Phase III, Efficacy and Safety of "Kamada-AAT for Inhalation"

Individuals with a genetic deficiency of alpha-1-antitrypsin (AATD) are at a significantly increased risk (80-100%) of developing lung disease (emphysema or COPD). This study is designed to administer a solution of AAT by nebulizer so that patients can inhale the drug instead of requiring infusions as in current treatment. A significant advantage of inhalation is that the AAT is directly transferred to the lungs, which is the site most in need of the protein. Previous results show that in addition to the added convenience, treatment restores normal levels of active AAT to the lung. To date, more than 220 participants have completed clinical trials with AAT for inhalation for several diseases.

Inclusion criteria

• Diagnosis of severe AAT deficiency, i.e. patients with either Pi(ZZ), Pi(Z/Null), or Pi(Null/Null) genotypes.
• Serum AAT levels ≤ 11 µM at screening.
• Lung disease with clinical evidence of airflow limitation (post bronchodilator FEV1/SVC≤70%) at screening.
• 40% ≤ FEV1 ≤ 80% of predicted post-bronchodilator at screening.
• Patients who are either naïve or washed out of any AAT treatment for at least 8 weeks prior to randomization.
• Age between 18 to 65 years inclusive at screening.
• Able to read and sign informed consent and willing to participate in the study.
• Males or non-pregnant, non-lactating females whose screening pregnancy test is negative, who are willing to use contraceptive methods for the duration of the study, or who are postmenopausal, or surgically sterilized.
• Study medication use for at least 20 out of the 28 days of run-in, as recorded in the study nebulization PARI Track data.
• Demonstrated ability to complete eDiary for at least 20 out of the first 28 days of run-in.

Exclusion criteria

• Immunoglobulin A (IgA) absolute deficiency defined as serum IgA levels < 0.05 g/L.
• History of life-threatening transfusion reaction(s), allergy, anaphylactic reaction, or systemic response to human plasma-derived products.
• Two or more moderate or any severe exacerbation(s) within the year prior to baseline.
• A moderate exacerbation within 6 weeks prior to baseline.
• Use of oral or parenteral glucocorticoids in doses above 10 mg of prednisone daily or equivalent generics (substance and dose).
• Clinically significant inter-current illnesses (except for respiratory or liver disease secondary to AAT deficiency), including: cardiac, hepatic, renal, endocrine, neurological, hematological, neoplastic, immunological, skeletal, or other. Patients might be included after consultation with the treating physician and the sponsor if, in the opinion of the Investigator, their condition will not interfere with the safety, compliance or other aspects of this study.
• Hospitalization for any cause during the 6 weeks prior to screening.
• History of lung or liver transplant.
• On any thoracic or hepatic surgery waiting list.
• Any lung surgery within the past two years (including bronchoscopic lung volume reduction).
• Any smoking within the year prior to screening.
• Evidence of alcohol abuse or history of alcohol abuse, or use of illegal drugs and/or abuse of legally prescribed drugs in the last 5 years prior to screening.
• Acute or chronic hepatitis (hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C), or positive human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) serology.
• Signs of significant abnormalities in serum hematology, serum chemistry, serum inflammatory / immunogenic markers and urinalysis per investigator judgment, taking into considerations the potential effects of the AAT deficiency.
• Signs of significant abnormalities in ECG per investigator judgment at screening.
• Presence of psychiatric/ mental disorder or any other medical disorder that might impair the patient's ability to give informed consent or to comply with the requirements of the study protocol. If, in the opinion of the Investigator, the condition will not interfere with the compliance or other aspects of this study, the patient might be included after consultation with the treating physician and the sponsor.
• Participation in another clinical trial involving investigational medication or interventional treatment within 30 days and/or last dose 5 half-lives prior to screening visit.
• Inability to attend scheduled clinic visits and/or comply with study protocol.
• Any other factor that, in the opinion of the investigator, would prevent the patient from complying with the requirements of the protocol.

Additional eligibility criteria apply for the open label extension