A Preliminary Study of the Efficacy and Safety of MK-8521 for Type 2 Diabetes (MK-8521-004)

What this study is testing ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02492763 ↗

Description as written by the study sponsor.

This is a multicenter randomized, double-blind, placebo- and active-controlled (liraglutide; Victoza®), parallel-group, clinical trial of MK-8521 in participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with inadequate glycemic control while on a stable dose of metformin (≥1000 mg/day). The trial will include a 1-week screening period; at least an 8-week antihyperglycemic agent (AHA) washout period, if required; a 14-week blinded therapy period (which includes single-blind run-in and double-blind therapy); and a 14-day post-treatment visit, 2 weeks after the last dose of investigational product. The primary hypothesis of the trial is that MK-8521 provides greater reduction in hemoglobin A1C relative to placebo after 12 weeks of once-daily administration in participants with T2DM with inadequate glycemic control on metformin monotherapy.

Treatments tested

• MK-8521 Drug

  Dose strengths: 180 μg QD administered subcutaneously. A 2-step dose escalation regimen \[60 μg, 120 μg\] over the first 2 weeks is used to achieve the final dose up to 180 μg.); 300 μg QD administered subcutaneously (A 3-step dose escalation regimen \[60 μg, 120 μg, 180 μg\] over the first 3 weeks is used to achieve the final dose up to 300 μg.

• Placebo Drug

  Double dummy matching placebo for the MK-8521 and placebo arms: matching placebo for MK-8521 300 μg QD administered subcutaneously; matching placebo for MK-8521 180 μg QD administered subcutaneously. A dose escalation regimen consistent with that of the MK-8521 300 μg and 180 μg arms of the study; mock escalation will be performed over the first 2 to 3 weeks.

• Liraglutide also known as Victoza® Drug

  Dose strength: 1.8 mg QD administered subcutaneously. A 2-step dose escalation regimen (0.6 mg, 1.2 mg) over the first 2 weeks is used to achieve the final dose up to 1.8 mg.

• Metformin Drug

  Metformin immediate release (IR) or metformin extended release (XR) administered ≥1000 mg QD as background therapy