AuthorisedTherapeutic exploratory (Phase II)Interventional

The efficacy of oral vancomycin therapy in managing different phenotypes of paediatric inflammatory bowel diseases by correlating treatment response to commensal microbiota composition and function (VERDA)

This study, called VERDA, is testing a medicine called vancomycin for children with ulcerative colitis, a type of inflammatory bowel disease. Researchers want to see how well vancomycin helps children get better and if it can put their condition into remission (when symptoms disappear and the gut heals). They will also look at how this medicine affects the balance of tiny living things (microbes) in the gut. By comparing children receiving vancomycin with those getting usual care, the study hopes to understand if vancomycin could be a useful new treatment option. The findings might help doctors understand the condition better and find more effective ways to treat it in the future.

At a glance

Status

Authorised

Phase

Therapeutic exploratory (Phase II)

Sponsor

Pirkanmaan hyvinvointialue

Enrolment target

140

Start

24 Mar 2026

Ulcerative colitis

What is this study about?

Ulcerative colitis is a long-term condition where the lining of the large bowel (colon and rectum) becomes inflamed and develops tiny open sores. This can cause symptoms like tummy pain, diarrhoea, and blood in the poo. While there are treatments available, doctors are always looking for better ways to manage the condition and help children feel well and have a good quality of life.

This study, called VERDA, is exploring whether a medicine called vancomycin can help children with ulcerative colitis. Vancomycin is an antibiotic, but in this study, the researchers are particularly interested in how it might gently affect the tiny living things, called microbes, that naturally live in our gut. We all have a community of these microbes, often called our 'gut bugs', and they play a big role in our health. In conditions like ulcerative colitis, this community can become unbalanced.

By carefully looking at changes in these gut microbes before and after treatment with vancomycin (or standard care), the study aims to understand if the medicine helps the gut heal and if these microbial changes are linked to children getting better. The goal is to see if vancomycin could be a new and effective way to help children with ulcerative colitis go into remission, which means their symptoms clear up and their gut becomes healthy again. This research is important because it could lead to new treatment options for children living with this challenging condition.

Key takeaways

The VERDA study is for children with ulcerative colitis.
It tests a medicine called vancomycin to see if it helps relieve symptoms.
Researchers will check how vancomycin affects the gut's natural bacteria.
The aim is to find better treatments for children with this condition.
Participation involves clinic visits and providing stool samples.

Who may be eligible?

This study is particularly looking for children and young people diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. There are no specific age limits; young children, older children, and teenagers might all be able to take part.

Both boys and girls can participate in this study. The medical team will check other details from your child's health records to ensure the study is a safe and suitable option for them. This includes checking their overall health and any other medications they might be taking.

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.

Is my child diagnosed with ulcerative colitis?
Does my child attend regular hospital appointments for their condition?
Am I open to my child potentially receiving either a new medicine or their usual care?
Am I able to ensure my child attends study visits and takes medication as instructed?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If your child takes part in this study, they will either receive vancomycin or the usual care for ulcerative colitis. This study involves several visits to the hospital or clinic at specific times. During these visits, the doctors will check your child's health, ask about their symptoms, and collect samples like stool (poo) samples. These samples will be used to look at the tiny living things (microbes) in their gut and check for signs of inflammation. Your child will likely take the study medication regularly, usually as capsules. The total length of time your child will be involved in the study will be explained in detail by the study team, including how long they will take the medication and how many follow-up appointments there will be.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in any study has potential benefits and risks. Your child might benefit from closely monitored care and potentially a new treatment that could improve their symptoms. However, like all medicines, vancomycin can have side effects, and some might be unpleasant. The research team will carefully explain all known side effects. It's important to remember that you and your child have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your child's future medical care.

Locations (1)

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

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Unverified
Finland

Common questions

What is vancomycin?

Vancomycin is a type of antibiotic, but this study is looking at how it might help children with ulcerative colitis by affecting the gut's natural microbes.

What does 'remission' mean?

Remission means that your child's symptoms have cleared up, and their gut is healthy again. In this study, it's also measured by a special test in their poo called calprotectin.

What are 'gut microbes'?

They are tiny living things, like bacteria, that naturally live in our intestines and play an important part in our health. This study wants to see how vancomycin affects them.

Why is this study needed?

Doctors are always trying to find better and more effective treatments for children with ulcerative colitis, and this study hopes to find new ways to help them.

Will my child definitely get vancomycin?

Not necessarily. In this type of study, children are often split into groups, with one group receiving the new treatment and another receiving standard care. The study team will explain how this works.