Pan African Clinical Trials Registry

South African Medical Research Council, South African Cochrane Centre
PO Box 19070, Tygerberg, 7505, South Africa
Telephone: +27 21 938 0835 or +27 21 938 0967
Email: pactradmin@mrc.ac.za Website: pactr.samrc.ac.za
Trial no.: PACTR202607871198123 Date of Registration: 31/07/2026
Trial Status: Registered in accordance with WHO and ICMJE standards
TRIAL DESCRIPTION
Public title Elowen-2 : A Study of Enpatoran in Cutaneous Manifestations of Lupus With or Without Systemic Disease
Official scientific title Elowen-2: A Phase 3, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Parallel Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Enpatoran in Participants with Active Cutaneous Manifestations of Lupus Erythematosus With or Without Systemic Disease Receiving Standard of Care
Brief summary describing the background and objectives of the trial The purpose of this global, multicenter, Phase 3 study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of orally administered enpatoran over 24 weeks in participants with active cutaneous manifestations of lupus erythematosus with or without systemic disease receiving standard of care (SoC) in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel setting. M5049 (international nonproprietary name: enpatoran, hereafter used interchangeably in the protocol) is a small molecule, dual toll-like receptor (TLR)7 and TLR8 antagonist shown to specifically inhibit the activation of TLR7/TLR8 by various ligands such as GU-rich single-stranded RNA sequences. Ligand activation of TLR7 and TLR8 stimulates antibody production, secretion of interferons (IFNs) and other cytokines, cellular maturation, and activation of other protective host mechanisms. Aberrant activation of TLR7 and TLR8 can result in an overreactive immune system and may act as a pathological mechanism driving progression of certain autoimmune diseases. The in vitro and in vivo properties of enpatoran suggest that this molecule may inhibit the pathological activity of RNA-containing immune complexes, potentially resulting in reduced disease activity and glucocorticoid requirements in lupus erythematosus patients. Objective: To demonstrate the efficacy of enpatoran in reducing cutaneous disease activity by achieving at least 70% reduction from Baseline in CLASI-A total score (CLASI-70) at Week 24
Type of trial CCT
Acronym (If the trial has an acronym then please provide) Elowen2
Disease(s) or condition(s) being studied Active Cutaneous Manifestations of Lupus Erythematosus With or Without Systemic Disease
Sub-Disease(s) or condition(s) being studied
Purpose of the trial Treatment: Drugs
Anticipated trial start date 01/05/2026
Actual trial start date
Anticipated date of last follow up 30/12/2027
Actual Last follow-up date
Anticipated target sample size (number of participants) 202
Actual target sample size (number of participants)
Recruitment status Not yet recruiting
Publication URL
Secondary Ids Issuing authority/Trial register
DOH-27-072026-5636 SANCTR
MS504908_0008 SANCTR
STUDY DESIGN
Intervention assignment Allocation to intervention If randomised, describe how the allocation sequence was generated Describe how the allocation sequence/code was concealed from the person allocating the participants to the intervention arms Masking If masking / blinding was used
Parallel: different groups receive different interventions at same time during study Randomised Simple randomization using a randomization table created by a computer software program Central randomisation by phone/fax Masking/blinding used Care giver/Provider,Participants
INTERVENTIONS
Intervention type Intervention name Dose Duration Intervention description Group size Nature of control
Experimental Group Enpatoran or Placebo Enpantoram 50mg bd / or Placebo bd Oral tablet Packed in Alu Blisters and both active and Placebo looks the same Participants will be taking tablets for 24 weeks at bd dose Each participant randomized on the active treatment arm will receive a single oral dose of a 50 mg Enpatoran tablet twice daily. Each participant randomized on the placebo treatment arm will receive a single oral dose of a placebo matching 50 mg Enpatoran tablet twice daily. 202101
Control Group Placebo Each participant randomized on the placebo treatment arm will receive a single oral dose of a placebo matching 50 mg Enpatoran tablet twice daily. Same as main study Each participant randomized on the placebo treatment arm will receive a single oral dose of a placebo matching 50 mg Enpatoran tablet twice daily. 202 Placebo
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
List inclusion criteria List exclusion criteria Age Category Minimum age Maximum age Gender
