Evaluation of EXL01, a New Live Biotherapeutic Product to Prevent Recurrence of Clostridioides Difficile Infection in High-risk Patients

NCT ID: NCT06306014

Last Updated: 2025-11-21

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: RECRUITING
• Clinical Phase: PHASE1/PHASE2
• Total Enrollment: 56 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2024-05-07
• Study Completion Date: 2027-01-07

Brief Summary

Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is the leading cause of nosocomial diarrhea in Europe, with over 120,000 cases and almost 3,700 deaths per year. This infection is characterized by a high risk of recurrence after cure, ranging from almost 20% after a first episode to over 60% after 2 recurrences, or in the case of specific risk factors.

Currently, first-line treatment of CDI is based on oral antibiotics such as fidaxomicin or vancomycin. These antibiotic treatments, which are effective in 89% and 86% of first-episode cases respectively, do not correct the microbiological imbalance underlying the onset of CDI and may, on the contrary, encourage recurrence by contributing to the maintenance of a deleterious change in the microbiota (dysbiosis) through the elimination of bacteria other than C. difficile, due to their spectrum of activity. In a number of patients, this ecological imbalance can no longer be restored after antibiotic treatment, leading to multiple recurrences of CDI.

In this context, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has been validated for over 10 years for the prevention of recurrence in multi-recurrent CDI. The principle of FMT is based on the use of a pharmaceutical preparation made from the stool of a healthy donor, administered within the digestive tract of a patient for therapeutic purposes.

Currently, in the case of multiple recurrences, it is the recommended first-line treatment (from 2 recurrences) and the most effective, with a clinical efficacy preventing recurrence of CDI in 69% to 89% of cases at 8 weeks post-treatment, with a good safety profile.

Among the microbial factors promoting CDI, the loss of the bacterial species Faecalibacterium prausnitzii constitutes a specific therapeutic target. F. prausnitzii is a commensal bacterium of the human gut, making up nearly 5% of the fecal microbiota, and has been shown to be associated with an individual's state of health. A drop in its relative abundance is associated with an increased risk of numerous diseases, such as Crohn's disease and colorectal cancer. In CDI, F prausnitzii is greatly diminished. Moreover, low abundance of F. prausnitzii is predictive of C. difficile recurrence. Its abundance in stools is increased after FMT and is also predictive of response to treatment. From a pathophysiological point of view, one of the preventive effects of F. prausnitzii on recurrence would be mediated by its ability to hydrolyze the bile acids involved in the germination of C. difficile spores.

The aim of this Phase I/II trial is to assess the efficacy and safety of oral administration of EXL01, a single isolated unmodified strain of F. prausnitzii, in preventing CDI recurrence in high-risk patients at W8. The study will be conducted in 2 parts. The phase I (Part A) is planned to include 6 patients. The phase II (Part B) will include 50 patients in two arms (25 patients respectively in the placebo and EXL01 arm).

Conditions

Clostridioides Difficile Infection; Recurrent Infection

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: QUADRUPLE

Study Groups

Part A (Open-Label EXL01)

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

EXL01

Intervention Type: DRUG

Following a at least 10-days vancomycin treatment :

Oral EXL01 including:

• 10 capsules per day in week 1 and 2
• 4 capsules per day, in weeks 3 and 4
• 1 capsule per day in weeks 5 to 8 Phase I : EXL01 during a 8 weeks open-label period

Part B (EXL01)

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

EXL01

Intervention Type: DRUG

Following a at least 10-days vancomycin treatment :

Oral EXL01 including:

• 10 capsules per day in week 1 and 2
• 4 capsules per day, in weeks 3 and 4
• 1 capsule per day in weeks 5 to 8 Phase II: EXL01 during a 8 weeks double blind placebo-controlled period

Part B (Placebo)

Group Type: PLACEBO_COMPARATOR

Placebo

Intervention Type: DRUG

Following a at least 10-days vancomycin treatment:

Oral placebo including:

• 10 capsules per day in week 1 and 2
• 4 capsules per day, in weeks 3 and 4
• 1 capsule per day in weeks 5 to 8 Phase II : Placebo during a 8 weeks double blind placebo-controlled period

