Clinical trial Recruiting at 32 sites Phase 2 Interventional Ages 0 to 11

Using patiromer to treat high potassium levels in children under 12

Official title: A 2-Part, Open-Label, Phase 2, Multiple Dose Study to Evaluate the Pharmacodynamic Effects, Safety, and Tolerability of Patiromer in Children Under 12 Years of Age With Hyperkalaemia (EMERALD2)

Run by Vifor Pharma · NCT05766839 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing if a medication called patiromer can safely help children under 12 with high potassium levels feel better.

More Hyperkalemia trials

Quick facts

PhasePhase 2
Study typeInterventional
Ages0 Years to 11 Years
SexAll
Enrollment36 (estimated)
SponsorVifor Pharma
Industry-sponsored
Locations37 sites (Aurora, Colorado and 36 other locations)
StatusRecruiting
StartedApril 6, 2025
Main results expectedDecember 1, 2029
Study endsDecember 1, 2030
Registry record updatedSeptember 25, 2026
Trial IDNCT05766839 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are pediatric patients under 12 years old diagnosed with hyperkalemia.

Probably not a fit

Patients who are not experiencing hyperkalemia or those over the age of 12 will not benefit from this study.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the effects, safety, and tolerability of patiromer in children under 12 years of age who have hyperkalemia. It involves administering the medication and monitoring its pharmacodynamic effects over a 28-day period. Eligible participants must have elevated potassium levels confirmed by two separate tests and be able to receive regular feeding and medication. The study aims to gather data on how well patiromer works in this pediatric population.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could provide a safe and effective way to manage high potassium levels in young children.

How similar studies have gone: While there is limited data on the use of patiromer specifically in children, similar studies in adults have shown promising results.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Paediatric participants (\<12 years of age) with hyperkalaemia at screening.
* Participant's age should not reach 12 years during the 28 days of the pharmacodynamic/dose-ranging period.
* Participant is able to receive regular external feeding and medication, including via tubes, i.e., percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) or entero-gastric feeding tube.
* At screening/baseline, the results from 2 separate and consecutive potassium assessments using the same measurement method (whole blood, plasma, or serum) need to be above the age-appropriate upper limit of normal (ULN).
* In continuation to above criterion: At least 1 sample needs to be taken at screening/baseline and 1 sample should not be older than 30 days, i.e., a historical sample. The average of the 2 potassium values needs to be above the age-appropriate ULN of the measurement method plus 0.5 mEq/l (equivalent to 0.5 mmol/l). If the 2 samples are taken on the day of screening/baseline, the 2 individual potassium values must not differ from each other by more than 0.5 mEq/l.
* In the opinion of the Investigator, the participant is expected to require treatment for hyperkalaemia for at least 28 days upon enrolment in the study.
* If taking any renin-angiotensin aldosterone system inhibitors (RAASi), beta blockers, fludrocortisone, or diuretic medications, must be on a stable dose for at least 14 days prior to screening.
* Parent(s) or legally acceptable representative(s) has provided the appropriate written informed consent, in accordance with local regulations. The assent of the child should also be obtained when appropriate or if requested by the Institutional Review Board (IRB)/Ethics Committee (EC)/Independent Ethics Committee (IEC). The written informed consent must be provided before any study specific procedures are performed including screening procedures.
* Parent(s) or legally authorised representative(s) or another appropriate person delegated by the legally authorised representatives must be available to help the study-site personnel ensure follow-up; accompany the participant to the study site on each assessment day according to the Schedule of Events (Table 1, Table 2) (e.g., able to comply with scheduled visits, treatment plan, laboratory tests and other study procedures); accurately and reliably dispense investigational product as directed.
* Not applicable to Norway sites: Females of childbearing potential must be non-lactating, must have a negative pregnancy test at screening; and must have used an effective, acceptable form of contraception (e.g., abstinence) for at least 1 month before patiromer administration. Females of childbearing potential must agree to continue using contraception throughout the study and for 1 month after the last dose of patiromer.
* If undergoing peritoneal dialysis, participants must be on a stable treatment plan for a minimum of 4 weeks prior to screening, or at least 8 weeks prior to screening if newly initiated on peritoneal dialysis.
* For participants who have undergone organ transplantation, the general clinical condition must be stable for at least 4 weeks prior to Screening and is not expected to change during the first 4 weeks of the study.
* For participants who have undergone organ transplantation, must have persistent hyperkalaemia requiring potassium-lowering therapy despite correction of reversible causes (e.g., high calcineurin inhibitor levels).

