Safety and Efficacy of Dapansutrile for Treatment of Moderate COVID-19 Symptoms and Evidence of Early Cytokine Release Syndrome

A Phase 2 Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of the Safety and Efficacy of Orally Administered Dapansutrile Capsules for the Treatment of Moderate COVID-19 Symptoms and Evidence of Early Cytokine Release Syndrome

The purpose of this study is to assess the safety and efficacy of orally administered NLRP3 inhibitor, dapansutrile, for the treatment of moderate COVID-19 symptoms and early cytokine release syndrome (CRS) in patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and moderate symptoms.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by infection from a new strain of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). COVID-19 is characterized by fever, cough and shortness of breath, which in certain patients can lead to systemic organ failure and mortality.

The data show that SARS-CoV-2 activates the innate immune signaling sensor NLRP3. Activation of NLRP3 initiates the cytokine release syndrome (CRS), which includes the production of primary cytokine, IL-1, triggering an intense inflammatory response that is prevalent in symptomatic COVID-19 patients. When CRS advances further to a fulminant 'cytokine storm', the data show that respiratory distress syndrome and multiple-organ failure take place.

A specific inhibitor of NLRP3, dapansutrile may reduce or prevent the hyperinflammation associated with CRS by inhibiting the production of IL-1β early to arrest the progression to a severe 'cytokine storm.' The end result would be a reduction in the need for COVID-19 patients to receive intensive medical treatment, allowing for fewer hospitalizations, administration of mechanical ventilation and deaths.

Study Overview

• Status: Terminated
• Conditions: Covid19; Cytokine Release Syndrome
• Intervention / Treatment: Drug: dapansutrile capsules; Drug: placebo capsules

Detailed Description

This is a Phase 2, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating dapansutrile versus placebo. Approximately 80 subjects randomized 1:1 (40 dapansutrile, 40 placebo) are planned to be enrolled.

At the Screening/Baseline/Day 1 Visit, subjects will provide informed consent, be screened for eligibility, and be randomized/enrolled into the study. Subjects will also receive the first dose of study drug at this visit once study eligibility has been confirmed, and the second dose of study drug will be taken approximately 12 hours after the first dose. Study drug will be continued twice daily (morning and evening doses) through Day 14.

The trial duration will be approximately 45 days for all subjects enrolled, with assessments as follows: Screening/Baseline/Day 1, Day 4 (±1 day), Day 8 (±1 day), Day 15 (±1 day), Day 29 (±3 days), and Day 45 (± 3 days). The Day 29 and Day 45 follow-up visits will be conducted virtually via the institution's telehealth process.

Each subject will be asked to maintain two paper diaries at home daily for the first 14 days: a dosing diary and a subject diary. The dosing diary will be used to record the number of capsules taken each morning and evening. The subject diary will be used to record temperature, oxygen levels, COVID-19 symptoms, and overall health (using the prior 24-hour period for parameters requiring subject recall). The set of questions used in the subject diary will also be administered to the subjects at the Screening/Baseline/Day 1 Visit (pre-dose), Day 15, Day 29, and Day 45 visits. Each subject will be provided a no-contact thermometer and a hand-held pulse oximeter at the Screening/Baseline/Day 1 Visit for home use.

At Day 29 and Day 45, additional assessments of safety and clinical activity will occur. The Day 29 and Day 45 follow-up visits will be conducted virtually via the sites' telehealth process.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 49
• Phase: Phase 2

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Switzerland
  • Basel, Switzerland
    • University Hospital Basel
• United States
  • Florida
    • Coral Gables, Florida, United States, 33134
      • C&R Research Services USA
    • Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States, 33308
      • Invesclinic U.S. LLC
    • Hialeah, Florida, United States, 33013
      • Inpatient Research Clinic, LLC
    • Sunrise, Florida, United States, 33325
      • Sunrise Research Institute
  • Nevada
    • Las Vegas, Nevada, United States, 89113
      • Las Vegas Medical Research, LLC
  • Texas
    • Brownsville, Texas, United States, 78520
      • PanAmerican Clinical Research LLC
    • College Station, Texas, United States, 77645
      • J & S Studies, Inc.
    • Houston, Texas, United States, 77023
      • C&R Research Services USA
    • McAllen, Texas, United States, 78503
      • Texas Research Alliance LLC

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Male and female subjects ≥ 18 years of age;
2. SARS-CoV-2-positive, confirmed by Food and Drug Administration (FDA)- or European Medicines Agency (EMA)-authorized COVID-19 test ≤ 7 days prior to randomization;
3. Less than or equal to 7 days from first symptom onset to randomization;

