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AgitationPhase 3NCT05665088

Dexmedetomidine in the Treatment of Agitation Associated With Dementia (TRANQUILITY III)

A Phase 3 study testing BXCL501 in people with Agitation and Dementia, run by BioXcel Therapeutics Inc at 7 sites in United States.

Terminated

Stopped early. The study ended before it was planned to and will not resume.

Official record
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Trial summary

A study to determine the safety and efficacy of BXCL501 dosing for episodes of agitation associated with dementia when they occur (given as needed [PRN]), for a maximum of 168 doses within a 12-week treatment period. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 65 years and older
Conditions the study is for
Agitation, Dementia
What is being tested?
BXCL501
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
13 participants
Where
7 sitesUnited States
Study dates
5 Dec 2022to 11 Sep 2023
Phase
Phase 3
Are there results?
Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 65 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • All participants must have a diagnosis of probable Alzheimer's disease (AD) based on National Institute on Aging and Alzheimer's Association (NIA-AA) criteria (2018). If participant biomarker data are unavailable, per the 2018 NIA-AA diagnostic criteria, the clinical diagnosis of probable AD will be based on the 2011 NIA-AA criteria
  • Episodes of psychomotor agitation (e.g., kick, bite, flailing)
  • Participants exhibit behaviors that are congruent with the International Psychogeriatric Association criterion for agitation representing a change from the participant's usual behavior
  • A score of 0 to 20 on the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) and require moderate to full assistance with activities of daily living
  • Participants who read, understand, and provide written informed consent, or who have a legally authorized representative (LAR) to provide consent on their behalf
  • Participants who are deemed to be medically appropriate for study participation by the principal investigator
  • Participants who agree to use a medically acceptable and effective birth control method

Who cannot join

  • Participants with dementia or other memory impairment not due to probable AD.
  • Clinical diagnosis of probable AD should not be applied when there is evidence of a cerebrovascular incident temporally related to the worsening of cognitive function.
  • Participants with agitation caused by acute intoxication.
  • Participants with significant risk of suicide or homicide per the investigator's assessment.
  • Participants who are medically unstable or in recovery. Note: Participants with a remote (>5 years) history of stroke may be included, regardless of size/location.
  • History of clinically significant syncope or syncopal attacks, orthostatic hypotension within the past 2 years, current evidence of hypovolemia, orthostatic hypotension, bradycardia.
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  • Participants with laboratory or electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities.
  • Participants who have received an investigational drug within 30 days prior to Screening.
  • Participants who are currently suffering from substance abuse.
  • Participants with a potential cause for delirium (relatively recent onset agitation and dementia)

Trial locations and contacts

7 sites in 1 country.

7 sites in 1 country

United States7 sites
  • BioXcel Clinical Research Site

    Daytona Beach, Florida, 32117

  • BioXcel Clinical Research Site

    Los Alamitos, California, 90720

  • BioXcel Clinical Research Site

    Maitland, Florida, 32751

  • BioXcel Clinical Research Site

    Marrero, Louisiana, 70072

  • BioXcel Clinical Research Site

    Springfield, Massachusetts, 01103

  • BioXcel Clinical Research Site

    The Villages, Florida, 32162

  • BioXcel Clinical Research Site

    Toms River, New Jersey, 08755

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Efficacy and Safety Study of PRN Dosing of BXCL501 Over a 12 Week Treatment Period in Subjects With Agitation Associated With Dementia Who Require at Least Moderate To Full Assistance With Activities of Daily Living

A study to determine the safety and efficacy of BXCL501 dosing for episodes of agitation associated with dementia when they occur (given as needed [PRN]), for a maximum of 168 doses within a 12-week treatment period.

Read the detailed description

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group, 3-arm study assessing efficacy, safety, and tolerability of two doses of BXCL501 in male and female participants (65 years and older) with acute psychomotor agitation associated with dementia.

Approximately 150 participants will participate in this study. Participants will receive a single film consisting of BXCL501 40 micrograms (µg) dose or BXCL501 60 µg dose or placebo. Participants must reside in a care facility where all study-related procedures and study drug dosing will be performed.

