RecruitingPHASE2INTERVENTIONAL

Role of a Mitochondrial Receptor in Blood Sugar Regulation

This research study is trying to understand how a new medicine, XBD173, affects blood sugar in healthy volunteers. The medicine works by targeting a specific protein in the body. Researchers want to find out if a single dose of XBD173 changes blood sugar levels both before and after a sugary drink, compared to a placebo (a dummy pill). By doing this, they hope to learn more about how our bodies process sugar. This knowledge could be helpful for developing new ways to manage blood sugar in the future. The study involves several visits, blood tests, and measurements to carefully track these changes.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

PHASE2

Sponsor

Imperial College London

Enrolment target

Start

27 Mar 2026

Estimated completion

01 Sep 2028

Heathly Volunteers

What is this study about?

This study is about a new medicine called XBD173. We're trying to understand how it affects the way your body handles sugar. Think of your body as a car, and sugar as the fuel. We want to see if XBD173 changes how efficiently your car uses that fuel. The medicine works on a specific tiny part inside your cells called a 'mitochondrial receptor'. While the name sounds complicated, the overall idea is simply to explore if this medicine can influence how your body deals with sugar.

Why is this important? By understanding how different substances affect blood sugar, scientists can gather valuable information. This knowledge might one day help in developing new treatments for conditions related to blood sugar control, such as preventing blood sugar levels from becoming too high or too low. For now, this study is just about learning and doesn't aim to treat any illness.

We'll be comparing XBD173 with a 'placebo'. A placebo looks exactly like the actual medicine but doesn't contain any active ingredients. This helps scientists fairly judge if any changes observed are truly due to XBD173 or something else. Neither you nor the study team will know which you receive at different times, which is a standard and fair way to conduct research.

Key takeaways

This study is exploring how a new medicine, XBD173, affects blood sugar in healthy people.
It helps scientists learn more about how our bodies process sugar.
You'll receive either the active medicine or a placebo (dummy pill) at different times.
Participation involves several visits, including blood tests and drinking a sugary solution.
Your health will be carefully monitored throughout the study.
Your contribution helps advance medical understanding for future treatments.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for healthy volunteers between 18 and 75 years old. If you're a woman, you can join if you're past menopause (at least a year without periods) or have had certain surgeries like a hysterectomy. If you're still able to have children, you can join if you're not pregnant and agree to use effective birth control during the study. Men also need to agree to use birth control.

You should not have diabetes, and your routine blood tests (like kidney or liver function) need to be within a healthy range. We'll check for any other significant health conditions that might make taking part unsafe for you. We also need to make sure you're not taking certain medications that could interfere with the study medicine, such as some common antifungal drugs or blood thinners (other than low-dose aspirin). If you're breastfeeding, you won't be able to join.

Basically, we're looking for generally healthy individuals who don't have existing health issues or take medications that might make the study results unclear or put your health at risk.

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.

Are you between 18 and 75 years old?
Do you have good overall health and no diabetes?
If you're a woman, are you past menopause, had a hysterectomy, or willing to use effective birth control and not pregnant?
If you're a man, are you willing to use effective birth control?
Are you not currently breastfeeding?
Are you not taking certain medications like strong antifungals or some blood thinners (other than low-dose aspirin)?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, you'll first have a screening visit. This involves a chat about your medical history, a physical check-up, and some blood tests to make sure you're suitable for the study. After that, you'll have four main study visits, each after you've fasted overnight (meaning no food or drink, except water, for a certain period).

During two of these visits, you'll drink a special sugary solution, and on the other two, you won't. At different visits, you'll be given either the XBD173 medicine or a placebo (a dummy pill), but you won't know which one you're getting. Regular blood samples will be taken through a small tube (cannula) placed in your arm to measure sugar levels, insulin, and other markers. We'll also measure your resting energy use by having you breathe under a clear canopy for a short time. Your blood pressure, heart rate, height, weight, and blood vessel function will also be checked. Each study visit will involve these measurements and last for a specific amount of time. The total duration of your involvement from screening to the last visit will be explained in detail.

Potential risks and benefits

The main benefit of taking part is contributing to scientific knowledge about how the body handles sugar, which could help others in the future. You will also receive careful medical monitoring during the study visits. Potential risks might include discomfort from blood draws, temporary side effects from the study medicine (XBD173) or placebo, or minor irritation from the cannula. All known risks will be fully explained before you agree to participate. Remember, you can withdraw from the study at any time and for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

NIHR Trust Imperial Clinical Research Facility
Verified postcode
London, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is the new medicine, XBD173?

XBD173 is a new medicine we are testing to see how it affects blood sugar levels in healthy people. It works by targeting a specific protein in your body.

Will I know if I'm getting XBD173 or a placebo?

No, neither you nor the doctors will know which you are receiving during your visits. This is important for making the study fair and accurate.

How many visits do I need to make?

After an initial screening visit to check if you're suitable, you will have four main study visits, each after fasting overnight.

Will I have to drink a sugary solution?

Yes, during two of your four main study visits, you will be asked to drink a special sugary solution as part of the blood sugar tests.

Can I stop participating if I change my mind?

Yes, you can leave the study at any time, for any reason, and it won't affect any medical care you might need in the future.

How to find out more

David R Owen

d.owen@imperial.ac.uk +44 07801140800 Official trial record

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