New hives drug shows promise in early trial
NCT ID NCT06927999
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jul 23, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study tests a new medication called ARS-2 for people with chronic spontaneous urticaria (long-term hives). It aims to see if ARS-2 can quickly reduce itching and hives during flare-ups. The trial involves 42 adults who will receive either ARS-2 or a placebo during separate flare events. Participants must be 18-65 years old and have regular moderate-to-severe hives despite daily treatment.
Why investors are watching
ARS Pharmaceuticals is running a small Phase 2b trial of its drug ARS-2 in 42 patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria, a skin condition that causes hives and itching. For a micro-cap company, this readout is a major event because a positive result could validate ARS-2 as a new treatment option and drive the company's future value. The trial uses a crossover design, meaning each patient receives the drug and a placebo at different times, which can make the results more reliable with a small group.
If it works: If ARS-2 shows a clear reduction in symptoms compared to placebo, the company could advance the drug to later-stage trials or attract a partner to help fund development. A positive signal in this small study would be a meaningful step toward a potential new medicine for a condition with limited treatment options.
If it fails: Phase 2 trials often fail, and a negative or unclear result could set the program back or force the company to rethink its strategy. For a company this small, a setback in its lead drug candidate could have a large impact on its prospects, as it may have few other assets to fall back on.
AI-written from the trial record. Speculative, and not investment advice.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Phase 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
-
About 42 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
-
Jul 2025
- Expected to finish
-
Jun 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
-
A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
18 to 65 years
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Is a male or female between the ages of 18 and 65 years, inclusive. * Has been clinically diagnosed with CSU and experiences an acute flare of moderate to severe urticaria symptoms (itch and hive severity UAS score ≥ 2) approximately 1-2 times a month or every other month consistently during the past year while on a chronic treatment. * Has been on a daily chronic treatment for ≥ 6 weeks. * Is willing to use a smartphone study application to record study assessments and AEs. * Has body weight more than 15 kilogram (kg). * Has no medical history of clinically significant hypertension and cardiovascular disease in the last 10 years * If female, is not pregnant or breastfeeding based on a negative urine pregnancy test at baseline. * Is able to communicate clearly with the Investigator and staff; able to read, complete questionnaires, and perform study procedures on the smartphone study application. * Is willing and able to provide written informed consent prior to participating in the study. * Controlled hypertension without beta blocker confirmed by the Investigator is acceptable. * At screening, has stable vital signs in the following ranges (after 5 minutes of rest): * Systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥90 and ≤140 milliliters of mercury (mmHg) * Diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥50 and ≤90 mmHg * Heart rate (HR) ≥45 and ≤100 beats per minute (bpm) Exclusion Criteria: * Has a history of clinically significant gastrointestinal, renal, hepatic, neurologic, hematologic, endocrine, oncologic, pulmonary, immunologic, psychiatric, or cardiovascular disease or any other condition which, in the opinion of the Investigator, would jeopardize the safety of the subject or impact the validity of the study results. * Has any clinically significant medical condition or PE finding as deemed inappropriate by the Investigator. * Has abnormal cardiovascular exam at screening including any prior history of myocardial infarction or clinically significant abnormal electrocardiogram (ECG) * Has had significant traumatic injury or major surgery within 30 days prior to study screening. * Known hypersensitivity to any compound in the test product, or any other closely related compound (e.g., dihydropyridine-derived molecules). * Has participated in a clinical trial within 30 days prior to the first dose of study drug. * Has an immediate family member of the Investigator, or an employee of the study center, with direct involvement in the proposed study, or other studies under the direction of the Investigator or study center or is in a dependent relationship with a study center employee who is involved in the conduct of this study (e.g., spouse, parent, child, sibling), or may consent under duress.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Chronic spontaneous urticaria are added.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
-
The places running it
3 sites in 2 countries. The list below names each one and where it is.
-
The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
-
A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Bernstein Clinical Research Center, LLC
RECRUITINGCincinnati, Ohio, 45236, United States
-
Endeavor Health Clinical Trials Center
RECRUITINGGlenview, Illinois, 60026, United States
-
Institute of Allergology IFA Charité - Campus Benjamin Franklin | Hindenburgdamm 30
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGBerlin, 12203, Germany
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Can a diet tame chronic hives in teens?
- Can a new pill silence the itch of chronic hives?
- New drug aims to quiet chronic hives
- New pill for chronic hives enters first human tests
- New pill for chronic hives tested in everyday clinics
- New hope for chronic hive sufferers: phase 3 drug trial shows promise