Efficacy and Safety of KAF156 in Combination With LUM-SDF in Adults and Children With Uncomplicated Plasmodium Falciparum Malaria
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ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03167242 |
Recruitment Status :
Completed
First Posted : May 25, 2017
Results First Posted : February 10, 2022
Last Update Posted : February 10, 2022
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This study was designed to determine the most effective and tolerable dose at the shortest dosing regimen of the investigational drug KAF156 in combination with a solid dispersion formulation of lumefantrine (LUM-SDF) in adult/adolescent and pediatric patients with uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria.
There is unmet medical need for anti-malarial treatment with new mechanism of action to reduce probability of developing resistance, and for duration shorter than 3 days of treatment and/or reduced pill burden.
Condition or disease | Intervention/treatment | Phase |
---|---|---|
Acute Uncomplicated Plasmodium Falciparum Malaria | Drug: KAF156 Drug: Coartem Drug: Lumefantrine Solid Dispersion Formulation | Phase 2 |
This was a Phase 2 multi-center and open-label study with a single cohort pharmacokinetic (PK) Run-in Part followed by 2 randomized parallel-group parts, Part A and Part B, in adults and children with confirmed and uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Each part (PK Run-in, Part A and Part B) had the same design structure: A screening phase of up to 24 hours where participants were evaluated for eligibility and randomized (Part A and B) into different cohorts. A treatment phase of up to 3 days where participants were treated for 1, 2 or 3 consecutive days. Finally, participants were followed up until Day 43, where the rescue medication was the local standard at the discretion of the Investigator and participants
PK Run-in part: Adult/adolescent participants (≥ 12 years old) were dosed with a single dose of 200 mg KAF156 and 960 mg LUM-SDF at Day 1. The purpose of this part was to assess potential PK interactions between the compounds when dosed together.
Part A: Adult/adolescent participants (≥ 12 years old) were randomized into one of seven cohorts in a 2:2:2:2:2:2:1 ratio: six KAF156 and LUM-SDF cohorts at starting doses of 400 mg and 480 mg once daily (QD) for 1 day respectively and a control arm (Coartem twice a day (BID) for 3 days). Upon completion of Part A, all the dosing groups were evaluated in an interim assessment to determine the effective and tolerated KAF156 and LUM-SDF dosing regimen and dosages to be used in Part B.
Part B: Children participants (2 to < 12 years old) were randomized to three KAF156 and LUM-SDF cohorts at dosages and dosing regimens selected from Part A and the control arm (Coartem) in a 2:2:2:1 ratio.
Study Type : | Interventional (Clinical Trial) |
Actual Enrollment : | 524 participants |
Allocation: | Randomized |
Intervention Model: | Parallel Assignment |
Masking: | Single (Outcomes Assessor) |
Primary Purpose: | Treatment |
Official Title: | A Phase 2 Interventional, Multicenter, Randomized Open Label Study to Determine the Effective and Tolerable Dose of KAF156 and Lumefantrine Solid Dispersion Formulation in Combination, Given Once Daily for 1, 2 and 3-days to Adults and Children With Uncomplicated Plasmodium Falciparum Malaria |
Actual Study Start Date : | August 2, 2017 |
Actual Primary Completion Date : | June 14, 2021 |
Actual Study Completion Date : | June 28, 2021 |

Arm | Intervention/treatment |
---|---|
Experimental: Part A - Cohort 1: KAF 400 mg and LUM 960 mg QD for 1 day
Participants received a single oral dose of KAF156 400 mg and LUM-SDF 960 mg
|
Drug: KAF156
KAF156 comes in 100 mg tablets for oral administration. KAF156 was administered in combination with LUM-SDF once daily (QD) for 1, 2 or 3 days at 200 mg, 400 mg or 800 mg doses.
Other Name: KAF Drug: Lumefantrine Solid Dispersion Formulation LUM-SDF comes in 240 mg or 480 mg sachets for oral administration. LUM-SDF was administered in combination with KAF156 once daily (QD) for 1, 2 or 3 days at 480 mg or 960 mg doses.
Other Name: LUM-SDF and LUM |
Experimental: Part A - Cohort 2: KAF 800 mg and LUM 960 mg QD for 1 day
Participants received a single oral dose of KAF156 800 mg and LUM-SDF 960 mg
|
Drug: KAF156
KAF156 comes in 100 mg tablets for oral administration. KAF156 was administered in combination with LUM-SDF once daily (QD) for 1, 2 or 3 days at 200 mg, 400 mg or 800 mg doses.
