Efficacy and Safety of FE 999049 in Controlled Ovarian Stimulation in Indian Women (IRIS)

A Randomised, Controlled, Assessor-blind, Parallel Groups, Multicentre Trial in India Comparing the Efficacy and Safety of FE 999049 (Follitropin Delta) With Follitropin Alfa (GONAL-F) in Controlled Ovarian Stimulation in Women Undergoing an Assisted Reproductive Technology Programme

To demonstrate non-inferiority of FE 999049 compared with GONAL-F with respect to ongoing pregnancy rate in women undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Infertility
• Intervention / Treatment: Drug: Follitropin Delta (FE 999049); Drug: Follitropin Alfa (GONAL-F)

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 220
• Phase: Phase 3

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• India
  • Bangalore, India
    • Ferring Investigational Site
  • Kolhapur, India
    • Ferring Investigational Site
  • New Delhi, India
    • Ferring Investigational Site
  • Gujarat
    • Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
      • Ferring Investigational Site
    • Anand, Gujarat, India
      • Ferring Investigational Site
  • Maharashtra
    • Nashik, Maharashtra, India
      • Ferring Investigational Site
  • Mumbai
    • Pune, Mumbai, India
      • Ferring Investigational Site
  • New Delhi
    • Varanasi, New Delhi, India
      • Ferring Investigational Site
  • Tamil Nadu
    • Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
      • Ferring Investigational Site
    • Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
      • Ferring Investigational Site
  • Telangana
    • Secunderabad, Telangana, India
      • Ferring Investigational Site
  • Uttar Pradesh
    • Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
      • Ferring Investigational Site

