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Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction (HFrEF)Phase 2GOAL-HF2NCT07584967

A Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of AC01 Compared to Placebo in Participants With Chronic Heart Failure

A Phase 2 study testing AC01 in people with Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction (HFrEF), run by AnaCardio AB.

Not yet recruiting

Opening soon. The study is approved but enrolment has not started yet. Sites may already take enquiries.

Sites and contacts
Official record
Search all trials

Trial summary

The primary purpose of the study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of 2 doses of AC01 compared to placebo over 12 weeks in participants with chronic advanced HFrEF. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 85 years
What is being tested?
AC01
Type of treatment
Pill or oral medicine
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
400 participants
Where
No sites listed yet
Study dates
15 Nov 2026to 30 Aug 2028
Phase
Phase 2
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

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 18 to 85 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • History of Chronic Heart Failure (CHF) diagnosed greater than or equal to (>=6) months before screening, and in NYHA Class II to IV at screening.
  • Chronic advanced HFrEF defined as:
  • LVEF less than or equal to (<=) 35 percentage (%) by local reading >=6 months before screening or a record of LVEF qualitatively described as severely reduced or moderately-severely reduced >=6 months before screening, and
  • LVEF <=35% at the screening echocardiography (confirmed by core lab), and
  • no known LVEF greater than (>) 35% (or qualitatively described as less than moderately-severely reduced) between the 2 readings.
  • Sinus rhythm or permanent, persistent, or paroxysmal atrial fibrillation flutter (AFF) (AFF at screening is capped at maximum 15% of participants enrolled) with mean resting heart rate of >=55 and <=90 beats per minute (bpm) at screening, and >=50 and <=95 bpm at randomization, regardless of rhythm.
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  • NT-proBNP >=400 picograms per milliliter (pg/mL) in sinus rhythm and >=800 pg/mL in AFF at screening (confirmed by central laboratory).
  • Transvenous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) for primary prevention with back-up pacing set at 40 bpm.
  • Treated with optimal, stable, medical therapy for HF consistent with prevailing local and international guidelines unless contraindicated or not tolerated, as judged and documented by the investigator.

Who cannot join

  • Any acute or serious co-morbid condition that could lead to premature termination of study participation or interfere with the measurement or interpretation of the efficacy and safety assessments in the study.
  • Admitted to hospital with the primary reason of HF within 24 hours before randomization or currently hospitalized with the primary reason of HF for more than 10 days. Current hospitalization (>24 hours and <=10 days) is capped at a maximum of 15% of participants enrolled.
  • Acute coronary syndrome, stroke or transient ischemic attack, severe ventricular arrhythmia, or major cardiac intervention, percutaneous coronary intervention, valvuloplasty/other cardiac valve repair or implantation, or cardiac surgery within 60 days before randomization.
  • Systolic blood pressure >130 or ˂90 millimeters of mercury (mmHg) at screening, or >140 or ˂85 mmHg at randomization.
  • Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, defined as Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) >=9.0% (>=75 millimoles per mole [mmol/mol]) at screening, or severe complications of diabetes.
  • Body weight <50 kilogram (kg) or body mass index (BMI) <18 kilograms per square meter (kg/m^2) or >45 kg/m^2 at screening.
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  • Any of the following electrocardiogram (ECG) findings at screening: Corrected QT interval using Fridericia's formula (QTcF) >450 milliseconds (ms), 1st degree atrioventricular (AV) block with PQ >240 ms, or AV block 2nd or 3rd degree.
  • History of aborted cardiac arrest, sustained ventricular tachycardia, or Torsades-de Pointes, or congenital long QT syndrome. Family history of sudden cardiac death, unexplained death, long QT syndrome, or death from a primary dysrhythmia.
  • Cardiac resynchronization therapy, Cardiac Contractility Modulation, or pacemaker device other than the back-up pacing function of the ICD.
  • Mechanical hemodynamic support, kidney support, or ventilation within 7 days before randomization.
  • Treatment with i.v. inotropes, i.v. vasodilators, or i.v. vasopressors within 3 days before randomization.
  • Treatment with any i.v. diuretics or supplemental oxygen within 6 hours before randomization.
  • Use of any drugs or substances known to be strong inducers of Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) enzyme within 28 days before randomization or planned to be used during the study period or strong inhibitors of CYP3A4 within 7 days before randomization or planned to be used during the study period.
  • Use of any drug that is known to prolong the QT interval (for example, sotalol, dofetilide, macrolides, some antidepressants, and some antipsychotics) within 28 days before randomization or planned to be used during the study period.
  • Treatment changes in glucose lowering therapy within 28 days before randomization.
  • Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <20 milliliters per minute per 1.73 square meters (mL/min/1.73 m2) according to the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration formula, planned renal replacement therapy within the next 6 months, or receiving dialysis at screening.
  • Serum potassium <3.5 or >5.2 milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L) at screening.
  • Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) or aspartate aminotransferase (AST) >3 *upper limit of normal (ULN) or total bilirubin >2 * ULN, or known cirrhosis, severe liver, or pancreatic disease at screening.
  • Use of any anti-arrhythmic drugs within 28 days before randomization or planned to be used during the study period, except for amiodarone, ivabradine, digoxin, and beta blockers.

