Official Title

Recombinant Human Angiotensin-converting Enzyme 2 (rhACE2) as a Treatment for Patients With COVID-19
  • Phase

    Phase 2
  • Study Type

    Interventional
  • Intervention/Treatment

    RhACE2 APN01 ...
  • Study Participants

    185
Recombinant human angotensin-converting enzyme 2 (rhACE2) as a treatment for patients with COVID-19 to block viral entry and decrease viral replication.
Study Started
Apr 30
2020
Primary Completion
Dec 26
2020
Study Completion
Dec 26
2020
Results Posted
Aug 02
2021
Last Update
Aug 02
2021

Drug RhACE2 APN01

Patients will be treated with APN01 intravenously twice daily (BID).

  • Other names: APN01, Recombinant human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2

Drug Physiological saline solution

Patients will be treated with placebo intravenously twice daily (BID).

Group A (active) APN01 Active Comparator

Recombinant human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (rhACE2) - APN01

Group B (placebo control) Placebo Comparator

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Hospitalized male or female
Diagnosed to be COVID-19 POSITIV
Signed Inform Consent Form

Exclusion Criteria:

Any patient whose clinical condition is deteriorating rapidly
Known history of positive Hepatitis B surface antigen, Hepatitis C antibody or HIV antibody
History of sensitivity to any of the study medications, or components thereof or a history of drug or other allergy that, in the opinion of the investigator or Medical Monitor, contraindicates their participation
Pregnant females as determined by positive serum or urine hCG test prior to dosing
Lung transplantation
Pre-existing renal failure, i.e. requiring renal replacement therapy with hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis
There are other uncontrolled co-morbidities that increase the risks associated with the study drug administration, that are assessed by the medical expert team as unsuitable
Patient in clinical trials for COVID-19 within 30 days before ICF
Immunocompromised patients (chemotherapy, HIV, organ transplants, stem cell transplants)

Summary

Group A (Active) APN01

Group B (Placebo Control)

All Events

Event Type Organ System Event Term Group A (Active) APN01 Group B (Placebo Control)

All Cause-death or Invasive Mechanical Ventilation

The primary endpoint was a composite endpoint of all cause-death or invasive mechanical ventilation up to 28 days or hospital discharge.

Group A (Active) APN01

Group B (Placebo Control)

Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) Level

Log transformed levels of LDH at Day 5 as a surrogate marker for organ damage (powered secondary endpoint).

Group A (Active) APN01

5.82
Log U/L (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 0.470

Group B (Placebo Control)

5.8
Log U/L (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 0.433

Mortality

28-day mortality (all cause-death).

Group A (Active) APN01

Group B (Placebo Control)

Ventilator-free Days (VFD)

VFD up to 28 days or hospital discharge. VFD and mechanical-VFD (mVFD) were calculated as time in the study minus duration of ventilation and were set to zero if the duration of ventilation exceeded the time in the study. Three analysis approaches were used: 1) Death not censored: (m)VFD was set to zero for patients who died. 2) Death censored: patients who died before or on Day 28 were censored at the day before death. 3) Alive patients analyzed: only patients who were alive at Day 28, hospital discharge, or early termination were included in the analysis.

Group A (Active) APN01

mVFD (death censored)

26.3
days (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 6.6

mVFD (death not censored)

25.7
days (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 8.4

mVFD (subgroup: alive patients)

28.2
days (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 1.9

VFD (death censored)

17.4
days (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 8.6

VFD (death not censored)

17.2
days (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 8.8

VFD (subgroup: alive patients)

18.9
days (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 7.3

Group B (Placebo Control)

mVFD (death censored)

25.6
days (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 7.6

mVFD (death not censored)

25.1
days (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 8.7

mVFD (subgroup: alive patients)

26.9
days (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 5.8

VFD (death censored)

16.7
days (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 8.4

VFD (death not censored)

16.7
days (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 8.4

VFD (subgroup: alive patients)

17.9
days (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 7.4

Time to Death

Time to death (all causes).

Group A (Active) APN01

Group B (Placebo Control)

Number of Responders, Defined as ≥2 Improvement in World Health Organization (WHO)'s 11-Point Score System at Days 7, 10, 14 and 28

The WHO Clinical Progression Scale provides a measure of illness severity across an 11 point range from 0 (not infected) to 10 (dead) as follows (scores 4-9 contain measures of respiratory failure): Uninfected, no viral deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) detected = 0; Asymptomatic, viral DNA detected = 1; Symptomatic, independent = 2; Symptomatic, assistance needed = 3; Hospitalized, no oxygen therapy = 4; Hospitalized, oxygen by mask or nasal prongs = 5; Hospitalized, oxygen by non-invasive ventilation (NIV) or high flow = 6; Intubation and mechanical ventilation, partial pressure of oxygen (pO2)/fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2)≥ 150 or oxygen saturation (SpO2)/FiO2≥200 = 7; Mechanical ventilation, pO2/FiO2 < 150 (SpO2/FiO2 < 200) or vasopressors = 8; Mechanical ventilation, pO2/FiO2 < 150 and vasopressors, dialysis, or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) = 9; Dead = 10. A decrease in the score reflects an improvement.

