KER-065 for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: safety and potential benefit in boys and men
Official title: A Multicenter, Phase 2, Open-Label Study Evaluating the Safety and Efficacy of KER-065 in Participants With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Run by Keros Therapeutics, Inc. · NCT07704099 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study tests whether KER-065 is safe and can help with symptoms in males with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, including both ambulatory and nonambulatory participants who are on standard care.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 2 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 9 Years and up |
| Sex | Men only |
| Enrollment | 36 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Keros Therapeutics, Inc. Industry-sponsored |
| Drugs / interventions | prednisone |
| Locations | 4 sites (Tbilisi and 3 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | September 25, 2026 |
| Main results expected | August 26, 2028 |
| Study ends | September 23, 2028 |
| Registry record updated | November 4, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07704099 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Males with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, including both ambulatory and early nonambulatory individuals, on a stable corticosteroid regimen and meeting weight and genetic criteria.
✕Probably not a fit
Participants who do not experience a response or who discontinue due to safety issues or progression of disease may not receive a benefit.
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 Phase 2, multicenter, open-label trial evaluating the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and potential efficacy of KER-065 in adult and pediatric males with Duchenne muscular dystrophy on stable background therapy. Participants are enrolled into one of three cohorts based on walking ability: two late ambulatory cohorts and one early nonambulatory cohort, and will go through screening, a 48-week treatment period, and a 4-week safety follow-up. The study will measure functional and biomarker outcomes to determine if KER-065 can provide benefit beyond current therapies. Key eligibility includes confirmed DMD with ongoing corticosteroid treatment and weight criteria, with specific functional criteria for ambulatory and nonambulatory groups.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, participants may experience stabilization or improvement in muscle function or slowing of disease progression while on KER-065.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies in similar fusion protein approaches for DMD have shown signals of safety and potential functional benefits in early-phase trials, though this specific agent is investigational.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Key Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of DMD, defined as the presence of phenotypic features at screening consistent with DMD AND documented mutation in the dystrophin gene consistent with the diagnosis of DMD using a clinically validated genetic test. * Receiving a stable regimen of systemic CS (including, but not limited to, prednisone, prednisolone, deflazacort, or vamorolone) for at least 90 days before screening. * Body weight of ≥ 25.0 kg. Ambulatory Participants Only (Cohort A1 and A2): * Ambulatory, defined as able to walk independently without assistive devices. * Able to TTR in \< 10 seconds. * Has a NSAA score ≥ 15 points. * Cohort 2 only: Documentation of a stable dose of an approved exon-skipping therapy. Nonambulatory Participants Only (Cohort N1): * Nonambulatory, characterized as being unable to ambulate for a minimum of 3 months before first dose with onset of nonambulatory status AND a NSAA walk score of 0 and inability to perform the 10MWR. * PUL v2.0 entry item score of 3 to 5, inclusive. Key Exclusion Criteria: * Clinical symptoms or signs of cardiomyopathy or heart failure. * Exposure to any approved or investigational dystrophin restoration gene therapy product. * Exposure to any approved or investigational dystrophin restoration product other than gene therapy (Except for exon-skipping therapy for Cohort A2). * Exposure to any approved or investigational histone deacetylase inhibitor, antimyostatin therapy, therapy targeting transforming growth factor-beta ligands, or cell-based therapy. * Use of any other pharmacological treatment, except for CS * Treatment with immunosuppressant therapy (other than CS) * History of fracture of the upper limb Nonambulatory Participants Only (Cohort N1): * Elbow-flexion contractures \> 30° in both upper extremities. * Forced vital capacity (FVC) of \< 50% or requirement for daytime or nocturnal ventilation, except for nocturnal non-invasive ventilation AND inability to perform consistent FVC measurements within ± 15% during paired testing.
Where it's running
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Optimal Clinical Trials
Auckland, North Island, New Zealand Recruiting -
NZCR-Christchurch
Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand Recruiting -
LTD TIM - Tbilisi Institute of Medicine
Tbilisi, Georgia Not yet recruiting -
Institute of Neurology and Neuropsychology LTD
Tbilisi, Georgia Not yet recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Gina Weaver
- Email: gweaver@kerostx.com
- Phone: 267.799.3345
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
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VM100: a nutritional supplement to see if it improves quality of life for boys with Duchenne
This Phase 2 study tests VM100, a nutritional drink, in boys aged 8 and up with Duchenne muscular dystrophy to see if it can improve quality of life and reduce fatigue.
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GNR-097 gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy in boys
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SGT-003 gene therapy for ambulant boys and young men with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (IMPACT DUCHENNE)
This trial will test whether a single intravenous infusion of SGT-003 can help ambulatory boys and young men with Duchenne muscular dystrophy maintain or improve walking and motor function.
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Evaluating Givinostat for Young Children with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
This study is testing a new drug called Givinostat to see if it's safe and how it works in young children aged 2 to 6 with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
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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.