Conditions
Agitation, Dementia
Being tested
BXCL501, Matching Placebo
Medical subject headings
Psychomotor Agitation, Dementia

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • BXCL501Drug

    Also called Dexmedetomidine

    Solid-dose film administered sublingually or buccally

  • Matching PlaceboDrug

    Matching solid-dose film administered sublingually or buccally

Study groups in NCT05665088
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
BXCL501: 40 μgExperimentalParticipants will receive 40 μg of BXCL501 sublingually or buccally, with up to 2 doses permitted per calendar day over the 12-week treatment period.
Receives: Drug: BXCL501
BXCL501: 60 μgExperimentalParticipants will receive 60 μg of BXCL501 sublingually or buccally, with up to 2 doses permitted per calendar day over the 12-week treatment period.
Receives: Drug: BXCL501
PlaceboPlacebo comparatorParticipants will receive placebo-matched to BXCL501 with up to 2 doses permitted per calendar day over the 12-week treatment period.
Receives: Drug: Matching Placebo

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Change From Pre-dose in PEC Total Score at 30 Minutes Post-dose for the First Treated Episode of Agitation

    The PEC includes 5 items-poor impulse control, tension, hostility, uncooperativeness, and excitement-each of which is rated from 1 (minimum) to 7 (maximum); the sum of these 5 items the PEC total score, ranges from 5 (absence of agitation) to 35 (extremely severe). Lower score indicated better outcome.

    Measured: Pre-dose, 30 minutes post-dose

  2. Change From Pre-dose in PEC Total Score at 1 Hour Post-dose for the First Treated Episode of Agitation

    The PEC includes 5 items-poor impulse control, tension, hostility, uncooperativeness, and excitement-each of which is rated from 1 (minimum) to 7 (maximum); the sum of these 5 items, the PEC total score ranges from 5 (absence of agitation) to 35 (extremely severe). Lower score indicated better outcome.

    Measured: Pre-dose, 1 hour post-dose

  3. Change From Pre-dose in PEC Total Score at 2 Hours Post-dose for the First Treated Episode of Agitation

    The PEC includes 5 items-poor impulse control, tension, hostility, uncooperativeness, and excitement-each of which is rated from 1 (minimum) to 7 (maximum); the sum of these 5 items, the PEC total score ranges from 5 (absence of agitation) to 35 (extremely severe). Lower score indicated better outcome.

    Measured: Pre-dose, 2 hours post-dose

  4. Change From Pre-dose in PEC Total Score at 4 Hours Post-dose for the First Treated Episode of Agitation

    The PEC includes 5 items-poor impulse control, tension, hostility, uncooperativeness, and excitement-each of which is rated from 1 (minimum) to 7 (maximum); the sum of these 5 items, the PEC total score ranges from 5 (absence of agitation) to 35 (extremely severe). Lower score indicated better outcome.

    Measured: Pre-dose, 4 hours post-dose

  5. Change From Pre-dose in PEC Total Score at 8 Hours Post-dose for the First Treated Episode of Agitation

    The PEC includes 5 items-poor impulse control, tension, hostility, uncooperativeness, and excitement-each of which is rated from 1 (minimum) to 7 (maximum); the sum of these 5 items, the PEC total score ranges from 5 (absence of agitation) to 35 (extremely severe). Lower score indicated better outcome.

    Measured: Pre-dose, 8 hours post-dose

  6. Change From Pre-dose in PEC Total Score at 12 Hours Post-dose for the First Treated Episode of Agitation

    The PEC includes 5 items-poor impulse control, tension, hostility, uncooperativeness, and excitement-each of which is rated from 1 (minimum) to 7 (maximum); the sum of these 5 items, the PEC total score ranges from 5 (absence of agitation) to 35 (extremely severe). Lower score indicated better outcome.

