Clinical trial Recruiting at 39 sites Phase 2 Interventional Ages 18 and up

Evaluating KER-050 for treating Myelofibrosis

Official title: A Phase 2 Open-Label Study to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics, and Efficacy of KER-050 as Monotherapy or in Combination With Ruxolitinib in Participants With Myelofibrosis

Run by Takeda · NCT05037760 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing a new treatment called KER-050 to see if it can help people with Myelofibrosis improve their blood cell counts and overall quality of life, both on its own and with another medication.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 2
Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment135 (estimated)
SponsorTakeda
Industry-sponsored
Drugs / interventionsruxolitinib, chemotherapy, radiation, prednisone
Locations46 sites (Concord, New South Wales and 45 other locations)
StatusRecruiting
StartedDecember 16, 2021
Main results expectedFebruary 28, 2028
Study endsFebruary 28, 2030
Registry record updatedFebruary 5, 2026
Trial IDNCT05037760 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates for this study are adults aged 18 and older with a confirmed diagnosis of Myelofibrosis and specific blood count deficiencies.

Probably not a fit

Patients with other forms of blood disorders not related to Myelofibrosis or those with a poor performance status may not benefit from this study.

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, multicenter, open-label study aims to assess the safety and efficacy of KER-050, both as a standalone treatment and in combination with ruxolitinib, for patients with Myelofibrosis. KER-050 is designed to enhance red blood cell and platelet production by inhibiting specific proteins that regulate hematopoiesis. The study will involve participants with low blood cell counts due to Myelofibrosis, focusing on improving their overall blood health and quality of life.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could significantly improve blood cell counts and overall health for patients suffering from Myelofibrosis.

How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promise in using similar therapeutic approaches for blood disorders, but this specific combination is relatively novel.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Ability to understand the purpose and risks of the study and provide signed and dated informed consent and authorization to use protected health information in accordance with national and local study participant privacy regulations.
2. In the opinion of the Investigator, the participant is able and willing to comply with the requirements of the protocol (e.g., all study procedures, return for follow-up visits).
3. Male or female greater than equal to (≥)18 years of age, at the time of signing informed consent.
4. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance score lesser than equal to (≤)2.
5. Life expectancy ≥12 months per Investigator assessment.
6. Confirmed diagnosis of primary myelofibrosis (PMF) (prefibrotic or overtly fibrotic) according to the 2016 World Health Organization (WHO) criteria, post-polycythemia vera myelofibrosis (PV MF), or post-essential thrombocythemia myelofibrosis (ET MF) according to the 2008 International Working Group-Myeloproliferative Neoplasms Research and Treatment (IWG-MRT) criteria.
7. Anemia, defined as:

   1. Having received ≥6 units of RBC transfusion for Hgb ≤8.5 g/dL in the 12 weeks prior to the planned C1D1, including ≥1 unit of RBC transfusion in the 28 days prior to C1D1; or
   2. Having ≥3 evaluable Hgb measurements at less than (\<)10.0 g/dL including ≥1 evaluable Hgb measurement assessed 8 to 13 weeks prior to C1D1. Participants receiving RBC transfusions but not meeting criterion "a." may enroll under criterion "b." following the below parameters:

      * All pre-transfusion Hgb values (defined as a Hgb assessed within the 3 days prior to a transfusion) should be recorded, and ≥1 pre-transfusion Hgb value is required.
      * Hgb values collected within the 28 days following a transfusion will not be considered evaluable unless qualifying as a pre-transfusion Hgb; in cases where multiple transfusions are given in succession due to poor Hgb response, only the first pre-transfusion Hgb will be considered evaluable.
8. Arm-specific criteria:

   Arms 1A and 2A:
   1. Previously treated with JAK inhibitor(s) and, per the Investigator, discontinued due to one of the following reasons:

