Trial Outcomes & Findings for Study to Test the Hypothesis of Non-inferior Efficacy and Safety of Ferrum Lek® (Iron (III) Hydroxide Polymaltosate), 100 mg Chewable Tablets (Lek d.d., Slovenia), as Compared With MALTOFER® (Vifor S.A., Switzerland), in Subjects With Mild and Moderate Iron Deficiency Anemia. (NCT NCT03993288)

NCT ID: NCT03993288

Last Updated: 2021-07-12

Results Overview

Changes in blood hemoglobin level (g/L) after 12-weeks of iron-deficiency anaemia treatment, a non-inferiority comparison, as compared with the baseline value (screening visit) between Ferrum Lek® and MALTOFER® groups

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

PHASE3

Target enrollment

267 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

Baseline and Week 12

Results posted on

2021-07-12

Participant Flow

Participants were enrolled from 18 sites in the Russian Federation.

Participants were randomized in 1:1 ratio to two treatment arms.

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
Ferrum Lek
Participants received Ferrum Lek® 2 tablets daily (200 mg) for 12 weeks
MALTOFER
Participants received MALTOFER® 2 tablets daily (200 mg) for 12 weeks
Overall Study
STARTED
133
134
Overall Study
Intention-to-treat (ITT) Population
123
129
Overall Study
Safety Analysis Set
133
134
Overall Study
COMPLETED
123
129
Overall Study
NOT COMPLETED
10
5

Reasons for withdrawal

Reasons for withdrawal
Measure
Ferrum Lek
Participants received Ferrum Lek® 2 tablets daily (200 mg) for 12 weeks
MALTOFER
Participants received MALTOFER® 2 tablets daily (200 mg) for 12 weeks
Overall Study
Lost to Follow-up
2
1
Overall Study
non-compliance to the inclusion criteria
0
1
Overall Study
wrong randomization
0
1
Overall Study
improper enrollment
0
1
Overall Study
prescribed with prohibited concomitant therapy
1
0
Overall Study
developed SAE
2
0
Overall Study
consent withdrawal
1
0
Overall Study
did not follow the treatment schedule
1
0
Overall Study
did not follow the treatment regimen
1
0
Overall Study
Adverse Event
1
0
Overall Study
Withdrawal by Subject
1
1

Baseline Characteristics

Study to Test the Hypothesis of Non-inferior Efficacy and Safety of Ferrum Lek® (Iron (III) Hydroxide Polymaltosate), 100 mg Chewable Tablets (Lek d.d., Slovenia), as Compared With MALTOFER® (Vifor S.A., Switzerland), in Subjects With Mild and Moderate Iron Deficiency Anemia.

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
Ferrum Lek
n=133 Participants
Participants received Ferrum Lek® 2 tablets daily (200 mg) for 12 weeks
MALTOFER
n=134 Participants
Participants received MALTOFER® 2 tablets daily (200 mg) for 12 weeks
Total
n=267 Participants
Total of all reporting groups
Age, Continuous
39.68 years
n=39 Participants
38.16 years
n=41 Participants
38.92 years
n=35 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
124 Participants
n=39 Participants
125 Participants
n=41 Participants
249 Participants
n=35 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
9 Participants
n=39 Participants
9 Participants
n=41 Participants
18 Participants
n=35 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Asian
2 Participants
n=39 Participants
2 Participants
n=41 Participants
4 Participants
n=35 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Caucasian
131 Participants
n=39 Participants
132 Participants
n=41 Participants
263 Participants
n=35 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline and Week 12

Population: Intention-to-treat (ITT) population included all randomized participants who were administered at least one dose of the investigational product or comparator and who had hemoglobin level data both before and after treatment with the investigational product and the reference product.

