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Clinical Study to Assess the Mode of Action of QBW251 in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

A Randomized, Subjects and Investigator Blinded, Placebo Controlled Parallel Group Study to Assess the Mode of Action of QBW251 in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Status
Terminated
Phases
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04268823
Enrollment
54
Registered
2020-02-13
Start date
2020-09-10
Completion date
2022-09-20
Last updated
2024-06-20

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Brief summary

The purpose of this study was to determine whether potentiating the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) with QBW251 in subjects with COPD would be efficacious with regards to reducing lung and systemic inflammation and bacterial colonization as potential drivers of airway obstruction, airway destruction, remodeling and exacerbations. Furthermore, this study provided supportive data to investigate the relationship of COPD phenotype and the response in small airway structure, function, mucus load and spirometry indices as well as in improvement of overall COPD symptoms and quality of life.

Detailed description

This was a randomized, subject and investigator blinded, parallel-group, placebo controlled study investigating the mode of action (MoA) and preliminary efficacy and safety of QBW251 administered orally twice daily (b.i.d.) for 12 weeks in subjects with moderate to severe COPD (GOLD 2-3). The study consisted of the following periods: Screening, Baseline / Day 1, Treatment , and End of the Study followed by an additional post-treatment safety phone call. The total duration for each subject in the study is up to approximately 18 weeks.

Interventions

DRUGQBW251

Capsule 300mg

DRUGPlacebo

Capsule 300mg

Sponsors

Novartis Pharmaceuticals
Lead SponsorINDUSTRY

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
40 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

1. Patients who have signed an Informed Consent Form prior to initiation of any study-related procedure. 2. Male and female adults aged ≥40 years at screening. 3. Patients with stable COPD, stages GOLD 2-3, according to the current GOLD strategy (GOLD 2019) at screening. Patients with a post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC \< 0.70 at screening 4. Patients with airflow limitation indicated by a post-bronchodilator FEV1 ≥ 30% and FEV1 \< 80% of the predicted normal at Screening who must have had at least 2 documented moderate or at least 1 documented severe exacerbation(s) between January 2019 to study screening. 5. Patients with sputum positive (\>0 CFU) for at least one strain of potentially pathogenic microorganism at screening (H influenzae, H parainfluenzae, P aeruginosa, S pneumoniae, S aureus, Moraxella catarrhalis, Enterobacteriaceae, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Burkholderia species, and Achromobacter species or any potential pathogenic bacteria measured by dilution/outgrowth. Any organism that is to be included and that is not included in the list of the protocol defined pathogens will be discussed case by case). Sputum samples may be re collected and re-tested once during the screening period. 6. Patients who have been treated with a combination of LABA/LAMA or LABA/ICS or LABA/LAMA/ICS at a stable dose for the last 3 months prior to screening. COPD patients are allowed to stay on macrolides as background therapy if they have bronchiectasis as a secondary diagnosis and if they are treated with them at a stable dose 3 months before screening. 7. Patients with plasma fibrinogen level ≥ 320 mg/dL at screening. Fibrinogen may be re-tested once during the screening period. 8. A COPD Assessment Test (CAT) score of at least 10 at screening. 9. Current or ex-smokers who have a smoking history of at least 10 pack years (e.g. 10 pack years = 1 pack/day x 10 years, or 0.5 pack/day x 20 years) at screening. 10. Patients featuring chronic bronchitis, defined as productive cough that occurs on most days (defined as \>50% of days) during at least 3 consecutive months in the year prior to screening, as assessed by documentation of patient recollection (anamnesis) or documented in patients' records. 11. Able to communicate well with the investigator, to understand and comply with the requirements of the study.

