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Obesity / OverweightPhase 2SERENITY-1NCT07882654

A PHASE 2A, EXPLORATORY, RANDOMIZED, SINGLE-BLIND, PLACEBO-CONTROLLED STUDY TO EVALUATE THE EFFICACY OF WEIGHT LOSS INDUCED BY NKS-3 IN OBESE ADULTS.

A Phase 2 study testing Investigational product is a modified linoleic acid, named NKS-3. This non-caloric agent, synthetized from linoleic acid, is a fat taste receptors agonist, targeting CD36 with also an impact on GPR120 in people with Obesity / Overweight and Obesity (BMI Equal to or >30), run by EktaH at 1 site in Tunisia.

Not yet recruiting

Opening soon. The study is approved but enrolment has not started yet. Sites may already take enquiries.

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Official record

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Trial summary

This study is designed as a single-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, parallel-group trial. Subjects will be randomized in a 2:1 ratio to receive either NKS-3 or matching placebo, with a total planned enrollment of 31 subjects. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 60 years
What is being tested?
Investigational product is a modified linoleic acid, named NKS-3. This non-caloric agent, synthetized from linoleic acid, is a fat taste receptors agonist, targeting CD36 with also an impact on GPR120
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
31 participants
Where
1 siteTunisia
Study dates
20 Oct 2026to 7 Feb 2027
Phase
Phase 2

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 60 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult

Who may be able to join

  • I1. Age between 18 and 60 years (limits included), I2. Obesity BMI ≥30.0 kg/m² and <40.0 kg/m². I3. Nonsmokers (no cigarettes, nor electronic cigarettes), I4. Stable weight, defined by a weight variation of ± 5% during previous 3 months, I5. Clinically stable general physical and mental health, as determined by the Investigator on the basis of medical history, physical examination, vital signs and protocol-defined clinical laboratory assessments, with no clinically significant abnormality, uncontrolled medical condition or other finding that, in the Investigator's opinion, could compromise participant safety, interfere with study procedures, or affect interpretation of the study results.
  • I6. Able and willing to participate in the study and comply with the protocol procedures as evidenced by providing signed informed consent form, I7. Agree to be registered in biomedical research files as applicable. I8. Female participants of childbearing potential must agree to use a highly effective method of birth control until 15 days after the last dose of the study treatment. Acceptable methods include combined (estrogen- and progestogen-containing) or progestogen-only hormonal contraception associated with inhibition of ovulation, an intrauterine device (IUD), an intrauterine hormone-releasing system (IUS), bilateral tubal occlusion, a vasectomized partner (provided azoospermia has been confirmed and the partner is the sole sexual partner), or true sexual abstinence when this is the participant's established and preferred lifestyle I9. Female participants of childbearing potential must have a negative serum β-hCG pregnancy test at Screening before enrolment/randomization and a negative urine pregnancy test at Visit 1/Day 45 and Visit 2/Day 90 prior to investigational product

Who cannot join

  • E1. Presence of any clinically significant or inadequately controlled metabolic or endocrine disorder that may interfere with study participation, participant safety or interpretation of efficacy outcomes, including but not limited to uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, untreated or inadequately controlled thyroid disease, Cushing syndrome, or another clinically relevant endocrine disorder.
  • E2. Presence of any severe, active, uncontrolled or clinically significant chronic disease, including clinically relevant cardiovascular, hepatic, renal, gastrointestinal, neurological or other systemic disease, which, in the Investigator's opinion, may compromise participant safety, interfere with study procedures or investigational product administration, or affect interpretation of the study results, E3. With a known or suspected food allergy or intolerance or hypersensitivity to any of the study products' ingredients, E4. Subjects receiving medications or dietary supplements known to significantly influence body weight, appetite, energy metabolism, or oro-sensory perception (including but not limited to GLP-1 receptor agonists, anti-obesity medications, systemic corticosteroids, SGLT2 inhibitors, or centrally acting appetite suppressants), unless discontinued for a period exceeding five elimination half-lives before screening.
  • E5. Clinically relevant changes in dietary habits, alcohol consumption, or physical activity during the three months preceding screening, as determined by investigator interview, or unwillingness to maintain stable lifestyle habits throughout study participation.
  • E6. Subjects currently on a specific diet (hyper or hypocaloric, vegan, vegetarian), who stopped a specific diet less than 3 months before the screening visit, or who plan to initiate a specific diet during the study, E7. Subjects with a history of weight loss surgery, E8. Having lost their sense of taste and not fully regained it following an infection with SARS-CoV-2.
  • E9. With a personal history of anorexia nervosa, bulimia or significant eating disorders according to the investigator, E10. Consuming more than 2 standard drinks of alcoholic beverage daily, E11. Taking part in another clinical trial or having taken part in a clinical trial within 3 months before the screening visit, except participation in previous SERENITY studies when specifically permitted by the Sponsor and provided that all protocol-defined eligibility criteria are fulfilled.
  • E12. Female participant is pregnant as determined by positive serum pregnancy test at the screening visit E13. Breast-feeding female participants E14. Under legal protection (guardianship, wardship) or deprived of rights following administrative or judicial decision, E15. Presenting a psychological or linguistic incapability to sign the informed consent, E16. Clinically significant psychiatric illness or any other condition that, in the opinion of the Investigator, may compromise participant safety, protocol compliance, or the validity of the study results.
  • E17. Impossible to contact in case of emergency.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Tunisia1 site
  • Service des Maladies de la Nutrition A, Institut National de nutrition de Tunis

