CAPTAIN-T2D: testing clofutriben for hard-to-control Type 2 diabetes with cortisol excess
Official title: Clofutriben And Placebo Phase 2 Trial Against INtractable Type 2 Diabetes (CAPTAIN-T2D)
Run by Sparrow Pharmaceuticals · NCT07296484 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This will test whether clofutriben can improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes who have signs of cortisol excess.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 2 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 1500 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Sparrow Pharmaceuticals Industry-sponsored |
| Locations | 61 sites (Chandler, Arizona and 60 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | November 29, 2025 |
| Main results expected | December 31, 2027 |
| Study ends | June 30, 2028 |
| Registry record updated | October 6, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07296484 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults (≥18 years) with type 2 diabetes, HbA1c ≥7.5% despite a stable regimen of at least two antidiabetic medications or adequate insulin dosing, and evidence of cortisol excess who can attend in-person visits and undergo dexamethasone testing are ideal candidates.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients without evidence of cortisol excess, with well-controlled diabetes (HbA1c <7.5%), unstable or inadequate diabetes regimens, or who have contraindications to HSD-1 inhibitors are unlikely to benefit.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
CAPTAIN-T2D is a two-part, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging Phase 2 trial of the HSD-1 inhibitor clofutriben in adults with type 2 diabetes and evidence of cortisol excess. Part 1 (about 5–9 weeks) screens participants, including a dexamethasone suppression test, to confirm elevated cortisol risk and eligibility. In Part 2, eligible participants are randomized to placebo or one of four clofutriben doses for 24 weeks, with a follow-up call 4 weeks after the last dose. The primary goals are to define the dose–response relationship for glycemic control and to identify dose(s) suitable for Phase 3 evaluation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, clofutriben could lower HbA1c and improve blood sugar control in people with T2D linked to cortisol excess, potentially reducing diabetes-related complications.
How similar studies have gone: HSD-1 inhibitors have been studied before for metabolic conditions with mixed results, so targeting cortisol in T2D is promising but not yet proven in large Phase 3 trials.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
* From Screening 1
* Age at least 18 years.
* HbA1c ≥7.5% documented within 3 months prior to Screening 1. (The historical HbA1c value must have been obtained after at least 2 months on the current \[as of Screening 1\] regimen).
* Treatment with stable and adequate doses of ≥2 injectable or oral ADMs. (An ADM will be deemed stable if the dose has been the same for at least 3 months prior to Screening 1 and without change between Screening 1 and Day 1) (An ADM dose will be deemed adequate if it is at or above the maximal labelled dose, or a sub-maximal, but not starting, dose if limited by tolerability (confer with MM if less than half-maximal dose).
* Adequate total daily insulin is defined as at least 0.3 units/kg/day. Insulin dose will be deemed stable with adjustments of up to 20% total daily dose during the 3 months prior to Screening 1 or between Screening 1 and Day 1.
* Use of insulin pumps or insulin brand changes (e.g., due to insurance change or shortage) are to be discussed with the MM.
* At least one of the following
* ≥3 stable and adequate ADMs;
* diabetes complication (retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy, atherosclerotic heart disease);
* hypertension requiring ≥2 adequately dosed AHMs;
* adequately dosed basal or basal plus prandial insulin in addition to at least 1 other ADM; and
* adequately dosed incretin agonist (a single or combination agent counts as one ADM) in addition to at least 1 other ADM;
* evidence or history of osteoporosis or non-traumatic fracture (e.g., vertebral body compression);
* or established diagnosis of a neoplastic (non-malignant) source of hypercortisolism and have failed, are ineligible for, or declined surgery.
At DST • Post-DST cortisol level \>1.8 µg/dL and serum dexamethasone ≥140 ng/dL. Patients with an established diagnosis of neoplastic hypercortisolism do not require a DST.
At Screening 2
* HbA1c ≥7.5% at Screening 2. At Day 1
* No change in, or initiation of, medications for hypertension within 1 month prior to Day 1.
Exclusion Criteria:
* New-onset diabetes (onset \<1 year in the past).
* Unwillingness to maintain with current glucose-lowering regimen during the trial.
* Unwillingness to adjust, add, replace, or discontinue current or other glucose-lowering medications during the trial as directed by the investigator.
* Unwillingness to comply with CGM or other trial procedures.
