Impact of DFD-29 on Microbial Flora of Healthy, Adult Human Subjects When Administered Over 16 Weeks

A Randomized, Double-blind Trial Evaluating the Effects of Treatment With DFD-29 Capsules 40 mg QD in Comparison to Placebo on Microbial Flora in Healthy Adult Human Subjects, When Administered Over a Period of 16 Weeks.

The purpose of this trial is to evaluate the effects of 16-week treatment with DFD-29 40 mg QD dose in comparison to Placebo on the skin, intestinal and vaginal microbiota.

A multi-center (up to three sites), randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group trial with a treatment period of 16 weeks.

Sixty (60) healthy adult human subjects will be randomized in a 2:1 ratio to receive treatment with DFD-29 (Minocycline Hydrochloride Capsules) 40 mg QD orally or matching Placebo (for DFD-29 capsules) QD orally for a period of 16 weeks.

The trial will have a screening period (Day -30 to Day -1) and a trial treatment period (Day 1 to Day 113). There will be 6 planned visits to the study site for subjects.

Impact on microbial flora will be assessed from skin swabs, stool samples and vaginal swabs (female subjects) taken at multiple timepoints.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Male or non-pregnant, non-lactating female aged ≥ 18 and ≤ 65 years.
2. Subjects must have understood, and signed IRB/IEC approved written ICF.
3. Subjects must be willing to refrain from using all other antibiotics during the 16-week treatment period, other than the IP.
4. Women of childbearing potential* must not be pregnant or lactating at the time of screening visit as documented by a negative urine pregnancy test.
5. Women of childbearing potential must be willing to use an acceptable form of birth control during the trial from the day of the first dose administration to 30 days after the last administration of trial drug.
6. All male subjects must agree to use accepted methods of birth control with their partners, throughout the study and until 30 days after the last administration of trial drug.
7. Subjects must be in good health and free from any clinically significant disease, which may interfere with the evaluation of microbiota or the administration of the IP.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Female subjects who are pregnant, lactating or planning to become pregnant during trial participation.

2. History of allergy or known sensitivity to minocycline, doxycycline, other tetracycline, or any component of the study medication.

3. Clinically significant abnormal laboratory test results that, in the opinion of the Investigator, would compromise the subject's safety or ability to participate in the trial

4. History of organ transplant requiring immunosuppression, HIV, or other immune compromised state.

5. History of lupus-like syndrome, autoimmune hepatitis, vasculitis, or serum sickness.

6. Any clinically significant condition that, in the opinion of the Investigator, would interfere with the study evaluations or would place the trial subject at undue safety risk.

7. Subjects with an active acute or chronic systemic infections

8. Subjects with planned surgery during the trial or within 30 days after the last dose administration

9. Subjects who cannot avoid excessive exposure to UV radiation (use of tanning booths or extended /occupational exposure to sunlight)

10. Subjects that have a medical history of photosensitivity or hyperpigmentation

11. Female subjects with medical history within 3 months prior to randomization of having vaginitis or that use a vaginal douche or vaginal cleaning agent within 48 hours of any visit

12. Subjects who used the following

    1. Non-tetracycline antibiotics (systemic) within 6 weeks prior to Baseline (BL)
    2. Tetracycline antibiotics (systemic) within 3 months prior to BL

13. Subjects who consume excessive amounts of alcohol (greater than two drinks per day) or use drugs of abuse (including, but not limited to, cannabinoids, cocaine and barbiturates) within one year prior to screening

14. Subjects who have been treated with systemic retinoids or therapeutic Vitamin A supplements > 10,000 IU/ day (multivitamin tablets are allowed) within 180 days prior to the BL

15. Subjects who are on anti-coagulants or those likely to require anti-coagulants during the trial period

16. Subjects who have used methoxyflurane or other nephrotoxic drugs (in the opinion of the Investigator) within the past 30 days of BL

17. Subjects who have used topical retinoids or topical antibiotics to the face 30 days prior to BL

18. Subjects who have used on their facial skin within 30 days prior to BL topical corticosteroids, topical anti-mycotic, topical azelaic acid or ivermectin

19. Subjects who have participated in an investigational drug trial (i.e., subjects have been treated with an investigational drug) within 30 days prior to BL or where sufficient washout period has not been achieved; whichever period is longer.

20. Subjects having symptoms of COVID-19 or have had close contact with someone with suspected or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection within 10 days prior to screening or who are at high risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection.