Becker Muscular DystrophyPhase 2NCT05166109
A Study to Assess Vamorolone in Becker Muscular Dystrophy (BMD)
A Phase 2 study testing Vamorolone in people with Becker Muscular Dystrophy, run by ReveraGen BioPharma, Inc. at 2 sites in 2 countries.
Trial summary
This Phase II pilot study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the safety, tolerability, PK, PD, and exploratory clinical efficacy of vamorolone 500mg (250mg for body weight <50 kg) daily administered orally compared to placebo over a treatment period of 24 weeks in males with BMD. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 64 years, men only
- Conditions the study is for
- Becker Muscular Dystrophy
- What is being tested?
- Vamorolone
- Type of treatment
- Pill or oral medicine
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 46 participants
- Where
- 2 sitesin 2 countries
- Study dates
- 7 Jul 2022to 18 Aug 2025
- Phase
- Phase 2
- Are there results?
- Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view
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 64 years
- Men only
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Subject or Subject's parent(s) or legal guardian (s) has (have) provided written informed consent and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) authorization, where applicable, prior to any study-related procedures;
- Subject is a male and has a confirmed diagnosis of Becker dystrophy as defined as:
- Identifiable mutation within the DMD gene (deletion/duplication of one or more exons), where reading frame can be predicted as 'in-frame', and clinical picture consistent with Becker dystrophy, OR
- Complete dystrophin gene sequencing showing an alteration (small mutation, duplication, other) that is expected to allow production of an internally deleted dystrophin protein, with a typical clinical picture of Becker dystrophy;
- Subject is ≥ 18 years of age and <65 years of age at time of informed consent;
- Subject is able to perform the timed run/walk 10 meters assessment (TTRW) in ≤ 30 sec at screening; assistive devices, cane or walker, are allowed.
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- Subject has an NSAA score ≤ 32 at screening.
- Clinical laboratory test results are within the normal range at the Screening Visit, or if abnormal, are not clinically significant, in the opinion of the Investigator. (Note: Serum gamma glutamyl transferase [GGT], creatinine, and total bilirubin all must be ≤ upper limit of the normal range at the Screening Visit). While AST and ALT can be elevated due to disease of muscle or liver, the study PI will review any increases of AST or ALT. If above upper limit of normal (ULN), then study PI will assess whether the increases are likely of muscle origin to determine inclusion.
- Subject has not received oral glucocorticoids or other oral immunosuppressive agents for at least 3 months prior to first administration of study medication. [Note: Inhaled and/or topical glucocorticoids are permitted if last use is at least 4 weeks prior to first administration of study medication or if administered at stable dose beginning at least 4 weeks prior to first administration of study medication and anticipated to be used at the stable dose regimen for the duration of the study];
- Subject has evidence of chicken pox immunity as determined by:
- Presence of IgG antibodies to varicella, as documented by a positive test result from the local laboratory from blood collected during the Screening Period; OR
- Documentation, provided at the Screening Visit, that the subject has received 2 doses of varicella vaccine, with or without serologic evidence of immunity, with the second of the 2 immunizations given at least 14 days prior to first administration of study medication;
- Subject is willing and able to comply with scheduled visits, study medication administration plan, and study procedures.
- Subject agrees to use barrier contraception methods during his participation in this study and for 30 days after the tapering dose is completed.
Who cannot join
- Subject has current or history of major renal or hepatic impairment, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (defined as a diagnosis of diabetes with random glucose more than 1.5x ULN at screening and the patient has symptoms of polyuria or polydipsia) or immunosuppression;
- Subject has current or history of chronic systemic fungal or viral infections;
- Subject has had an acute illness within 4 weeks prior to the first dose of study medication
- Subject has used mineralocorticoid receptor agents, such as spironolactone, eplerenone, canrenone (canrenoate potassium), prorenone (prorenoate potassium), or mexrenone (mexrenoate potassium) within 4 weeks prior to administration of study medication;
- Subject has evidence of symptomatic cardiomyopathy [Note: Asymptomatic cardiac abnormality on investigation would not be exclusionary unless cardiac ejection fraction is less than 40%];
- Subject has an allergy or hypersensitivity to the study medication or to any of its constituents;
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- Subject has severe behavioral or cognitive problems that preclude participation in the study, in the opinion of the Investigator;
- Subject has previous or ongoing medical condition, medical history, physical findings or laboratory abnormalities that could affect safety, make it unlikely that treatment and follow-up will be correctly completed or impair the assessment of study results, in the opinion of the Investigator;
- Subject is taking (or has taken within 4 weeks prior to first dose of study medication) herbal remedies and supplements which can impact muscle strength and function (e.g., Co-enzyme Q10, creatine, etc);
- Subject has been administered a live attenuated vaccine within 14 days prior to the first dose of study medication;
- Subject is currently taking any other investigational drug or has taken any other investigational drug within 3 months prior to first dose of study medication; or
- Subject has previously been enrolled in the VBP15-BMD-001 study or any other vamorolone study.
