Study of an Intrathecal Port and Catheter System for Subjects With Spinal Muscular Atrophy (PIERRE)
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ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05866419 |
Recruitment Status :
Recruiting
First Posted : May 19, 2023
Last Update Posted : November 29, 2023
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The primary objective of the clinical investigation is to demonstrate successful clinical use of the ThecaFlex DRx™ System in delivering nusinersen in subjects with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).
All enrolled subjects will undergo implantation of the investigational device (ThecaFlex DRx™ System) and will be followed for 12 months after receiving the implant. The 12-month data will be used to assess the primary endpoint support a Pre-Market Approval (PMA) application.
Condition or disease | Intervention/treatment | Phase |
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Spinal Muscular Atrophy Spine Deformity Scoliosis | Device: ThecaFlex DRx System | Not Applicable |
This is a multicenter, multi-national, prospective, non-randomized, single arm, group sequential design, pivotal clinical investigation (device exemption study) to assess the safety and performance of the ThecaFlex DRx™ System in subjects with SMA.
The subject population will include subjects aged ≥ 3 years with SMA who are considered candidates for intrathecal port and catheter implantation because they require chronic, bolus intrathecal administration of necessary therapy, and who meet all the inclusion/exclusion criteria for the clinical investigation.
After a screening period of up to 30 days, all enrolled subjects will undergo implantation of the investigational device (ThecaFlex DRx™ System) and will be followed for 12 months after receiving the implant.
In agreement with the nusinersen dosing information, the treatment frequency will be adapted for non-naïve and naïve subjects:
Subjects who are not naïve to nusinersen should have nusinersen maintenance doses administered via the implant every 4 months (i.e., 4, 8, and 12 months after their last nusinersen dose, before enrollment in the clinical investigation).
Subjects who are naïve to nusinersen will have their first three loading doses administered via the implant at 14-day intervals. The fourth loading dose should be administered 30 days after the third dose. A maintenance dose should be administered once every 4 months thereafter within the 12 months post-implantation.
A DMC and Clinical Events Committee (CEC), independent of each other and the Sponsor, will be used to perform ongoing consistent adjudication of events related to the safety throughout the entire duration of the clinical investigation and to periodically review data that relate to the safety of the study.
The clinical investigation will enroll 90 subjects. The clinical investigation incorporates a lead-in phase which consists of 10 subjects enrolled, implanted, and followed for 30-days. Enrollment for the lead-in phase is expected to take approximately 6 to 9 months, at which point the Data Monitoring Committee (DMC) will review the data for safety and approve continuation of enrollment. The second phase of enrollment is expected to take approximately 12 to 15 months.
Individual subjects are anticipated to be enrolled in the clinical investigation for approximately 37 months. The total duration of this clinical investigation is estimated to be approximately 60 months.
Study Type : | Interventional (Clinical Trial) |
Estimated Enrollment : | 90 participants |
Allocation: | N/A |
Intervention Model: | Single Group Assignment |
Masking: | None (Open Label) |
Primary Purpose: | Treatment |
Official Title: | Safety and Performance of the ThecaFlex DRx™ System Port and Catheter for Chronic Intrathecal Access, Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Aspiration, and DElivery of Nusinersen in Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Patients Resistant to Lumbar PunctuRE Trial (PIERRE) |
Actual Study Start Date : | November 27, 2023 |
Estimated Primary Completion Date : | May 2026 |
Estimated Study Completion Date : | March 2027 |

Arm | Intervention/treatment |
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Experimental: ThecaFlex DRx Port and Catheter System
Subjects who meet all of the inclusion and none of the exclusion would be eligible to receive the ThecaFlex DRx Port and Catheter System.
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Device: ThecaFlex DRx System
The ThecaFlex DRx™ System consists of an implantable intrathecal catheter, and an implantable subcutaneous port, designed specifically to meet the implantation, Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) aspiration, and intrathecal delivery and dosing needs of patients (aged ≥ 3 years) requiring repeated/on-going intermittent chronic bolus intrathecal treatment for life threatening, debilitating Central Nervous System (CNS) disorders who are precluded from Lumbar Puncture (LP) due to complex spine conditions, or who are resistant to LP for therapy administration or CSF aspiration. |
- The proportion of subjects with successful Implantation of the ThecaFlex DRx™ Port and Catheter [ Time Frame: 12 Months ]The primary outcome measures the proportion of subjects with successful implantation of the ThecaFlex DRx™ Port and Catheter System who are able to receive successful intrathecal therapy infusion(s).
- The proportion of subjects with successful Intrathecal Therapy Infusion(s) through 12 months [ Time Frame: 12 Months ]
- Proportion of subjects with reduced anesthesia and radiation exposure compared to repeat LP for nusinersen infusion in SMA subjects. [ Time Frame: 12 months ]
- Incidence of device-related adverse events (AEs)/complications through 12 months [ Time Frame: 12 months ]
- Incidence of procedural complications through 12 months [ Time Frame: 12 months ]
- Incidence of nusinersen-related AEs [ Time Frame: 12 months ]
- Mean duration of radiation exposure from implant through 12-month follow-up [ Time Frame: 12 months ]

