Comparing how well EPA and DHA are absorbed from two microalgal oils, a fish oil, and a placebo in healthy adults

A Randomized, Double-blind Placebo-controlled Study in Healthy Subjects to Compare the Bioavailability of EPA + DHA From Two Microalgal Sources in Natural Triglyceride Form to One Fish Source in Re-esterified Triglyceride Form (GOBO 2 Study)

This test sees if two microalgal omega-3 supplements deliver EPA and DHA as well as a fish oil and more than a placebo in healthy adults aged 18–64.

Quick facts

• Phase: PHASE3
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 120 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 64 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: RDC Clinical Pty Ltd (industry)
• Locations: 1 site (Fortitude Valley, Queensland)
• Trial ID: NCT07241377 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This randomized, double-blind, parallel, placebo-controlled Phase 3 study enrolls healthy men and women aged 18–64 to compare bioavailability of EPA and DHA from two microalgal formulations versus a fish oil and a placebo. Participants take their assigned product daily for six weeks and attend four clinic visits for blood sampling and safety checks. Female participants of child-bearing potential must have a negative pregnancy test at screening and agree to specified contraception methods. The study is conducted at RDC Clinical in Fortitude Valley, Queensland with DSM-Firmenich AG as a collaborator.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Healthy adults aged 18–64 who are not pregnant or breastfeeding and who can comply with study visits and contraception requirements for women of child-bearing potential are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: People with chronic medical conditions, pregnant or breastfeeding women, or those outside the 18–64 age range are unlikely to gain benefit from participating.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the results could show that microalgal oils provide an effective vegetarian alternative to fish oil for delivering EPA and DHA.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown that some microalgal oils can deliver DHA and EPA comparably to fish oil, but bioavailability results vary by formulation and dose.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Written informed consent obtained before any trial related assessments are performed.
2. Healthy adult females ages 18-64 who are neither pregnant nor breastfeeding or healthy adult males ages 18-64 at the time of consent.

   a. Female participants of child-bearing potential (females who are post-menopausal, i.e., when there has been no menstruation for a minimum of 12 months prior to screening, are considered not to be of child-bearing potential), who are not surgically sterilized, must have a negative pregnancy test at screening and be willing to practice one of the following appropriate contraceptive methods until the last visit: i. Sexual abstinence. ii. Oral contraceptives. iii. Trans dermal patches or depot injection of a progestogen drug (starting at least 4 weeks prior to product administration).

   iv. Intrauterine device (IUD), intrauterine system (IUS), subdermal implant, or vaginal ring (placed at least 4 weeks prior to product administration).

   v. Contraceptives must be effective before the randomization visit.
3. 3\. Participant's body mass index (BMI) must be between 18 and 32 kg/m2 (inclusive), and considered to be of healthy weight in the opinion of the investigator.
4. Intakes of EPA+DHA of \<300 mg per day based on the FFQ
5. Agree not to change current diet and exercise frequency or intensity during entire study period

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Participant has any health conditions that would prevent from fulfilling the study requirements, put the participant at risk or would confound the interpretation of the study results as judged by the Investigator based on medical history and routine laboratory test results.
2. History or presence of clinically significant cardiovascular, pulmonary, hepatic, renal, haematologic, gastrointestinal, endocrine, immunologic, dermatologic, neurologic, oncologic, or psychiatric disease or any other condition that, in the opinion of the Investigator, would jeopardize the safety of the subject or the validity of the study results.
3. Has a clinically significant abnormal finding on the medical assessment, medical history, vital signs or clinical laboratory results at screening.
4. History or presence of allergic or adverse response to omega-3-acid ethyl esters or triglycerides (EPA or DHA), or related drugs, or sensitivity or allergy to fish or shellfish, or soybean or corn.
5. History of coagulation disorder or current anticoagulation therapy.
6. Has been on a significantly abnormal\* diet, as deemed by the investigator, during the 4 weeks preceding the first dose of study medication. \*an abnormal diet will be considered if the participant has elected to change to a more or less restricted diet of any description (e.g., change to or from a vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, lactose-free, etc.) or significantly increases or decreases their daily caloric intake.
7. Has participated in another clinical trial (randomised participants only) within 30 days prior to the first dose of study medication.
8. Has used prescription medication (excluding oral contraceptive and hormonal replacement therapy) within 4 weeks of screening or OTC medication within 7 days before the first dose that may affect omega-3 absorption or any study outcomes. This may include but is not limited to: high-dose NSAIDs, bile acid sequestrants, statins, GLP-1 receptor agonists, anticoagulants and anti-inflammatory drugs. Occasional ibuprofen, paracetamol and low-dose aspirin use is permitted.
9. Regular use\* of omega-3 supplements and/or regular fatty fish consumption within 2 months. \*Regular use is defined as more than once per week of either fish oil, krill oil, microalgal oil supplements, or fatty fish.
10. Has smoked or used tobacco products within 60 days prior to the first dose of study medication.
11. History of substance abuse or treatment (including more than 14 alcoholic drinks per week) within the past 2 years based on the judgement of the investigator.
12. Has a positive urine screen for drugs of abuse (amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, cocaine, cannabinoids, opiates).
13. Has increased bleeding from existing pathological conditions or anticipates surgery (including dental) prior to, throughout, or within 1 week after study participation.
14. Has had a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke or is at high risk for recurrent ischemic events

Where this trial is running

Fortitude Valley, Queensland

• RDC Clinical — Fortitude Valley, Queensland, Australia (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: David Briskey

Conditions: Absorption of Omega-3, Omega-3 Supplementation, Healthy Participants, GOBO 2, Omega-3, Fish oil, microalgal oil