Trial locations and contacts
2 sites in 2 countries.
2 sites in 2 countries
United States1 site
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15261
About this study
Official title: A Phase II Pilot Trial of Vamorolone vs. Placebo for the Treatment of Becker Muscular Dystrophy
This Phase II pilot study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the safety, tolerability, PK, PD, and exploratory clinical efficacy of vamorolone 500mg (250mg for body weight <50 kg) daily administered orally compared to placebo over a treatment period of 24 weeks in males with BMD.
Funding Source - FDA OOPD
Read the detailed description
This Phase II pilot study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the safety, tolerability, PK, PD, and exploratory clinical efficacy of vamorolone 500mg (250mg for body weight <50 kg) daily administered orally compared to placebo over a treatment period of 24 weeks in males with BMD.
The study is comprised of a Pretreatment Screening Period of up to 5 weeks duration (unless extended to accommodate varicella vaccination), a 1-day Pretreatment Baseline Period, a 24-week Treatment Period, and a 4-week Dose-tapering Period (for subjects not continuing directly with further vamorolone treatment). Subjects will be enrolled into this study at the time written informed consent is given, and administered study medication only after completion of all Pretreatment Screening assessments to confirm eligibility.
Subjects will be assessed for safety, tolerability, PK, PD, and effect on physical functioning at scheduled visits throughout the study. Screening assessments will be performed prior to baseline assessments on Day -1 and first administration of study medication on Day 1.
After completion of Screening and Baseline assessments, subjects will return to the study clinic on Day 1 for safety, PK and PD assessments prior to administration of the first dose of study medication. Additional on-site study visits will occur at Week 4, Week 12, and Week 24. Adverse events, including serious adverse events (SAEs), and concomitant medications will be recorded throughout the study. A Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) will review SAEs and other pertinent safety data at regular intervals during the study, and make recommendations to the Sponsor and Study Team regarding study conduct.
Subject diaries will be dispensed at the Day 1, Week 12, and Week 24 (for subjects participating in the Dose-tapering Period) Visits to record AEs, changes to concomitant medications taken during the study, and any missed or incomplete doses of study medication.
The scheduled Week 12 and Week 24 assessments may be performed over a 2-day period, if necessary, to facilitate scheduling.
Subjects who complete the VBP15-BMD-001 study assessments through the Week 24 Visit may be given the opportunity to continue to receive vamorolone as part of an expanded access or compassionate use program.
Subjects who complete the VBP15-BMD-001 study and will enroll directly into an expanded access or compassionate use program to continue vamorolone treatment will be discharged from the VBP15-BMD-001 study following completion of all Week 24 assessments. Subjects who will not continue vamorolone treatment in the expanded access or compassionate use program will have their study medication dose tapered during a 4-week Dose-tapering Period to taper study medication prior to discharge from the study. For these subjects, site study staff will contact the subject or parent(s)/guardian(s) by telephone at Week 26 to ensure that the dose tapering is proceeding according to protocol, to assess potential signs or symptoms of adrenal suppression, and to address any questions the subject or parent(s)/guardian(s) may have.
In the event that any clinical or laboratory parameters remain abnormal at the time of discharge from the study, the subject will be followed medically, as clinically indicated.
Any subject who discontinues the study prior to the Week 24 Visit should return to the study unit for scheduled Week 24 assessments at the time of early withdrawal and a Week 28 Visit following the taper, whenever possible, assuming the subject has not withdrawn consent. Any subject who withdraws early from the study after study medication dosing has begun should undergo dose-tapering following early completion of the Week 24 assessments and a Week 28 Visit following the taper.
- Conditions
- Becker Muscular Dystrophy
- Being tested
- Vamorolone, Placebo
- Keywords
- Becker Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne and Becker Muscular Dystrophy, Muscular Dystrophy
- Medical subject headings
- Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne, Muscular Dystrophies
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
VamoroloneDrug
Also called VBP15
Vamorolone 4.0% wt/wt oral suspension will be administered for the duration of the study.