    Tunis, 1007

    Henda Pr. Jamoussi Kamoun, + 216 98 648 225

Other trials in Tunisia

About this study

Official title: A PHASE 2A, EXPLORATORY RANDOMIZED, SINGLE-BLIND, PLACEBO-CONTROLLED STUDY TO EVALUATE THE EFFICACY OF WEIGHT LOSS INDUCED BY NKS-3 IN OBESE ADULTS

This study is designed as a single-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, parallel-group trial. Subjects will be randomized in a 2:1 ratio to receive either NKS-3 or matching placebo, with a total planned enrollment of 31 subjects. During the 90-day treatment period, subjects will self-administer the assigned blinded study treatment daily at home. Given the exploratory nature of the study, which is intended to assess the feasibility of and generate preliminary evidence supporting the study hypothesis, a single-blind design has been selected. This approach reduces the logistical and organizational complexity associated with implementing a double-blind design while maintaining blinding of study participants to minimize expectation bias. Considering the exploratory objectives of the study, the selected design is considered appropriate and is not expected to compromise the scientific validity or the safety of participants.

Read the detailed description

The dose regimen selected for this study is based on the safety and tolerability data generated in the preceding SERENITY First-in-Human study. In the Single Ascending Dose (SAD) and Multiple Ascending Dose (MAD) parts of that study, total daily doses of 12 mg, 24 mg and up to 45 mg/day (administered as 15 mg three times daily) were evaluated.

The highest MAD regimen (45 mg/day) was administered for 30 consecutive days and was considered acceptable from a safety and tolerability perspective. For the present study, a total daily dose of 15 mg (7.5 mg administered twice daily) has been selected. This regimen represents a substantially lower daily exposure than the highest dose previously evaluated in humans (15 mg/day versus 45 mg/day), thereby providing an adequate safety margin to support the planned longer treatment duration of 90 days.

The selected dose is expected to provide sufficient pharmacological activity while minimizing overall drug exposure and maintaining an acceptable safety profile during prolonged administration. Considering the exploratory objectives of this study, the 7.5 mg twice-daily regimen is considered an appropriate balance between the anticipated pharmacodynamic effect and long-term safety.

Patients will come to the clinical site 3 times.

The eligibility of obese participants will be checked at initial visit (screening visit V0) by the healthcare professional and with first 3AFC method.

Volunteers will be then randomized at 2:1 ratio between NKS-3 and matched placebo.

Blood parameters will be measured before the test.

The first product intake will be done at the study center then volunteers will have a 2nd dose at home before dinner. Before discharge from the study site, participants will receive appropriate training and instructions from qualified study personnel regarding the correct administration of the investigational product, including the timing of dosing, storage conditions, and the actions to be taken in the event of a missed dose. Participant understanding will be confirmed prior to home administration. The dose will remain 7.5 mg, 2 times a day (morning and evening before main meal) during the next 45 days. After 45 days the patient will come to the center for V1 and will pursue after clinical exam the test for 45 additional days. At the end of the study the patient will come to the site for V2.

Treatment compliance will be assessed at each study visit through participant interview and study product accountability (returned sachet count). Additional telephone contacts may be performed between visits to reinforce compliance and assess participant safety. These contacts and any clinically relevant information obtained will be documented in the participant's CRF/eCRF.

Being tested
Investigational product is a modified linoleic acid, named NKS-3. This non-caloric agent, synthetized from linoleic acid, is a fat taste receptors agonist, targeting CD36 with also an impact on GPR120, Placebo solution
Keywords
Obesity, Fat taste receptor, Overweight
Medical subject headings
Obesity, Overweight

What participants receive

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

  • Investigational product is a modified linoleic acid, named NKS-3. This non-caloric agent, synthetized from linoleic acid, is a fat taste receptors agonist, targeting CD36 with also an impact on GPR120Drug

    Investigational product is a modified linoleic acid, named NKS-3. This non-caloric agent, synthetized from linoleic acid, is a fat taste receptors agonist, targeting CD36 with also an impact on GPR120.

  • Placebo solutionOther

    Placebo solution with the group treated with NKS-3.

Study groups in NCT07882654
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
20 Obese adults to be administered the treatment NKS-3Active comparatorNot described
Receives: Drug: Investigational product is a modified linoleic acid, named NKS-3. This non-caloric agent, synthetized from linoleic acid, is a fat taste receptors agonist, targeting CD36 with also an impact on GPR120
11 obese adults to be administered placeboPlacebo comparatorNot described
Receives: Other: Placebo solution

What is being measured

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

  1. Evaluate the effect of NKS-3 compared with placebo on the percent change in body weight from baseline (V0) to Day 90 (V2) in adults with obesity.

    The primary efficacy endpoint is the percent change in body weight from baseline (V0) to end of Treatment (V2, Day 90). The primary comparison will be the difference in percent body weight change between NKS-3 and placebo groups from baseline to day 90.

    Measured: 90 Days of treatment.

Secondary outcomes (1)
  1. To evaluate the effect of NKS-3 compared with placebo on oro-sensory sensitivity to linoleic acid

    To evaluate the effect of NKS-3 compared with placebo on oro-sensory sensitivity to linoleic acid, as assessed by the change in the linoleic-acid detection threshold using the 3-AFC method from baseline to Day 45 and Day 90. The secondary endpoint will be the oro-sensory detection thresholds (mmol/L) determined for each participant.

    Measured: 90 Days.

Timeline

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

  1. First posted20 Oct 2026
  2. Study start20 Oct 2026 (estimated)
  3. Primary completion5 Feb 2027 (estimated)
  4. Study completion7 Feb 2027 (estimated)

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
Masking
Single blind
Who is masked
Participant
Enrolment
31 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07882654
Sponsor's protocol ID
2026-001
Acronym
SERENITY-1
Status last verified
Oct 2026
First submitted
12 Oct 2026
Last updated
20 Oct 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No

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