      * Relapsed disease following treatment with JAK inhibitor(s)
      * Refractory to treatment with JAK inhibitor(s)
      * Intolerance to treatment with JAK inhibitor(s)
      * Participant no longer met risk/benefit ratio to continue JAK inhibitor(s) OR
      * Participant with prognostic score of intermediate-1 or higher per Dynamic International Prognostic Scoring System (DIPSS) and is ineligible for JAK inhibitor(s) in the opinion of the Investigator
   2. Participants previously treated with JAK inhibitor(s) must have discontinued JAK inhibitor therapy ≥8 weeks before C1D1

   Arms 1B and 2B:
   1. Has been receiving ruxolitinib prescribed for a diagnosis of PMF (prefibrotic or overtly fibrotic), post-PV MF, or post-ET MF for ≥8 weeks prior to C1D1 and on a stable dose for ≥4 weeks prior to C1D1. In Arm 2B only, at least 10 participants should have been on ruxolitinib for \<6 months prior to C1D1.
   2. Meets ≥1 of the following criteria in the opinion of the Investigator:

      * Current ruxolitinib treatment is considered to be providing insufficient control of the disease
      * The participant's cytopenias are limiting the participant's ruxolitinib dose intensity
      * The participant's disease is symptomatic and warrants additional therapy

   Arm 2C (Brazil only):
   1. No prior treatment with JAK inhibitor(s) and no access to JAK inhibitor therapy as determined by the Investigator
   2. Spleen volume ≥ 450 cubic centimeter (cm\^3) as assessed by CT or MRI collected during the pretreatment period and/or
   3. Myelofibrosis Symptom Assessment Form Total Symptom Score (MF-SAF-TSS) meeting at least one of the following criteria during the pretreatment period:

      * 2 symptoms with average score ≥ 3
      * Average total symptom score ≥ 10
9. Females of childbearing potential and sexually active males must agree to use highly effective methods of contraception as described in the protocol.

Exclusion Criteria:

Medical History:

1. Active infection requiring parenteral antibiotic therapy within 28 days prior to C1D1 or oral antibiotics within 14 days of C1D1. Prophylactic antibiotics and/or antifungals for neutropenia are allowed.
2. Presence of the following cardiac conditions:

   1. New York Heart Association Class 3 or 4 heart failure
   2. QTcF (QT interval corrected by Fridericia's formula) \>500 milliseconds (msec) on the screening or C1D1 electrocardiogram (ECG; mean of 3 measurements)
   3. Uncontrolled clinically significant arrhythmia (participants with rate-controlled atrial fibrillation are not excluded)
   4. Acute myocardial infarction or unstable angina pectoris ≤6 months prior to C1D1
3. Body mass index (BMI) ≥40 kilograms per meter square (kg/m\^2).
4. Presence of uncontrolled hypertension, defined as systolic blood pressure ≥160 millimeters of mercury (mmHg) or diastolic blood pressure ≥100 mmHg despite adequate treatment.
5. History of drug or alcohol abuse (as defined by the Investigator) within the past 2 years.
6. History of stroke, deep venous thrombosis, or arterial embolism within 6 months prior to C1D1.
7. Major surgery within 28 days prior to C1D1. Participants must have completely recovered from any previous surgery prior to C1D1 in the opinion of the Investigator.
8. Known positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), active infectious hepatitis B with positive viral load (hepatitis B virus \[HBV\] deoxyribonucleic acid \[DNA\]), or active infectious hepatitis C with positive viral load (hepatitis C virus \[HCV\] ribonucleic acid \[RNA\]). Participants without a known positive history of HIV, HBV, and/or HCV do not require further testing, unless testing is mandated per local guidelines.
9. Any malignancy other than PMF, post-ET MF, or post-PV MF that has not been in remission and/or has required systemic therapy including radiation, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, or biologic therapy, within 1 year prior to C1D1. In situ cancers, squamous cell and basal cell carcinomas, and monoclonal gammopathy of unclear significance are allowed at the discretion of the Investigator.
10. History of solid organ or hematological transplantation.
11. History of severe allergic or anaphylactic reaction(s) or hypersensitivity to recombinant proteins or excipients in the investigational drug, or ruxolitinib for participants enrolling in Arm 1B or 2B.
12. Diagnosis of hemolytic anemia, active bleeding, hemoglobinopathies, or congenital disorders as a cause of the participant's anemia.
13. History of intracranial hemorrhage (any grade).
14. National Cancer Institute (NCI) Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) Grade ≥2 bleeding events within the 3 months prior to C1D1.
15. Receipt of an RBC or platelet transfusion for any reason(s) or combination of reasons other than underlying MF within the 12 weeks prior to C1D1. If a participant requires a transfusion for an unanticipated reason during the Pretreatment Period, a prolonged screening period may be considered after discussion with the Medical Monitor.

