ROC-101 for pulmonary arterial hypertension and pulmonary hypertension from interstitial lung disease (ROCSTAR)

A Phase 2A, Open-Label Single Arm Multicenter Exploratory Study to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability, and Efficacy of Oral Doses of ROC-101 in Patients With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) and Pulmonary Hypertension Associated With Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD-PH).

This trial tests whether adding oral ROC-101 to standard care helps adults with PAH or pulmonary hypertension caused by interstitial lung disease over a 24-week treatment period.

Quick facts

• Phase: Phase 2
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 40 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: AllRock Bio, Inc. (Industry-sponsored)
• Locations: 17 sites (Phoenix, Arizona and 16 other locations)
• Trial ID: NCT07175038 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This is a Phase 2a, open-label, single-arm, multicenter study giving adults with WHO Group I PAH or WHO Group III ILD-PH oral ROC-101 plus standard-of-care for 24 weeks with a planned long-term extension. Dosing starts at 10 mg once daily and escalates to 40 mg once daily for the remainder of the main treatment period. Key evaluations include safety, tolerability, adverse events, and hemodynamic measurements collected during right heart catheterization to explore effects on pulmonary pressures and vascular resistance. The study is exploratory and designed to generate signals of clinical and physiological benefit to inform further development.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults aged 18 or older with symptomatic WHO Functional Class II–III PAH (Group I) or ILD-PH (Group III), documented by right heart catheterization and meeting the protocol PVR and mPAP criteria while on stable background therapy, are the intended candidates.

Not a fit: People who do not meet the required hemodynamic criteria, have left-heart disease with PCWP >15 mmHg, are WHO Functional Class IV, or have unstable background therapy or contraindications to ROCK inhibition are unlikely to benefit from this protocol.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, ROC-101 could lower pulmonary vascular resistance and improve symptoms and functional capacity for people with PAH or ILD-associated pulmonary hypertension.

How similar studies have performed: Rho kinase inhibitors have shown promising effects in preclinical models and limited early-phase clinical work for vascular disorders, but clinical proof-of-concept in PAH remains limited and ROC-101 represents a relatively novel clinical approach.

Eligibility criteria

Key Inclusion Criteria:

1. Must be age 18 or older at the time of signing the informed consent form (ICF). The participant must understand and voluntarily sign an ICF prior to any study-related procedures
2. Documented findings on a right heart catheterization (RHC) consistent with a diagnosis World Health Organization (WHO) Group 1 PAH or WHO GROUP 3 PAH
3. Symptomatic Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) classified as WHO Functional Class II or III symptoms
4. PAH participants: Pulmonary Vascular Resistance (PVR) of ≥ 5 Wood units, Pulmonary Capillary Wedge Pressure (PCWP) ≤ 15 mmHg and Mean Pulmonary Arterial Pressure (mPAP) \> 20 mm Hg and ILD-PH participants: PVR of ≥ 3 Wood units, PCWP ≤ 15 mmHg and mPAP \> 20 mm Hg
5. Participants on stable background therapy for PAH or ILD-PH.
6. Females of childbearing potential (as defined in protocol) must agree to use highly effective contraception (as defined in the protocol)
7. Male participants must follow protocol-specified contraception guidance.
8. Participants must be able to communicate well with Investigators, understand the study procedures in the ICF and are agreeable to complete the study in accordance with the protocol.
9. Must be able to swallow tablets.
10. Pulmonary function tests (PFT):

    PAH participants at Screening as follows:
    1. Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) \> 70% predicted; or if between 60% to 70% predicted, or if not possible to be determined, confirmatory High-Resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT) indicating no more than mild (\<10% fibrosis) ILD; and
    2. The ratio of FEV1 (first second)/FVC \> 0.70 of predicted.

