Gene Therapy Clinical Trial for the Treatment Of Leber's HereDitary Optic Neuropathy (GOLD)

• ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04912843
• Recruitment Status: Recruiting
• First Posted: June 3, 2021
• Last Update Posted: November 14, 2022
• Sponsor: Wuhan Neurophth Biotechnology Limited Company
• Information provided by (Responsible Party): Wuhan Neurophth Biotechnology Limited Company

Study Description

Brief Summary:

The objective of this clinical study is to select the optimal dose and evaluate the safety and efficacy of NR082 in treatment of LHON caused by mitochondrial ND4 gene mutation. Part 1 (Phase 1/2) is a safety dose-finding study, which will enroll subjects aged ≥ 18 years old and ≤ 75 years old to receive a single unilateral intravitreal (IVT) injection of NR082 to observe its safety and efficacy. In Part 2 (Phase 3) of the clinical study, the dose recommended after the end of Part 1 is used to further verify the safety and efficacy of the study drug. Part 2 of the study is divided into the safety run-in phase and the randomized, double-blind and control study. Subjects aged ≥ 12 years and ≤ 75 years will be enrolled in the Part 2. The run-in phase will enroll 6 evaluable subjects. After monitoring for at least 6 weeks, if no new safety signals are observed, the clinical trial will enter the randomized, double-blind and control study phase upon approval by the Safety Review Committee(SRC). The clinical manifestation of all subjects is reduced visual acuity caused by LHON associated with ND4 mutation, and central laboratory test showed G11778A mutation (a CLIA-certified laboratory), while the reduced visual acuity lasted for > 6 months and < 10 years.

Condition or disease	Intervention/treatment	Phase
Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON)	Drug: NR082 injection; Device: Sham Injection	Phase 2; Phase 3

Detailed Description:

Part 1: Dose-Finding At the dose-finding part, the principle is that the Safety Review Committee (SRC) will determine whether to make dose adjustment based on the safety data of the starting dose in Part 1. The recommended dose (safe and effective dose) of the Part 2 study will be determined jointly by the SRC, IDMC, sponsor and the drug regulatory authority after the interim analysis in Part 1 is completed.

The starting dose in Part 1 is 1.5 × 109 vg, 0.05 mL eye/dose. The safety of the starting dose will be reviewed by the SRC and the dose escalation or de-escalation will be recommended by the SRC.

The safety of the starting dose will first be performed in 6 evaluable subjects.

Part 2 (including the safety run-in phase and the randomized, double-blind and sham-injection control study):

First Stage: safety run-in phase:

The safety run-in phase of Part 2 will enroll 6 evaluable subjects (including at least 1 minor subject aged ≥ 12 years and < 18 years) aged ≥ 12 years and ≤ 75 years at the dose determined in Part 1, namely 4.5 x 109 vg, 0.05 mL eye/dose (high dose) and monitor the safety for at least 6 weeks. If there is no new safety concern evaluated by the SRC, the randomized, double-blind, sham-injection control study can be initiated.

Second Stage: randomized, double-blind, sham-injection control study:

The randomized, double-blind, sham-injection control study of Part 2 is to verify the efficacy and safety of NR082 in LHON caused by mitochondrial gene ND4 mutation at the dose determined in Part 1 of the study, namely 4.5 x 109 vg, 0.05 mL eye/dose (high dose). This part is divided into the NR082 treatment group and the control group (sham-injection group).

Study Design

• Study Type: Interventional (Clinical Trial)
• Estimated Enrollment: 102 participants
• Allocation: Randomized
• Intervention Model: Sequential Assignment

Intervention Model Description

Part 1: Dose-Finding At the dose-finding part, the principle is that the Safety Review Committee (SRC) will determine whether to make dose adjustment based on the safety data of the starting dose in Part 1. The recommended dose (safe and effective dose) of the Part 2 study will be determined jointly by the SRC, IDMC, sponsor and the drug regulatory authority after the interim analysis in Part 1 is completed.

Part 2 :

First Stage: safety run-in phase:

The safety run-in phase of Part 2 will enroll 6 evaluable subjects (including at least 1 minor subject aged ≥ 12 years and < 18 years) aged ≥ 12 years and ≤ 75 years at the dose determined in Part 1, namely 4.5 x 109 vg, 0.05 mL eye/dose (high dose) and monitor the safety for at least 6 weeks. If there is no new safety concern evaluated by the SRC, the randomized, double-blind, sham-injection control study can be initiated.

Second Stage: randomized, double-blind, sham-injection control study.

