Study to Evaluate the Efficacy Safety and Tolerability of Ultevursen in Subjects With RP Due to Mutations in Exon 13 of the USH2A Gene (Sirius)

• ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05158296
• Recruitment Status: Active, not recruiting
• First Posted: December 15, 2021
• Last Update Posted: September 16, 2022
• Sponsor: ProQR Therapeutics
• Information provided by (Responsible Party): ProQR Therapeutics

Study Description

Brief Summary:

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy safety and tolerability of ultevursen administered via intravitreal injection (IVT) in subjects with Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) due to mutations in exon 13 of the USH2A gene.

Condition or disease	Intervention/treatment	Phase
Retinitis Pigmentosa; Usher Syndrome Type 2; Deaf Blind; Retinal Disease; Eye Diseases; Eye Diseases, Hereditary; Eye Disorders Congenital; Vision Disorders	Drug: Ultevursen; Other: Sham-procedure	Phase 2; Phase 3

Detailed Description:

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy safety and tolerability of ultevursen administered via intravitreal injection (IVT) in subjects with Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) due to mutations in exon 13 of the USH2A gene.

The below dose levels of ultevursen will be evaluated with the loading dose administered at Day 1 and maintenance dose administered at Month 3 and every 6 months thereafter:

1. Loading dose of 180 µg, maintenance dose of 60 µg
2. Loading dose of 60 µg, maintenance dose of 60 µg

Dose levels will include subjects randomized to sham-procedure or treatment with ultevursen.

Study Design

• Study Type: Interventional (Clinical Trial)
• Estimated Enrollment: 81 participants
• Allocation: Randomized
• Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment

Intervention Model Description

Double-masked, randomized, controlled, multiple-dose study. Subjects will be randomized to one of three treatment groups:

1. Group 1: Ultevursen 180/60 µg (180 µg loading dose administered on Day 1, 60 µg maintenance dose administered at Month 3 and every 6 months thereafter)
2. Group 2: Ultevursen 60/60 µg (60 µg loading dose administered on Day 1, 60 µg maintenance dose administered at Month 3 and every 6 months thereafter; n = 27)
3. Group 3: Sham-procedure (administered on Day 1, Month 3 and every 6 months thereafter; n = 27)

• Masking: Quadruple (Participant, Care Provider, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
• Masking Description: Subject, site staff (study coordinator, imaging technician, etc) and Investigator will be completely masked. Physician performing IVT and post-IVT monitoring will know if subject is receiving sham or treatment, but will be masked to the dose level. Pharmacist is the only site staff that will be completely unmasked.
• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Official Title: A Double-Masked, Randomized, Controlled, Multiple-Dose Study to Evaluate the Efficacy, Safety and Tolerability of Ultevursen in Subjects With Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) Due to Mutations in Exon 13 of the USH2A Gene (Sirius)
• Actual Study Start Date: December 8, 2021
• Estimated Primary Completion Date: December 2024
• Estimated Study Completion Date: December 2024

Arms and Interventions

Arm	Intervention/treatment
Experimental: Ultevursen 180/60 µg; 180 µg loading dose administered on Day 1, 60 µg maintenance dose administered at Month 3 and every 6 months thereafter	Drug: Ultevursen; RNA antisense oligonucleotide for intravitreal injection; Other Name: RNA antisense oligonucleotide for intravitreal injection
Experimental: Ultevursen 60/60 µg; 60 µg loading dose administered on Day 1, 60 µg maintenance dose administered at Month 3 and every 6 months thereafter	Drug: Ultevursen; RNA antisense oligonucleotide for intravitreal injection; Other Name: RNA antisense oligonucleotide for intravitreal injection
Sham Comparator: Sham-procedure; Sham-procedure (no experimental drug administered) on Day 1, Month 3 and every 6 months thereafter	Other: Sham-procedure; Sham-procedure (no experimental drug administered)

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures :

1. Mean change from baseline in BCVA [ Time Frame: 18 months of treatment versus sham-procedure ]
   Mean change from baseline in best corrected visual acuity(BCVA) based on the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) chart

Secondary Outcome Measures :