PlaceboDrug
Also called Placebo to vamorolone
Placebo to Vamorolone 4.0% wt/wt oral suspension will be administered for the duration of the study.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Vamorolone 500mg/day [250mg if <50kg body weight] | Experimental | Subjects will be randomized to one of two treatment groups in a 1:2 ratio (placebo:vamorolone). Receives: Drug: Vamorolone |
| Placebo | Placebo comparator | Subjects will be randomized to one of two treatment groups in a 1:2 ratio (placebo:vamorolone). Receives: Drug: Placebo |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Number of Participants With Treatment-related Adverse Events as Assessed by CTCAE Version 5.0
Clinical AEs and clinical laboratory AEs will be graded according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE), Version 5.0
Dose-limiting toxicities will be defined as follows:
- The presence of a CTCAE Grade ≥ 3 AE, considered to be probably or definitely related to study drug
- The presence of a CTCAE Grade ≥ 3 clinical laboratory AE considered to be probably or definitely related to study drug
- Deterioration of the muscle condition, unexpected for the natural course of BMD and without other clear cause
Measured: 24 weeks
Total Number of Adverse Events as Assessed by CTCAE Version 5.0
Clinical AEs and clinical laboratory AEs will be graded according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE), Version 5.0
Dose-limiting toxicities will be defined as follows:
- The presence of a CTCAE Grade ≥ 3 AE, considered to be probably or definitely related to study drug
- The presence of a CTCAE Grade ≥ 3 clinical laboratory AE considered to be probably or definitely related to study drug
- Deterioration of the muscle condition, unexpected for the natural course of BMD and without other clear cause
Measured: 24 weeks
Secondary outcomes (12)
Pharmacokinetics as Measured by Cmax
Blood will be collected from all subjects at the Day 1 Visit, at 1, 2 and 3 hours post-dose, for vamorolone PK analysis
Measured: Day 1
Pharmacokinetics as Measured by Tmax
Blood will be collected from all subjects at the Day 1 Visit, at 1, 2 and 3 hours post-dose, for vamorolone PK analysis
Measured: Day 1
Pharmacokinetics as Measured by Dose-normalized Cmax
Blood will be collected from all subjects at the Day 1 Visit, at 1, 2 and 3 hours post-dose, for vamorolone PK analysis
Measured: Day 1
Safety as Measured by Serum Concentration of Osteocalcin
Change from baseline to Week 24 will be assessed for each treatment group.
Measured: Week 24
Safety as Measured by Serum Concentration of Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)
Change from baseline to Week 24 will be assessed for each treatment group.
Measured: Week 24
Safety as Measured by Fasting Serum Concentration of Glucose
Change from baseline to week 24 for each treatment group.
Measured: Week 24
Safety as Measured by Fasting Serum Concentration of Insulin
Change from baseline to week 24 for each treatment group.
Measured: Week 24
Safety as Measured by Concentration of Salivary Cortisol
First-in-morning salivary cortisol levels will be measured. Cortisol measures falling below 3.6 µg/dL (or 100 nM) will be considered to be indicative of the development of adrenal suppression. Cortisol will be assessed for each treatment group.
Measured: Week 24
Efficacy as Measured by Concentration of Serum Pharmacodynamic Biomarkers (CD23)
CD23 (also known as Fc epsilon RII) concentration at Week 24.
Measured: Week 24
Efficacy as Measured by Concentration of Serum Pharmacodynamic Biomarkers (MDC)
MDC (macrophage-derived chemokine) concentration at Week 24.
Measured: Week 24
Efficacy as Measured by Time to Run/Walk Velocity (TTRWV)
Change from baseline to week 24 for each treatment group.
Measured: Week 24
Efficacy as Measured by North Star Ambulatory Assessment (NSAA) Score
North Star Ambulatory Assessment (NSAA). The assessment's score can range from 0 to 34. Higher scores indicate a better outcome assessing functional mobility. Data is presented as change from baseline to week 24 for each treatment group.
Measured: Week 24
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted21 Dec 2021
- Study start7 Jul 2022
- Primary completion18 Aug 2025
- Study completion18 Aug 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, outcome measures and adverse events reported by the sponsor.
- Publications (23)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Becker Muscular DystrophyStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
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
- Masking
- Quadruple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 46 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- ReveraGen BioPharma, Inc.