• Masking: Quadruple (Participant, Care Provider, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
• Masking Description: Part 1: Dose-Finding: open label；12 subjects Part 2: First Stage: safety run-in phase: open label；6 subjects Part 2: Second Stage: randomized, double-blind, sham-injection; 90 subjects.
• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Official Title: A Phase 1/2/3, Multi-center, Two-part Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Gene Therapy for Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON) Associated With ND4 Mutation
• Actual Study Start Date: June 18, 2021
• Estimated Primary Completion Date: February 29, 2024
• Estimated Study Completion Date: February 29, 2028

Arms and Interventions

Arm	Intervention/treatment
Experimental: NR082 injection; 0.5E9 viral genomes (vg), 0.05 mL eye/dose ,single-dose,only one eye per subject; 1.5E9 viral genomes (vg), 0.05 mL eye/dose single-dose,only one eye per subject; 4.5E9 viral genomes (vg) , 0.05 mL eye/dose single-dose,only one eye per subject Part 1: Dose-Finding；The recommended dose (safe and effective dose) of the Part 2 study will be determined jointly by the SRC, IDMC, sponsor and the drug regulatory authority after the interim analysis in Part 1 is completed.	Drug: NR082 injection; Intravitreal injection（IVT）
Sham Comparator: sham-injection; Part2.Second Stage: randomized, double-blind, sham-injection control study One eye of each participant will undergo sham injection. Sham intravitreal injection will be performed by applying pressure to the eye at the location of a typical intravitreal injection procedure using the blunt end of a syringe without a needle.	Device: Sham Injection; Sham Intravitreal Injection

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures :

1. Safety and tolerability of NR082 at different doses [ Time Frame: Part 1 (Phase1/2): 12 weeks ]
   Incidence rates of AEs, SAEs and DLTs within 12 weeks after injection of NR082 at different doses
2. Safety after NR082 treatment among subjects 12 ≤ aged ≤ 75 years [ Time Frame: Part 2 (Stage 1) : 6 weeks ]
   Incidence rates of AEs and SAEs within 6 weeks after NR082 treatment
3. Efficacy of NR082 in study eye [ Time Frame: Part 2 (Stage 2): 52 weeks ]
   Proportion of ≥ 0.3 LogMAR from baseline in BCVA in the study eye in the NR082 treatment and the sham-injection at Week 52 after treatment

Secondary Outcome Measures :

1. The efficacy and safety following intravitreal injection of NR082 at different doses [ Time Frame: Part 1 (Phase1/2), Part 2 (Stage 1 and Stage 2): Week 2, 6, 12, 26, 40 and 52 ]
   Improvent and mean change from baseline in BCVA; Change from baseline in visual field, contrast sensitivity and visual evoked potential
2. Further assess the efficacy and safety following intravitreal injection of NR082 at different doses [ Time Frame: Part 1 (Phase1/2) and Part 2 (Stage 1): At Weeks 26, 40 and 52 ]
   Descriptions of safety evaluation at Weeks 26, 40 and 52
3. Immunogenicity and vector shedding/biodistribution [ Time Frame: Part 1 (Phase1/2), Part 2 (Stage 1 and Stage 2): Week 2, 6, 12, 26, 40 and 52 ]
   Assessment of cell immunity, humoral immunity, vector DNA shedding in tears (both eyes) and biodistribution in whole blood
4. The change in quality of life from baseline [ Time Frame: Part 1 (Phase1/2), Part 2 (Stage 1 and Stage 2): Week 2, 26 and 52 ]
   Change from baseline in VFQ-25 and SF-36
5. Morphological improvement after NR082 treatment [ Time Frame: Part 1 (Phase1/2), Part 2 (Stage 1 and Stage 2): Week 2, 6, 12, 26, 40 and 52 ]
   Change from baseline in RNFL, GCL and IPL thickness in the study eye
6. Safety and efficacy of NR082 caused by mitochondrial gene ND4 mutation [ Time Frame: Part 2 (Stage 2): Week 2, 6, 12, 26, 40 and 52 ]
   Incidence rates of AEs and SAEs between the NR082 treatment group and the sham-injection group (ocular and non-ocular)

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 12 Years to 75 Years (Child, Adult, Older Adult)
• Sexes Eligible for Study: All
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria Age

1. Age at signing of informed consent form

   1. In Part 1, the age of the subjects must be ≥ 18 years old and ≤ 75 years old
   2. In Part 2, the age of the subjects must be ≥ 12 years old and ≤ 75 years old, and the 6 evaluable subjects must be monitored for at least 6 weeks during the safety run-in phase. If SRC believes that there is no safety issue, the randomized double-blind control study will be initiated Subject Type and Disease Characteristics
2. The clinical manifestation caused by LHON is vision loss, with a visual acuity of ≥ 0.5 LogMAR in BCVA in either eye
3. The genotype test result is that there is G11778A mutation in ND4 gene, and there are no other primary LHON-associated mutations in the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) (ND1[G3460A] or ND6[T14484C]) (confirmed by a CLIA-certified international laboratory)
4. The duration of vision loss in the eye with worse visual acuity lasted > 6 months and < 10 years at screening
5. Pupils can be adequately dilated for a comprehensive eye examination and visual acuity test
6. Each eye of the subject must maintain the VA determined by manual visual acuity test (≤ 2.3 LogMAR) as defined in the ocular/vision examination manual (operating manual for optometry and VA examinations) in this study
7. Sign the written informed consent form and willing to comply with the clinical study protocol Sex

