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MK-6240, ~185 MBq

Phase 1

Alzheimer's Disease | Small molecule | Neurology |Merck & Company, Inc.|Last Updated: Sep 18, 2018

Target and mechanism

ModalitySmall molecule

Also known as [18F]MK-6240, ~185 MBq

Success Probability

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Market & Valuation

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Trial Design

CONTROLLED
Total Trials1
Total Enrollment13

FDA Designations

No designations recorded

Clinical trial landscape

MK-6240, ~185 MBq · 1 trial · 2 indications

Phase 1 1
NCT02562989[18F]MK-6240 Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Tracer First-in-Human Validation Study (MK-6240-001)Alzheimer's Disease
COMPLETED13 Analytics
PHASE1COMPLETED
[18F]MK-6240 Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Tracer First-in-Human Validation Study (MK-6240-001)
Alzheimer's DiseaseUnlock trial analytics

Study Endpoints

Primary Endpoints

Number of Participants With Adverse Events (AEs)
Part 1: Up to 5 weeks; Part 2: up to 16 weeks

The number of participants experiencing an adverse event (AE) was monitored. An AE is any unfavorable and unintended medical occurrence, symptom, or disease witnessed in a participant, regardless of whether or not a causal relationship with the study treatment can be demonstrated. Further, any worsening of a preexisting condition that is temporally associated with the use of the study treatment is also considered an AE.

Number of Participants Who Discontinued Study Due to an AE
Part 1: Up to 5 weeks; Part 2: up to 16 weeks

The number of participants discontinuing study due to an AE was monitored.

Effective Dose of [18F]MK-6240
Up to approximately 5 hours following [18F]MK-6240 administration

Mean effective dose (ED) of \[18F\]MK-6240 was calculated from whole-body (WB) PET scans of healthy young participants included in Part 1 of study. ED, reported as microsieverts (µSv) / megabecquerel (MBq), is a measure of WB radiation exposure risk that accounts for differences in individual organ exposure and organ susceptibility to ionizing radiation. Following \[18F\]MK-6240 PET tracer administration, organ-specific time-activity curves (TACs) and radioactivity residence times were utilized to calculate exposure risk for individual organs. These values calculated for individual organs were then entered into a human biodistribution model to determine ED of \[18F\]MK-6240.

Organ Effective Dose of [18F]MK-6240
Up to approximately 5 hours following [18F]MK-6240 administration

Mean organ ED of \[18F\]MK-6240 was calculated from WB PET scans of healthy young participants included in Part 1 of study. Organ ED, reported as micrograys (µGy) / MBq, is a measure of organ-specific radiation exposure risk. Following \[18F\]MK-6240 PET tracer administration, organ-specific TACs and radioactivity residence times were utilized to calculate organ ED for specific organs of the body.

Standardized Uptake Value Ratio (SUVR) of [18F]MK-6240 in Brain Regions of Interest
From 60 to 90 minutes following [18F]MK-6240 administration

As a surrogate of regional \[18F\[MK-6240 tracer distribution volume (VT), mean standardized uptake value ratios (SUVRs), were calculated for specific brain regions of interest (ROIs) in healthy elderly as well as AD/MCI elderly participants in Part 2 of the study. Calculated using calibrated PET scan images from each participant, SUVR is the relative ratio of pixel intensities at a specific brain ROI compared to a reference region (RR; cerebellar cortex, for this study). For an individual participant, the average SUVR for each brain ROI is calculated starting at 60 minutes and ending at 90 minutes following \[18F\]MK-6240 administration to quantify tracer retention; referred to as "SUVR (60-90min)." An SUVR (60-90 min) \< 1 indicates decreased tracer retention at brain ROI relative to RR. An SUVR (60-90 min) = 1 indicates no difference in tracer retention at brain ROI relative to RR. An SUVR (60-90 min) \> 1 indicates increased tracer retention at brain ROI relative to RR.

