MK-5475 in Participants With Pulmonary Hypertension Associated With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (PH-COPD) (MK-5475-006)

• ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04370873
• Recruitment Status: Completed
• First Posted: May 1, 2020
• Last Update Posted: August 25, 2022
• Sponsor: Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
• Information provided by (Responsible Party): Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC

Study Description

Brief Summary:

The primary objectives of this study are to assess the safety/tolerability and efficacy (by evaluating changes in pulmonary vascular resistance [PVR] and pulmonary blood volume [PBV]) of MK-3475 in participants with pulmonary hypotension associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (PH-COPD). The primary hypothesis is that 28 days of MK-5475 treatment is superior to placebo treatment in reduction of PVR.

Condition or disease	Intervention/treatment	Phase
Pulmonary Hypertension	Drug: MK-5475; Drug: Placebo	Phase 1

Detailed Description:

Part 1 of this study will assess safety, tolerability, and PK of MK-5475 compared to placebo. Part 2 will assess safety, tolerability, PK, and changes in PVR and PBV of MK-5475 compared to placebo.

Study Design

• Study Type: Interventional (Clinical Trial)
• Actual Enrollment: 22 participants
• Allocation: Randomized
• Intervention Model: Sequential Assignment
• Masking: Double (Participant, Investigator)
• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Official Title: A Study to Assess the Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Multiple Dose MK-5475 in Participants With Pulmonary Hypertension Associated With COPD
• Actual Study Start Date: June 5, 2020
• Actual Primary Completion Date: January 12, 2022
• Actual Study Completion Date: January 12, 2022

Arms and Interventions

Arm	Intervention/treatment
Experimental: Part 1: MK-5475; Participants receive MK-5475 360 μg once daily (QD) via inhalation from Days 1-7.	Drug: MK-5475; MK-5475 32 µg, 100 µg, 195 µg, 360 µg or 380 µg administered as dry powder inhalation according to randomization
Placebo Comparator: Part 1: Placebo; Participants receive placebo QD via inhalation from Days 1-7.	Drug: Placebo; Placebo administered as dry powder inhalation according to randomization
Experimental: Part 2: MK-5475; Participants receive MK-5475 32 µg, 100 µg, 195 µg or 380 μg QD via inhalation from Days 1-28.	Drug: MK-5475; MK-5475 32 µg, 100 µg, 195 µg, 360 µg or 380 µg administered as dry powder inhalation according to randomization
Placebo Comparator: Part 2: Placebo; Participants receive placebo QD via inhalation from Days 1-28.	Drug: Placebo; Placebo administered as dry powder inhalation according to randomization

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures :

1. Parts 1 & 2: Number of Participants Who Experienced an Adverse Event (AE) [ Time Frame: Up to approximately 42 days ]
   An AE is any untoward medical occurrence in a clinical study participant, temporally associated with the use of study intervention, whether or not considered related to the study intervention.
2. Parts 1 & 2: Number of Participants Who Discontinued Study Drug Due to an AE [ Time Frame: Up to approximately 28 days ]
   An AE is any untoward medical occurrence in a clinical study participant, temporally associated with the use of study intervention, whether or not considered related to the study intervention.
3. Part 2: Percent Change From Baseline to Day 28 in Pulmonary Vascular Resistance (PVR) [ Time Frame: Baseline (Day 1) and Day 28 ]
   PVR will be calculated from variables obtained by right heart catheterization (RHC) via thermodilution and the fold change from baseline individual PVR will be calculated. The change from baseline will be identified for each participant. The difference from baseline will be assessed on the log scale and then back-transformed for reporting (percent change from baseline).

Secondary Outcome Measures :

