BBM-A101 gene therapy for moderate knee osteoarthritis

A Clinical Study to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability and Efficacy of BBM-A101 in the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis .

This study will try an AAV-based gene therapy called BBM-A101 injected into the knee to see if it is safe and reduces pain for adults with moderate knee osteoarthritis.

Quick facts

• Phase: Phase 1
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 81 (estimated)
• Ages: 40 Years to 75 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Belief BioMed (Beijing) Co., Ltd (Industry-sponsored)
• Locations: 2 sites (Shenzhen, Guangdong and 1 other locations)
• Trial ID: NCT07198555 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

BBM-A101 is an AAV-based gene therapy delivered directly into the affected knee to deliver a therapeutic gene cassette aimed at relieving symptoms of moderate knee osteoarthritis. The phase 1 program includes Phase Ia (randomized, single-blind) and Phase Ib (randomized, double-blind, parallel) cohorts comparing BBM-A101 to placebo to measure safety, tolerability, and early signs of efficacy. Key entry criteria include Kellgren-Lawrence grade 2–3 disease, BMI 18–35 kg/m², low anti-capsid antibody titers, and a baseline WOMAC pain score ≥ 8. Participants are followed for safety and clinical outcomes through 52 weeks after dosing.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults with moderate knee osteoarthritis (Kellgren-Lawrence grade 2–3), BMI 18–35, low anti-AAV antibody levels, and a WOMAC pain score of at least 8 at screening are the intended candidates.

Not a fit: Patients with very advanced or minimal osteoarthritis, high anti-AAV antibody titers, or those who cannot comply with contraception or follow-up requirements are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, BBM-A101 could provide longer-lasting pain relief and improved joint function compared with current symptomatic medications.

How similar studies have performed: This is a relatively novel approach for knee osteoarthritis; early AAV-based studies in related musculoskeletal indications have shown promising safety signals but clear clinical efficacy for this condition is not yet established.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Participants with moderate knee osteoarthritis .
2. The knee joint was evaluated as having Kellgren-Lawrence grade 2 or 3.
3. The Body Mass Index (BMI) ranges from 18.0 to 35.0 kg/m2 (including the boundary values).
4. Lower titers of antibodies binding to the BBM-A101 capsid in the blood.
5. Participants who had received adequate treatment with conventional medications previously, experienced recurrence or aggravation of target knee arthritis after discontinuation of medication, and still had moderate pain; during the screening period, the WOMAC pain score of the target knee was ≥ 8 .
6. From the time of screening to 52 weeks after dosing , the participants had no intention of having children and voluntarily took effective contraceptive measures, and there were no plans for sperm donation or ova donation.
7. Voluntarily sign the informed consent form and be able to complete the research as required by the clinical trial protocol.

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Exclusion Criteria:

1. There is a possibility of secondary knee osteoarthritis, or the knee joint symptoms may not be caused by knee osteoarthritis, or there may be other medical histories of diseases that other researchers believe could potentially lead to knee osteoarthritic inflammation.
2. History of lumbar dischernaiation, accompanied by lower limb nerve symptoms that may affect the assessment of the study.
3. Participants who are unable or unwilling to undergo MRI examination, or who have contraindications to MRI.
4. Participants who are unable or unwilling to undergo joint fluid extraction.
5. During the screening period and before dosing, there were clinically significant abnormal values in the laboratory tests, and the researchers believed that these might pose risks to the participants in the clinical trial.
6. Those with positive results for hepatitis B virus surface antigen or hepatitis B virus deoxyribonucleic acid or hepatitis C virus ribonucleic acid test or human immunodeficiency virus antibody or Treponema pallidum antibody.
7. Currently undergoing treatment for hepatitis B and hepatitis C.
8. Participants who had persistent chronic or active infections within the previous 4 weeks were selected.
9. Participants who had coagulation disorders (such as hemophilia) or existing medical conditions that require anticoagulation therapy and make knee joint injection impossible.
10. Having or having had cancer or malignant tumors
11. Having received genetic therapy or stem cell therapy before screening or having plans for genetic therapy or stem cell therapy during the study period.
12. Any history of vaccination within 30 days prior to dosing or any vaccination schedule within 30 days after dosing.
13. Screening will be conducted on female participants who are pregnant or breastfeeding or whose HCG test result is positive; or who have plans to get pregnant within the next 52 w.
14. History of alcohol addiction or drug dependence, or inability to limit alcohol consumption during the research process.
15. Participants had any mental disorders that might affect the assessment of the study.
16. Having other conditions that the investigator consider unsuitable for participation in the study.

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Where this trial is running

Shenzhen, Guangdong and 1 other locations

• Shenzhen Second People's Hospital — Shenzhen, Guangdong, China (Recruiting)
• The Ninth People's Hospital of Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine — Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, China (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Jie Zhao — The Ninth People's Hospital of Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine
• Study coordinator: Wenshu Luo, Ph.D

Conditions Knee Osteoarthritis; knee osteoarthritis; gene therapy; Adeno-Associated Virus