Can a pill stop a migraine in two hours?
NCT ID NCT07816367
First seen Sep 11, 2026 · Last updated Sep 11, 2026
Summary
Researchers are testing an oral drug called elismetrep (K-304) to see if it can quickly relieve moderate or severe migraine attacks. The Phase III trial enrolls about 1,500 adults aged 18 to 75 who have had migraines for more than a year. Participants receive either elismetrep or a placebo, and researchers measure whether pain and symptoms like nausea and light sensitivity are gone two hours after taking the drug.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- an oral experimental migraine drug called elismetrep (K-304)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, elismetrep could become another oral option for stopping a migraine attack quickly, giving people a choice beyond existing treatments.
- What could go wrong
- This is a late-stage trial, but many migraine drugs that look promising in testing still fail to beat placebo or cause side effects that limit their use. Results in a controlled study may not match how well it works in everyday life.
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
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Phase 3
Large-scale testing in a bigger group. Usually the last step before a treatment can be approved.
- Participants
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About 1,500 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Sep 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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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
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18 to 75 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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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: 1\. Be a male or female, age 18 to 75 years, inclusive, at the time of signing informed consent. 2\. Has greater than a one-year history of migraine with or without aura as defined by International Headache Society criteria 1.1 and 1.2 and his/her migraines typically last between 4 to 72 hours, if untreated as documented in the patient's medical records from his/her treating physician or with pharmacy records confirming use of a migraine-specific medication (e.g. triptan, gepant, ditan) for \> 1 year, and confirmed by the investigator. 3. Has had ≥2 and ≤10 moderate or severe migraine attacks per month in each of the 2 months prior to screening (Visit 1). 4. Meet the following requirements: a. Is a male OR b. Is a female who is of non-childbearing potential defined by at least one of the following criteria: i. Postmenopausal as defined by one of the following: 1. A minimum of 12 months of spontaneous amenorrhea or 2. A minimum of 6 months of spontaneous amenorrhea with a screening serum follicle-stimulating hormone level \> 40 mIU/mL or 3. At least 6 weeks post bilateral oophorectomy (with or without hysterectomy). OR ii. Post hysterectomy or bilateral salpingectomy, based on the subject's recall of their medical history OR c. Is a female of reproductive potential and: i. Agrees to remain abstinent from heterosexual activity\* OR ii. Agrees to use (or have their partner use) a birth control method that is acceptable from the first dose of study drug until the End of Study visit. Acceptable methods of birth control are: 1. Combined (estrogen and progestogen containing) hormonal contraception associated with inhibition of ovulation (oral, intravaginal, or transdermal). 2. Progestogen-only hormonal contraception associated with inhibition of ovulation (oral; injectable; or implantable). 3. Intrauterine device (IUD); 4. Intrauterine hormone-releasing system (IUS); 5. Bilateral tubal occlusion; 6. Vasectomized partner; 7. Progestogen-only oral hormonal contraception, where inhibition of ovulation is not the primary mode of action; 8. Male or female condom with or without spermicide; 9. Cap, diaphragm or sponge with spermicide; 10. A combination of male condom with either cap, diaphragm or sponge with spermicide (double barrier methods). \* Abstinence can be used as the sole method of contraception if it is in line with the subject's preferred and usual lifestyle and if considered acceptable by local regulatory agencies and ethics committees. Periodic abstinence (e.g., calendar, ovulation, sympto-thermal, post-ovulation methods, etc.) and withdrawal are not acceptable methods of contraception. 5\. Voluntarily agrees to participate in the study by giving written informed consent. 6. Is able to read, understand and complete the study questionnaires and eDiary. 7. Be willing and able to comply with the study schedule of visits, all trial procedures and restrictions. 8. Be willing to use their own personal, qualified smartphone to download study specific eDiary applications for use during the study. Exclusion Criteria: Patients are excluded from the trial if any of the following criteria apply: 1. Is a female who is pregnant, breast-feeding, or intends to become pregnant during the planned course of the study. Note: Female participants of child-bearing potential must have a negative serum pregnancy test (β-human chorionic gonadotropin) performed by the central laboratory prior to enrollment in the study and negative urine pregnancy result at the randomization visit. Migraine history-related 2. Has difficulty distinguishing his/her migraine attacks from tension-type headaches. 