4. Subjects with moderate COVID-19 consistent with the definition of "moderate" as set forth by the February 2021 FDA Guidance for Industry: COVID-19: Developing Drugs and Biological Products for Treatment or

   Prevention (FDA, 2021) who at the Screening/Baseline/Day 1 Visit:

   1. have felt feverish within the past 24 hours,
   2. have an SpO2 > 93% on room air at sea level when sitting, and
   3. meet at least one of the following criteria: i). Respiratory rate: ≥ 20 breaths/minute, when the subject is sitting, ii). SpO2: ≤ 96% on room air at sea level, when the subject is sitting, iii). Shortness of breath: with exertion, not requiring oxygen, or vi). Heart rate: ≥ 90 beats/minute, when the subject is sitting;

5. If all the criteria in Inclusion 4c are met, subject must possess at least one of the following high-risk conditions known to have an underlying increased level of cytokine production; otherwise, at least two of these high-risk conditions must be met:

   1. 70 years or more of age,
   2. Obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2),
   3. Diabetes (type 1 or 2),
   4. Uncontrolled hypertension, defined as diastolic > 100 mm Hg and/or systolic > 150 mm Hg without any current anti-hypertensive medications. At the time of screening if the subject is on anti- hypertensive medication(s) and diastolic or systolic rates are elevated, subject may be enrolled after consultation with the Medical Monitor,
   5. Known respiratory disease (including asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD]),
   6. Known heart failure (note: subjects with New York Heart Association Class IV congestive heart failure cannot be enrolled per Exclusion Criterion 4), or
   7. Known coronary disease;
6. Plasma CRP level must be collected at Screening/Baseline/Day 1 Visit;
7. Acceptable overall medical condition to be safely enrolled in and complete the study (with specific regard to cardiovascular, renal, and hepatic conditions) in the opinion of the Investigator;
8. Ability to provide written, informed consent prior to initiation of any study- related procedures, and ability in the opinion of the Investigator to understand and comply with all the requirements of the study, which includes abstaining from the use of prohibited medications.
9. Subject must present with at least moderate symptomatology, based on having symptoms in the prior 24 hours that were uncomfortable and interfered with daily activities or required treatment other than study drug and having at least one of the following symptoms: cough; fatigue; myalgia; diarrhea; vomiting; nausea; headache; sore throat; nasal congestion; rhinorrhea; loss of taste; loss of smell; fainting; or chills, shivering, and/or sweating.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Women of childbearing potential, or men whose sexual partner(s) is a woman of childbearing potential, who:

   1. Are or intend to become pregnant (including use of fertility drugs) during the study;
   2. Are nursing (female subjects only);
   3. Are not using an acceptable, highly effective method of contraception until all follow-up procedures are complete.
2. Evidence of pre-existing or new-onset organ failure;
3. Evidence of moderate concurrent nervous system, renal, endocrine, or gastrointestinal disease, unrelated to COVID-19 as determined by the Investigator;
4. Evidence of cardiovascular disease with significant arrhythmia, congestive heart failure (New York Heart Association Class IV), unstable angina, cor pulmonale, or symptomatic pericardial effusion, not related to COVID-19 as determined by the Investigator;
5. Required use of vasoactive drug support;
6. History of myocardial infarction in the 6 months prior to the Screening/Baseline/Day 1 Visit;
7. Evidence of current liver disease, not related to COVID-19 as determined by the investigator;

8. History or evidence of active tuberculosis (TB) infection at Screening/Baseline/Day 1 Visit or one of the risk factors for tuberculosis such as but not limited or exclusive to:

   1. History of any of the following: residence in a congregate setting (e.g., jail or prison, homeless shelter, or chronic care facility), substance abuse (e.g., injection or non-injection), health-care workers with unprotected exposure to subjects who are at high risk of TB or subjects with TB disease before the identification and correct airborne precautions of the subject or
   2. Close contact (i.e., share the same air space in a household or other enclosed environment for a prolonged period (days or weeks, not minutes or hours)) with a person with active pulmonary TB disease within the last 12 months.
9. History of or currently active primary or secondary immunodeficiency;
10. Past or present requirement for oxygen (e.g., nasal cannula, proning, mechanical ventilation and/or supplemental oxygen).

11. Use of any prohibited concomitant medications/therapies over the defined or planned use of any concomitant medications/therapies during the

    Treatment Period, including specifically:

    1. use of ibuprofen or diclofenac
    2. use of colchicine
    3. use of systemic steroids within 30 days of randomization
    4. use of janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors
    5. use of off-label agents (e.g., hydroxychloroquine, remdesivir, dexamethasone) and biologic and oral anti-cytokine agents (e.g., current treatment with adalimumab, infliximab, etanercept, golimumab, certolizumab pegol, tocilizumab, sarilumab, anakinra, canakinumab, rilonacept, baricitinib, tofacitinib, or upadacitinib);

    Note: During the treatment period a patient may meet the criteria for a treatment approved by the FDA specifically for COVID-19 (e.g. remdesivir). In this situation the investigator and medical monitor should confer and take the most appropriate decision for the patient. If possible, the preference would be for the patient to complete the 14 days of dosing before adding on the 2nd treatment. If that is not possible the preference would be for the patient to continue their 14 days on dapansutrile and complete all study related visits.

12. Known history of renal impairment (e.g., calculated glomerular filtration rate [GFR] < 45 mL/min);
13. Evidence of malignant disease, or malignancies diagnosed within the previous 5 years (except for local basal or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin or carcinoma in situ of the cervix uteri that has been excised and cured);
14. History of infection or known active infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), or hepatitis C virus (HCV);
15. Any other concomitant medical or psychiatric conditions, diseases, or prior surgeries that, in the opinion of the Investigator, would impair the subject from safely participating in the trial and/or completing protocol requirements;
16. Individuals who have been in a chronic care facility in the past 30 days;
17. Individuals who are incarcerated;
18. Participation in any clinical trial and/or use of any investigational product within the immediate 30-day period prior to the Screening/Baseline//Day 1 Visit; or receipt prior to Screening/Baseline/Day 1 Visit or intending to receive during the trial a COVID-19 vaccination.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Triple

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: dapansutrile capsules; Subjects will receive 4 x 250mg dapansutrile capsules BID for 14 days with an initial (first) dose of 8 x 250mg (2000 mg) administered at the study site on Day 1 (Day 1 dose may be 3000 mg).	Drug: dapansutrile capsules; Hard opaque capsules containing 250 mg of API.; Other Names: OLT1177 capsules
Placebo Comparator: placebo capsules; Subjects will receive 4 placebo capsules BID for 14 days with an initial (first) dose of 8 capsules administered at the study site on Day 1.	Drug: placebo capsules; Hard opaque capsules containing 0 mg of API.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Proportion of subjects with clinical deterioration	Clinical deterioration is defined as having any COVID-19-related hospitalization after enrollment or both (1) worsening or persistence of shortness of breath and (2) oxygen saturation less than 92% on room air at sea level or need for supplemental oxygen to achieve oxygen saturation of 92% or greater.	Day 15

