MRI Trial to exPlore the efficAcy and Safety of IMU-838 in Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (EMPhASIS) (EMPhASIS)
Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS)
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) focused on measuring RRMS, Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion criteria for the main treatment period
- Male or female patient (age ≥18 to 55 years, inclusive)
- Diagnosis of RRMS according to the revised McDonald criteria (2017) Note: The diagnosis of MS (including "dissemination in time") must have been established before the patient is screened for the trial.
Disease activity evidenced
- by either at least 2 relapses in the last 24 months, or at least 1 relapse in the last 12 months before randomization (relapses must have been assessed and documented by a physician in the patient files), AND
- ≥1 documented Gd+ MS-related brain lesion, in the last 6 months before informed consent (date of MRI examination as well as copy of MRI report or representative image has to be available and accessible as patient source data at the study site)
- Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score between 0 and 4.0 (inclusive) at Screening Visit 1
Female patients
- must be of non-child-bearing potential i.e. surgically sterilized (hysterectomy, bilateral salpingectomy, bilateral oophorectomy at least 6 weeks before Screening Visit 1) or post menopausal (where postmenopausal is defined as no menses for 12 months without an alternative medical cause), or
- if of child-bearing potential, must have a negative pregnancy test at Screening Visit 1 (blood test) and before the first IMP intake (Day 0 urine test). They must agree not to attempt to become pregnant, must not donate ova, and must use a highly effective contraceptive method (see below) together with a barrier method between trial consent and 30 days after the last intake of the of the IMP.
Highly effective forms of birth control are those with a failure rate less than 1% per year and include:
- oral, intravaginal, or transdermal combined (estrogen and progestogen containing) hormonal contraceptives associated with inhibition of ovulation
- oral, injectable, or implantable progestogen-only hormonal contraceptives associated with inhibition of ovulation
- intrauterine device or intrauterine hormone-releasing system
- bilateral tubal occlusion
- vasectomized partner (i.e. the patient's male partner underwent effective surgical sterilization before the female patient entered the clinical trial and is the sole sexual partner of the female patient during the clinical trial)
- sexual abstinence (acceptable only if it is the patient's usual form of birth control/lifestyle choice; periodic abstinence [e.g. calendar, ovulation, symptothermal, postovulation methods] and withdrawal are no acceptable methods of contraception)
Barrier methods of contraception include:
- Condom
- Occlusive cap (diaphragm or cervical/vault caps) with spermicidal gel/film/cream/suppository
Male patients must agree not to father a child or to donate sperm starting at Screening Visit 1, throughout the clinical trial and for 30 days after the last intake of the IMP. Male patients must also
- abstain from sexual intercourse with a female partner (acceptable only if it is the patient's usual form of birth control/lifestyle choice), or
- use adequate barrier contraception during treatment with the IMP and until at least 30 days after the last intake of the IMP, and
- if they have a female partner of childbearing potential, the partner should use a highly effective contraceptive method as outlined in inclusion criterion 5
- if they have a pregnant partner, they must use condoms while taking the IMP to avoid exposure of the fetus to the IMP
- Willingness and ability to comply with the protocol
- Written informed consent given prior to any trial-related procedure
Inclusion criteria for optional extended treatment period
- Completed 24 weeks of main treatment
- Baseline MRI and Week 24 MRI, as well as 2 additional post-dose MRIs
Continuation criteria for optional extended treatment period
- In case the initial Week 24 MRI was not evaluated at least partially assessable, availability of a repeated Week 24 MRI
- Week 24 MRI (initial or repeated one, if applicable) evaluated at least partially assessable
Exclusion criteria
MS-related exclusion criteria
- Any disease other than MS that may better explain the signs and symptoms, including history of complete transverse myelitis
- Signs and symptoms suggestive of transmissible spongiform encephalopathy, or family members who suffer(ed) from these
- Clinical signs or presence of laboratory findings suggestive for neuromyelitis optica (NMO) spectrum disorders or MOG-associated encephalomyelitis (i.e. presence of anti-NMO [aquaporin-4] antibodies or anti-MOG-antibodies)