Group A (Active) APN01

Day 10

Day 14

Day 28

Day 7

Group B (Placebo Control)

Day 10

Day 14

Day 28

Day 7

Time to Hospital Discharge

The number of days from randomization to discharge from hospital was calculated (Kaplan-Meier analysis). Patients without hospitalization or without documented hospital discharge who completed the study or were early terminated before Day 28 were censored at the date of study completion or discontinuation, respectively. Patients who died before Day 28 were censored at the date of death even if early terminated before.

Group A (Active) APN01

14.0
days (Median)
95% Confidence Interval: 12.0 to 15.0

Group B (Placebo Control)

14.0
days (Median)
95% Confidence Interval: 13.0 to 15.0

Viral Ribonucleic Acid (RNA).

Viral RNA was assessed in blood samples using quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and projected to RNA copies per mL.

Group A (Active) APN01

Day 1

27996.0
copies/mL (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 78877

Day 14

9274.0
copies/mL (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 78304

Day 28/EOS

36.0
copies/mL (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 217

Day 3

20931.0
copies/mL (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 53182

Day 5

9825.0
copies/mL (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 32979

Day 7

5229.0
copies/mL (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 24514

Group B (Placebo Control)

Day 1

3900.0
copies/mL (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 5848

Day 14

53.0
copies/mL (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 455

Day 3

13681.0
copies/mL (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 45287

Day 5

11912.0
copies/mL (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 75457

Day 7

2094.0
copies/mL (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 8742

Time to a 2-point Decrease in WHO's 11-Point Score System

The time from randomization to an at least 2-point decrease in the WHO scale was calculated. The WHO Clinical Progression Scale provides a measure of illness severity across an 11 point range from 0 (not infected) to 10 (dead) as follows (scores 4-9 contain measures of respiratory failure): Uninfected, no viral DNA detected = 0; Asymptomatic, viral DNA detected = 1; Symptomatic, independent = 2; Symptomatic, assistance needed = 3; Hospitalized, no oxygen therapy = 4; Hospitalized, oxygen by mask or nasal prongs = 5; Hospitalized, oxygen by non-invasive ventilation (NIV) or high flow = 6; Intubation and mechanical ventilation, pO2/FiO2 ≥ 150 or SpO2/FiO2≥200 = 7; Mechanical ventilation, pO2/FiO2 < 150 (SpO2/FiO2 < 200) or vasopressors = 8; Mechanical ventilation, pO2/FiO2 < 150 and vasopressors, dialysis, or ECMO = 9; Dead = 10. A decrease in the score reflects an improvement in disease status.

Group A (Active) APN01

27.0
days (Median)
95% Confidence Interval: 14.0 to 27.0

Group B (Placebo Control)

27.0
days (Median)
95% Confidence Interval: 17.0 to 27.0

Number of Patients With Any Use of Invasive Mechanical Ventilation up to 28 Days or Hospital Discharge

The number of patients receiving mechanical ventilation and supplemental oxygen was evaluated.

Group A (Active) APN01

Mechanical ventilation

Mechanical ventilation and oxygen supplementation

Group B (Placebo Control)

Mechanical ventilation

Mechanical ventilation and oxygen supplementation

Time to First Use of Invasive Mechanical Ventilation up to 28 Days or Hospital Discharge

Time from randomization to first use of invasive mechanical ventilation was calculated (Kaplan-Meier analysis). Patients without documented invasive mechanical ventilation who completed the study, were early terminated or discharged from hospital before Day 28 were censored at the date of study completion, discontinuation or discharge from hospital, respectively.

Group A (Active) APN01

Group B (Placebo Control)

PaO2/FiO2 Value

The ratio in partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2)/fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) was assessed by analysis of patient's blood gas.

Group A (Active) APN01

Day 1

223.07
mmHg (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 99.70

Day 10

290.0
mmHg (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 204.70

Day 14

197.0
mmHg (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 99.42

Day 28

261.0
mmHg (Mean)
Standard Deviation: NA

Day 7

218.74
mmHg (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 91.66

Group B (Placebo Control)

Day 1

185.14
mmHg (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 79.79

Day 10

186.62
mmHg (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 87.83

Day 14

185.0
mmHg (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 67.20

Day 28

185.0
mmHg (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 116.73

Day 7

192.21
mmHg (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 92.71

Modified Sequential Organ Failure Assessment Score (mSOFA Score, Total Score)

The mSOFA score predicts intensive care unit mortality using clinical and laboratory variables. 5 organ systems (respiratory SpO2/FiO2; liver; cardiovascular/hypotension; Central nervous System/Glasgow Coma Score; renal/creatinine), all, except for liver, scored on a 0 to 4 scale (liver: 2-point scale: 0 or 3) according to specified criteria indicating severity, with the total score ranging from 0 to a maximum score of 19. A higher score reflects a worse disease state.

Group A (Active) APN01

Day -1

2.6
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Error: 1.2

Day 10

1.0
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Error: 1.7

Day 14

1.0
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Error: 2.4

Day 28/EOS

0.2
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Error: 0.6

Day 7

1.8
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Error: 2.5

Group B (Placebo Control)

Day -1

2.2
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Error: 1.4

Day 10

1.0
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Error: 1.6

Day 14

0.9
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Error: 1.7

Day 28/EOS

0.8
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Error: 1.8

Day 7

1.6
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Error: 2.1

Lymphocyte Count

Lymphocytes were assessed in blood samples from the patients.

Group A (Active) APN01

Day -1

1.13
10^9 cells/L (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 0.694

Day 10

1.74
10^9 cells/L (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 1.444

Day 14

1.7
10^9 cells/L (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 0.773

Day 28/EOS

2.28
10^9 cells/L (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 3.420

Day 3

1.25
10^9 cells/L (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 0.843

Day 7

1.45
10^9 cells/L (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 0.948

Group B (Placebo Control)

Day -1

1.06
10^9 cells/L (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 0.629

Day 10

1.79
10^9 cells/L (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 0.782

Day 14

1.71
10^9 cells/L (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 0.730

Day 28/EOS

1.72
10^9 cells/L (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 0.559

Day 3

1.16
10^9 cells/L (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 0.662

Day 7

1.62
10^9 cells/L (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 0.940

C-reactive Protein Levels

C-reactive protein was assessed in blood samples from the patients.

Group A (Active) APN01

Day -1

56.0
mg/L (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 64.53

Day 10

13.9
mg/L (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 24.24

Day 14

15.8
mg/L (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 29.66

Day 28/EOS

4.9
mg/L (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 5.69

Day 3

36.1
mg/L (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 53.75

Day 7

21.7
mg/L (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 41.58

Group B (Placebo Control)

Day -1

62.8
mg/L (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 51.75

Day 10

26.3
mg/L (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 48.75

Day 14

38.3
mg/L (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 133.24

Day 28/EOS

8.5
mg/L (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 11.54

Day 3

43.7
mg/L (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 45.13

Day 7

26.1
mg/L (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 38.71

D-Dimer

D-Dimer was assessed in blood samples from the patients.

Group A (Active) APN01

Day -1

1341.0
µg/L (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 2757

Day 10

988.0
µg/L (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 1135

Day 14

1015.0
µg/L (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 1520

Day 28/EOS

573.0
µg/L (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 629

Day 3

1109.0
µg/L (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 1316

Day 7

1208.0
µg/L (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 1485

Group B (Placebo Control)

Day -1

1187.0
µg/L (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 3994

Day 10

1219.0
µg/L (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 2228

Day 14

1013.0
µg/L (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 2243

Day 28/EOS

685.0
µg/L (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 939

Day 3

881.0
µg/L (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 959

Day 7

1139.0
µg/L (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 1590

Log-transformed Levels of LDH

Log transformed levels of LDH in blood were assessed as a surrogate marker for organ damage.

Group A (Active) APN01

Day -1

5.91
Log U/L (Mean)
Standard Error: 0.442

Day 10

5.66
Log U/L (Mean)
Standard Error: 0.464

Day 14

5.55
Log U/L (Mean)
Standard Error: 0.467

Day 28/EOS

5.43
Log U/L (Mean)
Standard Error: 0.305

Day 3

5.86
Log U/L (Mean)
Standard Error: 0.440

Day 7

5.77
Log U/L (Mean)
Standard Error: 0.459

Group B (Placebo Control)

Day -1

5.87
Log U/L (Mean)
Standard Error: 0.489

Day 10

5.67
Log U/L (Mean)
Standard Error: 0.401

Day 14

5.52
Log U/L (Mean)
Standard Error: 0.406

Day 28/EOS

5.5
Log U/L (Mean)
Standard Error: 0.383

Day 3

5.88
Log U/L (Mean)
Standard Error: 0.422

Day 7

5.75
Log U/L (Mean)
Standard Error: 0.387

Total

178
Participants

Age, Continuous

59.0
years (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 11.9

Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)

Race (NIH/OMB)

Region of Enrollment

Sex: Female, Male

Overall Study

Group A (Active) APN01

Group B (Placebo Control)

Drop/Withdrawal Reasons

Group A (Active) APN01

Group B (Placebo Control)