≥ 18 to ≤ 75 years of age at the time of signing the informed consent. Are up to date according to local guidelines/recommendations. Recombinant zoster vaccination is encouraged but not mandatory. Cutaneous manifestation criteria: • Diagnosis of DLE and/or SCLE documented in medical history, with or without SLE. • Active ACLE as sole cutaneous manifestations is allowed in the presence of SLE (meeting criterion 4) and should be present for at least 6 weeks prior to the Screening visit. • Other skin manifestations will be allowed (e.g. lupus tumidus, lupus profundus, Chilblain lupus, etc.) on a case-by-case basis if the main diagnosis is active DLE, SCLE, and/or ACLE, as described above. Confirmation of diagnosis must include 1 of the following options: a. Pathology report from punch or shave biopsy within 10 years prior to Screening visit and confirmation of current diagnosis by mandatory skin photography at Screening visit. OR b. Fresh punch skin biopsy and confirmation of current diagnosis by mandatory skin photography, both performed at/during Screening. OR c. On a case-by-case basis (e.g. the target lesion is unsuitable for biopsy), mandatory skin photography may be used for diagnosis in lieu of a skin biopsy, if feasible, after discussion with the medical monitor. The Sponsor/SET may provide expert opinion for disease diagnosis based on the required photographs submitted at Screening. For participants with SLE: a. Diagnosis of SLE and fulfill EULAR/ACR 2019 classification criteria (Aringer 2019). b. Positive ANA (IFA titer ≥ 1:80) and/or dsDNA and/or a-Sm autoantibody at Screening. Note: All participants, regardless of initial diagnosis, will be reviewed at Screening for meeting SLE classification criteria. BILAG will be performed in all SLE participants at Screening to confirm level of disease activity. Disease duration (both cutaneous disease and SLE, where applicable) of ≥ 6 months from time of diagnosis to Screening. CLASI-A ≥ 8 at Screening and Day 1 Visits Primary diagnosis of autoimmune rheumatic disease (e.g. systemic sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis) other than CLE and SLE. Note: Secondary Sjögren’s syndrome is not exclusionary. Any condition including dermatological diseases other than cutaneous manifestations of lupus (e.g. psoriasis), any uncontrolled disease (e.g. asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, interstitial lung disease, bronchiectasis, pulmonary arterial hypertension), or life-threatening manifestations of lupus (e.g. active systemic vasculitis) that in Investigator’s or Sponsor/designee’s opinion constitutes inappropriate risk or contraindication for participation. Drug-induced lupus (SLE or CLE). Active lupus nephritis on induction therapy, or induction therapy completed within 3 months of Screening visit (stable maintenance therapy with either mycophenolate, azathioprine or an oral calcineurin inhibitor is allowed). UPCR > 339 mg/mmol, and/or eGFR < 40 mL/min/1.73 m2 as calculated by the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation by the central laboratory: eGFR = 175 × (serum creatinine in mg/dL)–1.154 × (age in years) – 0.203 × 0.742 (if female) × 1.212 (if race is black) Any active signs, symptoms or diagnoses considered related to CNS lupus within the past 3 months or any history of uncontrolled seizures. Any other history of epilepsy or other neurological disorder with seizure propensity which requires ongoing pharmacological treatment, or neuropsychiatric conditions that may interfere with study evaluations. Significant thrombotic (e.g. catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome, pulmonary embolism) or cardiovascular events (e.g. acute myocardial infarction, unstable angina, or peripheral vascular disease symptoms, hospitalization for congestive heart failure, uncontrolled, or New York Heart Association Class 3 or 4 congestive heart failure, cardiac surgery, ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, or transient ischemic attack), ≤ 6 months before Screening Visit. Any clinically significant ECG abnormality (e.g. acute myocardial infarction, WPW, etc.) that in the Investigator’s or Sponsor/designee’s opinion constitutes inappropriate risk or contraindication for study participation. Suicide risk in the last 6 months (including suicidal ideation and/or suicidal behavior on the C-SSRS during Screening or Day 1). History of or planned solid organ transplant. Ongoing or active clinically significant viral (including SARS CoV 2), parasitic, bacterial (including active or untreated latent TB, see Exclusion Criterion 14) or fungal infection: • Requiring hospitalization or, • Treatment with parenteral anti-infectives ≤ 4 weeks prior to or during Screening Period, or • Completion of oral anti-infectives ≤ 2 weeks prior to Day 1 Visit. • Investigators should follow their local guidelines for SARS CoV 2 testing during the Screening period (e.g. testing regardless of symptoms, or potential exposure may be required before entering a research study, symptomatic, or exposure-based testing at Screening only, etc.). • Vaginal candidiasis, onychomycosis, and genital, or oral herpes simplex virus considered to be sufficiently controlled will not be exclusionary. Any of the following: a. A positive HIV test. b. Positive HCV Ab and detectable HCV RNA NAAT performed reflexively at Screening, or history of treated HCV with detectable HCV RNA NAAT performed reflexively at Screening. c. Positive HBV surface antigen, or positive HBV core Ab with negative HBV surface Ab and reflexive detectable HBV DNA NAAT at Screening, or no history of HBV vaccination with positive HBV surface and/or core Abs and reflexive detectable HBV DNA NAAT at Screening. See Appendix 10 for country-specific requirements. Any of the following: a. Active TB. Note: Participants with a history of active or latent TB who have documented evidence of appropriate treatment, no history of re-exposure and no current evidence on imaging of active TB since their treatment was completed would not be required to undergo the protocol-specific TB testing for purified protein derivative, QuantiFERON test, or T SPOT test. Recent chest imaging (chest X-ray, CT, MRI) within 3 months from Screening visit is acceptable as long as there are no clinical changes that could be attributed to active TB since completion of this test. b. Untreated LTBI. c. Undergoing current treatment for LTBI. d. Participants with current household contacts with active TB. In the absence of an active TB diagnosis, or clinical features consistent with an active TB diagnosis, LTBI is determined by any of the following: • Prior TB skin test with purified protein derivative with induration ≥ 5 mm (unless vaccinated with Bacille Calmette-Guérin). • Prior positive T-SPOT.TB (Elispot) result. • Positive QuantiFERON test, either at Screening, or with documented past results. Note: All participants, except those who have previously completed appropriate and documented LTBI treatment, must undergo QuantiFERON testing during Screening. Participants with indeterminate or positive QuantiFERON results that may represent a false-positive result by the Investigator with no clinical features consistent with active TB will be evaluated with either a repeat QuantiFERON test (local or central laboratory test) or a T SPOT. TB (local laboratory test) at the request of the Investigator. • If the subsequent QuantiFERON or T SPOT.TB result is negative, the participant may be enrolled after approval by the SET. • If the repeat result is indeterminate and a subsequent chest X-ray is negative, the participant may be allowed into the study on a case-by-case basis after consultation with Sponsor. History of malignancy (e.g. hematologic, skin, solid tumor) ≤ 10 years prior to Screening Visit, except adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell carcinomas of the skin (≤ 3 lesions requiring treatment in lifetime) or adequately treated carcinoma in situ/cervical intraepithelial neoplasia of the uterine cervix. Any major surgery such as abdominal, thoracic, or joint replacement surgeries ≤ 6 weeks prior to Screening Visit or planned major surgery during the study (including Follow up) or planned within the next 12 months. History of alcohol or drug abuse ≤ 1 year prior to Screening Visit as per Investigator opinion. History of splenectomy or functional asplenia. Any condition that could interfere with study objectives, conduct, or evaluation in the opinion of the Investigator or Sponsor/designee. Known hypersensitivity to any study intervention, component, or placebo. The use, initiation, or dose change in the following therapies ≤ 2 weeks prior to or during Screening: a. Use of CS exceeding 30 mg daily prednisone equivalent for SLE and CLE, including but not limited to oral, topical CSs Class I, and augmented betamethasone dipropionate 0.05% gel or ointment, intramuscular, or other injectable CS. b. Use of topical calcineurin inhibitors more than 1 time per day. c. Initiation or dose change of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blocker, or NSAIDs, or use of NSAIDs above maximum prescribed dose per local label. d. Initiation or dose change of NSAIDs or use of NSAIDs above maximum prescribed dose per local label. The initiation, use, or change in the following therapies ≤ 4 weeks prior to or during Screening: a. Use of thalidomide or lenalidomide. b. Use of intralesional therapies. c. Use of tripterygium and total glucosides of paeony. The initiation, use of a dose exceeding the maximum specified dose or change in the following therapies < 8 weeks prior to Screening: antimalarials, methotrexate, azathioprine, 6 mercaptopurine, sulfasalazine, MMF or mycophenolic acid, leflunomide, oral