Clinical Study to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacokinetics of HT31-1 for Treating ARDS

A Phase 1/2A, Randomized, Double-Blind Study to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacokinetics of HT31-1 (hCitH3-mAb) in Healthy Volunteers and in Patients With Mild-to-Moderate ARDS: Part A (Healthy Volunteers)

This Phase 1/2A, randomized, double-blind study will evaluate the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics (PK) of HT31-1 (hCitH3-mAb) in healthy adult volunteers and in patients with mild-to-moderate acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) due to an infectious source.

The current trial (Part A) focuses on single ascending doses (SAD) in healthy volunteers to characterize the safety profile, PK parameters, and immunogenicity of HT31-1. Emerging data from this phase will inform dose selection for the subsequent Part B study in ARDS patients and help establish the recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D). Additionally, exploratory pharmacodynamic and biomarker assessments will be performed to evaluate target engagement and potential early biological activity.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome)
• Intervention / Treatment: Drug: HT31-1; Other: Saline (0.9%, sterile, for infusion)

Detailed Description

HT31-1 injection is a first-in-class humanized monoclonal antibody that neutralizes citrullinated histone H3 (CitH3), a critical damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) driving neutrophil extracellular trap (NETosis-induced endothelial injury, microvascular thrombosis, and hyper-inflammation in sepsis and ARDS. HT31-1 addresses the underlying pathophysiology of sepsis/ARDS without impacting the innate immune defense function, thus provide a potentially safe and effective means to treat ARDS.

Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single ascending dose (SAD) study.

Cohort size: 8 participants per cohort (6 assigned to HT31-1 and 2 assigned to placebo).

Randomization: 3:1 ratio (HT31-1: placebo). Blinding: HT31-1 and placebo will be provided as identical, indistinguishable investigational products supplied by the Investigational Pharmacy. Both participants and all study site personnel (including investigators, study staff, and safety assessors) will remain blinded to treatment allocation. Randomization codes will be maintained by an independent statistician or designated unblinded party and will not be disclosed until database lock unless required for subject safety.

Population: Approximately 24 healthy adult volunteers.

Dosing:

A single intravenous infusion of HT31-1 per cohort at ascending dose levels of 1 mg/kg, 5 mg/kg, and 20 mg/kg. Dose escalation will proceed in a sentinel dosing format with interim safety reviews between cohorts.

Each cohort will enroll 8 participants (6 HT31-1, 2 placebo). A total of up to 24 participants will be enrolled in Part A. No additional expansion cohort is planned.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 24
• Phase: Phase 1

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Lacey Harris, MPH, BSN; Phone Number: 804-828-0404; Email: Lacey.Harris@vcuhealth.org

Study Locations

• United States
  • Virginia
    • Richmond, Virginia, United States, 23298
      • Not yet recruiting
      • Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU Health)
      • Contact: Lacey Harris, MPH, BSN; Phone Number: 804-828-0404; Email: Lacey.Harris@vcuhealth.org
    • Richmond, Virginia, United States, 23298
      • Recruiting
      • Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU Health)
      • Contact: Lacey Harris, MPH, BSN; Phone Number: 804-828-0404; Email: Lacey.Harris@vcuhealth.org

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

Participants must meet all of the following criteria:

1. Age 18 to 65 years old, inclusive, at the time of consent.
2. Able and willing to provide written informed consent and to comply with all study procedures and requirements.
3. Healthy as determined by medical history, physical examination, and baseline investigations. No clinically significant abnormalities on physical exam.
4. Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18.0 and 32.0 kg/m², inclusive.
5. Vital signs and 12-lead ECG without clinically significant abnormalities, in the investigator's judgment, at screening (e.g., resting blood pressure and heart rate within normal limits).
6. Screening clinical laboratory tests (hematology, chemistry, liver and kidney function, etc.) within normal ranges or not clinically significant as judged by the investigator.
7. Female volunteers must be of non-childbearing potential (either surgically sterile by tubal ligation, bilateral oophorectomy or hysterectomy at least 6 months prior, or postmenopausal for ≥1 year) OR if of childbearing potential must agree to use 2 approved effective contraceptions from screening through at least 90 days after the last dose. Acceptable methods include hormonal contraception, intrauterine device, or barrier methods with spermicide.
8. Male volunteers with partners of childbearing potential must agree to use 2 approved effective contraception (e.g., condom plus spermicide) from screening through 90 days after their dose of study drug.
9. Able to communicate well with the investigator and comply with study requirements (e.g., availability for all follow-up visits).

