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M5717

Phase 2

Acute Malaria | Small molecule | Infectious Disease |Merck KGaA|Last Updated: Aug 27, 2025

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Trial Design

RandomizedCONTROLLEDDMC
Total Trials1
Total Enrollment38

FDA Designations

No designations recorded

Clinical trial landscape

M5717 · 2 trials · 2 indications

Phase 2 1Phase 1 1
NCT05689047Phase IIa Proof of Concept Study of M5717-Pyronaridine in Adults and Adolescents With Acute Uncomplicated Plasmodium Falciparum Malaria (CAPTURE 1)Acute Malaria
COMPLETED38 Analytics
PHASE2COMPLETED
Phase IIa Proof of Concept Study of M5717-Pyronaridine in Adults and Adolescents With Acute Uncomplicated Plasmodium Falciparum Malaria (CAPTURE 1)
Acute MalariaUnlock trial analytics

Study Endpoints

Primary Endpoints

Cohort A: Number of Participants With Treatment-emergent Adverse Events (TEAEs), Serious TEAEs and Related TEAEs
Day 1 up to Day 43

An adverse event (AE) was defined as any untoward medical occurrence in a participant. TEAEs are defined as AEs which started at or after the administration of study intervention (study treatment) or which started prior to the first administration of study intervention but worsened after the dose intake, until the last scheduled assessment will be regarded as treatment-emergent, but before established rescue antimalarial treatment is administered, if required. A serious TEAE was an AE that resulted in any of the following outcomes: death; life threatening; persistent/significant disability/incapacity; initial or prolonged inpatient hospitalization; congenital anomaly/birth defect or was otherwise considered medically important. A TEAE was considered to be "related" if a causal relationship between study treatment and the TEAE is at least reasonably possible.

Cohort A: Number of Participants With Clinically Significant Change From Baseline in Safety Laboratory Parameters
Day 1 up to Day 29

Number of participants with clinically significant change from baseline in laboratory parameters were reported. Clinical Significance was decided by the investigator. Laboratory investigation included hematology, biochemistry, and coagulation.

Cohort A: Number of Participants With Clinically Significant Change From Baseline in 12-lead Electrocardiogram (ECG) Findings
Day 1 up to Day 29

Number of participants with clinically significant change from baseline in ECG parameters were reported. Clinical Significance was decided by the investigator. The 12-lead ECGs were recorded after the participants have rested for at least 5 minutes in supine position. The parameters included heart rate (HR), Respiratory Rate, Pulse Rate, QRS, QT and QTcB calculated by the Bazett formula.

Cohort A: Number of Participants With Clinically Significant Change From Baseline in Vital Signs
Day 1 up to Day 29

Number of participants with clinically significant change from baseline in vital signs. Clinical Significance was decided by the investigator. Vital signs included oral body temperature, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and pulse rate.

Cohort B0: Percentage of Participants With Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)-Adjusted Adequate Clinical and Parasitological Response (ACPR)
At Day 29

PCR-adjusted ACPR 28 days after first treatment (i.e., on Day 29) was defined as absence of parasitemia (thick smear/microscopy, after adjustment for parasitemia due to new infections as determined by genotyping using PCR techniques), irrespective of axillary temperature, in participants who did not previously meet any of the criteria of Early treatment failure (ETF), Late clinical failure (LCF), or Late parasitological failure (LPF).

Part A: Number of Participants With Treatment Emergent Adverse Events (TEAEs), Serious TEAEs, and TEAEs Leading to Discontinuation of Study Treatment
Baseline up to Day 55

An adverse event (AE) was defined as any untoward medical occurrence in a participant administered with study drug which does not necessarily have a causal relationship with the treatment. An AE was any unfavorable and unintended sign (including an abnormal laboratory finding), symptom, or disease temporally associated with use of a medicinal product, whether or not considered related to the medicinal product. A serious adverse event (SAE) was an AE that resulted in any of the following outcomes: death; life threatening; persistent/significant disability/incapacity; initial or prolonged inpatient hospitalization; congenital anomaly/birth defect or was otherwise considered medically important. The term TEAE is defined as AEs starting or worsening after the first intake of the study drug. TEAEs included both Serious TEAEs and non-serious TEAEs.

Part A: Number of Participants With Clinically Significant Changes From Baseline in Laboratory Assessments
Baseline up to Day 55

Laboratory assessments included hematology, biochemistry, urinalysis, and coagulation. Number of participants with clinically significant change from baseline in laboratory parameters were reported. Clinical significance was decided by the investigator.