Exclusion Criteria:

* Preterm birth infants with \<37 weeks of gestation cannot be included in Cohort 3.
* Participants who due to their general condition, e.g., anaemia or low body weight, are not suitable to have blood volume withdrawn as specified in the Schedule of Events.
* Participants with pseudo-hyperkalaemia due to haemolysis or to abnormally high numbers of platelets (above ULN), leukocytes (above ULN), or erythrocytes (above ULN) at screening based on results obtained from the local laboratory.
* Any participant with evidence of potential potassium-related 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) changes (i.e., changes consistent with hyper- or hypokalaemia) at screening.
* Any participant with serum magnesium \<1.4 mg/dl (0.58 mmol/l) at screening/baseline.
* Any of the following renal conditions: maintenance haemodialysis, renal artery stenosis, and acute kidney injury (defined by 2012 Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes) or a history of acute renal insufficiency in the past 3 months. Note: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is not excluded.
* A history of or current diagnosis of a severe gastrointestinal (GI) diagnosis or surgery that could affect GI transit of the drug (delayed gastric emptying), such as a severe swallowing disorder, severe gastroesophageal reflux, uncorrected pyloric stenosis, intussusception, any other intestinal obstruction (e.g., Hirschsprung disease, chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction, clinically significant postsurgical abdominal adhesions) or any gut-shortening surgical procedure prior to screening.
* In continuation to above criterion: Pre-gastric above-mentioned pathologies may be disregarded in case of existence of a PEG or entero-gastric feeding tube, as the PEG or entero-gastric feeding tube will serve for nutrition and investigational product administration.
* Liver enzymes (alanine aminotransferase or aspartate aminotransferase) more than 3 times the ULN at screening, based on the local laboratory, as well as the participant's respective age.
* Active cancer, currently on cancer treatment, or history of cancer in the past 2 years (except for non-melanoma skin cancer).
* Scheduled for kidney transplant procedure during the first 28 days after Day 1.
* History of sudden infant death in a sibling (only for participants \<2 years of age at screening).
* Has severe hypoxaemia, respiratory acidosis, asphyxia, or hypotension 3 months before screening based on assessment of the Investigator.
* Participants treated with sodium polystyrene sulphonate, calcium polystyrene sulphonate, sodium zirconium cyclosilicate, or patiromer within the last 48 hours prior to fulfilling the baseline baseline potassium assessments requested in 4th Inclusion Criterion.
* Use of the following medications if doses have not been stable for at least 14 days prior to screening or if doses are anticipated to change during the 4-week pharmacodynamic/ dose-ranging period: digoxin, bronchodilators, theophylline, heparins (including low molecular heparins), tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, cyclosporine, trimethoprim, or cotrimoxazole.
* Use of any investigational product for an unapproved indication within 30 days prior to screening or within 5 half-lives, whichever is longer.
* Known hypersensitivity to patiromer or its components.
* In the opinion of the Investigator, parent(s) or legal representative(s) inability to comply with the protocol.
* In the opinion of the Investigator, any medical condition, uncontrolled systemic disease, or serious intercurrent illness that would significantly decrease study compliance or jeopardise the safety of the participant or potentially affect the quality of the data such as:
* In continuation to above criterion: hyperkalaemia at screening that requires emergency intervention; cardiovascular event or intervention within 3 months prior to screening; a haemodynamically unstable arrhythmia; hospitalisation for heart failure within the past 3 months; poorly controlled blood pressure; poorly controlled diabetes mellitus or frequent need for adjustment in insulin prescription or recent hospitalisation for treatment of hyper or hypoglycaemia.
* If the child is being breastfed:

  1. There is suspicion of current alcohol or substance misuse/abuse in breastfeeding mother.
  2. The breastfeeding mother is taking potassium supplements