Changes in blood hemoglobin level (g/L) after 12-weeks of iron-deficiency anaemia treatment, a non-inferiority comparison, as compared with the baseline value (screening visit) between Ferrum Lek® and MALTOFER® groups

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Ferrum Lek
n=123 Participants
Participants received Ferrum Lek® 2 tablets daily (200 mg) for 12 weeks
MALTOFER
n=129 Participants
Participants received MALTOFER® 2 tablets daily (200 mg) for 12 weeks
Change From Baseline in Blood Hemoglobin Level (g/L)
18.33 g/L
Standard Deviation 15.05
18.52 g/L
Standard Deviation 14.57

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline, Week 4, 8 and 12

Population: Intention-to-treat (ITT) population included all randomized participants who were administered at least one dose of the investigational product or comparator and who had hemoglobin level data both before and after treatment with the investigational product and the reference product.

Change in average values of iron metabolism parameter serum iron during the treatment period

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Ferrum Lek
n=123 Participants
Participants received Ferrum Lek® 2 tablets daily (200 mg) for 12 weeks
MALTOFER
n=129 Participants
Participants received MALTOFER® 2 tablets daily (200 mg) for 12 weeks
Change From Baseline in Serum Iron
Week 4
1.76 micromoles/liter
Standard Deviation 7.35
3.42 micromoles/liter
Standard Deviation 6.57
Change From Baseline in Serum Iron
Week 8
4.09 micromoles/liter
Standard Deviation 9.62
4.34 micromoles/liter
Standard Deviation 9.19
Change From Baseline in Serum Iron
Week 12
5.16 micromoles/liter
Standard Deviation 9.56
6.12 micromoles/liter
Standard Deviation 8.28

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline, Week 4, 8 and 12

Population: Intention-to-treat (ITT) population included all randomized participants who were administered at least one dose of the investigational product or comparator and who had hemoglobin level data both before and after treatment with the investigational product and the reference product.

Change in average values of iron metabolism parameter transferrin during the treatment period

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Ferrum Lek
n=123 Participants
Participants received Ferrum Lek® 2 tablets daily (200 mg) for 12 weeks
MALTOFER
n=129 Participants
Participants received MALTOFER® 2 tablets daily (200 mg) for 12 weeks
Change From Baseline in Transferrin
Week 4
-0.15 g/L
Standard Deviation 0.31
-0.14 g/L
Standard Deviation 0.38
Change From Baseline in Transferrin
Week 8
-0.22 g/L
Standard Deviation 0.41
-0.22 g/L
Standard Deviation 0.41
Change From Baseline in Transferrin
Week 12
-0.24 g/L
Standard Deviation 0.41
-0.25 g/L
Standard Deviation 0.43

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline, Week 4, 8 and 12

Population: Intention-to-treat (ITT) population included all randomized participants who were administered at least one dose of the investigational product or comparator and who had hemoglobin level data both before and after treatment with the investigational product and the reference product.

Change in average values of iron metabolism parameter percent transferrin saturation during the treatment period

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Ferrum Lek
n=123 Participants
Participants received Ferrum Lek® 2 tablets daily (200 mg) for 12 weeks
MALTOFER
n=129 Participants
Participants received MALTOFER® 2 tablets daily (200 mg) for 12 weeks
Change From Baseline in Percent Transferrin Saturation
Week 4
2.46 percent transferrin saturation
Standard Deviation 5.82
4.44 percent transferrin saturation
Standard Deviation 8.04
Change From Baseline in Percent Transferrin Saturation
Week 8
8.25 percent transferrin saturation
Standard Deviation 12.54
5.47 percent transferrin saturation
Standard Deviation 9.45
Change From Baseline in Percent Transferrin Saturation
Week 12
7.27 percent transferrin saturation
Standard Deviation 12.02
8.03 percent transferrin saturation
Standard Deviation 10.14

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline, Week 4, 8 and 12

Population: Intention-to-treat (ITT) population included all randomized participants who were administered at least one dose of the investigational product or comparator and who had hemoglobin level data both before and after treatment with the investigational product and the reference product.