    Measured: Pre-dose, 12 hours post-dose

  7. Change From Pre-dose in PEC Total Score at 24 Hours Post-dose for the First Treated Episode of Agitation

    The PEC includes 5 items-poor impulse control, tension, hostility, uncooperativeness, and excitement-each of which is rated from 1 (minimum) to 7 (maximum); the sum of these 5 items, the PEC total score ranges from 5 (absence of agitation) to 35 (extremely severe). Lower score indicated better outcome.

    Measured: Pre-dose, 24 hours post-dose

Secondary outcomes (5)
  1. Change From Pre-dose in Pittsburgh Agitation Scale (PAS) Total Score at 2 Hours Post-dose for the First Episode of Agitation

    The PAS is an instrument based on direct observations of the participant that is developed to monitor the severity of agitation associated with dementia. The PAS is the sum of 4 behavior groups observed (aberrant vocalization, motor agitation, aggressiveness, resisting care, each behavior group ranging from 0 [not present] to 4 [maximally present]), and thus total score ranges from 0 (absence of agitation) to 16 (extremely severe). Lower score indicated better outcome.

    Measured: Pre-dose, 2 hours post-dose

  2. Change From Pre-dose in Clinical Global Impression of Severity (CGI-S) Score at 2 Hours Post-dose for the First Episode of Agitation

    The CGI-S was used to rate the severity of agitation. The score ranges from 0 to 4 that comprises of, 0=not assessed; 1=normal, not at all symptomatic; 2=mildly symptomatic-low level of symptoms-little interference in social functioning; 3=moderately symptomatic-some prominent symptoms-some interference in functioning; 4=severely symptomatic- very marked symptoms make it difficult for participants to engage with others. Higher scores indicate greater severity of agitation.

    Measured: Pre-dose, 2 hours post-dose

  3. Clinical Global Impression of Improvement (CGI-I) Score at 30 Minutes, 1 Hour, and 2 Hours Post-dose for the First Treated Episodes of Agitation

    The CGI-I is a global measure of improvement or change from baseline in participant's condition. The CGI-I score ranges from 0 to 7 that comprises of 0 = not assessed (missing), 1= very much improved, 2= much improved, 3= minimally improved, 4= no change, 5= minimally worse, 6= much worse, and 7= very much worse. Higher scores indicate worse condition.

    Measured: 30 minutes, 1 hour, and 2 hours post-dose

  4. Change From Pre-dose in Agitation-Calmness Evaluation Scale (ACES) Scores at 1, 2, 4, and 8 Hours Post-dose for the First Episode of Agitation.

    The ACES is a single-item clinician-rated measure of agitation and sedation. Scores range from 1 to 9, where 1= marked agitation, 2= moderate agitation, 3= mild agitation, 4= normal behavior, 5= mild calmness, 6= moderate calmness, 7= marked calmness, 8= deep sleep, and 9= unarousable. Higher scores indicate greater levels of calmness and sedation.

    Measured: Pre-dose, 1, 2 , 4 and 8 hours post-dose

  5. Number of Treated Episodes of Agitation After the First Treated Episode

    Measured: Up to 12 weeks

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted27 Dec 2022
  2. Study start5 Dec 2022
  3. Primary completion11 Sep 2023
  4. Study completion11 Sep 2023

Why it stopped: Study was terminated for business reasons; not due to safety or efficacy concerns

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 3
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
Randomized
Masking
Double blind
Who is masked
Investigator, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
13 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT05665088
Sponsor's protocol ID
BXCL501-304
Status last verified
Sep 2026
First submitted
16 Dec 2022
Last updated
1 Oct 2026
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
Yes
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 3 study testing BXCL501 in people with Agitation and Dementia, run by BioXcel Therapeutics Inc at 7 sites in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 7 inclusion and 10 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: stopped early, as of the sponsor's last update on 1 Oct 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 7 sites in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this phase mean?

Phase 3 studies compare the treatment with the current standard treatment or a placebo in a large group, to confirm how well it works and watch for side effects.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 1 Oct 2026). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Change From Pre-dose in PEC Total Score at 30 Minutes Post-dose for the First Treated Episode of Agitation (time frame: Pre-dose, 30 minutes post-dose). The study lists 7 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 1 Oct 2026.

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