Could a daily powder shield Kids' brains from PKU damage?
NCT ID NCT06302348
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Aug 28, 2026 · Updated 4 times
Summary
This study tests whether sepiapterin, a powder taken daily, can preserve intelligence and quality of life in children with phenylketonuria (PKU) when started early in childhood. The trial will follow 56 children for years, measuring IQ and other outcomes. It is an open-label phase 3 study, meaning everyone knows they are getting the drug, which may limit how strong the conclusions are.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- sepiapterin (also called PTC923 or Sephience), a powder mixed in water or apple juice
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could show that early treatment with sepiapterin helps children with PKU maintain normal intelligence and quality of life as they grow.
- What could go wrong
- This is an open-label study with no placebo group, so results may be less reliable. It is also small (56 children) and focuses on long-term outcomes, so benefits may take years to confirm.
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
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Phase 3
Large-scale testing in a bigger group. Usually the last step before a treatment can be approved.
- Participants
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About 56 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Mar 2024
- Expected to finish
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Feb 2031
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
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Up to 9 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.
Key Inclusion Criteria: For all participants: * Women of childbearing potential must have a negative pregnancy test at Screening and agree to abstinence or the use of at least one highly effective form of contraception for the duration of the study, and for at least 90 days after the last dose of the study drug. * Willing to maintain prescribed daily protein/Phe during Screening and Part 1. For participants ≥1 month of age at Screening: * Established diagnosis of PKU with hyperphenylalaninemia (HPA) evidenced by at least 2 blood Phe measurement ≥600 micromoles (μmol)/liter (L) as documented in the medical history. * A minimum of 1 documented blood Phe measurement \<480 μmol/L within 1 month prior to Screening. * Two screening blood Phe concentration values must be in the range ≥120 to ≤480 μmol/L. For participants \<1 month of age at the time of informed consent/assent only: * Blood Phe at newborn screening ≥600 μmol/L. For participants ≥30 months to \<10 years of age: * Baseline FSIQ score ≥80. Key Exclusion Criteria: * History of allergies or adverse reactions to any of the ingredients or excipients of synthetic tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) or sepiapterin. * Serious neuropsychiatric illness (for example, major depression) not currently under medical control or other concurrent disease or condition that, in the opinion of the investigator or sponsor, would interfere with the participant's ability to participate in the study or increase the risk of participation for that participant. * Treatment with BH4 supplementation (sapropterin, Kuvan®) within 3 months prior to Screening. * Current participation in another investigational drug study or use of any investigational agent within 30 days prior to Screening. * Confirmed diagnosis of a primary BH4 deficiency as evidenced by biallelic pathogenic mutations in 6-pyruvoyltetrahydropterin synthase, recessive Guanosine-5'-triphosphate (GTP) cyclohydrolase I, sepiapterin reductase, quinoid dihydropteridine reductase, or pterin 4-alphacarbinolamine dehydratase genes. * Any clinically significant laboratory abnormality as determined by the investigator. * Any past medical history of an abnormal physical examination and/or laboratory findings indicative of signs or symptoms of renal disease, including calculated (Bedside Schwartz Equation) glomerular filtration rate (GFR) \<60 milliliters (mL)/minute (min)/1.73 square meter (m\^2). * Major surgery within 90 days prior to Screening visit. * Previous treatment for \>6 weeks with sepiapterin (that is, Sephience). Note: Other protocol-defined inclusion and exclusion criteria may apply.
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Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The study's own enquiry address
This study publishes an address for enquiries. See it below .
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The places running it
10 sites in 6 countries. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Show contact details
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Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Study contacts
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Contact
Email: •••••@•••••
Locations
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Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP) - Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades
RECRUITINGParis, 75015, France
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Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust
RECRUITINGBirmingham, B4 6NH, United Kingdom
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Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire (CHRU) de Tours - Hôpital Clocheville
RECRUITINGTours, 37044, France
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Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Lille - Hôpital Jeanne de Flandre
RECRUITINGLille, 59800, France
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Children's Health Ireland (CHI)
RECRUITINGDublin, D01 YC67, Ireland
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Indiana University School of Medicine
RECRUITINGIndianapolis, Indiana, 46202, United States
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Instytut Matki i Dziecka
RECRUITINGWarsaw, 01-211, Poland
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Pomorski Uniwersytet Medyczny w Szczecinie
RECRUITINGSzczecin, 70-204, Poland
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The Royal Children's Hospital
RECRUITINGParkville, VIC 3052, Australia
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Women and Children Hospital
RECRUITINGNorth Adelaide, SA 5006, Australia
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Could a PKU diet reshape the gut microbiome? a study investigates
- Study aims to tailor PKU drug dosing for patients with organ impairment
- Hidden eating disorders may affect PKU patients on strict diets
- New pill could tame phenylketonuria by blocking amino acid absorption
- PKU diagnosis: a study on breaking the news to families
- New pill for PKU shows promise in early human testing