Intra-subject Test-Retest (T-RT) Variability of Standardized Uptake Value Ratio (SUVR) in Brain Regions of Interest
Up to 16 weeks following initial dose of [18F]MK-6240

For each AD/MCI participant receiving 2 doses of MK-6240, the SUVR (60-90 min) during initial dose (SUVR\_1) was compared to the SUVR (60-90 min) during the second dose (SUVR\_2) to determine the percent test-retest (T-RT) variability of the SUVR (60-90 min) for each brain ROI. T-RT variability = (absolute value (SUVR\_1 - SUVR\_2) / average SUVR) \* 100. If T-RT variability = 0, indicates no variability between SUVR\_1 and SUVR\_2.

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Study Design & Arms

AllocationNON_RANDOMIZED
MaskingNONE
ModelPARALLEL
PurposeDIAGNOSTIC

Treatment Arms

ArmTypeDescription
Part 1, Healthy Young ParticipantsEXPERIMENTALHealthy young participants received a single intravenous (IV) dose of \~185 megabecquerel (MBq) \[18F\]MK-6240 in Part 1 of the study
Part 2, Healthy Elderly ParticipantsEXPERIMENTALHealthy elderly participants received a single IV dose of \~160 MBq \[18F\]MK-6240, in Part 2 of the study
Part 2, AD and Amnestic MCI Elderly ParticipantsEXPERIMENTALAD and amnestic MCI participants received up to two IV doses of \~160 MBq \[18F\]MK-6240 in Part 2 of the study

Interventions

NameTypeDescription
[18F]MK-6240, ~185 MBqDRUGIV dose of \~185 MBq \[18F\]MK-6240
[18F]MK-6240, ~160 MBqDRUGIV dose of \~160 MBq \[18F\]MK-6240
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Eligibility Criteria

Age Range18 Years to 85 Years
SexALL
Healthy VolunteersYes

Inclusion Criteria: Part 1 and Part 2: * Male, or non-pregnant and non-breast feeding female; in addition: * Male participant who is sexually active with females of childbearing potential must be willing to use a condom from the first dose of study drug until 3 months post the last dose of stud...

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Frequently asked questions about MK-6240, ~185 MBq

What is MK-6240, ~185 MBq?

MK-6240, ~185 MBq is an investigational positron emission tomography (PET) imaging agent being studied in Alzheimer's disease. The ~185 MBq notation refers to the radioactive dose activity used for imaging. It is a small molecule developed by Merck & Company, Inc. (MRK) and has been evaluated in a Phase 1 first-in-human validation study.

What is MK-6240, ~185 MBq used for in Alzheimer's disease?

MK-6240, ~185 MBq is used as a PET tracer for imaging in Alzheimer's disease research. Its Phase 1 study enrolled participants with Alzheimer's disease and amnestic mild cognitive impairment, as well as healthy volunteers, to validate the tracer. It is an investigational imaging agent, not an approved therapy for treating Alzheimer's disease.

Who makes MK-6240, ~185 MBq?

MK-6240, ~185 MBq is developed by Merck & Company, Inc., which trades under the ticker MRK. Merck sponsored the Phase 1 first-in-human validation study of the tracer. The compound is part of Merck's neurology research efforts in Alzheimer's disease imaging.

What phase is MK-6240, ~185 MBq in?

MK-6240, ~185 MBq is in Phase 1 development. Its single clinical trial, a first-in-human validation study, has been completed. The tracer is investigational and has not been approved by the FDA. The completed Phase 1 study enrolled 13 participants and was conducted in Alzheimer's disease and amnestic mild cognitive impairment.

What clinical trials is MK-6240, ~185 MBq in?

MK-6240, ~185 MBq has been studied in one clinical trial, NCT02562989, titled "[18F]MK-6240 Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Tracer First-in-Human Validation Study (MK-6240-001)." This Phase 1 trial is completed and enrolled 13 participants, including healthy volunteers, with conditions listed as Alzheimer's disease and amnestic mild cognitive impairment.

Is MK-6240, ~185 MBq the same as [18F]MK-6240, ~185 MBq?

Yes, MK-6240, ~185 MBq is also known as [18F]MK-6240, ~185 MBq. The [18F] prefix denotes the fluorine-18 radiolabel used in the PET tracer, and ~185 MBq indicates the radioactive dose activity. Both names refer to the same investigational imaging agent developed by Merck & Company, Inc. (MRK).