Interventions

EXL01

Following a at least 10-days vancomycin treatment :

Oral EXL01 including:

• 10 capsules per day in week 1 and 2
• 4 capsules per day, in weeks 3 and 4
• 1 capsule per day in weeks 5 to 8 Phase I : EXL01 during a 8 weeks open-label period

Intervention Type: DRUG

EXL01

Following a at least 10-days vancomycin treatment :

Oral EXL01 including:

• 10 capsules per day in week 1 and 2
• 4 capsules per day, in weeks 3 and 4
• 1 capsule per day in weeks 5 to 8 Phase II: EXL01 during a 8 weeks double blind placebo-controlled period

Intervention Type: DRUG

Placebo

Following a at least 10-days vancomycin treatment:

Oral placebo including:

• 10 capsules per day in week 1 and 2
• 4 capsules per day, in weeks 3 and 4
• 1 capsule per day in weeks 5 to 8 Phase II : Placebo during a 8 weeks double blind placebo-controlled period

Intervention Type: DRUG

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Adult patient ≥18 years of age
• ≥3rd episode of proven C. difficile infection (≥3 liquid stools per day and detection of toxigenic C. difficile in stool by PCR or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or immunochromatography or toxigenic culture) within 6 months with an interval ≤ 12 weeks since the end of treatment of the previous episode of resolved CDI or 2nd episode of proven C. difficile infection (≥3 liquid stools per day and detection of toxigenic C. difficile in the stools by PCR or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or immunochromatography or toxigenic culture) within 6 months with an interval ≤ 12 weeks since the end of treatment of the previous episode of resolved CDI with at least one of the following risk factors:

• Age ≥70 years
• Chronic renal failure (haemodialysis or GFR<60ml/min
• History of severe or severe-complicated CDI (excluding current episode) according to ESCMID 2021 criteria
• ≥3 CDI in the last 12 months (including current episode)
• CDI associated with care defined as CDI occurring during hospitalisation (<3 months)
• On current or planned vancomycin treatment per os
• Patient able to give free, informed and written consent
• Enrolled in compulsory national social security scheme

Exclusion Criteria

• Currently participating or has participated in a study with an investigational compound or device within 3 months prior to the first dose of the study intervention.
• Severe C. difficile infection severe (defined by the presence of a white blood cell count >15×10⁹ cells/L or a body temperature >38.5°C or >50% increase in the patient's baseline creatinine related to CDI at the time of V1) and/or complicated (defined by any of the factors attributed to current Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI): hypotension, septic shock, elevated serum lactate, ileus, toxic megacolon, intestinal perforation or any fulminant course of the disease)
• Refractory C. difficile infection defined as lack of response to well-conducted per os vancomycin or fidaxomicin treatment with ≥3 liquid stools per day after ≥5 days of treatment
• Cirrhosis with Child C score
• Hospitalization in continuing care unit or intensive care unit
• Immunosuppression including :