* Investigator considers the patient will otherwise be unwilling or unable to complete the trial.
* Night-shift worker or otherwise habitually awake from 23:00 to 07:00 h.
* Evidence for significant hypoglycemia while on their current diabetic treatment regimen(This includes episodes of symptomatic Level 3 hypoglycemia requiring external assistance for recovery, or CGM-documented prolonged \[\>15 min\] or repeated episodes of either Level 2 hypoglycemia leading to \>1%, or Level 1 hypoglycemia leading to \>4%, in "time below range" within 3 months prior to Screening 1 or between Screening 1 and Day 1).
* Any of the following in medical history:
* Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D), latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA), or familial forms of maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY);
* A hemoglobinopathy or other condition which may interfere with measurement of HbA1c (e.g., sickle cell disease HbSS or other variants HbEE thalassemia, hemolytic anemia, recent blood transfusion);
* Hypersensitivity or severe reaction to dexamethasone;
* Pheochromocytoma, or suspicion thereof;
* Anorexia, or other eating disorder;
* Glucocorticoid resistance;
* Multiple sclerosis;
* Significant hepatic impairment (e.g., Child-Pugh Class B or C);
* Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura;
* Untreated or inadequately controlled moderate-to-severe sleep apnea (apnea-hypopnea index ≥15). (Patients whose condition has been well controlled with Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) use for at least 3 months prior to Screening 1 are not excluded. Patients with a STOP-BANG score 5-8 should be referred for a sleep study outside the trial and may rescreen if found not to have moderate-to-severe sleep apnea);
* Current alcohol consumption \>14 units/week or \>4 units in a single day for males, or \>7 units/week or \>3 units in a single day for females. (Patients with a CAGE score 2-4 should be evaluated further outside the trial and may be rescreened if found not to have an alcohol \[or other substance\] use disorder);
* Untreated or inadequately controlled major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, or schizophrenia.(Patients whose condition has been well controlled with stable medical therapy, or has been asymptomatic, for at least 3 months prior to Screening 1 are not excluded); or
* Any other medical condition (including malignancy) that is likely to interfere with trial assessments or the patient's ability to complete the trial.
* Any of the following in medication history:
* Any of the excluded medications listed in Section 6.9;
* Any investigational drug within 4 weeks or within less than five times the drug's half-life, whichever is longer, prior to Screening 1 or between Screening 1 and Day 1;
* Woman of childbearing potential (WOCBP) not willing to adhere to highly effective contraception or strict abstinence for the duration of the trial and for 90 days post completion/discontinuation; and
* Pregnancy (including a positive urine test) or current breast feeding.
From Screening 2
• Prior probability of undiagnosed endogenous Cushing syndrome based on either of:
* wo morning serum cortisol values after dexamethasone suppression \>5.0 mcg/dL together with plasma dexamethasone \>140 ng/mL; or
* a morning serum cortisol value after dexamethasone suppression \>1.8 mcg/dL, together with plasma dexamethasone \>140 ng/mL and any one of the following that is not attributable to an etiology other than endogenous Cushing's syndrome:
* supraclavicular/dorsocervical fat accumulation;
* irounding of the face (especially compared with prior photos);
* skin changes (violaceous striae, skin thinning, or excessive bruising);
* proximal muscle weakness on exam; or
* history of deep vein thrombosis/pulmonary embolism.
* Plans for, or medically unable to forego, treatment for endogenous Cushing syndrome or ACS within the next 8 months. (For clarity, patients with EnCS or ACS, not having such treatment plans, and medically able to forego treatment for 8 months may enroll if otherwise eligible).
* Severe, poorly controlled hypertension (mean systolic BP \>160 mmHg or mean diastolic BP \>100 mmHg) at Screening 2 or between Screening 2 and Day 1, including by at-home monitoring. (Such patients will be eligible to rescreen for Part 2 when they restore BP \<160/100 mmHg for 1 month on a new stable medication regimen).
* Positive urine screen for recreational drugs (except tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)).
* Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) (determined using Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration \[CKD-EPI\]) \<45 mL/min/1.73 m².
* Poorly controlled hyperthyroidism/hypothyroidism (confirmed by TSH or Free thyroxine \[fT4\]).
