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Study of an Intrathecal Port and Catheter System for Subjects With Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Safety and Performance of the ThecaFlex DRx™ System Port and Catheter for Chronic Intrathecal Access, Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Aspiration, and DElivery of Nusinersen in Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Patients Resistant to Lumbar PunctuRE Trial (PIERRE)

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT05866419
Acronym
PIERRE
Enrollment
90
Registered
2023-05-19
Start date
2023-11-27
Completion date
2030-07-01
Last updated
2026-08-19

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

Conditions

Scoliosis, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Spine Deformity

Brief summary

The primary objective of the clinical investigation is to demonstrate successful clinical use of the ThecaFlex DRx™ System in delivering nusinersen in subjects with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). All enrolled subjects will undergo implantation of the investigational device (ThecaFlex DRx™ System) and will be followed for 12 months after receiving the implant. The 12-month data will be used to assess the primary endpoint support a Pre-Market Approval (PMA) application.

Detailed description

This is a multicenter, multi-national, prospective, non-randomized, single arm, group sequential design, pivotal clinical investigation (device exemption study) to assess the safety and performance of the ThecaFlex DRx™ System in subjects with SMA. The subject population will include subjects aged ≥ 3 years with SMA who are considered candidates for intrathecal port and catheter implantation because they require chronic, bolus intrathecal administration of necessary therapy, and who meet all the inclusion/exclusion criteria for the clinical investigation. After a screening period of up to 200 days, all enrolled subjects will undergo implantation of the investigational device (ThecaFlex DRx™ System) and will be followed for 12 months after receiving the implant. In agreement with the nusinersen dosing information, the treatment frequency will be adapted for non-naïve and naïve subjects: Subjects who are not naïve to nusinersen should have nusinersen maintenance doses administered via the implant every 4 months (i.e., 4, 8, and 12 months after their last nusinersen dose, before enrollment in the clinical investigation). Subjects who are naïve to nusinersen will have their loading and maintenance doses administered via the device according to the drug labeling. A DMC and Clinical Events Committee (CEC), independent of each other and the Sponsor, will be used to perform ongoing consistent adjudication of events related to the safety throughout the entire duration of the clinical investigation and to periodically review data that relate to the safety of the study. The clinical investigation will enroll 90 subjects. The clinical investigation incorporates a lead-in phase which consists of 10 subjects enrolled, implanted, and followed for 30-days. Enrollment for the lead-in phase is expected to take approximately 6 to 9 months, at which point the Data Monitoring Committee (DMC) will review the data for safety and approve continuation of enrollment. The second phase of enrollment is expected to take approximately 12 to 15 months. Individual subjects are anticipated to be enrolled in the clinical investigation for approximately 37 months. The total duration of this clinical investigation is estimated to be approximately 60 months.

Interventions

The ThecaFlex DRx™ System consists of an implantable intrathecal catheter, and an implantable subcutaneous port, designed specifically to meet the implantation, Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) aspiration, and intrathecal delivery and dosing needs of patients (aged ≥ 3 years) requiring repeated/on-going intermittent chronic bolus intrathecal treatment for life threatening, debilitating Central Nervous System (CNS) disorders who are precluded from Lumbar Puncture (LP) due to complex spine conditions, or who are resistant to LP for therapy administration or CSF aspiration.

Sponsors

Alcyone Therapeutics, Inc
Lead SponsorINDUSTRY
Biogen
CollaboratorINDUSTRY

Study design

Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

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

Inclusion criteria

1. Subject is 3 years or older 2. Subject is diagnosed with SMA and is a candidate for Spinraza treatment as indicated in country-specific label 3. Subject resistant to lumbar puncture (LP), where resistance is defined as: 1. Subject with respiratory issues or other comorbidities who is at an increased risk for complications due to the need for repeat anesthesia and imaging radiation exposure to safely perform LP; or 2. Subjects for whom the treating physician determines implantation of the ThecaFlex DRx™ System is otherwise in the subject's best interest 4. Subject has been prescribed nusinersen via chronic intrathecal bolus administration in accordance with the country-specific drug labeling 5. Subject, per Investigator discretion, is able to undergo a percutaneous or open surgical procedure for index port and catheter implantation where at least 7 cm of the ThecaFlex DRx system catheter will be placed intrathecally 6. Subject (or subject's legally authorized representative) is willing and able to provide written informed consent; and 7. Subject and parent/caregiver able and willing to complete all clinical investigation procedures, measurements, and visits.

