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A Clinical Trial to Evaluate The Effects of Semaglutide and Empagliflozin Combined to Automated Insulin Delivery on Diabetes Control in Adults Living With Type 1 Diabetes

Semaglutide And Empagliflozin Combination Therapy Added To Automated Insulin Delivery In Adults With Type 1 Diabetes (SEMPA)

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Phase 3
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06894784
Acronym
SEMPA
Enrollment
36
Registered
2025-03-25
Start date
2025-04-30
Completion date
2027-01-31
Last updated
2025-03-30

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

Conditions

Diabetes Type 1

Keywords

T1D, Combination Therapy, Automated Insulin Delivery, SGLT2-i, GLP1-RA, Insulin, Artificial Pancreas, GLP-1 receptor agonist, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1

Brief summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if Empagliflozin and Semaglutide, individually and combined, added to Automated Insulin Delivery (AID) works to improve time-in-range in adults living with Type 1 Diabetes. It will also evaluate the safety of Empagliflozin and Semaglutide in this context. The primary hypothesis of this study is : \- The combination therapy of semaglutide and empagliflozin will increase time-in-range compared to placebo when added to AID therapy. The secondary hypotheses are : * The combination therapy of semaglutide and empagliflozin will increase time-in-range compared to semaglutide alone when added to AID therapy. * The combination of semaglutide and empagliflozin will increase time-in-range compared to empagliflozin alone when added to AID therapy. In this study, the research team will compare Empagliflozin and Semaglutide to a placebo (a look-alike substance that contains no drug) to see if they improve time-in-range. This study has four groups: Group 1: semaglutide injection + empagliflozin tablet. Group 2: semaglutide injection + placebo tablet. Group 3: placebo injection + empagliflozin tablet. Group 4: placebo injection + placebo tablet. This is a 2x2 factorial crossover study. This means that all participants will undergo both injection intervention (placebo and semaglutide) arms. Within each injection arm, participants will take both tablets (placebo and empagliflozin). By the end of the study, every participant will have taken part in each study group.

Detailed description

This study is designed as a 2x2 factorial, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover trial to investigate the effects of semaglutide and empagliflozin, individually and combined, on time-in-range (TIR) in adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) using automated insulin delivery (AID) systems. 1. Study Design and Randomization: Factorial Design: The 2x2 factorial design allows for the simultaneous assessment of two interventions (semaglutide and empagliflozin) and their interaction. This design efficiently explores the individual and combined effects of the drugs. Randomization: Participants will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to determine the order of the semaglutide and placebo injections (Arm A: semaglutide first, Arm B: placebo first). Within each arm, the order of empagliflozin and placebo tablets will also be randomized 1:1. This ensures that any potential carryover effects are minimized. Double-Blind: Both participants and investigators will be blinded to the treatment assignments, minimizing bias in data collection and analysis. Crossover Design: Each participant will receive all four treatment combinations (semaglutide + empagliflozin, semaglutide + placebo, placebo + empagliflozin, placebo + placebo), allowing for within-subject comparisons and reducing inter-individual variability. 2. Study Procedures: Screening and Baseline: Participants will undergo a screening visit to confirm eligibility criteria. Baseline characteristics, including demographic data, medical history, and current diabetes management, will be collected. Titration Period (Semaglutide): A 12-week titration period for semaglutide will be implemented to achieve a stable dose and minimize gastrointestinal side effects. This gradual dose escalation will follow standard clinical practice. Intervention Periods (Four Weeks Each): Each participant will undergo four four-week intervention periods, representing the four treatment combinations. During each intervention period, participants will continue to use their AID system. Participants will receive daily injections (semaglutide or placebo) and daily tablets (empagliflozin or placebo) according to the randomization schedule. Washout Periods: A two to four-week washout period will be implemented between the semaglutide/placebo arms to eliminate any carryover effects of semaglutide. A one to seven-day washout period will be implemented between the empagliflozin/placebo tablet administrations. This short period is considered sufficient for the elimination of empagliflozin. CGM Data Collection: Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) data will be collected throughout the study, with a focus on the four-week intervention periods. CGM data will be used to calculate the primary outcome (TIR) and secondary outcomes. Questionnaires: At the end of each four-week intervention period, participants will complete questionnaires to assess: Diabetes distress and treatment satisfaction. Adverse Event Monitoring: Adverse events will be recorded throughout the study, from informed consent to the end of participation. 3. Statistical Analysis: Intention-to-Treat (ITT) Analysis: Statistical analyses will be performed on an ITT basis, including all participants who were randomized. Factorial Analysis: The factorial design allows for the assessment of the main effects of semaglutide and empagliflozin, as well as their interaction. Mixed-Effects Models: Mixed-effects models will be used to account for repeated measures and within-subject variability. Descriptive Statistics: Descriptive statistics will be used to summarize baseline characteristics and outcome measures. Adverse Event Analysis: Adverse events will be summarized and analyzed for frequency and severity. 4. Safety Considerations: Participants will be closely monitored for adverse events. Rescue medications will be available for hypoglycemic events. Participants will receive education on the safe use of semaglutide, empagliflozin, and the AID system. The investigators will have the right to remove any participant from the study at any time if they feel it is in the best interest of the participant.