    Treatment History:
16. Prior treatment with luspatercept, sotatercept, or other commercially available or investigational transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) inhibitors (all arms).
17. Treatment within 28 days prior to C1D1 with:

    1. Erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA)
    2. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)
    3. Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)
    4. Thrombopoietin (TPO) agonists
    5. Immunomodulator imide drugs (IMiDs) (e.g., thalidomide, pomalidomide, lenalidomide)
    6. Interferon
    7. Hydroxyurea
    8. Steroids at doses exceeding corticosteroid equivalent of 10 mg/day prednisone
18. Newly initiated iron chelation therapy within the 8 weeks prior to C1D1. Stable doses of iron chelators are allowed if prescribed per label.
19. Vitamin B12 and/or folate therapy initiated within 4 weeks before randomization. Participants on stable replacement doses for ≥4 weeks and without concurrent vitamin B12 or folate deficiency are allowed.
20. Treatment with another investigational drug or device or approved therapy for the treatment of MF or anemia in MF ≤28 days prior to C1D1, or, if the half-life of the previous product is known, within 5 times the half-life prior to C1D1, whichever is longer.
21. For Arms 1B and 2B (participants receiving ruxolitinib), initiation of treatment with strong cytochrome P450 (CYP)3A4 inhibitors within 2 weeks prior to C1D1. Participants receiving CYP3A4 inhibitors/inducers as concomitant therapy with ruxolitinib in accordance with ruxolitinib local prescribing information may continue to receive such therapies in this study.

    Laboratory Exclusions (during screening):
22. Bone marrow aspirate blast percentage \>5 percent (%)

    a. In the event of a non-evaluable pretreatment bone marrow aspirate expected to be due to marrow fibrosis, participants may be enrolled without bone marrow aspirate blast percentage data if all other eligibility criteria are met. Historical bone marrow data may be requested to support confirmation of diagnosis.
23. Peripheral blood blast percentage ≥10%
24. Platelet count \<25 × 10\^9 per liter (10\^9/)L or \>450 × 10\^9/L
25. Persistent Hgb \<7 g/dL despite RBC transfusions
26. Transferrin saturation \<15%
27. Ferritin \<50 nanograms per mililiters (ng/mL)
28. Folate \<4.5 nanomoles per liter (nmol/L) (\<2.0 picograms per liter (pg/L))
29. Vitamin B12 \<148 picomoles per liter (pmol/L) (\<200 picograms per milliliter (pg/mL))
30. Estimated glomerular filtration rate \<30 milliliters per minute per 1.73 square meter (mL/min/1.73 m\^2) (as determined by the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equation)
31. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) or Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) \>3 × upper limit of normal (ULN)
32. Total bilirubin \>2 × ULN
33. International normalized ratio (INR) \>1.2 × ULN, unless participant is receiving anticoagulation, in which instance the INR must fall within the participant's designated therapeutic range.

    Miscellaneous:
34. Pregnant or lactating females.
35. Any other condition not specifically noted above that, in the opinion of the Investigator or Sponsor, would preclude the participant from participating in the study.
36. Participants who are investigational site staff members directly involved in the conduct of the study and their immediate family members, site staff members otherwise supervised by the Investigator, or participants who are Keros or contract research organization (CRO) employees directly involved in the conduct of the study. Immediate family is defined as a spouse, parent, child, or sibling, whether biological or legally adopted.