3. Has a history of predominantly mild migraine attacks or migraines that usually resolve spontaneously in less than 2 hours. 4. Has more than 15 headache-days per month or has taken medication for acute headache on more than 10 days per month in any of the 3 months prior to screening (Visit 1). 5. Has brainstem (also known as basilar-type) or hemiplegic migraine headache, or retinal migraine. 6. Was \>50 years old at age of first migraine onset. 7. Is taking migraine prophylactic medication where the prescribed dose has changed during the 3 months prior to screening (Visit 1) or anticipates any change during the study. Any withdrawal of preventive medications for the treatment of migraine should be completed at least 30 days prior to screening. Medical history related 8. Has, in the opinion of the investigator, other confounding pain syndromes, psychiatric conditions such as uncontrolled major depression, history of psychosis, dementia, or significant neurological disorders other than migraine \[Patients who are currently being treated with non-prohibited medication for depression and symptoms are well controlled, in the opinion of the investigator, are eligible to participate in this study\]. 9. Is at imminent risk of self-harm, based on clinical interview and responses on the Columbia Suicidality Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS), or of harm to others in the opinion of the investigator. Patients must be excluded if they report suicidal ideation with intent, with or without a plan (i.e., Type 4 or 5 on the C-SSRS) in the past 2 months or suicidal behavior in the past 6 months. 10. Has a recent history (within the past 3 years of the screening visit) or current diagnosis or evidence of endocrine, hematological, immunological (including Sjogren's syndrome), renal, respiratory, neurologic, gastrointestinal, biliary, or genitourinary abnormalities or diseases or hepatic impairment that, per the investigator's judgement, may jeopardize the subject's safety or compliance with the protocol, or otherwise interfere with interpretation of efficacy and/or safety results. 11. Has a history of malignant neoplasms within the past 5 years prior to screening. Basal and squamous cell skin cancer and any carcinoma in-situ are allowed if they have received treatment and follow-up consistent with local standard of care. 12. Has a history with current evidence of uncontrolled, unstable or recently diagnosed cardiovascular disease, such as ischemic heart disease, coronary artery vasospasm, and cerebral ischemia. Patients with myocardial infarction, acute coronary syndrome, percutaneous coronary intervention, cardiac surgery, stroke or transient ischemic attack during the 6 months prior to screening. 13. Has a history of human immunodeficiency virus disease. 14. Has a history of gastric or small intestinal surgery (including gastric bypass surgery or banding but not including cholecystectomy or appendectomy) or has a disease that causes malabsorption. Laboratory, vital sign, and electrocardiogram related 15. Has a positive test result at screening for hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis C virus antibody. 16. Has a screening estimated glomerular filtration rate estimated with the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equation of \<30 mL/min/1.73 m2. 17. Has a screening result for alanine aminotransferase or aspartate aminotransferase of \>2.0 X upper limit of normal (ULN) or total bilirubin \>1.5 X ULN at the Screening visit. Note: An isolated bilirubin \>1.5 X ULN is acceptable if bilirubin is fractionated and direct bilirubin is within the laboratory normal range. 18. Has a mean value for triplicate corrected QT interval to Fridericia's formula (QTcF) \>450 ms for males and \>470 ms for females at screening. 19. Has a mean value for triplicate seated systolic blood pressure \>160 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure \>95 mmHg measured after at least 5 minutes at rest at the Screening Visit. Note: If a participant's blood pressure is exclusionary on the first triplicate assessment at the Screening Visit, they may have one repeat triplicate blood pressure assessment at that visit after another rest of at least 10 minutes. Medication use and substance abuse related 20. Has known history of or suspected abuse of alcohol or recreational drugs at Screening. 21. Has use of soft drugs (such as marijuana or any substances containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or cannabidiol (CBD) within 3 months prior to screening, or hard drugs (such as cocaine, illicit narcotics/opiates) within 6 months prior to screening. 22. Has a positive drug screen at screening. Note: 1. If benzodiazepines are detected on the drug screen, this is not exclusionary if they are prescribed a benzodiazepine for a therapeutic purpose (e.g., for insomnia) and confirmatory documentation is obtained from the prescribing physician. 2. If amphetamines are detected on the drug screen, this is not exclusionary if the participant is taking a stimulant medication for a therapeutic purpose (e.g., Adderall for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), confirmatory documentation is obtained from the prescribing physician, and the stimulant medication in question is known to be detected as amphetamine on the drug screen being used. 23. Is currently in violation of study requirements for prohibited and permissible concomitant medications or treatments (not already specified in other criteria) or is anticipated to violate these requirements during study participation (detailed in the protocol). 