VRDN-001 for Thyroid Eye Disease

(THRIVE-2 Trial)

No longer recruiting at 117 trial locations

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Phase 3

Sponsor: Viridian Therapeutics, Inc.

Must not be taking: Corticosteroids, Immunosuppressives

Disqualifiers: Inflammatory bowel disease, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Pivotal Trial (Near Approval) This treatment is in the last trial phase before FDA approval

Prior Safety Data This treatment has passed at least one previous human trial

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 5

Duration: 12 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a new drug called veligrotug (VRDN-001) to determine its effectiveness for people with thyroid eye disease (TED), a condition that affects the eyes and can cause bulging, discomfort, and vision problems. Researchers aim to assess the drug's safety and effectiveness in individuals who have experienced TED symptoms for more than 15 months. Participants must not have recently undergone certain treatments, such as steroids or surgeries related to their TED. Those with moderate to severe TED who meet these criteria might be suitable for this trial. As a Phase 3 trial, this is the final step before FDA approval, offering access to a potentially groundbreaking treatment.

Do I need to stop my current medications for the trial?

The trial requires that you stop taking certain medications before starting. You must not have taken systemic corticosteroids or selenium within 2 weeks, or other immunosuppressive drugs or therapies for thyroid eye disease within 8 weeks before the first dose.

Is there any evidence suggesting that VRDN-001 is likely to be safe for humans?

Research has shown that veligrotug (VRDN-001) demonstrates promising safety results from earlier studies. In trials with healthy volunteers and individuals with active thyroid eye disease (TED), participants generally tolerated the treatment well. Most did not experience serious side effects. The few reported side effects were minor and temporary, such as mild reactions at the injection site or headaches. Additionally, veligrotug met its goals in large studies, suggesting it is safe enough for more advanced research stages. This provides strong evidence supporting its safety in humans so far. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why do researchers think this study treatment might be promising for thyroid eye disease?

VRDN-001 is unique because it specifically targets the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R), offering a new mechanism of action for treating Thyroid Eye Disease (TED). Most current treatments, like Tepezza, also target IGF-1R, but VRDN-001 is being investigated for potentially improved dosing and infusion protocols. Researchers are excited about VRDN-001 as it could offer an alternative or even complementary option, potentially reducing symptoms more effectively or with fewer side effects. This approach may provide patients with new hope for managing their condition more efficiently.

What evidence suggests that VRDN-001 might be an effective treatment for thyroid eye disease?

Studies have shown that veligrotug (VRDN-001), which participants in this trial may receive, shows promise for treating thyroid eye disease (TED). This experimental drug acts as an antibody targeting a specific receptor involved in TED. Early research suggests that VRDN-001 might help reduce eye inflammation and other TED symptoms. Some patients have noticed improvements in eye bulging and discomfort after using this treatment. These findings suggest that VRDN-001 could be an effective option for people with chronic TED. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals with chronic thyroid eye disease (TED) who have had symptoms or signs for over 15 months. They must not be pregnant, agree to use effective contraception, and have a Clinical Activity Score of 0-7. People can't join if they've used certain medications recently, had prior TED treatments like surgery or radiation, or have other eye conditions that could affect the study.

Inclusion Criteria

I have had moderate to severe eye problems due to TED for over 15 months.

I am not pregnant.

Must agree to use highly effective contraception as specified in the protocol

Exclusion Criteria

Must not have a pre-existing ophthalmic condition in the study eye that in the opinion of the Investigator would confound interpretation of the study results

I haven't taken oral steroids in the last 2 weeks.

I haven't taken rituximab, tocilizumab, or similar drugs in the last 8 weeks.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive 5 IV infusions of veligrotug (VRDN-001) or placebo every 3 weeks for a total of 12 weeks

12 weeks

5 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

3 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• VRDN-001

Trial Overview

The trial is testing VRDN-001, a monoclonal antibody targeting the IGF-1 receptor. Participants will either receive this drug at a dose of 10 mg/kg or a placebo without knowing which one they're getting. The goal is to assess safety, tolerability, and effectiveness in treating TED.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Veligrotug (VRDN-001)10 mg/kg Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Drug: 5 IV Infusions of veligrotug (VRDN-001)10 mg/kg

Group II: Placebo Drug Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Placebo Drug: 5 IV Infusions of placebo

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Viridian Therapeutics, Inc.

Lead Sponsor

Trials

7

Recruited

1,200+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Teprotumumab, an IGF-1R inhibitor approved for thyroid eye disease, highlights the therapeutic potential of targeting IGF-1 and its receptor, but its systemic effects and local side effects in the eye need careful consideration.

Research shows that IGF-1 influences various ocular processes, including growth, inflammation, and retinal angiogenesis, but more studies are needed to fully understand the implications of anti-IGF-1R treatments on eye health.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Role of Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 and Its Receptor in the Eye: A Review and Implications for IGF-1R Inhibition. Truong, T., Silkiss, RZ.[2023]

Teprotumumab is an effective treatment for thyroid eye disease (TED), showing significant efficacy in reducing inflammation and proptosis in both acute (<2 years) and chronic (>2 years) cases, primarily by decreasing orbital fat and muscle volume.

