Join a Research Study

Clinical Trials for Quitting Smoking

While there’s never a bad time to quit smoking, the COVID-19 pandemic and the turning of the calendar from 2021 to 2022 are important motivators to set a quit date and identify resources that can make this attempt to quit successful.

 

  • Prescription medication and counseling have been shown to improve quit rates. Including them in your quitting resolution may help you achieve your quitting goal.
  • Participation in a clinical study helps provide information on a new drug to learn about its safety and effectiveness.
If you meet all the qualifications to participate in the ORCA-3 study, you will receive study drug (cytisinicline, placebo, or both) during the 12-week treatment period at no cost to you.  In addition, 1:1 smoking cessation counseling support, no cost study-related medical care, and compensation for your time and participation will be provided.

About the Study

Cytisinicline is a natural, plant-based investigational drug that is being evaluated in the United States as an aid to smoking cessation.  The ORCA-3 study is a randomized, placebo-controlled Phase 3 clinical trial currently being conducted to assess the effectiveness and safety of cytisinicline.

 

ORCA-3 is actively recruiting adults in the following cities who currently smoke cigarettes daily and intend to quit smoking.

Who Is Eligible Can Participate?

To qualify for further evaluation to participate in the study, you must meet the following:

 

  • Be at least 18 years of age and generally in good health
  • Currently smoke at least 10 cigarettes per day
  • Intend to quit smoking and be willing to set a quit date within 5-7 days of starting study treatment
  • Have failed at least one previous attempt to stop smoking with or without medication
  • Have access to a smartphone, tablet, or computer, and be willing to make daily entries into an electronic diary over a period of 12 weeks
  • Be willing to attend weekly clinic visits for 12 weeks during the treatment period, and attend one follow up visit per month for 3 months after study treatment has ended
  • Be willing to actively participate in the study’s smoking cessation behavioral support provided throughout the study

What happens if I volunteer to participate in this study?

If you qualify and decide to participate in the study, you will be randomized into one of three groups:

 

  1. One placebo tablet orally three times daily plus behavioral support for 12 weeks
  2. One cytisinicline tablet orally three times daily plus behavioral support for 6 weeks followed by one placebo tablet orally three times daily plus behavioral support for 6 weeks
  3. One cytisinicline tablet orally three times daily plus behavioral support for 12 weeks

The placebo tablet is identical in size, shape, color and packaging as the cytisinicline tablet. It contains the same components as the cytisinicline tablet except the active ingredient.  Neither you nor your doctor will know whether you are receiving placebo treatment or cytisinicline.

 

During the study, you will be assessed for smoking cessation by self-report of abstinence with verification documented by medical tests with the doctor weekly starting at Week 2 through Week 12. Additional follow-up assessments will occur at Week 16, 20 and 24 to evaluate long-term continuous abstinence and safety.  You can expect to have approximately 14 visits to the doctor’s office over the course of the study.

More Information

If you, or someone you know is a smoker, you may be eligible to participate in a research study. Our studies seek to determine the safety and efficacy of an investigational drug for the treatment of those with the disease. For more information please contact us.