- Sponsor type
- Industry (pharma, biotech, devices)
- Collaborators
- Santhera Pharmaceuticals
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Paula Clemens, M.D., Study chair, University of Pittsburgh
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05166109
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- VBP15-BMD-001
- Other IDs
- 1R01FD007284-01
- Status last verified
- Sep 2026
- First submitted
- 8 Dec 2021
- Last updated
- 15 Sep 2026
- Results posted
- Yes, on ClinicalTrials.gov
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- Yes
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Hoffman EP, Schwartz BD, Mengle-Gaw LJ, Smith EC, Castro D, Mah JK, McDonald CM, Kuntz NL, Finkel RS, Guglieri M, Bushby K, Tulinius M, Nevo Y, Ryan MM, Webster R, Smith AL, Morgenroth LP, Arrieta A, Shimony M, Siener C, Jaros M, Shale P, McCall JM, Nagaraju K, van den Anker J, Conklin LS, Cnaan A, Gordish-Dressman H, Damsker JM, Clemens PR; Cooperative International Neuromuscular Research Group. Vamorolone trial in Duchenne muscular dystrophy shows dose-related improvement of muscle function. Neurology. 2019 Sep 24;93(13):e1312-e1323. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000008168. Epub 2019 Aug 26.
PubMed 31451516Smith EC, Conklin LS, Hoffman EP, Clemens PR, Mah JK, Finkel RS, Guglieri M, Tulinius M, Nevo Y, Ryan MM, Webster R, Castro D, Kuntz NL, Kerchner L, Morgenroth LP, Arrieta A, Shimony M, Jaros M, Shale P, Gordish-Dressman H, Hagerty L, Dang UJ, Damsker JM, Schwartz BD, Mengle-Gaw LJ, McDonald CM; CINRG VBP15 and DNHS Investigators. Efficacy and safety of vamorolone in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: An 18-month interim analysis of a non-randomized open-label extension study. PLoS Med. 2020 Sep 21;17(9):e1003222. doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003222. eCollection 2020 Sep.
PubMed 32956407Heier CR, Yu Q, Fiorillo AA, Tully CB, Tucker A, Mazala DA, Uaesoontrachoon K, Srinivassane S, Damsker JM, Hoffman EP, Nagaraju K, Spurney CF. Vamorolone targets dual nuclear receptors to treat inflammation and dystrophic cardiomyopathy. Life Sci Alliance. 2019 Feb 11;2(1):e201800186. doi: 10.26508/lsa.201800186. Print 2019 Feb.
PubMed 30745312Mavroudis PD, van den Anker J, Conklin LS, Damsker JM, Hoffman EP, Nagaraju K, Clemens PR, Jusko WJ. Population Pharmacokinetics of Vamorolone (VBP15) in Healthy Men and Boys With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. J Clin Pharmacol. 2019 Jul;59(7):979-988. doi: 10.1002/jcph.1388. Epub 2019 Feb 11.
PubMed 30742306Damsker JM, Cornish MR, Kanneboyina P, Kanneboyina I, Yu Q, Lipson R, Phadke A, Knoblach SM, Panchapakesan K, Morales M, Fiorillo AA, Partridge T, Nagaraju K. Vamorolone, a dissociative steroidal compound, reduces collagen antibody-induced joint damage and inflammation when administered after disease onset. Inflamm Res. 2019 Nov;68(11):969-980. doi: 10.1007/s00011-019-01279-z. Epub 2019 Aug 24.
PubMed 31446438Akkad H, Cacciani N, Llano-Diez M, Corpeno Kalamgi R, Tchkonia T, Kirkland JL, Larsson L. Vamorolone treatment improves skeletal muscle outcome in a critical illness myopathy rat model. Acta Physiol (Oxf). 2019 Feb;225(2):e13172. doi: 10.1111/apha.13172. Epub 2018 Sep 6.
PubMed 30120816Li X, Conklin LS, van den Anker J, Hoffman EP, Clemens PR, Jusko WJ. Exposure-Response Analysis of Vamorolone (VBP15) in Boys With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. J Clin Pharmacol. 2020 Oct;60(10):1385-1396. doi: 10.1002/jcph.1632. Epub 2020 May 20.
PubMed 32434278Hoffman EP, Riddle V, Siegler MA, Dickerson D, Backonja M, Kramer WG, Nagaraju K, Gordish-Dressman H, Damsker JM, McCall JM. Phase 1 trial of vamorolone, a first-in-class steroid, shows improvements in side effects via biomarkers bridged to clinical outcomes. Steroids. 2018 Jun;134:43-52. doi: 10.1016/j.steroids.2018.02.010. Epub 2018 Mar 8.
PubMed 29524454Almeida LEF, Damsker JM, Albani S, Afsar N, Kamimura S, Pratt D, Kleiner DE, Quezado M, Gordish-Dressman H, Quezado ZMN. The corticosteroid compounds prednisolone and vamorolone do not alter the nociception phenotype and exacerbate liver injury in sickle cell mice. Sci Rep. 2018 Apr 17;8(1):6081. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-24274-6.
