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NCT Number: NCT06559150

A Phase II Study of Ensifentrine in Non-Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis

This study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study designed to assess the efficacy and safety of ensifentrine inhalation suspension (3 mg) delivered twice daily via standard jet nebulizer over at least 24 weeks, compared to placebo, in subjects with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFBE).

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Key information

Age range

18 year–80 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 2

Primary location

IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy

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About this study

The primary objective of this study is to assess the effect of ensifentrine vs placebo in addition to standard of care on pulmonary exacerbations, symptoms and quality of life in participants with NCFBE.

The Treatment Period for each subject will begin with the first dose of study medication and will continue for at least 24 weeks and up to 52 weeks. Subjects will end their Treatment Period at the Week 52 visit or when all active subjects in the study have completed through at least the Week 24 visit, whichever occurs first.

Participants will be randomized to receive either ensifentrine suspension or placebo via standard jet nebulizer during the treatment period and neither participants nor study staff will know which a participant is receiving.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Males are eligible to participate if they agree to use contraception as described in the contraceptive guidance from Screening and throughout the study and for at least 30 days after the last dose of blinded study medication
  • Females are eligible to participate if they are not pregnant, not breastfeeding, and 1 of the following conditions apply:
  • Not a woman of childbearing potential (WOCBP) OR
  • A WOCBP who agrees to follow the contraceptive guidance from Screening throughout the study and for at least 30 days after the last dose of blinded study medication
  • Clinical history consistent with bronchiectasis (cough, chronic sputum production, and/or recurrent respiratory infections) confirmed by chest CT demonstrating bronchiectasis affecting 1 or more lobes. Confirmation may be based on prior chest CT within the prior 5 years; subjects whose past CT image records are not available will require chest CT scan during screening Notes: If a subject has no clinical history consistent with bronchiectasis, they may not be re-screened
  • Current sputum producer with a history of chronic expectoration and able to provide sputum sample spontaneously at the clinic during screening
  • ≥ 1 documented pulmonary exacerbation defined by an antimicrobial prescription (i.e., antibiotic or antiviral) by a physician for the signs and symptoms of respiratory infections in the past 12 months before screening
  • Capable of using the study nebulizer correctly
  • Ability to perform acceptable spirometry in accordance with American Thoracic Society and European Respiratory Society guidelines as assessed by the Investigator

Exclusion criteria

  • A diagnosis of COPD or a primary diagnosis of asthma, as judged by the investigator
  • Bronchiectasis due to cystic fibrosis, primary hypogammaglobulinemia common variable immunodeficiency, severe immunodeficiency, or requirement for treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin
  • Current smoker defined as by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  • Meets both of the following
  • Former cigarette smokers with a history of cigarette smoking ≥ 10 pack years at Screening [number of pack years = (number of cigarettes per day / 20) × number of years smoked (e.g., 20 cigarettes per day for 10 years, or 10 cigarettes per day for 20 years)]. Pipe and/or cigar use cannot be used to calculate pack-year history. Former smokers are defined as those who have stopped smoking for at least 6 months prior to Screening AND
  • Evidence within 1 year prior to randomization of obstructed lung function as shown by forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio of < 0.70
  • A diagnosis of primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is not exclusionary. Subjects with a diagnosis of PCD are permitted to be enrolled, but the proportion of subjects with PCD enrolled in the study may be limited
  • Current treatment for nontuberculous mycobacterial lung infection, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, or tuberculosis
  • Presence of acute exacerbation or acute infection that required acute treatment within 28 days of randomization
  • Use of the following prohibited medications within the designated time periods:
  • Chronic, systemic immunomodulatory agents for any chronic indication (including but not limited to the following: methotrexate, systemic corticosteroids, see adalimumab, azathioprine, dupilumab, cyclosporine, hydroxychloroquine, etc.) within 90 days prior to signing the ICF
  • CFTR modulators (e.g., ivacaftor, lumacaftor, tezacaftor) within 1 week prior to signing the ICF
  • Theophylline and oral PDE4 inhibitors (e.g., roflumilast, apremilast, crisaborole) within 48 hours prior to signing the ICF
  • Ohtuvayre at any time prior to signing the ICF
  • Initiated or altered therapy within 90 days prior to randomization with:
  • oral or inhaled antibiotics as chronic treatment (including macrolides)
  • Cyclic antibiotics: defined as prescribed regular cycles of on antibiotic treatment and off antibiotic treatment (for example, but not limited to, 28 days on an antibiotic and 28 days off an antibiotic). Note: Subjects on cyclic antibiotics must be actively taking antibiotics for at least 7 days prior to randomization through the day of randomization
  • Dipeptidyl peptidase 1 (DPP1) or cathepsin C (CatC) inhibitor (e.g., brensocatib)
  • Initiated or altered therapy with ICS within 4 weeks prior to randomization
  • Unable to withhold short-acting beta-agonists or short-acting muscarinic antagonists for ≥ 4 hours prior to spirometry
  • Significant hemoptysis (≥ 300 mL or requiring blood transfusion) within 6 weeks prior to randomization
  • Currently participating in or scheduled to participate in an intensive pulmonary rehabilitation program (a maintenance rehabilitation program is allowed if their schedule and procedure will be consistent for the duration of the study)
  • Current or chronic history of unstable liver disease defined by the presence of ascites, encephalopathy, coagulopathy, hypoalbuminemia, esophageal or gastric varices or persistent jaundice, cirrhosis, or known hepatic or biliary abnormalities except for Gilbert syndrome or asymptomatic gallstones Note: Chronic stable hepatitis B and C is not exclusionary if the subject otherwise meets study entry criteria
  • History of or current malignancy of any organ system, treated or untreated within the past 5 years, except for localized basal or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin
  • Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 30 mL/min
  • Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ≥ 2 × upper limit of normal (ULN), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) ≥ 2 × ULN, alkaline phosphatase and/or bilirubin > 1.5 × ULN (isolated bilirubin > 1.5 × ULN is acceptable only in subjects with a diagnosis of Gilbert's syndrome)
  • Participation in any other interventional, clinical studies (drugs or devices) within 30 days, or 5 half-lives, whichever is longer, prior to signing the ICF
  • Intolerance of or hypersensitivity to ensifentrine or any of its excipients/components
  • Current or history of drug or alcohol abuse within the past 5 years
  • Significantly abnormal ECG finding