- MS types other than RRMS
- Any MRI finding, atypical for MS, including but not limited to a longitudinally extensive spinal cord lesion
- Any active and uncontrolled coexisting autoimmune disease, other than MS (except for type 1 diabetes mellitus and inflammatory bowel disease)
An MS relapse within 30 days before Screening Visit 1 and/or during the screening period (until Day 0)
Therapy exclusion criteria
- Any previous or current use of the following MS treatments: monoclonal antibodies (natalizumab, alemtuzumab, daclizumab, ocrelizumab, anti-CD4, rituximab or belimumab, including their biosimilars), total lymphoid irradiation, bone marrow transplantation, stem cell transplantation, or any use of DHODH inhibitors, including teriflunomide (Aubagio™) or leflunomide (Arava™)
- Any use of the following MS treatments within 12 months before the date of informed consent: any cytokine (other than interferon) or anti-cytokine therapy, intravenous immunoglobulin, mitoxantrone, cytotoxic or immunosuppressive therapy (including, but not limited to azathioprine and cyclophosphamide, excluding only systemic corticosteroids or adrenocorticotrophic hormone [ACTH]), tofacitinib, methotrexate, mycophenolate mofetil, mycophenolate sodium, fingolimod, any calcineurin inhibitors (e.g. tacrolimus, cyclosporine, or pimecrolimus)
- Any use of the following MS treatments within 30 days before the date of informed consent: interferon-β, glatiramer acetate, dimethyl fumarate and plasmapheresis
- Within 30 days before the baseline MRI: Use of systemic corticosteroids (intravenous or oral) or ACTH
Use of the following concomitant medications is prohibited at Screening Visit 1 and throughout the duration of the trial:
- any medication known to significantly increase urinary elimination of uric acid, in particular lesinurad (Zurampic™) as well as uricosuric drugs such as probenecid
- treatments for any malignancy, in particular irinotecan, paclitaxel, tretinoin, bosutinib, sorafinib, enasidenib, erlotinib, regorafenib, pazopanib and nilotinib
- any drug significantly restricting water diuresis, in particular vasopressin and vasopressin analogs
- use of rosuvastatin at daily doses higher than 10 mg
Use of any investigational product within 8 weeks or 5 x the respective half-life before the date of informed consent, whichever is longer, and throughout the duration of the trial
Immune response exclusion criteria
- Conditions negatively affecting the immune response such as previous organ transplant
Clinically significantly low lymphocyte and/or neutrophil count (Common Terminology Criteria for AEs Grade of 2 or higher), i.e.
- lymphocyte count <800/mm³ (0.8 x 109/L), and/or
- neutrophil count <1,500/mm³ (1.5 x 109/L)
- History of chronic systemic infections within 6 months before the date of informed consent, including but not limited to tuberculosis, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B or C
- Positive IFNγ release assay for Mycobacterium tuberculosis at Screening Visit 1
- Positive hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb), positive HCV-antibody (HCV-Ab) and/or HIV-antigen-antibody test at Screening Visit 1
- Any live vaccinations within 30 days before the date of informed consent except for the influenza vaccine Other medical history and concomitant disease exclusion criteria
Presence of the following laboratory values at Screening Visit 1:
- platelet count <100,000/mm³ (<100 109/L)
- serum creatinine >1.5 x ULN
- total bilirubin, ALT, or GGT >1.5 x ULN
- Serum uric acid levels at Screening Visit 1 >1.2 x ULN (for women >6.8 mg/dL, for men >8.4 mg/dL)
- indirect (unconjugated) bilirubin >1.2 x ULN (i.e. >1.1 mg/dL)
- Known history of nephrolithiasis or underlying condition with a strong association of nephrolithiasis, including hereditary hyperoxaluria or hereditary hyperuricemia
- History or clinical diagnosis of gout
- Renal impairment defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate ≤60 mL/min/1.73m²
- Known or suspected Gilbert syndrome
- Diagnosis or suspected liver function impairment which may cause fluctuating liver function tests during this trial, as assessed by the investigator
- History or presence of serious or acute heart disease such as uncontrolled cardiac dysrhythmia or arrhythmia, uncontrolled angina pectoris, cardiomyopathy, or uncontrolled congestive heart failure (New York Heart Association [NYHA] class 3 or 4) Note: NYHA class 3: Cardiac disease resulting in marked limitation of physical activity. Patients are comfortable at rest. Less than ordinary activity causes fatigue, palpitation, dyspnea, or anginal pain. NYHA class 4: Cardiac disease resulting in inability to carry on any physical activity without discomfort. Symptoms of heart failure or the anginal syndrome may be present even at rest. If any physical activity is undertaken, discomfort is increased.