Where it's running

  • Concord Hospital
    Concord, New South Wales, Australia
    Recruiting
  • The Tweed Hospital
    Tweed Heads, New South Wales, Australia
    Recruiting
  • Flinders Medical Centre
    Woodville South, South Australia, Australia
    Recruiting
  • St. Vincents Hospital Melbourne
    Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia
    Recruiting
  • Royal Melbourne Hospital
    Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
    Recruiting
  • Ballarat Oncology & Haematology Service
    Wendouree, Victoria, Australia
    Recruiting
Show 40 more locations
  • Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre
    Porto Alegre, Brazil
    Recruiting
  • IMV-Pesquisa Cardiologica Sociedade Simples
    Porto Alegre, Brazil
    Recruiting
  • Albert Einstein Sociedade Beneficente Israelita Brasiliera
    São Paulo, Brazil
    Recruiting
  • Hospital Beneficencia Portuguesa de Sao Paulo
    São Paulo, Brazil
    Recruiting
  • Hospital Das Clinicas Da Faculdade de Medicina Da U S P
    São Paulo, Brazil
    Recruiting
  • Instituto de Ensino e Pesquisas Sao Lucas
    São Paulo, Brazil
    Recruiting
  • Centre Hospitalier Lyon Sud
    Lyon, France
    Recruiting
  • Institut de Cancerologie du Gard
    Nîmes, France
    Recruiting
  • Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Consorziale Policlinico di Bari
    Bari, Italy
    Recruiting
  • Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico Sant'Orsola Malpighi
    Bologna, Italy
    Recruiting
  • Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale degli Spedali Civili di Brescia
    Brescia, Italy
    Recruiting
  • Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Careggi
    Florence, Italy
    Recruiting
  • Ospedale Policlinico San Martino
    Genova, Italy
    Recruiting
  • ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Niguarda Cancer Center
    Milan, Italy
    Recruiting
  • Fondazione IRCCS CA' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico
    Milan, Italy
    Recruiting
  • Arcispedale S. Maria Nuova Azienda Ospedaliera di Reggio Emilia
    Reggio Emilia, Italy
    Recruiting
  • Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico Umberto I
    Roma, Italy
    Recruiting
  • Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale Sette Laghi
    Varese, Italy
    Recruiting
  • Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata Verona
    Verona, Italy
    Recruiting
  • Seoul St. Marys Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea
    Seoul, South Korea
    Recruiting
  • Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital
    Seoul, South Korea
    Recruiting
  • ICO Badalona - Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol
    Badalona, Spain
    Recruiting
  • Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron
    Barcelona, Spain
    Recruiting
  • Hospital Universitario La Paz
    Madrid, Spain
    Recruiting
  • Hospital Universitario La Princesa
    Madrid, Spain
    Recruiting
  • Hospital Universitario de Salamanca
    Salamanca, Spain
    Recruiting
  • Hospital Clinico Universitario de Valencia
    Valencia, Spain
    Recruiting
  • Hospital QuironSalud de Zaragoza
    Zaragoza, Spain
    Recruiting
  • United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust - Pilgrim Hospital
    Boston, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • St James Hospital,Leeds
    Leeds, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Guys Hospital
    London, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Hammersmith Hospital
    London, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • University College London
    London, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • CHU Amiens - Hopital Sud
    Amiens, France
    Completed
  • Hopital Morvan
    Brest, France
    Completed
  • Hopital Prive Sevigne
    Cesson-Sévigné, France
    Completed
  • Hopital de la Source - CHR Orleans
    Orléans, France
    Completed
  • Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS
    Milan, Italy
    Completed
  • Gachon University Gil Medical Center
    Incheon, South Korea
    Completed
  • Samsung Medical Center
    Seoul, South Korea
    Completed

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.