Treatment and study plan

Nebulized Ensifentrine Suspension; 3 mg

Drug

Administered by a standard jet nebulizer, twice daily for a minimum of 24 weeks and up to a maximum of 52 weeks

Nebulized Placebo Solution

Drug

Administered by a standard jet nebulizer, twice daily for a minimum of 24 weeks and up to a maximum of 52 weeks

Primary outcomes

  1. Rate of protocol-defined pulmonary exacerbations (number of events per subject-year)

    Time frame: Through study completion (approximately 52 weeks)

Secondary outcomes

  1. Time to the onset of the first protocol-defined pulmonary exacerbation

    Time frame: Through study completion (approximately 52 weeks)

  2. Change from Baseline in Evaluating Respiratory Symptoms (E-RS) Cough and Sputum Domain score

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 6, Week 12, and Week 24

    The E-RS is a patient reported outcome that is derived from the EXAcerbation of Chronic Pulmonary Disease Tool (EXACT)-PRO in the participants e-diary, to quantify the severity of symptoms. The score ranges from 0 to 40 with a higher score representing more severe symptoms.

  3. Change from Baseline in Saint George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) total score

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 6, Week 12, and Week 24

    SGRQ scores range from 0 to 100, with a higher score representing worse health.

  4. Change from Baseline in quality of life - bronchiectasis questionnaire (QOL-B) Respiratory Symptoms Domain score

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 6, Week 12, and Week 24

    The QOL-B Respiratory Symptoms Domain score ranges from 0 to 100, with higher scores representing better functioning.

  5. Change from Baseline in Chronic Airways Assessment Test (CAAT) total score

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 6, Week 12, and Week 24

    CAAT scores range from 0-40 with a higher score representing worse health.

  6. Change from Baseline in Percent of the predicted forced expiratory volume over 1 second (FEV1)

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 12, and Week 24

  7. Change from Baseline of forced vital capacity (FVC)

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 12, and Week 24

  8. Incidence of Adverse Events

    Time frame: Through study completion (approximately 52 weeks)

  9. PK Sub-study only: Ensifentrine area under the curve from time 0 to 12 hours (AUC 0 -12)

    Time frame: Week 12, Week 18, and Week 24

  10. PK Sub-study only: Ensifentrine maximum plasma drug concentration (Cmax)

    Time frame: Week 12, Week 18, and Week 24

  11. Pharmacokinetic (PK) Sub-study only: Ensifentrine time to Cmax (tmax) post morning dose

    Time frame: Week 12, Week 18, and Week 24

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Verona Pharma, Inc., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc. (Rahway Toll Free Number

CONTACT

[email protected]

Reach out by phone or email ext. 1-888-577-8839

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Verona Pharma, Inc., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc. (Rahway, New Jersey USA

Industry

Registry information

Official study title

A Phase II, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo- Controlled Study of Ensifentrine in Subjects With Non-Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2027
First posted
Aug 19, 2024
Registry last updated
May 13, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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