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Phase 3 Study of Adjunctive Ganaxolone in Adults With Drug-resistant Partial Onset Seizures and Open-label Extension

Phase 3
Completed
Conditions
Drug Resistant Partial Onset Seizure
Interventions
Drug: ganaxolone
Drug: Placebo
Registration Number
NCT01963208
Lead Sponsor
Marinus Pharmaceuticals
Brief Summary

The study will evaluate the effectiveness and safety of an investigational drug-ganaxolone - on partial seizure frequency in adults with epilepsy taking a maximum of 3 antiepileptic medications (AEDs).

Detailed Description

This is a 2-cohort study comprised of 2 phases in each cohort. Phase 1 is a double-blind (DB) phase followed by Phase 2, an open-label phase. Cohort 1 will provide tolerability, safety, and PK information for ganaxolone 1200 milligram per day (mg/day), 1800 mg/day and placebo. Cohort 2 will investigate the efficacy, tolerability and safety of ganaxolone 1800 mg/day compared to placebo. Cohort 1 (N= approximately 50) will enroll into a 67-week study comprised of a 4-week prospective baseline period plus 4 week retrospective baseline followed by two treatment phases: a 9-week randomized DB placebo-controlled treatment phase followed by a 52-week open label treatment phase. Cohort 2 (N=150) will enroll into a 72-week study comprised of a 8-week prospective baseline period followed by two treatment phases: a 14-week randomized DB placebo-controlled treatment phase followed by a 52-week open label treatment phase.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
405
Inclusion Criteria
  • Able to give informed consent in writing, or have a legally authorized representative able to do so
  • Willing to enter and participate for the full term of the double blind phase and willing to enter into the open-label phase
  • Male or female outpatients > 18 years of age
  • Have a confident diagnosis of drug-resistant epilepsy with partial-onset seizures (POS), with or without secondary generalization, for ≥2 years. Have residual POS despite having been treated in the past with at least 2 approved anti-epilepsy drugs (AEDs) either alone or in combination
  • Based on history, participants would be anticipated to have at least 3 POS during each 4-week Baseline period and unlikely to have 21 or more consecutive POS-free days
  • Currently being treated and maintained with a stable regimen of 1, 2, or 3 AEDs
  • Able and willing to maintain daily seizure calendar
  • Able and willing to take drug with food twice daily
  • Sexually active women of childbearing potential must use acceptable birth control and have a negative pregnancy test at all visits
Read More
Exclusion Criteria
  • Have had previous exposure to ganaxolone
  • Known sensitivity or allergy to any component in the study drug, progesterone, or other related steroid compounds
  • Exposure to any investigational drug or device <30 days prior to screening, or plans to take another investigational drug at any time during the study
  • Time of onset of epilepsy treatment <2 years prior to enrollment
  • Have generalized epilepsy, such as Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, absence epilepsy, or non-epileptic seizures within the last 12- month period prior to study entry
  • Have less than 3 POS seizures in a 28-day period or more than 21 consecutive seizure-free days during the Baseline period
  • Have only simple partial seizures without any observable motor component
  • Have innumerable seizures or status epilepticus within the last 12-months prior to screening
  • Have more than 100 POS per 4-week Baseline period
  • Have seizures secondary to illicit drug or alcohol use, infection, neoplasm, demyelinating disease, degenerative neurological disease, or central nervous system (CNS) disease deemed progressive, metabolic illness, or progressive degenerative disease
  • Current use of vigabatrin is not permitted. If prior use of vigabatrin, must have documented stable visual fields
  • Current use of ezogabine is not permitted. If prior use, must have been off the medication for at least 3 months prior to screening and have had documented normal fundoscopic exam by ophthalmologist
  • Are planning surgery, or to be evaluated for surgery, during the double-blind phase to control seizures including VNS implantation
  • Are suffering from acute or progressive neurological disease, moderate or severe psychiatric disease, or severe mental abnormalities that are likely to require changes in drug therapy during the double-blind portion of the study or interfere with the objectives of the study or the ability to adhere to the protocol requirements
  • Have a history of an actual suicide attempt in the last 5 years or more than 1 lifetime suicide attempt
  • Have a positive urine drug screen at Screening or meet criteria for current or historical Substance Use Disorder (DSM-V criteria) within the past 5 years.
  • Have any medical condition that, in the investigator's judgment, is considered to be clinically significant and could potentially affect participant safety or study outcome, including but not limited to: clinically significant cardiac, renal, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, hematologic or hepatic conditions; or a condition that affects the absorption, distribution, metabolism or excretion of drugs
  • Have elevated ALT (SGPT) or AST (SGOT) greater than 3 times upper limits of normal, or total bilirubin greater than 1.5 times ULN
  • Have a history of malignancy within the past 2 years, with the exception of basal cell carcinoma
  • Are currently following or planning to follow a ketogenic diet
  • Use of dietary supplements or herbal preparations are not permitted if participant has been using them consistently for less than 6 months prior to screening, or does not plan on remaining on stable doses for the duration of the double blind phase. Use of St. John's Wort is not permitted
  • Females who are pregnant, currently breastfeeding or planning to become pregnant during the duration of the study
  • A history of chronic noncompliance with drug regimens
  • Inability to withhold grapefruit and grapefruit juice from diet during the entire clinical trial
Read More