Exclusion Criteria:

Participants will be excluded if they meet any of the following criteria:

1. History of any severe allergy or hypersensitivity to drugs, or known hypersensitivity to any monoclonal antibody (including prior biologic therapy reactions).
2. Known autoimmune disease or immunodeficiency condition, including a positive test for HIV at screening.
3. Active or chronic viral hepatitis infection: positive screening test for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) or hepatitis C antibody.
4. History of tetanus infection, or receipt of tetanus toxoid vaccine within 6 months prior to first dose of study drug. (Rationale: CitH3 is associated with NETs, and recent tetanus immunization may confound immune status or antibody responses).
5. Receipt of any live attenuated vaccine within 4 weeks prior to first dose, or any inactivated vaccine within 2 weeks prior to first dose. (This is to avoid confounding immune activation or risk to the volunteer's health).
6. History of any significant acute or chronic illness that, in the investigator's opinion, could interfere with the trial or pose additional risk in administering the investigational drug. Examples include significant cardiovascular, hepatic, renal, gastrointestinal, hematologic, neurologic, psychiatric, or respiratory conditions that are not well-controlled.
7. Recent major surgery (within 3 months prior to screening) or planned elective surgery during the study period. (Minor outpatient procedures are allowed at the investigator's discretion.)
8. Difficulty with venous access or an inability to tolerate blood draws, such that required PK sampling would be compromised.
9. History of drug or alcohol abuse: positive urine drug screen at screening for illicit substances, or a history of significant drug abuse in the past 5 years. Regular use of cannabis is also exclusionary unless stopped prior to study.
10. Positive screening alcohol breath test, or history of excessive alcohol intake (more than ~14 units per week; 1 unit = 360 mL beer, 150 mL wine, or 45 mL of 40% spirit) within 6 months. Any indication of alcoholism or inability to refrain from alcohol during study participation.
11. Use of any prescription or over-the-counter medications, herbal remedies, or supplements within 14 days prior to first dose, except hormonal contraceptives or occasional acetaminophen. (Any necessary medications may be reviewed by the investigator for approval if unlikely to interfere with study outcomes).
12. Participation in another clinical trial of an investigational drug or device within 4 weeks (or 5 half-lives of that investigational product, whichever is longer) prior to dosing.
13. Donation of >400 mL of blood (or significant blood loss of similar volume) within 3 months prior to screening, or donation of >200 mL within 1 month prior. (This is to avoid anemia or confounding volume loss).
14. Receipt of any blood products or immunoglobulin therapy within 90 days before dosing.
15. Chronic use of immunosuppressive medications (systemic corticosteroids, immunomodulators) within 45 days before dosing (inhaled/topical steroids for mild conditions may be permitted).
16. Regular use of nicotine products (smoking more than 5 cigarettes per day or equivalent) within 3 months prior to screening, or inability to refrain from tobacco/nicotine during the study.
17. Pregnant or breastfeeding women. (Female volunteers must have a negative pregnancy test and not be nursing.)
18. Any other condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, makes the volunteer unsuitable for study participation (e.g. inability to comply with protocol, or any factor that would jeopardize the volunteer's safety or the validity of the data).

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

Number of Arms

6

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Cohort 1: 1 mg/kg; HT31-1 1mg/kg single intravenous dosing	Drug: HT31-1; HT-1 is a humanized monoclonal antibody developed by HTIC, Inc as a treatment for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) Due to an Infectious Source; Other Names: hCitH3-mAb, humanized anti-citrullinated histone H3 monoclonal antibody
Placebo Comparator: Cohort 1: Placebo; Saline single intravenous dosing	Other: Saline (0.9%, sterile, for infusion); Saline is as placebo control; Other Names: Placebo control
Experimental: Cohort 2: 5 mg/kg; HT31-1 5mg/kg single intravenous dosing	Drug: HT31-1; HT-1 is a humanized monoclonal antibody developed by HTIC, Inc as a treatment for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) Due to an Infectious Source; Other Names: hCitH3-mAb, humanized anti-citrullinated histone H3 monoclonal antibody
Placebo Comparator: Cohort 2: Placebo; Saline single intravenous dosing	Other: Saline (0.9%, sterile, for infusion); Saline is as placebo control; Other Names: Placebo control
Experimental: Cohort 3: 20 mg/kg; HT31-1 20mg/kg single intravenous dosing	Drug: HT31-1; HT-1 is a humanized monoclonal antibody developed by HTIC, Inc as a treatment for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) Due to an Infectious Source; Other Names: hCitH3-mAb, humanized anti-citrullinated histone H3 monoclonal antibody
Placebo Comparator: Cohort 3: Placebo; Saline single intravenous dosing	Other: Saline (0.9%, sterile, for infusion); Saline is as placebo control; Other Names: Placebo control

