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Leprosy, MultibacillaryPhase 2TEBULA LEPROSYNCT07918573

Telacebec in Adults With Multibacillary Leprosy (TEBULA Leprosy Trial)

A Phase 2 study testing Telacebec 300 mg, Telacebec 600 mg and Telacebec + Rifampicine in people with Leprosy, Multibacillary, run by Fondation Raoul Follereau at 1 site in Benin.

Not yet recruiting

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

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

The goal of this clinical trail is to evaluate whether short-course telacebec-based regimens can induce rapid and measurable reductions in M. leprae viability, potentially establishing the foundation for future shorter, safer, and simplified therapeutic strategies for MB leprosy. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 60 years
Conditions the study is for
Leprosy, Multibacillary
What is being tested?
Telacebec 300 mg, Telacebec 600 mg and Telacebec + Rifampicine
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
120 participants
Where
1 siteBenin
Study dates
Dec 2026to Nov 2029
Phase
Phase 2
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

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

  • Be an individual aged 18-60 years.
  • Has been diagnosed with MB leprosy with a Bacillary Index (BI) of at least 2+ on a slit skin smear (SSS).
  • Have no prior leprosy treatment (WHO MDT and/or dapsone monotherapy).
  • Be able to give voluntary informed consent.
  • Be able to complete the full study period and follow-up (with no planned migration and an accurate, known and accessible address).
  • Be able to accept hospitalisation for at least three months (site-specific requirement).
  • "Body weight < 85 kg at screening." (participants with weight >= 85 kg have an increased risk of severe transaminitis under telacebec)

Who cannot join

  • Unable to give voluntary informed consent.
  • Is a pregnant or breastfeeding woman.
  • Presenting with reinfection or relapse after WHO MDT/dapsone monotherapy, or has received anti-mycobacterial drugs in the last 30 days.
  • Presenting a leprosy reaction at diagnosis.
  • Being currently involved or having been involved within the last 30 days in a clinical trial.
  • Has any of the following medical conditions: a baseline QTcF of >450 ms or a clinically significant ECG abnormality or significant heart disease; HIV co-infection; HBV co-infection; history of or current pancreatitis; known or suspected cirrhosis of the liver; active clinical tuberculosis; any condition which, in the opinion of the investigator, may cause harm to the patient; known alcohol or drug addiction; known uncontrolled chronic disease such as diabetes (HbA1c >10%) or renal failure (GFR <50 ml/min); anaemia requiring transfusion.
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  • Known glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, due to risk of dapsone-induced haemolytic anaemia (G6PD testing required at screening).
  • Abnormal screening laboratory values, including: WBC <2.5 × 10⁹/L; Neutrophils <1.0 × 10⁹/L; Platelets <100 × 10⁹/L; AST or ALT >2 times the upper limit of the reference range; Albumin <30 mg/dL; Bilirubin >2 mg/dL (34 μmol/L); Calculated creatinine clearance (Cockcroft-Gault) <50 ml/min; Lipase ≥1.6 times the upper limit of the reference range.
  • Other eligibility consideration - Contraception
  • All women of reproductive potential must be tested for pregnancy at screening, and again before dosing at baseline (Day 0) and on Days 28, 42, 56, and 84 of the experimental treatment phase. Women with a positive pregnancy test after enrolment will have their treatment shifted to MDT if randomised to a telacebec-containing arm.
  • All women of reproductive potential must use two reliable and effective methods of contraception simultaneously while taking the study medication and up to two months after the last dose of telacebec. One highly effective form of contraception must be used (hormonal, IUD, prior tubal ligation, or partner's prior vasectomy) plus one additional effective method (male latex or synthetic condom, diaphragm or cervical cap). Male participants whose female partners are of reproductive age must also use contraception for up to 90 days after the last telacebec dose.