Part A: Number of Participants With Clinically Significant Changes From Baseline in 12-lead Electrocardiograms (ECGs) Findings
Baseline up to Day 55

The 12-lead ECGs were recorded after the participants had rested for at least 5 minutes in supine position. Number of participants with clinically significant change from baseline in ECGs was reported. Clinical significance was decided by the investigator.

Part A: Number of Participants With Clinically Significant Changes From Baseline in Vital Signs
Baseline up to Day 55

Vital signs included oral body temperature, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and pulse rate. Number of participants with clinically significant change from baseline in vital signs was reported. Clinical significance was decided by the investigator.

Part C: Parasite Reduction Ratio (PRR) Assessed Through Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) Analysis
Day 1 to Day 22

The parasite reduction ratio (PRR) of asexual parasites based on quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) after administration of M5717 is a mathematical representation of the ratio of the parasite density between drug administration and for a defined period of time. The PRR for asexual forms was estimated using the slope of the optimal fit of the log-linear relationship of the parasitemia decay; ie, the time point where steady exponential decay in parasitemia occurs which may happen after a lag-phase. Lag phase is defined as an initial period after dosing that precedes a steady exponential decline in the parasite count. It was observed that the decline of parasitemia had a biphasic profile, with the first phase, followed by a second phase (the main clearance phase).

Part C: Maximum Observed Plasma Concentration (Cmax) of M5717
Pre-dose, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, 72, 96, 120, 144, 192, 240, 384, 504, 768 and 1032 hours post-dose

Cmax was obtained directly from the concentration versus time curve.

Part C: Time to Reach Maximum Observed Plasma Concentration (Tmax) of M5717
Pre-dose, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, 72, 96, 120, 144, 192, 240, 384, 504, 768 and 1032 hours post-dose

The time to reach the maximum observed plasma concentration (tmax) was obtained directly from the concentration versus time curve.

Part C: Terminal Elimination Rate Constant (Lambda z) of M5717
Pre-dose, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, 72, 96, 120, 144, 192, 240, 384, 504, 768 and 1032 hours post-dose

Lambda z determined from the terminal slope of the log-transformed concentration curve using linear regression on terminal data points of the curve.

Part C: Area Under the Plasma Concentration Time Curve From Time Zero to Infinity (AUC0-inf) of M5717
Pre-dose, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, 72, 96, 120, 144, 192, 240, 384, 504, 768 and 1032 hours post-dose

The AUC from time zero (dosing time) extrapolated to infinity, based on the predicted value for the concentration at tlast, as estimated using the linear regression from the determination of the terminal first order (elimination) rate constant (lambda z). AUC0-inf = AUC0-t plus Clast pred/lambda z. Lambda Z was terminal elimination rate constant determined from the terminal slope of the log-transformed plasma concentration curve using linear regression on terminal data points of the curve. Clastpred was the last predicted quantifiable concentration.

Part C: Area Under the Plasma Concentration Time Curve From Time Zero to the Time of the Last Quantifiable Concentration (AUC0-t) of M5717
Pre-dose, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, 72, 96, 120, 144, 192, 240, 384, 504, 768 and 1032 hours post-dose

The AUC from time zero (= dosing time) to the last sampling time (tlast) at which the concentration is at or above the lower limit of quantification (LLOQ), calculated using the mixed log-linear trapezoidal rule (linear up, log down).

Part C: Area Under the Plasma Concentration-Time Curve From Time Zero to Time 144 Hours After Drug Administration (AUC0-144h) of M5717
Pre-dose, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, 72, 96, 120, and 144 hours post-dose

The area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time zero to 144 hours after dosing was reported. It is calculated using the mixed log-linear trapezoidal rule (linear up, log down).

Part C: Apparent Terminal Half Life (t1/2) of M5717
Pre-dose, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, 72, 96, 120, 144, 192, 240, 384, 504, 768 and 1032 hours post-dose

T1/2 was the time measured for the concentration to decrease by one half. T1/2 was calculated as natural log2 divided by lambda z. Lambda Z was terminal elimination rate constant determined from the terminal slope of the log-transformed plasma concentration curve.

Part C: Apparent Total Clearance (CL/f) of M5717
Pre-dose, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, 72, 96, 120, 144, 192, 240, 384, 504, 768 and 1032 hours post-dose

Apparent total body clearance of drug from plasma following extravascular administration, calculated as dose/AUC0-infinity for M5717, whereas AUC0-infinity is area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time zero (dosing time) extrapolated to infinity of unchanged drug calculated as AUC0-t + AUCextra. AUCextra represents the extrapolated part of AUC0-infinity calculated by Clastpred/lambda z, where Clastpred is the predicted plasma concentration at the last sampling time point, calculated from the log linear regression line for lambda z determination at which the measured plasma concentration is at or above lower limit of quantification.

