A Dose Finding, Efficacy and Safety Study of Ensovibep (MP0420) in Ambulatory Adult Patients With Symptomatic COVID-19 (EMPATHY)

A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Multicenter Study of Ensovibep (MP0420) in Ambulatory Adult Patients With Symptomatic COVID-19 - The "EMPATHY" Trial

The purpose of this study is to establish the antiviral efficacy of ensovibep against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in humans, identify the optimal dose, and demonstrate its clinical value for treating COVID-19 in adult ambulatory patients.

Study Overview

• Status: Terminated
• Conditions: COVID-19
• Intervention / Treatment: Drug: ensovibep; Drug: Placebo

Detailed Description

Primary objectives:

Part A: The primary objective of this Part is to demonstrate superiority of ensovibep, compared to placebo, in reducing SARS-CoV-2 viral load through Day 8.

Part B: The primary objective of this Part is to demonstrate superiority of ensovibep, compared to placebo, in reducing the occurrence of hospitalizations (≥ 24 hours of acute care) and/or emergency room visits related to COVID-19 or death from any cause up to Day 29.

Secondary objectives:

Part A: The secondary objectives of this Part are:

• To assess the effect of ensovibep, compared to placebo, in reducing the occurrence of hospitalizations (≥ 24 hours of acute care) and/or emergency room visits related to COVID-19 or death from any cause up to Day 29
• To assess the effect of ensovibep, compared to placebo, in reducing COVID-19 symptoms through Day 29
• To evaluate safety and tolerability of ensovibep
• To characterize the pharmacokinetics (PK) of ensovibep

Part B: The secondary objectives of this Part are:

• To assess the effect of ensovibep, compared to placebo, in reducing SARS-CoV-2 viral load through Day 8
• To assess the effect of ensovibep, compared to placebo, in reducing COVID-19 symptoms up to Day 29
• To evaluate the immunogenicity of ensovibep during the study and its clinical relevance (PK, efficacy and safety)
• To evaluate safety and tolerability of ensovibep

Although Amendment 2 was created, modifications for this amendment are not reflected as it was never approved or implemented in the US. The study was conducted under Global Protocol Amendment 1, the last active version of the protocol.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 407
• Phase: Phase 2; Phase 3

