Clinical trial Recruiting at 50 sites Phase 2 Interventional Ages 18 to 80

Testing Ensifentrine for Non-Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis

Official title: A Phase II, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo- Controlled Study of Ensifentrine in Subjects With Non-Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis

Run by Verona Pharma, Inc., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc. (Rahway, New Jersey USA · NCT06559150 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study tests if a new inhaled medication called ensifentrine can help people with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis feel better and have fewer lung problems compared to standard treatment.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 2
Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years to 80 Years
SexAll
Enrollment284 (estimated)
SponsorVerona Pharma, Inc., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc. (Rahway, New Jersey USA
Industry-sponsored
Drugs / interventionsadalimumab, dupilumab, methotrexate
Locations51 sites (Birmingham, Alabama and 50 other locations)
StatusRecruiting
StartedSeptember 11, 2024
Main results expectedSeptember 24, 2027
Study endsSeptember 24, 2027
Registry record updatedOctober 27, 2026
Trial IDNCT06559150 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates include adults with a clinical history of bronchiectasis confirmed by chest CT and who meet specific inclusion criteria regarding reproductive health.

Probably not a fit

Patients who do not have a confirmed diagnosis of bronchiectasis or those with other underlying respiratory conditions may not benefit from this study.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the efficacy and safety of ensifentrine inhalation suspension in patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis. It is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial where participants will receive either the active medication or a placebo via nebulizer twice daily for at least 24 weeks. The primary goal is to assess the impact on pulmonary exacerbations, symptoms, and quality of life compared to standard care. Participants will be monitored until a specified number of pulmonary exacerbations occur.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could significantly reduce pulmonary exacerbations and improve the quality of life for patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis.

How similar studies have gone: Other studies have shown promise with similar inhalation therapies, suggesting potential for success with this approach.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Males are eligible to participate if they agree to use contraception as described in the contraceptive guidance from Screening and throughout the study and for at least 30 days after the last dose of blinded study medication
* Females are eligible to participate if they are not pregnant, not breastfeeding, and 1 of the following conditions apply:

  1. Not a woman of childbearing potential (WOCBP) OR
  2. A WOCBP who agrees to follow the contraceptive guidance from Screening throughout the study and for at least 30 days after the last dose of blinded study medication
* Clinical history consistent with bronchiectasis (cough, chronic sputum production, and/or recurrent respiratory infections) confirmed by chest CT demonstrating bronchiectasis affecting 1 or more lobes. Confirmation may be based on prior chest CT within the prior 5 years; subjects whose past CT image records are not available will require chest CT scan during screening Notes: If a subject has no clinical history consistent with bronchiectasis, they may not be re-screened
* Current sputum producer with a history of chronic expectoration and able to provide sputum sample spontaneously at the clinic during screening
* ≥ 1 documented pulmonary exacerbation defined by an antimicrobial prescription (i.e., antibiotic or antiviral) by a physician for the signs and symptoms of respiratory infections in the past 12 months before screening
* Capable of using the study nebulizer correctly
* Ability to perform acceptable spirometry in accordance with American Thoracic Society and European Respiratory Society guidelines as assessed by the Investigator

Exclusion Criteria:

* A diagnosis of COPD or a primary diagnosis of asthma, as judged by the investigator
* Bronchiectasis due to cystic fibrosis, primary hypogammaglobulinemia common variable immunodeficiency, severe immunodeficiency, or requirement for treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin
* Current smoker defined as by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
* Meets both of the following

  1. Former cigarette smokers with a history of cigarette smoking ≥ 10 pack years at Screening \[number of pack years = (number of cigarettes per day / 20) × number of years smoked (e.g., 20 cigarettes per day for 10 years, or 10 cigarettes per day for 20 years)\]. 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 Screening AND
  2. Evidence within 1 year prior to randomization of obstructed lung function as shown by forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio of \< 0.70
* A diagnosis of primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is not exclusionary. Subjects with a diagnosis of PCD are permitted to be enrolled, but the proportion of subjects with PCD enrolled in the study may be limited
* Current treatment for nontuberculous mycobacterial lung infection, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, or tuberculosis
* Presence of acute exacerbation or acute infection that required acute treatment within 28 days of randomization
* Use of the following prohibited medications within the designated time periods:

  1. Chronic, systemic immunomodulatory agents for any chronic indication (including but not limited to the following: methotrexate, systemic corticosteroids, see adalimumab, azathioprine, dupilumab, cyclosporine, hydroxychloroquine, etc.) within 90 days prior to signing the ICF
  2. CFTR modulators (e.g., ivacaftor, lumacaftor, tezacaftor) within 1 week prior to signing the ICF
  3. Theophylline and oral PDE4 inhibitors (e.g., roflumilast, apremilast, crisaborole) within 48 hours prior to signing the ICF
  4. Ohtuvayre at any time prior to signing the ICF
* Initiated or altered therapy within 90 days prior to randomization with:

  1. oral or inhaled antibiotics as chronic treatment (including macrolides)
  2. Cyclic antibiotics: defined as prescribed regular cycles of on antibiotic treatment and off antibiotic treatment (for example, but not limited to, 28 days on an antibiotic and 28 days off an antibiotic). Note: Subjects on cyclic antibiotics must be actively taking antibiotics for at least 7 days prior to randomization through the day of randomization
  3. Dipeptidyl peptidase 1 (DPP1) or cathepsin C (CatC) inhibitor (e.g., brensocatib)
* Initiated or altered therapy with ICS within 4 weeks prior to randomization
* Unable to withhold short-acting beta-agonists or short-acting muscarinic antagonists for ≥ 4 hours prior to spirometry
* Significant hemoptysis (≥ 300 mL or requiring blood transfusion) within 6 weeks prior to randomization
* Currently participating in or scheduled to participate in an intensive pulmonary rehabilitation program (a maintenance rehabilitation program is allowed if their schedule and procedure will be consistent for the duration of the study)
* Current or chronic history of unstable liver disease defined by the presence of ascites, encephalopathy, coagulopathy, hypoalbuminemia, esophageal or gastric varices or persistent jaundice, cirrhosis, or known hepatic or biliary abnormalities except for Gilbert syndrome or asymptomatic gallstones Note: Chronic stable hepatitis B and C is not exclusionary if the subject otherwise meets study entry criteria
* History of or current malignancy of any organ system, treated or untreated within the past 5 years, except for localized basal or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin
* Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) \< 30 mL/min
* Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ≥ 2 × upper limit of normal (ULN), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) ≥ 2 × ULN, alkaline phosphatase and/or bilirubin \> 1.5 × ULN (isolated bilirubin \> 1.5 × ULN is acceptable only in subjects with a diagnosis of Gilbert's syndrome)
* Participation in any other interventional, clinical studies (drugs or devices) within 30 days, or 5 half-lives, whichever is longer, prior to signing the ICF
* Intolerance of or hypersensitivity to ensifentrine or any of its excipients/components
* Current or history of drug or alcohol abuse within the past 5 years
* Significantly abnormal ECG finding

Where it's running

  • Kirklin Clinic of UAB Hospital
    Birmingham, Alabama, United States
    Recruiting
  • So Cal Institute for Respiratory Diseases, Inc.
    Los Angeles, California, United States
    Recruiting
  • University of California Davis Medical Center
    Sacramento, California, United States
    Recruiting
  • National Jewish Health Main Campus
    Denver, Colorado, United States
    Recruiting
  • MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
    Washington D.C., District of Columbia, United States
    Recruiting
  • University of Miami
    Miami, Florida, United States
    Recruiting
Show 44 more locations
  • Emory University at Saint Joseph Pulmonary Clinic
    Atlanta, Georgia, United States
    Recruiting
  • Augusta University
    Augusta, Georgia, United States
    Recruiting
  • ASHA Clinical Research
    Hammond, Indiana, United States
    Recruiting
  • University of Iowa
    Iowa City, Iowa, United States
    Recruiting
  • University of Kansas Medical Center-Kansas City
    Kansas City, Kansas, United States
    Recruiting
  • Massachusetts General Hospital- 55 Fruit St
    Boston, Massachusetts, United States
    Recruiting
  • University of Michigan Hospital
    Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
    Recruiting
  • Mayo Clinic
    Rochester, Minnesota, United States
    Recruiting
  • Washington University School of Medicine
    St Louis, Missouri, United States
    Recruiting
  • NYU Langone Health Pulmonary and Critical Care Associates, P.C. - BRANY - PPDS
    New York, New York, United States
    Recruiting
  • University of North Carolina
    Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
    Recruiting
  • Southeastern Research Center
    Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States
    Recruiting
  • Ohio State University
    Columbus, Ohio, United States
    Recruiting
  • Oregon Health and Science University
    Portland, Oregon, United States
    Recruiting
  • Temple University Hospital
    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
    Recruiting
  • Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) - PPDS
    Charleston, South Carolina, United States
    Recruiting
  • Velocity Clinical Research - Spartanburg - PPDS
    Spartanburg, South Carolina, United States
    Recruiting
  • Velocity Clinical Research - Union - PPDS
    Union, South Carolina, United States
    Recruiting
  • Clinical Trials Center of Middle Tennessee
    Franklin, Tennessee, United States
    Recruiting
  • The Respire Institute
    Houston, Texas, United States
    Recruiting
  • UT Texas Health Science at Tyler
    Tyler, Texas, United States
    Recruiting
  • TPMG Clinical Research
    Williamsburg, Virginia, United States
    Recruiting
  • Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori
    Monza, Lombardi, Italy
    Recruiting
  • Istituto Clinico Humanitas
    Rozzano, Lombardy, Italy
    Recruiting
  • AOU Policlinico Gaspare Rodolico-San Marco Presidio Ospedaliero Gaspare Rodolico
    Catania, Sicily, Italy
    Recruiting
  • IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna
    Bologna, Italy
    Recruiting
  • Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo
    Pavia, Italy
    Recruiting
  • Hospital Universitario A Coruña
    A Coruña, Spain
    Recruiting
  • Hospital del Mar
    Barcelona, Spain
    Recruiting
  • Hospital Clinic de Barcelona
    Barcelona, Spain
    Recruiting
  • Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebron - PPDS
    Barcelona, Spain
    Recruiting
  • Hospital Universitario de Bellvitge
    Barcelona, Spain
    Recruiting
  • Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañon
    Madrid, Spain
    Recruiting
  • Hospital Universitario La Paz - PPDS
    Madrid, Spain
    Recruiting
  • Hospital Universitario Quironsalud Madrid
    Madrid, Spain
    Recruiting
  • Birmingham Heartlands Hospital
    Birmingham, West Midlands, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Queens Hospital Belfast
    Belfast, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Royal Papworth Hospital
    Cambridge, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Ninewells Hospital - PPDS
    Dundee, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh - PPDS
    Edinburgh, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Queen Elizabeth University Hospital - PPDS
    Glasgow, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital - PPDS
    Liverpool, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Royal Brompton Hospital
    London, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Freeman Hospital
    Newcastle-under-Lyme, United Kingdom
    Recruiting

+1 more sites. See ClinicalTrials.gov for the full list.

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.