While teprotumumab is a powerful option for TED, it is associated with side effects such as muscle spasms, hearing loss, and hyperglycemia, and there are concerns about its potential link to inflammatory bowel disease flares.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Paradigm Shift in the Management of Thyroid Eye Disease How Teprotumumab Has Changed the Therapeutic Interface. Ugradar, S., Kossler, AL., Douglas, R., et al.[2022]

Teprotumumab, an IGF-1R antagonist antibody, has shown efficacy and safety in treating moderate-to-severe thyroid eye disease (TED) in phase 2 and 3 clinical trials, leading to significant improvements in proptosis for patients.

This targeted therapy represents a shift in TED management, as it not only addresses symptoms but also modifies the disease course, potentially improving long-term patient outcomes compared to traditional treatments.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A New Era in the Treatment of Thyroid Eye Disease. Patel, A., Yang, H., Douglas, RS.[2020]

Teprotumumab significantly reduces proptosis (eye bulging) and inflammation in patients with chronic Thyroid Eye Disease (TED), with an average reduction of 3.5 mm in proptosis after treatment.

In a study of 31 patients who received an average of 7 infusions, 67% of those with diplopia (double vision) experienced a significant improvement, and there was a notable reduction in both muscle and fat tissue volume in the orbits.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Teprotumumab for the treatment of chronic thyroid eye disease. Ugradar, S., Kang, J., Kossler, AL., et al.[2022]

In a study of 18 patients with thyroid eye disease who did not respond to multiple steroid treatments, Tocilizumab significantly improved disease activity, as shown by a mean reduction of 5.89 points in the Clinical Activity Score (CAS).

Tocilizumab also led to a substantial decrease in thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI) levels by 76.18% and improved symptoms such as proptosis and extraocular motility, with no severe side effects reported.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Treatment of active corticosteroid-resistant graves' orbitopathy. Pérez-Moreiras, JV., Alvarez-López, A., Gómez, EC.[2022]

Teprotumumab (Tepro) effectively inhibits hyaluronan (HA) production in orbital fibroblasts from patients with thyroid eye disease (TED) by blocking the crosstalk between TSH receptors (TSHR) and IGF1 receptors (IGF1R), which is crucial for the disease's pathogenesis.

The study demonstrated that Tepro does not bind to TSHRs but still reduces HA production stimulated by TSHR/IGF1R crosstalk, indicating that its mechanism of action in treating TED involves disrupting this interaction rather than directly targeting TSHRs.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Inhibition of TSH/IGF-1 Receptor Crosstalk by Teprotumumab as a Treatment Modality of Thyroid Eye Disease. Krieger, CC., Sui, X., Kahaly, GJ., et al.[2022]

Teprotumumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting the insulin-like growth factor-I receptor, has shown an 83% response rate in reducing proptosis (eye bulging) in patients with thyroid eye disease, indicating its efficacy in treating this condition.

The treatment is generally well tolerated, with common side effects including muscle spasms, nausea, and fatigue, suggesting that while it is effective, patients should be monitored for these adverse reactions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Teprotumumab for the treatment of thyroid eye disease. Ju, Y., Yang, J.[2021]

Teprotumumab, used for treating thyroid eye disease, effectively targets the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R), but it has been associated with common adverse effects such as hyperglycemia (10%-30% incidence) and hearing changes, which can range from mild ear pressure to hearing loss.

The review highlights the importance of considering these potential risks when using teprotumumab, suggesting that future therapies targeting IGF-1R should address these adverse effects to improve patient safety and treatment outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Adverse Effects Profile of Teprotumumab. Stan, MN., Krieger, CC.[2023]

Teprotumumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting the IGF-1 receptor, has been shown to significantly improve symptoms of thyroid eye disease (TED) in two clinical trials involving 170 patients, with a responder rate of 69% compared to 20% for placebo in the phase 2 study.

The treatment resulted in a substantial reduction in proptosis (eye bulging) and clinical activity scores, with over half of the responders maintaining their improvement for up to 51 weeks after treatment, although it is associated with some common side effects like muscle spasms and nausea.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Teprotumumab: Interpreting the Clinical Trials in the Context of Thyroid Eye Disease Pathogenesis and Current Therapies. Winn, BJ., Kersten, RC.[2021]

Teprotumumab (TEPEZZA®) is the first approved therapy for thyroid eye disease (TED) in the USA, showing significant improvements in symptoms like proptosis and overall quality of life in phase II and III trials with adults suffering from moderate-to-severe TED.

The treatment was generally well tolerated, with some adverse effects like muscle spasms and hearing loss, but it maintained clinical benefits for up to 51 weeks after treatment, marking a significant advancement in managing TED symptoms that were previously difficult to treat.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Teprotumumab: A Review in Thyroid Eye Disease. Nie, T., Lamb, YN.[2022]

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News Details

Veligrotug is an intravenously (IV) delivered, anti-insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) antibody in phase 3 development for thyroid eye disease.

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News Details

Veligrotug (VRDN-001) achieved all primary and secondary endpoints in THRIVE, the largest phase 3 trial conducted to date of an anti-IGF-1R antibody in thyroid ...