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Hungary
  • Debrecen, Hungary, 4031
    • Debreceni Egyetem
• India
  • Andhra Pradesh
    • Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India, 530002
      • King George Hospital
  • Gujarat
    • Surat, Gujarat, India, 395009
      • BAPS Pramukhswami Hospital
  • Hyderabad
    • Vidyanagar, Hyderabad, India, 500044
      • Durgabai Deshmukh Hospital & Research Centre
  • Karnataka
    • Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, 560068
      • Shetty's Hospital
  • Maharashtra
    • Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India, 431001
      • Government Medical College
    • Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, 400008
      • Grant Medical College & Sir J. J. Group of Hospitals
    • Nagpur, Maharashtra, India, 440003
      • Government Medical College and Hospital
    • Nagpur, Maharashtra, India, 441108
      • All India Institute of Medical Sciences - Nagpur
  • Tamil Nadu
    • Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, 600113
      • VHS-Infectious Disease Medical Centre
  • Telangana
    • Hyderabad, Telangana, India, 500018
      • St. Theresa's Hospital
• Netherlands
  • Utrecht, Netherlands, 3584 CW
    • UMC Utrecht
• South Africa
  • Durban, South Africa, 4052
    • Enhancing Care Foundation
  • Kempton Park, South Africa, 1619
    • Clinresco Centres (Pty) Ltd
  • Krugersdorp, South Africa, 1739
    • DJW Navorsing
  • Pretoria, South Africa, 183
    • Jongaie Research
  • Soweto, South Africa, 2013
    • Wits Clinical Research
  • Free State
    • Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa, 9301
      • FARMOVS (Pty) LTD
  • Gauteng
    • Sandton, Gauteng, South Africa, 2196
      • Sandton Medical Research Centre
  • Western Cape
    • George, Western Cape, South Africa, 6529
      • George Provincial Hospital
    • Somerset West, Western Cape, South Africa, 7130
      • Dr JM Engelbrecht Trial Site
• United States
  • Alabama
    • Jasper, Alabama, United States, 35501
      • Jasper Summit Research, LLC
  • California
    • Colton, California, United States, 92324
      • Benchmark Southern California
    • Fullerton, California, United States, 92835
      • Ascada Research
    • Mission Viejo, California, United States, 92691
      • Pacific Neuropsychiatric Specialists
    • Redondo Beach, California, United States, 90277
      • Providence Family Medical Center
  • Colorado
    • Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States, 80907
      • Future Innovative Treatments
  • Florida
    • Margate, Florida, United States, 33063
      • Boward Infectious Disease and Primary Care
    • Miami, Florida, United States, 33184
      • Bio-Medical Research, LLC
    • Miami, Florida, United States, 33135
      • Suncoast Research Group, LLC
    • Miami, Florida, United States, 33155
      • Life Spring Research Foundation
    • Miami Lakes, Florida, United States, 33014
      • Panax Clinical Research, LLC
    • Tampa, Florida, United States, 33613
      • AdventHealth Tampa
    • West Palm Beach, Florida, United States, 33409
      • Palm Beach Research Center
  • Georgia
    • Buford, Georgia, United States, 30519
      • Gwinnett Research Institute
    • Columbus, Georgia, United States, 31904
      • IACT Health
  • Illinois
    • Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60640
      • Great Lakes Clinical Trials
  • Maryland
    • Elkridge, Maryland, United States, 21075
      • Centennial Medical Group - Research Department
  • Missouri
    • Jefferson City, Missouri, United States, 65109
      • Jefferson City Medical Group
  • North Carolina
    • Monroe, North Carolina, United States, 28112
      • Monroe Biomedical Research
    • Wilmington, North Carolina, United States, 28412
      • Wilmington Health
  • South Carolina
    • Greenville, South Carolina, United States, 29615
      • Vitalink Research
    • Rock Hill, South Carolina, United States, 29732
      • Clinical Research of Rock Hill
  • Texas
    • Houston, Texas, United States, 77090
      • 1960 Family Practice, PA
    • Houston, Texas, United States, 77087
      • Fairway Medical Clinic
    • Katy, Texas, United States, 77494
      • Zion Urgent Care Clinic
    • McAllen, Texas, United States, 78501
      • Family Practice Center
    • Red Oak, Texas, United States, 75154
      • Epic Medical Research

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

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

Description

Part A Inclusion Criteria:

1. Men and women ≥ 18 years of age on the day of inclusion (no upper limit).
2. Presence of two or more of the following COVID-19 symptoms with an onset within 7 days of dosing: Feeling hot or feverish, cough, sore throat, low energy, or tiredness, headache, muscle or body aches, chills or shivering, and shortness of breath.
3. Positive test for SARS-CoV-2 in upper respiratory swab on the day of dosing (rapid antigen test).
4. Understand and agree to comply with the planned study procedures.
5. The patient or legally authorized representative give signed informed consent.

Part A Exclusion Criteria:

1. Requiring hospitalization at time of screening, or at time of study drug administration.
2. Oxygen saturation (SpO2) ≤ 93% on room air at sea level or ratio of arterial oxygen partial pressure (PaO2 in mmHg) to fractional inspired oxygen (FiO2) < 300, respiratory rate ≥ 30 per minute, and heart rate ≥ 125 per minute. In India, patients with a respiratory rate ≥ 24 per minute or with an oxygen saturation ≤ 93% on room air (SpO2) are not eligible.
3. Known allergies to any of the components used in the formulation of the ensovibep or placebo.
4. Suspected or proven serious, active bacterial, fungal, viral, or other infection (besides SARS-CoV-2) that in the opinion of the investigator could constitute a risk when taking intervention.
5. Any serious concomitant systemic disease, condition, or disorder that, in the opinion of the investigator, should preclude participation in this study.
6. Any co-morbidity requiring surgery within 7 days of dosing, or that is considered life-threatening within 29 days of dosing.
7. Prior or concurrent use of any medication for treatment of COVID-19, including antiviral agents, convalescent serum, or anti-viral antibodies. Purely symptomatic therapies (e.g., over-the-counter [OTC] cough medications, acetaminophen, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs]) are permitted. Prior vaccination for COVID-19 is permitted.
8. Are concurrently enrolled or were enrolled within the last 30 days or within 5 half-lives (whichever is longer) in any other type of medical research judged not to be scientifically or medically compatible with this study.
9. Are pregnant or breast feeding.