Other Name: KAF Drug: Lumefantrine Solid Dispersion Formulation LUM-SDF comes in 240 mg or 480 mg sachets for oral administration. LUM-SDF was administered in combination with KAF156 once daily (QD) for 1, 2 or 3 days at 480 mg or 960 mg doses.
Other Name: LUM-SDF and LUM |
Experimental: Part A - Cohort 3: KAF 400 mg and LUM 960 mg QD for 2 days
Participants received KAF156 400 mg and LUM-SDF 960 mg once daily via oral administration for 2 days
|
Drug: KAF156
KAF156 comes in 100 mg tablets for oral administration. KAF156 was administered in combination with LUM-SDF once daily (QD) for 1, 2 or 3 days at 200 mg, 400 mg or 800 mg doses.
Other Name: KAF Drug: Lumefantrine Solid Dispersion Formulation LUM-SDF comes in 240 mg or 480 mg sachets for oral administration. LUM-SDF was administered in combination with KAF156 once daily (QD) for 1, 2 or 3 days at 480 mg or 960 mg doses.
Other Name: LUM-SDF and LUM |
Experimental: Part A - Cohort 4: KAF 200 mg and LUM 480 mg QD for 3 days
Participants received KAF156 200 mg and LUM-SDF 480 mg once daily via oral administration for 3 days
|
Drug: KAF156
KAF156 comes in 100 mg tablets for oral administration. KAF156 was administered in combination with LUM-SDF once daily (QD) for 1, 2 or 3 days at 200 mg, 400 mg or 800 mg doses.
Other Name: KAF Drug: Lumefantrine Solid Dispersion Formulation LUM-SDF comes in 240 mg or 480 mg sachets for oral administration. LUM-SDF was administered in combination with KAF156 once daily (QD) for 1, 2 or 3 days at 480 mg or 960 mg doses.
Other Name: LUM-SDF and LUM |
Experimental: Part A - Cohort 5: KAF 400 mg and LUM 480 mg QD for 3 days
Participants received KAF156 400 mg and LUM-SDF 480 mg once daily via oral administration for 3 days
|
Drug: KAF156
KAF156 comes in 100 mg tablets for oral administration. KAF156 was administered in combination with LUM-SDF once daily (QD) for 1, 2 or 3 days at 200 mg, 400 mg or 800 mg doses.
Other Name: KAF Drug: Lumefantrine Solid Dispersion Formulation LUM-SDF comes in 240 mg or 480 mg sachets for oral administration. LUM-SDF was administered in combination with KAF156 once daily (QD) for 1, 2 or 3 days at 480 mg or 960 mg doses.
Other Name: LUM-SDF and LUM |
Experimental: Part A - Cohort 6: KAF 400 mg and LUM 960 mg QD for 3 days
Participants received KAF156 400 mg and LUM-SDF 960 mg once daily via oral administration for 3 days
|
Drug: KAF156
KAF156 comes in 100 mg tablets for oral administration. KAF156 was administered in combination with LUM-SDF once daily (QD) for 1, 2 or 3 days at 200 mg, 400 mg or 800 mg doses.
Other Name: KAF Drug: Lumefantrine Solid Dispersion Formulation LUM-SDF comes in 240 mg or 480 mg sachets for oral administration. LUM-SDF was administered in combination with KAF156 once daily (QD) for 1, 2 or 3 days at 480 mg or 960 mg doses.
Other Name: LUM-SDF and LUM |
Active Comparator: Part A - Cohort 7: Coartem
Participants received Coartem twice daily via oral administration for 3 days
|
Drug: Coartem
Coartem comes as 20/120 mg dispersible tablets or 80/480 mg tablets for oral administration. Coartem was administered twice daily for 3 days as active comparator. |
Experimental: PK Run-in Cohort: KAF 200 mg and LUM 960 mg QD for 1 day
Participants received a single oral dose of KAF156 200 mg and LUM-SDF 960 mg
|
Drug: KAF156
KAF156 comes in 100 mg tablets for oral administration. KAF156 was administered in combination with LUM-SDF once daily (QD) for 1, 2 or 3 days at 200 mg, 400 mg or 800 mg doses.
Other Name: KAF Drug: Lumefantrine Solid Dispersion Formulation LUM-SDF comes in 240 mg or 480 mg sachets for oral administration. LUM-SDF was administered in combination with KAF156 once daily (QD) for 1, 2 or 3 days at 480 mg or 960 mg doses.
