Dexmedetomidine Transdermal Systems (DMTS) Treatment for Agitation Associated With Dementia of the Alzheimer's Type
Launched by TEIKOKU PHARMA USA, INC. · Sep 18, 2023
Trial Information
Current as of July 23, 2025
Not yet recruiting
Keywords
ClinConnect Summary
This clinical trial is studying a new treatment called Dexmedetomidine Transdermal Systems (DMTS) to see if it can help reduce agitation in people with Alzheimer's disease. Agitation can be a challenging symptom that affects daily life, so researchers want to determine if this treatment is effective compared to a placebo, which is a treatment that looks like the real thing but doesn't contain the active medication. The study is currently not recruiting participants, but it aims to include men and women aged 60 and older who live in care facilities and have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.
To participate, individuals must be willing to give consent and have experienced significant agitation that affects their social activities or daily living. They should also have stable medication for at least a week before the trial. Participants will be monitored throughout the study, and there are specific health conditions that could prevent someone from joining, such as certain heart conditions or a history of substance abuse. This trial is an important step in finding new ways to help manage agitation in those affected by Alzheimer's disease, and participants can play a vital role in advancing this research.
Gender
ALL
Eligibility criteria
- Inclusion Criteria:
- • 1. Voluntarily provide written informed consent (subject or legally authorized representative, or LAR).
- • 2. Male or female, 60+ years of age residing in a care facility. All subjects must have a diagnosis of dementia of probable Alzheimer's Disease (AD) based on National Institute on Aging and the Alzheimer's Association (NIA-AA) criteria (2018).
- • 3. At least one item on the CMAI (using a 7-day lookback period) must receive a score of 4 or greater at Screening and at Baseline (Day -1).
- • 4. One or more episodes (using a 7-day lookback period) of agitation impairs social activities, requiring staff or medical intervention, or impairs ability for functional activities of daily living at Screening and at Baseline (Day -1).
- • 5. A minimum of 1 week with no change in medication prior to Screening.
- • 6. A score of 15 to 23 on the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) at Screening.
- 7. Female subjects are eligible only if the following apply:
- • 1. Not pregnant, not lactating, and not planning to become pregnant during the study or for 1 menstrual cycle thereafter.
- • 2. Surgically sterile; or at least 2 years postmenopausal; or have a monogamous partner who is surgically sterile; or have a same gender sex partner; or is using double-barrier contraception; or practicing abstinence; or using an insertable, injectable, transdermal, or combination oral contraceptive for 3 months prior to the study, during the study, and for 1 month following the study.
- • 8. Male subjects with female sex partners of childbearing potential must be surgically sterile or commit to use a reliable method of birth control during the study and for 1 month following the study. Reliable contraception is defined as: A tubal ligation, condom with spermicidal gel, an approved hormonal contraceptive such as oral contraceptives, emergency contraception used as directed, patches, implants, injections, rings or hormonally-impregnated intrauterine device (IUD), or an IUD.
- • 9. Have a body weight \> 50 kg, and body mass index of 20 to 38 kg/m2, inclusive.
- • 10. Subject or LAR able to understand the study procedures, comply with all study procedures, and agree to participate in the study program for its full duration.
- • 11. Subject must live in residence for at least 7 days prior to screening and remain in residence through the completion of Follow Up assessments.
- Exclusion Criteria:
- • 1. Known sensitivity to dexmedetomidine or any excipient in the DMTS/placebo.
- • 2. Skin abnormality (eg, scar, tattoo) or unhealthy skin condition (eg, burns, wounds) at the DMTS/matching placebo application site, according to examination by the investigator at screening.
- • 3. Clinically significant abnormal clinical laboratory test value as determined by the investigator.
- • 4. Subjects with agitation caused by acute intoxication.
- • 5. Subjects with significant risk of suicide or homicide per investigator's assessment, or any patient with an answer of "yes" to Items 4 o 5 on the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS).
- • 6. History of deep vein thrombosis or factor V Leiden deficiency.
- • 7. History of or positive test results for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B, or hepatitis C.
- • 8. Clinically significant history or clinically significant manifestation of any of the following, as determined by the investigator: a renal, hepatic, cardiovascular, metabolic, neurologic, or psychiatric condition; congestive heart failure, peptic ulcer, gastrointestinal bleeding, or other condition that may preclude participation in the study.
- • 9. History of physician-diagnosed migraine, frequent non-vascular headaches (\> 5 per month), seizures, or are currently taking anticonvulsants.
- • 10. History of syncope or other syncopal attacks.
- • 11. Present and/or significant history of postural hypotension (determined through examination by the investigator or designee), or history of severe dizziness or fainting on standing in the opinion of the investigator.
- • 12. Evidence of a clinically significant 12-lead ECG abnormality.
- • 13. Average heart rate \< 60 or \> 100 bpm, systolic blood pressure (BP) \< 90 or \> 140 mmHg, or diastolic BP \< 60 or \> 90 mmHg, measured in 3 sequential positions (supine after 5 minutes; sitting after 2 minutes; and standing after 2 minutes) and after the sequence has been repeated 3 times.
- • 14. History of alcohol abuse or prescription/illicit drug abuse within the previous 5 years.
- • 15. Positive results on the urine drug screen or alcohol breath test indicative of drugs of abuse or alcohol use at screening.
- • 16. Receiving concurrent therapy that can interfere with the evaluation of efficacy or safety, such as any drug that in the investigator's opinion may exert significant synergistic interactions with dexmedetomidine.
- • 17. Use of any natural health products (including chaparral, comfrey, germander, jin bu huan, kava, pennyroyal, skullcap, St. John's wort, or valerian, and excluding vitamins or mineral supplements) within 7 days prior to study drug administration and throughout the study, unless in the opinion of the investigator or designee, the product will not interfere with the study procedures or data integrity or compromise the safety of the subject.
- • 18. Had symptoms of an upper respiratory tract infection within 7 days prior to dosing of the study drug.
- • 19. Utilized oral or injectable corticosteroids within 7 days prior to dosing of the study drug (intranasal and topical corticosteroid use during this time period is allowed).
- • 20. Received any investigational product within 30 days prior to dosing of the study drug.
- • 21. Received DMTS in a previous clinical trial.
- • 22. In the opinion of the investigator or designee, is considered unsuitable for study entry and/or is unlikely to comply with the study protocol for any reason.
About Teikoku Pharma Usa, Inc.
Teikoku Pharma USA, Inc. is a specialized pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative pain management therapies, particularly through advanced transdermal drug delivery systems. With a commitment to improving patient outcomes, Teikoku Pharma leverages its extensive expertise in formulation science and clinical research to address unmet medical needs in chronic pain management. The company is dedicated to conducting rigorous clinical trials that uphold the highest standards of safety and efficacy, ensuring that their products contribute positively to patient quality of life while adhering to regulatory requirements.
Contacts
Jennifer Cobb
Immunology at National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Locations
Patients applied
Trial Officials
James Song, MS
Study Director
Teikoku Pharma USA, Inc.
Timeline
First submit
Trial launched
Trial updated
Estimated completion
Not reported