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Double Blind - Cohort 1 - Ganaxoloneganaxolone1200 mg/day and 1800 mg/day + AED
Double Blind - Cohort 1 - PlaceboPlaceboPlacebo + AED
Open Label - Ganaxolone in Double-blind phaseganaxolone1800 mg/day + AED
Double Blind - Cohort 2 - Ganaxoloneganaxolone1800 mg/day + AED
Double Blind - Cohort 2 - PlaceboPlaceboPlacebo +AED
Open Label - Placebo in Double-blind phaseganaxolone1800 mg/day + AED
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Double Blind: Cohort 2: Percent Change From Baseline in 28-day Seizure Frequency During Titration + Maintenance PeriodBaseline and Week 14

Seizure frequency was based on the number of seizures per 28 days, calculated as the number of seizures over the time interval multiplied by 28 and divided by the number of days in the interval. Baseline 28-day seizure frequency was calculated as the number of seizures in the Baseline period (≤ 56 days) divided by the number of days with available seizure data in the Baseline period and multiplied by 28. Baseline was defined as non-missing value of last assessment before first dose. Primary analysis was performed using a rank analysis of covariance (ANCOVA).

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Double Blind: Cohort 2: Number of Participants With ≥50% Responder Rate During Titration + Maintenance PeriodUp to Week 14

A 50% responder was a participant who experienced at least a 50% decrease in 28-day seizure frequency compared to Baseline.

Double Blind: Cohort 2: Change From Baseline in the Number of Seizure Free Days Per 28-day Period During Titration + Maintenance PeriodBaseline and Week 14

Baseline number of seizure free days per 28-day period was calculated as: the number of seizure free days in the entire Baseline period (\<=56 days) divided by the number of days with available seizure data in the baseline period and multiplied by 28. Post-Baseline number of seizure free days per 28-day period was calculated as: the number of seizure free days in the entire treatment period divided by the number of days with available seizure data in the treatment period and multiplied by 28. Change from Baseline in number of seizure free days per 28-day period from Baseline was calculated as: Post-Baseline number of seizure free days per 28-day period minus Baseline number of seizure free days per 28-day period. Baseline was defined as non-missing value of last assessment before first dose.

Double Blind: Cohort 2: Number of Participants With Clinical Global Impression of Change - Improvement (CGI-I) at Week 14At Week 14

The CGI-I scale is a clinician-rated 7-point Likert scale used to assess the degree to which the participant's epilepsy symptoms have changed relative to Baseline. It was rated as 1. "very much improved"; 2. "much improved"; 3. "minimally improved"; 4. "no change"; 5. "minimally worse"; 6. "much worse"; 7. "very much worse". Higher scores indicated worse condition. Baseline was defined as non-missing value of last assessment before first dose.

Double Blind: Cohort 2: Percent Change From Baseline in 28-day Seizure Frequency During Maintenance PeriodBaseline and Week 2 to Week 14

Seizure frequency was based on the number of seizures per 28 days, calculated as the number of seizures over the time interval multiplied by 28 and divided by the number of days in the interval. Baseline 28-day seizure frequency was calculated as the number of seizures in the Baseline period (≤ 56 days) divided by the number of days with available seizure data in the Baseline period and multiplied by 28. Baseline was defined as non-missing value of last assessment before first dose.

Double Blind: Cohort 2: Change From Baseline in 28-day Seizure Frequency During Titration + Maintenance PeriodBaseline and Week 14

Seizure frequency was based on the number of seizures per 28 days, calculated as the number of seizures over the time interval multiplied by 28 and divided by the number of days in the interval. Baseline 28-day seizure frequency was calculated as the number of seizures in the Baseline period (≤ 56 days) divided by the number of days with available seizure data in the Baseline period and multiplied by 28. Baseline was defined as non-missing value of last assessment before first dose. Change from Baseline was calculated by subtracting Baseline value from the post-dose visit value.

Double Blind: Cohort 2: Change From Baseline in 28-day Seizure Frequency During Maintenance PeriodBaseline and Week 2 to Week 14

Seizure frequency was based on the number of seizures per 28 days, calculated as the number of seizures over the time interval multiplied by 28 and divided by the number of days in the interval. Baseline 28-day seizure frequency was calculated as the number of seizures in the Baseline period (≤ 56 days) divided by the number of days with available seizure data in the Baseline period and multiplied by 28. Baseline was defined as non-missing value of last assessment before first dose. Change from Baseline was calculated by subtracting Baseline value from the post-dose visit value.

