Clinical trial • Phase II • Neurology

(S)-2-ETHYL-8-METHYL-1-THIA-4,8-DIAZASPIRO[4.5]DECAN-3-ONE for Alzheimer's disease

Phase II trial of (S)-2-ETHYL-8-METHYL-1-THIA-4,8-DIAZASPIRO[4.5]DECAN-3-ONE for Alzheimer's disease.

Overview

Trial Therapeutic Area
Neurology
Trial Disease
Alzheimer's disease
Trial Stage
Phase II
Drug Modality
Small molecule

Key dates

Initial CTIS Submission Date
26-11-2024
First CTIS Authorization Date
06-04-2025

Trial design

Randomised, arms: nsc001 (up to 40 mg nsc001, oral); nsc001 + trospium (up to 40 mg nsc001 and 20 mg trospium, oral); placebo with and without trospium (identical with the imp nsc001 but without the active substance; trospium 20 mg). schedule/frequency not specified in part i data.-controlled Phase II trial in Austria, Germany, Italy and others.

Randomised
Yes
Comparator
Arms: NSC001 (Up to 40 mg NSC001, oral); NSC001 + Trospium (Up to 40 mg NSC001 and 20 mg Trospium, oral); Placebo with and without Trospium (identical with the IMP NSC001 but without the active substance; Trospium 20 mg). Schedule/frequency not specified in Part I data.
Target Sample Size
150
Trial Duration For Participant
147

Eligibility

Recruits 150 Vulnerable population not selected. Capacity to consent is explicitly required: "Signed informed consent by the patient (examined and verified to be mentally capable by an independent physician/ neurologist) prior to the initiation of any study specific procedure." A trial partner/informant/caregiver is mandatory to support compliance and must sign a caregiver consent form; participants must have an informant with frequent contact (at least 10 hours/week). ICFs and study partner/caregiver consent forms are provided (country-specific documents and simplified language versions are listed)..

Pregnancy Exclusion
Female participants who are pregnant or currently breastfeeding or who plan to become pregnant
Vulnerable Population
Vulnerable population not selected. Capacity to consent is explicitly required: "Signed informed consent by the patient (examined and verified to be mentally capable by an independent physician/ neurologist) prior to the initiation of any study specific procedure." A trial partner/informant/caregiver is mandatory to support compliance and must sign a caregiver consent form; participants must have an informant with frequent contact (at least 10 hours/week). ICFs and study partner/caregiver consent forms are provided (country-specific documents and simplified language versions are listed).

Inclusion criteria

  • {"criterion_text":"- Participants and competent trial partner/caregiver are willing and able to give signed informed consent for participation in the trial including compliance with the requirements and restrictions according to local regulations for the trial Informed Consent Form (ICF). ). Signed informed consent by the patient (examined and verified to be mentally capable by an independent physician/ neurologist) prior to the initiation of any study specific procedure.\n- Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of ≥18 and ≤26 at screening\n- Modified Hachinski Ischemic (mHIS) Scale ≤4 unless recent MRI study demonstrates no vascular causes for dementia.\n- Use of AChEIs (e.g., donepezil, galantamine, or rivastigmine) is mandatory and treatment must be on a stable dose for at least 3 months prior to baseline\n- Adequate vision, hearing, and motor function to comply with testing\n- Ability to swallow size 2 capsules.\n- In the opinion of the Investigator is in reasonably good health for 21-week trial participation\n- Trial participants must consent to ApoE genotyping. Their ApoE status may be disclosed to the participant at the Investigator's discretion.\n- Must have an informant or trial partner who, in the Investigator's judgment, has frequent and sufficient contact with the participant (at least 10 hours/week), who is considered reliable by the Investigator in providing support to the participant to ensure compliance with the trial intervention, including the proper and consistent intake of the study medication, who can accompany the participant to trial visits and help with protocol procedures, and who is also able and willing to provide input for completing the caregiver scales and sign the caregiver consent form.\n- Male or female aged 50 to 85 years, inclusive at the time of consent.\n- Female trial participants must be post-menopausal for at least 2 consecutive years or surgically sterile (bilateral tubal ligation, hysterectomy, or bilateral oophorectomy) for at least 6 months prior to screening\n- Male trial participants with partners who are women of childbearing potential (WOCBP) must agree to use a reliable means of contraception (e.g., minimum condom + spermicide) during the trial and 6 months after discontinuing the trial intervention\n- Participants who have a clinical diagnosis of AD, which falls into the stages of mild to moderate dementia (Stage 4 to 5) according to the utilized by the NIA-AA 2018 criteria at screening.\n- Patients who show CSF biomarker data supporting the diagnosis of AD measured within the last 3 years or patients with a positive Amyloid Pet Scan within the last 3 years or have a test on p-tau217 in plasma indicating brain amyloid positivity will qualify for the study. Plasma pTau217 concentration of ≥ 2.0 pg/mL\n- Evidence of cognitive decline over the last year must be present based on informant observation, medical records, or objective neurocognitive testing.\n- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scan performed within 12 months before screening, with findings consistent with the clinical diagnosis of mild to moderate AD without any other clinically significant comorbid pathologies, especially cerebrovascular lesions. If an MRI or CT scan is unavailable within 12 months before screening, an MRI assessment should be completed, and the findings confirmed before the participant's treatment start (V1)."}

