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Discogenic PainPhase 2STA-02NCT04673461

Study Investigating STA363 Compared to Placebo in Patients With Chronic Discogenic Low Back Pain

A Phase 2 study testing STA363 containing 90 mg (60 mg/mL) lactic acid and STA363 containing 180 mg (120 mg/mL) lactic acid in people with Discogenic Pain, run by Stayble Therapeutics at 17 sites in 3 countries.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

This is a phase IIb, prospective, multi-country, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group study to investigate the efficacy, safety and transformation of NP following single intradiscal injection of STA363 (lactic acid) into one or two IVDs compared to placebo for the treatment of… Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 70 years
Conditions the study is for
Discogenic Pain
What is being tested?
STA363 containing 90 mg (60 mg/mL) lactic acid and STA363 containing 180 mg (120 mg/mL) lactic acid
Type of treatment
Injection or infusion
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
110 participants
Where
17 sitesin 3 countries
Study dates
31 Jul 2020to 31 Oct 2023
Phase
Phase 2
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 to 70 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Signed informed consent prior to any study related procedures.
  • Male and female patients ≥18 and ≤70 years.
  • Chronic discogenic low back pain present for more than 6 months prior to the screening visit.
  • Insufficient response or lack of response to at least 6 months of non-operative treatment (analgesics and/or anti-inflammatory medications [paracetamol, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs), opioids], physiotherapy, rehabilitation therapy etc.).
  • Patients who meet all the following NRS selection criteria:
  • Presence of ≥5 pain NRS assessments (entries) for 7 consecutive days.
Show all 14Show fewer
  • NRS daily pain scores between 3-9.
  • Not more than two ratings "3".
  • One or two treatable IVDs of Pfirrmann grade 2 to 3 on MRI at L2/3 to L5/S1 as confirmed by a central reader, AND the following criteria are met:
  • Treatable IVD(s) must be IVD(s) with the highest Pfirrmann grade observed in the patient (e.g. a patient with one IVD of grade 3 and four IVDs of grade 2 is considered eligible only if IVD of grade 3 will be injected).
  • Patients with treatable IVD(s) of grade 2 must have all other lumbar discs rated as grade 1.
  • Not more than two IVDs of grade 3 at any lumbar level.
  • No IVDs of grade 4 or 5 at any lumbar level.
  • Ability to understand the written and verbal information about the study.

Who cannot join

  • Treatment with any investigational product within 3 months prior to the screening visit.
  • Patients with more than two painful IVDs.
  • A painful IVD above L2/3 level.
  • Current infection or prior history of spinal infection (e.g., discitis, septic arthritis, epidural abscess) or an active systemic infection.
  • Previous lumbar spine surgery.
  • Previous disc invasive treatment procedures at the affected level(s) (e.g., intradiscal electrothermal therapy, intradiscal radiofrequency thermocoagulation).
Show all 24Show fewer
  • Evidence of prior lumbar vertebral body fracture or trauma.
  • Need for spinal decompression assessed by the Investigator.
  • Presence of IVD extrusion or sequestration, or other radiologic findings that in the opinion of the investigator disqualify the patient from being included.
  • Spondylolisthesis or retrolisthesis Grade 2 and above or spondylolysis at the index or adjacent level(s).
  • Lumbar spondylitis or other undifferentiated spondyloarthropathy affecting the index IVD.
  • Patients previously included in the study.
  • Patients suffering from psychosomatic pain in the opinion of the Investigator.
  • Leg pain of compressive origin.
  • Patients requiring continuous treatment with warfarin or other anticoagulant therapy.
  • History of significant neurologic or psychiatric disorders including dementia or seizures.
  • Known alcohol and/or drug abuse.
  • Severe intercurrent illness (e.g. rheumatic disease or chronic pain syndrome) or concomitant treatment (e.g. immunosuppressive drugs), which, in the opinion of the Investigator, may put the patient at risk when participating in the study, or affect the patient's ability to take part in the study.
  • Pregnant or lactating females, or intention to become pregnant within the study period.
  • Known allergy to any of the components of the drug product or placebo.
  • Known allergy or intolerance to the contrast agent Omnipaque®.
  • Known opioid allergy or intolerance.
  • Any other condition that, in the opinion of the Investigator, precludes the patient from taking part in this study.
  • Any specific contraindication for MRI such as claustrophobia, intracranial clips or pacemakers.