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 21 years to 40 years (Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Informed Consent Forms signed prior to screening evaluations.
• In good physical and mental health as judged by the investigator.
• Indian (i.e., possessing an Indian identification card and having native Indian parents) pre-menopausal females between the ages of 21 and 40 years. The participants must be at least 21 years (including the 21st birthday) when they sign the informed consent and no more than 40 years (up to the day before the 41st birthday) at the time of randomization.
• Infertile women diagnosed with tubal infertility, unexplained infertility, endometriosis stage I/II (defined by the revised American Society for Reproductive Medicine [ASRM] classification, 1996) or with partners diagnosed with male factor infertility, eligible for in vitro fertilization (IVF) and/or ICSI using fresh or frozen ejaculated sperm from male partner or sperm donor.
• Infertility for at least one year before randomization for participants <35 years or for at least 6 months for participants ≥35 years (not applicable in case of tubal or severe male factor infertility).
• The trial cycle will be the participant's first controlled ovarian stimulation cycle for IVF/ICSI.
• Regular menstrual cycles of 24-35 days (both inclusive), presumed to be ovulatory.
• Hysterosalpingography, hysteroscopy, saline infusion sonography, or transvaginal ultrasound documenting a uterus consistent with expected normal function (e.g. no evidence of clinically interfering uterine fibroids defined as submucous or intramural fibroids larger than 3 cm in diameter, no polyps and no congenital structural abnormalities which are associated with a reduced chance of pregnancy) within 1 year prior to randomization.
• Transvaginal ultrasound documenting presence and adequate visualization of both ovaries, without evidence of significant abnormality (e.g., enlarged ovaries which would contraindicate the use of gonadotropins) and normal adnexa (e.g., no hydrosalpinx) within 1 year prior to randomization. Both ovaries must be accessible for oocyte retrieval.
• Early follicular phase (cycle day 2-4) serum levels of FSH between 1 and 15 IU/L (results obtained within 3 months prior to randomization).
• Negative serum Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) antibody tests within 1 year prior to randomization.
• Body mass index (BMI) between 17.5 and 32.0 kg/m^2 (both inclusive) at screening.
• Willing to accept transfer of 1-2 embryos.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Known endometriosis stage III-IV (defined by the revised ASRM classification, 1996).
• One or more follicles ≥10 mm (including cysts) observed on the transvaginal ultrasound prior to randomization on stimulation day 1 (puncture of cysts is allowed prior to randomization).
• Known history of recurrent miscarriage (defined as three consecutive losses after ultrasound confirmation of pregnancy [excluding ectopic pregnancy] and before Week 24 of pregnancy).
• Known abnormal karyotype of participant or of her partner/sperm donor, as applicable, depending on source of sperm used for insemination in this trial.
• Any known clinically significant systemic disease (e.g., insulin-dependent diabetes).
• Known inherited or acquired thrombophilia disease.
• Active arterial or venous thromboembolism or severe thrombophlebitis, or a history of these events.
• Known porphyria.
• Any known endocrine or metabolic abnormalities (pituitary, adrenal, pancreas, liver or kidney) with the exception of controlled thyroid function disease.
• Known presence of anti-FSH antibodies (based on the information available in the participant's medical records).
• Known tumors of the ovary, breast, uterus, adrenal gland, pituitary or hypothalamus which would contraindicate the use of gonadotropins.
• Known moderate or severe impairment of renal or hepatic function.
• Any abnormal finding of clinical chemistry, haematology or vital signs at screening which is clinically significant as judged by the investigator.
• Currently breast-feeding.
• Undiagnosed vaginal bleeding.
• Known abnormal cervical cytology of clinical significance observed within 3 years prior to randomization (unless the clinical significance has been resolved).
• Findings at the gynecological examination at screening which preclude gonadotropin stimulation or are associated with a reduced chance of pregnancy, e.g., congenital uterine abnormalities or retained intrauterine device.
• Pregnancy (negative urinary pregnancy tests must be documented at screening and prior to randomization) or contraindication to pregnancy.
• Known current active pelvic inflammatory disease.
• Use of fertility modifiers during the last menstrual cycle before randomization, including dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), metformin or cycle programming with oral contraceptives, progestogen or estrogen preparations.
• Use of hormonal preparations (except for thyroid medication) during the last menstrual cycle before randomization.
• Known history of chemotherapy (except for gestational conditions) or radiotherapy.
• Current or past (1 year prior to randomization) abuse of alcohol or drugs.
• Current (last month) intake of more than 14 units of alcohol per week.
• Current or past (3 months prior to randomization) smoking habit of more than 10 cigarettes per day.
• Hypersensitivity to any active ingredient or excipients in the medicinal products used in the trial.
• Previous participation in the trial.
• Use of any non-registered investigational drugs during the last 3 months prior to randomization.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Follitropin Delta (FE 999049); Recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (rFSH). Follitropin delta for subcutaneous injection	Drug: Follitropin Delta (FE 999049); FE 999049 was administered as single daily subcutaneous injections in the abdomen. Participants randomized to FE 999049 had their individual dose determined on the basis of their anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) level at screening and their body weight at randomization. For participants with low AMH (<15 pmol/L) the daily FE 999049 dose was 12 μg, irrespective of body weight. For participants with high AMH (≥15 pmol/L) the daily FE 999049 dose was on a continuous scale ranging from 0.19 to 0.10 μg/kg, i.e. dependent on actual AMH and body weight. The daily FE 999049 dose was fixed throughout the stimulation period and maximum allowed daily dose was 12 μg. Participants could be treated for a maximum of 20 days.; Other Names: REKOVELLE
Experimental: Follitropin Alfa (GONAL-F); rFSH. Follitropin alfa for subcutaneous injection	Drug: Follitropin Alfa (GONAL-F); GONAL-F was administered as single daily subcutaneous injections in the abdomen. The starting dose of GONAL-F was 150 IU and fixed for the first five stimulation days, after which it could be adjusted by 75 IU based on the individual response. The maximum allowed daily dose was 450 IU. Participants could be treated for a maximum of 20 days.; Other Names: GONAL-F

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Ongoing pregnancy rate	Ongoing pregnancy is defined as at least one intrauterine viable fetus 10-11 weeks after embryo transfer.	10-11 weeks after embryo transfer

