Study which compares the effectiveness and safety of a not yet approved drug called ONO-4641 versus an approved drug called interferon beta 1a (active comparator) in patients with multiple sclerosis. The study is double-blind (that is when neither the patient nor the investigator know which of the 2 drugs the patient is receiving). Patients will be randomly assigned (like the flip of a coin) to receive the study drug (two different doses) or the comparator.

Conditions: Relapsing multiple sclerosis
MedDRA version: 16.1Level: PTClassification code 10048393Term: Multiple sclerosis relapseSystem Organ Class: 10029205 - Nervous system disorders
Therapeutic area: Diseases [C] - Nervous System Diseases [C10]

Registration Number: EUCTR2013-003126-83-HU

Lead Sponsor: Merck KGaA

Brief Summary: Not available

Detailed Description: Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status: ot Recruiting

Sex: All

Target Recruitment: 1176

Inclusion Criteria

For inclusion in the trial, all of the following inclusion criteria must be fulfilled:
A. Signed Informed Consent
1. Written informed consent obtained prior to the initiation of any protocol-required procedures.
B. Target Population
2. Diagnosis of MS as defined by McDonald criteria of 2010
3. At least 1 documented relapse during the previous year OR at least 2 documented relapses during the previous 2 years prior to Randomization
4. EDSS (Expanded Disability Status Score) of 0 to 5.5, inclusive
5. Clinically stable, with no relapse within 30 days prior to Randomization
C. Age and Reproductive Status
6. Male or female subjects 18 to 55 years of age
7. Women of childbearing potential (WOCBP) must use 2 adequate forms of contraception to avoid pregnancy throughout the trial (such as a double barrier method) and for up to 8 weeks after the last dose of IMP in such a manner that the risk of pregnancy is minimized
NOTE: WOCBP includes any female who has experienced menarche and who has not undergone successful sterilization (such as hysterectomy, bilateral tubal ligation, bilateral oophorectomy) or is not postmenopausal (defined as amenorrhea > 12 consecutive months, or women on hormone replacement therapy with documented serum follicle stimulating hormone [FSH] level > 35 mIU/mL). Women using oral, implanted, or injectable contraceptive hormones or using mechanical products (such as an intrauterine device, diaphragm, condoms, etc) to prevent pregnancy; or practicing abstinence; or where the partner is sterile (such as with a vasectomy), must be considered to be of childbearing potential.
8. WOCBP must have a negative serum pregnancy test (minimum sensitivity 25 IU/L or equivalent units of human chorionic gonadotropin [hCG]) at the time of Screening AND a negative urine (dipstick) pregnancy test at the time of Randomization
9. Women must not be breastfeeding
10. Males must be surgically sterilized or agree to the use of a double-barrier method for the duration of the trial and must agree to refrain from sperm donation for the duration of the trial
Are the trial subjects under 18? no
Number of subjects for this age range:
F.1.2 Adults (18-64 years) yes
F.1.2.1 Number of subjects for this age range 1176
F.1.3 Elderly (>=65 years) no
F.1.3.1 Number of subjects for this age range

Exclusion Criteria

A. Medical History and Concurrent Diseases
1. Neuromyelitis optica, clinically isolated syndrome, primary or secondary (without relapses) progressive multiple sclerosis
2. Chronic disease of the immune system other than MS or a known immunodeficiency syndrome
3. Malignancy
4. Macular edema or uveitis
5. Corneal herpes
6. Inability to undergo slit lamp and OCT assessment
7. Inability to complete an MRI or contraindications for MRI
8. History of sudden cardiac arrest
9. Ischemic cardiac disease including myocardial infarction, stable angina pectoris, unstable angina pectoris
10. Congestive heart failure New York Heart Association Class III or Class IV
11. Uncontrolled hypertension
12. Severe untreated sleep apnea
13. Cerebrovascular disease in the 6 months prior to Randomization
14. Symptomatic bradycardia or recurrent syncope
15. Mobitz Type II second degree or high-grade AV block
16. Sinoatrial heart block or sick sinus syndrome
17. Resting HR of < 50 bpm on Screening ECG
18. Higher risk of symptomatic bradycardia or heart block due to coexisting medical condition or certain concomitant medications
19. Concurrent therapy with drugs that slow the HR or AV conduction
20. Family history of long QT syndrome or sudden death
21. Subjects receiving Class Ia or Class III anti-arrhythmic drugs
22. Other arrhythmias such as ventricular tachycardia or atrial fibrillation requiring treatment
23. Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (Type I or Type II)
24. Active or latent viral, fungal or other infections, including hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, or known history of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 or HIV-2
25. Active or chronic bacterial infection, including untreated tuberculosis, or history of untreated borreliosis (Lyme disease)
26. Alcohol or drug abuse in the 12 months prior to Randomization
27. Subject has been vaccinated with live, attenuated vaccines within 2 months prior to Randomization
28. Renal condition that would preclude the administration of Gd
29. Respiratory disease, such as pulmonary fibrosis, or asthma requiring chronic daily therapy (exception: resolved childhood asthma)
30. Abnormal chest X-ray suggestive of active pulmonary disease
31. Abnormal Pulmonary Function Tests: forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) or forced vital capacity (FVC) < 75% or DLCO < 60%
32. Any other unstable medical conditions (such as congenital heart disease, acute or chronic liver diseases, etc.)
33. Current uncontrolled or untreated major depressive disorder, and/or at imminent risk of self harm or harm to others
34. Known hypersensitivity to the trial treatment(s)
B. Physical and Laboratory Test Findings
35. Any other abnormal ECG finding, laboratory test result, or vital sign result
36. Resting HR < 50 bpm based on ECG at Screening, or history of any cardiac conditions that might increase the risk of a significant reduction in HR
37. Fridericia-corrected QT interval > 450 msec for male subjects and > 470 msec for female subjects on 12-lead ECG
38. Left bundle branch block
39. Right bundle branch block with fascicular block (left or right) or any ECG with RBBB and first degree AV block (PR interval > 240 msec) or RBBB with a QRS duration > 140 msec
40. Intraventricular conduction defect with a QRS duration > 140 msec
Laboratory exclusions:
41. ALT or AST > 2 x ULN at Screening
42. Serum creatinine > 1.5 mg/dL at Screening
43. Total bilirubin > 1.5 x ULN (except for Gilber