Trial locations and contacts

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

Roch Christian JOHNSON, Medical Doctor, Phd, HDR contact

+229(01)96221132

rochchristianjohnson@gmail.com

Esai ANAGONOU, PhD contact

+229(01)96826567

esaianagonou@yahoo.fr

Benin1 site
  • Centre de Dépistage et de Traitement de la Lèpre et de l'Ulcère de Buruli (Raoul et Madeline Follereau) de Pobè

    Pobé, Pobé

    Oswald ATTOLOU, Master, +229(01)94401778, oattolou@raoul-follereau.org

    Esai ANAGONOU, PhD, +229(01)96826567, esaianagonou@yahoo.fr

Other trials in Benin

About this study

Official title: A Multicentre, Phase 2, Open-label, Randomised, Standard of Care-controlled and Dose-ranging Clinical Trial, Evaluating Safety and Efficacy of Telacebec in Adults With Multibacillary Leprosy (TEBULA Leprosy Trial)

The goal of this clinical trail is to evaluate whether short-course telacebec-based regimens can induce rapid and measurable reductions in M. leprae viability, potentially establishing the foundation for future shorter, safer, and simplified therapeutic strategies for MB leprosy.

Participants will be randomised into one of the four study arms (A, B, C and D). The arm A is non interventional. For arms B, C, and D, the three-month study drug treatment will be followed by 9 months of MDT, bringing the total treatment time to 12 months. This provision of MDT ensures that the participant has received the recommended standard treatment for leprosy and is primarily for ethics considerations.

Read the detailed description

This is an open-label, randomised, controlled, multicentre phase II clinical trial conducted in Benin, Côte d'Ivoire and Ethiopia to evaluate the bactericidal efficacy of telacebec-based regimens in the treatment of multibacillary (MB) leprosy, with safety and tolerability as secondary objectives.

Participants who meet entry criteria and give consent will be randomised into four parallel groups: one control group (Group A) receiving standard WHO multidrug therapy (MDT); two investigational groups (Groups B and C) receiving telacebec monotherapy at two different dose levels; and one investigational group (Group D) receiving telacebec in combination with rifampicin. Upon completion of the assigned telacebec-based regimen, participants in Groups B, C, and D will subsequently receive standard WHO MDT.

Follow-up will be at least 12 months for all study arms; however, with the support of national programmes, patients may be followed for up to five years where possible.

Every fortnightly visit during the first three months (during which participants are taking study drugs) needs to be performed on the appointment day (±2 days). During post-IP treatment, once participants are on regular WHO MB-MDT, they are followed up on a monthly basis (-3/+2 days window). During the post-MDT period, they are followed up on a 3-monthly basis (±14 days window). The monthly dose of study medication must be taken as directly observed treatment (DOT) on the day of the visit. The Day 1 of the monthly WHO MB-MDT must also be taken as DOT.

The TEP is composed of clinicians experienced in the clinical management of leprosy, independent of the trial sites, and will provide assistance in reviewing the clinical response of participants included in the clinical trial. During the clinical follow-up, pictures of the lesions are taken systematically at every scheduled visit to document clinical evolution, identified with a code guaranteeing patient and treatment anonymity. After Day 84, pictures will be sent separately to each member of the TEP blinded to treatment allocation. The Technical Expert Panel (TEP) will give an independent assessment classifying each participant as showing clear improvement, moderate improvement, or no improvement.

At least three assessments from the TEP need to be collected for the decision. The decision will be taken by simple majority. If 4 out of 5 members provide an assessment and the decision is divided, a reserve list TEP member will be contacted.

Being tested
Telacebec 300 mg, Telacebec 600 mg, Telacebec + Rifampicine
Keywords
Tebula, Telacebec, Leprosy, Africa
Medical subject headings
Leprosy, Multibacillary, Leprosy

What participants receive

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

  • Telacebec 300 mgDrug

    Telacebec 300 mg once monthly × 3 months

  • Telacebec 600 mgDrug

    Telacebec 600 mg once monthly × 3 months

  • Telacebec + RifampicineDrug

    (Telacebec 300 mg + Rifampicine 600 mg) once monthly x 3 months

Study groups in NCT07918573
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
(Group A) receiving standard WHO multidrug therapy (MDT)No interventionThe World Health Organization recommends Multidrug Therapy (MDT) to cure leprosy. This standard treatment combines three medicines: (Rifampicin 300mg x 2) + (Clofazimin 100 mg x 3) + (Dapsone 50 mg) x 12 months
Group B (Low dose)Experimental(Telacebec 100 mg x 3 once monthly x 3 months) followed by (Rifampicin 300mg x 2) + (Clofazimin 100 mg x 3) + (Dapsone 50 mg) x 12 months
Receives: Drug: Telacebec 300 mg
Group C (Hight dose)Experimental(Telacebec 100 mg x 6 once monthly x 3 months) followed by (Rifampicin 300mg x 2) + (Clofazimin 100 mg x 3) + (Dapsone 50 mg) x 12 months
Receives: Drug: Telacebec 600 mg
Group D (Combinaison)Experimental(Telacebec 100 mg x 3 + Rifampicin 300 mg x 2 once monthly x 3 months) followed by (Rifampicin 300mg x 2) + (Clofazimin 100 mg x 3) + (Dapsone 50 mg) x 12 months
Receives: Drug: Telacebec + Rifampicine

What is being measured

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

  1. Change from baseline in viable Mycobacterium leprae load in participants' skin lesions

    Treatment response of leprosy infection in each participant, measured in skin biopsies taken from the same lesion at baseline and Day 84 using the Molecular Viability Assay (MVA): quantitative RT-PCR of esxA and hsp18 transcripts, standardised to 3,000 bacilli. Reported as change in log10 viability; a larger decrease indicates a greater bactericidal effect of treatment in the participant. Arms B, C and D are compared with standard WHO MB-MDT (Arm A)

    Measured: Baseline (Day 0) and Day 84

Secondary outcomes (7)
  1. Number of participants with treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) and serious adverse events (SAEs)

    Clinical and laboratory adverse events, graded for severity and assessed for relationship to study drug, in participants receiving telacebec 300 mg, telacebec 600 mg, telacebec 300 mg + rifampicin 600 mg, or WHO MB-MDT

    Measured: From first dose through Day 84 (end of study drug period)

  2. Proportion of participants with clinical improvement of leprosy skin lesions

    Assessed with standardised lesion-response criteria based on clinical examination and standardised photographs, classified as clear, moderate or no improvement. Classification validated by an independent external expert panel.

    Measured: Day 84 and Month 12 (end of treatment)

  3. Incidence and severity of leprosy reactions

    Number of participants with Type 1 (reversal) reactions, defined by WHO criteria, and Type 2 reactions (erythema nodosum leprosum). ENL severity scored with the ENLIST ENL Severity Scale (EESS).

    Measured: Baseline through Month 24 (end of follow-up)

  4. Change in peripheral nerve sensory function

    Semmes-Weinstein monofilament thresholds at standardised sites of the hands and feet.

    Measured: Baseline, Day 84, Month 12, Month 24

  5. Change in peripheral nerve motor function

    Voluntary Muscle Testing (VMT) scores.

    Measured: Baseline, Day 84, Month 12, Month 24

  6. Number of participants with new nerve function impairment

    Measured: Baseline through Month 24

  7. Change in health-related quality of life (EQ-5D)

    Measured: Baseline, Day 84, Month 12

Timeline

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

  1. First posted5 Nov 2026
  2. Study startDec 2026 (estimated)
  3. Primary completionNov 2028 (estimated)
  4. Study completionNov 2029 (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
None (open label)
Enrolment
120 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07918573
Sponsor's protocol ID
TEB-LEP2025-01
Other IDs
101190742
Acronym
TEBULA LEPROSY
Status last verified
Oct 2026
First submitted
21 Sep 2026
Last updated
5 Nov 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Yes: The plan is not yet developed

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 2 study testing Telacebec 300 mg, Telacebec 600 mg and Telacebec + Rifampicine in people with Leprosy, Multibacillary, run by Fondation Raoul Follereau at 1 site in Benin.

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 7 inclusion and 11 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: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 5 Nov 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Benin. 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. 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?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

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

Contact Roch Christian JOHNSON, Medical Doctor, Phd, HDR (+229(01)96221132, rochchristianjohnson@gmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Change from baseline in viable Mycobacterium leprae load in participants' skin lesions (time frame: Baseline (Day 0) and Day 84). 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 5 Nov 2026.

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