Other Name: LUM-SDF and LUM |
Experimental: Part B - Cohort 1: KAF 400 mg and LUM 960 mg QD for 1 day
Participants received a single oral dose of KAF156 400 mg and LUM-SDF 960 mg
|
Drug: KAF156
KAF156 comes in 100 mg tablets for oral administration. KAF156 was administered in combination with LUM-SDF once daily (QD) for 1, 2 or 3 days at 200 mg, 400 mg or 800 mg doses.
Other Name: KAF Drug: Lumefantrine Solid Dispersion Formulation LUM-SDF comes in 240 mg or 480 mg sachets for oral administration. LUM-SDF was administered in combination with KAF156 once daily (QD) for 1, 2 or 3 days at 480 mg or 960 mg doses.
Other Name: LUM-SDF and LUM |
Experimental: Part B - Cohort 2: KAF 400 mg and LUM 960 mg QD for 2 days
Participants received KAF156 400 mg and LUM-SDF 960 mg once daily via oral administration for 2 days
|
Drug: KAF156
KAF156 comes in 100 mg tablets for oral administration. KAF156 was administered in combination with LUM-SDF once daily (QD) for 1, 2 or 3 days at 200 mg, 400 mg or 800 mg doses.
Other Name: KAF Drug: Lumefantrine Solid Dispersion Formulation LUM-SDF comes in 240 mg or 480 mg sachets for oral administration. LUM-SDF was administered in combination with KAF156 once daily (QD) for 1, 2 or 3 days at 480 mg or 960 mg doses.
Other Name: LUM-SDF and LUM |
Experimental: Part B - Cohort 3: KAF 400 mg and LUM 960 mg QD for 3 days
Participants received KAF156 400 mg and LUM-SDF 960 mg once daily via oral administration for 3 days
|
Drug: KAF156
KAF156 comes in 100 mg tablets for oral administration. KAF156 was administered in combination with LUM-SDF once daily (QD) for 1, 2 or 3 days at 200 mg, 400 mg or 800 mg doses.
Other Name: KAF Drug: Lumefantrine Solid Dispersion Formulation LUM-SDF comes in 240 mg or 480 mg sachets for oral administration. LUM-SDF was administered in combination with KAF156 once daily (QD) for 1, 2 or 3 days at 480 mg or 960 mg doses.
Other Name: LUM-SDF and LUM |
Active Comparator: Part B - Cohort 4: Coartem
Participants received Coartem twice daily via oral administration for 3 days
|
Drug: Coartem
Coartem comes as 20/120 mg dispersible tablets or 80/480 mg tablets for oral administration. Coartem was administered twice daily for 3 days as active comparator. |
- Part A and Part B: Number of Participants With Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)-Corrected Adequate Clinical and Parasitological Response (ACPR) at Day 29 [ Time Frame: 28 days post first dose ]
PCR-corrected ACPR defined as the absence of parasitaemia was evaluated at Day 29 (i.e., 28 days post first dose) based on the short half-life of the study drugs. Microscopic species identification was confirmed and determined by PCR genotyping methods to establish malaria recrudescence/reinfection.
A participant was considered as PCR-corrected ACPR at Day 29 if the participant did not meet any of the criteria of early treatment failure, late clinical failure or late parasitological failure and was absence of parasitaemia on Day 29 irrespective of axillary temperature unless the presence of parasitaemia after 7 days was due to reinfection based on PCR. A presence of parasitaemia after 7 days of treatment initiation was considered as a reinfection only if the parasitaemia was clear before Day 8 and none of the parasite strain(s) detected on Day 8 or later matched with the parasite strain at baseline based on PCR.
- PK Run-in: Area Under the Blood Concentration-time Curve Over the Last 24 Hours After Treatment Dose (AUC0-24h) of KAF156 [ Time Frame: 0, 1, 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 hours post-dose ]Pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters were calculated based on KAF156 blood concentrations determined by a validated liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method. AUC0-24h was determined using non-compartmental methods.
- Part A and Part B: Number of Participants With Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)-Uncorrected Adequate Clinical and Parasitological Response (ACPR) [ Time Frame: 14, 28 and 42 days post first dose ]
PCR-uncorrected ACPR defined as the absence of parasitaemia was evaluated at days 15, 29 and 43 (i.e., 14, 28 and 42 days post first dose).
A participant was considered as PCR-uncorrected ACPR at Days 15, 29 or 43 if the participant did not meet any of the criteria of early treatment failure, late clinical failure or late parasitological failure and was absence of parasitaemia on Days 15, 29 or 43 irrespective of axillary temperature.