Double Blind: Cohort 2: Change From Baseline in the Number of Seizure Free Days Per 28-day Period During Maintenance PeriodBaseline and Week 2 to Week 14

Baseline number of seizure free days per 28-day period was calculated as: the number of seizure free days in the entire Baseline period (≤ 56 days) divided by the number of days with available seizure data in the Baseline period and multiplied by 28. Post-Baseline number of seizure free days per 28-day period was calculated as: the number of seizure free days in the entire treatment period divided by the number of days with available seizure data in the treatment period and multiplied by 28. Change from Baseline in number of seizure free days per 28-day period from Baseline was calculated as: Post-Baseline number of seizure free days per 28-day period minus Baseline number of seizure free days per 28-day period. Baseline was defined as non-missing value of last assessment before first dose.

Double Blind: Cohort 2: Percentage of Responders Experiencing a ≥R% (80%, 60%, 40%, and 20%) Reduction From Baseline to the End of Treatment Period in 28-day Seizure Frequency During Titration + Maintenance PeriodUp to Week 14

Percentage of participants who had reductions of ≥ 80%, ≥ 60%, ≥ 40%, and ≥ 20% in 28-day seizure frequency from Baseline is presented. A responder is an individual whose reduction of percent change from Baseline in 28-day seizure frequency was ≥ 50%. Baseline was defined as non-missing value of last assessment before first dose.

Double Blind: Cohort 2: Percentage of Responders Experiencing a ≥R% (80%, 60%, 40%, and 20%) Reduction From Baseline to the End of Treatment Period in 28-day Seizure Frequency During Maintenance PeriodWeek 2 to Week 14

Percentage of participants who had reductions of ≥ 80%, ≥ 60%, ≥ 40%, and ≥ 20% in 28-day seizure frequency from Baseline is presented. A responder is an individual whose reduction of percent change from Baseline in 28-day seizure frequency was ≥ 50%. Baseline was defined as non-missing value of last assessment before first dose.

Double Blind: Cohort 2: Percentage of Seizure Free Participants During the Maintenance PeriodWeek 2 to Week 14

Percentage of participants who completed the study without any seizures is presented

Double Blind: Cohort 2: Percentage of Participants Who Experienced at Least One 28-day Seizure Free Period During Titration + Maintenance PhaseUp to Week 14

Percentage of participants who experienced at least one 28-day seizure free period is presented

Double Blind: Cohort 2: Longest Percent of Time Spent Seizure-free During Titration + Maintenance PeriodUp to Week 14

The longest period of time seizure-free was defined as the percent of the longest seizure-free period (days) divided by the days with available seizure data, and then multiplied by 100%.

Double Blind: Cohort 2: Percent Change From Baseline in 28-day Seizure Frequency for Different Subtypes of Seizures During Titration + Maintenance PeriodBaseline and Week 14

Seizure frequency was based on the number of seizures per 28 days, calculated as the number of seizures over the time interval multiplied by 28 and divided by the number of days in the interval. The analysis was conducted for Partial-Onset Seizure (POS) only which included seizure subtypes: Complex partial seizures (CPS), secondarily generalized tonic-clonic (SGTC) seizures, simple partial seizure with motor/observable component (SPS-Motor) and Simple partial seizure (SPS) without motor/observable component. Baseline 28-day seizure frequency was calculated as the number of seizures in the Baseline period (≤ 56 days) divided by the number of days with available seizure data in the Baseline period and multiplied by 28. Baseline was defined as non-missing value of last assessment before first dose.

Double Blind: Cohort 2: Number of Participants With Patient Global Impression of Change - Improvement (PGI-I) at Week 8 and Week 14Week 8 and Week 14

The PGI-I scale was a 7-point Likert scale completed by the Patient or Caregiver representing the degree to which the participant's epilepsy symptoms had changed relative to Baseline. It was rated as 1. "very much improved"; 2. "much improved"; 3. "minimally improved"; 4. "no change"; 5. "minimally worse"; 6. "much worse"; 7. "very much worse". Higher score indicated worse condition. Baseline was defined as non-missing value of last assessment before first dose.

Double Blind: Cohort 2: Number of Participants With Clinical Global Impression of Change - Improvement (CGI-I) at Week 8At Week 8

The CGI-I scale is a clinician-rated 7-point Likert scale used to assess the degree to which the participant's epilepsy symptoms have changed relative to Baseline. It was rated as 1. "very much improved"; 2. "much improved"; 3. "minimally improved"; 4. "no change"; 5. "minimally worse"; 6. "much worse"; 7. "very much worse". Higher scores indicated worse condition. Baseline was defined as non-missing value of last assessment before first dose.