Exclusion criteria

  • {"criterion_text":"- Inability to comply with visit schedule or other protocol requirements and failure to perform screening and baseline first treatment visit (V1) assessments.\n- Suspected or known allergy to any components of the trial interventions.\n- Any condition, which, in the opinion of the Investigator, makes the trial participant unsuitable for inclusion\n- Planned start of NMDA receptor antagonist memantine during the trial period (i.e., the next 13 weeks) or use of memantine within the past 4 weeks before screening, unless at a stable dose for at least 8 weeks prior to screening.\n- If the trial participant is in any way dependent on the Sponsor or the Investigator or if the trial participant is accommodated in an establishment on a judicial or administrative order.\n- Female participants who are pregnant or currently breastfeeding or who plan to become pregnant\n- Male participants with a partner who is pregnant or currently breastfeeding or who plans to become pregnant\n- In case an MRI is needed at screening, contraindications to having a brain MRI (e.g., MRI-incompatible pacemaker, MRI-incompatible aneurysm clips, artificial heart valves, or other metal foreign body; claustrophobia that cannot be medically managed).\n- Any contraindication to trospium chloride, including known hypersensitivity to trospium chloride or any of the excipients listed in the SmPC, myasthenia gravis, urinary retention, gastric retention, toxic megacolon, ulcerative colitis or uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma.\n- Prior use of anti-beta-amyloid immunotherapy (e.g., Aducanumab, Leqanemab, Donanemab) or administration of anti-amyloid vaccine.\n- Enrollment in another investigational clinical trial and, respectively, administration of investigational drug within the previous 3 months small molecules. Previous participation in investigational clinical trials with monoclonal antibodies against amyloid or other anti-beta amyloid immunotherapy and other biologicals.\n- A current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) diagnosis of active major depression, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder or are at suicide risk, as determined by meeting any of the following criteria: a)\tSuicide attempt within the past 12 months prior to screening. b)\tSuicidal ideation as defined by a positive response to questions 4 and 5 on the C SSRS within 60 days of screening.\n- Current use of anticholinergics, including trospium within the past 2 weeks before screening.\n- Use of the following medications: a)\tLong-acting benzodiazepines (e.g., valium), except for sedation prior to screening MRI scans for those participants requiring sedation and should not be administered within 24 hours prior to cognitive testing. b)\tShort/medium-acting benzodiazepines (e.g., alprazolam, lorazepam, oxazepam, temazepam) except if used chronically for sleep and on a stable dose for ≥4 weeks prior to screening and throughout the trial. May not be taken within 12 hours prior to cognitive testing. c)\tSedating antihistamines if taken within 12 hours prior to cognitive testing (Non-sedating antihistamines [e.g., fexofenadine, cetirizine] are allowed). d)\tAnticonvulsants that have significant effects on cognition per the Investigator's opinion and/or anticonvulsants used for treatment of seizures. Anticonvulsants with limited cognitive effects, such as lamotrigine, pregabalin, levetiracetam for the treatment of pain, and other non-epilepsy indications are allowed if, in the opinion of the Investigator, they are not producing sedation or contributing to cognitive impairment. The participant must have been on a stable dose for ≥4 weeks prior to screening and throughout the trial. e)\tAntidepressants that may, in the Investigator's opinion, affect the participant's cognition (e.g., tricyclic antidepressants). Mild depression or depressive mood arising in the context of AD are not criteria for exclusion. Use of antidepressants is allowed if at stable doses for ≥4 weeks prior to screening and throughout the trial. f)\tAntipsychotics used regularly, except for low doses of atypical antipsychotics (e.g., risperidone, aripiprazole, or quetiapine) if used on an as-needed basis or if used at a stable dose for ≥4 weeks prior to screening and throughout the duration of the trial. The definition of \"low doses\" should be judged by the Investigator, and the Medical Monitor can be consulted if needed. g)\tPrior use of levodopa or anti-Parkinsonian medications including dopaminergic agents, amantadine, selegiline, benztropine, and monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors prescribed for the treatment of Parkinsonism or Parkinson's disease. h)\tUse of prescription narcotic medications within 4 weeks prior to screening. After randomization, short-term use of prescription narcotics is allowed for specific situations (e.g., after surgical procedures) and if administered at least 24 hours prior to cognitive testing. i)\tUse of drugs with known QT-prolonging effects36, unless used at a stable dose for ≥12 weeks prior to screening and throughout the duration of the trial, and with demonstrated stable QT interval on treatment. j)\tUse of any drug of abuse, including but not limited to, amphetamine, cannabis, cocaine, opiate, propoxyphene, methadone, methaqualone, phencyclidine, or barbiturates. k)\tCentrally active anti-hypertensive drugs (clonidine, l-methyl DOPA, guanidine, guanfacine, etc.).\n- Hospitalization or change of chronic concomitant medication within 4 weeks prior to screening or during screening period.\n- Clinical, laboratory or neuro-imaging findings consistent with: a)\tOther primary degenerative dementia, (e.g., dementia with Lewy bodies, fronto temporal dementia, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington's disease, Creutzfeldt Jakob’s disease, Down's syndrome, etc.). b)\tOther neurodegenerative condition (e.g., Parkinson's disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, etc.). c)\tCerebrovascular disease (major infarct, 1 strategic or multiple lacunar infarcts, extensive white matter lesions >one quarter of the total white matter) based on historical or current CT or MRI. d)\tOther CNS diseases (e.g., severe head trauma, tumors, subdural hematoma, or other space-occupying processes, etc.). e)\tSeizure disorder, except history of febrile seizures in childhood. f)\tOther infectious, metabolic, or systemic diseases affecting the CNS (e.g., syphilis, present hypothyroidism, present vitamin B12 or folate deficiency, serum electrolytes out of normal range, juvenile-onset diabetes mellitus, etc.).\n- Have a history of substance abuse (based on DSM-IV criteria) within the past 12 months prior to screening, a positive urine drug (due to nonprescription drug) or alcohol test at screening, or use of cannabinoids (prescription or recreational).\n- Significant acute or chronic infection at screening including, among others: History of, or positive test result at screening visit for, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or known current hepatitis C or hepatitis B virus infection, or positive test result at screening (defined as hepatitis B virus [HBV] surface Ag positive or positive HCV with reflex to positive hepatitis C virus [HCV] RNA).\n- Clinically significant, advanced, or unstable disease that may interfere with primary or secondary variable evaluations, and which may bias the assessment of the clinical or mental status of the trial participant or put the participant at special risk, such as: a)\tRespiratory insufficiency. b)\tHeart disease (myocardial infarction, unstable angina, heart failure, cardiomyopathy within 6 months before screening). c)\tBradycardia (heartbeat <50/min) or tachycardia (heartbeat >100/min), confirmed by repeat measurement. d)\tHigher degree AV block (Mobitz type II and III), congenital long QT syndrome, sinus node dysfunction or prolonged QTcF-interval (males >450 msec and females >470 msec). e)\tUncontrolled hypertension (>180/95 mm Hg) or hypotension (<90/60 mm Hg or higher if symptomatic), confirmed by repeat measurement.\n- Indication of impaired renal function at screening defined as creatinine clearance ≤60 mL/min according to Chronic Kidney Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) formula (confirmed by repeat measurement).\n- Indication of uncontrolled diabetes at screening defined by HbA1c >8.5%.\n- Indication of chronic liver disease, liver function test abnormalities, or other signs of hepatic insufficiency (alanine transaminase [ALT], aspartate aminotransferase [AST], gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), or alkaline phosphatase [ALP] >2.5 upper limit of normal [ULN]; confirmed by repeat measurement).\n- History of pre-malignant or malignant disease. The following exceptions may be made after discussion with the Sponsor: a)\tParticipants with cancers in remission ≥5 years prior to screening. b)\tParticipants with a history of excised or treated basal cell or squamous carcinoma of the skin. c)\tParticipants with localized prostate cancer with treatment cycles that were completed at least 6 months prior to screening."}