Trial locations and contacts

No sites are listed yet. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Robert Edfors, MD, PhD contact

+46 760 542 609

studyinfo@anacardio.com

About this study

Official title: Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Group, Multicenter Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of 2 Dose Levels of the Oral Ghrelin Receptor Agonist AC01 Over 12 Weeks in Patients With Chronic Advanced Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction (HFrEF)

The primary purpose of the study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of 2 doses of AC01 compared to placebo over 12 weeks in participants with chronic advanced HFrEF.

Read the detailed description

This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, multicenter study designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the ghrelin-receptor agonist AC01 compared to placebo in participants with chronic advanced HFrEF. Approximately 400 participants will be randomized to 1 of 3 treatment arms: 3 milligram (mg) AC01, 1 milligram (mg) AC01, or placebo twice daily for 12 weeks. The primary objective is to evaluate the effect of AC01 compared to placebo on cardiac structure and function assessed by echocardiography.

Being tested
AC01, Placebo
Keywords
Heart Diseases, Cardiovascular Diseases, Heart Failure
Medical subject headings
Heart Diseases, Cardiovascular Diseases, Heart Failure

What participants receive

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

  • AC01Drug

    AC01 tablets for oral administration.

  • PlaceboOther

    AC01 matching placebo tablets for oral administration.

Study groups in NCT07584967
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
AC01 3 mgExperimentalParticipants will receive AC01 orally twice daily (BID) for 12 weeks.
Receives: Drug: AC01
AC01 1 mgExperimentalParticipants will receive AC01 orally BID for 12 weeks.
Receives: Drug: AC01
PlaceboPlacebo comparatorParticipants will receive matching placebo orally BID for 12 weeks.
Receives: Other: Placebo

What is being measured

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

  1. Absolute Change from Baseline in Composite Echocardiography Z-Score at Week 12

    The composite echocardiography Z-score integrates left ventricular stroke volume (LVSV), left ventricular end systolic volume (LVESV), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and left atrial minimal volume index (LAVImin).

    Measured: Baseline and Week 12

Secondary outcomes (21)
  1. Absolute Change from Baseline in LVSV at Week 12

    Measured: Baseline and Week 12

  2. Absolute Change from Baseline in LVEF at Week 12

    Measured: Baseline and Week 12

  3. Absolute Change from Baseline in LVESV at Week 12

    Measured: Baseline and Week 12

  4. Absolute Change From Baseline in LAVImin at Week 12

    Measured: Baseline and Week 12

  5. Absolute Change from Baseline in N-terminal prohormone of Brain Natriuretic Peptide (NT-proBNP)

    Measured: Baseline and Week 12

  6. Absolute Change From Baseline in Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire Total Symptom Score (KCCQ-TSS) at Week 12

    The KCCQ is a validated, 23-item, self-administered questionnaire designed to assess health status in participants with congestive heart failure. It evaluates six domains: symptoms, physical function, quality of life, social limitation, self-efficacy, and symptom stability. Each domain score is transformed to a scale of 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better health status. The KCCQ-TSS is derived from the domain scores.

    Measured: Baseline and Week 12

  7. Absolute Change From Baseline in Patient Global Impression of Severity (PGIS) at Week 12

    PGIS is 1-item questionnaire used to rate the severity of a specific condition. Participants record their perceived severity of heart failure (HF) symptoms, specifically shortness of breath, fatigue, and swelling, and choose 1 response that best described the extent of their symptoms based on a 5-point scale. Response options include none, mild, moderate, severe, and very severe. Higher PGIS scores indicate more severe HF symptoms; lower scores indicate less severe symptoms.

