Remibrutinib for Severe Chronic Pruritus of Unknown Origin
Official title: A 52-week Multi-center, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo Controlled Phase 3 Study to Evaluate the Efficacy, Safety and Tolerability of Remibrutinib in Adult Participants With Severe Chronic Pruritus of Unknown Origin (CPUO)
Run by Novartis · NCT07700056 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study tests whether remibrutinib can help adults with severe CPUO see if their itch improves compared with a placebo.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 3 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 180 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Novartis Industry-sponsored |
| Drugs / interventions | remibrutinib |
| Locations | 24 sites (Cullman, Alabama and 23 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | August 24, 2026 |
| Main results expected | December 19, 2029 |
| Study ends | April 15, 2030 |
| Registry record updated | November 9, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07700056 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults aged 18 and older with severe CPUO, itching for at least 4 months, WI-NRS ≥7, and involvement of at least two body areas, who have not responded adequately to emollients and may require systemic therapy.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients whose CPUO does not respond to BTK inhibition or who have alternative pruritus etiologies not addressed by remibrutinib may not experience 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 global phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in adults with severe chronic pruritus of unknown origin. Participants are assigned to remibrutinib or placebo for 24 weeks, followed by open-label remibrutinib for 28 weeks and a 4-week safety follow-up. The trial includes a screening period (up to 4 weeks), a double-blind treatment period, an open-label treatment period where placebo non-responders switch to remibrutinib at Week 24, and a safety assessment period. Primary focus is on safety, tolerability, and efficacy in reducing itch as measured by WI-NRS scores, with ongoing monitoring for adverse events. Enrollment spans multiple global sites, with certain centers in the United States identified as study locations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, participants may experience a reduction in itch severity and improved quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: BTK inhibitors have shown potential in itch reduction in related pruritus conditions, but results in CPUO are still being established.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Key Inclusion Criteria: * Participant must be ≥ 18 years of age, at the time of signing the informed consent. * Participants with chronic pruritus for at least 4 months prior to screening. * Chronic pruritus considered of unknown origin as assessed by the investigator at baseline (e.g., excluding chronic pruritus related to primary dermatological or systemic conditions, neuropathic or psychogenic origin or secondary to drugs or other allergen exposures). * Chronic pruritus must affect at least 2 of the following body areas: trunk, arms, or legs (cannot be unilateral and/or dermatomal in distribution). * Participants with ongoing, severe chronic pruritus despite the use of emollients and who are candidates for systemic therapy. * Participants must have severe itch defined by a WI-NRS ≥7 at screening; score scale ranges from 0 to 10; higher score indicates worse itch. * Participants must have an average WI-NRS ≥7 over the 7 days prior to randomization/baseline visit. * The average WI-NRS score over the preceding 7 days prior to the randomization/baseline visit will be calculated based on the daily WI-NRS scores (0-10). * Participants must have PGIS of pruritus scored as 3 "severe" at screening and baseline visits. Key Exclusion Criteria: * Any active skin conditions (e.g., atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, etc.) that may interfere with the assessment of CPUO. * Known systemic condition(s) or medication(s) that are considered by the investigator to be the primary cause of current pruritus. * Known or suspected infectious disease that is active, chronic or recurrent which precludes the participant from participating in the clinical trial as per Investigator´s assessment. These infectious diseases include but are not limited to opportunistic infections (e.g., tuberculosis, atypical mycobacterioses, listeriosis or aspergillosis) and/or known or suspected HIV infection. * History of malignancy of any organ system (other than localized basal cell carcinoma of the skin or in situ cervical cancer), treated or untreated, within the past 5 years, regardless of whether there is evidence of local recurrence or metastases. * Significant bleeding risk or coagulation disorders. History of gastrointestinal bleeding, e.g., in association with use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), that was clinically relevant (e.g., where intervention was indicated or requiring hospitalization or blood transfusion). Requirement for anti-platelet medication, except for acetylsalicylic acid up to 100 mg/d or clopidogrel up to 75 mg/d. The use of dual anti-platelet therapy (e.g., acetylsalicylic acid + clopidogrel) is prohibited. * History or current hepatic disease, including but not limited to, acute or chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis or hepatic failure or aspartate aminotransferase (AST)/ alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels of more than 1.5 x upper limit of normal (ULN) or International Normalized Ratio (INR) of more than 1.5 at screening.
Where it's running
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Aller Vie Health-Cullman
Cullman, Alabama, United States Recruiting -
Driven Research
Miami, Florida, United States Recruiting -
Aeroallergy Research Laboratories
Savannah, Georgia, United States Recruiting -
Dawes Fretzin Clinical Rea Group
Indianapolis, Indiana, United States Recruiting -
Southern IN Clinical Trials
New Albany, Indiana, United States Recruiting -
Equity Medical
The Bronx, New York, United States Recruiting
Show 18 more locations
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Optima Research-Boardman
Boardman, Ohio, United States Recruiting -
Allergy and Clinical Immunology Associates
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States Recruiting -
National Allergy and Asthma Research LLS
North Charleston, South Carolina, United States Recruiting -
Austin Inst for Clinical Research
Pflugerville, Texas, United States Recruiting -
Novartis Investigative Site
Caba, Buenos Aires, Argentina Recruiting -
Novartis Investigative Site
Rosario, Santa Fe Province, Argentina Recruiting -
Novartis Investigative Site
Caba, Argentina Recruiting -
Novartis Investigative Site
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Recruiting -
Novartis Investigative Site
Québec, Quebec, Canada Recruiting -
Novartis Investigative Site
Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Japan Recruiting -
Novartis Investigative Site
Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan Recruiting -
Novartis Investigative Site
Kumamoto, Kumamoto, Japan Recruiting -
Novartis Investigative Site
Habikino, Osaka, Japan Recruiting -
Novartis Investigative Site
Sakai, Osaka, Japan Recruiting -
Novartis Investigative Site
Tachikawa, Tokyo, Japan Recruiting -
Novartis Investigative Site
Ansan, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea Recruiting -
Novartis Investigative Site
Seoul, South Korea Recruiting -
Novartis Investigative Site
Seoul, South Korea Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Novartis Pharmaceuticals
- Email: novartis.email@novartis.com
- Phone: 1-888-669-6682
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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.