Can a synthetic compound be safe enough to test in ALS? early trial asks
NCT ID NCT03651349
First seen Sep 11, 2026 · Last updated Sep 11, 2026
Summary
Researchers are testing an experimental compound called HK-001 in healthy volunteers to find the highest dose people can take without serious side effects. The trial also measures how the body absorbs and processes the drug. Participants receive either HK-001 or a placebo, first as a single dose and then twice daily for 14 days, with safety checks throughout. The study does not test whether HK-001 works for any disease; it only looks at safety and dosing.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- HK-001, a synthetic form of (Z)-n-butylidenephthalide
- What this could lead to
- If HK-001 proves safe and tolerable, researchers could study it further as a possible treatment for ALS.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage trial in healthy volunteers, so it cannot show whether HK-001 helps people with ALS. The compound may cause side effects that limit dosing or fail to move forward.
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 1
The first testing in people. Mainly checks safety and dose, usually in a small group.
- Participants
-
About 56 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Feb 2021
- Expected to finish
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Jun 2028
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
-
20 years and older
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
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. Subject's age is no less than 20 years old. 2. Subjects whose body mass index (BMI) at screening is within a range of ≥18.5 kg/m2 and \<25.0 kg/m2. BMI = Body Weight (kg) / \[Height (m)\]2 And body weight is not less than 50 kg and 45 kg for males and females, respectively. 3. Subject's medical history shows no contraindication to the test medications \[hypersensitivity to (Z)-BP or any component of test and reference products\]. 4. Subjects who are judged to be in good health by the investigator based upon the results of physical examinations (PEs) and chest X-ray (within 60 days prior to the first study dose), and all items of routine laboratory tests, including serum biochemistry, hematology and urinalysis, are within normal range as judged by the site. Assessment items of blood biochemistry include electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, phosphorus), albumin, total cholesterol, total bilirubin, ALP, SGOT, SGPT, GGT, BUN, PT, APPT, serum creatinine, triglyceride, glucose, amylase, lipase, ACTH, aldosterone, cortisol, T3, free T4, TSH, and uric acid. Assessment items of hematology tests include red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell (WBC) and platelet count; differential WBC count including neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils; hemoglobin, and hematocrit. Assessment items of urinalysis include appearance, gravity, pH, erythrocyte, leukocyte, epithelial cells, glucose, protein, ketones, and nitrite 5. Female subjects show negative pregnancy test results within 30 days prior to the first study dose. 6. Subjects did not take any of the following medications in the specified durations: * Any medication (except contraceptives) within 14 days prior to the first dose of the study * Any enzyme inducer or inhibitor within 30 days prior to the first dose of the study 7. Subjects understood and have signed the written informed consent form. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Subjects with any properly diagnosed disease within 30 days prior to the first dose of the study 2. Subjects with a clinically significant hematological, endocrinal, cardiovascular, hepatic, renal, gastrointestinal, and/or pulmonary disorders; subjects with any predisposing condition that might interfere with the absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of drugs; subjects who have had any previous gastrointestinal surgery, except appendectomy if performed \>90 days prior to the first dose of the study 3. Subjects who have received any known hepatic or renal clearance-altering agents (e.g., erythromycin, cimetidine, barbiturates, phenothiazine, clarithromycin, trolearndomycin, ketoconazole, miconazolem fluconazole, itraconazole) for a period of up to 30 days prior to the first dose of the study 4. Subjects had participated in investigational drug trials and took any investigational drugs within 60 days prior to the first study dose. 5. Subjects had blood donation for more than 250 mL within 60 days prior to the first dose of the study. 6. Subjects had a history of drug abuse or alcohol abuse according to DSM IV criteria. 7. Subjects who are smokers or have smoking history 8. Subjects who cannot stop caffeine-intakes for 48 hours prior to the first study dose and during the entire study period. 9. Subjects who are pregnant or lactating 10. For enrollment of female subjects with child-bearing potential, the subject must be practicing sexual abstinence or be using and willing to continue to use a medically acceptable form of birth control for at least 1 month prior to screening (that period will extend to 3 months for oral contraceptive use) and for at least 30 days after the last dose of study drug. For a subject to be considered not to be of child-bearing potential, she must have been amenorrheic for at least 2 years, or must have had a hysterectomy, a bilateral tubal ligation, and/or a bilateral oophorectomy (as determined by the medical history). The male partner of a female study subject with childbearing potential must use a condom and ensure that his partner uses a suitable method of contraception as outlined above. 11. Subjects who are inappropriate to participate in this study, as judged by the clinical investigator 12. Subjects who have been tested positive for the following tests: * Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) * Hepatitis B virus (HBV) * Hepatitis C virus (HCV)
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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.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation
Hualien City, 97002, Taiwan
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