NCT04702997

A Trial of Bardoxolone Methyl in Patients With CKD at Risk of Rapid Progression (MERLIN)

A Phase 2 Trial to Evaluate Safety, Tolerability, and Efficacy of Bardoxolone Methyl in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease at Risk of Rapid Progression

• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 2
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 81 (actual)
• Sponsor: Biogen · Industry
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 70 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, Phase 2 trial will study the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of bardoxolone methyl in qualified patients with CKD due to multiple etiologies at risk of rapid disease progression. Approximately 70 patients will be enrolled and randomized 1:1 to either bardoxolone methyl or placebo. Patients with CKD secondary to varying etiologies will be enrolled from age 18-70 years with eGFR ≥ 20 to \< 60 mL/min/1.73 m2, and other risk factors for rapid progression of kidney disease. The maximum target dose will be determined by baseline proteinuria status. Patients with baseline urine albumin to creatinine ratio (UACR) ≤ 300 mg/g will be titrated to a maximum dose of 20 mg, and patients with baseline UACR \> 300 mg/g will be titrated to a maximum dose of 30 mg. Qualified patients will be randomized 1:1 to receive either bardoxolone methyl or placebo once daily (preferably in the morning) throughout a 12-week dosing period. Patients in the study will follow the same visit and assessment schedule. Patients will be assessed during treatment at Day 1, Weeks 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 12 and by telephone contact on Days 3, 10, 21, 31, 35, and 45. Date of last dose and the end-of-treatment assessments mark the end of the treatment period. Patients will not receive study drug during a 5-week off-treatment period between Weeks 12 and 17. The off-treatment (OT) period includes 5 visits requiring various assessments to characterize eGFR from the time of study drug discontinuation through Day 35 off-treatment.

Conditions

• Chronic Kidney Diseases

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DRUG	Bardoxolone methyl oral capsule	Bardoxolone methyl capsules dose escalated from 5 mg to a maximum of 20 or 30 mg, depending on baseline proteinuria status
DRUG	Placebo oral capsule	Capsule containing an inert placebo

Timeline

• Start date: 2021-02-09
• Primary completion: 2021-10-20
• Completion: 2021-11-23
• First posted: 2021-01-11
• Last updated: 2025-06-03
• Results posted: 2022-12-01

Locations

12 sites across 1 country: United States

Regulatory

• FDA-regulated drug study