10. Women of child-bearing potential, defined as all women physiologically capable of becoming pregnant, unless they are using highly effective methods of contraception at the time of dosing and for 11 weeks after dosing of study drug. Highly effective contraception methods include:

    1. Total abstinence (when this is in line with the preferred and usual lifestyle of the patient). Periodic abstinence (i.e., calendar, ovulation, symptothermal, and postovulation methods) and withdrawal are not acceptable methods of contraception.
    2. Female sterilization (have had bilateral surgical oophorectomy [with or without hysterectomy], total hysterectomy, or bilateral tubal ligation at least 6 weeks before taking study treatment). In case of oophorectomy alone, only when the reproductive status of the woman has been confirmed by follow-up hormone level assessment.
    3. Male sterilization (at least 6 months prior to screening). The vasectomized male partner should be the sole partner for that patient.
    4. Use of oral, injected, or implanted hormonal methods of contraception or placement of an intrauterine device (IUD) or intrauterine system (IUS) or other forms of hormonal contraception that have comparable efficacy (failure rate < 1%), for example hormone vaginal ring or transdermal hormone contraception. In case of use of oral contraception, women should have been stable on the same pill for a minimum of 3 months before taking study treatment. If local regulations deviate from the contraception methods listed above to prevent pregnancy, local regulations apply and will be described in the informed consent form (ICF).
11. Patients in the USA who are at high risk of progression to severe COVID-19 illness or hospitalization must not be enrolled in Part A of this study as a placebo-controlled study may not be appropriate in this patient population due to the availability of anti-viral mAbs under EUA in the USA.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

Number of Arms

6

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Phase 2 / Part A, ensovibep active treatment arm 1; Phase 2 / Part A: ensovibep active treatment arm 1	Drug: ensovibep; IV on day 1 only.; Other Names: MP0420
Experimental: Phase 2 / Part A, ensovibep active treatment arm 2; Phase 2 / Part A: ensovibep active treatment arm 2	Drug: ensovibep; IV on day 1 only.; Other Names: MP0420
Experimental: Phase 2 / Part A, ensovibep active treatment arm 3; Phase 2 / Part A: ensovibep active treatment arm 3	Drug: ensovibep; IV on day 1 only.; Other Names: MP0420
Placebo Comparator: Phase 2 / Part A, Placebo; Phase 2 / Part A: Placebo	Drug: Placebo; IV on day 1 only.
Experimental: Phase 3/ Part B, ensovibep active treatment arm 4; Phase 3/ Part B: ensovibep active treatment. Part B was not initiated.	Drug: ensovibep; IV on day 1 only.; Other Names: MP0420
Placebo Comparator: Phase 3/ Part B, Placebo arm; Phase 3/ Part B: Placebo. Part B was not initiated.	Drug: Placebo; IV on day 1 only.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Part A: Time-Weighted Change From Baseline in Log10 Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Viral Load Through Day 8	The SARS-CoV-2 viral load was measured by means of a nasopharyngeal swab, followed by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay at a central laboratory. The multiple comparison procedure-modeling methodology was used. Time-weighted change from baseline was used as viral loads were measured at multiple time points.	Baseline (Day 1) and Days 3, 5 and 8
Part B: Percentage of Participants With Hospitalizations and/or Emergency Room (ER) Visits Related to COVID-19 or Death From Any Cause	Percentage of participants experiencing hospitalizations [>= 24 hour (h) of acute care] and/or ER visits related to COVID-19 or death from any cause up to Day 29.	Up to Day 29