Exclusion criteria

1. Subject meets any of the contraindications for use of the ThecaFlex DRx System as outlined in the ThecaFlex DRx System Instructions for Use 2. Presence or history of (\< 6 months prior to the procedure): an implanted microinfusion pump, intrathecal catheter, or other intrathecal drug delivery devices/component, or implanted shunt for drainage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), or reservoir in the CSF space (note: any ThecaFlex Port and Catheter System must not be placed in the same location as a previous indwelling port and catheter) 3. Subject is pregnant or nursing or plans to become pregnant during the course of the clinical investigation, or is a woman of childbearing potential or a man of reproductive age who is unwilling or unable to practice contraception, as described in Section 14.10. 4. Any condition or event, which in the opinion of the Investigator may adversely affect the safety and effective implantation and use of the ThecaFlex DRx system or confound the clinical investigation, including: 1. Severe structural impediment that may preclude safe implantation of the catheter and port 2. Major medical events (as defined per investigator's discretion) within 60 days prior to screening; or 3. Relevant surgeries (e.g., head and neck, back, etc.) within 60 days prior to screening or planned during the duration of the clinical investigation 4. Space-occupying lesion with mass effect 5. Posterior fossa mass 6. Arnold-Chiari malformation 7. Coagulation abnormalities and/or thrombocytopenia 8. Insufficient or inadequate skin or underlying fat to adequately protect the port or enough surface area to allow the skin to close safely 5. Subject is contraindicated for administration of nusinersen per its approved country-specific labeling 6. History of intrathecal granuloma formation 7. History of bacterial meningitis or aseptic meningitis within 6 months of screening 8. History of tumors or other spinal abnormalities documented by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) that would interfere with the catheter implantation procedures or CSF circulation 9. History of hydrocephalus 10. Diagnosed degenerative muscular disease other than SMA 11. History of depression, cognitive impairment, or another psycho-behavioral problem that in the opinion of the Investigator may preclude safe participation in the clinical investigation and 12. Serious medical condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, may lead to reduced life expectancy beyond 12 months. 13. Subject is involved in another Investigation Device Exemption Study. 14. Subject has clinically meaningful immunosuppression, in the opinion of the investigator, either from therapy or a comorbid condition, which, in the opinion of the investigator, makes them a poor surgical candidate due to increased risk of infection.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
The proportion of subjects with successful Implantation of the ThecaFlex DRx™ Port and Catheter12 MonthsThe primary outcome measures the proportion of subjects with successful implantation of the ThecaFlex DRx™ Port and Catheter System who are able to receive successful intrathecal therapy infusion(s).
The proportion of subjects with successful Intrathecal Therapy Infusion(s) through 12 months12 Months

Secondary

MeasureTime frame
Proportion of subjects with reduced anesthesia and radiation exposure compared to repeat LP for nusinersen infusion in SMA subjects.12 months
Incidence of device-related adverse events (AEs)/complications through 12 months12 months
Incidence of procedural complications through 12 months12 months
Incidence of nusinersen-related AEs12 months
Mean duration of radiation exposure from implant through 12-month follow-up12 months

Countries

Germany, Poland, Spain, United Kingdom, United States

Contacts

CONTACTJanelle Arrambide
janelle.arrambide@biogen.com857-500-7526

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Aug 20, 2026