Part C: Apparent Volume of Distribution During Terminal Phase (VZ/f) of M5717
Pre-dose, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, 72, 96, 120, 144, 192, 240, 384, 504, 768 and 1032 hours post-dose

Volume of distribution was defined as the theoretical volume in which the total amount of drug would need to be uniformly distributed to produce the desired plasma concentration of a drug. Apparent volume of distribution during the terminal phase, calculated as Vz/f = Dose/(AUC0-infinity multiply by Lambda z) following single dose.

Part C: Time Above or Equal to the Predicted M5717 Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of 3 ng/mL (t =>3 ng/mL)
Pre-dose, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, 72, 96, 120, 144, 192, 240, 384, 504, 768 and 1032 hours post-dose

Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), defined as the concentration at which the relative rate of change in parasitemia is equal to zero.

Part C: Time Above or Equal to the Predicted M5717 Minimum Parasiticidal Concentration (MPC) of 10 ng/mL (t =>10 ng/mL)
Pre-dose, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, 72, 96, 120, 144, 192, 240, 384, 504, 768 and 1032 hours post-dose

Minimal parasiticidal concentration represents the lowest drug concentration value above which parasites decline at a maximal rate.

Secondary Endpoints

Cohort A and Cohort B0: Area Under Plasma Concentration-Time Curve From Time Zero Extrapolated to Infinity (AUC0-inf) of M5717 and Pyronaridine
Predose and Post dose on Day 1, Post dose on Day 2, 3, 4, 8, 15, 22, 29 and Day 43
Cohort A and Cohort B0: Area Under Plasma Concentration-Time Curve From Time Zero to 24 Hours (AUC0-24) of M5717 and Pyronaridine
Predose and Post dose on Day 1, Post dose on Day 2, 3, 4, 8, 15, 22, 29 and Day 43
Cohort A and Cohort B0: Area Under Plasma Concentration-Time Curve From Time Zero to the Last Sampling Time (AUC0-tlast) of M5717 and Pyronaridine
Predose and Post dose on Day 1, Post dose on Day 2, 3, 4, 8, 15, 22, 29 and Day 43
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Study Design & Arms

AllocationRANDOMIZED
MaskingNONE
ModelPARALLEL
PurposeTREATMENT

Treatment Arms

ArmTypeDescription
Part A: Safety Run-in Cohort M5717+PyronaridineEXPERIMENTALM5717 and pyronaridine once daily in a single day treatment regimen at low dose of 330 milligrams (mg) and 360 mg respectively.
Part B: Dose escalation cohort; M5717+PyronaridineEXPERIMENTALAfter completion of Part A, if dose will be considered safe and well tolerated, the Internal Data Monitoring Committee (IDMC) will have the option to recommend dose adjustments. M5717 and pyronaridine once daily will be administered in an escalated dose in a single day or 2-day treatment regimen.
Part A: Placebo (Pooled)PLACEBO_COMPARATORParticipants received capsules containing 50 milligram (mg) of placebo matched similar to M5717 on Day 1 after 8 hours fasting-period followed by a 4-hour post-dose.
Part A: Cohort 1 SAD: M5717 50 mgEXPERIMENTALParticipants received single ascending dose (SAD) of 50 mg M5717 on Day 1 after 8 hours fasting-period followed by a 4-hour post-dose fast.
Part A: Cohort 2 SAD: M5717 100 mgEXPERIMENTALParticipants received SAD of 100 mg M5717 on Day 1 after 8 hours fasting-period followed by a 4-hour post-dose fast.
Part A: Cohort 3 SAD: M5717 200 mgEXPERIMENTALParticipants received SAD of 200 mg M5717 on Day 1 after 8 hours fasting-period followed by a 4-hour post-dose fast.
Part A: Cohort 4 SAD: M5717 400 mgEXPERIMENTALParticipants received SAD of 400 mg M5717 on Day 1 after 8 hours fasting-period followed by a 4-hour post-dose fast.
Part A: Cohort 5 SAD: M5717 600 mgEXPERIMENTALParticipants received SAD of 600 mg M5717 on Day 1 after 8 hours fasting-period followed by a 4-hour post-dose fast.
Part A: Cohort 6 SAD: M5717 1000 mgEXPERIMENTALParticipants received SAD of 1000 mg M5717 on Day 1 after 8 hours fasting-period followed by a 4-hour post-dose fast.
Part A: Cohort 7 SAD: M5717 1250 mgEXPERIMENTALParticipants in SAD received an oral dose of 1250 mg M5717 on Day 1 after 8 hours fasting-period followed by a 4-hour post-dose fast.
Part A: Cohort 8 SAD: M5717 1800 mgEXPERIMENTALParticipants in SAD received an oral dose of 1800 mg M5717 on Day 1 after 8 hours fasting-period followed by a 4-hour post-dose fast.
Part A: Cohort 9 SAD: M5717 2100 mgEXPERIMENTALParticipants in SAD received an oral dose of 2100 mg M5717 on Day 1 after 8 hours fasting-period followed by a 4-hour post-dose fast.
Part C: Challenge Cohort 2 M5717 150 mgEXPERIMENTALParticipants received single oral dose of 150 mg M5717 (eight days after the administration of intravenous malaria inoculum) on Day 1 after 8 hours fasting-period followed by a 4-hour post-dose fast.
Part C: Challenge Cohort 1 M5717 400 mgEXPERIMENTALParticipants received single oral dose of 400 mg M5717 (eight days after the administration of intravenous malaria inoculum) on Day 1 after 8 hours fasting-period followed by a 4-hour post-dose fast.
Part C: Challenge Cohort 3 M5717 800 mgEXPERIMENTALParticipants received single oral dose of 800 mg M5717 (eight days after the administration of intravenous malaria inoculum) on Day 1 after 8 hours fasting-period followed by a 4-hour post-dose fast.