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Part A: Percentage of Participants With Hospitalizations and/or ER Visits Related to COVID-19 or Death From Any Cause	Percentage of participants experiencing hospitalizations (>= 24 h of acute care) and/or ER visits related to COVID-19 or death from any cause up to Day 29 were presented along with relative risk to placebo.	Up to Day 29
Part A: Time to Sustained Clinical Recovery	Sustained clinical recovery was defined as follows; All symptoms from the modified Food and Drug Administration (FDA) COVID-19 questionnaire scored as moderate or severe at baseline were subsequently scored as mild or absent, and; All symptoms from the modified FDA COVID-19 questionnaire scored as mild or absent at baseline were subsequently scored as absent, with no subsequent worsening, up to Day 29.	Up to Day 29
Part A: Observed Maximum Serum Concentration (Cmax) of Total and Free Ensovibep	Blood samples were collected to determine the Cmax of free ensovibep (ensovibep not bound to target) and total ensovibep (sum of ensovibep not bound to and bound to target) concentrations in serum.	Data was summarized from pre-dose and at 15 minutes and 90 minutes after end of study drug infusion on Day 1, and at Days 3, 8, 15, 29, 61 and 91
Part A: Area Under the Concentration-Time Curve From Time Zero to the Time of the Last Quantifiable Concentration (AUClast) of Total and Free Ensovibep	Blood samples were collected to determine the AUClast of free ensovibep (ensovibep not bound to target) and total ensovibep (sum of ensovibep not bound to and bound to target) concentrations in serum.	Data was summarized from pre-dose and at 15 minutes and 90 minutes after end of study drug infusion on Day 1, and at Days 3, 8, 15, 29, 61 and 91
Part A: Area Under the Concentration-Time Curve From Time Zero to 48 Hours (AUC 0-48h) of Total and Free Ensovibep	Blood samples were collected to determine the AUC 0-48h of free ensovibep (ensovibep not bound to target) and total ensovibep (sum of ensovibep not bound to and bound to target) concentrations in serum.	Data was summarized from pre-dose and at 15 minutes and 90 minutes after end of study drug infusion on Day 1, and at Day 3
Part A: Area Under the Concentration-Time Curve From Time Zero to 168 Hours (AUC 0-168h) of Total and Free Ensovibep	Blood samples were collected to determine the AUC 0-168h of free ensovibep (ensovibep not bound to target) and total ensovibep (sum of ensovibep not bound to and bound to target) concentrations in serum.	Data was summarized from pre-dose and at 15 minutes and 90 minutes after end of study drug infusion on Day 1, and at Days 3 and 8
Part A: Area Under the Concentration-Time Curve From Time Zero to 336 Hours (AUC 0-336h) of Total and Free Ensovibep	Blood samples were collected to determine the AUC 0-336h of free ensovibep (ensovibep not bound to target) and total ensovibep (sum of ensovibep not bound to and bound to target) concentrations in serum.	Data was summarized from pre-dose and at 15 minutes and 90 minutes after end of study drug infusion on Day 1, and at Days 3, 8 and 15
Part A: Area Under the Concentration-Time Curve From Time Zero to Infinity (AUCinfinity) of Total and Free Ensovibep	Blood samples were collected to determine the AUCinfinity of free ensovibep (ensovibep not bound to target) and total ensovibep (sum of ensovibep not bound to and bound to target) concentrations in serum.	Data was summarized from pre-dose and at 15 minutes and 90 minutes after end of study drug infusion on Day 1, and at Days 3, 8, 15, 29, 61 and 91
Part A: Time to Reach the Maximum Concentration (Tmax) of Total and Free Ensovibep	Blood samples were collected to determine the Tmax of free ensovibep (ensovibep not bound to target) and total ensovibep (sum of ensovibep not bound to and bound to target) concentrations in serum.	Data was summarized from pre-dose and at 15 minutes and 90 minutes after end of study drug infusion on Day 1, and at Days 3, 8, 15, 29, 61 and 91
Part A: Apparent Total Body Clearance (CL) of Total and Free Ensovibep	Blood samples were collected to determine the CL of free ensovibep (ensovibep not bound to target) and total ensovibep (sum of ensovibep not bound to and bound to target) concentrations in serum.	Data was summarized from pre-dose and at 15 minutes and 90 minutes after end of study drug infusion on Day 1, and at Days 3, 8, 15, 29, 61 and 91
Part A: Terminal Elimination Rate Constant (Lambda z) of Total and Free Ensovibep	Blood samples were collected to determine the lambda z of free ensovibep (ensovibep not bound to target) and total ensovibep (sum of ensovibep not bound to and bound to target) concentrations in serum.	Data was summarized from pre-dose and at 15 minutes and 90 minutes after end of study drug infusion on Day 1, and at Days 3, 8, 15, 29, 61 and 91
Part A: Terminal Elimination Half-Life (T1/2) of Total and Free Ensovibep	Blood samples were collected to determine the T1/2 of free ensovibep (ensovibep not bound to target) and total ensovibep (sum of ensovibep not bound to and bound to target) concentrations in serum.	Data was summarized from pre-dose and at 15 minutes and 90 minutes after end of study drug infusion on Day 1, and at Days 3, 8, 15, 29, 61 and 91
Part A: Apparent Volume of Distribution (Vz) of Total and Free Ensovibep	Blood samples were collected to determine the Vz of free ensovibep (ensovibep not bound to target) and total ensovibep (sum of ensovibep not bound to and bound to target) concentrations in serum.	Data was summarized from pre-dose and at 15 minutes and 90 minutes after end of study drug infusion on Day 1, and at Days 3, 8, 15, 29, 61 and 91
Part B: Change From Baseline in Log10 SARS-CoV-2 Viral Load Through Day 8	The SARS-CoV-2 viral load was measured by means of a nasopharyngeal swab, followed by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay at a central laboratory. The multiple comparison procedure-modeling methodology was used.	Baseline (Day 1) and Days 3, 5 and 8
Part B: Time to Sustained Clinical Recovery	Sustained clinical recovery was defined as follows; All symptoms from the modified FDA COVID-19 questionnaire scored as moderate or severe at baseline were subsequently scored as mild or absent, and; All symptoms from the modified FDA COVID-19 questionnaire scored as mild or absent at baseline were subsequently scored as absent, with no subsequent worsening, up to Day 29.	Up to Day 29
Part B: Percentage of Participants With Treatment-Emergent Anti-Drug Antibody (ADA) Response to Ensovibep	Treatment-emergent ADA is defined as any participant with a; 2-fold (1 dilution) increase in titer than the minimum required dilution if no ADAs were detected at baseline (treatment-induced ADA); or,; 4-fold (2 dilutions) increase in titer compared with baseline if ADAs were detected at baseline (treatment-boosted ADA).	Pre-dose on Day 1 and Days 15, 29, 61 and 91 postdose of Ensovibep

