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A Study Evaluating the Effects of GLPG3970 Given as an Oral Treatment for 6 Weeks in Adults With Moderately to Severely Active Rheumatoid Arthritis and an Inadequate Response to Methotrexate

A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Multicenter Study to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability, Efficacy and Pharmacokinetics of GLPG3970, Administered Orally for 6 Weeks in Adult Subjects With Moderately to Severely Active Rheumatoid Arthritis and an Inadequate Response to Methotrexate

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04577781
Acronym
LADYBUG
Enrollment
28
Registered
2020-10-08
Start date
2020-10-12
Completion date
2021-04-07
Last updated
2022-07-18

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

Conditions

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Keywords

Arthritis, Rheumatic Diseases, Moderately active rheumatoid arthritis, Severely active rheumatoid arthritis, Joint Diseases, Autoimmune Diseases, Musculoskeletal Diseases, Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders

Brief summary

The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of GLPG3970 compared to placebo on the signs and symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) in participants with moderately to severely active RA and an inadequate response to methotrexate (MTX).

Interventions

GLPG3970 powder and solvent for oral solution to be reconstituted prior to use.

DRUGPlacebo

Placebo powder and solvent for oral solution to be reconstituted prior to use.

Sponsors

Galapagos NV
Lead SponsorINDUSTRY

Study design

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

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 64 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

Key Inclusion Criteria: 1. A body mass index (BMI) between 18-32 kg/m\^2, inclusive. 2. Diagnosis of RA ≥6 months prior to screening AND meeting the 2010 American College of Rheumatology (ACR)/ European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) criteria of RA AND ACR functional class I-III. 3. Have ≥6 swollen joints (from a swollen joint count evaluated in 66 joints \[SJC66\]) AND ≥8 tender joints (from a tender joint count evaluated in 68 joints \[TJC68\]) at screening and at the baseline visit (Visit 1) prior to the first investigational product (IP) dosing. 4. DAS28 (CRP) \>3.2 (moderate disease) at screening. 5. Screening serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) \> upper limit of normal (ULN, central laboratory reference: ≤ 5.0 mg/L). 6. Inadequate response to MTX, i.e. treatment-experienced participants who demonstrated inadequate clinical response during treatment with MTX. 7. Have received MTX for ≥6 months and on stable dose (10 to 20 mg/week) of MTX for at least 4 weeks prior to screening and willing to continue on their current stable dose and dosing regimen for the duration of the study. 8. If taking systemic steroids, prednisone equivalent at a dose of ≤10 mg/day and stable for at least 4 weeks prior to the first IP dosing. Key

Exclusion criteria

1. Current therapy with any conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) other than MTX, including 1. oral or injectable gold, sulfasalazine, antimalarials, azathioprine, or D-penicillamine within 4 weeks prior to screening, 2. cyclosporine within 8 weeks prior to screening, and 3. leflunomide within 3 months prior to screening or a minimum 4 weeks prior to screening if after 11 days of standard cholestyramine therapy. 2. Current or previous treatment with a biologic DMARD (bDMARD). Except for participants who received bDMARDs only in a single clinical study setting: 1. For whom the last dose of bDMARD ≥6 months prior to screening (12 months for rituximab or other lymphocyte depleting agents), AND; 2. For whom the bDMARD was effective, without being discontinued due to lack of efficacy. 3. Participants who received an intra-articular or parenteral corticosteroid injection within 4 weeks prior to screening. 4. Participants who received a prior surgical intervention within 12 weeks prior to screening or likely requirement for surgery during the study. 5. Participant has a history of tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis or evidence of active or latent infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis as defined by one of the following assessments: 1. Positive QuantiFERON-TB Gold test result at screening, OR 2. Chest radiograph (posterior anterior view) taken within 12 weeks prior to screening, read by a qualified radiologist or pulmonologist, with evidence of current active TB or old inactive TB. 6. Participant has any active systemic infection within the last 2 weeks prior to first IP dosing, or poorly controlled chronic cardiac, pulmonary or renal disease. 7. Participant has a known or suspected history of or a current immunosuppressive condition, or a history of invasive opportunistic infections (e.g. human immunodeficiency virus \[HIV\] infection, histoplasmosis, listeriosis, coccidiodmycosis, pneumocystosis, aspergillosis). 8. Participant has a chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, as defined by persistent HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) positivity. Participant has hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, as defined by positive HCV antibody at screening and detectable HCV viremia. Participants with positive HCV antibody must undergo reflex HCV ribonucleic acid (RNA) testing, and participants with HCV RNA positivity will be excluded. Participants with positive HCV antibody and negative HCV RNA are eligible. 9. Participant testing positive at screening for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection as detected by real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), participants presenting any signs or symptoms as detected at baseline following careful physical examination (e.g. cough, fever, headaches, fatigue, dyspnea, myalgia, anosmia, dysgeusia, anorexia, sore throat, others) or reporting any signs and symptoms for the 2 preceding weeks, or participants who have been exposed to individuals with confirmed or suspected diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 within 2 weeks prior to baseline. In addition, any other locally applicable standard diagnostic criteria may also apply to rule out SARS-CoV-2 infection. Note: Other protocol-defined Inclusion/