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Positive beta human chorionic gonadotropin (βhCG) rate	Positive βhCG is defined as positive serum βhCG test 13-15 days after embryo transfer.	13-15 days after embryo transfer
Clinical pregnancy rate	Clinical pregnancy is defined as at least one gestational sac 5-6 weeks after embryo transfer.	5-6 weeks after embryo transfer
Vital pregnancy rate	Vital pregnancy is defined as at least one intrauterine gestational sac with fetal heart beat 5-6 weeks after embryo transfer.	5-6 weeks after embryo transfer
Implantation rate	Implantation rate is defined as the number of gestational sacs 5-6 weeks after transfer divided by number of embryos transferred.	5-6 weeks after embryo transfer
Ongoing implantation rate	Ongoing implantation rate is defined as the number of intrauterine viable fetuses 10-11 weeks after transfer divided by number of embryos transferred.	10-11 weeks after embryo transfer
Proportion of subjects with extreme ovarian responses	Extreme ovarian response is defined as <4, ≥15 or ≥20 oocytes retrieved.	On day of oocyte retrieval (up to 22 days after start of stimulation)
Number of follicles on stimulation Day 6	Counted by ultrasound for the right and left ovary.	On stimulation Day 6
Number of follicles at end-of-stimulation	Counted by ultrasound for the right and left ovary.	At end-of-stimulation (up to 20 stimulation days)
Size of follicles on stimulation Day 6	Measured by ultrasound for the right and left ovary.	On stimulation Day 6
Size of follicles at end-of-stimulation	Measured by ultrasound for the right and left ovary.	At end-of-stimulation (up to 20 stimulation days)
Number of oocytes retrieved	The number of oocytes retrieved will be recorded at the oocyte retrieval visit.	On day of oocyte retrieval (up to 22 days after start of stimulation)
Proportion of subjects with <4, 4-7, 8-14, 15-19 and ≥20 oocytes retrieved		On day of oocyte retrieval (up to 22 days after start of stimulation)
Fertilisation rate	The fertilisation rate is defined as the number of fertilized oocytes with 2 pronuclei divided by the number of oocytes retrieved.	On Day 1 after oocyte retrieval (up to 23 days after start of stimulation)
Number and quality of embryos on day 3 after oocyte retrieval	The total number of embryos and the number of good-quality embryos will be counted on Day 3. A good-quality embryo is defined as an embryo with ≥6 blastomeres and ≤20% fragmentation, without signs of multinucleation.	On Day 3 after oocyte retrieval (up to 25 days after start of stimulation)
Circulating concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH)	Blood samples for analysis of circulating concentrations of FSH and LH will be drawn.	On stimulation day 6
Circulating concentrations of estradiol	Blood samples for analysis of circulating concentrations of estradiol will be drawn.	On stimulation day 6
Circulating concentrations of progesterone	Blood samples for analysis of circulating concentrations of progesterone will be drawn.	On stimulation day 6
Circulating concentrations of inhibin A and inhibin B	Blood samples for analysis of circulating concentrations of inhibin A and inhibin B will be drawn.	On stimulation day 6
Circulating concentrations of FSH and LH	Blood samples for analysis of circulating concentrations of FSH and LH will be drawn.	At end-of-stimulation (up to 20 stimulation days)
Circulating concentrations of estradiol	Blood samples for analysis of circulating concentrations of estradiol will be drawn.	At end-of-stimulation (up to 20 stimulation days)
Circulating concentrations of progesterone	Blood samples for analysis of circulating concentrations of progesterone will be drawn.	At end-of-stimulation (up to 20 stimulation days)
Circulating concentrations of inhibin A and inhibin B	Blood samples for analysis of circulating concentrations of inhibin A and inhibin B will be drawn.	At end-of-stimulation (up to 20 stimulation days)
Total gonadotropin dose	The total gonadotropin dose will be recorded.	At end-of-stimulation (up to 20 stimulation days)
Number of stimulation days		At end-of-stimulation (up to 20 stimulation days)
Proportion of subjects with investigator-requested gonadotropin dose adjustments	The decreases and increases of the gonadotropin dose will be captured during the stimulation period.	From stimulation Day 6 to end-of-stimulation (up to 20 stimulation days)
Number of events and intensity of adverse events		From signing of the informed consent up to end-of-trial (approximately 5.5 months)
Changes from baseline in circulating levels of clinical chemistry parameters: Albumin and Total protein	Blood samples will be collected for the analysis of clinical chemistry parameters including: Albumin and Total protein.	From screening up to end-of-trial (up to approximately 5.5 months)
Changes from baseline in circulating levels of clinical chemistry parameters: Alanine transaminase, Alkaline phosphatase, Aspartate aminotransferase, Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase	Blood samples will be collected for the analysis of clinical chemistry parameters including: Alanine transaminase, Alkaline phosphatase, Aspartate aminotransferase and Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase.	From screening up to end-of-trial (up to approximately 5.5 months)
