simple goal-oriented behaviors. Specifically, the ADAS-Cog comprises ratings from 11 components: word recall, word recognition, constructional praxis, orientation, naming objects and fingers, commands, ideational praxis, remembering test instructions, spoken language, word finding, and comprehension. Total scores range from 0-70, with higher scores indicating greater cognitive impairment.
ADCS-CGIC at Week 12Baseline to the end of treatment period (12 weeks)Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study-Clinical Global Impression of Change (ADCS-CGIC) focuses on clinicians' observations of change in the patient's cognitive, functional, and behavioral performance since the beginning of a trial. It relies on both direct examination of the patient and interview of informants. The ADCS-CGIC measures whether the effects of active treatment are substantial enough to be detected by a skilled and experienced clinician on the basis of a clinical interview and examination. It relies on both direct examination of the patient and an interview of the study partner. A skilled and experienced clinician who is blinded to treatment assignment rates the patient on a 7-point Likert scale, ranging from 1 (marked improvement) to 7 (marked worsening). Lower scores indicate better improvement.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change From Baseline to Week 12 in ADCS-ADLBaseline to end of treatment period (12 weeks)Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study-Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale (ADCS-ADL) is a 23-item inventory scale developed as a rater-administered questionnaire answered by the participant's study partner. The ADCS-ADL measures 6 basic activities of daily living (BADL) items and 17 instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) items that provide a total score from 0-78, with a lower score indicating greater severity. Basic activities include basic self-care tasks such as feeding, mobility, toileting, bathing, grooming and dressing. Instrumental activities are more complex and vary based on cultural norms, gender roles. As such, instrumental activities tend to include a broad range of activities. Caregivers are asked to rate the degree to which their family member or loved one can perform a variety of tasks. The assessed activities provide a total score from 0-78. Participants with a lower score indicates greater severity.

Other

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change From Baseline to Week 12 in Plasma BiomarkersBaseline to the end of treatment period (12 weeks)Plasma biomarkers measured: Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), Neurofilament light (NFL), TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP43)

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Placebo
Placebo oral capsule with daily administration for a period of 12 weeks
89
7.5mg Buntanetap/Posiphen
Buntanetap/Posiphen 7.5mg oral capsule with daily administration for a period of 12 weeks
88
15mg Buntanetap/Posiphen
Buntanetap/Posiphen 15mg oral capsule with daily administration for a period of 12 weeks
87
30mg Buntanetap/Posiphen
Buntanetap/Posiphen 30mg oral capsule with daily administration for a period of 12 weeks
87
Total351

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicPlacebo7.5mg Buntanetap/Posiphen15mg Buntanetap/Posiphen30mg Buntanetap/PosiphenTotal
Age, Continuous73.1 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 6.97
73.6 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 7.28
74.7 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 6.06
73.1 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 6.15
73.6 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 6.64
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
36 Participants33 Participants32 Participants43 Participants144 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
53 Participants55 Participants55 Participants44 Participants207 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)20.2 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.04
19.6 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.23
20.0 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.06
20.0 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 2.82
20.0 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.04
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
1 Participants2 Participants3 Participants1 Participants7 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
7 Participants6 Participants5 Participants7 Participants25 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants1 Participants0 Participants1 Participants2 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants0 Participants1 Participants1 Participants2 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
1 Participants1 Participants1 Participants0 Participants3 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
80 Participants78 Participants77 Participants77 Participants312 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
52 Participants57 Participants44 Participants57 Participants210 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
37 Participants31 Participants43 Participants30 Participants141 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
EG002
affected / at risk
EG003
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 880 / 860 / 850 / 87
other
Total, other adverse events
1 / 885 / 861 / 851 / 87
serious
Total, serious adverse events
3 / 880 / 860 / 853 / 87

Outcome results

Primary

ADCS-CGIC at Week 12

Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study-Clinical Global Impression of Change (ADCS-CGIC) focuses on clinicians' observations of change in the patient's cognitive, functional, and behavioral performance since the beginning of a trial. It relies on both direct examination of the patient and interview of informants. The ADCS-CGIC measures whether the effects of active treatment are substantial enough to be detected by a skilled and experienced clinician on the basis of a clinical interview and examination. It relies on both direct examination of the patient and an interview of the study partner. A skilled and experienced clinician who is blinded to treatment assignment rates the patient on a 7-point Likert scale, ranging from 1 (marked improvement) to 7 (marked worsening). Lower scores indicate better improvement.

Time frame: Baseline to the end of treatment period (12 weeks)

Population: Participants with ADCS-CGIC scores at Baseline and 12 weeks (intent-to-treat population)

ArmMeasureValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)Dispersion
PlaceboADCS-CGIC at Week 123.58 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.129
7.5mg Buntanetap/PosiphenADCS-CGIC at Week 123.96 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.128
15mg Buntanetap/PosiphenADCS-CGIC at Week 123.61 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.131
30mg Buntanetap/PosiphenADCS-CGIC at Week 123.83 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.132
Primary

Change From Baseline to Week 12 in ADAS-Cog11

Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale 11 (ADAS-Cog11) measures cognitive functions and non-cognitive functions such as mood and behavior. It was designed to measure the cognitive and behavioral domains known to be affected in Alzheimer disease, including memory, language, orientation, construction, and planning of simple designs, and completed simple goal-oriented behaviors. Specifically, the ADAS-Cog comprises ratings from 11 components: word recall, word recognition, constructional praxis, orientation, naming objects and fingers, commands, ideational praxis, remembering test instructions, spoken language, word finding, and comprehension. Total scores range from 0-70, with higher scores indicating greater cognitive impairment.

