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Inhaled ensifentrine–glycopyrrolate fixed-dose combinations for COPD

A Phase IIb, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo- Controlled, Parallel Group Study to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of Ensifentrine-glycopyrrolate Fixed-dose Combination at Two Dose Levels Compared to Glycopyrrolate or Ensifentrine Monotherapy in Subjects With COPD

Phase 2 Interventional Verona Pharma, Inc., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc. (Rahway, New Jersey USA · NCT07016412

This will test whether twice-daily inhaled combinations of ensifentrine and glycopyrrolate help improve breathing in adults with COPD.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 2
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment480 (estimated)
Ages40 Years to 80 Years
SexAll
SponsorVerona Pharma, Inc., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc. (Rahway, New Jersey USA Industry-sponsored
Locations55 sites (Dothan, Alabama and 54 other locations)
Trial IDNCT07016412 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Adults with COPD are randomized to one of six arms testing two fixed-dose combinations of ensifentrine (3 mg) with two glycopyrrolate dose levels, each monotherapy component, or placebo, all given twice daily via a standard jet nebulizer. Participants attend screening, four weeks of treatment, and one week of follow-up for about seven weeks total. The trial compares bronchodilator effects of the combinations against each component and placebo to identify optimal dosing. Safety and tolerability are monitored throughout.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults with COPD who are current or former smokers with at least a 10 pack-year history, not pregnant or breastfeeding, and who meet the study's health and contraception requirements are the intended participants.

Not a fit: People who are pregnant or breastfeeding, unwilling or unable to follow contraception rules, or those with unstable medical conditions or severe comorbidities are unlikely to be eligible or to benefit from this protocol.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the fixed-dose inhaled combo could deliver stronger or longer bronchodilation and better symptom relief than a single drug alone.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies of ensifentrine and of established inhaled bronchodilators have shown bronchodilator effects, but fixed-dose ensifentrine–glycopyrrolate combinations are still being dose-tested in trials.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria 
Inclusion Criteria:

* Males are eligible to participate if they agree to use contraception or abstinence, and refrain from donating fresh unwashed semen during the study and for at least 30 days post-study
* Females are eligible to participate if they are not pregnant, breastfeeding and if one of the following conditions apply:

  1. Not a woman of child-bearing potential OR
  2. Agrees to follow the contraceptive guidance from screening throughout the study and for at least 30 days post-study
  3. Agrees not to donate eggs for the purpose of reproduction from screening throughout the study and for at least 30 days post-study
* Current of former cigarette smokers with a history of smoking ≥ 10 pack years at the time of signing informed consent \[number of pack years = (number of cigarettes per day / 20) × number of years smoked (e.g., 20 cigarettes per day for 10 years, or 10 cigarettes per day for 20 years)\]. Pipe and/or cigar use cannot be used to calculate pack-year history. Former smokers are defined as those who have stopped smoking for at least 6 months prior to signing informed consent. Smoking cessation programs are permitted during the study
* Subjects with an established clinical history of COPD as defined by the American Thoracic Society (ATS)/European Respiratory Society (ERS) guidelines with symptoms compatible with COPD
* A score of ≥ 2 on the Modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) Dyspnea Scale at the Screening Visit
* Post-bronchodilator (4 puffs of albuterol) spirometry during the Screening Period demonstrating both the following:

  1. FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio of \< 0.70 AND
  2. FEV1 ≥ 30 % and ≤ 70% of predicted normal
* A posterior-anterior chest x-ray (CXR) during the Screening Period or within 12 months of signing the Informed Consent Form (ICF) showing no clinically significant abnormalities unrelated to COPD. If a CXR within the past 12 months is not available but a computed tomography (CT) scan within the same time period is available, the CT scan may be reviewed in place of a CXR
* Subjects on no maintenance/background therapy or subjects on stable maintenance as either long-acting β2-agonist (LABA) or long-acting β2-agonist/Inhaled corticosteroid (LABA/ICS) therapy are eligible. Subjects taking maintenance therapy must demonstrate regular use of maintenance therapy, in any form, for at least 60 days prior to signing informed consent and agree to continue use of their current permitted LABA or LABA/ICS medication for the duration of the screening and treatment period
* Capable of withholding from short-acting bronchodilators for 4 hours prior to spirometry testing. Subjects receiving maintenance therapy with a LABA or LABA/ICS must be capable of withholding twice-daily maintenance therapy for 24 hours and once-daily maintenance therapy for 48 hours prior to initiation of any spirometry
* Capable of using the study jet nebulizer correctly
* Ability to perform acceptable spirometry in accordance with ATS/ERS guidelines
* Willing and able to attend all study visits and adhere to all study assessments and procedures

