MBK-01 intestinal microbiota capsules to prevent recurrent sigmoid diverticulitis

A Phase IIa Randomized, Controlled, Open-label Clinical Trial to Assess the Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of the Investigational Medicinal Product MBK-01, FSPIM (Full Spectrum & Purified Intestinal Microbiota) Oral Capsules, as Well as to Determine the Optimal Dosage in the Treatment of Patients With Recurrent Diverticulitis (DIREBIOT)

Phase 2 Interventional Mikrobiomik Healthcare Company S.L. · NCT06687382

This trial will test whether oral MBK-01 intestinal microbiota capsules can reduce repeat episodes in adults who have had three or more episodes of left or sigmoid diverticulitis in the past three years.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 2
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment81 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 70 Years
SexAll
SponsorMikrobiomik Healthcare Company S.L. Industry-sponsored
Locations1 site (Madrid, Madrid)
Trial IDNCT06687382 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This phase IIa randomized, controlled, open-label trial assigns participants 1:1:1 to MBK-01 without maintenance, MBK-01 with a maintenance dose at three months, or a no-intervention control. Participants in the MBK-01 arms receive a three-day antibiotic pretreatment (amoxicillin, fosfomycin and metronidazole), a two-day washout, then an initial dosing regimen of four capsules on day one followed by one capsule daily for 16 days (20 capsules total); the maintenance arm repeats that 17-day regimen at month three. Eligible adults are 18–70 with imaging-confirmed recurrent left or sigmoid diverticulitis (three or more episodes in the prior three years) and no symptomatic episode within 30 days. The study will compare recurrence rates and monitor safety and tolerability between arms.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults aged 18–70 with at least three imaging-confirmed episodes of left or sigmoid diverticulitis in the past three years and no symptomatic episode within the prior 30 days are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Patients with fewer than three prior diverticulitis episodes, an active symptomatic episode within 30 days, or who cannot undergo the study's antibiotic pretreatment or required visits are unlikely to benefit.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If effective, MBK-01 could reduce diverticulitis recurrences and lower the need for repeated antibiotics or surgery.

How similar studies have performed: Fecal microbiota therapies have shown clear success for recurrent C. difficile infection, but using lyophilized intestinal microbiota capsules specifically to prevent recurrent diverticulitis is novel and has limited prior evidence.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients of both sexes aged 18-70 (both included).
* Three or more episodes compatible with a diagnosis of acute diverticulitis of the left or sigmoid colon in the 3 years prior to signing the informed consent. The diagnosis of each episode of diverticulitis must have been made by demonstrating inflammation in the colon compatible with diverticulitis in an imaging test (computed tomography or ultrasound) and presenting at least one of the following analytical or clinical alterations :abdominal pain, vomiting, intestinal obstruction, body temperature over 38ºC, constipation (less than one bowel movement every 3 days), elevated acute-phase reactants (leukocytes higher than 11,000 cells/µL and/or C-reactive protein (CRP) higher than 5mg/dL and/or procalcitonin higher than 0.2), rectal bleeding.
* Not having had any symptomatic episode of acute diverticulitis in the 30 days prior to signing the informed consent.
* In the case of women and men of reproductive age, for safety, those who agree to follow the required contraceptive measure from the signing of the informed consent until the penultimate visit of the follow-up period.
* Patients who have signed the informed consent, either autonomously or through a legal representative.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients for who the information on episodes of acute diverticulitis required for inclusion in the study cannot be fully verified.
* Patients with acute diverticulitis in the ascending colon, transverse colon or other locations other than the descending or sigmoid colon.
* Previous colonic resection of any segment of the colon.
* Medical history of colorectal cancer.
* Having taken a mechanical colonic preparation in the 3 months prior to signing the informed consent.
* History of abdominal surgery.
* Allergy or intolerance to any component of the investigational medicinal product or ancillary medicinal products (amoxicillin, clavulanic acid, fosfomycin or metronidazole) used in the trial.
* Prior administration of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT).
* Systemic antibiotic treatment in the 30 days prior to signing the informed consent.
* Taking a marketed probiotic/prebiotic/symbiotic in the 30 days prior to signing the informed consent.
* Treatment with rifaximin or mesalazine in the 30 days prior to signing the informed consent.
* Presence of hereditary or acquired immunodeficiency.
* Chronic infectious diseases such as hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
* Pregnancy or lactation.
* Any other condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, could prevent or hinder compliance with the study.

Where this trial is running

Madrid, Madrid

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions DiverticulitisDiverticulitis of SigmoidRecurrent DiverticulitisDiverticular DiseaseAcute DiverticulitisDiverticulosisFecal Microbiota TransplantationFecal Microbiota Transfer
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 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.