A new migraine clinical trial is getting ready to kick off in New Zealand, testing a potential new medication that aims to help prevent migraine attacks.
The clinical trial is being conducted by three clinical trial companies – Optimal Clinical Trials, Pacific Clinical Research Network (PCRN) and the New Zealand Brain Research Institute (NZBRI), with the trials being conducted in Auckland, Wellington, Tasman and Christchurch.
Initial eligibility criteria includes:
- aged between 18–80 years
- BMI of less than 35
- diagnosed with episodic or chronic migraine before age 50
- have tried at least 1 preventive medication
- have had a minimum of 6 days of headache or migraine in the month before you enter the trial.
The investigational medication is a potential new type of botulinum neurotoxin (similar to Botox) specifically designed to potentially treat both episodic and chronic migraine. New Zealand is one of a number of countries involved in the trial.
General information about the clinical trial
Once you register your interest at one of the clinical trial sites, one of their team members will contact you and run through further eligibility questions.
If you’re eligible and decide to participate, the trial will involve 6–7 clinic visits for approximately 10 months. All participants will receive one treatment session. The treatment is similar to current Botox treatment, consisting of 28 small injections (0.1 ml) into specific muscles in your head and neck. You’ll then be monitored over the following 36 weeks. You’ll be administered the medication or a placebo. The placebo looks like the investigational medicine but contains no active medication.
The visits may also involve health checks, such as a physical exam, blood tests, neurological exam and an ECG.
For more information and to register your interest, please visit one of the research sites below. The clinical trial companies can also answer any questions.
Research sites
- Auckland – Optimal Clinical Trials
- Christchurch – Optimal Clinical Trials
- Meranti Chronic Migraine Study Wellington – PCRN
- Meranti Chronic Migraine Study Auckland – PCRN
- Meranti Chronic Migraine Study Christchurch – PCRN
- Meranti Chronic Migraine Study Tasman – PCRN
- New Zealand Brain Research Institute