PubMed 29666400Wells E, Kambhampati M, Damsker JM, Gordish-Dressman H, Yadavilli S, Becher OJ, Gittens J, Stampar M, Packer RJ, Nazarian J. Vamorolone, a dissociative steroidal compound, reduces pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in glioma cells and increases activity and survival in a murine model of cortical tumor. Oncotarget. 2017 Feb 7;8(6):9366-9374. doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.14070.
PubMed 28030841Liu X, Wang Y, Gutierrez JS, Damsker JM, Nagaraju K, Hoffman EP, Ortlund EA. Disruption of a key ligand-H-bond network drives dissociative properties in vamorolone for Duchenne muscular dystrophy treatment. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2020 Sep 29;117(39):24285-24293. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2006890117. Epub 2020 Sep 11.
PubMed 32917814Conklin LS, Damsker JM, Hoffman EP, Jusko WJ, Mavroudis PD, Schwartz BD, Mengle-Gaw LJ, Smith EC, Mah JK, Guglieri M, Nevo Y, Kuntz N, McDonald CM, Tulinius M, Ryan MM, Webster R, Castro D, Finkel RS, Smith AL, Morgenroth LP, Arrieta A, Shimony M, Jaros M, Shale P, McCall JM, Hathout Y, Nagaraju K, van den Anker J, Ward LM, Ahmet A, Cornish MR, Clemens PR. Phase IIa trial in Duchenne muscular dystrophy shows vamorolone is a first-in-class dissociative steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Pharmacol Res. 2018 Oct;136:140-150. doi: 10.1016/j.phrs.2018.09.007. Epub 2018 Sep 13.
PubMed 30219580Fiorillo AA, Tully CB, Damsker JM, Nagaraju K, Hoffman EP, Heier CR. Muscle miRNAome shows suppression of chronic inflammatory miRNAs with both prednisone and vamorolone. Physiol Genomics. 2018 Sep 1;50(9):735-745. doi: 10.1152/physiolgenomics.00134.2017. Epub 2018 Jun 8.
PubMed 29883261Sreetama SC, Chandra G, Van der Meulen JH, Ahmad MM, Suzuki P, Bhuvanendran S, Nagaraju K, Hoffman EP, Jaiswal JK. Membrane Stabilization by Modified Steroid Offers a Potential Therapy for Muscular Dystrophy Due to Dysferlin Deficit. Mol Ther. 2018 Sep 5;26(9):2231-2242. doi: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2018.07.021. Epub 2018 Aug 27.
PubMed 30166241Dang UJ, Ziemba M, Clemens PR, Hathout Y, Conklin LS; CINRG Vamorolone 002/003 Investigators; Hoffman EP. Serum biomarkers associated with baseline clinical severity in young steroid-naive Duchenne muscular dystrophy boys. Hum Mol Genet. 2020 Aug 29;29(15):2481-2495. doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddaa132.
PubMed 32592467
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 15 Sep 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- A Phase II Pilot Trial of Vamorolone vs. Placebo for the Treatment of Becker Muscular Dystrophy
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05166109
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- VBP15-BMD-001
- Conditions
- Becker Muscular Dystrophy
- Keywords
- Becker Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne and Becker Muscular Dystrophy, Muscular Dystrophy
- Phase
- Phase 2
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 46 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- ReveraGen BioPharma, Inc.Industry (pharma, biotech, devices)
- Collaborators
- Santhera Pharmaceuticals
- Study start
- 7 Jul 2022 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 18 Aug 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 18 Aug 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 21 Dec 2021 (actual)
- Results
- Posted 15 Sep 2026
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This Phase II pilot study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the safety, tolerability, PK, PD, and exploratory clinical efficacy of vamorolone 500mg (250mg for body weight <50 kg) daily administered orally compared to placebo over a treatment period of 24 weeks in males with BMD.
Funding Source - FDA OOPD
Detailed description
This Phase II pilot study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the safety, tolerability, PK, PD, and exploratory clinical efficacy of vamorolone 500mg (250mg for body weight <50 kg) daily administered orally compared to placebo over a treatment period of 24 weeks in males with BMD.
The study is comprised of a Pretreatment Screening Period of up to 5 weeks duration (unless extended to accommodate varicella vaccination), a 1-day Pretreatment Baseline Period, a 24-week Treatment Period, and a 4-week Dose-tapering Period (for subjects not continuing directly with further vamorolone treatment). Subjects will be enrolled into this study at the time written informed consent is given, and administered study medication only after completion of all Pretreatment Screening assessments to confirm eligibility.