Interventions

NameTypeDescription
M5717 330 mgDRUGParticipants will receive orally 330 mg granules of M5717 in combination with pyronaridine dispersed in water under fasting condition.
M5717 500 mgDRUGAdolescent participants with weight less than (\<) 45 kilograms (kg) will receive orally 500 mg granules of M5717 in combination with pyronaridine dispersed in water once daily under fasting condition.
M5717 660 mgDRUGAdult and adolescent participants with weight more than or equal to (\>=) 45 kg will receive orally 660 mg granules of M5717 in combination with pyronaridine dispersed in water once daily under fasting condition.
Pyronaridine 360 mgDRUGParticipants will receive 360 mg of pyronaridine tablets in combination with M5717 under fasting condition.
Pyronaridine 540 mgDRUGParticipants with weight \>=45 to \<65 kg will receive 540 mg of Pyronaridine tablets in combination with M5717 under fasting condition.
Pyronaridine 720 mgDRUGParticipants with weight \>=65 kg will receive 720 mg of Pyronaridine tablets in combination with M5717 under fasting condition.
M5717DRUGParticipants received single ascending oral dose of M5717 after at least 8 hours of fasting together with water on Day 1, followed by a 4-hour post-dose fast
PlaceboDRUGParticipants received placebo matched to M5717
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Eligibility Criteria

Age Range12 Years to 55 Years
SexALL
Healthy VolunteersNo
Study Sites5

Inclusion Criteria: * Participants with microscopic confirmation of acute uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum using Giemsa-stained thick and thin film * P. falciparum parasitemia of 1,000 to 50,000 asexual parasites/microliter of blood in Part A and P. falciparum parasitemia of \>1,000 to \<= 150,0...

Countries:Burkina FasoGabonMozambiqueUgandaAustralia
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Frequently asked questions about M5717

What is M5717 used for?

M5717 is an investigational small molecule being developed for acute malaria and for use in healthy participants. It is being studied in a Phase IIa proof of concept trial for acute uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria, and it has also been evaluated in healthy volunteers in a first-in-human study.

What does M5717 target?

M5717 is a small molecule antimalarial agent. Its specific molecular target has not been disclosed in the available information, so its precise mechanism of action is not detailed here.

Who makes M5717?

M5717 is being developed by Merck KGaA, a German multinational pharmaceutical company. The company's stock is traded over the counter under the ticker MKGAF.

What phase is M5717 in?

M5717 is in Phase 2 clinical development. A Phase IIa proof of concept study, known as CAPTURE 1, has been completed in adults and adolescents with acute uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria. The drug remains investigational and is not yet approved.

What clinical trials is M5717 in?

M5717 has been studied in two completed trials. NCT03261401 was a first-in-human trial of single and multiple ascending doses and a malaria challenge model in healthy participants. NCT05689047, called CAPTURE 1, was a Phase IIa proof of concept study of M5717 combined with pyronaridine in patients with acute malaria.

Is M5717 the same as pyronaridine?

No, M5717 is not the same as pyronaridine. In the CAPTURE 1 trial, M5717 is being studied in combination with pyronaridine, which is a separate antimalarial drug. M5717 is a distinct investigational compound developed by Merck KGaA.