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change From Baseline in DAS-28 (CRP) at Week 6Baseline and Week 6The DAS28 (CRP) is a derived measurement with differential weighting given to each component such as TJC28, SJC28, patient's global assessment of disease activity, and serum CRP level. * TJC28 ranges from 0-28 * SJC28 ranges from 0-28 * High sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) (in mg/L) * Patient's disease activity VAS (in mm) (ranges from 0 = best to 100 = worst) The DAS28 (CRP) score was calculated using the below formula: DAS28 (CRP) = 0.56 x square root of TJC28 + 0.28 x square root of SJC28 + 0.36 x Ln\[1+CRP(in mg/L)\] + 0.014 x patient's disease activity VAS (in mm) + 0.96. A lower score is considered as better disease activity.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Number of Participants With Treatment Emergent Adverse EventsFrom first dose of study drug until end of the study (up to 8 weeks)Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events (TEAE) were defined as * Any adverse event (AE) with an onset date on or after the IP start date and no later than 14 days after last dose of IP, or worsening of any AE on or after the IP start date. * Improvement or no change of any ongoing AEs on or after the IP start date are not considered treatment-emergent. If an AE was ongoing at the time of first IP intake and if there was no change or an improvement in its toxicity grade or its seriousness status, this AE was not considered as treatment-emergent. Serious TEAE was defined as a TEAE that * Resulted in death and was life-threatening; * Required in-patient hospitalization or prolongation of existing hospitalization; * Resulted in persistent or significant disability/incapacity; * Was a congenital anomaly / birth defect; * Was medically significant;
Plasma Concentration (Ctrough) of GLPG3970Day 15: pre-dose; Day 29: pre-dose; Day 43: pre-doseCtrough was defined as plasma concentration level at the end of the dosing interval.

Countries

Bulgaria, Georgia, Poland, Ukraine

Participant flow

Recruitment details

Study was conducted across 4 countries (Georgia, Poland, Bulgaria, and Ukraine). A total of 54 participants were screened, out of which 28 were randomized and treated.

Pre-assignment details

Participants remained on a stable dose (10 to 20 mg/week) of MTX as background medication.

Participants by arm

ArmCount
GLPG3970
Participants received 400 mg GLPG3970 oral solution, QD for a period of 6 weeks.
16
Placebo
Participants received GLPG3970 matching placebo oral solution, QD for a period of 6 weeks.
12
Total28

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000FG001
Overall StudyAdverse Event22
Overall StudyPhysician Decision10

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicGLPG3970PlaceboTotal
Age, Continuous45.9 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 11.3
41.4 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 8.6
44.0 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 10.3
Disease Activity Score Based on 28 Joints C-reactive Protein [DAS28 (CRP)]6.13 Score on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 0.87
5.68 Score on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 0.88
5.93 Score on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 0.89
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
16 Participants12 Participants28 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
16 Participants12 Participants28 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
11 Participants8 Participants19 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
5 Participants4 Participants9 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 160 / 12
other
Total, other adverse events
6 / 162 / 12
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 160 / 12