- Part A and Part B: Number of Participants With Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)-Corrected Adequate Clinical and Parasitological Response (ACPR) [ Time Frame: 14 and 42 days post first dose ]
PCR-corrected ACPR defined as the absence of parasitaemia was evaluated at days 15 and 43 (i.e., 14 and 42 days post first dose). Microscopic species identification was confirmed and determined by PCR genotyping methods to establish malaria recrudescence/reinfection.
A participant was considered as PCR-corrected ACPR at Day 15 or Day 43 if the participant did not meet any of the criteria of early treatment failure, late clinical failure or late parasitological failure and was absence of parasitaemia on Day 15 or Day 43 irrespective of axillary temperature unless the presence of parasitaemia after 7 days was due to reinfection based on PCR. A presence of parasitaemia after 7 days of treatment initiation was considered as a reinfection only if the parasitaemia was clear before Day 8 and none of the parasite strain(s) detected on Day 8 or later matched with the parasite strain at baseline based on PCR.
- Part A and Part B: Number of Participants With Recrudescence Events [ Time Frame: 42 days post first dose ]Recrudescence is defined as appearance of asexual parasites after clearance of initial infection with a genotype identical to that of parasites present at baseline. Recrudescence must be confirmed by PCR analysis.
- Part A and Part B: Number of Participants With Reinfection Events [ Time Frame: 42 days post first dose ]Reinfection is defined as appearance of asexual parasites after clearance of initial infection with a genotype different from those parasites present at baseline. Reinfection must be confirmed by PCR analysis.
- Part A and Part B: Fever Clearance Time (FCT) [ Time Frame: 42 days post first dose ]Fever Clearance Time (FCT) is defined as the time from the first dose until the first time the axillary body temperature decreased below and remained below 37.5°C axillary or 38.0°C oral/tympanic/rectal for at least a further 24 hours. In case a participant received rescue medication before (fever) clearance, the time to event was censored at the first use of rescue medication.
- PK Run-in, Part A and Part B: Parasite Clearance Time (PCT) [ Time Frame: 42 days post first dose ]Parasite Clearance Time (PCT) is defined as the time from the first dose until the first total and continued disappearance of asexual parasite forms which remained at least a further 48 hours. In case a participant received rescue medication before (parasite) clearance, the time to event was censored at the first use of rescue medication.
- PK Run-in, Part A and Part B: Number of Participants With Parasitaemia [ Time Frame: 12, 24 and 48 hours post last dose ]Parasitaemia is the quantitative content of parasites in the blood determined by microscopy examination validated methods. Only Plasmodium Falciparum asexual form is used for parasitaemia assessments.
- Part A and Part B: Area Under the Blood Concentration-time Curve Over the Last 24 Hours After Last Treatment Dose (AUC0-24h) of KAF156 [ Time Frame: 3, 6, 18 and 24 hours post last dose ]Pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters were calculated based on KAF156 blood concentrations determined by a validated liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method. AUC0-24h was determined using non-compartmental methods.
- Part A and Part B: Maximum Peak Observed Concentration (Cmax) of KAF156 [ Time Frame: 3, 6, 18, 24, 27, 30, 48, 51, 54, 68, 72 and 168 hours post last dose ]Pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters were calculated based on KAF156 blood concentrations determined by a validated liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method. Cmax was determined using non-compartmental methods.
- PK Run-in and Part A: Elimination Half-life (T½) of KAF156 [ Time Frame: 0, 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 27, 30, 36, 48, 72, 96 and 168 hours post last dose ]Pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters were calculated based on KAF156 blood concentrations determined by a validated liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method. T½ was determined using non-compartmental methods.
- PK Run-in and Part A (Cohorts 1 and 2): Time to Reach Maximum Blood Concentrations (Tmax) of KAF156 [ Time Frame: 0, 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 48, 96 and 168 hours post last dose ]Pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters were calculated based on KAF156 blood concentrations determined by a validated liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method. Tmax was determined using non-compartmental methods.

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Ages Eligible for Study: | 2 Years and older (Child, Adult, Older Adult) |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | All |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | No |
Inclusion Criteria:
- Part A: male and female patients ≥ 12 years and with a body weight ≥ 35.0 kg. Part B: after determining the effective/tolerated doses and regimens in adolescent and adult patients, male and female patients ≥ 2 and < 12 years and with a body weight ≥ 10.0 kg will be included.