Exclusion criteria

1. Patients with a history of long-QT syndrome or whose QTcF interval at screening (Fridericia method) is prolonged (QTcF \>450 ms in males, \>460 ms in females). 2. Patients who have a clinically significant\* ECG abnormality before randomization. Note: Clinically significant abnormalities may include but are not limited to the following: left bundle branch block, Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, clinically significant arrhythmias (e.g., atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia). 3. Clinical laboratory values abnormalities (including Gamma GT, AST, ALT, total bilirubin or creatinine) considered as clinically significant in the opinion of the Investigator at screening. For additional guidance on hepatic parameters see exclusion criterion #5. 4. Patients who have clinically significant renal, cardiovascular (such as but not limited to unstable ischemic heart disease, NYHA Class III/IV left ventricular failure, myocardial infarction), neurological, endocrine, immunological, psychiatric, gastrointestinal, or hematological abnormalities, which could interfere with the assessment of the efficacy and safety of the study treatment, or patients with uncontrolled Type II diabetes. 5. Patients with a history or current treatment for hepatic disease including but not limited to acute hepatitis, cirrhosis or hepatic failure. * Patients with stable chronic hepatitis may be included in the study by agreement with Novartis Medical Expert on a case-by-case basis. * A history of resolved Hepatitis A is not exclusionary. * Patients with prothrombin time international normalized ratio (PT/INR) of more than 1.5xULN at screening. Patients excluded for the PT/INR of more than 1.5xULN can be re-screened when the values have returned to normal. 6. Patients with a history of malignancy of any organ system, treated or untreated, within the past 5 years whether or not there is evidence of local recurrence or metastases, with the exception of localized basal cell carcinoma of the skin. Patients with a history of cancer and 5 years or more disease free survival time may be included in the study by agreement with Novartis Medical Monitor on a case-by-case basis. 7. Patients who develop a COPD exacerbation that required treatment with antibiotics and/or oral corticosteroids and/or hospitalization during screening. Re-screening is permitted after a minimum of 2 weeks after the resolution of the COPD exacerbation (i.e 2 weeks after the stop of SOC therapy for exacerbation). 8. Patients who have had a respiratory tract infection within 4 weeks prior to screening. If a respiratory tract infection occurs during screening, patients can be re-screened after a minimum of 2 weeks after resolution of the respiratory tract infection. 9. Patients with history of asthma or any other clinically relevant lung diseases.. 10. Patients with suspected active pulmonary tuberculosis or currently being treatment for active pulmonary tuberculosis. Note: Patients with a history of pulmonary tuberculosis can be enrolled if they meet the following requirements: history of appropriate drug treatment followed by negative imaging results within 12 months prior to screening suggesting low probability of recurrent active tuberculosis. 11. Patients with pulmonary lobectomy, lung volume reduction surgery, bronchoscopic lung volume reductions, or lung transplantation. 12. Patients participating in or planning to participate in the active phase of a supervised pulmonary rehabilitation program during the trial. Participation in a maintenance program is permitted. Note: the supervised pulmonary rehabilitation program as a maintenance program has to be ongoing for at least 3 months at the time of enrollment. 13. Patients with a body mass index (BMI) of more than 40 kg/m2. 14. Patients receiving any medications in the classes listed in Table 6-5. 15. Patients receiving any COPD related medications in the classes specified in Table 6-6, unless they undergo the required washout period prior to screening and follow the adjustment to treatment program. 16. Patients receiving medications in the classes listed in Table 6-2 should be excluded unless the medication has been stabilized for the specified period and the stated conditions have been met. 17. Use of other investigational drugs (approved or unapproved) within 30 days or 5 half-lives prior to screening, or until the expected pharmacodynamic effect has returned to baseline (e.g., biologics), whichever is longer; or longer if required by local regulations. 18. Pregnant or nursing (lactating) women, where pregnancy was defined as the state of a female after conception and until the termination of gestation, confirmed by a positive human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) laboratory test. 19. Women of child-bearing potential, defined as all women physiologically capable of becoming pregnant, unless they are using acceptable effective methods of contraception during study participation. 20. Patients who have not achieved an acceptable spirometry result at screening in accordance with American Thoracic Society (ATS)/ European Respiratory Society (ERS) criteria for acceptability and repeatability.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change From Baseline in Fibrinogen Plasma Concentrations After 12 Weeks of TreatmentBaseline, week 12.To assess the effect of QBW251 compared to placebo after 12 weeks of treatment on fibrinogen. The least-squares means for change from baseline in fibrinogen plasma concentrations after 12 weeks visits for each individual dose group were obtained from a linear mixed effects model for repeated measures (MMRM). A MMRM was fitted to the changes from baseline in fibrinogen for all time points until Day 84. A decrease in fibrinogen plasma concentration indicates improvement.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change From Baseline in COPD Assessment Test (CAT) Questionnaire After 12 Weeks of TreatmentBaseline, week 12.The COPD assessment test (CAT) is a short instrument which was used to quantify the symptom burden of COPD and disease severity of participants in this study. The CAT consists of 8 items, each presented as a semantic 6-point differential scale (0-5), providing a total range from 0 to 40. A higher score indicates a worse health status.
Change From Baseline in Euro Quality of Life-5 Dimensions-3 Level (EQ-5D-3L) Questionnaire After 12 Weeks of TreatmentBaseline, week 12.The EQ-5D-3L questionnaire is a general health status and health utility measure which captures 5 dimensions of health state: mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression and visual analog has a scale 0 to 100 (0=worst imaginable health state, 100=best imaginable health state).
Change From Baseline in St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) Total and Domain Scores After 12 Weeks of TreatmentBaseline, week 12.The St. George's Respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ) was used to provide the health status measurements. The SGRQ contains 50 items divided into two parts covering three aspects of health related to COPD: Part I covers Symptoms, Part II covers Activity and Impacts. A score is calculated for each of these three subscales including the Total score. In each case the lowest possible value is zero and the highest 100. Higher values correspond to greater impairment of health status.
Change From Baseline in Cough and Sputum Assessment Questionnaire (CASA-Q) After 12 Weeks of TreatmentBaseline, week 12.The CASA-Q is a validated questionnaire used to measure cough and sputum production, and their impact in patients with COPD and/or chronic bronchitis. There are only domain scores and no overall score. The scores in each domain range from 0 to 100, with lower scores indicating more severe symptoms or a higher impact.
Pre-dose Trough Concentration (Ctrough) of QBW251Day 1, Day 28, Day 56 and Day 84Pharmacokinetic blood samples were collected and evaluated in all participants exposed to QBW251. QBW251 was analyzed by a validated Liquid Chromatography with tandem Mass Spectrometry. Concentration below the lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was reported as zero.
Change From Baseline in Trough FEV1 After 12 Weeks of TreatmentBaseline, week 12.FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in one second) is the amount of air which can be forcibly exhaled from the lungs in the first second of a forced exhalation, measured through spirometry testing. The least-squares means for change from baseline in FEV1 to assess the effect of QBW251 compared to placebo after 12 weeks were obtained from a linear mixed effects model for repeated measures (MMRM). A positive change from baseline in pre-dose FEV1 is considered a favourable outcome.
Change From Baseline in FVC After 12 Weeks of TreatmentBaseline, week 12To assess the effect of QBW251 compared to placebo after 12 weeks of treatment on spirometry (Forced Vital Capacity). Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) is the amount of air which can be forcibly exhaled from the lungs after taking the deepest breath possible.
Change From Baseline in FEV1/FVC After 12 Weeks of TreatmentBaseline, week 12.To assess the effect of QBW251 compared to placebo after 12 weeks of treatment on spirometry. FEV1/FVC is the percent of a person's vital capacity that they are able to expire in the first second of forced expiration (FEV1) to the full, forced vital capacity (FVC).
Change From Baseline in Total Bacteria Load of log10 Colony Forming Units (CFU) After 12 Weeks of TreatmentBaseline, week 12.Change from baseline in total bacteria load of colony forming units of potentially pathogenic microorganisms in sputum. A decrease in airway bacterial colonization as detected in the sputum is considered improvement.
Maximum Observed Plasma Concentrations (Cmax) of QBW251Post-dose (3 hours) at Day 56 and Day 84.Cmax is the maximum (peak) observed plasma concentration of QBW251 after dose administration. QBW251 was analyzed by a validated Liquid Chromatography with tandem Mass Spectrometry. Concentration below the lower limit of quantification was reported as zero. On Day 56 and Day 84 pre-dose and 3 hour post dose sparse samples were collected from all participants.
Area Under Plasma Concentration-time Curve From Time Zero to the Last Measurable Concentration Sampling Time (AUClast) of QBW251Pre dose, Post dose (1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 hours) at Day 1 and Day 28Pharmacokinetic blood samples were collected and evaluated in all participants exposed to QBW251. QBW251 was analyzed by a validated Liquid Chromatography with tandem Mass Spectrometry. Concentration below the lower limit of quantification was reported as zero. AUClast is the area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time zero to the time of last quantifiable concentration (tlast) of QBW251.
On-treatment Analysis of Time to First COPD Exacerbation Using Cox Regression ModelBaseline, week 12.To assess the effect of QBW251 compared to placebo after 12 weeks of treatment on COPD exacerbations, exacerbations defined by EXACT-PRO questionnaire. The protocol defined that the time-to-event analyses were to be carried out only upon sufficient number of exacerbation events occur during the study to estimate the median in either of the treatment groups.
Change From Baseline in Airway Wall and LumenBaseline, week 12.To assess the effect of QBW251 compared to placebo after 12 weeks of treatment on airway structure and function, measured by High Resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT).
Change From Baseline in Percent Global and Regional Air Trapping After 12 Weeks of TreatmentBaseline, week 12.To assess the effect of QBW251 compared to placebo after 12 weeks of treatment on airway structure and functions, measured by High Resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT). Air trapping is defined as the percentage of lung voxels with mean attenuation below -856 Hounsfield units (HU).
Proportion of Patients (Percentage) With ExacerbationsFrom first dose of study treatment until last dose of study treatment plus 7 days, up to a maximum duration of 99 daysThe EXACT-PRO is a validated 14-item electronic questionnaire designed to detect the frequency, severity, and duration of exacerbations in participants with COPD. Minimum score is 0 and Maximum score is 40 (higher scores indicate worsening indicative of an exacerbation). EXACT-PRO-defined exacerbations are defined as a persistent increase from baseline in total EXACT-PRO score of ≥9 points for 3 days or ≥12 points for 2 days.
Annualized Rate of EXACT-PRO-defined ExacerbationsFrom first dose of study treatment until last dose of study treatment plus 7 days, up to a maximum duration of 99 daysThe Exacerbations of COPD Tool-Patient Reported Outcome (EXACT-PRO) is a validated 14-item electronic questionnaire designed to detect the frequency, severity, and duration of exacerbations in participants with COPD. Minimum score is 0 and Maximum score is 40 (higher scores indicate worsening indicative of an exacerbation). EXACT-PRO-defined exacerbations are defined as a persistent increase from baseline in total EXACT-PRO score of ≥9 points for 3 days or ≥12 points for 2 days. Annualized rate of exacerbations was analyzed using a generalized linear model assuming a negative binomial distribution.
Maximum Observed Plasma Concentrations (Cmax) of QBW251 in a Subset of Patient PopulationPre dose, Post dose (1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 hours) at Day 1 and Day 28.Cmax is the maximum (peak) observed plasma concentration of QBW251 after dose administration. QBW251 was analyzed by a validated Liquid Chromatography with tandem Mass Spectrometry. Concentration below the lower limit of quantification was reported as zero. Serial plasma PK concentrations were sampled on Day 1 and Day 28 up to 8 hours post dose in a subset of the patient population.