Outcome results

Primary

Change From Baseline in DAS-28 (CRP) at Week 6

The DAS28 (CRP) is a derived measurement with differential weighting given to each component such as TJC28, SJC28, patient's global assessment of disease activity, and serum CRP level. * TJC28 ranges from 0-28 * SJC28 ranges from 0-28 * High sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) (in mg/L) * Patient's disease activity VAS (in mm) (ranges from 0 = best to 100 = worst) The DAS28 (CRP) score was calculated using the below formula: DAS28 (CRP) = 0.56 x square root of TJC28 + 0.28 x square root of SJC28 + 0.36 x Ln\[1+CRP(in mg/L)\] + 0.014 x patient's disease activity VAS (in mm) + 0.96. A lower score is considered as better disease activity.

Time frame: Baseline and Week 6

Population: Full analysis set (FAS) consisted of all randomized participants who had been administered at least 1 dose of investigational product. Participants with available data at specified timepoint were included.

ArmMeasureValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)Dispersion
GLPG3970Change From Baseline in DAS-28 (CRP) at Week 6-1.29 Score on a scaleStandard Error 0.224
PlaceboChange From Baseline in DAS-28 (CRP) at Week 6-1.24 Score on a scaleStandard Error 0.258
p-value: 0.88590% CI: [-0.66, 0.55]MMRM
Secondary

Number of Participants With Treatment Emergent Adverse Events

Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events (TEAE) were defined as * Any adverse event (AE) with an onset date on or after the IP start date and no later than 14 days after last dose of IP, or worsening of any AE on or after the IP start date. * Improvement or no change of any ongoing AEs on or after the IP start date are not considered treatment-emergent. If an AE was ongoing at the time of first IP intake and if there was no change or an improvement in its toxicity grade or its seriousness status, this AE was not considered as treatment-emergent. Serious TEAE was defined as a TEAE that * Resulted in death and was life-threatening; * Required in-patient hospitalization or prolongation of existing hospitalization; * Resulted in persistent or significant disability/incapacity; * Was a congenital anomaly / birth defect; * Was medically significant;

Time frame: From first dose of study drug until end of the study (up to 8 weeks)

Population: Participants in the safety analysis set

ArmMeasureGroupValue (NUMBER)
GLPG3970Number of Participants With Treatment Emergent Adverse EventsSerious TEAE0 Participants
GLPG3970Number of Participants With Treatment Emergent Adverse EventsTreatment related TEAE4 Participants
GLPG3970Number of Participants With Treatment Emergent Adverse EventsTEAE leading to death0 Participants
GLPG3970Number of Participants With Treatment Emergent Adverse EventsTEAEs leading to study drug discontinuation2 Participants
GLPG3970Number of Participants With Treatment Emergent Adverse EventsTEAE6 Participants
PlaceboNumber of Participants With Treatment Emergent Adverse EventsTEAEs leading to study drug discontinuation0 Participants
PlaceboNumber of Participants With Treatment Emergent Adverse EventsTEAE2 Participants
PlaceboNumber of Participants With Treatment Emergent Adverse EventsSerious TEAE0 Participants
PlaceboNumber of Participants With Treatment Emergent Adverse EventsTEAE leading to death0 Participants
PlaceboNumber of Participants With Treatment Emergent Adverse EventsTreatment related TEAE1 Participants
Secondary

Plasma Concentration (Ctrough) of GLPG3970

Ctrough was defined as plasma concentration level at the end of the dosing interval.

Time frame: Day 15: pre-dose; Day 29: pre-dose; Day 43: pre-dose

Population: Pharmacokinetic analysis set (PKAS) consisted all participants who received at least 1 dose of investigational product with available plasma concentration data. Participants with available plasma concentration at specified time point were included.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (GEOMETRIC_MEAN)Dispersion
GLPG3970Plasma Concentration (Ctrough) of GLPG3970Day 15: Pre-dose95.3 Nanogram per milliliterGeometric Coefficient of Variation 115
GLPG3970Plasma Concentration (Ctrough) of GLPG3970Day 29: Pre-dose103 Nanogram per milliliterGeometric Coefficient of Variation 73.8
GLPG3970Plasma Concentration (Ctrough) of GLPG3970Day 43: Pre-dose49.8 Nanogram per milliliterGeometric Coefficient of Variation 697

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