24. Has any use of prescription opiate medications within 14 days of screening or any anticipated/potential use of opiates during study participation. 25. Has a history of use of ergotamine medications ≥10 days per month on a regular basis for ≥3 months prior to screening. 26. Has a history of non-narcotic analgesic intake ≥15 days per month for ≥3 months prior to screening. Other 27. Has known or suspected hypersensitivity to trial product(s) or related products. 28. Has a history of multiple significant and/or any severe allergies (e.g., food, drug, latex allergy) or has had an anaphylactic reaction or significant intolerance to prescription or nonprescription drugs or food. 29. Has any surgery scheduled for the duration of the trial. 30. Has a screening hemoglobin \<11.0 g/dL (males) or \<10.0 g/dL (females) or has a known hemoglobinopathy (e.g., sickle cell anemia, hemolytic anemia). 31. Has previous participation in this trial. Participation is defined as signed informed consent. 32. Has participated in any clinical trial of an approved or non-approved investigational biological medicinal product (e.g., antibody therapy) within 90 days of screening or has participated in any clinical trial of an approved or non-approved investigational small molecule medicinal product within 30 days or 5 half-lives (whichever is longer) of screening or ever signed an informed consent for Study K-304 P003. Note: Patients may not be screened at more than one trial site for this study. 33. Has any other disorder, unwillingness or inability, not covered by any of the other exclusion criteria, which in the investigator's opinion, might jeopardize the subject's safety or compliance with the protocol, or otherwise interfere with interpretation of efficacy and/or safety results. 34. Is an employee or immediate family member (e.g., spouse, parent, child, sibling) of the Sponsor or study site. Note: Rescreening/retesting is not permitted unless specified above.
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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.
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The study's own enquiry address
This study publishes an address for enquiries. See it below .
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The places running it
72 sites. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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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
Show contact details
Enter your email to view the contact information for this study.
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Locations
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Accellacare - Cary (Cary Medical Group)
Cary, North Carolina, 27518, United States
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Accellacare - Long Beach
Long Beach, California, 90807, United States
Contact Email: •••••@•••••
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Accellacare - McFarland |
Ames, Iowa, 50010, United States
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Accellacare - Raleigh (Raleigh Medical Group, P.A.)
Raleigh, North Carolina, 27609, United States
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Accellacare - Wilmington
Wilmington, North Carolina, 28401, United States
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Accellacare - Winston-Salem
Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 27103, United States
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Alliance Research Institute, Canoga Park
Canoga Park, California, 91304, United States
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Alliance Research Institute, Lynwood
Lynwood, California, 90262, United States
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AppleMedical Research Group, LLC
Miami, Florida, 33155, United States
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Ark Clinical Research, Fountain Valley
Fountain Valley, California, 92708, United States
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Axiom Research, Los Angeles LLC
Glendale, California, 91206, United States
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Bio Behavioral Health
Toms River, New Jersey, 08755, United States
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Cenexel Tampa FL
Tampa, Florida, 33613, United States
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Centennial Clinical Trials
Denver, Colorado, 80246, United States
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Central Texas Clinical Research
Austin, Texas, 78705, United States
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Centricity Research; Columbus, Ohio
Columbus, Ohio, 43213, United States
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Clinical Associates of Orlando, LLC
Orlando, Florida, 32819, United States
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Clinical Integrative Research Center of Atlanta
Atlanta, Georgia, 30328, United States
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Clinical Investigation Specialists, Inc.
Gurnee, Illinois, 60031, United States
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Clinical Research of Central Florida
Lakeland, Florida, 33805, United States
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Clinical Trials of Texas, LLC, A Flourish Research Site
San Antonio, Texas, 78229, United States
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DM Clinical Research, Indianapolis
Indianapolis, Indiana, 46254, United States
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DM Clinical Research, Sugar Land
Sugar Land, Texas, 77479, United States
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DM Clinical Research, Tomball
Tomball, Texas, 77375, United States
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Epic Medical Research - DeSoto
DeSoto, Texas, 75115, United States
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Evanston Premier Healthcare Research, LLC
Skokie, Illinois, 60077, United States
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Evergreen Clinical Trials
Norcross, Georgia, 30092, United States
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Gadolin Research, LLC
Beaumont, Texas, 77702, United States
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Headache Center of Hope
Cincinnati, Ohio, 45236, United States
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Highland Clinical Research
Salt Lake City, Utah, 84124, United States
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IMA Clinical Research - Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona, 85012, United States
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Indiana Medical Research Institute
Merrillville, Indiana, 46410, United States
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Infinity Clinical Trials
San Diego, California, 92108, United States
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Ki Health Partners, LLC
Stamford, Connecticut, 06905-1206, United States
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Lillestol Research
Fargo, North Dakota, 58104, United States
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Long Beach Clinical Trials Services, Inc
Long Beach, California, 90806, United States
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Montana Medical Research, Inc
Missoula, Montana, 59808, United States
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NECCR PrimaCare Research, LLC
Fall River, Massachusetts, 02721, United States
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Neurology Center of New England P.C.
Foxborough, Massachusetts, 02035, United States
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Neurology Center of North Orange County
Fullerton, California, 92835, United States
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Newco 3A Researh LLC, DBA 3A Research
El Paso, Texas, 79902, United States
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Northridge Clinical Trials
Northridge, California, 91325, United States
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Oasis Clinical Research
Las Vegas, Nevada, 89121, United States
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Optimus Medical Group
San Francisco, California, 94102, United States
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Paradigm Clinical Research Centers, LLC
Redding, California, 96001, United States
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Paradigm Clinical Research Centers, LLC
San Diego, California, 92108, United States
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Paradigm Clinical Research Centers, LLC
Boise, Idaho, 83709, United States
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Paradigm Clinical Research Centers, LLC; Aurora
Aurora, Colorado, 80012, United States
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Paragon Rx Clinical
Santa Ana, California, 92703, United States
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Pasadena Clinical Trials
Pasadena, California, 91101, United States
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Preferred Research Partners, Inc.
Little Rock, Arkansas, 72211, United States
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Premiere Research Institute at Palm Beach Neurology
West Palm Beach, Florida, 33407, United States
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Quality Clinical Research, Inc.
Omaha, Nebraska, 68114, United States
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Red Star Research
Lake Jackson, Texas, 77566, United States
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San Antonio Clinical Trials
San Antonio, Texas, 78240, United States
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Sensible Healthcare, LLC
Ocoee, Florida, 34761, United States
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Sun City Clinical Research
Glendale, Arizona, 85304, United States
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Velocity Clinical Research, Anderson
Anderson, South Carolina, 29621, United States
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Velocity Clinical Research, Chula Vista
Chula Vista, California, 91911, United States
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Velocity Clinical Research, Cincinnati, Blue Ash
Blue Ash, Ohio, 45242, United States
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Velocity Clinical Research, Cleveland
Beachwood, Ohio, 44122, United States
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Velocity Clinical Research, Dallas
Dallas, Texas, 75230, United States
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Velocity Clinical Research, Gaffney
Gaffney, South Carolina, 29340, United States
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Velocity Clinical Research, Hallandale Beach
Hallandale, Florida, 33009, United States
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Velocity Clinical Research, Norfolk
Norfolk, Nebraska, 68701, United States
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Velocity Clinical Research, Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona, 85006, United States
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Velocity Clinical Research, Providence
Providence, Rhode Island, 02818, United States
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Velocity Clinical Research, Savannah
Savannah, Georgia, 31406, United States
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Velocity Clinical Research, Sioux City
Sioux City, Iowa, 51106, United States
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Velocity Clinical Research, Van Nuys
Van Nuys, California, 91606, United States
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Wasatch Clinical Research, LLC
Salt Lake City, Utah, 84107, United States
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West Clinical Research
Morehead City, North Carolina, 28557, United States
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