DB-3Q extracellular vesicle therapy for perianal Crohn's fistulas
Official title: A Phase 2a Study of Allogeneic Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell Derived Extracellular Vesicle Isolate Product (DB-3Q) in Patients With Perianal Fistulizing Crohn's Disease
Run by Direct Biologics, LLC · NCT06918808 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This Phase 2 test uses DB-3Q, a treatment made from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles, to see if it can heal active perianal fistulas in adults with Crohn's disease who haven't responded to other treatments.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 2 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 18 Years to 75 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 36 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Direct Biologics, LLC Industry-sponsored |
| Drugs / interventions | adalimumab, certolizumab, golimumab, guselkumab, infliximab, risankizumab, ustekinumab, vedolizumab, tofacitinib, upadacitinib, methotrexate, prednisone |
| Locations | 5 sites (Aurora, Colorado and 4 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | May 19, 2025 |
| Main results expected | July 30, 2027 |
| Study ends | December 31, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | May 15, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06918808 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults 18–75 years old with Crohn's disease for at least six months who have actively draining single- or multi-tract perianal fistulas with two or fewer openings and who have failed prior medical and/or surgical treatments are the intended candidates.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with more than two external openings, non-draining or completely healed fistulas, recent changes in Crohn's medications, or other contraindications are unlikely to qualify and may not receive benefit from this protocol.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This is a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, sequential-cohort, ascending-dose Phase 2 trial comparing DB-3Q to placebo in adults with active draining perianal fistulas due to Crohn's disease. Participants will be assigned to increasing dose cohorts and receive either DB-3Q or placebo under blinded conditions to monitor safety and signs of fistula healing. Eligible patients must have had Crohn's disease for at least six months, draining fistulas with two or fewer openings, prior failure of medical therapy or surgery, and stable background Crohn's medications before dosing. The trial is being conducted at multiple U.S. sites with scheduled follow-up visits to document adverse events and fistula outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, DB-3Q could promote closure of perianal fistulas and reduce the need for additional surgery or prolonged high-risk medical therapy.
How similar studies have gone: Local injections of mesenchymal stromal cell therapies have shown benefit for refractory perianal Crohn's fistulas in prior trials, but use of bone marrow MSC-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) is a newer, less-tested approach.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
1. Written informed consent from participant
2. Men and women 18-75 years of age with a diagnosis of Crohn's Disease for at least six months duration prior to Day 1
3. One or two perianal fistula(s) with 1 or two external openings, that are actively draining
4. Failed at least one medical therapy within the last year including, but not limited to, antibiotics, immunomodulators (6-MP, methotrexate, azathioprine), monoclonal antibodies (adalimumab, certolizumab, golimumab, guselkumab, infliximab, risankizumab, ustekinumab, vedolizumab), or small molecule inhibitors (tofacitinib, upadacitinib)
5. Previous failed surgical intervention, including seton placement at least two weeks prior to screening, or are not candidates for surgical intervention or are not willing to undergo surgical intervention for the management of their fistula
6. Medical therapy for CD stable for at least 2 months prior to Day 1 (Changes in dosing or dosing intervals related to serum drug levels are not permitted)
7. Antibiotics for the treatment of CD (e.g., ciprofloxacin, metronidazole, or rifaximin) must have been stable for at least 2 weeks prior to Day 1
8. Oral corticosteroids ≤ 20 mg/day prednisone or its equivalent and must have been stable for at least 4 weeks prior to Day 1
9. Approval of a screening pelvic MRI by review of a central radiologist. The definition of an acceptable screening pelvic MRI is provided in the study imaging manual.