    Measured: Baseline and Week 12

  8. Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC) at Week 12

    The PGIC questionnaire is administered to assess the participant's impression of change in HF symptoms since the initiation of study treatment, specifically changes in shortness of breath, fatigue, and swelling. Participants select one response to describe the overall change (if any) in HF symptoms on a 7-category scale: 7=very much improved, 6 =much improved, 5 =minimally improved, 4 =no change, 3 =minimally worse, 2 =much worse, and 1 =very much worse. Higher PGIC scores indicate greater improvement in HF symptoms, while lower scores indicate worsening or no change.

    Measured: At Week 12

  9. Number of Participants With Death, Cardiovascular Death, Hospitalization, Cardiovascular Hospitalization, Heart Failure Hospitalization, Heart Failure Events, Other Adjudicated Events, and Listed for Heart Transplantation

    Measured: At Week 12

  10. Change From Baseline in Guideline-directed Medical Therapy (GDMT) Use for HFrEF at Week 12

    Measured: Baseline and Week 12

  11. Absolute Change from Baseline in Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR)

    Measured: Baseline and Week 12

  12. Number of Participants With Dialysis

    Measured: At Week 12

  13. Absolute Change from Baseline in Council on Nutrition Appetite Questionnaire (CNAQ) Total Score

    The CNAQ is an 8-item, self-administered questionnaire used to assess appetite over time. Each item is scored on a scale of 1 to 5, and the total score is calculated as the sum of all item scores. The instrument has demonstrated acceptable psychometric properties, including internal consistency, construct validity, and predictive validity, for assessing appetite in participants with heart failure. Higher CNAQ scores indicate better appetite.

    Measured: Baseline and Week 12

  14. Absolute Change From Baseline in New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class

    Measured: Baseline and Week 12

  15. AUC,ss: Area Under the Concentration-Time Curve at Steady State of AC01 and its Metabolite M6

    Population pharmacokinetic parameters

    Measured: At Week 4 and Week 12

  16. Cmax,ss: Maximum Observed Concentration at Steady State of AC01 and its Metabolite M6

    Population pharmacokinetic parameters

    Measured: At Week 4 and Week 12

  17. Tmax,ss: Time to Reach Maximum Concentration at Steady State

    Population pharmacokinetic parameters

    Measured: At Week 4 and Week 12

  18. Ctrough: Trough concentration at steady state of AC01 and its Metabolite M6

    Population pharmacokinetic parameters

    Measured: At Week 4 and Week 12

  19. Rac (Cmax): Accumulation Ratio of Cmax for AC01 and its Metabolite M6

    Population pharmacokinetic parameters. Accumulation ratio of Cmax calculated as Cmax at Week 12/Cmax at Week 4.

    Measured: At Week 4 and Week 12

  20. Rac (AUC): Accumulation Ratio of AUC for AC01 and its Metabolite M6

    Population pharmacokinetic parameters. Accumulation ratio of AUC calculated as AUC at Week 12/AUC at Week 4.

    Measured: At Week 4 and Week 12

  21. Number of Participants With Treatment-emergent Adverse Events (TEAEs), Serious Adverse Events (SAEs), Adverse Events of Special Interest (AESIs)

    Measured: From first dose of study drug up to end of follow up (up to Week 16)

Timeline

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

  1. First posted13 May 2026
  2. Study start15 Nov 2026 (estimated)
  3. Primary completion30 Jul 2028 (estimated)
  4. Study completion30 Aug 2028 (estimated)

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 2
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Quadruple blind
Who is masked
Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
400 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07584967
Sponsor's protocol ID
AC01-02
Other IDs
2025-524469-25-00, PIP number, 2025
Acronym
GOAL-HF2
Status last verified
Sep 2026
First submitted
4 May 2026
Last updated
14 Sep 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
Yes
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Yes: Individual de-identified participant data will be shared with qualified scientific and medical researchers whose proposed use of data has been approved by the study executive committee, beginning 9 months and ending 36 months following article publication. Proposals should be directed to the Central Contact Person.

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 2 study testing AC01 in people with Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction (HFrEF), run by AnaCardio AB.

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 9 inclusion and 19 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: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 14 Sep 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

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 2 studies give the treatment to a larger group to see whether it has the intended effect and to keep checking safety.

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

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

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

Contact Robert Edfors, MD, PhD (+46 760 542 609, studyinfo@anacardio.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Absolute Change from Baseline in Composite Echocardiography Z-Score at Week 12 (time frame: Baseline and Week 12). 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 14 Sep 2026.

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