tacrolimus, cyclosporin A, voclosporin, oral dapsone, or oral retinoids. Vaccination as specified below: a. Vaccination with live or live attenuated virus vaccine: ≤ 4 weeks prior to Screening. b. Vaccination with a subunit, recombinant or inactivated vaccine (e.g. influenza virus, S. pneumoniae): ≤ 2 weeks prior to Screening and Baseline. The use of the following therapies within the time frame specified below: a. Belimumab ≤ 14 weeks prior to Screening b. Anifrolumab: ≤ 16 weeks prior to Screening c. Cyclophosphamide: ≤ 12 weeks prior to Screening. Treatment with investigational agents or off-label drugs for SLE or CLE within the last 12 weeks or 5 half-lives, whichever is longer, or as specified below, prior to Screening Visit: a. Use of alkylating agents other than cyclophosphamide (e.g. chlorambucil): ≤ 24 weeks prior to Screening. b. B cell depleting/ modulating therapy such as anti-CD20 agents (e.g. Rituximab), dual or other anti-B Lymphocyte Stimulator/proliferation inducing ligand neutralizing therapies: ≤ 24 weeks prior to Screening. c. mAb binding blood DC antigen 2 (BDCA2, e.g. litifilimab): ≤ 24 weeks prior to Screening. d. IL-12/IL-23 pathway inhibitors (e.g. ustekinumab): ≤ 24 weeks prior to Screening. e. Anti-IL-6 receptor (tocilizumab, sarilumab) or anti IL 6 (siltuximab): ≤ 12 weeks prior to Screening. f. Anti-CD40 ligands (e.g. dapirolizumab pegol) ≤ 24 weeks prior to Screening. g. Intravenous immunoglobulin: ≤ 12 weeks prior to Screening. h. JAK/STAT or TYK2 pathway inhibitors (e.g. tofacitinib, upadacitinib, baricitinib, deucravacitinib, respectively): ≤ 4 weeks prior to Screening. i. Participants who have enrolled in any previous TLR7/8 inhibitor studies (e.g. enpatoran) may not enter the study regardless of timing. History of treatment with cell-based (e.g. CAR-T cells) or T-cell engager therapies. Clinically significant or predefined abnormalities in laboratory tests at Screening Visit: • AST or ALT > 3.0 × ULN • Alkaline phosphatase > 2.0 × ULN • Total bilirubin > 1.5 × ULN • Hemoglobin < 5.0 mmol/L (9 g/dL), white blood cells < 2.5 × 109/L, absolute neutrophil count < 1,500/mm3, or platelets < 75 × 109/L, unless any of these are attributable to active SLE • Or TSH < 0.01 mIU/L or ≥ 7.1 mIU/L per central laboratory results Legal incapacity or limited legal capacity. Adult: 18 Year(s)-44 Year(s) 18 Year(s) 75 Year(s) Both
ETHICS APPROVAL
Has the study received appropriate ethics committee approval Date the study will be submitted for approval Date of approval Name of the ethics committee
Yes 17/07/2026 SAHPRA
Ethics Committee Address
Street address City Postal code Country
CSIR Reception Building 38a Meiring Naudé Road Brummeria Pretoria Pretoria 0003 South Africa
Has the study received appropriate ethics committee approval Date the study will be submitted for approval Date of approval Name of the ethics committee
Yes 30/06/2026 Pharma Ethics
Ethics Committee Address
Street address City Postal code Country
123 Amkor street Lyttelton Manor Pretoria 0157 South Africa
OUTCOMES
Type of outcome Outcome Timepoint(s) at which outcome measured
Primary Outcome To demonstrate the efficacy of enpatoran in reducing cutaneous disease activity by achieving at least 70% reduction from Baseline in CLASI-A total score (CLASI 70) at Week 24 CLASI-70 response at Week 24
Secondary Outcome To demonstrate the efficacy of enpatoran in reducing overall disease activity by achieving BICLA response at Week 24 BICLA response at Week 24
Secondary Outcome To evaluate safety and tolerability of enpatoran From Day 1 to Week 24:
Secondary Outcome To demonstrate the fast onset of action of enpatoran in reducing cutaneous disease by achieving at least 50% reduction from Baseline in CLASI-A total score (CLASI 50) at Week 4 CLASI-50 response at Week 4
Secondary Outcome To demonstrate the efficacy of enpatoran in the achievement of low cutaneous disease activity/remission at Week 24 CLASI-A at Week 24
Secondary Outcome To evaluate the efficacy of enpatoran on reduction of cutaneous disease activity CLASI at Week 24
Secondary Outcome To demonstrate the efficacy of enpatoran in reducing systemic disease activity and CS use Week 12 visit and sustained through Week 24
Secondary Outcome To evaluate the effect of enpatoran on itch Baseline to Week 24
RECRUITMENT CENTRES
Name of recruitment centre Street address City Postal code Country
Dr A Naidoo Netcare Umhlanga Medical Cente Suite 509 Netcare Umhlanga Medical Center, 322 Umhlanga Rocks Drive, Umhlanga Rocks, 4319, KZN, Umhlanga Rocks 4319 South Africa
Prof N Dlova UKZN Cklinical Trials Unit 719 Umbilo road , 3rd Floor , Room 382 University of KwaZulu-Natal, Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine , Main Building, Durban, 4001 Durban 4001 South Africa
FUNDING SOURCES