10. Fulfillment of radiologic inclusion by a central radiologist. Radiologic inclusion on MRI is presence of 1 or 2 qualifying perianal fistula(s). Radiologic inclusion assesses anatomic criteria of a perianal fistula and study-defined imaging endpoint criteria. a. Anatomically, a qualifying perianal fistula on MRI fulfills the following from central radiologist assessment: i. has a communication with the internal sphincter of the anal canal ii. is classified as a Parks intersphincteric, transsphincteric, or suprasphincteric perianal fistula. b. For study imaging endpoints, a central radiologist confirms that a fistula has a minimum score of 7 (range 0 to 25) on MAGNIFI-CD and a fistula fibrosis -to-fluid ratio of less than 80%.25, 37 Within components of MAGNIFI-CD, the fistula has a length of 2.5 cm or greater and has a composition of either 'predominantly fluid/pus' or 'predominantly granulation tissue'. c. Within components of fistula fibrosis-to-fluid ratio, the ratio of hypointense scarring or fibrosis on MRI T2 weighted sequences to hyperintense fluid on MRI T2 weighted sequences is below 80%.25 The fistula is categorized into one of following ranges of fibrosis-to- fluid ratio: i) 0%, ii) 1-19%, iii) 20-39%, iv) 40-59%, or v) 60-79%
Exclusion Criteria
1. Lack of informed consent
2. Pregnant woman, woman of childbearing potential without a documented negative urine or serum pregnancy test, or woman who is breast feeding
3. A participant who is unwilling to use medically acceptable contraception methods during participation in study
4. Active perianal abscess or infection at screening or Day 1
5. Clinically significant medical conditions within six months before Day 1 that would, in the opinion of the Investigator, compromise the safety of the participant
6. Confirmed HIV, Hepatitis B, or Hepatitis C infections
7. History of cancer including melanoma (with the exception of localized non-melanoma skin cancers) within one year of screening
8. History of colorectal cancer within 2 years of screening
9. History of coagulation disorders and/or are currently on anti- coagulant therapy
10. Presence of a recto/ano-vaginal fistula
11. Presence of an ileal anal pouch and/or history of proctectomy
12. Presence of severe proctitis (SES CD \>6)
13. Any condition which, in the opinion of the Investigator, would make it unsafe or unsuitable for participant to undergo MRI evaluations (i.e., presence of implantable or external MRI unsafe device that cannot be removed, body weight exceeding limitations, claustrophobia, etc.)
14. The following out of range laboratory results at screening
* WBC \> 13 x 109 /L
* Hemoglobin \< 8 g/dL
* Platelet count \< 100,000/mL
* AST/ALT \> 3 times the upper limit of normal
* Creatinine \> 2 μmol/L
* PT/INR: 2 times the upper limit of normal
* Hemoglobin A1c \> 6.5 mg/dL
15. Use of investigational therapy or treatment within 30 days prior to Day 1
16. Does not meet the radiologic anatomic inclusion criteria: i) has a primary communication with the rectum and not the anal canal; ii) is classified as a Parks extrasphincteric fistula
17. Does not meet the minimum thresholds for the radiologic imaging endpoint inclusion criteria: i) has a MAGNIFI-CD score of \<7 (range 0-6) on screening pelvic MRI; ii) has a fibrosis-to-fluid ratio of 80% or more (range 80-100%) on screening pelvic MRI
Where it's running
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Direct Biologics Investigational Site
Aurora, Colorado, United States Recruiting -
Direct Biologics Investigational Site
St Louis, Missouri, United States Recruiting -
Columbia University Irving Medical Center/NYPH
New York, New York, United States Recruiting -
Direct Biologics Investigational Site
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Recruiting -
Direct Biologics Investigational Site
Nashville, Tennessee, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Executive Vice President, Clinical Affairs, MS
- Email: clinicalaffairs@directbiologics.com
- Phone: 1-800-791-1021
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
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Risankizumab for Refractory Perianal Fistulizing Crohn's Disease
This study tests whether risankizumab can help people with Crohn’s disease who have draining perianal fistulas not responding to other treatments.
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Infliximab treatment for Crohn's disease with drug monitoring
This study is testing if adjusting infliximab treatment based on drug levels helps people with active perianal fistulizing Crohn's disease feel better compared to standard fixed dosing.
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Using stem cells from umbilical cords to treat perianal fistulas in Crohn's disease patients
This study is testing if injections of stem cells from umbilical cords can safely help people with Crohn's disease heal complex perianal fistulas.
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Perianal disease and its impact on sexual life
This project will see how chronic perianal conditions (like fistulas, perianal Crohn’s, or pilonidal disease) affect sexual function and self‑esteem in adults who can complete Greek questionnaires.
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.