Brittle bone breakthrough? new drug combo aims to cut fractures

NCT ID NCT03735537

Completed Disease control Sponsor: University of Edinburgh Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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

Summary

This study tested whether a two-year course of teriparatide (a bone-building drug) followed by a single infusion of zoledronic acid (a bone-strengthening drug) could reduce fractures in adults with osteogenesis imperfecta, also known as brittle bone disease. 350 participants were randomly assigned to receive either this drug combination or standard care. The main goal was to see if fewer people in the drug group experienced a broken bone.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: teriparatide (a bone-building drug) and zoledronic acid (a bone-strengthening drug)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could provide a new treatment option to reduce fractures in adults with brittle bone disease.
What could go wrong: This is a completed phase 4 trial, but results may not apply to all types of osteogenesis imperfecta. The treatment involves two drugs with potential side effects like bone pain or kidney issues.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

bone fracture osteogenesis imperfecta

As listed by the trial registrant

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

OSTEOGENESIS IMPERFECTA

Contacts and locations

Locations

Aberdeen Royal Infirmary

Aberdeen, AB25 2ZR, United Kingdom
Addenbrooke's Hospital

Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, United Kingdom
Bristol Royal Infirmary

Bristol, NS2 8HW, United Kingdom
Freeman Hospital

Newcastle upon Tyne, NE7 7DN, United Kingdom
Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital

London, SE1 9RT, United Kingdom
Haywood Community Hospital

Stoke-on-Trent, ST6 7AG, United Kingdom
James Cook University Hospital

Middlesbrough, PS4 3BW, United Kingdom
Leicester Royal Infirmary

Leicester, LE1 5WW, United Kingdom
Llandough University Hospital

Llandough, CF64 2XX, United Kingdom
Manchester Royal Infirmary

Manchester, M13 9WL, United Kingdom
Ninewells Hospital

Dundee, DD1 9SY, United Kingdom
Northern General Hospital

Sheffield, S5 7AU, United Kingdom
Nottingham City Hospital

Nottingham, NG5 1PD, United Kingdom
Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre

Oxford, OX3 7HE, United Kingdom
Queen Elizabeth Hospital

Birmingham, B15 2TH, United Kingdom
Queen Elizabeth University Hospital

Glasgow, G51 4TF, United Kingdom
Royal Liverpool Hospital and Aintree Hospital

Liverpool, L7 8XP, United Kingdom
Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital

Stanmore, HA7 4LP, United Kingdom
Royal Victoria Hospital

Belfast, BT12 6BA, United Kingdom
St Vincent's Hospital

Dublin, 4, Ireland
University Hospital Southampton

Southampton, S016 6YD, United Kingdom
Western General Hospital

Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, United Kingdom
Wishaw General Hospital

Wishaw, ML2 0DP, United Kingdom

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