1. Part 1: Area Under the Concentration Time-Curve from Hour 0 to Infinity (AUC0-inf) of MK-5475 [ Time Frame: Day 1: Predose, 5 minutes, 15 minutes, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 8 hours postdose, Day 2 - 6: 1 hour postdose, Day 7: Predose, 5 minutes, 15 minutes, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 8 and 24 hours postdose ]
   Blood samples taken predose and at specified times postdose on Days 1-7 to determine the AUC0-inf of MK-5475.
2. Part 1: Area Under the Concentration Time-Curve From Hour 0 to 24 Hours (AUC0-24) of MK-5475 [ Time Frame: Day 7: Predose, 5 minutes, 15 minutes, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 8 and 24 hours postdose ]
   Blood samples taken predose and at specified times postdose on Day 7 to determine the AUC0-24hr of MK-5475.
3. Part 1: Maximum Concentration (Cmax) of MK-5475 [ Time Frame: Day 1: Predose, 5 minutes, 15 minutes, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 8 hours postdose, Day 2 - 6: 1 hour postdose, Day 7: Predose, 5 minutes, 15 minutes, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 8 and 24 hours postdose ]
   Blood samples taken predose and at specified times postdose on Days 1-7 to determine the Cmax of MK-5475.
4. Part 1: Concentration at 24 Hours Postdose (C24) of MK-5475 [ Time Frame: 24 hours postdose on Day 7 ]
   Blood samples taken at 24 hours postdose to determine the C24 of MK-5475.
5. Part 1: Time to Cmax (Tmax) of MK-5475 [ Time Frame: Day 1: Predose, 5 minutes, 15 minutes, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 8 hours postdose, Day 2 - 6: 1 hour postdose, Day 7: Predose, 5 minutes, 15 minutes, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 8 and 24 hours postdose ]
   Blood samples taken predose and at specified times postdose on Days 1-7 to determine the Tmax of MK-5475.
6. Part 1: Apparent Terminal Half-Life (t½) of MK-5475 [ Time Frame: Day 1: Predose, 5 minutes, 15 minutes, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 8 hours postdose, Day 2 - 6: 1 hour postdose, Day 7: Predose, 5 minutes, 15 minutes, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 8 and 24 hours postdose ]
   Blood samples taken predose and at specified times postdose on Days 1-7 to determine the t½ of MK-5475.
7. Part 1: Accumulation Ratio of MK-5475 [ Time Frame: Day 1: Predose, 5 minutes, 15 minutes, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 8 hours postdose, Day 2 - 6: 1 hour postdose, Day 7: Predose, 5 minutes, 15 minutes, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 8 and 24 hours postdose ]
   Blood samples taken predose and at specified times postdose on Days 1-7 to determine the accumulation ratio of MK-5475.
8. Part 2: AUC0-inf of MK-5475 [ Time Frame: Day 1: Predose, 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 hours postdose, Day 15: 1 hour postdose, Day 28: Predose, 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 hours postdose ]
   Blood samples taken pre-dose and at specified times post-dose on Days 1-28 to determine the AUC0-inf of MK-5475.
9. Part 2: AUC0-24hr of MK-5475 [ Time Frame: Day 28: Predose, 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 hours postdose ]
   Blood samples taken predose and at specified times postdose on Day 28 to determine the AUC0-24hr of MK-5475.
10. Part 2: Cmax of MK-5475 [ Time Frame: Day 1: Predose, 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 hours postdose, Day 15: 1 hour postdose, Day 28: Predose, 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 hours postdose ]
    Blood samples taken predose and at specified times postdose on Days 1-28 to determine the Cmax of MK-5475.
11. Part 2: C24 of MK-5475 [ Time Frame: 24 hours postdose on Day 1 ]
    Blood samples taken at 24 hours postdose to determine the C24 of MK-5475.
12. Part 2: Tmax of MK-5475 [ Time Frame: Day 1: Predose, 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 hours postdose, Day 15: 1 hour postdose, Day 28: Predose, 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 hours postdose ]
    Blood samples taken predose and at specified times postdose on Days 1-28 to determine the Tmax of MK-5475.
13. Part 2: t½ of MK-5475 [ Time Frame: Day 1: Predose, 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 hours postdose, Day 15: 1 hour postdose, Day 28: Predose, 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 hours postdose ]
    Blood samples taken predose and at specified times postdose on Days 1-28 to determine the t½ of MK-5475.
14. Part 2: Accumulation Ratio of MK-5475 [ Time Frame: Day 1: Predose, 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 hours postdose, Day 15: 1 hour postdose, Day 28: Predose, 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 hours postdose ]
    Blood samples taken predose and at specified times postdose on Days 1-28 to determine the accumulation ratio of MK-5475.
15. Part 2: Percent Change From Baseline to Day 28 of Pulmonary Blood Volume (PBV) [ Time Frame: Baseline (Day ) and Day 28 ]
    Participants will undergo a series of computed tomography (CT) scans to assess baseline and changes after dosing in PBV through functional respiratory imaging (FRI) with an intravenous (IV) iodinated contrast agent. The change from baseline at 28 days postdose will be summarized.

