Medical Information Only. Always consult your healthcare provider before enrolling in any clinical trial.

NCT02481245 · ClinicalTrials.gov registry record · Phase 2

BezafibrateTreatment for Bipolar Depression: A Proof of Concept Study

A Phase 2 study of Bipolar Disorder and Depressive Episode, sponsored by Massachusetts General Hospital.

Recruiting
Registry status
Phase 2
Development phase
30
Enrollment target
1
Study location

NCT02481245: Recruiting Phase 2 study of Bipolar Disorder and Depressive Episode, sponsored by Massachusetts General Hospital.

NCT02481245 is a Phase 2 study of Bipolar Disorder and Depressive Episode that is actively recruiting participants, run by Massachusetts General Hospital. The registered enrollment target is 30 participants, below the 333-participant average among 162 other Bipolar Disorder trials with a reported enrollment target (91% lower). The trial reports 1 study location across 1 state. According to ClinicalTrials.gov, the official US trial registry.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

View your shortlist →

The verdict

NCT02481245, a Phase 2 study of Bipolar Disorder and Depressive Episode, is actively recruiting participants, sponsored by Massachusetts General Hospital.

RECRUITING
Registry status
Phase 2
Development phase
30 participants
Enrollment target
1
Study location

Study Summary

We propose to test the hypothesis that bezafibrate, a pan-PPAR agonist, may be effective and safe for bipolar depression with the following specific aims: Aim #1. Proof-of-Concept Safety and Tolerability Aim: To assess the safety and tolerability of bezafibrate added to anti-manic medication for bipolar depression, especially with regard to worsening manic symptoms and suicidal ideation. We will conduct a phase IIa, 8-week, open pilot trial of bezafibrate added to FDA-approved anti-manic medication in 30 participants with bipolar depression. We will monitor changes in manic symptoms (Young Mania Rating Scale), suicidal ideation, cognitive functioning specifically in attention and verbal memory, and treatment emergent adverse events (SAFTEE). We will also monitor changes in the Framingham Cardiovascular Risk Score. Aim #2. Preliminary Assessment of Efficacy: To assess the antidepressant efficacy of bezafibrate added to anti-manic medication for acute bipolar I major depressive episodes. Hypothesis: The bezafibrate group will have a statistically significant decrease in the Montgomery Asberg Rating Scale (MADRS) Scores over 8 weeks. The results of this proof-of concept phase IIa study will help us to plan a placebo-controlled randomized trial. In summary, we propose an 8-week, proof-of-concept open pilot trial of an adjunctive pan-PPAR agonist, bezafibrate, for 30 patients with an acute bipolar I major depressive episode. The study may have a profound impact on the development of a novel treatment consistent with the mitochondrial dysregulation hypothesis of bipolar disorder and, to the best of our knowledge, will be the first proof-of-concept trial to assess a pan-PPAR agonist for bipolar disorder.

Primary Outcome

The primary efficacy measure will be the change in MADRS score.

Interventions

  • DRUG Bezafibrate

Study Locations (1)

Massachusetts

  • The Dauten Family Center for Bipolar Treatment Innovation at Massachusetts General Hospital - Boston

Trial Details

FieldValue
Enrollment Target 30 participants
Start Date 2018-01-11
Est. Completion 2026-02-28
Phase Phase 2
Massachusetts General Hospital

2,032 total trials

What NCT02481245 shows while recruiting

NCT02481245 is an interventional study that assigns participants to a tested intervention. The registry caps enrollment at 30 participants, a relatively small participant target, below the 333-participant average among 162 other Bipolar Disorder trials with a reported enrollment target (91% lower).

The record links to 2 conditions, with Bipolar Disorder appearing as the primary indexed condition, and to 1 intervention - of which Bezafibrate is the first listed.

NCT02481245 reports a single indexed study location in Massachusetts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is clinical trial NCT02481245 about?

NCT02481245 is a clinical study titled "BezafibrateTreatment for Bipolar Depression: A Proof of Concept Study". We propose to test the hypothesis that bezafibrate, a pan-PPAR agonist, may be effective and safe for bipolar depression with the following specific aims: Aim #1. Proof-of-Concept Safety and Tolerability Aim: To assess the safety and tolerability of bezafibrate added to anti-manic medication for bi...

What is the current status of trial NCT02481245?

This trial is currently recruiting. It is a Phase 2 study. The enrollment target is 30 participants. The study started on 2018-01-11. Estimated completion is 2026-02-28.

What conditions does trial NCT02481245 study?

This clinical trial studies the following conditions: Bipolar Disorder, Depressive Episode.

What interventions are being tested in trial NCT02481245?

The interventions under investigation include: Bezafibrate (DRUG).

Who is sponsoring clinical trial NCT02481245?

This trial is sponsored by Massachusetts General Hospital, which has 2,032 total clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov.

Where is trial NCT02481245 being conducted?

This trial has 1 study location across Massachusetts. Contact the study sites directly through ClinicalTrials.gov for enrollment availability.

Similar trials for Bipolar Disorder

Matched on the same primary condition, ranked to surface studies in the same phase first, then by recruiting status, no relevance scoring or editorial curation.

Where NCT02481245's enrollment target sits among peer trials

30 136th of 162 higher than 18 of 162 other Bipolar Disorder trials

participants (enrollment target), bucketed by value

Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more other Bipolar Disorder trials. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count and share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source ClinicalTrials.gov registry export · 2026-08-08

Nationwide trials with similar profiles

Cross-condition peers matched on enrollment target and registry start date, not the same-condition list above.

Similar enrollment target

  • NCT00977977 · 30 participants · Phase 2

    Rituximab Plus Cyclosporine in Idiopathic Membranous Nephropathy

  • NCT01459107 · 30 participants · Phase 2

    Human Upper Extremity Allotransplantation

  • NCT01666080 · 30 participants · NA

    Second or Greater Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Using Reduced Intensity Conditioning (RIC)

  • NCT01720836 · 30 participants · Phase 1

    Study of the Immune Response of MUC1 (Mucin1) Peptide Vaccine for Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Similar registry start date

  • NCT05962346 · started 2026-12 · NA

    Fetal Endoscopic Tracheal Occlusion for Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia

  • NCT07125183 · started 2026-12 · Phase 2

    Study on Efficacy and Tolerability of Weekly Doxorubicin in Elderly Patients With Advanced or Metastatic Leiomyosarcoma

  • NCT07292298 · started 2026-11 · Phase 2

    Phase 2 Single-Arm Rectal Cancer Brachytherapy for Patients With Low-Lying Residual Adenocarcinoma After Total Neoadjuvant Therapy to Improve Organ Preservation Rates

  • NCT04263285 · started 2026-10 · NA

    Treatment of Depression Post-SCI

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02481245, the US trial registry maintained by the National Library of Medicine. NCT02481245 (small enrollment · single site footprint · recruiting) retrieved and formatted by PlainTrial, see methodology.