- Clinically relevant, severe pulmonary diseases, uncontrolled hypertension, or poorly controlled diabetes
- Concurrent malignancy or prior malignancy within the previous 10 years except for the following: adequately-treated non-melanoma skin cancer and adequately-treated cervical cancer
- History or presence of any major medical or psychiatric illness (such as severe depression, psychosis, bipolar disorder), history of suicide attempt, or current suicidal ideation that in the opinion of the investigator could create undue risk to the patient or could affect adherence with the trial protocol
- Epilepsy or seizures not adequately controlled by treatment
Any other substantial medical condition that in the opinion of the investigator could create undue risk to the patient or could affect adherence with the trial protocol
General exclusion criteria
- Current or past (within 12 months of Screening Visit 1) alcohol or drug abuse
Any condition that would prevent the patient from undergoing an MRI scan, including:
- claustrophobic conditions
- unable to receive Gd-based MRI-contrast agents due to history of hypersensitivity to Gd based contrast agents, or severe renal insufficiency
- presence of metallic implants incompatible with brain MRI
- Legal incapacity, limited legal capacity, or any other condition that makes the patient unable to understand the patient information and informed consent form
- Pregnant or breastfeeding
- An employee of an investigator or sponsor or an immediate relative of an investigator
- Patients institutionalized due to judicial or administrative order
Exclusion criteria for optional extended treatment period
- Any ongoing, clinically significant (as assessed by the investigator) treatment-emergent (started after intake of IMP) AE or laboratory abnormality (including blood chemistry and urinalysis)
- Significant treatment or trial non-compliance during the main treatment period (as assessed by the investigator), and/or inability or unwillingness to follow instructions by trial personnel
- Treatment compliance <70% during the main treatment period
- Significant protocol deviations during the main treatment period that are assessed by the investigator to negatively affect further patient cooperation in this trial
Sites / Locations
- MHAT Pulse AD, Department of Neurology Diseases
- UMHAT "Dr.Georgi Stranski" EAD Pleven Department of Professional Diseases
- MHAT "Heart and brain" EAD Pleven Department of Neurology Diseases
- UMHAT " Kaspela" EOOD, Department of Neurology Diseases
- UMHAT "Kanev Ruse", Department of General and Vascular Neurology
- MHATNP "Sveti Naum" EAD, Neurology Clinic for Movement Disorders, First Department of Neurology Diseases
- MHATNPsy "Sveti Naum" EAD, Intensive Therapy Clinic Of Neurology Diseases
- DCC "Neoclinic" EAD, Cabinet Neurology Diseases
- UMHAT "Alexandrovska" EAD, Clinic of Neurology Diseases, Department of Inherited Degenerative and Immunoinflamatori Diseases at Peripheral Nervous System
- UMHAT "Sveti Ivan Rilski" EAD Sofia Clinic of Neurological Diseases
- UMHAT"Alexandrovska"EAD, Department of Degenerative and Immunoinflamatory Disease of the Central Nervous System
- Central Clinical Base-Medical Institute - Ministry of Interior, Neurology Clinic
- Military Medical Academy - Sofia, Clinic of Neurology Diseases