Trial locations and contacts

17 sites in 3 countries.

17 sites in 3 countries

Russia11 sites
  • Belgorod Regional Clinical Hospital of Saint Joasaph

    Belgorod

  • Regional Clinical Hospital #3

    Chelyabinsk

  • Kirov State Medical University

    Kirov

  • Ochapovsky Regional Clinical Hospital #1

    Krasnodar

  • Krasnoyarsk Interdistrict Clinical Emergency Hospital

    Krasnoyarsk

  • Siberian Research Clinical Center

    Krasnoyarsk

  • Privolzhsky Research Medical University

    Nizhny Novgorod

  • Bekhterev Psychiatry and Neurology Center

    Saint Petersburg

  • LLC MART

    Saint Petersburg

  • Smolensk Regional Clinical Hospital

    Smolensk

  • Tula Regional Clinical Hospital

    Tula

Other trials in Russia

Spain4 sites
  • Hospital Quirónsalud Córdoba

    Córdoba

  • Complejo Hospitalario Ruber Juan Bravo

    Madrid

  • Hm Puerta Del Sur

    Móstoles

  • Hospital Universitario Quirónsalud Madrid

    Pozuelo de Alarcón

Other trials in Spain

Netherlands2 sites
  • Alrijne Ziekenhuis Leiderdorp

    Leiderdorp

  • Rijnstate Hospital Anesthesiology and Pain

    Velp

Other trials in Netherlands

About this study

Official title: A Multi-country, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study Investigating the Efficacy and Safety of STA363 at Two Concentrations (60 mg/mL and 120 mg/mL) Compared to Placebo in Patients With Chronic Discogenic Low Back Pain

This is a phase IIb, prospective, multi-country, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group study to investigate the efficacy, safety and transformation of NP following single intradiscal injection of STA363 (lactic acid) into one or two IVDs compared to placebo for the treatment of discogenic low back pain. This study will be conducted in Russia, Spain and the Netherlands.

Read the detailed description

This is a phase IIb, prospective, multi-country, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group study to investigate the efficacy, safety and transformation of NP following single intradiscal injection of STA363 (lactic acid) into one or two IVDs compared to placebo for the treatment of discogenic low back pain. This study will be conducted in Russia, Spain and the Netherlands.

The primary objective is to demonstrate superiority of STA363 over placebo in reducing low back pain as measured by the NRS. A total of 168 patients will be screened in the study with the aim to recruit 126 patients to be randomly allocated to one of the three treatment groups:

Group 1 - 42 patients will receive STA363 containing 90 mg (60 mg/mL) lactic acid Group 2 - 42 patients will receive STA363 containing 180 mg (120 mg/mL) lactic acid Group 3 - 42 patients will receive placebo

The investigational medical product (IMP) will be injected into the center of up to two IVDs. Patients with two discs appropriate for treatment will be treated at both affected levels by two separate injections.

Each patient will have 5 visits to study site and 1 telephone call. The patient's total time in the study will be approximately 61 weeks (~15 months) including an 8-week screening period.

Each patient will perform a screening visit (Visit 1) maximum 60 days before planned treatment. Randomization and treatment will be performed at Visit 2 (Day 1) after confirmation of patient's eligibility for the study. The IMP will be administered, monitored by fluoroscopy or other available method of real-time x-ray imaging to ensure that an injection is correctly placed in the IVD nucleus and that no leakage occurs. Immediately after treatment the patients should remain supine for as long as possible (at least 1 hour). For safety reasons, patients will be allowed to leave the clinic not earlier than 2 hours after the last injection. After leaving the clinic, patients will be offered analgesics and/or other measures according to standard clinical practice. They will also be given advice on restricted physical activity during the first two weeks after injection. Patients should not drive or operate machinery for 12 hours following the treatment procedure.

Patients will be followed up at 1 month (Visit 3/Day 30±7, visit to study site), 3 months (Visit 4/Day 90±7, telephone call), 6 months (Visit 5/Day 180±7, visit to study site) and 12 months (Visit 6/Day 360±7, visit to study site) after treatment. Follow-up MRI will be conducted as part of Visit 5 and Visit 6, to assess the transformation of the NP into connective tissue and other disc characteristics.