    ILD-PH participants at Screening as follows:
    1. PFTs consistent with their ILD diagnosis and showing FEV1/ FVC ratio \> 65% and HRCT \> 10% fibrosis, based on the proportion of lung parenchyma affected by fibrotic changes.

       and,
    2. Minimum FVC of 50% and diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) (corrected for Hb g/dl) \>25%
11. In PAH participants, i.e., Cohorts 1 and 2 only, ventilation-perfusion (VQ) scan (or, if unavailable, a negative CT pulmonary angiogram \[CTPA\] or pulmonary angiography result), any time prior to Screening or conducted during the Screening Period, with a normal or low probability result that is not clinically significant
12. Acceptable Electrocardiogram (ECG) findings as assessed by the Investigator or qualified designee at the Screening Visit and at the Baseline Visit (Day 1), including each criterion as listed below:

    * Normal sinus rhythm (HR) between 40 and 100 beats per minute, inclusive);
    * Corrected QT Interval (QTcF) interval ≤ 450 msec (males) and ≤ 460 msec (females);
    * QRS interval ≤ 120 msec; if \> 120 msec, result will be confirmed by a manual over read
13. Body weight at the Screening visit and at Baseline (Day 1) is greater than 50.0 kg and the body mass index (BMI) is in the range of 19.00 to 36.00 kg/m2, inclusive
14. 6MWD ≥ 100 and ≤ 550 meters repeated twice, once during Screening Period and once at the Baseline Visit (Day 1) and both values within 15% of each other, allowing for a third repeat if \> 15% difference, calculated from the higher/highest value

Key Exclusion Criteria:

1. Diagnosis of PH WHO Groups 2, 4, or 5
2. Diagnosis of the following PAH Group 1 subtypes: human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated PAH, PAH associated with portal hypertension, schistosomiasis-associated PAH and pulmonary veno-occlusive disease and/or pulmonary capillary hemangiomatosis
3. Positive blood test for hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody (HCVAb) (unless participants have had treatment for HCV and have a negative HCV ribonucleic acid \[RNA\] polymerase chain reaction \[PCR\]) or HIV antibody
4. Participants with known hypersensitivity to ROC-101 or any components of its formulations
5. History of malignancy within the last 5 years, with the exception of fully excised or treated basal cell carcinoma, cervical carcinoma in-situ, or ≤ 2 squamous cell carcinomas of the skin
6. History of clinically significant (as determined by the Investigator) non-PAH related cardiac, endocrine, hematologic, hepatic, immune, metabolic, urologic, pulmonary, neurologic, neuromuscular, dermatologic, psychiatric, renal, and/or other diseases that may limit participation in the study
7. Participation in another clinical trial involving intervention with another investigational drug, approved therapy for investigational use, or investigational device within 4 weeks prior to Baseline Visit (unless it is in the follow-up period of an interventional study), or if the half-life of the previous product is known, within 5× the half-life prior to Baseline Visit (Day 1), whichever is longer
8. Major surgery within 8 weeks prior to Baseline Visit (Day 1) or major surgery scheduled or planned in the main study. Participants must have completely recovered from any previous surgery prior to the Screening Visit
9. Prior heart or heart-lung transplants, or a participant listed for heart and/or lung transplantation or prior pneumonectomy
10. Pregnant or breastfeeding females
11. Males who do not agree to protocol contraception guidelines
12. Uncontrolled systemic hypertension as evidenced by sitting SBP \> 160 mm Hg or sitting diastolic BP \> 100 mm Hg during Screening Visit and Baseline Visit (Day 1) after a period of rest
13. Systolic BP \< 90 mm Hg during Screening Visit or at Baseline Visit (Day 1)
14. History of known pericardial constriction or a clinically significant (more than trace or trivial \[i.e., ≥10 mm\]) pericardial effusion seen in diastole or in both systole and diastole on echocardiogram (ECHO) historically and confirmed on screening ECHO
15. RHC contraindicated during the study per Investigator
16. Cerebrovascular accident within 3 months (120 days) of start of Screening
17. History of restrictive or constrictive or congestive cardiomyopathy
18. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) \< 50% on historical echocardiogram (ECHO) performed within 6 months prior to start of Screening period (and confirmed during the Screening ECHO) or grade 2 or higher diastolic dysfunction
19. Any current symptomatic coronary disease (myocardial infarction, percutaneous coronary intervention, coronary artery bypass graft surgery, or cardiac anginal chest pain in the past 6 months (180 days) prior to start of Screening)
20. History of acutely decompensated left heart failure or right heart failure within 90 days prior to Baseline, as per Investigator assessment
21. Significant (≥ 2+ \[or \> mild\] regurgitation) mitral regurgitation or aortic regurgitation valvular disease, or more than mild mitral stenosis or aortic stenosis valvular disease as seen on Screening ECHO
22. Started or stopped receiving any general supportive therapy for PH (e.g., oxygen, anticoagulants, digoxin) within 30 days prior to start of Screening
23. Use of supplemental oxygen \> 10 liters/minute and SaO2 \< 90% while receiving typical oxygen supplementation
24. Received intravenous (IV) inotropes (e.g., dobutamine, dopamine, norepinephrine, vasopressin) within 30 days prior to start of Screening
25. History of atrial septostomy within 180 days prior to start of Screening
26. History of portal hypertension or chronic liver disease, defined as mild to severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Classes A to C)
27. Untreated, severe (defined as apnea hypoxia index of \> 30) obstructive sleep apnea
28. Active daily smoker of cannabis or tobacco
29. Current alcohol abuse or current illicit drug use
30. WHO Group 3 due to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or chronic pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE) or PFT with FVC \< 50% or FEV1/FVC \< 65% or DLCO \< 25% (corrected for Hb g/dl)
31. Presence of lab abnormalities at Screening
32. History of greater than severe renal disease, including any episode of acute renal failure, with or without a prior history of renal disease in which acute dialysis (e.g., intermittent hemodialysis or continuous veno-venous hemofiltration) was required
33. Initiation of an exercise program for cardiopulmonary rehabilitation within 90 days prior to Baseline or planned initiation during the study (participants who are stable in the maintenance phase of a program and who will continue for the duration of the study are eligible)
34. Participants who plan to continue, or start during the study, medications which are sensitive cytochrome (CYP) 2D6 substrates with a narrow therapeutic index, such as nortriptyline, venlafaxine, and amitriptyline or CYP1A2 substrates with a narrow therapeutic index
35. History or presence of impaired cardiac function
36. Participants who plan to donate blood after signing consent for the study and for 28 days after their last dose of study drug