- Military Medical Academy, Clinic of Functional Diagnostics of Nevous System
- UMHAT " Sveta Marina EAD, First Neurology Clinic
- Nasz Lekarz Ośrodek Badań Klinicznych
- Specjalistyczna Praktyka Lekarska Paweł Bochniak
- Indywidualna Praktyka Lekarska Prof. Konrad Rejdak
- BioResearch Group Sp. Z o.o
- Centrum Medyczne NeuroProtect
- S.C. Sana Monitoring Srl
- Spitalul Universitar Elias Bucharesti
- S.C. Quantum Medical Center Srl
- Spitalul Clinic Colentina Bucharest, Neurologie 2
- Spitalul Clinic Cai Ferate Constanta
- Chernihiv Regional Hospital, Department of Neurology
- Dnipropetrovsk Municipal Hospital #5, Neurological Department of the inflammatory and demyelinating diseases of CNS
- Ukrainian State Research Institute of Medical and Social Problems of Disability of MOH of Ukraine
- Regional Clinical Hospital, Department of vascular Neurology
- Kharkiv Regional Clinical Hospital, Department of Neurology
- Institute of Neurology, Psychiatry and Narcology NAMSU
- Kyiv City Clinical Hospital #4, Department of Neurology
- Volyn Regional Clinical Hospital, Department of Neurology
- Poltava Regional Clinical Hospital n.a. Sklifosovskyi, Department of Neurology
- Regional Clinical Centre of Neurosurgery and Neurology, Department #2
- Vinnytsya Regional Psychoneurology Hospital n.a. Yushchenko, Department of Neurology #3
- City Clinical Hospital #2, Department of Neurology
- Zaporizhzhya Regional Clinical Hospital, Department of Neurology #1
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Arm 3
Arm 4
Experimental
Experimental
Placebo Comparator
Experimental
IMU-838 (30 mg/day)
IMU-838 (45 mg/day)
Placebo
IMU-838 (10 mg/day) - Cohort 2
IMU-838 tablet containing 15 mg Vidofludimus calcium (IM90838). Once-daily oral dose of 30 mg consists of 2 tablets IMU-838. Duration: until the end of the main treatment period (24 weeks). In the optional extended treatment period, patients were randomized to receive either 30 mg/day or 45 mg/day IMU-838 (up to 9.5 years for the main trial).
Tablet containing 22.5 mg Vidofludimus calcium (IM90838). Once-daily oral dose of 45 mg consists of 2 tablets. Duration: until the end of the main treatment period (24 weeks). In the optional extended treatment period, patients were randomized to receive either 30 mg/day or 45 mg/day IMU-838.
Tablet containing no active ingredient. The placebo tablets will be identical to the IMU-838 tablets in terms of appearance, constitution of inactive ingredients, and packaging. Once-daily oral dose consists of 2 active compound-free tablets. Duration: until the end of the main treatment period (24 weeks). The placebo is not applicable in the optional extended treatment period, in which participants who were receiving placebo in the main treatment period were re-randomized to IMU-838 for the extended treatment period.
Cohort 2 sub-trial: additional sub-trial with a small double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, parallel-group assessment of a low IMU-838 dose (i.e. 10 mg/day) to provide additional data for pharmacodynamic modelling. Tablet containing 5 mg Vidofludimus calcium (IM90838). Once-daily oral dose of 10 mg consists of 2 tablets. Duration: until the end of the main treatment period (24 weeks). In the optional extended treatment period, patients were randomized to receive either 30 mg/day or 45 mg/day IMU-838 (up to 8.5 years for the cohort 2 sub-trial).