Countries

Austria, Germany, Switzerland, United Kingdom

Participant flow

Recruitment details

Participants took part in 12 investigative sites in 4 countries.

Pre-assignment details

Informed consent was obtained from each participant in writing at screening before any study specific procedure was performed. The study was explained to the participant by the investigator or designee, who answered any questions, and written information was also provided.

Participants by arm

ArmCount
QBW251 300mg
QBW251 300 mg oral dose, one capsule twice daily
26
Placebo
Placebo oral dose, one capsule twice daily
28
Total54

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000FG001
Overall StudyAdverse Event10
Overall StudyParticipant Decision10

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicQBW251 300mgPlaceboTotal
Age, Continuous65.7 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 7.13
67.3 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 8.37
66.5 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 7.77
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
White
26 Participants28 Participants54 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
16 Participants11 Participants27 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
10 Participants17 Participants27 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
EG002
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 260 / 280 / 54
other
Total, other adverse events
12 / 265 / 2817 / 54
serious
Total, serious adverse events
2 / 260 / 282 / 54

Outcome results

Primary

Change From Baseline in Fibrinogen Plasma Concentrations After 12 Weeks of Treatment

To assess the effect of QBW251 compared to placebo after 12 weeks of treatment on fibrinogen. The least-squares means for change from baseline in fibrinogen plasma concentrations after 12 weeks visits for each individual dose group were obtained from a linear mixed effects model for repeated measures (MMRM). A MMRM was fitted to the changes from baseline in fibrinogen for all time points until Day 84. A decrease in fibrinogen plasma concentration indicates improvement.