* Liver enzymes \>3 × upper limit of normal (ULN) (alanine aminotransferase (ALT) or aspartate aminotransferase (AST) or bilirubin \>1.5 × ULN.(excepting benign conditions such as Gilbert's)
* Known hypersensitivity to clofutriben or to any of the product
Where it's running
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Arizona Clinical Trials - Pecos
Chandler, Arizona, United States Recruiting -
Arizona Clinical Trials - Broadway
Tucson, Arizona, United States Recruiting -
Ark Clinical Research - Fountain Valley
Fountain Valley, California, United States Recruiting -
Velocity Clinical Research, Huntington Park
Huntington Park, California, United States Recruiting -
Velocity Clinical Research - Gardena
La Mesa, California, United States Recruiting -
Ark Clinical Research - Long Beach
Long Beach, California, United States Recruiting
Show 44 more locations
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Los Angeles Institute for Metabolic Research
Los Angeles, California, United States Recruiting -
Velocity Clinical Research, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California, United States Recruiting -
Amicis Research Center- Nordhoff
Northridge, California, United States Recruiting -
Alliance Clinical San Diego
San Diego, California, United States Recruiting -
Velocity Clinical Research, New Smyrna Beach
Edgewater, Florida, United States Recruiting -
The Center for Diabetes and Endocrine Care
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States Recruiting -
Admed Research LLC
Miami, Florida, United States Recruiting -
Suncoast Clinical Research, Inc
New Port Richey, Florida, United States Recruiting -
Innovative Research Institute
Port Charlotte, Florida, United States Recruiting -
Progressive Medical Research
Port Orange, Florida, United States Recruiting -
Conquest Research
Winter Park, Florida, United States Recruiting -
Emory University School of Medicine
Atlanta, Georgia, United States Recruiting -
IACT Health-Brookstone Centre Pkwy
Columbus, Georgia, United States Recruiting -
Paradigm Clinical Research - Boise, ID
Boise, Idaho, United States Recruiting -
Chicago Clinical Research Institute
Chicago, Illinois, United States Recruiting -
Iowa Diabetes and Endocrinology Research Center
West Des Moines, Iowa, United States Recruiting -
Alliance for Multispecialty Research - Wichita East
Wichita, Kansas, United States Recruiting -
St. Elizabeth Healthcare
Edgewood, Kentucky, United States Recruiting -
Velocity Clinical Research, Lafayette
Lafayette, Louisiana, United States Recruiting -
NOLA Care Clinical Research
Metairie, Louisiana, United States Recruiting -
Tulane University School of Medicine
New Orleans, Louisiana, United States Recruiting -
Velocity Clinical Research, Rockville
Rockville, Maryland, United States Recruiting -
Elixia SISU BHR - Springfield
Springfield, Massachusetts, United States Recruiting -
Oakland Medical Research Center
Troy, Michigan, United States Recruiting -
Velocity Clinical Research, Lincoln
Lincoln, Nebraska, United States Recruiting -
Velocity Clinical Research, Omaha
Omaha, Nebraska, United States Recruiting -
Alliance Clinical - Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Recruiting -
Palm Research Center, Inc.
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Recruiting -
Albany Medical College
Albany, New York, United States Recruiting -
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States Recruiting -
Physicians East
Greenville, North Carolina, United States Recruiting -
Lucas Research Inc
Morehead City, North Carolina, United States Recruiting -
PMG Research of Wilmington, LLC
Wilmington, North Carolina, United States Recruiting -
Velocity Clinical Research, Cincinnati, Mt. Auburn
Cincinnati, Ohio, United States Recruiting -
Velocity Clinical Research - Cincinnati, Blue Ash
Cincinnati, Ohio, United States Recruiting -
Endocrinology Associates, Inc
Columbus, Ohio, United States Recruiting -
Remington Davis, Inc
Columbus, Ohio, United States Recruiting -
Willamette Valley Clinical Studies
Eugene, Oregon, United States Recruiting -
Suburban Research Associates
West Chester, Pennsylvania, United States Recruiting -
Velocity Clinical Research, Anderson
Anderson, South Carolina, United States Recruiting -
Accellacare Charleston
Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, United States Recruiting -
Velocity Clinical Research, Austin
Austin, Texas, United States Recruiting -
Velocity Clinical Research - Dallas
Dallas, Texas, United States Recruiting -
Juno Research, LLC
Houston, Texas, United States Recruiting
+11 more sites. See ClinicalTrials.gov for the full list.
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.