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Phase 1a/b Tolerability of NTR-1011 in Healthy Adults and Adult Patients With SLE and RA

A Phase 1a/b, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study to Evaluate the Safety of NTR-1011 in Healthy Adults and Adult Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Phase 1
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07237659
Acronym
LIBERATE-I
Enrollment
24
Registered
2025-11-20
Start date
2026-07-15
Completion date
2027-08-31
Last updated
2026-07-20

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

Conditions

RA - Rheumatoid Arthritis, SLE (Systemic Lupus)

Keywords

LIBERATE-I, Neutrolis, DNase1L3 fusion protein, DNase1L3 analogue

Brief summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to inform the safety and tolerability of NTR-1011 in treating adult patients diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It will also learn about the safety of NTR-1011 in healthy adult volunteers. The main questions it aims to answer are: * What is the highest dose of NTR-1011 that is safe and well tolerated, when given under the skin or into a vein? * How does the body process NTR-1011, and how does NTR-1011 affect the body? * Does the body develop an immune response to NTR-1011? * Are there early signs that NTR-1011 may benefit patients with SLE or RA when added to their current standard-of-care treatment? In the first part of the study (Phase 1a, now complete), researchers compared single doses of NTR-1011 to a placebo (a look-alike substance that contains no drug) in 48 healthy volunteers to see how the body tolerates and processes the drug. In the current part of the study (Phase 1b, actively recruiting), all participants receive NTR-1011 in addition to their usual SLE or RA treatment; there is no placebo group. Up to 24 participants with moderate-to-severe SLE or RA will: * Receive five weekly doses of NTR-1011 given directly into a vein (intravenous) * Continue their current standard-of-care treatment throughout the study * Be monitored for 4 weeks after their last dose * Be assigned to either the SLE group or the RA group (up to 12 patients each)

Detailed description

This is a Phase 1a/1b, first-in-human study (LIBERATE-I) designed to characterize the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics (PD), immunogenicity, and preliminary efficacy of NTR-1011 in healthy adults and in adult patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Mechanism of Action NTR-1011 is a recombinant fusion protein combining human serum albumin (HSA) with DNASE1L3, an enzyme the body normally uses to break down neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). NETs are web-like structures released by immune cells that help fight infection, but when they build up excessively or aren't cleared properly, they can contribute to tissue damage and inflammation in autoimmune diseases such as SLE and RA. NTR-1011 is designed to clear NETs systemically, with the goal of reducing this inflammatory process. Phase 1a (completed, no longer enrolling) The Phase 1a portion was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single-ascending-dose study conducted in healthy adult volunteers, intended to establish an initial safety and tolerability profile and characterize single-dose PK and PD prior to dosing in patients. * Forty-eight (48) adult participants were enrolled across three ascending dose cohorts. * Within each cohort, participants were randomized to a single dose of NTR-1011 or placebo, given either intravenously or subcutaneously (8 participants per route per cohort; 6 active : 2 placebo). * A sentinel-dosing approach was used: a sentinel pair was dosed first in each cohort/route, followed by a Principal Investigator safety review before the remaining participants were dosed. * All participants were followed for 4 weeks after dosing to monitor safety, PK, and PD. Phase 1b (actively recruiting) The Phase 1b portion is an open-label, multiple-dose study in adult patients with moderate-to-severe SLE or RA, in addition to their standard-of-care treatment. Its purpose is to evaluate the safety, tolerability, PK, PD, and immunogenicity of repeated intravenous dosing in the intended patient population, and to explore preliminary signals of clinical benefit. * Up to 24 adult participants are planned for enrollment, in two disease cohorts (SLE and RA), balanced up to 12 patients per cohort. * Each participant will receive five weekly intravenous administrations of NTR-1011 (over a 4-week treatment period), in addition to their current standard-of-care medication. * Dosing is adaptive: an initial cohort of 6 patients per disease group will receive our starting dose level. A Safety Monitoring Committee (SMC) then reviews accumulated safety, tolerability, PK, and efficacy data before determining the dose for the next 6 patients per disease group. * There is no placebo group in Phase 1b; all enrolled participants receive active treatment. * Participants are followed for 4 weeks after their final dose to assess safety, PK, PD, immunogenicity, and early markers of clinical response. Assessments Across both portions, safety is assessed through physical examinations, laboratory testing, vital signs, and monitoring for adverse events, including hypersensitivity reactions as an adverse event of special interest. Blood samples are collected at scheduled visits to measure drug levels (PK), NET-related biomarkers (PD, including cell-free DNA measures and calprotectin), and antibodies against NTR-1011 (immunogenicity). In Phase 1b, exploratory clinical efficacy measures are also collected: for SLE, these include the SRI-4 composite response, SLEDAI-2K, BILAG-2004, and patient-reported outcomes; for RA, these include DAS28-CRP, ACR20/50/70 response rates, and patient-reported outcomes. Findings from this study, including the maximum tolerated dose and PK/PD relationships, are intended to support dose selection for future clinical development of NTR-1011 in autoimmune disease.

Interventions

DRUGNTR1011

NTR-1011 will be presented as a solution for intravenous (IV) administration.

Sponsors

Neutrolis
Lead SponsorINDUSTRY

Study design

Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Intervention model description

Phase 1b, open-label study in adult patients with moderate-to-severe SLE and RA

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 75 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

Phase 1a - Healthy Volunteers (Completed, No Longer Enrolling) Key Inclusion Criteria * Healthy men and women, 18-55 years of age * Body mass index (BMI) between 17.0 and 30.0 kg/m² * Good general health, confirmed by medical history, physical exam, vital signs, ECG, and lab testing * Willing and able to use highly effective contraception during and after the study Key

Exclusion criteria

* Pregnant or breastfeeding * History of drug allergies or anaphylaxis to human, murine, or yeast proteins, monoclonal antibodies, or other allergens * Use of an investigational drug within 30 days (or 5 half-lives) before dosing * Positive test for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or HIV * Clinically significant heart, lung, digestive, blood, autoimmune, psychiatric, or other medical condition * Clinically significant abnormal lab values (e.g., liver enzymes, blood counts) or ECG findings * Uncontrolled high blood pressure * Poor venous access Phase 1b - Adult Patients with SLE and RA (Actively Recruiting) General Inclusion Criteria (All Patients) * Men and women, 18-75 years of age * Able to understand and sign informed consent, and comply with study visits * Willing and able to use highly effective contraception during and after the study Additional Inclusion Criteria - SLE Patients * Diagnosis of SLE for at least 6 months, meeting 2019 EULAR/ACR classification criteria * Active disease at screening * Positive lupus-related antibodies (e.g., anti-dsDNA, anti-Smith) and low complement (C3/C4) * On stable standard-of-care background therapy (e.g., antimalarials, low-dose corticosteroids, and at least one conventional DMARD) * Up to date on age-appropriate vaccinations Additional Inclusion Criteria - RA Patients * Diagnosis of RA for at least 3 months, meeting 2010 ACR/EULAR classification criteria * Moderate-to-severe active disease * Seropositive for rheumatoid factor and/or anti-CCP antibodies * On stable standard-of-care background therapy (e.g., low-dose corticosteroids and at least one conventional DMARD) Key

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Safety and tolerability30 daysIncidence of safety and tolerability (DLTs) to inform RP2D

Countries

United States

Contacts

CONTACTAndreas Reiff, MD, PhD
reiff@neutrolis.com(626) 264-2734
CONTACTKen Olivier, PhD
olivier@neutrolis.com617-949-1575
STUDY_CHAIRAndreas Reiff, PhD, MD

Neutrolis

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Jul 21, 2026