Endpoints

Primary endpoints

  • {"endpoint_text":"- Frequency and severity of AEs and SAEs","definition_or_measurement_approach":""}
  • {"endpoint_text":"- Changes in clinical/neurological findings","definition_or_measurement_approach":""}
  • {"endpoint_text":"- Changes in vital signs and ECG","definition_or_measurement_approach":""}
  • {"endpoint_text":"- Changes in laboratory assessments","definition_or_measurement_approach":""}
  • {"endpoint_text":"- Changes in suicidal ideation and suicidal behavior as assessed by C-SSRS","definition_or_measurement_approach":"Assessed by C-SSRS (Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale) as stated."}

Secondary endpoints

  • {"endpoint_text":"- NSC001 (parent) PK parameters as applicable for the regimen including, but not limited to AUC(0 last), AUCinf, Cmax, tmax, CL/F (only parent), Vd/F (only parent), t½, % extrapolated AUCinf","definition_or_measurement_approach":"Pharmacokinetic parameters (AUC(0-last), AUCinf, Cmax, tmax, CL/F, Vd/F, t½, % extrapolated AUCinf) as listed."}
  • {"endpoint_text":"- Parent exposure ratios for Cmax and AUC(0-last)","definition_or_measurement_approach":"Parent exposure ratios for Cmax and AUC(0-last) as listed."}

Recruitment

Planned Sample Size
150
Recruitment Window Months
16
Consent Approach
Signed informed consent by the patient is required and must be obtained prior to any study-specific procedures, with mental capacity verified by an independent physician/neurologist. A trial partner/informant/caregiver must also provide consent (caregiver consent form) and support adherence. ICFs and related subject information documents are provided in country-specific versions and simplified language versions (documents listed for Austria, Germany, Italy, Czechia).

Methods

  • Site-based recruitment at participating neurology clinics and hospitals (country-specific recruitment arrangements documents listed for Austria, Germany, Italy, Czechia).
  • Use of recruitment materials and flyers (documents titled e.g., 'German NSC24001 Flyer', 'Recruitment Material', 'Flyer' are included among published documents).
  • Center contact lists and patient-facing materials (documents include center contact lists and patient information documents).