Exclusion Criteria:

* Concomitant clinically significant pulmonary disease other than COPD (i.e., asthma, tuberculosis, lung cancer, bronchiectasis, sarcoidosis, lung fibrosis, interstitial lung diseases, sleep apnea (unless controlled with stable continuous positive airway pressure \[CPAP\] use), known alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, core pulmonale or other non-specific pulmonary disease
* Within 6 months prior to randomization, a COPD exacerbation requiring hospitalization
* Within 3 months prior to randomization, use of oral or systemic therapies for COPD exacerbations (for example, oral, intravenous, or intramuscular glucocorticoids, antibiotics, theophylline, and roflumilast)
* History of life-threatening COPD, including Intensive Care Unit admission and/or requiring intubation
* Severe comorbidities including

  1. unstable cardiac disease (myocardial infarction within 1 year prior to randomization, unstable angina within 6 months prior to randomization, unstable or life-threatening arrhythmia requiring intervention within 3 months prior to randomization, diagnosis of New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III or IV heart disease, or
  2. any other clinically significant medical conditions including uncontrolled diseases (e.g., endocrine, neurological, hepatic, gastrointestinal, renal, hematological, urological, immunological, psychiatric \[e.g. untreated significant depression, anxiety or history of suicidality\], or ophthalmic diseases) that would, in the opinion of the Investigator, preclude the subject from safely completing the required tests or the study, or is likely to result in disease progression that would require withdrawal of the subject
* History of or clinically significant on-going bladder outflow obstruction or history of catheterization for relief of bladder outflow obstruction within 6 months prior to randomization
* History of narrow angle glaucoma
* History of hypersensitivity or intolerance to aerosol medications, albuterol, ensifentrine, or glycopyrrolate or any of its excipients/components, anticholinergic agents, or sympathomimetic amines
* History of or current malignancy of any organ system, treated or untreated within the 5 years prior to randomization, except for localized basal or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin
* Other significant psychiatric disease that would likely result in the subject not being able to complete the study, in the opinion of the Investigator
* Findings on physical examination that an investigator considers to be clinically significant or abnormal during the Screening Period including hematology, biochemistry, viral serology, and ECG
* Prior or current use of Ohtuvayre (ensifentrine)
* Previous lung resection or lung reduction surgery within 1-year of randomization
* Long term oxygen use defined as oxygen therapy prescribed for greater than 12 hours per day. As needed oxygen use (≤ 12 hours per day) is not exclusionary
* Pulmonary rehabilitation unless such treatment has been stable from 4 weeks prior to signing the ICF and plans to remain stable during the study. Pulmonary rehabilitation programs should not be started or completed during participation in the study
* Major surgery (requiring general anesthesia) in the 6 weeks prior randomization, lack of full recovery from surgery at randomization, or planned surgery through the end of the study
* Current or history of drug or alcohol abuse within the 5 years prior to randomization
* Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) \< 30 mL/min as tested during the Screening Period
* Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ≥ 2 × upper limit of normal (ULN), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) ≥ 2 × ULN, alkaline phosphatase and/or total bilirubin \> 1.5 × ULN (subjects with Gilbert's syndrome can be included with total bilirubin \>1.5 × ULN as long as direct bilirubin is ≤ 1.5 × ULN)
* Use of an experimental drug within 30 days or 5 half-lives of signing the ICF, whichever is longer, and/or participation in a study treatment-free follow-up phase of a clinical study within 30 days prior to signing the ICF
* Use of an experimental medical device or participation in a follow-up phase of an experimental medical device clinical study within 30 days prior to informed consent
* Affiliation with the investigator site, including an Investigator, Sub-Investigator, study coordinator, study nurse, other employee of participating investigator or study site or a family member of the aforementioned

Where this trial is running

Dothan, Alabama and 54 other locations

+5 more sites — see ClinicalTrials.gov for the full list.

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 → Find more trials like this →
Conditions Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary DiseaseCOPDbronchodilatorensifentrine-glycopyrrolate
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 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.