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Novartis Pharmaceuticals
• Collaborators: Molecular Partners AG

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): May 10, 2021
• Primary Completion (Actual): November 18, 2021
• Study Completion (Actual): January 27, 2022

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 24, 2021
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 30, 2021
• First Posted (Actual): April 1, 2021

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): January 18, 2023
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 21, 2022
• Last Verified: December 1, 2022

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; ensovibep; designed ankyrin repeat protein (DARPin®); angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2); COVID-19 treatment, symptom reduction, viral load reduction,; EMPATHY
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Coronavirus Infections; Coronaviridae Infections; Nidovirales Infections; RNA Virus Infections; Virus Diseases; Infections; Respiratory Tract Infections; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Pneumonia, Viral; Pneumonia; Lung Diseases; COVID-19
• Other Study ID Numbers: MP0420-CP302; 2021-000890-10 (EudraCT Number); CSKO136A12201J (Other Identifier: Novartis Pharmaceuticals)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: Yes

IPD Plan Description

Novartis is committed to sharing with qualified external researchers, access to patient-level data and supporting clinical documents from eligible studies. These requests are reviewed and approved by an independent review panel on the basis of scientific merit. All data provided is anonymized to respect the privacy of patients who have participated in the trial in line with applicable laws and regulations.

This trial data availability is according to the criteria and process described on https://www.clinicalstudydatarequest.com/.

Drug and device information, study documents

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