Can a Super-Strength nail paint beat stubborn toenail fungus?
NCT ID NCT05110638
First seen Aug 21, 2026 · Last updated Aug 21, 2026
Summary
This early-stage trial is testing a highly concentrated liquid antifungal, luliconazole 10% (SKX-16), applied daily to all ten toenails for 29 days in adults with moderate to severe toenail fungus. The main goals are to see how much of the drug is absorbed into the body, and whether it is safe and well-tolerated when used extensively. The study does not measure how well it clears the infection, but rather lays groundwork for future effectiveness studies.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Luliconazole 10% solution (SKX-16), a topical antifungal applied to the toenails
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could support a new, stronger topical treatment for stubborn toenail fungus, potentially reducing the need for oral antifungal pills.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage study focused on safety and absorption, not effectiveness. The high concentration may cause skin irritation, and results may not lead to a proven treatment.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 1
The first testing in people. Mainly checks safety and dose, usually in a small group.
- Participants
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19 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Sep 2021
- Finished
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Jun 2022
- 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 65 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. Subjects demonstrate ability and willingness to sign a written informed consent. 2. Subjects of either gender, any race and between the ages of 18 and 65 inclusive. 3. Subjects must have ten toes. 4. Subjects with a clinical diagnosis of distal subungual onychomycosis involving both great toenails and ≥ 50% of at least one of the great toenails, as determined by visual inspection after the nail is trimmed. 5. In addition to both great toenails, subjects must have at least four additional toenails with clinical diagnosis of distal subungual onychomycosis. 6. Subjects must have a mycological diagnosis of distal subungual onychomycosis: fungal hyphae on KOH wet mount and positive fungal culture for dermatophyte (microbial infection with fungus belonging to the genus Trichophyton, Microsporum, Epidermophyton) from at least one great toenail. 7. Subjects must have normal renal function as measured by serum creatinine \< ULN. 8. Subjects must have normal hepatic function as measured by aspartate aminotransferase (AST/SGOT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT/SGPT), and total bilirubin \< ULN. 9. Females of child-bearing potential (FOCBP) must have a negative urine pregnancy test and must agree to use a highly effective form of contraception or abstinence and be willing to remain on that same method of birth control throughout the study. 10. Subjects must be free of any disease that in the Investigator's opinion might interfere with the study evaluations or jeopardize the subject's safety. 11. Subject must be able to communicate, be able to understand the study procedures, and be willing to comply with the study requirements. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Subjects with a history of intolerance or hypersensitivity to imidazole compounds or the inactive components of the solution. 2. Subjects with an abnormal ECG morphology and/or a QTcF interval \> 450 ms for males and \>470 ms for females. 3. Subjects with any history of cardiac disease or cardiac rhythm abnormalities. 4. Subjects with symptomatic tinea pedis at baseline. 5. Subjects unwilling to refrain from the use of nail cosmetics including nail lacquers from the Screening visit until the end of the study. 6. Female subjects who are pregnant and/or nursing or planning a pregnancy during the course of the trial. 7. Concomitant use of any drugs that are CYP3A and CYP2C19 substrates with QT interval prolongation potential. 8. Subjects who have not undergone the specified washout period(s) prior to Baseline visit (Day 1) for the following topical preparations, or subjects requiring the concurrent use of any of the following topical medications: Topical antifungal applied to the feet, drugs that contain luliconazole, anti-inflammatories, corticosteroids or topical immunomodulators. 9. Systemic antifungals for treatment of onychomycosis or any systemic antifungal with known activity against dermatophytes within the previous 12 weeks or 5 half-lives of the drug, whichever is longer. 10. Subjects who have not undergone the specified washout period(s) prior to Baseline (Day 1) for the following systemic medications, or subjects requiring the concurrent use of any of the following systemic medications: Corticosteroids (including intramuscular injections), systemic immunomodulators and drugs that are CYP3A and CYP2C19 substrates 11. Subjects receiving any other treatment/therapy for their onychomycosis not previously mentioned (e.g., laser treatment) who have not undergone a washout period of 4 weeks. 12. Subjects with a history of significant internal disease (including diabetes that is uncontrolled), history or signs of peripheral circulatory insufficiency and/or diabetic neuropathy, recurrent cellulitis or with a life-threatening condition (e.g., autoimmune deficiency syndrome, cancer, unstable angina, or myocardial infarction) as assessed by the Investigator within the last 6 months. 13. Subjects with anatomic abnormalities of the toe(s) and/or toenails, e.g., genetic nail disorders, trauma to the toenail(s). 14. Subjects with a recent history of or currently known to abuse drugs or alcohol. 15. Subjects who have donated or lost a large volume of blood (\~500 mL or more), during the 6-week period preceding Baseline visit (Day 1). 16. Subjects who are currently participating in another investigational medication or device study or have participated in a clinical trial within 30 days or 5 half-lives of the test medication (whichever is longer) prior to Baseline visit (Day 1) of this study.
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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
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J&S Studies, Inc.
College Station, Texas, 77845, United States
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