DB-3Q for Medically Refractory Crohn's Disease (bone marrow MSC–derived extracellular vesicles)
Official title: A Phase 2a Study of DB-3Q for the Treatment of Medically Refractory Crohn's Disease
Run by Direct Biologics, LLC · NCT07625293 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study tests DB-3Q, a stem cell–derived treatment given to adults with Crohn's disease that hasn’t fully responded to standard therapies.
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, infliximab, risankizumab, ustekinumab, vedolizumab, ustenkinumab, upadacitinib, methotrexate, prednisone |
| Locations | 1 site (St Louis, Missouri) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | June 1, 2026 |
| Main results expected | June 2027 |
| Study ends | December 2027 |
| Registry record updated | September 1, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07625293 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults aged 18-75 with medically refractory Crohn's disease, active disease (CDAI ≥ 220 or SES-CD ≥ 4), and prior exposure or intolerance to advanced immunotherapies.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients whose disease activity does not improve or who experience adverse effects may not benefit.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This Phase 2 trial compares DB-3Q with placebo in adults with Crohn's disease that is not responding to advanced therapies. Participants receive the investigational product or placebo to see if DB-3Q can reduce disease activity and improve symptoms. Key eligibility requires active Crohn's disease with prior exposure to several immunomodulatory drugs and a minimum washout period for monoclonal antibodies. The study is conducted at Washington University in St. Louis and aims to assess safety and preliminary effectiveness.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, participants may experience improved Crohn's symptoms and disease control.
How similar studies have gone: Earlier studies with similar mesenchymal stem cell–derived therapies have shown promise in inflammatory bowel diseases, but results are still exploratory in Crohn's disease.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
1. Written informed consent from participant
2. Males and females 18-75 years of age
3. Diagnosed with Crohn's disease of at least 6 months duration with medically refractory symptoms that failed to respond or responded but recurred after one advanced immunologic therapy (must have been receiving at least one advanced immunological therapy for 14 weeks duration prior to screening, including, but not limited to, adalimumab, certolizumab, , infliximab, risankizumab, upadacitinib, ustekinumab and vedolizumab), or is intolerant, or has a contraindication to advanced immunological therapy with a next step of subtotal colectomy or escalation in medical management
4. Active CD as defined by a CDAI score ≥ 220 and/or SES-CD score ≥ 4
5. Exposure to corticosteroids, 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) drugs, thiopurines, methotrexate, anti-TNF therapy, anti-integrin and anti-interleukin in the past are permitted but a washout period of 8 weeks for any monoclonal antibody is necessary
6. If receiving conventional immunomodulators (i.e., azathioprine \[AZA\], mercaptopurine \[6-MP\], or methotrexate \[MTX\]), must have been taking them for ≥12 weeks, and on a stable dose for at least 4 weeks prior to initial administration of IMP
7. If AZA, 6-MP, or MTX has been recently discontinued, it must have been stopped for at least 4 weeks prior to initial administration of IMP
8. If receiving oral 5-ASA compounds, the dose must have been stable for at least 4 weeks. If receiving oral corticosteroids, the dose must be ≤20 mg/day prednisone or its equivalent and must have been stable for at least 4 weeks prior to initial administration of IMP
9. If receiving budesonide, the dose must have been stable for at least 2 weeks prior to initial administration of IMP
10. If oral 5-ASA compounds or oral corticosteroids (including budesonide) have been recently discontinued, they must have been stopped for at least 2 weeks prior to initial administration of IMP
11. The following medications/therapies must have been discontinued before initial administration of IMP:
1. Monoclonal therapy (e.g., adalimumab, certolizumab, infliximab, risankizumab, ustenkinumab, and vedolizumab) for at least 8 weeks
2. Cyclosporine, tacrolimus, or sirolimus, for at least 4 weeks
3. 6-thioguanine (6-TG) must have been discontinued for at least 4 weeks
4. JAK inhibitors (e.g., upadacitinib) must have been discontinued for at least 4 weeks
5. Rectal corticosteroids (i.e., corticosteroids \[including budesonide\] administered to the rectum or sigmoid colon via foam or enema or suppository) for at least 2 weeks
6. Rectal 5-ASA compounds (i.e., 5-ASAs administered to the rectum or sigmoid colon via foam or enema or suppository) for at least 2 weeks
7. Parenteral corticosteroids for at least 2 weeks
8. Total parenteral nutrition for at least 2 weeks
9. Antibiotics for the treatment of CD (e.g., ciprofloxacin, metronidazole, or rifaximin) for at least 2 weeks
12. No colonic dysplasia and malignancy as ruled out by colonoscopy within 90 days prior to initial administration of IMP
13. If participant is of reproductive capacity, willing to use adequate birth control measures while in the study
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. Clinically significant medical conditions within the six months before initial administration of IMP: e.g., myocardial infarction, active angina, congestive heart failure or other conditions that would, in the opinion of the investigators, compromise the safety of the participant
4. Confirmed Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B, or Hepatitis C infections
5. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) or Alanine transaminase (ALT) greater than 3 times the upper limit of normal at screening
6. Abnormal basic laboratory values with the following cut-offs:
1. Alkaline phosphate \> 200 U/L
2. WBC \>13 109/L
3. Hemoglobin \< 7 g/dL
4. Platelets \< 50 or \> 109/L
5. eGFR \< 60 mL/min/1.73m2
6. HbA1C \> 8%
7. Prothrombin time (PT), partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) or international normalized ratio (INR) greater than 1.5 times the upper limits of normal at screening
8. Clinically significant abnormal vital signs prior to initial administration of IMP as defined by:
1. Systolic blood pressure \>160 or \<90 mmHg
2. Diastolic blood pressure \>90 or \<60 mmHg
3. Pulse \<55 or \>105 bpm
4. Respiratory Rate (RR) \<9 and \>25 breaths per minute
5. Temperature \>100.4 degrees Fahrenheit
6. SpO2 \<92%
9. History of cancer including melanoma (with the exception of localized skin cancers) within 5 years of study enrollment
10. Ulcerative colitis or indeterminate colitis
11. Suspicion or presence of an intraabdominal or perianal abscess
12. Microscopic, ischemic or infectious colitis
13. Neoplasia of the colon on preoperative biopsy
14. Evidence of colonic perforation
15. Colonic stricture that unable to pass an adult colonoscope
16. Three or more prior small bowel resections
17. Presence of an ostomy
18. Massive hemorrhage from the colon requiring emergent surgery in the 6 months prior to screening
19. Fulminant colitis requiring emergency surgery
20. Concurrent active clostridium difficile infection of the colon
21. Concurrent Cytomegalovirus infection of the colon via colonic biopsy with CMV stain taken within 90 days prior to screening
22. Active or latent tuberculosis
23. Unable to wean off corticosteroids
24. Primary sclerosing cholangitis
25. History of or current alcohol or drug abuse or dependence, recreational use of illicit drugs or prescription medications, or use of medical marijuana within 90 days prior to screening
26. Known allergy to local anesthetics
27. Concurrent use of anticoagulant medications (e.g. warfarin, heparin) or clopidogrel (Plavix)
28. History of known inherited or acquired hypercoagulable states.
29. Electrocardiogram demonstrating cardiac arrhythmia, except for sinus tachycardia within the predefined limit of no greater than 105 bpm.
30. Use of investigational therapy or treatment within 6 months prior to initial IMP administration
Where it's running
-
Washington University, St. Louis
St Louis, Missouri, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Bill Arana
- Email: barana@directbiologics.com
- Phone: 15123547124
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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.