Time frame: Baseline, week 12.

Population: Pharmacodynamic (PD) analysis set. Participants were analyzed according to the study treatment received. The PD analysis set included all participants with PD data at both baseline and at least one post-baseline assessment which were not affected by any protocol deviations.

ArmMeasureValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)Dispersion
QBW251 300mgChange From Baseline in Fibrinogen Plasma Concentrations After 12 Weeks of Treatment-0.086 g/LStandard Error 0.1374
PlaceboChange From Baseline in Fibrinogen Plasma Concentrations After 12 Weeks of Treatment0.117 g/LStandard Error 0.1365
p-value: 0.29880% CI: [-0.524, 0.119]Mixed effects Model for Repeated Measure
Secondary

Annualized Rate of EXACT-PRO-defined Exacerbations

The Exacerbations of COPD Tool-Patient Reported Outcome (EXACT-PRO) is a validated 14-item electronic questionnaire designed to detect the frequency, severity, and duration of exacerbations in participants with COPD. Minimum score is 0 and Maximum score is 40 (higher scores indicate worsening indicative of an exacerbation). EXACT-PRO-defined exacerbations are defined as a persistent increase from baseline in total EXACT-PRO score of ≥9 points for 3 days or ≥12 points for 2 days. Annualized rate of exacerbations was analyzed using a generalized linear model assuming a negative binomial distribution.

Time frame: From first dose of study treatment until last dose of study treatment plus 7 days, up to a maximum duration of 99 days

Population: Pharmacodynamic (PD) analysis set. Participants were analyzed according to the study treatment received. The PD analysis set included all participants with PD data at both baseline and at least one post-baseline assessment which were not affected by any protocol deviations.

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
QBW251 300mgAnnualized Rate of EXACT-PRO-defined Exacerbations1.22 exacerbations per participant per year
PlaceboAnnualized Rate of EXACT-PRO-defined Exacerbations1.01 exacerbations per participant per year
Secondary

Area Under Plasma Concentration-time Curve From Time Zero to the Last Measurable Concentration Sampling Time (AUClast) of QBW251

Pharmacokinetic blood samples were collected and evaluated in all participants exposed to QBW251. QBW251 was analyzed by a validated Liquid Chromatography with tandem Mass Spectrometry. Concentration below the lower limit of quantification was reported as zero. AUClast is the area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time zero to the time of last quantifiable concentration (tlast) of QBW251.

Time frame: Pre dose, Post dose (1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 hours) at Day 1 and Day 28

Population: The PK analysis set included all participants with at least one available valid (i.e., not flagged for exclusion) PK concentration measurement, who received QBW251 and experienced no protocol deviations with relevant impact on PK data.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
QBW251 300mgArea Under Plasma Concentration-time Curve From Time Zero to the Last Measurable Concentration Sampling Time (AUClast) of QBW251Day 14290 h*ng/mLStandard Deviation 3630
QBW251 300mgArea Under Plasma Concentration-time Curve From Time Zero to the Last Measurable Concentration Sampling Time (AUClast) of QBW251Day 287320 h*ng/mLStandard Deviation 5950
Secondary

Change From Baseline in Airway Wall and Lumen

To assess the effect of QBW251 compared to placebo after 12 weeks of treatment on airway structure and function, measured by High Resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT).

Time frame: Baseline, week 12.

Population: Pharmacodynamic (PD) analysis set. Participants were analyzed according to the study treatment received. The PD analysis set included all participants with PD data at both baseline and at least one post-baseline assessment which were not affected by any protocol deviations.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
QBW251 300mgChange From Baseline in Airway Wall and LumenLung, Left, Superior Lobe, Apical Segment-0.01 mmStandard Deviation 0.15
QBW251 300mgChange From Baseline in Airway Wall and LumenLung, Right, Middle Lobe, Lateral Segment0.00 mmStandard Deviation 0.145
QBW251 300mgChange From Baseline in Airway Wall and LumenLung, Right, Inferior Lobe, Posterior Basal Segment0.08 mmStandard Deviation 0.378
QBW251 300mgChange From Baseline in Airway Wall and LumenLung, Right, Superior Lobe, Apical Segment-0.02 mmStandard Deviation 0.128
QBW251 300mgChange From Baseline in Airway Wall and LumenLung, Left, Inferior Lobe, Posterior Basal Segment0.01 mmStandard Deviation 0.201
PlaceboChange From Baseline in Airway Wall and LumenLung, Right, Superior Lobe, Apical Segment0.02 mmStandard Deviation 0.092
PlaceboChange From Baseline in Airway Wall and LumenLung, Left, Inferior Lobe, Posterior Basal Segment0.02 mmStandard Deviation 0.155
PlaceboChange From Baseline in Airway Wall and LumenLung, Left, Superior Lobe, Apical Segment0.06 mmStandard Deviation 0.134
PlaceboChange From Baseline in Airway Wall and LumenLung, Right, Inferior Lobe, Posterior Basal Segment-0.03 mmStandard Deviation 0.149
PlaceboChange From Baseline in Airway Wall and LumenLung, Right, Middle Lobe, Lateral Segment-0.06 mmStandard Deviation 0.105
Secondary

Change From Baseline in COPD Assessment Test (CAT) Questionnaire After 12 Weeks of Treatment

The COPD assessment test (CAT) is a short instrument which was used to quantify the symptom burden of COPD and disease severity of participants in this study. The CAT consists of 8 items, each presented as a semantic 6-point differential scale (0-5), providing a total range from 0 to 40. A higher score indicates a worse health status.

