New drug combo PrimeC shows promise in slowing ALS
NCT ID NCT05357950
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026
Summary
This phase IIb trial tested PrimeC, a combination of two common drugs (ciprofloxacin and celecoxib), in 69 people with ALS. Participants took PrimeC or a placebo for 6 months, followed by a 12-month open-label extension where everyone received PrimeC. The study measured safety, side effects, and how well the drug slowed disease progression using standard ALS rating scales and breathing tests.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- PrimeC (a combination of ciprofloxacin and celecoxib)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, PrimeC could slow the progression of ALS and improve quality of life for patients.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase (IIb) trial with only 69 participants. Results may not be conclusive, and the drug may not show significant benefit over placebo. Side effects from the drug combination are possible.
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 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
-
69 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
May 2022
- Finished
-
Nov 2024
- 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
-
18 to 75 years
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
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. Able to comprehend and willing to sign an informed consent form (ICF) 2. Males or females between the ages of 18 and 75 years of age, inclusive 3. Diagnosis of familial or sporadic ALS (defined as meeting the laboratory-supported probable, probable, or definite criteria for a diagnosis of ALS according to the Gold Coast criteria) 4. Disease duration after first symptom (muscle weakness) less than 30 months prior to screening 5. Pre-enrollment ALSFRS-R slope from disease onset ≥ 0.3 points per month 6. ALSFRS-R at screening ≥ 25 7. Item 3 (swallowing) in ALSFRS-R ≥ 3 8. Subjects may be treated in parallel with riluzole and/or edaravone and/or sodium phenylbutyrate and/or taurursodiol; 60 days of stable use prior to enrollment is required 9. Upright slow vital capacity (SVC) ≥ 60% of predicted for age, height, weight and sex at screening according to the GLI-2012 10. 18 \< BMI \< 30 11. A caregiver (if one is needed) 12. Female subjects must be post-menopausal (≥ 1 year) OR sterilized, OR if of childbearing potential (i.e., females who have had their first period unless they are anatomically or physiologically incapable to become pregnant), must have a negative pregnancy test, and agree to use contraceptive drugs or devices (e.g., diaphragm plus spermicide, or oral contraceptives) for the duration of the study and 10 weeks after the last treatment dose AND require male partners to use a condom during sexual intercourse Exclusion Criteria: 1. A past history of adverse reaction/hypersensitivity to either NSAIDs, celecoxib or fluoroquinolones, ciprofloxacin 2. Any known clinically significant abnormal gastric mucosal erosion, ulcer or tumor or/and GI disorder and/or bariatric surgery 3. Known history of clinically significant impairment of renal function (creatinine ≥ 1.5) 4. Known or suspected symptomatic congestive heart and/or coronary heart disease, previous history of myocardial infarction, uncontrolled arterial hypertension, or rhythm abnormalities requiring permanent treatment 5. Known history of QT/QTc prolongation, Torsade de pointes (TdP) (e.g. heart failure, hypokalemia, family history of Long QT syndrome) and the use of concomitant medications that prolong the QT/QTc interval 6. Known or suspected diagnosis or family history of epilepsy in first degree relatives 7. Known predisposition to tendinitis 8. Known or suspected to be a poor CYP2C9 metabolizers who also uses pharmacologic agents (prescription or over-the-counter) or herbal products known or suspected to induce or inhibit CYP2C9 within 30 days before enrollment 9. Tracheostomy or percutaneous gastrostomy use 10. Presence at screening of any medically significant cardiac, pulmonary, musculoskeletal, or psychiatric illness that might interfere with the subject's ability to comply with study procedures or that might confound the interpretation of clinical safety data, including, but not limited to: 1. Mean systolic blood pressure \>160 mm Hg and/or mean diastolic blood pressure \>100 mm Hg (measurements taken after a few minutes rest) that persist on 3 successive measurements taken at least 2 minutes apart 2. NYHA Class II or greater congestive heart failure 3. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma requiring daily use of bronchodilator medications 4. Poorly controlled or brittle diabetes mellitus 5. Cognitive impairment, related to ALS or otherwise, sufficient to impair subject's ability to understand and/or comply with study procedures and provide informed consent 11. Subject who is treated with chronic aspirin or NSAIDs and is at risk if stopped. Clopidogrel is allowed and can replace Aspirin. 12. Any contraindication for ciprofloxacin and celecoxib according to the current prescribing information. 13. Female who is pregnant or breastfeeding or with intention of becoming pregnant during the course of the study. 14. Any impairment or social circumstance that, in the opinion of the Investigator, would render the subject not suitable to participate in the study. 15. Subject, or subject's legal guardian(s) is/are unable to understand the nature, scope, and possible consequences of the study. 16. Subject is participating in (or plans to participate in) any other investigational drug trial, or plans to be exposed to any other investigational agent, device and/or procedure, from 30 days prior to Screening through study completion.
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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
-
A.O.U. Citta della Salute e della Scienza di Torino
Torino, Italy
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IRCCS Istituti clinici Maugeri
Milan, Italy
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Lawson Health Research Institute
London, Ontario, Canada
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Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center
Tel Aviv, Israel
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