New pill could let EPP patients enjoy the sun without pain

NCT ID NCT03520036

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This phase 2 trial tested a drug called MT-7117 in 102 adults with erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP), a rare condition that causes severe pain from sunlight. Participants took either a low dose, high dose, or placebo daily for 16 weeks. The goal was to see if the drug could increase the time they could stay in the sun without symptoms.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

MT-7117

What this could lead to

If it works, this could lead to a daily pill that lets people with EPP spend more time in sunlight without pain.

What could go wrong

This is a small, early-phase trial. The drug may not work better than placebo, and side effects are still being studied.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

erythropoietic protoporphyria

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • ACTCA, A Member of the Alliance, Inc.

    Los Angeles, California, 90036, United States

  • Ichan School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

    New York, New York, 10029, United States

  • Metro Boston Clinical Partners, LLC

    Brighton, Massachusetts, 02135, United States

  • Remington-Davis, Inc

    Columbus, Ohio, 43215, United States

  • University of California at San Francisco

    San Francisco, California, 94143, United States

  • University of Miami Miller School of Medicine

    Miami, Florida, 33136, United States

  • University of Texas Medical Branch Porphyria Center

    Galveston, Texas, 77555, United States

  • University of Utah

    Salt Lake City, Utah, 84108, United States

  • Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center

    Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 27157, United States