Time frame: Baseline, week 12.

Population: Pharmacodynamic (PD) analysis set. Participants were analyzed according to the study treatment received. The PD analysis set included all participants with PD data at both baseline and at least one post-baseline assessment which were not affected by any protocol deviations.

ArmMeasureValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)Dispersion
QBW251 300mgChange From Baseline in COPD Assessment Test (CAT) Questionnaire After 12 Weeks of Treatment-3.55 Score on a scaleStandard Error 0.947
PlaceboChange From Baseline in COPD Assessment Test (CAT) Questionnaire After 12 Weeks of Treatment-2.16 Score on a scaleStandard Error 0.874
p-value: 0.28880% CI: [-3.55, 0.78]Mixed effects Model for Repeated Measure
Secondary

Change From Baseline in Cough and Sputum Assessment Questionnaire (CASA-Q) After 12 Weeks of Treatment

The CASA-Q is a validated questionnaire used to measure cough and sputum production, and their impact in patients with COPD and/or chronic bronchitis. There are only domain scores and no overall score. The scores in each domain range from 0 to 100, with lower scores indicating more severe symptoms or a higher impact.

Time frame: Baseline, week 12.

Population: Pharmacodynamic (PD) analysis set. Participants were analyzed according to the study treatment received. The PD analysis set included all participants with PD data at both baseline and at least one post-baseline assessment which were not affected by any protocol deviations.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)Dispersion
QBW251 300mgChange From Baseline in Cough and Sputum Assessment Questionnaire (CASA-Q) After 12 Weeks of TreatmentWeek 12 - cough symptom score4.36 Score on a scaleStandard Error 3.339
QBW251 300mgChange From Baseline in Cough and Sputum Assessment Questionnaire (CASA-Q) After 12 Weeks of TreatmentWeek 12 - sputum symptom score5.00 Score on a scaleStandard Error 3.401
QBW251 300mgChange From Baseline in Cough and Sputum Assessment Questionnaire (CASA-Q) After 12 Weeks of TreatmentWeek 12 - cough impact score4.64 Score on a scaleStandard Error 2.936
QBW251 300mgChange From Baseline in Cough and Sputum Assessment Questionnaire (CASA-Q) After 12 Weeks of TreatmentWeek 12 - sputum impact score3.22 Score on a scaleStandard Error 3.298
PlaceboChange From Baseline in Cough and Sputum Assessment Questionnaire (CASA-Q) After 12 Weeks of TreatmentWeek 12 - sputum impact score2.28 Score on a scaleStandard Error 3.017
PlaceboChange From Baseline in Cough and Sputum Assessment Questionnaire (CASA-Q) After 12 Weeks of TreatmentWeek 12 - cough symptom score4.11 Score on a scaleStandard Error 3.083
PlaceboChange From Baseline in Cough and Sputum Assessment Questionnaire (CASA-Q) After 12 Weeks of TreatmentWeek 12 - cough impact score2.60 Score on a scaleStandard Error 2.697
PlaceboChange From Baseline in Cough and Sputum Assessment Questionnaire (CASA-Q) After 12 Weeks of TreatmentWeek 12 - sputum symptom score0.78 Score on a scaleStandard Error 3.121
Comparison: Cough symptom scorep-value: 0.95680% CI: [-7.3, 7.8]Mixed effects Model for Repeated Measure
Comparison: Sputum symptom scorep-value: 0.36980% CI: [-3.55, 11.99]Mixed effects Model for Repeated Measure
Comparison: Cough impact scorep-value: 0.61380% CI: [-4.61, 8.68]Mixed effects Model for Repeated Measure
Comparison: Sputum impact scorep-value: 0.83580% CI: [-6.58, 8.47]Mixed effects Model for Repeated Measure
Secondary

Change From Baseline in Euro Quality of Life-5 Dimensions-3 Level (EQ-5D-3L) Questionnaire After 12 Weeks of Treatment

The EQ-5D-3L questionnaire is a general health status and health utility measure which captures 5 dimensions of health state: mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression and visual analog has a scale 0 to 100 (0=worst imaginable health state, 100=best imaginable health state).

Time frame: Baseline, week 12.

Population: Pharmacodynamic (PD) analysis set. Participants were analyzed according to the study treatment received. The PD analysis set included all participants with PD data at both baseline and at least one post-baseline assessment which were not affected by any protocol deviations.

ArmMeasureValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)Dispersion
QBW251 300mgChange From Baseline in Euro Quality of Life-5 Dimensions-3 Level (EQ-5D-3L) Questionnaire After 12 Weeks of Treatment7.63 Score on a scaleStandard Error 3.116
PlaceboChange From Baseline in Euro Quality of Life-5 Dimensions-3 Level (EQ-5D-3L) Questionnaire After 12 Weeks of Treatment3.43 Score on a scaleStandard Error 2.854
p-value: 0.33880% CI: [-3.09, 11.48]Mixed effects Model for Repeated Measure
Secondary

Change From Baseline in FEV1/FVC After 12 Weeks of Treatment

To assess the effect of QBW251 compared to placebo after 12 weeks of treatment on spirometry. FEV1/FVC is the percent of a person's vital capacity that they are able to expire in the first second of forced expiration (FEV1) to the full, forced vital capacity (FVC).

Time frame: Baseline, week 12.

Population: Pharmacodynamic (PD) analysis set. Participants were analyzed according to the study treatment received. The PD analysis set included all participants with PD data at both baseline and at least one post-baseline assessment which were not affected by any protocol deviations.

ArmMeasureValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)Dispersion
QBW251 300mgChange From Baseline in FEV1/FVC After 12 Weeks of Treatment1.7 percentStandard Error 0.58
PlaceboChange From Baseline in FEV1/FVC After 12 Weeks of Treatment-0.3 percentStandard Error 0.55
p-value: 0.0180% CI: [0.8, 3.4]Mixed effects Model for Repeated Measure
Secondary

Change From Baseline in FVC After 12 Weeks of Treatment

To assess the effect of QBW251 compared to placebo after 12 weeks of treatment on spirometry (Forced Vital Capacity). Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) is the amount of air which can be forcibly exhaled from the lungs after taking the deepest breath possible.

Time frame: Baseline, week 12

Population: Pharmacodynamic (PD) analysis set. Participants were analyzed according to the study treatment received. The PD analysis set included all participants with PD data at both baseline and at least one post-baseline assessment which were not affected by any protocol deviations.

ArmMeasureValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)Dispersion
QBW251 300mgChange From Baseline in FVC After 12 Weeks of Treatment-0.1 liters (L)Standard Error 0.05
PlaceboChange From Baseline in FVC After 12 Weeks of Treatment-0.1 liters (L)Standard Error 0.05
p-value: 0.64580% CI: [-0.1, 0.1]Mixed effects Model for Repeated Measure
Secondary

Change From Baseline in Percent Global and Regional Air Trapping After 12 Weeks of Treatment

To assess the effect of QBW251 compared to placebo after 12 weeks of treatment on airway structure and functions, measured by High Resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT). Air trapping is defined as the percentage of lung voxels with mean attenuation below -856 Hounsfield units (HU).

Time frame: Baseline, week 12.

Population: Pharmacodynamic (PD) analysis set. Participants were analyzed according to the study treatment received. The PD analysis set included all participants with PD data at both baseline and at least one post-baseline assessment which were not affected by any protocol deviations.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
QBW251 300mgChange From Baseline in Percent Global and Regional Air Trapping After 12 Weeks of TreatmentLung-3.53 percent air trappingStandard Deviation 7.534
QBW251 300mgChange From Baseline in Percent Global and Regional Air Trapping After 12 Weeks of TreatmentLung, Left-3.93 percent air trappingStandard Deviation 7.176
QBW251 300mgChange From Baseline in Percent Global and Regional Air Trapping After 12 Weeks of TreatmentLung, Left Lower Lobe-4.27 percent air trappingStandard Deviation 9.708
QBW251 300mgChange From Baseline in Percent Global and Regional Air Trapping After 12 Weeks of TreatmentLung, Left Upper Lobe-3.83 percent air trappingStandard Deviation 7.22
QBW251 300mgChange From Baseline in Percent Global and Regional Air Trapping After 12 Weeks of TreatmentLung, Right-3.24 percent air trappingStandard Deviation 8.28
QBW251 300mgChange From Baseline in Percent Global and Regional Air Trapping After 12 Weeks of TreatmentLung, Right Lower Lobe-3.57 percent air trappingStandard Deviation 9.896
QBW251 300mgChange From Baseline in Percent Global and Regional Air Trapping After 12 Weeks of TreatmentLung, Right Middle Lobe-1.98 percent air trappingStandard Deviation 10.362
QBW251 300mgChange From Baseline in Percent Global and Regional Air Trapping After 12 Weeks of TreatmentLung, Right Upper Lobe-2.09 percent air trappingStandard Deviation 8.5
QBW251 300mgChange From Baseline in Percent Global and Regional Air Trapping After 12 Weeks of TreatmentThirds, Left Lower-5.40 percent air trappingStandard Deviation 10.613
QBW251 300mgChange From Baseline in Percent Global and Regional Air Trapping After 12 Weeks of TreatmentThirds, Left Middle-3.56 percent air trappingStandard Deviation 6.803
QBW251 300mgChange From Baseline in Percent Global and Regional Air Trapping After 12 Weeks of TreatmentThirds, Left Upper-2.84 percent air trappingStandard Deviation 7.597
QBW251 300mgChange From Baseline in Percent Global and Regional Air Trapping After 12 Weeks of TreatmentThirds, Right Lower-4.52 percent air trappingStandard Deviation 8.545
QBW251 300mgChange From Baseline in Percent Global and Regional Air Trapping After 12 Weeks of TreatmentThirds, Right Middle-3.28 percent air trappingStandard Deviation 9.116
QBW251 300mgChange From Baseline in Percent Global and Regional Air Trapping After 12 Weeks of TreatmentThirds, Right Upper-1.84 percent air trappingStandard Deviation 8.956
PlaceboChange From Baseline in Percent Global and Regional Air Trapping After 12 Weeks of TreatmentThirds, Left Upper-0.11 percent air trappingStandard Deviation 9.272
PlaceboChange From Baseline in Percent Global and Regional Air Trapping After 12 Weeks of TreatmentLung-0.95 percent air trappingStandard Deviation 7.733
PlaceboChange From Baseline in Percent Global and Regional Air Trapping After 12 Weeks of TreatmentLung, Right Upper Lobe0.27 percent air trappingStandard Deviation 8.934
PlaceboChange From Baseline in Percent Global and Regional Air Trapping After 12 Weeks of TreatmentLung, Left-0.89 percent air trappingStandard Deviation 7.248
PlaceboChange From Baseline in Percent Global and Regional Air Trapping After 12 Weeks of TreatmentThirds, Right Middle-1.09 percent air trappingStandard Deviation 8.218
PlaceboChange From Baseline in Percent Global and Regional Air Trapping After 12 Weeks of TreatmentLung, Left Lower Lobe-1.55 percent air trappingStandard Deviation 7.486
PlaceboChange From Baseline in Percent Global and Regional Air Trapping After 12 Weeks of TreatmentThirds, Left Lower-1.90 percent air trappingStandard Deviation 8.111
PlaceboChange From Baseline in Percent Global and Regional Air Trapping After 12 Weeks of TreatmentLung, Left Upper Lobe-0.78 percent air trappingStandard Deviation 7.91
PlaceboChange From Baseline in Percent Global and Regional Air Trapping After 12 Weeks of TreatmentThirds, Right Lower-1.70 percent air trappingStandard Deviation 10.89
PlaceboChange From Baseline in Percent Global and Regional Air Trapping After 12 Weeks of TreatmentLung, Right-0.98 percent air trappingStandard Deviation 9.032
PlaceboChange From Baseline in Percent Global and Regional Air Trapping After 12 Weeks of TreatmentThirds, Left Middle-0.76 percent air trappingStandard Deviation 6.659
PlaceboChange From Baseline in Percent Global and Regional Air Trapping After 12 Weeks of TreatmentLung, Right Lower Lobe-1.90 percent air trappingStandard Deviation 11.666
PlaceboChange From Baseline in Percent Global and Regional Air Trapping After 12 Weeks of TreatmentThirds, Right Upper0.18 percent air trappingStandard Deviation 10.107
PlaceboChange From Baseline in Percent Global and Regional Air Trapping After 12 Weeks of TreatmentLung, Right Middle Lobe-0.80 percent air trappingStandard Deviation 8.48
Secondary