Subjects will be assessed for safety, tolerability, PK, PD, and effect on physical functioning at scheduled visits throughout the study. Screening assessments will be performed prior to baseline assessments on Day -1 and first administration of study medication on Day 1.
After completion of Screening and Baseline assessments, subjects will return to the study clinic on Day 1 for safety, PK and PD assessments prior to administration of the first dose of study medication. Additional on-site study visits will occur at Week 4, Week 12, and Week 24. Adverse events, including serious adverse events (SAEs), and concomitant medications will be recorded throughout the study. A Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) will review SAEs and other pertinent safety data at regular intervals during the study, and make recommendations to the Sponsor and Study Team regarding study conduct.
Subject diaries will be dispensed at the Day 1, Week 12, and Week 24 (for subjects participating in the Dose-tapering Period) Visits to record AEs, changes to concomitant medications taken during the study, and any missed or incomplete doses of study medication.
The scheduled Week 12 and Week 24 assessments may be performed over a 2-day period, if necessary, to facilitate scheduling.
Subjects who complete the VBP15-BMD-001 study assessments through the Week 24 Visit may be given the opportunity to continue to receive vamorolone as part of an expanded access or compassionate use program.
Subjects who complete the VBP15-BMD-001 study and will enroll directly into an expanded access or compassionate use program to continue vamorolone treatment will be discharged from the VBP15-BMD-001 study following completion of all Week 24 assessments. Subjects who will not continue vamorolone treatment in the expanded access or compassionate use program will have their study medication dose tapered during a 4-week Dose-tapering Period to taper study medication prior to discharge from the study. For these subjects, site study staff will contact the subject or parent(s)/guardian(s) by telephone at Week 26 to ensure that the dose tapering is proceeding according to protocol, to assess potential signs or symptoms of adrenal suppression, and to address any questions the subject or parent(s)/guardian(s) may have.
In the event that any clinical or laboratory parameters remain abnormal at the time of discharge from the study, the subject will be followed medically, as clinically indicated.
Any subject who discontinues the study prior to the Week 24 Visit should return to the study unit for scheduled Week 24 assessments at the time of early withdrawal and a Week 28 Visit following the taper, whenever possible, assuming the subject has not withdrawn consent. Any subject who withdraws early from the study after study medication dosing has begun should undergo dose-tapering following early completion of the Week 24 assessments and a Week 28 Visit following the taper.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Quadruple blind (participant, care provider, investigator, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Vamorolone 500mg/day [250mg if <50kg body weight] | Experimental | Drug: VamoroloneSubjects will be randomized to one of two treatment groups in a 1:2 ratio (placebo:vamorolone). |
| Placebo | Placebo comparator | Drug: PlaceboSubjects will be randomized to one of two treatment groups in a 1:2 ratio (placebo:vamorolone). |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 64 years
- Sex
- Male only
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (14 listed)
- Subject or Subject's parent(s) or legal guardian (s) has (have) provided written informed consent and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) authorization, where applicable, prior to any study-related procedures;
- Subject is a male and has a confirmed diagnosis of Becker dystrophy as defined as:
- Subject is ≥ 18 years of age and <65 years of age at time of informed consent;
- Subject is able to perform the timed run/walk 10 meters assessment (TTRW) in ≤ 30 sec at screening; assistive devices, cane or walker, are allowed.
- Subject has an NSAA score ≤ 32 at screening.