Geography

Total Number Of Sites
19
Total Number Of Participants
150

Austria

Earliest CTIS Part Ii Submission Date
28-03-2025
Latest Decision Or Authorization Date
11-08-2025
Processing Time Days
136
Number Of Sites
4
Number Of Participants
40

Sites

Site Name
University Hospital Graz
Department Name
Klinische Abteilung für Neurogeriatrie
Principal Investigator Name
Stephan Seiler
Principal Investigator Email
stephan.seiler@medunigraz.at
Contact Person Name
Stephan Seiler
Contact Person Email
stephan.seiler@medunigraz.at
Site Name
Medizinische Universitaet Innsbruck
Department Name
Universitätsklinik für Neurologie
Principal Investigator Name
Atbin Djamshidian-Tehrani
Principal Investigator Email
atbin.djamshidian-tehrani@i-med.ac.at
Contact Person Name
Atbin Djamshidian-Tehrani
Site Name
Gemeinnuetzige Salzburger Landeskliniken Betriebsgesellschaft mbH
Department Name
Christian Doppler Clinic
Principal Investigator Name
Fabio Rossini
Principal Investigator Email
f.rossini@salk.at
Contact Person Name
Fabio Rossini
Contact Person Email
f.rossini@salk.at
Site Name
Universitaet Wien
Department Name
Universitätsklinik für Neurologie
Principal Investigator Name
Elisabeth Stögmann
Principal Investigator Email
elisabelisabeth.stoegmann@meduniwien.ac.at
Contact Person Name
Elisabeth Stögmann

Germany

Earliest CTIS Part Ii Submission Date
07-04-2025
Latest Decision Or Authorization Date
03-03-2026
Processing Time Days
330
Number Of Sites
6
Number Of Participants
50

Sites

Site Name
Dynamikos GmbH Institut fuer Studien zur Psychischen Gesundheit
Department Name
Institut für psychische Gesundheit
Principal Investigator Name
Georg Adler
Principal Investigator Email
adler@ispg-mannheim.de
Contact Person Name
Georg Adler
Contact Person Email
adler@ispg-mannheim.de
Site Name
Sanos Clinic GmbH
Department Name
Klinik und Poliklinik für Neurologie
Principal Investigator Name
Jens Harmel
Principal Investigator Email
jha@sanosclinic.com
Contact Person Name
Jens Harmel
Contact Person Email
jha@sanosclinic.com
Site Name
Klinikum Altenburger Land GmbH
Department Name
Neurologie / Studienzentrum
Principal Investigator Name
Jörg Berrouschot
Contact Person Name
Jörg Berrouschot
Site Name
Zentrum fuer klinische Forschung Dr. I. Schoell GmbH
Department Name
Zentrum für klinische Forschung Dr. Schöll
Principal Investigator Name
Elvira Steidl
Principal Investigator Email
Info@forschung-badhomburg.de
Contact Person Name
Elvira Steidl
Contact Person Email
Info@forschung-badhomburg.de
Site Name
Universitaetsmedizin Goettingen
Department Name
Department of Neurology
Principal Investigator Name
Inga Zerr
Principal Investigator Email
ingazerr@med.uni-goettingen.de
Contact Person Name
Inga Zerr
Contact Person Email
ingazerr@med.uni-goettingen.de
Site Name
Uniklinik Köln
Department Name
Klinik und Poliklinik für Neurologie
Principal Investigator Name
Özgür Onur
Principal Investigator Email
oezguer.onur@uk-koeln.de
Contact Person Name
Özgür Onur
Contact Person Email
oezguer.onur@uk-koeln.de

Italy

Earliest CTIS Part Ii Submission Date
15-04-2026
Latest Decision Or Authorization Date
08-05-2026
Processing Time Days
23
Number Of Sites
5
Number Of Participants
30