Interventions

DRUGIntervention Period 1: Semaglutide + Empagliflozin

Semaglutide Injection: Subcutaneous injection, titrated over 12 weeks to a stable dose (1 mg), administered weekly. Empagliflozin Tablet: Oral tablet (2.5 mg), administered daily. Automated Insulin Delivery (AID) System: Continuous use of the participant's personal commercial AID system.

DRUGIntervention Period 2: Semaglutide + Empagliflozin Placebo

Semaglutide Injection: Subcutaneous injection, titrated over 12 weeks to a stable dose (1 mg), administered weekly. Empagliflozin Placebo Tablet: Oral placebo tablet, matched in appearance to empagliflozin (2.5 mg), administered daily. Automated Insulin Delivery (AID) System: Continuous use of the participant's personal commercial AID system.

DRUGIntervention Period 3: Semaglutide Placebo + Empagliflozin

Semaglutide Placebo Injection: Subcutaneous placebo injection (titrated over 12 weeks to a stable 1 mg dose), matched in appearance to semaglutide, administered weekly. Empagliflozin Tablet: Oral tablet (2.5 mg), administered daily. Automated Insulin Delivery (AID) System: Continuous use of the participant's personal commercial AID system.

DRUGIntervention Period 4: Semaglutide Placebo + Empagliflozin Placebo

Semaglutide Placebo Injection: Subcutaneous placebo injection (titrated over 12 weeks to a stable 1 mg dose), matched in appearance to semaglutide, administered weekly. Empagliflozin Placebo Tablet: Oral placebo tablet (2.5 mg), matched in appearance to empagliflozin, administered daily. Automated Insulin Delivery (AID) System: Continuous use of the participant's personal commercial AID system.

Sponsors

Diabetes Canada
CollaboratorOTHER
McGill University Health Centre/Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
FACTORIAL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Investigator)

Intervention model description

2×2 factorial, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover trial assessing the effects of Semaglutide and Empagliflozin, individually and combined, added to AID therapy.

Eligibility

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

Inclusion criteria

The inclusion criteria at the time of enrollment are: * Males and females aged 18 or older. * Clinical diagnosis of T1D for at least one year. * Use of AID system for at least three months. * Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 23 kg/m2. The

