This is a prospective, open-label, phase 1/2a study, dose escalation, to evaluate tolerability, safety, and PK of I.V. administered IPL344 in participants with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
The study is designed to determine the tolerability, safety and PK of IPL344 administered I.V. once a day for 28 days and to identify the maximum tolerated dose. All patients enrolled will have a documented history of ALS disease prior to study enrollment. Treatment will start with 1.7mg/kg with dose escalation by 0.5 mg/kg every 3-4 days and will increase to the maximum dose of 3.2mg/kg. Day 1 to Day 28 patients will be on active treatment. After completion of 28 treatment days, participants who will choose to continue treatment (at the investigator's discretion), will be enrolled in a follow-up study. Participants that discontinue treatment after Day 28 will be followed up by a nurse phone call and return to the clinic for a final visit on Day 56 from the first dose.
Inclusion Criteria:
1. Male or female participants ages ≥18 to 80 years
2. Consenting participants fulfilling the El Escorial criteria for probable and definite
ALS (sporadic and familial)
3. Participant has ALSFRS-R score >20, the latest ALSFRS-R test should be no more than 6
weeks before screening visit, AND:
1. a disease progression rate greater than 0.55 ALSFRS-R point per month on average,
over at least 4 months, prior to the latest ALSFRS-R test OR
2. a decline of at least 3 points in ALSFRS-R score within the last 4 months prior
to the latest ALSFRS-R test
4. Previous data of Force Vital Capacity (FVC) of ≥60% at least 3 months before screening
and not more than 12 months.
5. Written informed consent consistent with ICH-GCP and local laws, signed prior to any
study procedures being performed.
6. BMI 18.5 to 30 kg/m2 inclusive and weigh at least 50 kg and no more than 100 kg.
7. If taking riluzole or edaravone, the participant must be on a stable dose for ≥30 days
prior to Day 1 and expected to remain at that dose until the final study visit.
8. Medically able to undergo the study procedures, and to adhere to the visit schedule at
the time of study entry.
9. Medically is able and willing to undergo placement and maintain a central venous
catheter as determined by the investigator.
10. Participant has a competent caregiver or qualified individual who can and will be
responsible for the administration of study drug and reporting home activities.
11. Geographic accessibility to the study site
12. Females must not be lactating or pregnant at Screening, as documented by a negative
beta-human chorionic gonadotropin [ß-hCG] (or human chorionic gonadotropin [hCG].
13. Women of child-bearing potential or males whose partners are women of child-bearing
potential use an effective method of contraception throughout the trial.
Exclusion Criteria:
1. Concurrent therapy that, in the PI's opinion, would interfere with the evaluation of
the safety or efficacy of the study medication.
2. Co-existing psychiatric disorder excluding a depression disorder occurred after ALS
diagnosis.
3. Participant is a respiratory dependent.
4. Subjects with a significant pulmonary disorder not attributed to ALS.
5. Slow Vital Capacity (SVC) <60.
6. Presence of any other condition or circumstance that, in the judgment of the
Investigator, might contraindicate or increase the risk to the participant or decrease
the chance of obtaining satisfactory data to achieve the objectives of the study.
7. History of HIV, positive HBV or HCV serology.
8. Participants suffering from significant cardiac, or any other disease that may
endanger the participant or interfere with the ability to interpret the results.
9. A participant with active infections.
10. Documented active cancer.
11. Treatment with another investigational drug, biological agent, or device within 2
months of the first dose, or investigational cell therapy within 6 months of the first
dose.