Trial Locations

Locations (60)

The MORE Foundation

🇺🇸

Sun City, Arizona, United States

Clinical Trials Inc.

🇺🇸

Little Rock, Arkansas, United States

The Royal Melbourne Hospital

🇦🇺

Parkville, Victoria, Australia

MHAT

🇧🇬

Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria

UMHAT Dr. Georgi Stranski Clinic of Neurology

🇧🇬

Pleven, Bulgaria

SHATNP

🇧🇬

Sofia, Bulgaria

Medical Centre-Teodora

🇧🇬

Ruse, Bulgaria

Neuro-Consil

🇩🇪

Dussseldorf, Germany

Instytut Psychiatrii i Neurologii

🇵🇱

Warszawa, Poland

Kazan State Medical University

🇷🇺

Kazan, Russian Federation

Krankenhaus Mara Epilepsie-Zentrum

🇩🇪

Bielefeld, Germany

Wojewodzki Szpital Specjalistyczny Oddzial

🇵🇱

Lublin, Poland

Fundacja Epileptologii Wiertnicza

🇵🇱

Warszawa, Poland

City Neurological Center

🇷🇺

Novosibirsk, Russian Federation

Consultants in Epilepsy & Neurology

🇺🇸

Boise, Idaho, United States

Bringham and Women's Hospital

🇺🇸

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Texas Epilepsy Group

🇺🇸

Dallas, Texas, United States

St. Vincent's Hospital

🇦🇺

Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia

Neuroscience Consulants

🇺🇸

Miami, Florida, United States

Xenoscience Inc.

🇺🇸

Phoenix, Arizona, United States

The Comprehensive Epilepsy Care Center for Children and Adults

🇺🇸

Chesterfield, Missouri, United States

Neurology Consultants of Dallas

🇺🇸

Dallas, Texas, United States

Winthrop University Hospital

🇺🇸

Mineola, New York, United States

Neurological Research Institute

🇺🇸

Santa Monica, California, United States

Mid-Atlantic Epilepsy Center

🇺🇸

Bethesda, Maryland, United States

University of Colorado- Anschutz Outpatient Pavilion

🇺🇸

Aurora, Colorado, United States

The Prince of Wales Hospital

🇦🇺

Randwick, New South Wales, Australia

Medsol Clinical Research Center

🇺🇸

Port Charlotte, Florida, United States

Temple University School of Medicine

🇺🇸

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Cooper Medical Center of Rowan University

🇺🇸

Camden, New Jersey, United States

Minneapolis Clinic of Neurology

🇺🇸

Golden Valley, Minnesota, United States

Five Towns Neuroscience Research

🇺🇸

Cedarhurst, New York, United States

Novo-Med

🇵🇱

Jaworowa, Poland

Northeast Regional Epilepsy Group

🇺🇸

New York, New York, United States

Flinders Medical Center

🇦🇺

Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia

The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health

🇦🇺

Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia

Medical Center Excelsior 4

🇧🇬

Sofia, Bulgaria

Klinik fur Epileptologie

🇩🇪

Bonn, Germany

Universitatsklin Kum Ulm

🇩🇪

Ulm, Germany

Centrum Medycne Dendryt

🇵🇱

Katowice, Poland

Indywidualna Praktyka ul Narutowicza

🇵🇱

Lublin, Poland

University of Alabama Epilepsy Center

🇺🇸

Birmingham, Alabama, United States

Bluegrass Epilepsy Research, LLC

🇺🇸

Lexington, Kentucky, United States

Wake Forest Health Sciences

🇺🇸

Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States

Sooner Clinical Research

🇺🇸

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States

University of Alabama at Birmingham

🇺🇸

Birmingham, Alabama, United States

Neuro-Pain Medical Center, Inc

🇺🇸

Fresno, California, United States

Ohio Clinical Research Partners, LLC

🇺🇸

Canton, Ohio, United States

New York University Comprehensive Epilepsy Center

🇺🇸

New York, New York, United States

Ohio State University

🇺🇸

Columbus, Ohio, United States

Lynn Health Institute

🇺🇸

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States

Royal Prince Alfred Hospital

🇦🇺

Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia

Jefferson Comprehensive Epilepsy Center

🇺🇸

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Rainier Clinical Research Center, Inc.

🇺🇸

Renton, Washington, United States

Westmead Hospital

🇦🇺

Westmead, New South Wales, Australia

Medical Center Ekvita Ltd

🇧🇬

Varna, Bulgaria

MHAT Lyulin Department of Neurology

🇧🇬

Sofia, Bulgaria

UMHAT Alexandrovska Clinic of Nerve Diseases

🇧🇬

Sofia, Bulgaria

Epilepsieklinik

🇩🇪

Bernau, Germany

Universitatsklinikum GieBen und Marburg

🇩🇪

Marburg, Germany

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