Exclusion criteria

are: * Use of GLP1-RA within one month of admission. * Use of SGLT2i within two weeks of admission. * Planned or ongoing pregnancy. * Breastfeeding. * Severe hypoglycemic episode within three months of admission (defined as an event where blood glucose levels were \< 4.0 mmol/L, resulting in seizure, loss of consciousness, or the need to present to the emergency department). * Diabetic ketoacidosis episode within six months of admission. * History of acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis, or gallbladder disease. * Personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2. * Severe impairment of renal function with an eGFR \< 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 within four months of admission. eGFR will be computed using the CKD-EPI method. * Clinically significant diabetic retinopathy or gastroparesis, as per the investigator's judgement. * Bariatric surgery within six months of admission. * A serious medical or psychiatric illness that would likely interfere with participation in this study, as per the investigator's judgement. * Inability or unwillingness to comply with safe diabetes management practices, as per the investigator's judgment.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Time-in-RangeAt days 7, 35, 63 of the titration period and days 3 and 7 of each intervention.The percentage of time spent in target glucose range (3.9-10.0 mmol/L), between Semaglutide and Empagliflozin versus placebo, added to AID therapy.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Optimal Time In RangeAt days 7, 35, 63 of the titration period and days 3 and 7 of each intervention.Percentage of time (%) spent in ranges of glucose levels : between 3.9 to 7.8 mmol/L Nota Bene: Secondary endpoints will be computed for (i) semaglutide and empagliflozin versus placebo, (ii) semaglutide and empagliflozin versus empagliflozin alone, (iii) semaglutide and empagliflozin versus semaglutide alone.
Time In HypoglycemiaAt days 7, 35, 63 of the titration period and days 3 and 7 of each intervention.Percentage of time (%) spent in ranges of glucose levels : below 3.9 and 3.0 mmol/L Nota Bene: Secondary endpoints will be computed for (i) semaglutide and empagliflozin versus placebo, (ii) semaglutide and empagliflozin versus empagliflozin alone, (iii) semaglutide and empagliflozin versus semaglutide alone.
Time In Mild HyperglycemiaAt days 7, 35, 63 of the titration period and days 3 and 7 of each intervention.Percentage of time (%) spent in ranges of glucose levels : above 7.8 mmol/L Nota Bene: Secondary endpoints will be computed for (i) semaglutide and empagliflozin versus placebo, (ii) semaglutide and empagliflozin versus empagliflozin alone, (iii) semaglutide and empagliflozin versus semaglutide alone.
Time Above RangeAt days 7, 35, 63 of the titration period and days 3 and 7 of each intervention.Percentage of time (%) spent in ranges of glucose levels : above 10 mmol/L Nota Bene: Secondary endpoints will be computed for (i) semaglutide and empagliflozin versus placebo, (ii) semaglutide and empagliflozin versus empagliflozin alone, (iii) semaglutide and empagliflozin versus semaglutide alone.
Time In Severe HyperglycemiaAt days 7, 35, 63 of the titration period and days 3 and 7 of each intervention.Percentage of time (%) spent in ranges of glucose levels : above 13.9 mmol/L Nota Bene: Secondary endpoints will be computed for (i) semaglutide and empagliflozin versus placebo, (ii) semaglutide and empagliflozin versus empagliflozin alone, (iii) semaglutide and empagliflozin versus semaglutide alone.
Overall Time In RangeAt days 7, 35, 63 of the titration period and days 3 and 7 of each intervention.Percentage of time (%) spent in ranges of glucose levels : between 3.9 to 10 mmol/L Nota Bene: Secondary endpoints will be computed for (i) semaglutide and empagliflozin versus placebo, (ii) semaglutide and empagliflozin versus empagliflozin alone, (iii) semaglutide and empagliflozin versus semaglutide alone.
Basal insulin doseAt days 7, 35, 63 of the titration period and days 3 and 7 of each intervention.Total daily basal dose (U/l) Nota Bene: Secondary endpoints will be computed for (i) semaglutide and empagliflozin versus placebo, (ii) semaglutide and empagliflozin versus empagliflozin alone, (iii) semaglutide and empagliflozin versus semaglutide alone.
Bolus insulin doseAt days 7, 35, 63 of the titration period and days 3 and 7 of each intervention.Total daily bolus dose (U/l) Nota Bene: Secondary endpoints will be computed for (i) semaglutide and empagliflozin versus placebo, (ii) semaglutide and empagliflozin versus empagliflozin alone, (iii) semaglutide and empagliflozin versus semaglutide alone.
Carbohydrate intakeAt days 7, 35, 63 of the titration period and days 3 and 7 of each intervention.Average daily meal carbohydrate intake (grams/day) Nota Bene: Secondary endpoints will be computed for (i) semaglutide and empagliflozin versus placebo, (ii) semaglutide and empagliflozin versus empagliflozin alone, (iii) semaglutide and empagliflozin versus semaglutide alone.
Patient-reported outcomesAt the end of each intervention at weeks 16, 21, 29, 34Average scores (unit) of the questionnaire : \- Diabetes Distress Scale Nota Bene: Secondary endpoints will be computed for (i) semaglutide and empagliflozin versus placebo, (ii) semaglutide and empagliflozin versus empagliflozin alone, (iii) semaglutide and empagliflozin versus semaglutide alone.
Total Insulin doseAt days 7, 35, 63 of the titration period and days 3 and 7 of each intervention.Total daily insulin dose (U/l) Nota Bene: Secondary endpoints will be computed for (i) semaglutide and empagliflozin versus placebo, (ii) semaglutide and empagliflozin versus empagliflozin alone, (iii) semaglutide and empagliflozin versus semaglutide alone.

Countries

Canada

Contacts

Primary ContactKeddy Moise, BScHS
keddy.moise@affiliate.mcgill.ca438-531-6896
Backup ContactDr. Ahmad Haidar
ahmad.haidar@mcgill.ca514-398-4491

Outcome results

None listed

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