Evaluating the safety and tolerability of RCS-21 in healthy volunteers

Safety, Tolerability and Pharmacokinetics of Single-ascending Doses of RCS-21 in Healthy Volunteers. A Double Blind, Randomized, Placebo Controlled Phase I Study.

This study is testing a new inhaled medication called RCS-21 to see how safe it is and how well it works in healthy volunteers.

Quick facts

• Phase: Phase 1
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 24 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 64 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: RNATICS GmbH (Industry-sponsored)
• Locations: 1 site (Hanover)
• Trial ID: NCT06752122 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial aims to assess the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of RCS-21 by administering it to healthy volunteers through inhalation. Participants will receive either a single or multiple doses of RCS-21 over a maximum period of 7 days, during which their health will be closely monitored. The study includes both active and placebo-controlled groups to ensure comprehensive evaluation of the drug's effects.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are healthy male and female volunteers aged 18 to 64 who can provide informed consent.

Not a fit: Patients who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have significant health issues may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide valuable insights into the safety profile of RCS-21, paving the way for its potential use in treating various conditions.

How similar studies have performed: While this approach is common in early-phase trials, the specific drug RCS-21 is novel and has not been previously tested in this manner.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Able and willing to give written informed consent.
2. Male or female aged 18 to 64 years (inclusive).
3. Women will be considered for inclusion if they are:

   * Not pregnant, as confirmed by pregnancy test (see assess- ment schedule), and not breastfeeding. AND
   * WOCBP must use one of the following highly effective methods of birth control that result in a low failure rate of less than 1% per year when used consistently and correctly

     * according to recommendations by the European Heads of Medicines Agencies - from at least 14 days before the first administration of study medication until 30 days after the last administration of study medication:

       * combined (estrogen and progestogen containing) hormonal contraception associated with inhibition of ovulation:

         * oral
         * intravaginal
         * transdermal
       * progestogen-only hormonal contraception associated with inhibition of ovulation:

         * oral
         * injectable
         * implantable
       * intrauterine device (IUD)
       * intrauterine hormone-releasing system (IUS)
       * bilateral tubal occlusion
       * vasectomized partner (provided that this partner is the sole sexual partner of the WOCBP participant and that the vasectomized partner has received medical as- sessment of the surgical success)
       * sexual abstinence (defined as refraining from hetero- sexual intercourse during the entire study period, be- ginning 2 weeks prior to the screening visit) OR
   * Of non-childbearing potential defined according to the Clinical Trial Facilitation Group (CTFG) document "Recommendations related to contraception and pregnancy testing in clinical trials"
4. Male participants with female partner(s) of childbearing potential are eligible to participate in the study if they agree to the following during treatment and until 30 days after the last administra- tion of study medication:

   * Inform any and all partner(s) of their participation in a clinical drug study and the need to comply with contraception instructions as directed by the investigator.
   * Male participants are required to use a condom during treatment and until 30 days after the last administration of study medication.
   * Female partners of male participants who have not undergone a vasectomy with the absence of sperm confirmed or a bilateral orchiectomy should consider use of effective methods of contraception during treatment and until 30 days after the last administration of study medication.
   * Sperm donation is not allowed during treatment and until 30 days after the last administration of study medication.
5. Healthy participants according to the assessment of the investigator, as based on a complete medical history including a physical examination, vital signs, 12-lead Electrocardiogram (ECG), pulmonary function testing and clinical laboratory tests.
6. Body Mass Index (BMI) of 18.5 to 31.9 kg/m2 (inclusive).
7. Ability to inhale in an appropriate manner (e.g. as confirmed in the inhalation training using the PARI eFlow® device with a pla- cebo medication at the screening visit).
8. Non-smokers (including e-cigarette) or ex-smokers (with less than 10 pack years and stopped smoking for at least 5 years prior to screening visit).
9. Normal pulmonary function with Forced Expiratory Volume in the first second (FEV1) ≥ 80 % of predicted normal at screening visit. Calculations will be based on the Global Lung Function Initiative (GLI 2012) formula.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Any clinically relevant abnormal findings in physical examination, clinical chemistry, hematology, urinalysis, vital signs, lung function or ECG at screening visit, which, in the opinion of the investigator, may either put the participant at risk because of participation in the study or may influence the results of the study, or the participant's ability to participate in the study.
2. Past or present disease, which as judged by the investigator, may affect the outcome of this study. These diseases include, but are not limited to, cardiovascular disease, malignancy, he- patic disease (asymptomatic Gilbert syndrome is allowed), renal disease, hematological disease, neurological disease, endo- crine disease (stable and asymptomatic hypothyroidism with or without Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is allowed) or pulmonary disease (including but not confined to chronic bronchitis, emphysema, tuberculosis, bronchiectasis or cystic fibrosis).
3. Having received any vaccination within the last 2 weeks before the first screening visit.
4. History or current evidence of clinically relevant allergies or idiosyncrasy to any drug or food.
5. History of allergic reactions to any active or inactive component of the study medication (including medication for bronchoscopy, e.g. salbutamol, lidocaine, midazolam or propofol).
6. Repeated measurement of systolic blood pressure outside the range of 90 to 140 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure outside the range of 50 to 90 mmHg, or pulse rate outside the range of 50 to 90 beats per minute (bpm).
7. Proneness to orthostatic dysregulation, fainting, or blackouts.
8. History or presence of any malignancy except for basalioma.
9. Chronic or acute infections or history of an acute infection during the four weeks before the first screening visit.
10. Positive results in any of the following virology tests: human im- munodeficiency virus (HIV) antibodies and antigen, Anti-hepati- tis B-core antibody (HBc-Ab), hepatitis B-surface antigen (HBs- Ag) and anti-hepatitis C virus antibody (HCV-Ab).
11. Positive drug screen (amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiaze- pines, cannabinoids, cocaine, methadone, methamphetamine, opiates, phencyclidine, or tricyclic antidepressants).
12. History of previous administration of any registered or investiga- tional oligonucleotide-based drug.
13. History or presence of alcohol or drug abuse.
14. Use of any medication (including over-the-counter medication, herbal products) except allowed concomitant medication within 2 weeks (for biologics: 6 months) before administration of IMP or within \< 10 times the elimination half-life of the respective drug, or the duration of the pharmacodynamic effect, whatever is longer.
15. Positive breath alcohol test.
16. Planned donation of oocytes, blood, organs, bone marrow dur- ing the course of the study or within 6 months after the last screening visit.
17. Participation in another clinical study with an investigational drug or device within the last 3 months or during the course of the study. For biologics, the minimum exclusion period is at least 6 months or the time of duration of the pharmacodynamic effect or 10 times the half-life of the respective drug whatever is longer before inclusion in this study.
18. Blood donation of more than 250 ml within the last 30 days before the first screening visit.
19. Anticipated non-availability for study visits/procedures.
20. Anticipated lack of willingness or inability to cooperate adequately.
21. Vulnerable participants, except WOCBP.

Where this trial is running

Hanover

• Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine (ITEM) — Hanover, Germany (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Christina Beck, Dr.

Conditions Healthy Volunteers; Safety; Tolerability; Pharmacokinetics; RCS-21; Phase I; Healthy volunteers; Inhalation