Can stem cell molecules rebuild wasted muscles? new trial aims to find out
NCT ID NCT05211986
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Sep 09, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This early-phase trial tests a new drug called IMM01-STEM, made from stem cell secretions, in 28 people with muscle wasting due to knee osteoarthritis. The main goal is to check safety and find the right dose. Participants receive injections and are monitored for side effects over several weeks.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- IMM01-STEM (a mixture of regenerative molecules from stem cells)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a new way to rebuild muscle in people with knee osteoarthritis, potentially improving strength and mobility.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early, small study (28 people) focused on safety, not effectiveness. The treatment may cause side effects or fail to show benefit. Results may not apply to everyone.
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 1/2
Runs two stages together: safety and dose first, then whether the treatment works.
- Participants
-
13 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Sep 2022
- Finished
-
Jul 2026
- 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
-
50 to 75 years
- 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: * Has moderate KOA (defined as Kellgren-Lawrence \[KL\] grade 2 to 3) on affected limb * Has quadriceps weakness (\<7.5N/kg) * Can ambulate \>50 feet unassisted * This criteria deleted with protocol amendment 6 * Has a body mass index (BMI) of \<40kg/m2 * A male must agree to use contraception during the treatment period and for at least 3 months after the last dose of study treatment and refrain from donating sperm during this period. * A female is eligible to participate if she is not pregnant, not breastfeeding, and at least one of the following conditions applies: 1. Not a woman of childbearing potential (WOCBP). OR 2. A WOCBP who agrees to follow the protocol's contraceptive guidance during the treatment period and for at least 3 months after the last dose of study treatment. * Female has a negative pregnancy test result at screening and prior to investigational medicinal product (IMP) administration * Capable of giving signed informed consent which includes compliance with the requirements and restrictions listed in the informed consent form (ICF) and in the protocol * Willing and able to comply with all study requirements, according to the judgment of the Investigator * Has discontinued systemic oral or intravenous steroid use for 6 months prior to Screening * Has vital sign measurements within the following ranges at Baseline (predose at Visit 2): heart rate \>50 and \<100 bpm, systolic blood pressure \>100 and \<170 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure \>50 and \<90 mmHg, and blood oxygenation (by pulse-oximetry) \>95% * Participant has undergone and failed at least 1 3-month or longer treatment regimen (ie, activity modification, weight loss, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, or injection therapy) within a 2-year period prior to the Screening visit. * Study participant is able to speak, read, and understand English, in order to understand the nature of this study. Exclusion Criteria: * Severe KOA (defined as KL grade \>3) on contralateral limb * Has had prior total knee arthroplasty * Has a known hypersensitivity to any components of the study medication or comparative drugs (and/or an investigational device) as stated in this protocol * Has current or past history of malignancy (5y) excluding nonmelanoma skin cancer * Has neurological, vascular, or cardiac condition that limit function, or, in the opinion of the investigator, could jeopardize or would compromise the study participant's ability to participate in this study * Has uncontrolled comorbidities including diabetes (hemoglobin A1c level \>7.0%), Hypertension (resting heart rate \>100 bpm, systolic blood pressure \>170 mmHg, or diastolic blood pressure \>90 mmHg), cardiovascular disease, asthma, or COPD. * Is known positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis C antibody (HCVAb) or human immunodeficiency virus-1/2 antibody (HIV-1/2Ab). Patients with a negative RNA test for HCV are acceptable. * Is taking a prohibited medication or has taken a prohibited medication (narcotic pain medication, local anti-inflammatory, other investigational drugs) * Participant has had a change in medication to manage comorbid condition(s) (including diabestes, hypertension, asthma, and cardiovascular disease) within 1 month of the Screening visit. * Participant received intra-articular cortisone or viscosupplementation product(eg, Synvisc®) injections within 3 months prior to the first dose of IMP. * Has had administration of a live, attenuated vaccine within 28 days of starting study treatment or anticipation that such vaccine will be required during the study Prior/concurrent clinical study experience * Has current or chronic history of liver disease or known hepatic or biliary abnormalities (with the exception of Gilbert's syndrome or asymptomatic gallstones) * This criteria was deleted with protocol amendment 6 * This criteria was deleted with protocol amendment 6 * This criteria was deleted with protocol amendment 6 * Has current or past history (10y) of smoking * Has a history of chronic alcohol or drug abuse within the previous 3 months * Participant is currently using a systemic oral or intravenous steroid regimen (eg, for asthma or other chronic respiratory condition) or brief course of systemic pulse steroid administration (eg, for flare up of nonarthritic condition or COVID-19).
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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
-
Orthopaedic Specialty Institute
Irvine, California, 92618, United States
-
University of California, Irvine - Alpha Stem Cell Clinic
Orange, California, 92868, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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