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 40 Years to 80 Years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Sexes Eligible for Study: All
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• Is male or female, from 40 to 80 years of age inclusive at the time of signing informed consent.
• Be judged to have no untreated, clinically significant health issue from other comorbidities based on medical history, physical examination, vital signs and electrocardiograms performed at the screening visit(s)
• Be judged to have no untreated, clinically significant health issue from other comorbidities based on laboratory safety tests performed at the screening visit(s)
• Male participants are eligible to participate if they agree to the following during the intervention period and for at least 14 days, corresponding to time needed to eliminate study intervention(s) (eg, 5 terminal half-lives) plus an additional 90 days (a spermatogenesis cycle) after the last dose of study intervention. Be abstinent from heterosexual intercourse as their preferred and usual lifestyle (abstinent on a long term and persistent basis) and agree to remain abstinent or agrees to use contraception unless confirmed to be azoospermic (vasectomized or secondary to medical cause
• A female participant is eligible to participate if she is not pregnant or breastfeeding, and at least one of the following conditions applies: She is a woman of nonchildbearing potential (WONCBP) or is a WOCBP and using a contraceptive method that is highly effective (with a failure rate of <1% per year), with low user dependency, or be abstinent from heterosexual intercourse as their preferred and usual lifestyle (abstinent on a long term and persistent basis)
• Have been diagnosed with mild to severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) according to Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) diagnostic criteria (postbronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)/ forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio < 0.7)
• Has Modified Medical Research Council (MMRC) Dyspnea Score in the range of 1 through 3 at screening
• Be deemed clinically stable by the investigator
• Be or have suspected Pulmonary Hypertension Group 3 in particular: COPD
• Have a history of right heart catheterization (RHC) within 3 years of starting study medication demonstrating mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) ≥ 25mmHg and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) ≥ 3.75 Woods units or 300 dynes/sec/cm or have an echocardiogram performed by the investigator (or appropriate designee) at screening or within 1 year of screening demonstrating pulmonary artery systolic pressure ≥ 38 mmHg (Part 1 only) or ≥ 50 mmHg (Part 2 only) in conjunction with one or more of the following: tricuspid regurgitation velocity >3 m/s or significant right heart enlargement and or reduced right heart function

Exclusion Criteria:

• Has pulmonary hypertension subtypes including the following according to Nice 2013 Clinical classification. This includes Group 1 Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH): Idiopathic PAH, Heritable PAH including Bone morphogenetic protein receptor type II (BMPR2), Activin A receptor type II-like kinase-1 (ALK1), endoglin, Sterile alpha motif domain-containing protein 9 (SMAD9), caveolin 1 (CAV1), potassium two-pore-domain channel subfamily K member 3 (KCNK3) and unknown, Drug and toxin-induced PAH, PAH associated with Connective tissue disease, HIV infection, Portal hypertension, Congenital heart disease (unrepaired and not requiring repair or repaired simple cardiac defects at least 1year status post corrective surgery, with no clinically significant residual shunt), Schistosomiasis, Chronic hemolytic anemia, Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN), and Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (PVOD) and or pulmonary capillary hemangiomatosis (PCH); Group 2 Pulmonary hypertension owing to left heart diseases including Left ventricular Systolic dysfunction, Left ventricular Diastolic dysfunction, Valvular disease, Congenital/acquired left heart inflow/outflow tract obstruction and congenital cardiomyopathies; Group 3 Pulmonary hypertension owing to lung diseases or hypoxia not associated with COPD including Interstitial lung disease, Other pulmonary diseases with mixed restrictive and obstructive pattern, Sleep-disordered breathing (mild obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may be permitted with sponsor consultation), Alveolar hypoventilation disorders. Chronic exposure to high altitude, Developmental abnormalities; Group 4 Pulmonary hypertension defined as Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension [CTEPH]); and Group 5 Pulmonary Hypertension with unclear multifactorial mechanisms including Hematologic disorders: chronic hemolytic anemia, myeloproliferative disorders, Splenectomy, Systemic disorders: sarcoidosis, pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis, lymphangioleimyomatosis, neurofibromatosis, vasculitis, Metabolic disorders: glycogen storage disease, Gaucher disease, thyroid disorders, and Others: tumoral obstruction, fibrosing mediastinitis, chronic renal failure, segmental pulmonary hypertension.
• Has a history of clinically significant endocrine, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, hematological, hepatic (not including chronic stable Hep B and C), immunological, renal, respiratory (not including PH-COPD), genitourinary, or major neurological (including stroke and chronic seizures) abnormalities or diseases
• Is mentally or legally incapacitated, has significant emotional problems at the time of pre-study (screening) visit or expected during the conduct of the study or has a history of clinically significant psychiatric disorder of the last 5 years. Participants who have had situational depression may be enrolled in the study at the discretion of the investigator
• Has a history of cancer (malignancy) except adequately treated nonmelanomatous skin carcinoma or carcinoma in situ of the cervix or other malignancies which have been successfully treated with appropriate follow up and therefore unlikely to recur for the duration of the study, in the opinion of the investigator and with agreement of the Sponsor
• Has a history of significant multiple and/or severe allergies (eg, food, drug, latex allergy), or has had an anaphylactic reaction or significant intolerability (ie, systemic allergic reaction) to prescription or non-prescription drugs or food
• Is positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) [acute infection] or HIV (participants with positive HBsAG that demonstrate low viral load (chronic stable infection) are permitted.
• Part 2 only: Has known sensitivity to iodine or iodine containing products
• Had major surgery, donated or lost 1 unit of blood (approximately 500 mL) within 4 weeks prior to the prestudy (screening) visit.
• Has persistent or permanent atrial fibrillation with uncontrolled ventricular rate (participants with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation or controlled atrial fibrillation with no clinically significant arrhythmia may be allowed per the judgement of the investigator)
• Has history of combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE) or severe bullous emphysema. If no history, a confirmed negative high-resolution computerized tomography scan (HRCT) for these conditions needs to have been performed within last 2 ears.
• Has an active respiratory infection (common cold, influenza, pneumonia, acute bronchitis) with lung function values (FEV1 and/or FEV1/FVC ratio) that do not meet eligibility range
• Has a physical limitation that will inhibit the participant to effectively perform low intensity exercise testing (e.g. severe arthritis of the hip or knee)
• Is unable to refrain from or anticipates the use of any medication, including prescription and nonprescription drugs or herbal remedies beginning approximately 2 weeks (or 5 half-lives) prior to administration of the initial dose of study drug, throughout the study (including washout intervals between treatment periods), until the poststudy visit. There may be certain medications that are permitted
• Is currently on monotherapy calcium channel blockers as a specific treatment for pulmonary hypertension
• Is currently taking nitrates, inhaled prostacyclin, immediate or extended release diltiazem, PDE5 inhibitors or sGC activators for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension. Participants previously using medications to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension may be enrolled provided they have been off therapy for at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the screening period
• Has participated in another investigational study within 4 weeks (or 5 half-lives, whichever is greater) prior to the prestudy (screening) visit. The window will be derived from the date of the last visit in the previous study
• Has FEV1 < 30% predicted based on Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs) at screening
• Part 2 only: Does not meet RHC criteria at baseline
• Participant has an estimated creatinine clearance of < 60 mL/min based on the Cockcroft Gault equation at screening
• Suffers from claustrophobia and is unable to undergo a computerized tomography (CT) scan
• Has participated in a positron emission tomography (PET) research study or other research study involving administration of a radioactive substance or ionizing radiation within 12 months prior to the screening visit or has undergone or plans to have extensive radiological examination within the period with a radiation burden over 10 millisievert (mSv)
• Does not agree to follow the smoking restrictions as defined by the clinical research unit (CRU)
• Consumes greater than 3 glasses of alcoholic beverages
• Consumes excessive amounts, defined as greater than 6 servings of coffee, tea, cola, energy drinks, or other caffeinated beverages per day
• Is a regular user of cannabis, any illicit drugs or has a history of drug (including alcohol) abuse within approximately 12 months. Participants must have a negative urine drug screen (UDS) prior to randomization