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Ages Eligible for Study: | 3 Years and older (Child, Adult, Older Adult) |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | All |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | No |
Inclusion Criteria:
- Subject is 3 years or older
- Subject diagnosed with SMA who are candidates for Spinraza treatment as indicated in its label
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Subject resistant to lumbar puncture (LP), where resistance is defined as:
- Subject with respiratory issues or other comorbidities who is at an increased risk for complications due to the need for repeat anesthesia and imaging radiation exposure to safely perform LP; or
- Subjects for whom the treating physician determines implantation of the ThecaFlex DRx™ System is otherwise in the subject's best interest
- Subject has been prescribed nusinersen via chronic intrathecal bolus administration in accordance with the drug labeling and first port access of the ThecaFlex DRx system is planned within 2 weeks of implantation
- Subject, per Investigator discretion, is able to undergo a percutaneous or open surgical procedure for index port and catheter implantation where at least 7 cm of the ThecaFlex DRx system catheter will be placed intrathecally
- Subject (or subject's legally authorized representative) is willing and able to provide written informed consent; and
- Subject and parent/caregiver able and willing to complete all clinical investigation procedures, measurements, and visits.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Subject meets any of the contraindications for use of the ThecaFlex DRx™ System as outlined in the ThecaFlex DRx™ System Instructions for Use
- Presence or history of (< 6 months prior to the procedure): an implanted microinfusion pump, intrathecal catheter, or other intrathecal drug delivery devices/component, or implanted shunt for drainage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), or reservoir in the CSF space (note: any ThecaFlex Port and Catheter System must not be placed in the same location as a previous indwelling port and catheter)
- Subject is pregnant or nursing or plans to become pregnant during the course of the clinical investigation
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Any condition or event, which in the opinion of the Investigator may adversely affect the safety and effective implantation and use of the ThecaFlex DRx™ system or confound the clinical investigation, including:
- Severe structural impediment that may preclude safe implantation of the catheter and port
- Major medical events within 60 days prior to screening; or
- Relevant surgeries (e.g., head and neck, back, etc.) within 60 days prior to screening or planned during the duration of the clinical investigation
- Space-occupying lesion with mass effect
- Posterior fossa mass
- Arnold-Chiari malformation
- Coagulation abnormalities and/or thrombocytopenia
- Insufficient or inadequate skin or underlying fat to adequately protect the port or enough surface area to allow the skin to close safely
- Subject is contraindicated for administration of nusinersen per its approved labeling
- History of intrathecal granuloma formation
- History of bacterial meningitis or aseptic meningitis within 6 months of screening
- History of tumors or other spinal abnormalities documented by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) that would interfere with the catheter implantation procedures or CSF circulation
- History of hydrocephalus
- Diagnosed degenerative muscular disease other than SMA
- History of depression, cognitive impairment, or another psycho-behavioral problem that in the opinion of the Investigator may preclude safe participation in the clinical investigation and
- Serious medical condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, may lead to reduced life expectancy beyond 12 months.
- Subject is involved in another Investigation Device Exemption Study.

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT05866419
Contact: John L McGuire, MBA | +1 978.709.1946 | jmcguire@alcyonetx.com | |
Contact: Melissa Breedlove | +1 978.709.1946 | mbreedlove@alcyonetx.com |
United States, California | |
Children's Hospital Orange County | Recruiting |
Orange, California, United States, 92868 | |
Contact: Charlotte Lynskey Charlotte.Lynskey@choc.org | |
United States, Massachusetts | |
Boston Children's Hospital | Recruiting |
Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02115 | |
Contact: Adam Porter adam.porter@childrens.harvard.edu | |
United States, Texas | |
Texas Children's Hospital | Recruiting |
Houston, Texas, United States, 77030 | |
Contact: Sarah Wisor sxwisor@texaschildrens.org |
Responsible Party: | Alcyone Therapeutics, Inc |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT05866419 |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
QT-0179 |
First Posted: | May 19, 2023 Key Record Dates |
Last Update Posted: | November 29, 2023 |
Last Verified: | November 2023 |
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: | Yes |
Device Product Not Approved or Cleared by U.S. FDA: | Yes |
Muscular Atrophy Muscular Atrophy, Spinal Atrophy Spinal Curvatures Spinal Diseases Spinal Cord Diseases Scoliosis Pathological Conditions, Anatomical Bone Diseases |
Musculoskeletal Diseases Neuromuscular Manifestations Neurologic Manifestations Nervous System Diseases Central Nervous System Diseases Motor Neuron Disease Neurodegenerative Diseases Neuromuscular Diseases |