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Ongoing, recruitingHuman Pharmacology (Phase I)- OtherInterventional

A clinical study of MK-1403 in healthy people (MK-1403-002)

This research study is called MK-1403-002 and it's testing a new medicine, MK-1403, in healthy adult volunteers. It's a very early study, known as Phase I, which means we are mainly checking how the medicine acts in the body and if it causes any unwanted side effects when given to people. This is an important step before testing it in patients with an illness. The new medicine is being developed with the hope of eventually helping people who have atherosclerosis. This condition involves hardening and narrowing of the arteries, and finding new treatments could make a big difference for many. By taking part, healthy volunteers help scientists understand if this new medicine could be a safe and useful treatment in the future.

At a glance

Status
Ongoing, recruiting
Phase
Human Pharmacology (Phase I)- Other
Sponsor
Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
Enrolment target
56
Start
17 Apr 2025

What is this study about?

This study is an important first step in understanding a new medicine called MK-1403. Imagine it like a brand-new car model being tested on a track before it's ever sold to the public. In this case, the 'car' is MK-1403, and the 'track' is the human body. Scientists want to see how this medicine behaves – how much of it gets into the body, how long it stays there, and how the body handles it. This helps them work out the right dose and understand if it might cause any problems.

The main aim of developing MK-1403 is to help people with a condition called atherosclerosis. This is when fatty substances build up in the walls of your arteries, making them harder and narrower. This can lead to serious health problems like heart attacks and strokes. By carefully studying MK-1403 in healthy people first, researchers can gather vital information without putting people who are already unwell at risk.

Taking part in a study like this is a real contribution to medical science. The information gathered from healthy volunteers is crucial for deciding if a new medicine like MK-1403 is safe enough and acts in the right way to be tested in people who have atherosclerosis. It's a key stage in finding new ways to treat serious health conditions.

Key takeaways

  • This study tests a new medicine (MK-1403) in healthy adults.
  • It's an early-stage study focused on safety and how the medicine works in the body.
  • The goal is to eventually help people with atherosclerosis (hardened arteries).
  • You must be 18 or older and in good general health to participate.
  • Participation involves clinic visits, taking the medicine, and regular health checks.
  • You can stop participating at any time.

Who may be eligible?

To be considered for this study, you need to be an adult, aged 18 years or older. There is no upper age limit, meaning older adults can also take part. Both men and women are welcome to volunteer for this research.

Since this study is testing a new medicine in healthy people, you would need to be in good general health. This usually means you wouldn't have any major ongoing health conditions or be taking long-term medications for illnesses. The medical team would carry out checks to make sure you are healthy enough to take part safely.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

  1. Am I 18 years old or older?
  2. Am I generally healthy with no major ongoing medical conditions?
  3. Am I comfortable with the idea of taking a new, experimental medicine?
  4. Can I attend multiple clinic visits as needed for the study?
  5. Am I able to understand and agree to all the study procedures?
Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, the research team will explain everything to you in detail. Generally, it would involve several visits to a clinic or research centre. During these visits, you might have some basic health checks, like blood tests, urine tests, and checks of your heart activity (ECG). You would be given the study medicine, MK-1403, as directed by the research team. There would also be regular follow-up visits to monitor how you're doing, check for any changes, and make sure the medicine isn't causing any problems. The total duration of your participation, including all visits and follow-ups, would be fully explained before you agree to join.

Potential risks and benefits

While specific benefits to you directly are unlikely as this is an early-stage study in healthy people, you would be helping advance medical knowledge and potentially contribute to improved treatments for atherosclerosis in the future. As with any medicine, there's always a possibility of side effects, which could range from mild to more serious; the research team will monitor you closely for these. You will be given full information about any known or expected risks. Importantly, deciding to take part is entirely your choice, and you are free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.
  • Unverified
    Belgium

Common questions

What is atherosclerosis?

Atherosclerosis is a condition where fatty stuff builds up inside your arteries (blood vessels), making them narrower and harder. This can stop blood from flowing properly and lead to heart problems or strokes.

Why is this study using healthy people?

Because MK-1403 is a new medicine, researchers first need to understand how it works and if it's safe in people who are generally well. This helps them establish a safe starting point before giving it to patients who are already unwell.

What does 'Phase I' mean?

Phase I is the very first stage of testing a new medicine in humans. It focuses on how the medicine moves through and is processed by the body, and on checking its safety.

Will I get the actual medicine or a dummy pill?

In this specific study, given it's a Phase I study in healthy people, you would likely be given the active medicine, MK-1403. Your doctor can confirm the exact details of the study design.

Will I be paid to take part?

Sometimes, studies offer payments for your time and inconvenience. This would be clearly explained to you by the research team if applicable.

How to find out more

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.

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