1. Proportion of patients who maintain vision defined by BCVA loss less than 15 Letters (ETDRS) [ Time Frame: 27 months ]
   Proportion of patients who maintain vision defined by BCVA loss less than 15 Letters based on ETDRS
2. Change from baseline in other analyses of BCVA [ Time Frame: 27 months ]
   Change from baseline in other analyses of BCVA
3. Change from baseline in ellipsoid zone (EZ) area and width as imaged by spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) [ Time Frame: 27 months ]
   Change from baseline in ellipsoid zone (EZ) area and width as imaged by spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT)
4. Change from baseline in Low Luminance Visual Acuity (LLVA) [ Time Frame: 27 months ]
   Change from baseline in Low Luminance Visual Acuity (LLVA)
5. Change from baseline in Microperimetry [ Time Frame: 27 months ]
   Change from baseline in Microperimetry
6. Change from baseline in Full-field Stimulus Threshold (FST) [ Time Frame: 27 months ]
   Change from baseline in Full-field Stimulus Threshold (FST)
7. Change from baseline in PRO measures [ Time Frame: 27 months ]
   As assessed by the Veteran Affairs Low Vision Visual Functioning Questionnaire (VA LV VFQ-20), Patient Global Impressions of Severity (PGI-S) and Patient Global Impressions of Change (PGI-C)
8. Ocular and non-ocular adverse events (AEs) [ Time Frame: 27 months ]
   Ocular and non-ocular adverse events (AEs)
9. Cmax of ultevursen in serum [ Time Frame: 27 months ]
   Maximum concentration (Cmax) of ultevursen in serum

Eligibility Criteria

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

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Male or female, ≥ 18 years of age OR a minor (12 to < 18 years) with permission from a parent or legal guardian. The lower age limit for pediatric populations is subject to local regulatory and ethics committee requirements.
2. An adult willing to comply with the protocol, follow study instructions, attend study visits as required and willing and able to complete all study assessments. OR A minor able to complete all study assessments and comply with the protocol and has a parent or caregiver willing and able to follow study instructions, and attend study visits with the subject as required.
3. Clinical presentation consistent with RP with Usher syndrome type 2 or nonsyndromic form of RP (NSRP), based on ophthalmic, audiologic, and vestibular examinations.
4. A molecular diagnosis of homozygosity or compound heterozygosity for 1 or more pathogenic exon 13 mutations in the USH2A gene, based on genetic analysis at screening.
5. BCVA between ≥30 and ≤68 letters (approximate Snellen equivalent 20/250 - 20/50) in the treatment eye using the mean BCVA reading at screening. Subjects with a mean BCVA between >68 and ≤73 letters will be allowed with documented historic evidence of a BCVA equivalent decline of >5 letters in both eyes.
6. BCVA between ≥30 and ≤73 letters (approximate Snellen equivalent 20/250 - 20/40) in the contralateral eye (CE), using the mean BCVA reading at Screening.

7. A difference in mean BCVA readings at Screening between the TE and CE of

   ≤10 letters (based on ETDRS). BCVA differences between eyes that are greater than 10 letters may be allowed however, the Investigator should discuss the case with the Medical Monitor.

8. Stable BCVA in the TE and CE, defined as 2 separate BCVA measurements at Screening that fall within ≤ 5 letters for each respective eye.
9. A visible EZ layer on SD-OCT in the TE, as determined by the Investigator.
10. No limitations to SD-OCT image collection that would prevent high quality, reliable images from being obtained in both eyes, as determined by the Investigator.
11. Reliable BCVA, perimetry, and other measurements in both eyes, as described in the Study Reference Manual and Imaging Manual and determined by the Investigator.
12. No visually significant ocular media opacities and adequate pupillary dilation to permit good quality retinal imaging in both eyes, as assessed by the Investigator.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Presence of additional non-exon 13 USH2A pathogenic mutation(s) on the USH2A allele carrying the exon 13 mutation in subjects who have monoallelic exon-13 mutations.
2. Presence of non-exon 13 USH2A pathogenic mutation(s) on both USH2A alleles in subjects who have biallelic exon 13 mutations.
3. Presence of pathogenic mutations in genes (other than the USH2A gene) associated with Usher syndrome Type 2 or NSRP, or other inherited retinal degenerative diseases or syndromes. Note: The confirmed presence of homozygous or compound heterozygous known disease-causing mutations in other genes involved in recessive retinal dystrophies (RD), or the confirmed presence of known disease-causing mutations in genes involved in dominant or X-linked retinal dystrophies is exclusionary.
4. Presence of any significant ocular (in either eye) or non-ocular disease/disorder (or medication and/or laboratory test abnormalities) which, in the opinion of the Investigator and with concurrence of the Medical Monitor, may either put the subject at risk because of participation in the study, may influence the results of the study, or the subject's ability to participate in the study. This includes but is not limited to a subject who has uncontrolled cystoid macular edema (CME). CME is permissible if stable for 3 months (with or without treatment). Past CME is permissible if resolved for more than 1 month.
5. History or presence of ocular herpetic diseases (including herpes simplex virus, varicella zoster or cytomegalovirus) in either eye.
6. Presence of any active ocular infection in either eye.