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Proportion of subjects with complete resolution of fever symptoms and shortness of breath	Complete resolution is defined as having a symptom described as "absent" on the subject diary with no return of the symptom before Day 45.	Day 8, Day 15, Day 29, Day 45
Cumulative incidence of SAEs	Evaluate the cumulative incidence of SAEs of dapansutrile relative to placebo	Day 45
Cumulative incidence of Grade 3 and Grade 4 Adverse Events	Evaluate the cumulative incidence of Grade 3 and Grade 4 Adverse Events of dapansutrile relative to placebo	Day 45
Discontinuation or temporary suspension of participation	Evaluate the cumulative incidence of discontinuation or temporary suspension (for any reason) of dapansutrile relative to placebo	Day 45
Changes in white cell count	Evaluate changes in white cell count of dapansutrile relative to placebo over time	Day 8, Day 15
Changes in hemoglobin	Evaluate changes in hemoglobin of dapansutrile relative to placebo over time	Day 8, Day 15
Changes in platelets	Evaluate changes in platelets of dapansutrile relative to placebo over time	Day 8, Day 15
Changes in creatinine	Evaluate changes in creatinine of dapansutrile relative to placebo over time	Day 8, Day 15
Changes in glucose	Evaluate changes in glucose of dapansutrile relative to placebo over time	Day 8, Day 15
Changes in total bilirubin	Evaluate changes in total bilirubin of dapansutrile relative to placebo over time	Day 8, Day 15
Changes in ALT	Evaluate changes in ALT of dapansutrile relative to placebo over time	Day 8, Day 15
Changes in AST	Evaluate changes in AST of dapansutrile relative to placebo over time	Day 8, Day 15
Incidence of new infection that occurs during the study	Evaluate changes in incidence of new infection that occurs during the study of dapansutrile relative to placebo	Day 8, Day 15
Incidence of opportunistic infections	Evaluate changes in incidence of opportunistic infections of dapansutrile relative to placebo	Day 8, Day 15
Time to clinical improvement	Time to clinical improvement in fever symptoms and shortness of breath	Baseline/Day 1 to Day 15
Time to sustained absence of fever	Time to sustained absence of fever, defined as at least 2 days since last temperature measurement of ≥ 38˚C (100.4°F)	Baseline/Day 1 to Day 15
Clinical improvement in symptoms relevant to COVID 19	Proportion of subjects who experience clinical improvement in symptoms relevant to COVID 19 (e.g., cough, diarrhea, vomiting)	Day 15
Incidence of hospitalization, supplemental oxygen, mechanical ventilation, or death before Day 15	Incidence of subjects meeting the composite endpoint of subjects requiring hospitalization (hospitalization is defined as ≥ 24 hours of acute care), supplemental oxygen, mechanical ventilation, or who die	Day 15
Duration of hospitalization, supplemental oxygen or mechanical ventilation before Day 15	Duration of incidences of subjects meeting the composite endpoint of subjects requiring hospitalization (hospitalization is defined as ≥ 24 hours of acute care), supplemental oxygen or mechanical ventilation	Day 15
Clinical improvement in symptoms	Proportion of subjects who experience clinical improvement in symptoms by Day 15, defined as a reduction of two or more points on the WHO Ordinal Scale for Clinical Improvement (lowest score between Baseline Visit/Day 1 and Day 15)	Baseline/Day 1 to Day 15
Improvement in oxygenation	Improvement in oxygenation over the course of the study and maintenance of this effect	Baseline/Day 1 to Day 15
Change in ALT	Assess and compare change from Baseline in AST	Baseline/Day 1 to Day 15
Change in AST	Assess and compare change from Baseline in AST	Baseline/Day 1 to Day 15
Change in blood glucose	Assess and compare change from Baseline in blood glucose	Baseline/Day 1 to Day 15
Change in Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)	Assess and compare change from Baseline in Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)	Baseline/Day 1 to Day 15
Change in Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1C)	Assess and compare change from Baseline in Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1C)	Baseline/Day 1 to Day 15
Change in Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)	Assess and compare change from Baseline in Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)	Baseline/Day 1 to Day 15
Change in Lymphocyte, Absolute count	Assess and compare change from Baseline in Lymphocyte, Absolute count	Baseline/Day 1 to Day 15
Change in Monocyte, Absolute count	Assess and compare change from Baseline in Monocyte, Absolute count	Baseline/Day 1 to Day 15
Change in Neutrophils, Absolute count	Assess and compare change from Baseline in Neutrophils, Absolute count	Baseline/Day 1 to Day 15
Change in Eosinophil, Absolute count	Assess and compare change from Baseline in Eosinophil, Absolute count	Baseline/Day 1 to Day 15
Change in CRP	Assess and compare change from Baseline in CRP	Baseline/Day 1 to Day 15
Change in D-Dimer	Assess and compare change from Baseline in D-Dimer	Baseline/Day 1 to Day 15
Change in Ferritin	Assess and compare change from Baseline in Ferritin	Baseline/Day 1 to Day 15
Change in Fibrinogen	Assess and compare change from Baseline in Fibrinogen	Baseline/Day 1 to Day 15
Change in Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT) and International Normalized Ratio (INR)	Assess and compare change from Baseline in Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT) and International Normalized Ratio (INR)	Baseline/Day 1 to Day 15
Change in IL-1β	Assess and compare change from Baseline in IL-1β	Baseline/Day 1 to Day 15
Change in IL-6	Assess and compare change from Baseline in IL-6	Baseline/Day 1 to Day 15
Change in IL-18	Assess and compare change from Baseline in IL-18	Baseline/Day 1 to Day 15
Change in granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)	Assess and compare change from Baseline in granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)	Baseline/Day 1 to Day 15
Change in interferon-γ-induced protein 10 (IP-10)	Assess and compare change from Baseline in interferon-γ-induced protein 10 (IP-10)	Baseline/Day 1 to Day 15
Change in C3a	Assess and compare change from Baseline in C3a	Baseline/Day 1 to Day 15

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Olatec Therapeutics LLC
• Collaborators: CTI Clinical Trial and Consulting Services

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): September 24, 2020
• Primary Completion (Actual): July 28, 2022
• Study Completion (Actual): July 28, 2022

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: August 13, 2020
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 3, 2020
• First Posted (Actual): September 7, 2020

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 13, 2023
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 11, 2023
• Last Verified: April 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Covid19; Cytokine Release Syndrome; NLRP3; Dapansutrile
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pathologic Processes; Coronavirus Infections; Coronaviridae Infections; Nidovirales Infections; RNA Virus Infections; Virus Diseases; Infections; Respiratory Tract Infections; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Pneumonia, Viral; Pneumonia; Lung Diseases; Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome; Inflammation; Disease; Shock; COVID-19; Syndrome; Cytokine Release Syndrome; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Dapansutrile
• Other Study ID Numbers: OLT1177-10

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: Yes
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No