Change From Baseline in St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) Total and Domain Scores After 12 Weeks of Treatment

The St. George's Respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ) was used to provide the health status measurements. The SGRQ contains 50 items divided into two parts covering three aspects of health related to COPD: Part I covers Symptoms, Part II covers Activity and Impacts. A score is calculated for each of these three subscales including the Total score. In each case the lowest possible value is zero and the highest 100. Higher values correspond to greater impairment of health status.

Time frame: Baseline, week 12.

Population: Pharmacodynamic (PD) analysis set. Participants were analyzed according to the study treatment received. The PD analysis set included all participants with PD data at both baseline and at least one post-baseline assessment which were not affected by any protocol deviations.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)Dispersion
QBW251 300mgChange From Baseline in St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) Total and Domain Scores After 12 Weeks of TreatmentWeek 12- total score-2.99 Score on a scaleStandard Error 2.297
QBW251 300mgChange From Baseline in St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) Total and Domain Scores After 12 Weeks of TreatmentWeek 12- Symptoms score-0.98 Score on a scaleStandard Error 3.052
QBW251 300mgChange From Baseline in St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) Total and Domain Scores After 12 Weeks of TreatmentWeek 12- Activity score-1.96 Score on a scaleStandard Error 2.388
QBW251 300mgChange From Baseline in St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) Total and Domain Scores After 12 Weeks of TreatmentWeek 12- Impact score-3.72 Score on a scaleStandard Error 2.944
PlaceboChange From Baseline in St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) Total and Domain Scores After 12 Weeks of TreatmentWeek 12- Impact score-1.65 Score on a scaleStandard Error 2.705
PlaceboChange From Baseline in St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) Total and Domain Scores After 12 Weeks of TreatmentWeek 12- total score-2.17 Score on a scaleStandard Error 2.111
PlaceboChange From Baseline in St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) Total and Domain Scores After 12 Weeks of TreatmentWeek 12- Activity score-1.35 Score on a scaleStandard Error 2.194
PlaceboChange From Baseline in St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) Total and Domain Scores After 12 Weeks of TreatmentWeek 12- Symptoms score-6.73 Score on a scaleStandard Error 2.806
Comparison: Total scorep-value: 0.79580% CI: [-6.05, 4.42]Mixed effects Model for Repeated Measure
Comparison: Symptoms scorep-value: 0.1780% CI: [-1.16, 12.66]Mixed effects Model for Repeated Measure
Comparison: Activity scorep-value: 0.85180% CI: [-6.02, 4.8]Mixed effects Model for Repeated Measure
Comparison: Impact scorep-value: 0.6180% CI: [-8.78, 4.65]Mixed effects Model for Repeated Measure
Secondary

Change From Baseline in Total Bacteria Load of log10 Colony Forming Units (CFU) After 12 Weeks of Treatment

Change from baseline in total bacteria load of colony forming units of potentially pathogenic microorganisms in sputum. A decrease in airway bacterial colonization as detected in the sputum is considered improvement.

Time frame: Baseline, week 12.

Population: Pharmacodynamic (PD) analysis set. Participants were analyzed according to the study treatment received. The PD analysis set included all participants with PD data at both baseline and at least one post-baseline assessment which were not affected by any protocol deviations.

ArmMeasureValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)Dispersion
QBW251 300mgChange From Baseline in Total Bacteria Load of log10 Colony Forming Units (CFU) After 12 Weeks of Treatment-0.2 log10 CFU/mLStandard Error 0.3
PlaceboChange From Baseline in Total Bacteria Load of log10 Colony Forming Units (CFU) After 12 Weeks of Treatment0.0 log10 CFU/mLStandard Error 0.32
p-value: 0.65180% CI: [-0.9, 0.5]Mixed effects Model for Repeated Measure
Secondary

Change From Baseline in Trough FEV1 After 12 Weeks of Treatment

FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in one second) is the amount of air which can be forcibly exhaled from the lungs in the first second of a forced exhalation, measured through spirometry testing. The least-squares means for change from baseline in FEV1 to assess the effect of QBW251 compared to placebo after 12 weeks were obtained from a linear mixed effects model for repeated measures (MMRM). A positive change from baseline in pre-dose FEV1 is considered a favourable outcome.