- Microscopic confirmation of P. falciparum by Giemsa-stained thick and thin films.
- P. falciparum parasitaemia of more than 1000 and less than 150 000 parasites/µL at the time of pre-screening (i.e., Study Visit 1).
- Axillary temperature ≥ 37.5 ºC or oral/tympanic/rectal temperature ≥ 38.3 ºC; or similar history of fever during the previous 24 hours (history of fever must be documented).
- Written informed consent must be obtained before any assessment is performed. If the patient is unable to read and write, then a witnessed consent according to local ethical standards is permitted. Patients < 18 years old, who are capable of providing assent, must provide assent with parental/legal guardian consent or as per local ethical guidelines.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Mixed Plasmodium infections.
- Signs and symptoms of severe malaria according to WHO (World Health Organization) 2015 criteria unless characterized by high parasitaemia only.
- Patients with concurrent febrile illnesses (e.g., typhoid fever).
- Severe vomiting, defined as more than 3 times in the 24 hours prior to inclusion in the study or severe diarrhea defined as more than 3 watery stools per day.
- Pregnant or nursing (lactating) women.
- Clinically relevant abnormalities of electrolyte balance which require correction, e.g., hypokalemia, hypocalcemia or hypomagnesemia.
- Anemia (Hemoglobin level < 8 g/dL).
- Patients with prior antimalarial therapy or antibiotics with antimalarial activity within minimum of their five (5) plasma half-lives (or within 4 weeks of screening if half-life is unknown).
- History or family history of long QT syndrome or sudden cardiac death, or any other clinical condition known to prolong the QTc (heart rate-corrected QT) interval, such as history of symptomatic cardiac arrhythmias, clinically relevant bradycardia or severe heart disease.
- Any surgical or medical condition which might significantly alter the absorption, distribution, metabolism, or excretion of drugs, or which may jeopardize the patient in case of participation in the study. The investigator should make this determination in consideration of the patient's medical history and/or clinical or laboratory evidence of any of the following:
- AST/ALT > 2 x the upper limit of normal range (ULN), regardless of the level of total bilirubin
- AST/ALT > 1.5 and ≤ 2 x ULN and total bilirubin is > ULN
- Total bilirubin > 2 x ULN, regardless of the level of AST/ALT

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT03167242
Burkina Faso | |
Novartis Investigative Site | |
Nanoro, Burkina Faso | |
Gabon | |
Novartis Investigative Site | |
Lambarene, Gabon | |
India | |
Novartis Investigative Site | |
Ranchi, Jharkhand, India, 834009 | |
Kenya | |
Novartis Investigative Site | |
Kombewa, Kenya | |
Novartis Investigative Site | |
Siaya, Kenya, 2300 | |
Mali | |
Novartis Investigative Site | |
Sotuba, Mali | |
Mozambique | |
Novartis Investigative Site | |
Chokwe, Mozambique | |
Thailand | |
Novartis Investigative Site | |
Tak, Thailand, 63140 | |
Uganda | |
Novartis Investigative Site | |
Masaka, Uganda | |
Novartis Investigative Site | |
Tororo, Uganda | |
Vietnam | |
Novartis Investigative Site | |
Binh Phuoc Province, VNM, Vietnam, 830000 |
Study Director: | Study Director | Novartis Pharmaceuticals |
Documents provided by Novartis ( Novartis Pharmaceuticals ):
Responsible Party: | Novartis Pharmaceuticals |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT03167242 |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
CKAF156A2202 2020-003284-25 ( EudraCT Number ) |
First Posted: | May 25, 2017 Key Record Dates |
Results First Posted: | February 10, 2022 |
Last Update Posted: | February 10, 2022 |
Last Verified: | December 2021 |
Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement: | |
Plan to Share IPD: | Yes |
Plan Description: | Novartis is committed to sharing with qualified external researchers, access to patient-level data and supporting clinical documents from eligible studies. These requests are reviewed and approved by an independent review panel on the basis of scientific merit. All data provided is anonymized to respect the privacy of patients who have participated in the trial in line with applicable laws and regulations. This trial data availability is according to the criteria and process described on https://www.clinicalstudydatarequest.com/. |
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product: | No |
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product: | No |
Malaria Malaria, Falciparum Protozoan Infections Parasitic Diseases Infections Vector Borne Diseases |
Lumefantrine Artemether, Lumefantrine Drug Combination Antimalarials Antiprotozoal Agents Antiparasitic Agents Anti-Infective Agents |