Key Inclusion Criteria for Extension Period:

1. Participants must complete the main study period (defined as completion of assessments through the Week 24 visit)
2. Women of child-bearing potential (WOCBP) must have negative pregnancy test
3. All participants must comply with contraceptive guidance until 28 days after last dose of study drug for WOCBP and 90 days after the last dose of study drug for males

Key Exclusion Criteria for Extension Period:

1. Participant withdrew from main study period due to an AE related to study drug
2. Female participant who is pregnant, breastfeeding, or intends to conceive during the long-term extension period
3. Males who do not agree to follow protocol contraception guidelines
4. Any condition that in the opinion of the investigator may pose a risk to the participant, interferes with the participant's participation or confounds assessments of the participant

Where this trial is running

Phoenix, Arizona and 16 other locations

• Arizona Pulmonary Specialists — Phoenix, Arizona, United States (Recruiting)
• University of California Davis Health — Rancho Cordova, California, United States (Recruiting)
• University of Colorado — Aurora, Colorado, United States (Recruiting)
• George Washington University Medical — Washington D.C., District of Columbia, United States (Recruiting)
• Mayo Clinic of Florida — Jacksonville, Florida, United States (Recruiting)
• The University of Kansas Medical Center Research Institute — Kansas City, Kansas, United States (Recruiting)
• University of Michigan — Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States (Recruiting)
• Ohio State University — Columbus, Ohio, United States (Recruiting)
• Bend Memorial Clinic — Bend, Oregon, United States (Recruiting)
• Temple University — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States (Recruiting)
• Royal Prince Alfred Hospital — Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia (Recruiting)
• Peter Lougheed Centre — Calgary, Alberta, Canada (Recruiting)
• London Health Ontario — London, Ontario, Canada (Recruiting)
• CHU de BICETRE SERVICE PNEUMOLOGIE — Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, Val-de-Marne, France (Recruiting)
• Medizinische Hochschule Hannover — Hanover, Lower Saxony, Germany (Recruiting)
• Pauls Stradins Clinical University Hospital — Riga, Latvia (Recruiting)
• Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre — Madrid, Madrid, Spain (Recruiting)

Conditions Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension; Pulmonary Hypertension, Interstitial Lung Disease; Rho kinase inhibitor; ROCK inhibitor; Pan ROCK Inhibitor; ROCK-1 and ROCK-2 Inhibitor; ROC-101; PVR