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Incidence of Adverse Events (AEs) and Serious Adverse Events (SAEs)	The number and percentage of participants experiencing treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) and serious adverse events (SAEs) following administration of HT31-1.	0-28 days
Assess dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs)	Number and percentage of participants experiencing DLTs at each dose level.	0-28 days

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Maximum observed concentration (Cmax)	Maximum observed plasma concentration (Cmax) of HT31-1 following single intravenous administration.	From pre-dose through Day 28 post-dose
Time to maximum concentration (Tmax)	Time to reach the maximum observed plasma concentration (Tmax) of HT31-1 following single intravenous administration.	From pre-dose through Day 28 post-dose
Area under the curve (AUC)	Area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time zero to the last quantifiable concentration (AUC0-t )and from time zero extrapolated to infinity (AUC0-∞) of HT31-1 following single intravenous administration.	From pre-dose through Day 28 post-dose
Half-life (t1/2)	Time for serum concentration to decrease by half in the terminal phase.	From pre-dose through Day 28 post-dose
Clearance (CL)	Volume of plasma cleared of drug per unit time (mL/hr or L/day).	From pre-dose through Day 28 post-dose
Volume of distribution (Vd)	Volume of distribution (Vd) of HT31-1 following single intravenous administration.	From pre-dose through Day 28 post-dose
Assess preliminary pharmacodynamic (PD) effects	Measurable changes in circulating CitH3 levels following either HT31-1 or placebo administration.	From pre-dose through Day 28 post-dose

Other Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Incidence of Anti-Drug Antibodies (ADA)	Incidence of treatment-emergent anti-drug antibodies (ADA) against HT31-1.	From pre-dose through Day 28 post-dose
Titer of Anti-Drug Antibodies (ADA)	Titer of treatment-emergent anti-drug antibodies (ADA) against HT31-1.	From pre-dose through Day 28 post-dose

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: HTIC, Inc
• Investigators: Study Director: Jianjie Ma, PhD, HTIC, Inc

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Weber M, Chen Y, Zhou X, Chun H, Wu D, Park KH, Cai C, Li Y, Ma J, Yang Z. Humanized Monoclonal Antibody Against Citrullinated Histone H3 Attenuates Myocardial Injury and Prevents Heart Failure in Rodent Models. Biomolecules. 2025 Aug 20;15(8):1196. doi: 10.3390/biom15081196.
• Ouyang W, Chen Y, Tan T, Song Y, Dong T, Yu X, Lee KE, Zhou X, Tetz Z, Go S, Zeng X, Shao L, Quan C, Zhao T, Tian Y, Kurabayashi K, Jin H, Ma J, Qin J, Williams B, Li Q, Zhu GD, Alam HB, Stringer KA, Li Y, Ma J. A citrullinated histone H3 monoclonal antibody for immune modulation in sepsis. Nat Commun. 2025 Aug 12;16(1):7435. doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-62788-6.
• Aziz DZ, Binion CC, Xu H, Wang X, Rodgers S, Gillis DC, Ledford BT, Siletzky R, Zhou X, Li Y, Cai C, Tsihlis ND, Ma J, Kibbe MR. Humanized Citrullinated Histone H3 Monoclonal Antibody Improves Respiratory Function and Attenuates Neutrophil-Mediated Inflammation in a Rodent Model of Smoke Inhalation Lung Injury. J Am Coll Surg. 2026 Jan 1;242(1):1-12. doi: 10.1097/XCS.0000000000001620. Epub 2025 Dec 17.

Helpful Links

• Sponsor website

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): May 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): November 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): November 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: February 11, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 1, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): March 4, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): May 22, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 20, 2026
• Last Verified: May 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Monoclonal Antibody; Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS); Single Ascending Dose
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Respiratory Tract Diseases; Lung Diseases; Respiration Disorders; Lung Injury; Respiratory Distress Syndrome; Acute Lung Injury; Inorganic Chemicals; Chlorine Compounds; Sodium Compounds; Chlorides; Hydrochloric Acid; Sodium Chloride
• Other Study ID Numbers: PROT-CR-CP25101

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: Individual participant data will not be shared because this is an early-phase study with a small number of participants, and sharing data could risk participant re-identification.

Drug and device information, study documents

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