8. Male or female

   1. Male subjects:

      • A male subject must agree to take contraceptive measures at least 6 months after the treatment visit, see Appendix 5 for details

   2. Female subjects:

      • A female subject is eligible to participate if she is not pregnant (see Appendix 5), not breastfeeding, and at least one of the following conditions applies:

   i) Not a woman of childbearing potential (WOCBP) as defined in Appendix 5 or ii) A WOCBP who agrees to follow the contraception guidance in Appendix 5 for at least 6 months after the treatment visit Informed Consent

9. Written informed consent form must be obtained from the subject or his/her parent/legal guardian (if the subject is under 18 years of age) (Part 2) before any study-related procedures are performed (see Section 10.2) If the subject is legally identified as blind (>1.0 LogMARor decimal acuity meter reading < 0.1), an impartial witness must be present throughout the informed consent process and discussion process.

Exclusion Criteria

Subjects who meet any of the following criteria will be excluded from the study:

1. Any known allergy and/or hypersensitivity to the study drug or its constituents
2. Contraindication to IVT injection in any eye
3. IVT drug delivery to any eye within 30 days prior to the screening visit
4. History of vitrectomy in either eye
5. Narrow anterior chamber angle in any eye contra-indicating pupillary dilation
6. Presence of disorders or diseases of the eye or adnexa, excluding LHON, which may interfere with visual or ocular assessments, including spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (FD-OCT), during the study
7. Presence of known/documented mutations, other than the LHON-related mutation, which are known to cause pathology of the optic nerve, retina or afferent visual system
8. Presence of systemic or ocular/vision diseases, disorders or pathologies, other than LHON, known to cause or be associated with vision loss, or whose associated treatment(s) or therapy(ies) is/are known to cause or be associated with vision loss
9. Presence of optic neuropathy from any cause other than LHON
10. Presence of illness or disease that, in the opinion of the investigator, include symptoms and/or the associated treatments that can alter visual function, for instance cancers or pathology of the CNS, including multiple sclerosis (diagnosis of multiple sclerosis must be based on the 2010 Revisions to the McDonald Criteria) (Polman et al., 2011), and/or diseases or conditions that affect the safety of subjects participating in the study
11. History of recurrent uveitis (idiopathic or immune-related) or active ocular inflammation

12. Participated in another clinical study and receive IP within 90 days prior to the screening visit

    a) Exceptions: Subjects who have completed the clinical study of idebenone as IP within 90 days prior to the screening visit, and has completely discontinued idebenone at least 7 days prior to dosing are still eligible to participate in the study.

13. Any eye has previously received ocular gene therapy
14. Subjects who refused to stop using idebenone
15. Have undergone ocular surgery of clinical relevance (per investigator's assessment) within 90 days prior to the screening visit
16. Female subjects who are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed within the first 6 months after the administration of NR082 Injection
17. History of drug or alcohol abuse (including heavy smoking, i.e. > 20 cigarettes per day or > 20 pack-years [equivalent to one pack a day for 20 years or 2 packs a day for 10 years])
18. Subjects with positive human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), syphilis and HCV antibodies are excluded; subjects who have clinically significant active infection requiring treatment as shown by hepatitis B test (defined as positive hepatitis B core antibody [HBcAb] or hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg], hepatitis B virus deoxyribonucleic acid (HBV-DNA) >1,000 copies /mL or >lower limit of quantitative detection with the local laboratory method) will be excluded
19. Unable to tolerate or unable or unwilling to comply with all the protocol requirements
20. Subjects from the study site fail to comply with or do not agree to comply with local and institutional guidelines for suspected 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) infection/testing
21. Any other exclusions determined by the investigator

Contacts and Locations

Contacts

Contact: Xiaoning Guo, PHD; +86-21-64172955; info@neurophth.com

Locations

China

Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University; Recruiting

Beijing, China

Sponsors and Collaborators

Wuhan Neurophth Biotechnology Limited Company

Investigators

• Study Chair: Bin Li, MD; Wuhan Neurophth Biotechnology Limited Company

More Information

• Responsible Party: Wuhan Neurophth Biotechnology Limited Company
• ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04912843
• Other Study ID Numbers: NFS-01-101
• First Posted: June 3, 2021
• Last Update Posted: November 14, 2022
• Last Verified: November 2022

Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement:

• Plan to Share IPD: No

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product: No
• Product Manufactured in and Exported from the U.S.: No

Additional relevant MeSH terms:

Optic Nerve Diseases; Optic Atrophy, Hereditary, Leber; Nervous System Diseases; Cranial Nerve Diseases; Eye Diseases; Optic Atrophies, Hereditary; Optic Atrophy; Heredodegenerative Disorders, Nervous System; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Eye Diseases, Hereditary; Genetic Diseases, Inborn; Mitochondrial Diseases; Metabolic Diseases