Change in average values of iron metabolism parameter ferritin during the treatment period

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Ferrum Lek
n=123 Participants
Participants received Ferrum Lek® 2 tablets daily (200 mg) for 12 weeks
MALTOFER
n=129 Participants
Participants received MALTOFER® 2 tablets daily (200 mg) for 12 weeks
Change From Baseline in Ferritin
Week 4
3.48 microgram/liter
Standard Deviation 11.2
7.35 microgram/liter
Standard Deviation 33.76
Change From Baseline in Ferritin
Week 8
4.9 microgram/liter
Standard Deviation 14.72
4.49 microgram/liter
Standard Deviation 15.42
Change From Baseline in Ferritin
Week 12
7.62 microgram/liter
Standard Deviation 20.24
6.55 microgram/liter
Standard Deviation 15.87

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline and Week 12

Population: Intention-to-treat (ITT) population included all randomized participants who were administered at least one dose of the investigational product or comparator and who had hemoglobin level data both before and after treatment with the investigational product and the reference product.

Response to the therapy is determined as an increase in hemoglobin level by 20 g/L and more after 12-weeks of treatment

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Ferrum Lek
n=123 Participants
Participants received Ferrum Lek® 2 tablets daily (200 mg) for 12 weeks
MALTOFER
n=129 Participants
Participants received MALTOFER® 2 tablets daily (200 mg) for 12 weeks
Number of Participants With Response to the Therapy
59 Participants
56 Participants

Adverse Events

Ferrum Lek

Serious events: 2 serious events
Other events: 54 other events
Deaths: 1 deaths

MALTOFER

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 47 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Serious adverse events
Measure
Ferrum Lek
n=133 participants at risk
Participants received Ferrum Lek® 2 tablets daily (200 mg) for 12 weeks
MALTOFER
n=134 participants at risk
Participants received MALTOFER® 2 tablets daily (200 mg) for 12 weeks
Reproductive system and breast disorders
Menometrorrhagia
0.75%
1/133 • Adverse Events were collected for 14 weeks (12 weeks treatment period plus 2 weeks follow up).
Any signs or symptoms that occurred for 14 weeks (12 weeks treatment period plus 2 weeks follow up).
0.00%
0/134 • Adverse Events were collected for 14 weeks (12 weeks treatment period plus 2 weeks follow up).
Any signs or symptoms that occurred for 14 weeks (12 weeks treatment period plus 2 weeks follow up).
Nervous system disorders
Encephalopathy
0.75%
1/133 • Adverse Events were collected for 14 weeks (12 weeks treatment period plus 2 weeks follow up).
Any signs or symptoms that occurred for 14 weeks (12 weeks treatment period plus 2 weeks follow up).
0.00%
0/134 • Adverse Events were collected for 14 weeks (12 weeks treatment period plus 2 weeks follow up).
Any signs or symptoms that occurred for 14 weeks (12 weeks treatment period plus 2 weeks follow up).

