JL18008 added to existing HIV therapy in people who have not rebuilt their CD4 cells
Official title: Evaluation of Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, and Safety of JL18008 Injection in Healthy Adult Subjects / HIV Immunological Non-Responders: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Phase I/II Clinical Study
Run by Jecho Biopharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. · NCT07579741 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This trial tests whether adding JL18008 to current HIV treatment helps people with HIV who have low CD4 counts despite good viral control.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase1; Phase2 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 18 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 30 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Jecho Biopharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. Industry-sponsored |
| Drugs / interventions | cART, prednisone |
| Locations | 1 site (Beijing, Beijing Municipality) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | May 26, 2026 |
| Main results expected | February 12, 2027 |
| Study ends | September 28, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | August 6, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07579741 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal participants are adults 18–65 with stable cART for at least 48 months, long-term viral suppression, and CD4 counts ≤350 cells/μL within the past year, meeting the detailed immunological non-responder criteria.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients who do not experience CD4 recovery with JL18008 or who have adverse reactions may not benefit and could experience treatment-related risks.
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 multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 1/2 study evaluating several doses of JL18008 given by intramuscular injection in addition to stable cART for HIV immunological non-responders. Adults aged 18–65 who have maintained viral suppression and have low CD4 counts will be assigned to JL18008 at 20, 40, or 70 μg/kg or placebo, weekly for four weeks per cycle with follow-up. The study keeps participants on their existing cART regimens and compares safety and preliminary efficacy across dose groups. Primary goals are to assess safety and tolerability, with exploratory endpoints related to CD4 cell recovery and immune function. The trial is conducted under Jecho Biopharmaceuticals and takes place at Peking Union Medical College Hospital in Beijing, China.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, JL18008 could help raise CD4 counts and improve immune recovery for people living with HIV who do not fully respond to standard therapy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous similar approaches in immune-reconstituting strategies have shown safety signals in early phases, but this exact regimen is investigational and early-phase results are pending.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Age 18 to 65 years (inclusive), male or female. 2. Body mass index (BMI) 18.0 to 32.0 kg/m² (inclusive); body weight ≥50.0 kg for males and ≥45.0 kg for females. 3. Receiving combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) for at least 48 months, with a stable antiretroviral regimen for at least 3 months prior to enrollment. Maintained HIV-1 RNA below 50 copies/mL for at least 36 months (the earliest test date more than 36 months before enrollment), including transient viral blips (single HIV-1 RNA measurement between 50 and 200 copies/mL after excluding laboratory error). At least two HIV-1 RNA results \<50 copies/mL must be available (one may be from screening). 4. Immunological non-responder criteria: CD4⁺ T cell count ≤350 cells/μL within 1 year before screening. At least three CD4⁺ T cell counts ≤350 cells/μL within 4 years before enrollment, with intervals of ≥3 months between tests (the third may be from screening). 5. Willing to use effective non-pharmacological contraception with partner from screening until 3 months after study completion, and no plan for sperm/egg donation during this period. 6. Able to understand and provide written informed consent, and willing to comply with all protocol-specified visits and procedures. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Known allergy to the study drug or any of its excipients. 2. Receipt of immunosuppressants, immunomodulators, or systemic cytotoxic therapy within 3 months before screening. 3. Receipt of hormone therapy within 1 month before screening, except for daily doses ≤10 mg prednisone or equivalent. 4. History of severe autoimmune disease requiring systemic treatment or hospitalization, or any active autoimmune disease requiring treatment (including multiple sclerosis). 5. History of systemic infection (viral, bacterial, parasitic, or fungal) requiring systemic treatment and/or hospitalization, or other opportunistic infection, within 30 days before screening. 6. Active tuberculosis lesion within 30 days before screening. 7. Blood disorders associated with hypersplenism (e.g., thalassemia, hereditary spherocytosis, Gaucher's disease, autoimmune hemolytic anemia) or history of splenectomy. 8. Chronic diarrhea. 9. Severe cardiovascular disease within 6 months before screening, including myocardial infarction, unstable angina, congestive heart failure (NYHA class ≥II), or arrhythmia requiring medication. 10. Uncontrolled hypertension, defined as resting systolic blood pressure \>140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure \>90 mmHg on at least two repeated measurements on different days despite antihypertensive treatment. 11. Positive hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), or positive hepatitis C virus antibody (HCV-Ab) with detectable HCV-RNA, or active syphilis. 12. Any of the following laboratory abnormalities at screening: hemoglobin \<90 g/L; neutrophil count \<1.5×10⁹/L; platelet count \<100×10⁹/L; serum creatinine \>1.5× upper limit of normal (ULN); alanine aminotransferase \>2.5×ULN; aspartate aminotransferase \>2.5×ULN; alkaline phosphatase \>2.5×ULN; total bilirubin \>1.5×ULN; international normalized ratio \>1.5; activated partial thromboplastin time \>1.5×ULN. 13. Diagnosis of cancer within the screening period. 14. Severe neurological or psychiatric disease, or history of seizures. 15. History of drug abuse within 3 months before screening, or positive urine drug screen (including morphine, methamphetamine, ketamine, MDMA, THC, cocaine), or history of alcohol abuse. 16. Participation in another clinical trial with receipt of investigational drug within 3 months before screening. 17. Vaccination within 6 weeks before screening, or plan to receive any vaccination within 1 year after enrollment. 18. Pregnancy, positive pregnancy test, or breastfeeding. 19. Any other condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, makes the subject unsuitable for participation in this clinical study.
Where it's running
-
Peking Union Medical College Hospital
Beijing, Beijing Municipality, China Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Prof. Taisheng Li
- Email: litsh@263.net
- Phone: +86-10-69156114
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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.