Ambroxol to Slow Progression in Parkinson Disease

Last updated: April 30, 2025
Sponsor: University College, London
Overall Status: Active - Recruiting

Phase

3

Condition

N/A

Treatment

Ambroxol Hydrochloride (420mg)

Placebo

Clinical Study ID

NCT05778617
CCTU/2020/365
  • Ages 35-75
  • All Genders

Study Summary

This is a UK only clinical trial in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) of a drug called ambroxol hydrochloride, which is an already licensed drug for the treatment of respiratory conditions (such as a common cold) in many European countries. The aim of this trial is to find out whether ambroxol hydrochloride can slow down the progression of Parkinson's disease and to evaluate it's safety and tolerability.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. A diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (in accordance with the MDS diagnostic criteria)within 7 years of the screening visit confirmed by year of diagnosis.

  2. Adults aged ≥ 35 and ≤ 75 years.

  3. Hoehn and Yahr stage between 1-2.5, inclusive (in ON stage) at screening visit.

  4. Known glucocerebrosidase gene (GBA1) status, positive or negative (status MUST beconfirmed prior to screening).

  5. On stable dopaminergic treatment for at least 3 months before enrolment.

  6. Able and willing to provide informed consent prior to any study related assessmentsand/or procedures.

  7. Able and willing to attend trial visits and comply with all study procedures for theduration of the trial.

  8. Willing and able to self-administer oral ambroxol medication or placebo.

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Participation in another interventional clinical trial of an InvestigationalMedicinal Product (IMP) and use of an Investigational Medicinal Product (IMP) within 90 days prior to the first dose of trial treatment.

  2. Use of an Investigational Medicinal Product (IMP) within 90 days prior to the firstdose of trial treatment.

  3. Participation in another clinical trial of an Investigational New Drug being testedfor PD disease modifying potential within 12 months prior to the first dose of trialtreatment.

  4. Past surgical history of deep brain stimulation.

  5. Use of ambroxol in the past 12 months.

  6. Exposure to Exenatide within 12 months prior to the first dose in this currenttrial.

  7. Concomitant medications that in the opinion of the Investigator would precludeparticipation in the study e.g., exenatide or other GLP1 agonist for diabetes.

  8. Confirmed dysphagia that would preclude self-administration of ambroxol.

  9. History of known sensitivity to the study medication, ambroxol or its excipients (lactose monohydrate, granulated microcrystalline cellulose, copovidone andmagnesium stearate) in the opinion of the investigator that contraindicates theirparticipation.

  10. History of known rare hereditary disorders of galactose intolerance, Lapp lactasedeficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption.

  11. Presence of the LRRK2 G2019S mutation (status to be confirmed prior to screening).

  12. History of drug abuse or alcoholism in the opinion of the Investigator that wouldpreclude participation in the trial.

  13. Pregnant (or planned pregnancy during the trial) and/or breastfeeding.

  14. Women of childbearing potential (WOCBP) and male participants with a partner ofchildbearing potential not willing to use highly effective contraception orabstinence for the duration of the trial treatment and for 2 weeks following thelast dose of the study drug.

  15. Any clinically significant or unstable medical or surgical condition that in theopinion of the Investigator may; put the participant at risk when participating inthe study, influence the results of the study or affect the participants ability totake part in the study, as determined by medical history, physical examinations,electrocardiogram (ECG) or laboratory tests. Such conditions may include: A. Impaired renal function with creatinine clearance <50ml/min at screening visit. B. Moderate/Severe hepatic impairment. C. A major cardiovascular event (e.g., myocardial infarction, acute coronarysyndrome, compensated congestive heart failure, pulmonary embolism, coronaryrevascularisation) that occurred within 6 months prior to the screening visit.

  16. Severe depression defined by a score >20 on the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) at screening.

  17. Significant cognitive impairment defined by a score <20 on the Montreal CognitiveAssessment (MoCA) at screening.

  18. Use of trihexyphenidyl or benztropine within 30 days prior to the first dose oftrial treatment.

  19. Only applicable for those patients consenting to the optional CSF sub-study:Evidence or history of hypersensitivity to lidocaine or its derivatives.

  20. Only applicable for those patients consenting to the optional CSF sub-study: currenttreatment with anti-coagulants (e.g., warfarin) that might preclude safe completionof the lumbar puncture in the opinion of the Investigator. Aspirin will bepermitted.

  21. Only applicable for those patients consenting to the optional CSF sub-study:Significant known lower spinal malformations or other spinal abnormalities thatwould preclude a lumbar puncture.

Study Design

Total Participants: 330
Treatment Group(s): 2
Primary Treatment: Ambroxol Hydrochloride (420mg)
Phase: 3
Study Start date:
February 25, 2025
Estimated Completion Date:
September 30, 2029

Study Description

This is a 104-week, randomized, double-blind, multi-centre, parallel group, placebo-controlled clinical trial of ambroxol hydrochloride in patients with PD, with a 26-week open-label extension phase. Participants will undergo screening to evaluate their eligibility to participate in the trial. All eligible participants will be randomised to receive either ambroxol hydrochloride (420mg) or it's matching placebo in a 1:1 ratio three times a day for 104 weeks, including a 2-week dose escalation period. Once the end of the blinded treatment has been reached, all participants will enter the open-label extension phase and will receive ambroxol hydrochloride (420mg) three times a day for 26 weeks, including a 2-week dose escalation period. All clinical staff, study investigators, and participants will be blinded to study assignments throughout the entirety of the trial.

There will be an optional sub-study including 106 participants in which a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sample will be taken on two occasions via a Lumbar Puncture procedure to measure ambroxol drug levels, assess whether the glucocerebrosidase enzyme has been stimulated and the levels of other substances thought to be associated with the development of PD and confirm whether the study drug has penetrated the cerebrospinal fluid and Central Nervous System.

Connect with a study center

  • University Hospitals Birmingham

    Birmingham,
    United Kingdom

    Site Not Available

  • Southmead Hospital Bristol

    Bristol,
    United Kingdom

    Site Not Available

  • Addenbrookes NHS Trust

    Cambridge,
    United Kingdom

    Site Not Available

  • North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust

    Carlisle,
    United Kingdom

    Site Not Available

  • Western General Hospital

    Edinburgh,
    United Kingdom

    Site Not Available

  • Kings College London

    London,
    United Kingdom

    Site Not Available

  • Royal London Hospital

    London,
    United Kingdom

    Site Not Available

  • University College London Hospital's

    London,
    United Kingdom

    Active - Recruiting

  • Newcastle

    Newcastle,
    United Kingdom

    Site Not Available

  • Northumbria

    Newcastle Upon Tyne,
    United Kingdom

    Site Not Available

  • The John Radcliffe Hospital

    Oxford,
    United Kingdom

    Site Not Available

  • Derriford Hospital

    Plymouth,
    United Kingdom

    Active - Recruiting

  • Fairfield General Hospital

    Salford,
    United Kingdom

    Site Not Available

  • Salford Royal Hospital

    Salford,
    United Kingdom

    Active - Recruiting

  • Southampton General Hospital

    Southampton,
    United Kingdom

    Site Not Available

  • Prince Philip Hospital

    Wales,
    United Kingdom

    Site Not Available

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