Sites

Site Name
Provincia Lombardo Veneta Dell’Ordine Ospedaliero Di San Giovanni Di Dio Fatebenefratelli
Department Name
Clincial Trial Unit
Principal Investigator Name
Barbara Borroni
Principal Investigator Email
bborroni@fatebenefratelli.eu
Contact Person Name
Barbara Borroni
Contact Person Email
bborroni@fatebenefratelli.eu
Site Name
Fondazione Santa Lucia
Department Name
Divisione di Neurologia e Riabilitazione Neurologica
Principal Investigator Name
Giacomo Koch
Principal Investigator Email
g.koch@hsantalucia.it
Contact Person Name
Giacomo Koch
Contact Person Email
g.koch@hsantalucia.it
Site Name
Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Ospedali Riuniti
Department Name
Neurologia
Principal Investigator Name
Elena Carapelle
Principal Investigator Email
elena.carapelle@unifg.it
Contact Person Name
Elena Carapelle
Contact Person Email
elena.carapelle@unifg.it
Site Name
Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico Paolo Giaccone
Department Name
Biomedicine, Neuroscience and advanced Diagnostics (BiND)
Principal Investigator Name
Tommaso Piccoli
Principal Investigator Email
tommaso.piccoli@unipa.it
Contact Person Name
Tommaso Piccoli
Contact Person Email
tommaso.piccoli@unipa.it
Site Name
Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Delle Marche
Department Name
Clinica di Neurologia
Principal Investigator Name
Simona Luzzi
Principal Investigator Email
s.luzzi@staff.univpm.it
Contact Person Name
Simona Luzzi
Contact Person Email
s.luzzi@staff.univpm.it

Czechia

Earliest CTIS Part Ii Submission Date
18-04-2026
Latest Decision Or Authorization Date
04-05-2026
Processing Time Days
16
Number Of Sites
4
Number Of Participants
30

Sites

Site Name
Vestra Clinics s.r.o.
Department Name
Neurology
Principal Investigator Name
Ladislav Pazdera
Principal Investigator Email
pazdera@vestraclinics.org
Contact Person Name
Ladislav Pazdera
Contact Person Email
pazdera@vestraclinics.org
Site Name
Neuro Health Centrum s.r.o.
Department Name
Neurology
Principal Investigator Name
Katerina Sheardova
Principal Investigator Email
centrum.pameti@fnusa.cz
Contact Person Name
Katerina Sheardova
Contact Person Email
centrum.pameti@fnusa.cz
Site Name
Charles University Hospital
Department Name
Neurology
Principal Investigator Name
Jakub Hort
Principal Investigator Email
jakub.hort@lfmotol.cuni.cz
Contact Person Name
Jakub Hort
Contact Person Email
jakub.hort@lfmotol.cuni.cz
Site Name
Forbeli s.r.o.
Department Name
Neurology
Principal Investigator Name
Michal Bajacek
Principal Investigator Email
mbajacek@yahoo.co.uk
Contact Person Name
Michal Bajacek
Contact Person Email
mbajacek@yahoo.co.uk

Sponsor

Primary sponsor

Full Name
Nsc Therapeutics GmbH
Organisation Type
Pharmaceutical company
Country Of Registered Address
Austria

Third parties

  • {"country":"Italy","full_name":"Aptuit (Verona) S.r.l.","duties_or_roles":"sponsorDuties code 14","organisation_type":"Pharmaceutical company"}
  • {"country":"France","full_name":"Firalis","duties_or_roles":"sponsorDuties code 4","organisation_type":"Pharmaceutical company"}
  • {"country":"Austria","full_name":"Datamedrix GmbH","duties_or_roles":"sponsorDuties code 6","organisation_type":"Non-Pharmaceutical company"}

Investigational products

Investigational Product Name
NSC001
Active Substance
(S)-2-ETHYL-8-METHYL-1-THIA-4,8-DIAZASPIRO[4.5]DECAN-3-ONE
Modality
Small molecule
Routes Of Administration
ORAL
Route
oral
Dose Levels
Up to 40 mg
Maximum Dose
40 mg (max daily dose amount)
Investigational Product Name
Trospium Aristo 20 mg Filmtabletten
Active Substance
TROSPIUM CHLORIDE
Modality
Small molecule
Routes Of Administration
ORAL
Route
oral
Dose Levels
20 mg
Maximum Dose
20 mg (max daily dose amount)
Investigational Product Name
Identical with the IMP NSC001 but without the active substance
Modality
Other
Combination Treatment
Yes

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