Key exclusion criteria (12 listed)
- Subject has current or history of major renal or hepatic impairment, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (defined as a diagnosis of diabetes with random glucose more than 1.5x ULN at screening and the patient has symptoms of polyuria or polydipsia) or immunosuppression;
- Subject has current or history of chronic systemic fungal or viral infections;
- Subject has had an acute illness within 4 weeks prior to the first dose of study medication
- Subject has used mineralocorticoid receptor agents, such as spironolactone, eplerenone, canrenone (canrenoate potassium), prorenone (prorenoate potassium), or mexrenone (mexrenoate potassium) within 4 weeks prior to administration of study medication;
- Subject has evidence of symptomatic cardiomyopathy [Note: Asymptomatic cardiac abnormality on investigation would not be exclusionary unless cardiac ejection fraction is less than 40%];
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| VamoroloneAlso: VBP15Vamorolone 4.0% wt/wt oral suspension will be administered for the duration of the study. | Drug | Vamorolone 500mg/day [250mg if <50kg body weight] |
| PlaceboAlso: Placebo to vamorolonePlacebo to Vamorolone 4.0% wt/wt oral suspension will be administered for the duration of the study. | Drug | Placebo |
Primary outcome
Number of Participants With Treatment-related Adverse Events as Assessed by CTCAE Version 5.0
Time frame: 24 weeks
Clinical AEs and clinical laboratory AEs will be graded according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE), Version 5.0 Dose-limiting toxicities will be defined as follows: 1. The presence of a CTCAE Grade ≥ 3 AE, considered to be probably or definitely related to study drug 2. The presence of a CTCAE Grade ≥ 3 clinical laboratory AE considered to be probably or definitely related to study drug 3. Deterioration of the muscle condition, unexpected for the natural course of BMD and without other clear cause
Total Number of Adverse Events as Assessed by CTCAE Version 5.0
Time frame: 24 weeks
Clinical AEs and clinical laboratory AEs will be graded according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE), Version 5.0 Dose-limiting toxicities will be defined as follows: 1. The presence of a CTCAE Grade ≥ 3 AE, considered to be probably or definitely related to study drug 2. The presence of a CTCAE Grade ≥ 3 clinical laboratory AE considered to be probably or definitely related to study drug 3. Deterioration of the muscle condition, unexpected for the natural course of BMD and without other clear cause
12 secondary outcomes
Pharmacokinetics as Measured by Cmax
Time frame: Day 1
Pharmacokinetics as Measured by Tmax
Time frame: Day 1
Pharmacokinetics as Measured by Dose-normalized Cmax
Time frame: Day 1
Safety as Measured by Serum Concentration of Osteocalcin
Time frame: Week 24
Safety as Measured by Serum Concentration of Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)
Time frame: Week 24
Safety as Measured by Fasting Serum Concentration of Glucose
Time frame: Week 24
Safety as Measured by Fasting Serum Concentration of Insulin
Time frame: Week 24
Safety as Measured by Concentration of Salivary Cortisol
Time frame: Week 24
Efficacy as Measured by Concentration of Serum Pharmacodynamic Biomarkers (CD23)
Time frame: Week 24
Efficacy as Measured by Concentration of Serum Pharmacodynamic Biomarkers (MDC)
Time frame: Week 24
Efficacy as Measured by Time to Run/Walk Velocity (TTRWV)
Time frame: Week 24
Efficacy as Measured by North Star Ambulatory Assessment (NSAA) Score
Time frame: Week 24
Results and safety
Loading the posted results from ClinicalTrials.gov…
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 15 Sep 2026.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, baseline, all outcome measures and adverse events.
- Background: PubMed 31451516Hoffman EP, Schwartz BD, Mengle-Gaw LJ, Smith EC, Castro D, Mah JK, McDonald CM, Kuntz NL, Finkel RS, Guglieri M, Bushby K, Tulinius M, Nevo Y, Ryan MM, Webster R, Smith AL, Morgenroth LP, Arrieta A, Shimony M, Siener C, Jaros M, Shale P, McCall JM, Nagaraju K, van den Anker J, Conklin LS, Cnaan A, Gordish-Dressman H, Damsker JM, Clemens PR; Cooperative International Neuromuscular Research Group. Vamorolone trial in Duchenne muscular dystrophy shows dose-related improvement of muscle function. Neurology. 2019 Sep 24;93(13):e1312-e1323. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000008168. Epub 2019 Aug 26.
- Background: PubMed 32956407Smith EC, Conklin LS, Hoffman EP, Clemens PR, Mah JK, Finkel RS, Guglieri M, Tulinius M, Nevo Y, Ryan MM, Webster R, Castro D, Kuntz NL, Kerchner L, Morgenroth LP, Arrieta A, Shimony M, Jaros M, Shale P, Gordish-Dressman H, Hagerty L, Dang UJ, Damsker JM, Schwartz BD, Mengle-Gaw LJ, McDonald CM; CINRG VBP15 and DNHS Investigators. Efficacy and safety of vamorolone in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: An 18-month interim analysis of a non-randomized open-label extension study. PLoS Med. 2020 Sep 21;17(9):e1003222. doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003222. eCollection 2020 Sep.
- Background: PubMed 30745312Heier CR, Yu Q, Fiorillo AA, Tully CB, Tucker A, Mazala DA, Uaesoontrachoon K, Srinivassane S, Damsker JM, Hoffman EP, Nagaraju K, Spurney CF. Vamorolone targets dual nuclear receptors to treat inflammation and dystrophic cardiomyopathy. Life Sci Alliance. 2019 Feb 11;2(1):e201800186. doi: 10.26508/lsa.201800186. Print 2019 Feb.
- Background: PubMed 30742306Mavroudis PD, van den Anker J, Conklin LS, Damsker JM, Hoffman EP, Nagaraju K, Clemens PR, Jusko WJ. Population Pharmacokinetics of Vamorolone (VBP15) in Healthy Men and Boys With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. J Clin Pharmacol. 2019 Jul;59(7):979-988. doi: 10.1002/jcph.1388. Epub 2019 Feb 11.