Where it's running

  • Children's Hospital Colorado
    Aurora, Colorado, United States
    Recruiting
  • Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami
    Miami, Florida, United States
    Recruiting
  • Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children
    Orlando, Florida, United States
    Recruiting
  • Augusta University - Children's Hospital of Georgia
    Augusta, Georgia, United States
    Recruiting
  • University of Illinois College of Medicine
    Peoria, Illinois, United States
    Recruiting
  • Boston Children's Hospital
    Boston, Massachusetts, United States
    Recruiting
Show 31 more locations
  • Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics
    Kansas City, Missouri, United States
    Recruiting
  • Duke University Hospital
    Durham, North Carolina, United States
    Recruiting
  • The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
    Recruiting
  • Vanderbilt Children's Hospital Neurology
    Nashville, Tennessee, United States
    Recruiting
  • Monash Medical Centre Clayton
    Clayton, Australia
    Recruiting
  • The Royal Children's Hospital (RCH)
    Parkville, Australia
    Recruiting
  • Children's Hospital Westmead Centre for Kidney Research
    Westmead, Australia
    Recruiting
  • Universitair Ziekenhuis Gent
    Ghent, Belgium
    Recruiting
  • UZ Leuven
    Leuven, Belgium
    Recruiting
  • CHRU Montpellier - Arnaud de Villeneuve
    Montpellier, France
    Recruiting
  • Assistance Publique-Hopitaux de Paris Robert-Debre
    Paris, France
    Recruiting
  • Hôpital des Enfants - Toulouse
    Toulouse, France
    Recruiting
  • Ippokratio Thessaloniki General Hospital
    Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
    Recruiting
  • Pan and Aglaia Kyriakou Children's Hospital
    Athens, Greece
    Recruiting
  • Shaare Zedek Medical Center
    Jerusalem, Israel
    Recruiting
  • Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel
    Petach Tikvah, Israel
    Recruiting
  • Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico
    Milan, Italy
    Recruiting
  • IRCCS Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù
    Rome, Italy
    Recruiting
  • Helse Bergen HF Haukeland Universitetssjukehus
    Bergen, Norway
    Recruiting
  • Unidade Local de Saude de Santo Antonio, E.P.E.
    Porto, Portugal
    Recruiting
  • Sidra Medicine
    Doha, Qatar
    Recruiting
  • Spitalul Clinic de Urgenta pentru Copii Louis Turcanu Timisoara
    Timișoara, Romania
    Recruiting
  • King Saud University
    Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
    Recruiting
  • King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre
    Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
    Recruiting
  • King Abdulaziz Medical City
    Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
    Recruiting
  • Al Jalila Children's Hospital
    Dubai, United Arab Emirates
    Recruiting
  • UF Health Pediatric Multispecialty Center Site
    Jacksonville, Florida, United States
    Terminated
  • Northwell Health Cohen Children's Medical Center
    New York, New York, United States
    Not yet recruiting
  • Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Amarillo
    Amarillo, Texas, United States
    Terminated
  • Helsingin Yliopistollinen Keskussairaala Uusi Lastensairaala
    Helsinki, Finland
    Not yet recruiting
  • Uniwersytecki Szpital Kliniczny we Wrocławiu
    Wroclaw, Poland
    Not yet recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

  • A Phase 3 test of WS016 for hyperkalemia

    This trial tests WS016 in adults with high potassium to see if it can quickly normalize levels and keep them steady for a year.

    Recruiting at 12 sites Phase 3 Waterstone Pharmaceutical (Wuhan) Co., LTD. · Anqing, Anhui and 49 other locations · NCT07881965

  • Potassium-friendly plant-based diet for people with advanced CKD

    This pilot study tests whether a liberal plant-based diet with normal potassium levels is safe and acceptable for adults with advanced CKD (eGFR <30) who are not on dialysis.

    Recruiting Karolinska Institutet · Huddinge, Stockholm Län · NCT07494266

  • Oral WS016 to quickly lower and maintain potassium in adults with hyperkalemia

    This trial tests whether oral WS016 can quickly lower high potassium and keep potassium in the normal range in adults with hyperkalemia.

    Recruiting at 50 sites Phase 3 Waterstone Pharmaceutical (Wuhan) Co., LTD. · Bengbu, Anhui and 49 other locations · NCT07251309

  • How common high potassium is and what increases the risk in non-dialysis CKD patients in the community

    This project will test how common high potassium is and try to find which health and lifestyle factors raise the risk in adults with chronic kidney disease who are not on dialysis.

    Recruiting Songjiang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine · Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality · NCT06940414

  • Adding urea to the final dialysis fluid

    This test tries adding urea to the dialysis fluid for adults with advanced kidney failure who have very high blood urea and need rapid lowering of potassium or correction of severe acidosis.

    Recruiting Phase 1/2 University of California, San Francisco · San Francisco, California · NCT06366230

  • Using patiromer to improve blood pressure treatment in chronic kidney disease

    This study is testing if a medication called patiromer can help improve blood pressure treatment for people with chronic kidney disease by making another medication work better.

    Recruiting Phase 4 University Medical Center Groningen · Groningen · NCT06256991

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
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Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.