Contacts and Locations

Locations

United States, Kentucky

Lexington VA- Health Care System ( Site 0034)

Lexington, Kentucky, United States, 40502

United States, Maryland

Johns Hopkins - University ( Site 0003)

Baltimore, Maryland, United States, 21205

United States, Massachusetts

Massachusetts General Hospital ( Site 0005)

Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02114

Brigham & Women's Hospital ( Site 0001)

Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02115

United States, New York

University of Rochester Medical Center ( Site 0012)

Rochester, New York, United States, 14642

United States, South Carolina

Medical Universtiy of South Carolina ( Site 0011)

Charleston, South Carolina, United States, 29425

Israel

Rambam Medical Center ( Site 0037)

Haifa, Israel, 3109601

Rabin Medical Center ( Site 0035)

Petah Tikva, Israel, 4941492

Moldova, Republic of

Republican Clinical Hospital of Moldova ( Site 0013)

Chisinau, Moldova, Republic of, 2025

Sponsors and Collaborators

Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC

Investigators

• Study Director: Medical Director; Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC

More Information

• Responsible Party: Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
• ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04370873
• Other Study ID Numbers: 5475-006; MK-5475-006 ( Other Identifier: Merck ); 2020-000488-22 ( EudraCT Number )
• First Posted: May 1, 2020
• Last Update Posted: August 25, 2022
• Last Verified: August 2022

Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement:

• Plan to Share IPD: Yes
• Plan Description: http://engagezone.msd.com/doc/ProcedureAccessClinicalTrialData.pdf
• URL: http://engagezone.msd.com/ds_documentation.php

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product: Yes
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product: No

Additional relevant MeSH terms:

Hypertension, Pulmonary; Hypertension; Vascular Diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases; Lung Diseases; Respiratory Tract Diseases