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Ongoing, recruitingTherapeutic exploratory (Phase II)Interventional

A randomized, placebo controlled, investigator and participant-blinded study, investigating safety, tolerability and efficacy of RHH646 in participants with knee osteoarthritis

This research study is testing a new medication, RHH646, specifically for individuals who have knee osteoarthritis. The main goals are to find out if the new medicine is safe to use and if people can take it without too many side effects. Researchers will also be checking to see if RHH646 has any positive effects on the cartilage in the knee over a 52-week period. To do this, some participants will receive the new medicine, while others will receive a 'dummy' pill (placebo). Neither the participants nor the doctors will know who is getting which, to ensure fair results. The study will look closely at changes in cartilage using special scans and monitor general health, including vital signs and blood tests.

At a glance

Status
Ongoing, recruiting
Phase
Therapeutic exploratory (Phase II)
Sponsor
Novartis Pharma AG
Enrolment target
63
Start
20 Jun 2023

What is this study about?

This study is about a new medicine called RHH646 that doctors hope could help people living with knee osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is a common condition where the protective cartilage in your joints, like your knees, gradually wears away, leading to pain, stiffness, and sometimes swelling. Finding new ways to manage this condition and potentially slow down its progression is really important.

Researchers want to see if RHH646 is a safe and helpful treatment. They will be comparing it to a 'placebo', which is a dummy pill that looks just like the real medicine but contains no active ingredients. This is a standard way to check if the new medicine is truly making a difference, rather than improvements happening by chance or because people expect to feel better. Neither you nor your study doctor will know whether you are receiving RHH646 or the placebo, which helps make the study fair and scientific.

The main thing the researchers will be looking at is whether RHH646 can help protect or even improve the cartilage in your knee. They will use special scans, like MRI, to measure any changes in your knee cartilage over about a year. They will also carefully check your general health, looking for any side effects and monitoring important things like your heart health, blood, and urine through regular tests.

Key takeaways

  • This study is testing a new medicine called RHH646 for knee osteoarthritis.
  • It aims to see if RHH646 is safe, well-tolerated, and can help protect knee cartilage.
  • Some participants will receive RHH646, while others will get a 'dummy' pill (placebo).
  • Regular health checks, including knee scans and blood tests, will be part of taking part.
  • The study lasts for about one year.
  • Participation is voluntary, and you can withdraw at any time.

Who may be eligible?

This study is open to both men and women aged 18 years and older who have been diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis. If you are under 18, you won't be able to join this particular study.

While the age range is quite broad, there will be other specific health requirements that you need to meet. For example, your doctor might need to check how severe your osteoarthritis is, or if you have any other medical conditions or are taking certain medications that could affect the results or your safety in the study. All these details will be carefully checked by the study team.

If you're interested, the research team will ask you a series of questions and perform some health checks to make sure the study is a good fit for you and that it's safe for you to take part.

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. Are you 18 years old or older?
  2. Do you have a diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis?
  3. Are you able to attend regular appointments for about a year?
  4. Are you willing to potentially receive a placebo?
  5. Do you understand that there are other health checks required by the study?
Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, you will be given capsules to take. Some people will receive the new medicine, RHH646, while others will receive a dummy pill (placebo). You won't know which one you are taking.

You will have regular appointments at the study clinic over approximately a year (52 weeks). These visits will involve various assessments to monitor your health and the progress of the study. This includes detailed scans of your knee, such as MRI scans, to measure your cartilage. You will also have heart tests (ECGs), regular checks of your blood pressure and heart rate (vital signs), and blood and urine tests to monitor your general health and for any side effects. The total duration of your active participation, including follow-up, will be around 52 weeks.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study could offer some potential benefits, such as receiving a new investigational treatment for your knee osteoarthritis that might help manage your condition, or receiving careful monitoring of your health by medical professionals. However, there's no guarantee the new medicine will help you, as it's still being investigated. As with any medicine, there are potential risks, and you might experience side effects from RHH646. Some people might also find the regular visits and tests inconvenient. All possible side effects will be explained to you before you agree to take part. It's very important to remember that participating in a clinical trial is always voluntary, and you have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your usual medical care.

Locations (4)

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

Common questions

What is knee osteoarthritis?

Knee osteoarthritis is a common condition where the natural cushioning (cartilage) in your knee joint wears down, which can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling.

What is RHH646?

RHH646 is a new medicine being tested to see if it can help people with knee osteoarthritis. It's in the early stages of testing.

What is a 'placebo'?

A placebo is a 'dummy' pill that looks just like the real medicine but doesn't contain any active ingredients. It's used to compare against the real medicine to see if it's truly effective.

Will I know if I'm taking the real medicine or the placebo?

No, neither you nor your study doctor will know whether you are receiving RHH646 or the placebo. This helps ensure the study results are fair and unbiased.

How long will the study last?

Your active participation in the study, including regular visits and tests, will last for about 52 weeks (roughly one year).

How to find out more

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

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