Conditions
Discogenic Pain
Being tested
STA363 containing 90 mg (60 mg/mL) lactic acid, STA363 containing 180 mg (120 mg/mL) lactic acid, Placebo

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • STA363 containing 90 mg (60 mg/mL) lactic acidDrug

    STA363 (90 mg) will be injected into maximally two pain-generating degenerated intervertebral discs

  • STA363 containing 180 mg (120 mg/mL) lactic acidDrug

    STA363 (180 mg) will be injected into maximally two pain-generating degenerated intervertebral discs

  • PlaceboDrug

    Placebo will be injected into maximally two pain-generating degenerated intervertebral discs

Study groups in NCT04673461
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
STA363 containing 90 mg (60 mg/mL) lactic acidExperimentalSTA363 containing 90 mg (60 mg/mL) lactic acid will be injected into the center of up to two intervertebral discs. Patients with two discs appropriate for treatment will be treated at both affected levels by two separate injections. Each patient will have 5 visits to study site and 1 telephone call. The patient's total time in the study will be approximately 61 weeks (~15 months) including an 8-week screening period.
Receives: Drug: STA363 containing 90 mg (60 mg/mL) lactic acid
STA363 containing 180 mg (120 mg/mL) lactic acidExperimentalSTA363 containing 180 mg (120 mg/mL) lactic acid will be injected into the center of up to two intervertebral discs. Patients with two discs appropriate for treatment will be treated at both affected levels by two separate injections. Each patient will have 5 visits to study site and 1 telephone call. The patient's total time in the study will be approximately 61 weeks (~15 months) including an 8-week screening period.
Receives: Drug: STA363 containing 180 mg (120 mg/mL) lactic acid
PlaceboPlacebo comparatorPlacebo will be injected into the center of up to two intervertebral discs. Patients with two discs appropriate for treatment will be treated at both affected levels by two separate injections. Each patient will have 5 visits to study site and 1 telephone call. The patient's total time in the study will be approximately 61 weeks (~15 months) including an 8-week screening period.
Receives: Drug: Placebo

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Pain intensity at 6 months on a Numerical rating scale

    Change from baseline at Month 6 in mean pain intensity measured on a Numerical rating scale (minimum value: 0; maximum value: 10) for 7 consecutive days. Lower scores means a better outcome.

    Measured: 6 months

Secondary outcomes (4)
  1. Pain intensity at Month 1, Month 3 and Month 12 on a Numerical rating scale

    Change from baseline at Month 1, 3 and 12 in mean pain intensity measured on a Numerical rating scale (minimum value: 0; maximum value: 10) for 7 consecutive days. Lower scores means a better outcome.

    Measured: 1 month, 3 months and 12 months

  2. Oswestry Disability Index

    Change from baseline in Oswestry Disability Index score (minimal-maximal values: 0-100 where a lower number means better outcome) at Month 1, Month 3, Month 6 and Month 12. Lower scores means a better outcome.

    Measured: 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months

  3. EuroQoL 5-dimension 5-level

    Change from baseline in EuroQoL 5-dimension 5-level-index at Month 1, Month 3, Month 6 and Month 12. Higher scores means a better outcome.

    Measured: 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months

  4. Nucleus pulposus transformation

    Quantitative changes in nucleus pulposus (NP) water content (reflecting transformation of NP into connective tissue) at Month 6 and Month 12 (T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] and quantification of T2). Lower scores means a better outcome.

    Measured: 6 and 12 months

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted17 Dec 2020
  2. Study start31 Jul 2020
  3. Primary completion1 Sep 2023
  4. Study completion31 Oct 2023

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 2
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
Three treatment groups: * STA363 60 mg/mL * STA363 120 mg/mL * Placebo
Masking
Quadruple blind
Who is masked
Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
110 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT04673461
Sponsor's protocol ID
STA-02
Other IDs
2019-004943-54, 2019
Acronym
STA-02
Status last verified
Dec 2025
First submitted
1 Dec 2020
Last updated
10 Dec 2025
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 2 study testing STA363 containing 90 mg (60 mg/mL) lactic acid and STA363 containing 180 mg (120 mg/mL) lactic acid in people with Discogenic Pain, run by Stayble Therapeutics at 17 sites in 3 countries.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 14 inclusion and 24 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 10 Dec 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 17 sites in Russia, Spain, Netherlands. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this phase mean?

Phase 2 studies give the treatment to a larger group to see whether it has the intended effect and to keep checking safety.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Pain intensity at 6 months on a Numerical rating scale (time frame: 6 months). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 10 Dec 2025.

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