Time frame: Baseline, week 12.

Population: Pharmacodynamic (PD) analysis set. Participants were analyzed according to the study treatment received. The PD analysis set included all participants with PD data at both baseline and at least one post-baseline assessment which were not affected by any protocol deviations.

ArmMeasureValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)Dispersion
QBW251 300mgChange From Baseline in Trough FEV1 After 12 Weeks of Treatment0.0 liters (L)Standard Error 0.03
PlaceboChange From Baseline in Trough FEV1 After 12 Weeks of Treatment-0.1 liters (L)Standard Error 0.03
p-value: 0.33580% CI: [0, 0.1]Mixed effects Model for Repeated Measure
Secondary

Maximum Observed Plasma Concentrations (Cmax) of QBW251

Cmax is the maximum (peak) observed plasma concentration of QBW251 after dose administration. QBW251 was analyzed by a validated Liquid Chromatography with tandem Mass Spectrometry. Concentration below the lower limit of quantification was reported as zero. On Day 56 and Day 84 pre-dose and 3 hour post dose sparse samples were collected from all participants.

Time frame: Post-dose (3 hours) at Day 56 and Day 84.

Population: The PK analysis set included all participants with at least one available valid (i.e., not flagged for exclusion) PK concentration measurement, who received QBW251 and experienced no protocol deviations with relevant impact on PK data.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
QBW251 300mgMaximum Observed Plasma Concentrations (Cmax) of QBW251Day 56903 ng/mLStandard Deviation 648
QBW251 300mgMaximum Observed Plasma Concentrations (Cmax) of QBW251Day 84997 ng/mLStandard Deviation 497
Secondary

Maximum Observed Plasma Concentrations (Cmax) of QBW251 in a Subset of Patient Population

Cmax is the maximum (peak) observed plasma concentration of QBW251 after dose administration. QBW251 was analyzed by a validated Liquid Chromatography with tandem Mass Spectrometry. Concentration below the lower limit of quantification was reported as zero. Serial plasma PK concentrations were sampled on Day 1 and Day 28 up to 8 hours post dose in a subset of the patient population.

Time frame: Pre dose, Post dose (1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 hours) at Day 1 and Day 28.

Population: The PK analysis set included all participants with at least one available valid (i.e., not flagged for exclusion) PK concentration measurement, who received QBW251 and experienced no protocol deviations with relevant impact on PK data. The analysis was performed on a subset of the PK analysis set for participants where serial plasma PK concentrations were sampled.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
QBW251 300mgMaximum Observed Plasma Concentrations (Cmax) of QBW251 in a Subset of Patient PopulationDay 11000 ng/mLStandard Deviation 608
QBW251 300mgMaximum Observed Plasma Concentrations (Cmax) of QBW251 in a Subset of Patient PopulationDay 281580 ng/mLStandard Deviation 866
Secondary

On-treatment Analysis of Time to First COPD Exacerbation Using Cox Regression Model

To assess the effect of QBW251 compared to placebo after 12 weeks of treatment on COPD exacerbations, exacerbations defined by EXACT-PRO questionnaire. The protocol defined that the time-to-event analyses were to be carried out only upon sufficient number of exacerbation events occur during the study to estimate the median in either of the treatment groups.

Time frame: Baseline, week 12.

Population: No patients analyzed as there was not a sufficient number of exacerbations to carry out the time to event analysis.

Secondary

Pre-dose Trough Concentration (Ctrough) of QBW251

Pharmacokinetic blood samples were collected and evaluated in all participants exposed to QBW251. QBW251 was analyzed by a validated Liquid Chromatography with tandem Mass Spectrometry. Concentration below the lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was reported as zero.

Time frame: Day 1, Day 28, Day 56 and Day 84

Population: The PK analysis set included all participants with at least one available valid (i.e., not flagged for exclusion) PK concentration measurement, who received QBW251 and experienced no protocol deviations with relevant impact on PK data.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
QBW251 300mgPre-dose Trough Concentration (Ctrough) of QBW251Day 84567 ng/mLStandard Deviation 883
QBW251 300mgPre-dose Trough Concentration (Ctrough) of QBW251Day 10.00 ng/mLStandard Deviation 0
QBW251 300mgPre-dose Trough Concentration (Ctrough) of QBW251Day 28526 ng/mLStandard Deviation 735
QBW251 300mgPre-dose Trough Concentration (Ctrough) of QBW251Day 56489 ng/mLStandard Deviation 540
Secondary

Proportion of Patients (Percentage) With Exacerbations

The EXACT-PRO is a validated 14-item electronic questionnaire designed to detect the frequency, severity, and duration of exacerbations in participants with COPD. Minimum score is 0 and Maximum score is 40 (higher scores indicate worsening indicative of an exacerbation). EXACT-PRO-defined exacerbations are defined as a persistent increase from baseline in total EXACT-PRO score of ≥9 points for 3 days or ≥12 points for 2 days.

Time frame: From first dose of study treatment until last dose of study treatment plus 7 days, up to a maximum duration of 99 days

Population: Due to study termination with fewer enrollment of subjects, and shorter treatment duration (i.e., 12 weeks), statistical summaries were not performed as unlikely to provide meaningful values.

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
QBW251 300mgProportion of Patients (Percentage) With Exacerbations3 Participants
PlaceboProportion of Patients (Percentage) With Exacerbations3 Participants

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026