Other adverse events

Other adverse events
Measure
Ferrum Lek
n=133 participants at risk
Participants received Ferrum Lek® 2 tablets daily (200 mg) for 12 weeks
MALTOFER
n=134 participants at risk
Participants received MALTOFER® 2 tablets daily (200 mg) for 12 weeks
Gastrointestinal disorders
Diarrhoea
9.8%
13/133 • Adverse Events were collected for 14 weeks (12 weeks treatment period plus 2 weeks follow up).
Any signs or symptoms that occurred for 14 weeks (12 weeks treatment period plus 2 weeks follow up).
6.7%
9/134 • Adverse Events were collected for 14 weeks (12 weeks treatment period plus 2 weeks follow up).
Any signs or symptoms that occurred for 14 weeks (12 weeks treatment period plus 2 weeks follow up).
Gastrointestinal disorders
Stool discoloration
19.5%
26/133 • Adverse Events were collected for 14 weeks (12 weeks treatment period plus 2 weeks follow up).
Any signs or symptoms that occurred for 14 weeks (12 weeks treatment period plus 2 weeks follow up).
14.9%
20/134 • Adverse Events were collected for 14 weeks (12 weeks treatment period plus 2 weeks follow up).
Any signs or symptoms that occurred for 14 weeks (12 weeks treatment period plus 2 weeks follow up).
Gastrointestinal disorders
Dyspepsia
4.5%
6/133 • Adverse Events were collected for 14 weeks (12 weeks treatment period plus 2 weeks follow up).
Any signs or symptoms that occurred for 14 weeks (12 weeks treatment period plus 2 weeks follow up).
5.2%
7/134 • Adverse Events were collected for 14 weeks (12 weeks treatment period plus 2 weeks follow up).
Any signs or symptoms that occurred for 14 weeks (12 weeks treatment period plus 2 weeks follow up).
Gastrointestinal disorders
Abdominal pain
6.8%
9/133 • Adverse Events were collected for 14 weeks (12 weeks treatment period plus 2 weeks follow up).
Any signs or symptoms that occurred for 14 weeks (12 weeks treatment period plus 2 weeks follow up).
4.5%
6/134 • Adverse Events were collected for 14 weeks (12 weeks treatment period plus 2 weeks follow up).
Any signs or symptoms that occurred for 14 weeks (12 weeks treatment period plus 2 weeks follow up).
Gastrointestinal disorders
Nausea
5.3%
7/133 • Adverse Events were collected for 14 weeks (12 weeks treatment period plus 2 weeks follow up).
Any signs or symptoms that occurred for 14 weeks (12 weeks treatment period plus 2 weeks follow up).
3.7%
5/134 • Adverse Events were collected for 14 weeks (12 weeks treatment period plus 2 weeks follow up).
Any signs or symptoms that occurred for 14 weeks (12 weeks treatment period plus 2 weeks follow up).
Nervous system disorders
Headache
3.8%
5/133 • Adverse Events were collected for 14 weeks (12 weeks treatment period plus 2 weeks follow up).
Any signs or symptoms that occurred for 14 weeks (12 weeks treatment period plus 2 weeks follow up).
6.0%
8/134 • Adverse Events were collected for 14 weeks (12 weeks treatment period plus 2 weeks follow up).
Any signs or symptoms that occurred for 14 weeks (12 weeks treatment period plus 2 weeks follow up).
Gastrointestinal disorders
Constipation
6.0%
8/133 • Adverse Events were collected for 14 weeks (12 weeks treatment period plus 2 weeks follow up).
Any signs or symptoms that occurred for 14 weeks (12 weeks treatment period plus 2 weeks follow up).
5.2%
7/134 • Adverse Events were collected for 14 weeks (12 weeks treatment period plus 2 weeks follow up).
Any signs or symptoms that occurred for 14 weeks (12 weeks treatment period plus 2 weeks follow up).
Infections and infestations
Nasopharyngitis
3.0%
4/133 • Adverse Events were collected for 14 weeks (12 weeks treatment period plus 2 weeks follow up).
Any signs or symptoms that occurred for 14 weeks (12 weeks treatment period plus 2 weeks follow up).
6.0%
8/134 • Adverse Events were collected for 14 weeks (12 weeks treatment period plus 2 weeks follow up).
Any signs or symptoms that occurred for 14 weeks (12 weeks treatment period plus 2 weeks follow up).

Additional Information

Study Director

Novartis Pharmaceuticals

Phone: 862-778-8300

Results disclosure agreements

  • Principal investigator is a sponsor employee The terms and conditions of Novartis' agreements with its investigators may vary. However, Novartis does not prohibit any investigator from publishing. Any publications from a single-site are postponed until the publication of the pooled data (ie, data from all sites) in the clinical trial.
  • Publication restrictions are in place

Restriction type: OTHER