Study of ExoFlo for the Treatment of Perianal Fistulas

Phase 1

Terminated

• Conditions: Perianal Fistula; Crohn's Disease
• Interventions: Biological: ExoFlo; Other: Local injection of normal saline

• Registration Number: NCT05836883
• Lead Sponsor: Direct Biologics, LLC

Brief Summary

To evaluate the safety and feasibility of ExoFlo as a treatment for Perianal Fistulizing Crohn's Disease.

Detailed Description

This is a phase IB/IIA, multicenter, single-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-escalation design, randomized controlled trial for the treatment of Perianal Fistulizing Crohn's Disease.

Subjects will be randomized 2:1 Investigational Medicinal Product (IMP) to normal saline (NS) in 3 cohorts of 12 subjects as follows:

Cohort 1: Local injection of 15 mL of IMP or NS on Day 0 (8 IMP, 4 NS) Cohort 2: Local injection of 30 mL of IMP or NS on Day 0 (8 IMP, 4 NS) Cohort 3: Local injection of 30 mL of IMP or NS on Day 0 and Month 3 (8 IMP, 4 NS)

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2023-04-19
• Study First Submitted QC: 2023-04-19
• Study First Posted: 2023-05-01
• Study Start: 2023-08-28
• Primary Completion: 2024-12-01
• Study Completion: 2024-12-01
• Status Verified: 2025-02
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-02-07
• Last Update Posted: 2025-02-11

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: TERMINATED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 5

Inclusion Criteria

1. Men and Women 18-75 years of age with a diagnosis of Crohn's Disease (CD) for at least six months duration.
2. Single and/or Multi-tract Perianal fistula(s).
3. Failed at least one medical therapy within the last year including, but not limited to, antibiotics, immunomodulators (6-MP, methotrexate, azathioprine), monoclonal antibodies (infliximab, adalimumab, certolizumab, ustekinumab, golimumab, vedolizumab), or small molecule inhibitors.
4. Previous failed surgical intervention, including seton placement at least two weeks prior, or are not candidates for surgical intervention or are not willing to undergo surgical intervention for the management of their fistula.
5. Medical therapy for CD stable for at least 2 months prior to administration of IMP. Changes in dosing or dosing intervals related to serum drug levels are permitted.
6. Ability to comply with protocol.
7. Competent and able to provide written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria

1. Active perianal abscess or infection at the time of screening, enrollment, or at the time of investigational product administration

2. Clinically significant medical conditions within the six months before administration of IMP that would, in the opinion of the investigators, compromise the safety of the subject.

3. History of cancer including melanoma (with the exception of localized skin cancers) within one year of screening.

4. History of colorectal cancer within 2 years

5. Subjects who have a diagnosis of coagulation disorders and/or are currently on anti-coagulant therapy

6. Investigational drug within one month of treatment

7. Pregnant or breast feeding or trying to become pregnant.

8. Presence of a rectovaginal fistula

9. Presence of an ileal anal pouch and/or history of proctectomy

10. The presence of severe proctitis

11. Any condition which, in the opinion of the investigator, would make it unsafe or unsuitable for patients to undergo Magnetic Resonance (MR) evaluations (i.e., presence of implantable or external MR unsafe device that cannot be removed, body weight exceeding limitations, claustrophobia etc.).

12. A participant who is unwilling to use medically acceptable contraception methods during participation in study

13. The following out of range laboratory results at screening (result may be repeated)

    • WBC >11 x 109 /L
    • Hemoglobin < 8 g/dl
    • Platelet count <100,000/mL
    • AST/ALT >2 times the upper limit of normal
    • Creatinine >2 umol/L
    • PT/INR: outside normal limits
    • Hemoglobin A1c>6.5 mg/dL

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: SEQUENTIAL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Cohort 2: Treatment	ExoFlo	Local injection of 30 mL of ExoFlo on Day 0
Cohort 1: Placebo	Local injection of normal saline	Local injection 15 mL of normal saline on Day 0
Cohort 1: Treatment	ExoFlo	Local injection of 15 mL of ExoFlo on Day 0
Cohort 2: Placebo	Local injection of normal saline	Local injection 30 mL of normal saline on Day 0
Cohort 3: Placebo	Local injection of normal saline	Local injection 30 mL of normal saline on Day 0 and Month 3
Cohort 3: Treatment	ExoFlo	Local injection of 30 mL of ExoFlo on Day 0 and Month 3

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Safety and Feasibility	12 Months	Safety will be defined as the rate of Adverse Events (AEs) or Severe Adverse Events (SAEs) related to IMP and administration of IMP in this patient population. Safety and feasibility will be evaluated for one dose of 15 mL or 30 mL ExoFlo or two doses of 30 mL ExoFlo in subjects with perianal fistula(s) in the setting of Crohn's Disease.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Healing	12 Months	To evaluate the efficacy for one dose of 15 mL or 30 mL ExoFlo or two doses of 30 mL ExoFlo in subjects with perianal fistula(s) in the setting of Crohn's Disease. Subjects will be evaluated for healing progress: complete healing, partial healing, lack of response, or treatment failure.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Direct Biologics Investigational Site; 🇺🇸 Los Angeles, California, United States