- Background: PubMed 31446438Damsker JM, Cornish MR, Kanneboyina P, Kanneboyina I, Yu Q, Lipson R, Phadke A, Knoblach SM, Panchapakesan K, Morales M, Fiorillo AA, Partridge T, Nagaraju K. Vamorolone, a dissociative steroidal compound, reduces collagen antibody-induced joint damage and inflammation when administered after disease onset. Inflamm Res. 2019 Nov;68(11):969-980. doi: 10.1007/s00011-019-01279-z. Epub 2019 Aug 24.
- Background: PubMed 30120816Akkad H, Cacciani N, Llano-Diez M, Corpeno Kalamgi R, Tchkonia T, Kirkland JL, Larsson L. Vamorolone treatment improves skeletal muscle outcome in a critical illness myopathy rat model. Acta Physiol (Oxf). 2019 Feb;225(2):e13172. doi: 10.1111/apha.13172. Epub 2018 Sep 6.
- Background: PubMed 32434278Li X, Conklin LS, van den Anker J, Hoffman EP, Clemens PR, Jusko WJ. Exposure-Response Analysis of Vamorolone (VBP15) in Boys With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. J Clin Pharmacol. 2020 Oct;60(10):1385-1396. doi: 10.1002/jcph.1632. Epub 2020 May 20.
- Background: PubMed 29524454Hoffman EP, Riddle V, Siegler MA, Dickerson D, Backonja M, Kramer WG, Nagaraju K, Gordish-Dressman H, Damsker JM, McCall JM. Phase 1 trial of vamorolone, a first-in-class steroid, shows improvements in side effects via biomarkers bridged to clinical outcomes. Steroids. 2018 Jun;134:43-52. doi: 10.1016/j.steroids.2018.02.010. Epub 2018 Mar 8.
- Background: PubMed 29666400Almeida LEF, Damsker JM, Albani S, Afsar N, Kamimura S, Pratt D, Kleiner DE, Quezado M, Gordish-Dressman H, Quezado ZMN. The corticosteroid compounds prednisolone and vamorolone do not alter the nociception phenotype and exacerbate liver injury in sickle cell mice. Sci Rep. 2018 Apr 17;8(1):6081. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-24274-6.
- Background: PubMed 28030841Wells E, Kambhampati M, Damsker JM, Gordish-Dressman H, Yadavilli S, Becher OJ, Gittens J, Stampar M, Packer RJ, Nazarian J. Vamorolone, a dissociative steroidal compound, reduces pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in glioma cells and increases activity and survival in a murine model of cortical tumor. Oncotarget. 2017 Feb 7;8(6):9366-9374. doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.14070.
- Background: PubMed 32917814Liu X, Wang Y, Gutierrez JS, Damsker JM, Nagaraju K, Hoffman EP, Ortlund EA. Disruption of a key ligand-H-bond network drives dissociative properties in vamorolone for Duchenne muscular dystrophy treatment. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2020 Sep 29;117(39):24285-24293. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2006890117. Epub 2020 Sep 11.
- Background: PubMed 30219580Conklin LS, Damsker JM, Hoffman EP, Jusko WJ, Mavroudis PD, Schwartz BD, Mengle-Gaw LJ, Smith EC, Mah JK, Guglieri M, Nevo Y, Kuntz N, McDonald CM, Tulinius M, Ryan MM, Webster R, Castro D, Finkel RS, Smith AL, Morgenroth LP, Arrieta A, Shimony M, Jaros M, Shale P, McCall JM, Hathout Y, Nagaraju K, van den Anker J, Ward LM, Ahmet A, Cornish MR, Clemens PR. Phase IIa trial in Duchenne muscular dystrophy shows vamorolone is a first-in-class dissociative steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Pharmacol Res. 2018 Oct;136:140-150. doi: 10.1016/j.phrs.2018.09.007. Epub 2018 Sep 13.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Paula Clemens, M.D. study chair
University of Pittsburgh
2 sites in 2 countries: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A Phase 2 study testing Vamorolone in people with Becker Muscular Dystrophy, run by ReveraGen BioPharma, Inc. at 2 sites in 2 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 12 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 15 Sep 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 2 sites in United States, Italy. 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?
Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 15 Sep 2026). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.
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?
Number of Participants With Treatment-related Adverse Events as Assessed by CTCAE Version 5.0 (time frame: 24 weeks). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT05166109, which also lists 23 linked publications.
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 15 Sep 2026.