Name of source Street address City Postal code Country
Merck Healthcare KGaA an affiliate of Merck KGaA Frankfurter Strasse 250 64293 Darmstadt, Germany Darmstadt 64293 Germany
SPONSORS
Sponsor level Name Street address City Postal code Country Nature of sponsor
Primary Sponsor Merck Healthcare KGaA Frankfurter Strasse 250 64293 Darmstadt 64293 Germany Commercial Sector/Industry
COLLABORATORS
Name Street address City Postal code Country
CONTACT PEOPLE
Role Name Email Phone Street address
Principal Investigator Johannes Mattheus Engelbrecht engelbrecht@samedical.co.za 27218407016 Mediclinic Vergelegen, Block 1, Suite 206, Main Road, Somerset West
City Postal code Country Position/Affiliation
Somerset West 7130 South Africa Investigator
Role Name Email Phone Street address
Public Enquiries Deidre Marais deidre.marais@iqvia.com +27833508808 1021 Lenchen Avenue North
City Postal code Country Position/Affiliation
Pretoria 0157 South Africa Start up Specialist
Role Name Email Phone Street address
Scientific Enquiries Anna Robinson anna.robinson@iqvia.com +447876845903 The Point, 37 North Wharf Road, London, W2 1AF
City Postal code Country Position/Affiliation
London W21AF United Kingdom Compound Lead
REPORTING
Share IPD Description Additional Document Types Sharing Time Frame Key Access Criteria
Yes The placebo film-coated tablets for oral administration are matching in size and color the enpatoran 50 mg film-coated tablets. The placebo film-coated tablets are yellowish to yellow, round, biconvex tablets with band and embossing “M” on one side and “50” on the other side, with a diameter of approx. 7.7 mm and a height of approx. 4.3 mm. Informed Consent Form,Study Protocol IPD will be shared within 24 months after the end of the trial Under data protection law “Protection of Personal Information Act” (2013), your study site and the sponsor will be jointly responsible as ‘controllers’ to ensure that your information is safeguarded. Your data might be transferred to a country that may not have the same level or personal data protection as South Africa. If your data is transferred outside South Africa the sponsor is responsible for protecting your data. Your general medical file and other personal information that directly identifies you can be reviewed by or on behalf of the Sponsor (for example, by study monitors and auditors) at the study site or remotely in order to verify the information in the study file or to monitor the progress of the study and to check it is being done correctly. They will keep the information confidential. For the same purposes, the National Health Research Ethics Council (NHREC) and Pharma Ethics Research Ethics Committee that review ethical aspects of this study and regulatory authorities like the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) may also check the information at the study site or they may receive and review data and information relating to this study remotely. Medable® will keep your personal information private and use it only for this study. Only authorized study staff will have access to your details for study-related purposes. Your coded personal information, images and samples will be also made available by the Sponsor to its affiliated companies, service providers, collaboration partners, laboratories, study monitors, auditors, other investigators participating in the research study, independent ethics committee and institutional review boards. Also, the Sponsor may share your coded personal information, but not your samples, with government or regulatory health authorities, health insurers, health technologies assessment and pricing authorities, or similar authorities in your country and in other countries. This may be done to comply with obligations in the context of Good Clinical Practice inspections, to report side effects, to report the results of the research study, to obtain approval and reimbursement for the study medication and/or diagnostic tests, or due to mandatory serious breach notification and other reporting obligations relevant for patient safety. For the purposes described in this form, your coded personal information, images and samples can be stored and used by or on behalf of the Sponsor outside your country, where personal data protection laws may be less strict. The Sponsor will take the required measures to adequately protect your samples, images and personal information by storing samples in a secure storage space and using legally approved data transfer safeguards or mechanisms such as contractual clauses and binding corporate rules.
URL Results Available Results Summary Result Posting Date First Journal Publication Date
No
Result Upload 1: Result Upload 2: Result Upload 3: Result Upload 4: Result Upload 5:
Result URL Hyperlinks Link To Protocol
Result URL Hyperlinks
Changes to trial information