Changes from baseline in circulating levels of clinical chemistry parameters: Bicarbonate, Blood urea nitrogen, Calcium, Chloride, Cholesterol total, Glucose, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium, Uric acid	Blood samples will be collected for the analysis of clinical chemistry parameters including: Bicarbonate, Blood urea nitrogen, Calcium, Chloride, Cholesterol total, Glucose, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium and Uric acid.	From screening up to end-of-trial (up to approximately 5.5 months)
Changes from baseline in circulating levels of clinical chemistry parameters: Bilirubin direct, Bilirubin, Creatinine	Blood samples will be collected for the analysis of clinical chemistry parameters including: Bilirubin direct, Bilirubin and Creatinine.	From screening up to end-of-trial (up to approximately 5.5 months)
Changes from baseline in circulating levels of clinical chemistry parameters: Lactate dehydrogenase	Blood samples will be collected for the analysis of clinical chemistry parameter including: Lactate dehydrogenase.	From screening up to end-of-trial (up to approximately 5.5 months)
Proportion of subjects with markedly abnormal changes from baseline in clinical chemistry at end-of-stimulation	Defined as number of participants with at least one markedly abnormal finding in clinical chemistry parameters (as assessed by investigator) will be reported. The clinical chemistry parameters include: albumin, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, bicarbonate, bilirubin direct, bilirubin total, blood urea nitrogen, calcium, chloride, cholesterol total, creatinine, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, glucose, lactate dehydrogenase, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, total protein, uric acid.	At end-of-stimulation (up to 20 stimulation days)
Proportion of subjects with markedly abnormal changes from baseline in clinical chemistry at end-of-trial	Defined as number of participants with at least one markedly abnormal finding in clinical chemistry parameters (as assessed by investigator) will be reported. The clinical chemistry parameters include: albumin, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, bicarbonate, bilirubin direct, bilirubin total, blood urea nitrogen, calcium, chloride, cholesterol total, creatinine, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, glucose, lactate dehydrogenase, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, total protein, uric acid.	At end-of-trial (up to approximately 5.5 months)
Changes from baseline in circulating levels of clinical haematology parameters: Red blood cells, Red blood cells morphology	Blood samples will be collected for the analysis of clinical haematology including: Red blood cells and Red blood cell morphology.	From screening up to end-of-trial (up to approximately 5.5 months)
Changes from baseline in circulating levels of clinical haematology parameters: White blood cells, White blood cell morphology, Platelets	Blood samples will be collected for the analysis of clinical haematology including: White blood cells, White blood cell morphology and Platelets.	From screening up to end-of-trial (up to approximately 5.5 months)
Changes from baseline in circulating levels of clinical haematology parameters: Haemoglobin	Blood samples will be collected for the analysis of clinical haematology parameter including: Haemoglobin.	From screening up to end-of-trial (up to approximately 5.5 months)
Changes from baseline in circulating levels of clinical haematology parameters: Haematocrit	Blood samples will be collected for the analysis of clinical haematology parameter including: Haematocrit.	From screening up to end-of-trial (up to approximately 5.5 months)
Changes from baseline in circulating levels of clinical haematology parameters: Mean Corpuscular Volume	Blood samples will be collected for the analysis of clinical haematology parameter including: Mean Corpuscular Volume.	From screening up to end-of-trial (up to approximately 5.5 months)
Changes from baseline in circulating levels of clinical haematology parameters: Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin	Blood samples will be collected for the analysis of clinical haematology parameter including: Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin.	From screening up to end-of-trial (up to approximately 5.5 months)
Changes from baseline in circulating levels of clinical haematology parameters: Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration	Blood samples will be collected for the analysis of clinical haematology parameter including: Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration.	From screening up to end-of-trial (up to approximately 5.5 months)
Proportion of subjects with markedly abnormal changes from baseline in haematology parameters at end-of-stimulation	Defined as number of participants with at least one markedly abnormal changes in haematology parameters (as assessed by investigator) will be reported. Haematology parameters include: red blood cells, red blood cell morphology, white blood cells, white blood cells morphology, haemoglobin, haematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, platelets.	At end-of-stimulation (up to 20 stimulation days)
