Evaluating a gene therapy for children with Dravet syndrome

WAYFINDER: a Clinical Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of ETX101, an AAV9-Delivered Gene Therapy in Children with SCN1A-positive Dravet Syndrome

PHASE1; PHASE2 · Encoded Therapeutics · NCT06112275

This study is testing a new gene therapy for children with Dravet syndrome to see if it is safe and helps reduce their seizures.

Quick facts

PhasePHASE1; PHASE2
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment4 (estimated)
Ages6 Months to 83 Months
SexAll
SponsorEncoded Therapeutics (industry)
Locations1 site (Melbourne)
Trial IDNCT06112275 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical study aims to assess the safety and efficacy of ETX101, a gene therapy delivered via AAV9, in children diagnosed with SCN1A-positive Dravet syndrome. The study is designed as an open-label, dose-escalation trial, focusing on participants aged 6 to less than 84 months. It will evaluate how well the treatment works and monitor any potential side effects in this specific patient population.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are children aged 6 months to under 7 years with a confirmed SCN1A mutation and a clinical diagnosis of Dravet syndrome.

Not a fit: Patients with other genetic mutations or significant comorbidities that could affect the typical presentation of Dravet syndrome may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this therapy could significantly improve seizure control and quality of life for children with Dravet syndrome.

How similar studies have performed: While gene therapies for epilepsy are emerging, this specific approach targeting SCN1A-positive Dravet syndrome is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Participant must have a predicted loss of function pathogenic or likely pathogenic SCN1A variant.
* Participant must have experienced their first seizure between the ages of 3 and 15 months.
* Participant must have a clinical diagnosis of Dravet syndrome or the treating clinician must have a high clinical suspicion of a diagnosis of Dravet syndrome.
* Participant is receiving at least one prophylactic antiseizure medication.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Participant has another genetic mutation or clinical comorbidity which could potentially confound the typical Dravet phenotype.
* Participant has a known central nervous system structural and/or vascular abnormality (indicated by an MRI or CT scan of the brain).
* Participant has an abnormality that may interfere with CSF distribution and/or has an existing ventriculoperitoneal shunt.
* Participant is currently taking or has taken antiseizure medications (ASMs) at a therapeutic dose that are contraindicated in Dravet syndrome, including sodium channel blockers.
* Participant has experienced seizure freedom for a period of 4 consecutive weeks within the 6-month period prior to informed consent.
* Participant has previously received gene or cell therapy.
* Participant is currently enrolled in a clinical trial or receiving an investigational therapy.
* Participant has clinically significant underlying liver disease.

Where this trial is running

Melbourne

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Dravet Syndrome, Dravet, SCN1A, DEE, developmental and epileptic encephalopathy, SCN1A-positive, SCN1A+

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.