• Malignant hemopathy under treatment (excluding CLL)
• HIV AIDS stage
• Stem cell allograft ≤ 12 months
• Aplasia (<500 PNN/mm3) at inclusion
• Treatment with >20mg prednisone equivalent within 14 days prior to inclusion (excluding inhaled or topical treatment).
• Personal history of gastrointestinal resection other than appendectomy (gastrectomy, esophagectomy, colonic or small bowel resection, short small bowel syndrome).
• Personal history of small intestinal microbial overgrowth
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Proven celiac disease
• Current stoma (ileostomy or colostomy) or within the last 6 months, or any other intra-abdominal surgery within the 3 months prior to treatment
• major surgery or trauma ≤ 4 weeks before the start of treatment
• Antibiotic therapy in progress or planned during the study for an infection other than CDI
• Surgery scheduled during the study requiring perioperative antibiotics.
• -Women without contraception*, pregnant or breastfeeding women
• History of hypersensitivity to EXL01 and/or to any of its excipients (D-mannitol, sucrose, maltodextrin, L-cysteine, L-cysteine hydrochloride, magnesium stearate and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose), and/or to soy or soy-containing products.
• History of hypersensitivity to vancomycin as mentioned in local prescribing information.
• Personal history of fecal microbiota transplantation < 12 months
• Persons deprived of liberty by judicial or administrative decision
• Adults under legal protection or unable to give consent
• Swallowing disorders making oral treatment impossible
• Participation in another interventional study within 3 months prior to inclusion. (Patients who have entered the follow-up phase of an interventional study may participate provided that more than 3 months have elapsed since the last intervention).
• Expected life expectancy of less than 6 months
• Presents a known psychiatric disorder that would interfere with adequate cooperation with study requirements.
• Regular use of illicit or recreational drugs
• Anticipated administration during the study of treatment that is expected to cause diarrhea (chemotherapy, colonic preparation prior to colonoscopy)
• History of chronic diarrhea (> 3 watery stools per day for > 4 weeks) not related to gastrointestinal infection.
• Clinically significant medical or surgical condition not mentioned in the above criteria which, in the opinion of the investigator, could interfere with the administration of study drug, the interpretation of study safety or efficacy data, or compromise the safety or well-being of the subject.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Exeliom Biosciences

INDUSTRY

Sponsor Role: collaborator

Hospices Civils de Lyon

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

Nicolas BENECH, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Hospices Civils de Lyon

Locations

CH Annecy Genevois Service de Maladies infectieuses

Annecy, , France

Site Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Service d'hépato-gastroentérologie - CHU Estaing

Clermont-Ferrand, , France

Site Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING

CHU Grenoble Service Maladies infectieuses et tropicales

Grenoble, , France

Site Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Service d'Hépato-gastroentérologie Hôpital de la Croix Rousse

Lyon, , France

Site Status: RECRUITING

APHM La Timone Service de Maladies infectieuses

Marseille, , France

Site Status: RECRUITING

Service d'hépato-gastroentérologie - Hôpital Saint Antoine (APHP)

Paris, , France

Site Status: RECRUITING

Service d'infectiologie - Hôpital Nord / CHU Saint Etienne

Saint-Etienne, , France

Site Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Service de médecine interne - Pôle des maladies de l'appareil digestif - CHU de Toulouse

Toulouse, , France

Site Status: RECRUITING

Service de Maladies Infectieuses - CH de Valence

Valence, , France

Site Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Countries

France

Central Contacts

Nicolas BENECH, MD

Role: CONTACT

nicolas.benech@chu-lyon.fr

04 26 10 94 35 ext. +33

Fanny JOUBERT

Role: CONTACT

Fanny.joubert@chu-lyon.fr

04 26 73 27 27 ext. +33

Facility Contacts

Emilie PIET, MD

Role: primary

epiet@ch-annecygenevois.fr

450636602 ext. +33

Julien SCANZI, MD

Role: primary

jscanzi@chu-clermontferrand.fr

04 73 75 02 35

Salomé GALLET, MD

Role: primary

sgallet@chu-grenoble.fr

476763947 ext. +33

Nicolas BENECH, MD

Role: primary

nicolas.benech@chu-lyon.fr

04 26 10 94 35 ext. +33

Emma SANDOZ

Role: backup

emma.sandoz@chu-lyon.fr

04 26 73 28 62 ext. +33

Nadim CASSIR, MD

Role: primary

nadimshams.cassir@ap-hm.fr

Paul MCLELLAN, MD

Role: primary

Paul.mclellan@aphp.fr

01 49 28 20 00 ext. +33

Elisabeth BOTHELO-NEVERS, Pr

Role: primary

elisabeth.botelho-nevers@chu-st-etienne.fr

04 77 12 77 89 ext. +33

Laurent ALRIC, Pr

Role: primary

Alric.l@chu-toulouse.fr

05 61 32 37 54

Amélie DUREAULT, MD

Role: primary

adureault@ch-valence.fr

04 75 75 75 71 ext. +33

Other Identifiers

2023-506232-32-00

Identifier Type: OTHER

Identifier Source: secondary_id

69HCL22_0980

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id