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A Study to Evaluate EMB 001 in Subjects With Cocaine Use Disorder

Phase 2
Completed
Conditions
Cocaine Use Disorder
Interventions
Drug: EMB-001 Placebo
Registration Number
NCT04501874
Lead Sponsor
Embera NeuroTherapeutics, Inc.
Brief Summary

EMB-001 is a combination of 2 drugs: the cortisol synthesis inhibitor, metyrapone (Metopirone®), and the benzodiazepine receptor agonist, oxazepam (original trade name Serax®; now marketed as oxazepam (generic) only).

This is a Phase 2 study in approximately 80 adult subjects with moderate-to-severe Cocaine Use Disorder (CUD).

Detailed Description

This study is a Phase 2, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, study to compare the safety and efficacy of EMB-001 with a placebo control in approximately 80 subjects with moderate-to-severe CUD. Subjects will receive investigational medicinal product (IMP) during a 12-week, double-blind Treatment Period (Week 2 through Week 13) and a 1-week, double-blind Taper Period (Week 14).

After undergoing study procedures during the Screening and Baseline Periods, subjects who meet inclusion and exclusion criteria will then be randomized in a 1:1 ratio (n=40/arm) to one of the following for the Treatment Period (weeks 2 - 13) on Study Day 8:

* EMB-001 720 mg metyrapone/24 mg oxazepam mg BID, for a total daily dose of 1440 mg metyrapone and 48 mg oxazepam (Active Group)

* Placebo BID, (Placebo Group)

During the Taper Period (week 14), subjects in the Active Group will receive EMB-001 240/8 mg BID; and the Placebo Group will continue to receive placebo. Both groups will change from taking three capsules BID (twice daily) to one capsule BID (twice daily).

There will be a follow-up visit for safety assessments at Week 18.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
82
Inclusion Criteria
  • Provide written informed consent prior to any study procedures
  • 18 to 65 years of age
  • DSM-5 diagnosis of moderate-to-severe CUD
  • Seeking treatment for CUD. Subjects with past rehabilitation attempts are eligible if the most recent rehabilitation attempt ended at least 30 days prior to Screening
  • Female subjects must be of non-childbearing potential
  • Male subjects must agree to use accepted contraceptive regimens during the study and for at least 90 days after the last dose of the study drug

Key

Exclusion Criteria
  • Any significant current medical conditions
  • Known hypersensitivity to or intolerance of oxazepam, metyrapone, or any benzodiazepine, or severe hypersensitivity reaction (e.g., angioedema) to any drug
  • Heightened likelihood of having adrenal insufficiency in the investigator's or designees' opinion
  • Current court-mandated treatment requirement for a substance-use disorder
  • Current DSM-5 moderate-to-severe substance use disorder, other than CUD, tobacco or caffeine
  • Current DSM-5 opioid or benzodiazepine use disorder of any severity

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
EMB-001 PlaceboEMB-001 PlaceboEMB-001 Placebo by mouth twice per day for 12 weeks followed by a 1 week taper
EMB-001 ActiveEMB-001EMB-001 Combination product of 720 mg metyrapone/24 mg oxazepam mg by mouth twice per day for 12 weeks followed by a 1 week taper
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Continuous Abstinence from Cocaine UseWeek 11 to Week 13

The Primary Endpoint is the Proportion of Subjects That Successfully Achieve Abstinence From Cocaine During the Last Three Weeks of Treatment using the Timeline Follow Back; days of abstinence, confirmed by Urine benzoylecgonine (BE)

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Urine confirmation of cocaine useWeek 2 to Week 13

Qualitative urine BE levels twice per week

Incidence of Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events (Safety and Tolerability)13 weeks

Adverse event data (including clinically significant changes in laboratory values) will be compiled for EMB-001 and placebo cohorts.

Reduction in cocaine-use daysWeek 2 to Week 13

Self-report weekly cocaine non-use days by Timeline Follow-Back

Reduction in total Cocaine Craving Questionnaire-Brief scoreWeek 2 to Week 13

The Cocaine Craving Questionnaire-Brief (CCQ-B) assesses current cocaine craving in routine clinical practice. The CCQ-B is a 10 item questionnaire and items are scored on a one to seven scale. Total responses are then divided by 10 to achieve a total craving score between 1.0 (least craving) to 7.0 (most craving).

Trial Locations

Locations (4)

Pacific Treatment and Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine

🇺🇸

San Diego, California, United States

Segal Trials

🇺🇸

Miami, Florida, United States

U PENN- Perelman School of Medicine

🇺🇸

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Medical University of South Carolina

🇺🇸

Charleston, South Carolina, United States

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