Proportion of subjects with markedly abnormal changes from baseline in haematology parameters end-of-trial	Defined as number of participants with at least one markedly abnormal changes in haematology parameters (as assessed by investigator) will be reported. Haematology parameters include: red blood cells, red blood cell morphology, white blood cells, white blood cells morphology, haemoglobin, haematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, platelets.	At end-of-trial (up to approximately 5.5 months)
Frequency of immune-related adverse events	All adverse events reported in the trial will be analyzed to identify those that are potentially immune-related. They will be tabulated using the Standardised Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities [MedDRA] Queries (SMQs).	From signing of the informed consent up to end-of-trial (approximately 5.5 months)
Intensity of immune-related adverse events	Will be categorised as mild, moderate or severe.	From signing of the informed consent up to end-of-trial (approximately 5.5 months)
Proportion of subjects with late OHSS (including OHSS of moderate/severe grade)	Late OHSS is defined as OHSS with onset >9 days after triggering of final follicular maturation. The proportion of participants with late OHSS, and late OHSS of moderate or severe grade will be presented.	>9 days after triggering of final follicular maturation
Proportion of subjects with early ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) (including OHSS of moderate/severe grade) and/or preventive interventions for early OHSS	The proportion of participants with early OHSS, early OHSS of moderate or severe grade, preventive interventions for early OHSS will be presented.	≤9 days after triggering of final follicular maturation
Proportion of subjects with cycle cancellation due to poor or excessive ovarian response or embryo transfer cancellation due to excessive ovarian response / OHSS risk	The proportion of participants with cycle cancellation due to poor or excessive ovarian response or embryo transfer cancellation due to excessive ovarian response / OHSS risk will be presented.	At end-of-stimulation (up to 20 stimulation days) or transfer visit
Percentage of metaphase II oocytes (only applicable for those inseminated using intracytoplasmic sperm injection [ICSI])	The percentage of metaphase II oocytes to oocytes retrieved for participants where all oocytes were inseminated using ICSI will be presented.	On day of oocyte retrieval (up to 22 days after stimulation)
Frequency of injection site reactions (redness, pain, itching, swelling and bruising)	Assessed by the participant during the stimulation period. Participants will self-assess injection site reactions (redness, pain, itching, swelling, and bruising) immediately, 30 minutes and 24 hours after each injection.	At end-of-stimulation (up to 20 stimulation days)
Intensity of injection site reactions	Assessed by the participant during the stimulation period as mild, moderate or severe. Participants will be tabulated according to the highest severity of their reported injection site reactions.	At end-of-stimulation (up to 20 stimulation days)
Proportion of subjects with cycle cancellations due to an adverse event, including immune-related adverse events, or due to technical malfunctions of the pre-filled injection pen	For each participant the reason for cycle cancellation will be recorded.	At end-of-stimulation (up to 20 stimulation days)
Proportion of subjects with OHSS (early and/or late) and/or preventive interventions for early OHSS	The proportion of participants with early and/or late OHSS and/or preventive interventions for early OHSS will be presented.	>9 days after triggering of final follicular maturation
Percentage of subjects with multi-fetal gestation, biochemical pregnancy, spontaneous abortion, ectopic pregnancy (with and without medical/surgical intervention) and vanishing twins	The percentage of participants with each of these events will be reported.	10-11 weeks after transfer
Technical malfunctions of the pre-filled injection pen	Participants will report any technical malfunctions of the pre-filled injection pen. Percentage of participants with confirmed technical malfunctions will be presented.	At end-of-stimulation (up to 20 stimulation days)

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Ferring Pharmaceuticals
• Investigators: Study Director: Global Clinical Compliance, Ferring Pharmaceuticals

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): December 3, 2021
• Primary Completion (Actual): December 12, 2023
• Study Completion (Actual): December 12, 2023

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: February 8, 2021
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 24, 2021
• First Posted (Actual): February 26, 2021

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): March 25, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 23, 2025
• Last Verified: December 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Urogenital Diseases; Genital Diseases; Infertility; Physiological Effects of Drugs; Hormones; Hormones, Hormone Substitutes, and Hormone Antagonists; Follicle Stimulating Hormone
• Other Study ID Numbers: 000320

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No