7. Presence of any of the following lens opacities in the study eye: cortical opacity ≥

   +2, posterior subcapsular opacity ≥ +2, or a nuclear sclerosis ≥ +2, and which are: 1) clinically significant in the opinion of the Investigator, 2) would adequately prevent clinical and photographic evaluation of the retina.

8. History of amblyopia in either eye that resulted in significant vision loss, in the opinion of the Investigator.
9. Receipt within 3 months prior to Screening of any intraocular or periocular surgery (including refractive surgery), or an IVT injection or planned intraocular surgery or procedure in either eye during the course of the study. For YAG laser treatment of a posterior capsular opacity, receipt within 1 month prior to Screening or planned procedure in either eye during the course of the study.
10. Current treatment or treatment within the past 12 months with therapies known to influence the immune system (including but not limited to steroid implants, cytostatics, interferons, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-binding proteins, drugs acting on immunophilins, or antibodies with known impact on the immune system). Subjects that have been treated with systemic steroids within the past 12 months or that require intermittent use of topical steroids may be considered for inclusion following approval by the Medical Monitor.
11. A history of glaucoma or an IOP greater than 21 mmHg in either eye that is not controlled with medication or surgery. IOP measurements between 21 and 24 mmHg may be allowed however, the Investigator should discuss the case with the Medical Monitor.
12. Use of any investigational drug or device within 90 days or 5 half-lives preceding the first dose of study medication, whichever is longer, or plans to participate in another study of an investigational drug or device during the course of the study.
13. Any prior treatment with genetic or stem-cell therapy for ocular or non-ocular disease.
14. History of malignancy within 2 years prior to Screening, except adequately treated squamous or basal cell carcinoma of the skin or carcinoma in situ of the cervix that has been successfully treated.
15. Known hypersensitivity to antisense oligonucleotides or any constituents of the injection.
16. Pregnant and breastfeeding subjects. Females of childbearing potential and males must comply with using highly effective methods of contraception as defined in the protocol. Women of non-childbearing potential may be included without the use of adequate birth control.

Contacts and Locations

Locations

United States, California

Shiley Eye Institute - UC San Diego

San Diego, California, United States, 92093-0946

University of California, San Francisco

San Francisco, California, United States, 94158

United States, Florida

University of Miami, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute

Miami, Florida, United States, 33136

United States, Georgia

Emory Eye Center

Atlanta, Georgia, United States, 30322

United States, Maryland

Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Hospital

Baltimore, Maryland, United States, 21287

United States, Massachusetts

Center for Clinical Research Operations, Massachusetts Eye and Ear

Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02114

United States, Michigan

University of Michigan, Kellogg Eye Center

Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States, 48105

United States, New York

Columbia University

New York, New York, United States, 10032

United States, Texas

Retina Foundation of the Southwest

Dallas, Texas, United States, 75231

United States, Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin - Madison

Madison, Wisconsin, United States, 53705

Germany

Universitaetsklinikum Tuebingen Department für Augenheilkunde

Tuebingen, Germany, 72076

Netherlands

RadboudUMC

Nijmegen, Netherlands, 6525 GA

Het Oogziekenhuis Rotterdam

Rotterdam, Netherlands, 3011 BH

United Kingdom

Oxford Eye Hospital

Headington, Oxford, United Kingdom, OX3 9DU

Moorfields Eye Hospital

London, United Kingdom

Sponsors and Collaborators

ProQR Therapeutics

Investigators

• Study Director: ProQR Medical Monitor; ProQR Therapeutics
• Study Director: ProQR Clinical Trial Manager; ProQR Therapeutics

More Information

• Responsible Party: ProQR Therapeutics
• ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05158296
• Other Study ID Numbers: PQ-421a-003; 2021-002729-74 ( EudraCT Number )
• First Posted: December 15, 2021
• Last Update Posted: September 16, 2022
• Last Verified: September 2022

Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement:

• Plan to Share IPD: No

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product: Yes
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product: No

Keywords provided by ProQR Therapeutics:

Retinitis Pigmentosa; USH2A; RP; exon 13; RNA therapies; antisense oligonucleotide; exon skipping; Sirius; IVT; mutations in exon 13 of the USH2A gene; NSRP; Non-Syndromic RP; Inherited Retinal Disorders; Usher Syndrome; Intravitreal Injection; ultevursen

Additional relevant MeSH terms:

Usher Syndromes; Vision Disorders; Eye Diseases; Retinitis; Retinitis Pigmentosa; Retinal Diseases; Eye Diseases, Hereditary; Eye Abnormalities; Genetic Diseases, Inborn; Retinal Dystrophies; Retinal Degeneration; Sensation Disorders; Neurologic Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases; Deaf-Blind Disorders; Deafness; Hearing Loss; Hearing Disorders; Ear Diseases; Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural; Blindness; Abnormalities, Multiple; Congenital Abnormalities