IKT-001 for adults with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)

An Adaptive, 2-Part, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of IKT-001 in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH)

This Phase 3 program will test whether IKT-001 can improve symptoms and hemodynamics in adults with WHO Group 1 PAH who are already on stable PAH therapy.

Quick facts

• Phase: Phase 3
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 486 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 75 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Inhibikase Therapeutics (Industry-sponsored)
• Locations: 2 sites (Louisville, Kentucky and 1 other locations)
• Trial ID: NCT07365332 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This is an adaptive, two-part, randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 3 program testing IKT-001 versus placebo in adults with WHO Group 1 PAH. Eligible participants must have right heart catheterization–confirmed PAH with elevated pulmonary vascular resistance and be on stable background PAH medications; the design includes PVR enrichment to focus on higher baseline disease. Participants are randomized in parallel groups and the adaptive rules will guide progression between parts while maintaining blinding. The study will collect safety data and measures of hemodynamics, exercise capacity, and clinical outcomes over the treatment period.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults 18–75 years old with WHO Group 1 PAH confirmed by right heart catheterization, a baseline PVR above the study threshold (with enrichment for higher PVR), BMI 18.5–35 kg/m2, and on stable background PAH therapy for ≥90 days are the intended candidates.

Not a fit: People with non–Group 1 pulmonary hypertension, left-heart disease (PCWP >15 mmHg), recent sotatercept use, unstable background therapy, or those outside the study age/BMI limits are unlikely to qualify or derive benefit from this protocol.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, IKT-001 could lower pulmonary vascular resistance and improve symptoms and exercise capacity, offering an additional treatment option for people with PAH.

How similar studies have performed: Approved PAH drug classes (endothelin receptor antagonists, PDE5 inhibitors, prostacyclins, sGC stimulators) have shown benefit in prior trials, but IKT-001 is a novel agent and large-scale Phase 3 evidence for this compound is not yet established.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Documented diagnosis of WHO PAH Group 1 in any of the following subtypes:

  * Idiopathic PAH
  * Heritable PAH
  * Drug/toxin-induced PAH
  * PAH associated with connective tissue disease (CTD)
  * PAH associated with simple, congenital systemic-to-pulmonary shunts at least 1 year following repair
* Men and women 18 and 75 years of age (inclusive)
* Must have a body mass index (BMI) of ≥18.5 kg/m\^2 and ≤35.0 kg/m\^2 at screening.
* Baseline RHC performed during the Screening Period documenting a PVR of ≥ 400 dyn/sec/cm\^5 ; pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) ≤15 mmHg and mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) \>20 mmHg. PVR enrichment criteria to ensure population baseline PVR \>700 dynes/sec/cm\^5
* On stable doses of background PAH therapy including endothelin receptor antagonists, phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, prostacyclins, and soluble guanylate cyclase stimulators for ≥90 days prior to screening. Current use of sotatercept is not permitted.
* 6MWD ≥ 100 and ≤ 475 m

Exclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosis of PAH WHO Groups 2, 3, 4, or 5.
* Diagnosis of the following PAH Group 1 subtypes: human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated PAH, PAH associated with portal hypertension, schistosomiasis-associated PAH, and pulmonary veno-occlusive disease.
* Any of the following blood pressure-related values or abnormalities: Uncontrolled systemic hypertension as evidenced by sitting systolic BP \>160 mmHg or sitting diastolic BP \>100 mmHg at screening, Baseline systolic BP \<90 mmHg at screening, Syncope within 3 months prior to screening
* History of restrictive, constrictive, or congestive cardiomyopathy.
* ECG with Fridericia's corrected QT interval (QTcF) ≥ 450 msec in males or ≥ 470 msec in females at screening or ≥500 msec in the presence of a right bundle branch block.
* Personal or family history of long QT syndrome or sudden cardiac death.
* Presence of a CardioMEMS device or any other implanted hemodynamic monitoring device.
* Forced vital capacity (FVC) \<70 percent on pulmonary function test (PFT) performed no more than 6 months prior to screening; or if FVC is 60 percent to 69 percent, must have a chest computed tomography scan within 12 months with no more than mild interstitial lung disease.
* History of atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter.
* History of cerebrovascular accident, intracranial hemorrhage, or subdural hematoma at anytime, or a fall associated with head trauma within 3 months of screening.
* Acutely decompensated right heart failure within 30 days prior to screening, as per investigator assessment.
* Clinically significant ischemic, valvular, constrictive heart disease, or heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in the opinion of the investigator.
* History of pneumonectomy.
* Untreated or inadequately treated (in the opinion of the investigator) obstructive sleep apnea.
* Acute or chronic hepatitis B or C infection, defined as:

  * Hepatitis B virus: a positive hepatitis B surface antigen test or a positive hepatitis B core antibody test with detectable DNA
  * Hepatitis C virus (HCV): a positive hepatitis C antibody test with detectable HCV ribonucleic acid (RNA).Participants with a positive hepatitis C antibody test, but no detectable HCV RNA who completed treatment with direct-acting antivirals may be considered after discussion with the medical monitor.
* History of or currently diagnosed with a bleeding disorder, including but not limited to hemophilia, von Willebrand disease, thrombocytopenia, or significant bleeding history defined as any bleeding event requiring medical intervention.
* Received treatment with any of the following excluded medications:

  * Currently receiving strong cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A inducers or CYP3A inhibitors (except for topical administration)
  * Currently receiving or anticipated need to receive any anticoagulant (e.g., heparins, vitamin K antagonists, direct oral anticoagulants, or direct thrombin inhibitors).
  * Current use of sotatercept. Note: participants who previously received sotatercept may be considered if the last dose administered was \>6 months prior to screening, participant had no significant bleeding events while on sotatercept.
* Initiation of an exercise program for cardiopulmonary rehabilitation within 90 days prior to screening or planned initiation during the study (participants who are stable in the maintenance phase of a program and who will continue for the duration of the study are eligible).
* History of atrial septostomy within 180 days prior to screening.
* Current participation in another investigational clinical trial and/or receipt of any investigational medication within 90 days prior to screening.
* Previous randomization into this or another IKT-001 study.
* Any social, behavioral, or medical reason that would preclude completion of the study, in the judgement of the investigator.
* Currently lactating, pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant during the study.
* Prior receipt of a solid organ transplant or stem cell transplant.
* Planned surgery that would require any study drug interruption or interfere with study assessments during the study (minor procedures may be allowed in consultation with the medical monitor).
* Malignancy within the last 5 years prior to consent except completely treated non-metastatic-basal cell, squamous cell, in situ cervical cancer, and clinically localized National Comprehensive Cancer Network very low to low risk prostate cancer under active surveillance.

Where this trial is running

Louisville, Kentucky and 1 other locations

• Norton Healthcare — Louisville, Kentucky, United States (Recruiting)
• Tufts Medical Center — Boston, Massachusetts, United States (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Medical Director, Inhibikase Therapeutics

Conditions Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension