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Updated May 2026 · ClinicalTrials.gov

RECRUITINGPhase 2INTERVENTIONAL

A Study to Assess the Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacology of Darifenacin in Patients With ALS

A Randomized, Double-blind, Single Center, Phase 2 Study to Assess the Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics, and Pharmacodynamics of 15 mg of Darifenacin Daily in Patients With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

A Study to Assess the Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacology of Darifenacin in Patients With ALS (NCT06249867) is a Phase 2 interventional studying Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, sponsored by Oliver Blanchard. RECRUITING as of the most recent ClinicalTrials.gov update. Talk to your doctor before contacting the trial site.

Important: This information is not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.

About This Trial

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurological disorder characterized by selective death of upper and lower motor neurons, which leads to severe disability and fatal outcomes. One of the major hallmarks of ALS is the denervation of neuromuscular junctions (NMJs), which is one of the earliest events seen in ALS patients and mouse models of ALS. Under healthy conditions, glial cells called Perisynaptic Schwann Cells (PSCs) have a key role in regulating the stability and maintenance of NMJs, but they only participate in NMJ repair once denervation occurs. Denervation and the subsequent decline in synaptic activity triggers a loss of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) in the PSC, and the resulting decrease in mAChR-mediated gene expression drives the "repair mode" of the PSC. In assessing the NMJ under conditions of ALS, a scarcity of process extensions in PSCs was observed for months prior to disease onset in the superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) mouse model of ALS, indicating inadequate glial repair. Collectively, these preclinical findings support the hypothesis that dampening glial mAChRs will restore the anticipated "repair" response of PSCs in the NMJ. Hence, the use of a selective M3 muscarinic receptor antagonist, Darifenacin, as a disease-modifying therapeutic in familial and sporadic ALS could improve NMJ function, resulting in a beneficial impact on the autonomy and quality of life of ALS patients. The purpose of the current Phase 2 trial is therefore to test the safety, tolerability, and pharmacology of Darifenacin in patients with ALS. Specifically, 30 eligible subjects between 18 and 85 years of age will take 7.5 mg of darifenacin or placebo daily (by mouth) for two weeks followed by an increased dose of 15 mg for the next 22 weeks. The trial will evaluate the effects of this medication on several outcome measures including patient safety, physical and neurological function, muscle strength, depression levels, and NMJ innervation of patients with ALS. Detailed clinical assessments will be conducted at regular intervals throughout the study in order to achieve these objectives.

What Stage of Research Is This?

Phase 2 trials evaluate whether a treatment actually works against Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and continue monitoring side effects. Phase 2 enrolls larger groups (typically 100–300 patients) and produces the first real efficacy signal. A successful Phase 2 readout is what unlocks the much larger Phase 3 confirmatory trials needed for FDA approval.

This trial is currently recruiting participants. The sponsor has registered the study with ClinicalTrials.gov as actively enrolling, which means new applicants who meet the eligibility criteria can be considered for screening. Trial status can change between updates — confirm current recruiting status with the study contact before traveling for a screening visit.

With a target enrollment of 30 participants, this is a small study — typical of early-phase research, rare-disease trials, or pilot studies designed to generate preliminary signal before a larger study is launched.

Who May Be Eligible (Plain English)

Who May Qualify: 1. Able to comprehend and willing to sign an willing to sign a consent form Form (ICF). 2. Male or female, ≥ 18 years old and ≤85 years old, at the time of signing the ICF. 3. Confirmed diagnosis of familial or sporadic ALS, defined as meeting the probable, laboratory-supported probable, or definite criteria for a diagnosis of ALS according to the World Federation of Neurology Modified El Escorial criteria (1). 4. ALS duration of less than 36 months from the symptom onset. 5. FVC of ≥ 50 %. 6. Able to swallow tablets without crushing. 7. A female patient is eligible to participate if she is not breastfeeding, has negative pregnancy test at screening, has no intention of becoming pregnant during the course of the study, and agrees to use appropriate contraceptive drugs or devices (as defined in section 3.4 of the study protocol) for the duration of the study. 8. If male and has a partner who may become pregnant, agrees to ensure that he and/or his partner use a reliable form of birth control (as defined in section 3.4 of the study protocol) for the duration of the study and refrain from donating sperm during this period. 9. Participants receiving standard care for ALS prior to entering the trial (i.e. Riluzole, Edaravone, and Albrioza), must be on a stable dosing regimen prior to the randomization and agree to remain on this dosage during the study period: - In the case of taking Riluzole, the patient must have been on a stable dose at least 30 days prior to start date. - In the case of taking Edaravone, the patient must have been on a stable dose at least 30 days prior to start date. - In the case of receiving Albrioza, the patient must have been on a stable dose at least 30 days prior to start date. 10. For participants who consent to the optional biopsy: - Participants with normal platelet or coagulation test values. ...See full criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov Always talk to your doctor about whether this trial is right for you.

These are translations of the protocol\'s inclusion and exclusion criteria, simplified for patients and caregivers. The original clinical text appears below. Eligibility is ultimately confirmed by the trial site\'s screening process — this summary is a starting point for a conversation with your doctor, not a final determination.

Original Eligibility Criteria

View original clinical language
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Able to comprehend and willing to sign an Informed Consent Form (ICF). 2. Male or female, ≥ 18 years old and ≤85 years old, at the time of signing the ICF. 3. Confirmed diagnosis of familial or sporadic ALS, defined as meeting the probable, laboratory-supported probable, or definite criteria for a diagnosis of ALS according to the World Federation of Neurology Modified El Escorial criteria (1). 4. ALS duration of less than 36 months from the symptom onset. 5. FVC of ≥ 50 %. 6. Able to swallow tablets without crushing. 7. A female patient is eligible to participate if she is not breastfeeding, has negative pregnancy test at screening, has no intention of becoming pregnant during the course of the study, and agrees to use appropriate contraceptive drugs or devices (as defined in section 3.4 of the study protocol) for the duration of the study. 8. If male and has a partner who may become pregnant, agrees to ensure that he and/or his partner use a reliable form of birth control (as defined in section 3.4 of the study protocol) for the duration of the study and refrain from donating sperm during this period. 9. Participants receiving standard care for ALS prior to entering the trial (i.e. Riluzole, Edaravone, and Albrioza), must be on a stable dosing regimen prior to the randomization and agree to remain on this dosage during the study period: * In the case of taking Riluzole, the patient must have been on a stable dose at least 30 days prior to start date. * In the case of taking Edaravone, the patient must have been on a stable dose at least 30 days prior to start date. * In the case of receiving Albrioza, the patient must have been on a stable dose at least 30 days prior to start date. 10. For participants who consent to the optional biopsy: * Participants with normal platelet or coagulation test values. * Participants who are receiving anticoagulant medications will need to abstain from using anticoagulants for a specific number of days before and after the biopsy, as decided by the study doctor on a case-by-case basis. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Patients with, or at risk for, the following conditions: * Untreated or uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma; * Gastric retention * Urinary retention * Liver disease 2. Patients with a known history of severe allergic or anaphylactic reactions to antimuscarinic medications 3. If diagnosed with another neurodegenerative disease (e.g. Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson, Myasthenia Gravis, and Alzheimer's disease). 4. Subjects with severe hepatic impairment or abnormal liver enzymes, as defined as Child-Pugh B and C scores. 5. Subject has a history of, or positive test result at Screening, for hepatitis C virus antibody. 6. Subjects with acute or prolonged hepatitis B \& C. 7. Any medical condition that might interfere with the patient's participation in the trial, poses any added risk for the patient, or confounds the assessment of the patient according to the Investigator's judgement. 8. Subjects with any uncontrolled (unresolved) medical condition other than ALS, as determined by the Investigator. 9. Subjects who are currently enrolled in another clinical trial and receiving an Investigational Product (IP) (including but not limited to stem cell therapy or gene therapy). 10. Treatment with an investigational drug within 1 month or within a time period equal to 5 half-lives (if known) whichever is longer, of starting study treatment. 11. Patients with prior darifenacin treatment. 12. History of drug and/or alcohol abuse (according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) prior to the screening as determined by the Investigator. 13. If female, subjects who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or intending to conceive during the course of the study. 14. Subjects with an abnormal electrocardiogram (ECG) at screening (any abnormality that the PI believes that entering the study place the participant at risk). 15. Subjects who are receiving strong CYP3A4 inducers such as carbamazepine (anticonvulsant), phenytoin (anticonvulsant), rifampin (antibiotic), and modafinil (wakefulness-promoting agent). 16. Subjects who are receiving potent CYP3A4 inhibitors such as clarithromycin (macrolide antibiotic), ketoconazole and itraconazole (antifungal medications), nefazadone (antidepressant), nelfinavir and ritonavir (protease inhibitors). 17. Subjects who are receiving or received within 30 days prior to the starting of the trial CYP2D6 substrates with a narrow therapeutic window such as include flecainide (Class IC anti-arrhythmic), thioridazine (antipsychotic) and tricyclic antidepressants. 18. Subjects who are receiving or received botulinum injections in the past 6 months. 19. Subjects who are receiving or received within 30 days prior to the starting of the trial antimuscarinic medications for the treatment of overactive bladder such as fesoterodine, oxybutynin, solifenacin, tolterodine, and trospium. 20. Only for patients that consented to the Optional Needle Muscle Biopsy procedures. 21. Subject is taking an anticoagulant (with the exception of aspirin at the investigator's discretion) or is at risk of increased or uncontrolled muscle biopsy-related bleeding. 22. Subjects with bleeding risk factors which include, but are not limited to, anatomical factors at or near the muscle biopsy site (e.g., vascular abnormalities, neoplasms, or other abnormalities) or abnormal platelet or coagulation test values at visit 1.

Treatments Being Tested

DRUG

Darifenacin 7.5 MG Extended Release Oral Tablet

During the first two weeks (titration period), patients in the treatment arm will receive a daily dose of 7.5 mg darifenacin extended-release tablet. After the titration period, the dose will be increased to 15 mg once daily, which consists of two 7.5 mg tablets together for a period of 22 weeks.

DRUG

Placebo

During the first two weeks (titration period), patients in the placebo arm will receive a daily dose of 1 placebo tablet. After the titration period, the dose will be increased to two placebo tablets taken together, for a period of 22 weeks.

Locations (2)

Trial sites listed on ClinicalTrials.gov for this study. Site activation status can vary — confirm with the specific site before traveling for a screening visit.

Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Montreal Neurological Institute
Montreal, Quebec, Canada

How to Talk to Your Doctor About This Trial

Bring the printable summary of this trial — including the NCT ID (NCT06249867), the sponsor (Oliver Blanchard), and the key eligibility criteria — to your next appointment. Your doctor can review the inclusion and exclusion criteria against your medical history, lab values, and current treatments to assess whether you are likely to qualify. They can also help you weigh whether trial participation makes sense alongside your existing care plan.

Useful questions to walk through together: What does the trial protocol require beyond standard care? How long is the active treatment phase, and how long is follow-up? Are there study visits at sites I can reach? Who pays for the trial-specific procedures, and who pays for standard-of-care portions? See our 25 questions to ask about clinical trials guide for a more complete checklist.

Authoritative Sources

The official record for this trial lives on ClinicalTrials.gov — the federal registry maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. For background on how this trial fits into the FDA approval pathway, see the FDA drug approval process. For oncology-specific guidance for patients considering trials, the National Cancer Institute publishes patient-oriented overviews. International trial registries are aggregated by the WHO ICTRP.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NCT06249867 clinical trial studying?

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurological disorder characterized by selective death of upper and lower motor neurons, which leads to severe disability and fatal outcomes. One of the major hallmarks of ALS is the denervation of neuromuscular junctions (NMJs), which is one of the earliest events seen in ALS patients and mouse models of ALS. Under healthy conditions, glial cells called Perisynaptic Schwann Cells (PSCs) have a key role in regulating the stability and maintenance of NMJs, but they only participate in NMJ repair once denervation occurs. Denervation and the su… The full protocol is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov and includes the primary outcome measures, eligibility criteria, and study endpoints.

Who can participate in NCT06249867?

Eligibility for this trial depends on the specific inclusion and exclusion criteria set by the sponsor. The plain-English summary above translates the most important criteria into accessible language; the official clinical text is preserved in the collapsible section underneath. Whether you fit any specific trial is a medical decision your doctor needs to confirm — bring the trial information to your treating physician for a full review against your medical history.

How do I contact the trial site for NCT06249867?

Contact information registered with ClinicalTrials.gov is shown in the sidebar of this page. Before reaching out, confirm with your treating physician that this trial is appropriate for your situation. The trial site will then walk you through the screening process to determine final eligibility.

Is participating in a clinical trial safe?

Clinical trials in the United States are regulated by the FDA and overseen by Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) that review the protocol for safety. Risk varies by trial — Phase 1 studies test new treatments in humans for the first time, while Phase 3 trials use treatments that have already passed earlier safety screening. The informed consent document for any specific trial details the known risks and what to expect. Discuss those risks with your physician before deciding whether to participate.

Where can I verify the data on this page?

Every detail on this page comes directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API. Click "View on ClinicalTrials.gov" in the sidebar to see the official, unmodified record. The federal record is always authoritative; this page is a structured presentation with a plain-English eligibility translation. For background on how clinical trials are regulated, see the FDA drug approval process documentation.

How This Page Is Built

Every field on this page is pulled directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 — no estimates, no proxies. The plain-English eligibility translation is generated from the original protocol text and reviewed for fidelity to the underlying clinical criteria. The original clinical text remains visible in the collapsible section above so users and clinicians can verify the translation. Read the full methodology for the data pipeline and known limitations.

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 record for NCT06249867. Maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. Public domain. Cite as: "TrialFinderData. NCT06249867. Data: ClinicalTrials.gov."

Medical disclaimer: This page is informational, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.

Last updated 2026-05-08 · Data from ClinicalTrials.gov.