Time frame: Baseline to the end of treatment period (12 weeks)

Population: Participants with ADAS-Cog11 scores at Baseline and 12 weeks (intent-to-treat population)

ArmMeasureValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)Dispersion
PlaceboChange From Baseline to Week 12 in ADAS-Cog11-2.32 units on a scaleStandard Error 0.533
7.5mg Buntanetap/PosiphenChange From Baseline to Week 12 in ADAS-Cog11-1.34 units on a scaleStandard Error 0.526
15mg Buntanetap/PosiphenChange From Baseline to Week 12 in ADAS-Cog11-3.01 units on a scaleStandard Error 0.534
30mg Buntanetap/PosiphenChange From Baseline to Week 12 in ADAS-Cog11-2.24 units on a scaleStandard Error 0.531
Secondary

Change From Baseline to Week 12 in ADCS-ADL

Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study-Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale (ADCS-ADL) is a 23-item inventory scale developed as a rater-administered questionnaire answered by the participant's study partner. The ADCS-ADL measures 6 basic activities of daily living (BADL) items and 17 instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) items that provide a total score from 0-78, with a lower score indicating greater severity. Basic activities include basic self-care tasks such as feeding, mobility, toileting, bathing, grooming and dressing. Instrumental activities are more complex and vary based on cultural norms, gender roles. As such, instrumental activities tend to include a broad range of activities. Caregivers are asked to rate the degree to which their family member or loved one can perform a variety of tasks. The assessed activities provide a total score from 0-78. Participants with a lower score indicates greater severity.

Time frame: Baseline to end of treatment period (12 weeks)

Population: Participants with ADCS-ADL scores at Baseline and 12 weeks (intent-to-treat population)

ArmMeasureValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)Dispersion
PlaceboChange From Baseline to Week 12 in ADCS-ADL2.03 units on a scaleStandard Error 0.811
7.5mg Buntanetap/PosiphenChange From Baseline to Week 12 in ADCS-ADL-0.14 units on a scaleStandard Error 0.806
15mg Buntanetap/PosiphenChange From Baseline to Week 12 in ADCS-ADL1.71 units on a scaleStandard Error 0.831
30mg Buntanetap/PosiphenChange From Baseline to Week 12 in ADCS-ADL0.15 units on a scaleStandard Error 0.822
Post Hoc

Change From Baseline to Week 12 in ADAS-Cog11 for Biomarker Positive Participants With Baseline MMSE Scores 21-24

Change in the ADAS-Cog11 score from Baseline to the End of Trial. Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale 11 (ADAS-Cog 11) measures cognitive functions and non-cognitive functions such as mood and behavior. It was designed to measure the cognitive and behavioral domains known to be affected in Alzheimer disease, including memory, language, orientation, construction, and planning of simple designs, and completed simple goal-oriented behaviors. Specifically, the ADAS-Cog comprises ratings from 11 components: word recall, word recognition, constructional praxis, orientation, naming objects and fingers, commands, ideational praxis, remembering test instructions, spoken language, word finding, and comprehension. Total scores range from 0-70, with higher scores indicating greater cognitive impairment.

Time frame: Baseline to the end of treatment period (12 weeks)

Population: AD biomarker positive participants (pTau217/t-Tau Ratio ≥4.2%) with Baseline MMSE Scores 21-24 and with ADAS-Cog11 scores at Baseline and 12 weeks

ArmMeasureValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)Dispersion
PlaceboChange From Baseline to Week 12 in ADAS-Cog11 for Biomarker Positive Participants With Baseline MMSE Scores 21-24-0.26 units on a scaleStandard Error 0.911
7.5mg Buntanetap/PosiphenChange From Baseline to Week 12 in ADAS-Cog11 for Biomarker Positive Participants With Baseline MMSE Scores 21-24-2.19 units on a scaleStandard Error 0.865
15mg Buntanetap/PosiphenChange From Baseline to Week 12 in ADAS-Cog11 for Biomarker Positive Participants With Baseline MMSE Scores 21-24-2.79 units on a scaleStandard Error 0.815
30mg Buntanetap/PosiphenChange From Baseline to Week 12 in ADAS-Cog11 for Biomarker Positive Participants With Baseline MMSE Scores 21-24-3.32 units on a scaleStandard Error 0.82
Other Pre-specified

Change From Baseline to Week 12 in Plasma Biomarkers

Plasma biomarkers measured: Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), Neurofilament light (NFL), TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP43)

Time frame: Baseline to the end of treatment period (12 weeks)

Population: Participants with analyzable plasma biomarker samples at Baseline and 12 weeks (intent-to-treat population). Plasma biomarkers were an exploratory endpoint; this analysis only included participants from the 30mg buntanetap/posiphen and placebo groups.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
PlaceboChange From Baseline to Week 12 in Plasma BiomarkersNFL0.4 pg/mlStandard Deviation 6.88
PlaceboChange From Baseline to Week 12 in Plasma BiomarkersGFAP5.5 pg/mlStandard Deviation 74.32
PlaceboChange From Baseline to Week 12 in Plasma BiomarkersTDP43-467.5 pg/mlStandard Deviation 1474
7.5mg Buntanetap/PosiphenChange From Baseline to Week 12 in Plasma BiomarkersGFAP2.1 pg/mlStandard Deviation 69.44
7.5mg Buntanetap/PosiphenChange From Baseline to Week 12 in Plasma BiomarkersNFL-2.5 pg/mlStandard Deviation 14.05
7.5mg Buntanetap/PosiphenChange From Baseline to Week 12 in Plasma BiomarkersTDP43-985.1 pg/mlStandard Deviation 4950

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Apr 29, 2026