CF101 Therapy in Patients With Moderate-to-severe Plaque Psoriasis

This trial will test the hypothesis that the administration of CF101, a novel anti-inflammatory agent, to patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis will relieve signs and symptoms of the disease. CF101 effect will be in comparison to apremilast in this study population

This is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo- and active-controlled, study in adult males and females, aged 18 to 80 years, inclusive, with a diagnosis of moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis.

Eligible subjects will be randomly assigned to CF101 2 mg, 3 mg, matching apremilast 30 mg BID, or matching placebo, in a 3:3:3:2 ratio. Blinding will be maintained using a double-dummy technique.

Medication will be taken orally BID for 32 weeks in a double-blinded fashion, with the option to continue treatment through an Extension Period to 48 weeks. Subjects initially assigned to the placebo group will be re-randomized at Week 16 to either CF101 2 mg, CF101 3 mg, or apremilast (with appropriate dose titration) in a 1:1:1 ratio and treated through Week 32, while subjects originally assigned to 1 of the active treatment groups will remain on that treatment through Week 32. The primary efficacy endpoint will be assessed at Weeks 16 and 32; at Week 32, all subjects will be offered the opportunity to remain on their assigned blinded drug through Week 48 (ie, the Extension Period of Weeks 33-48).

Disease will be assessed using PASI , static PGA , the percentage of BSA involved, and PDI. Subjects will return for assessments and a new supply of study medication at Weeks 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, and 28, and for final study assessments at Week 32. For those subjects continuing into the Extension Period, efficacy and safety assessments will also occur at Weeks 36, 40, 44, and 48. PK will be assessed in a subgroup of approximately 120 subjects at Weeks 0, 8, 16, 24 and 32. PK will be assessed through sparse sampling. Assessment of whole blood A3AR expression levels will occur at Screening, Week 16, and Week 32.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Male or female, 18 to 80 years of age, inclusive;
2. Diagnosis of moderate-to-severe chronic plaque-type psoriasis with BSA involvement ≥10%, as judged by the Investigator;
3. PASI score ≥12 (Appendix 3)
4. Static PGA ≥3 (Appendix 2)
5. Candidate for systemic treatment or phototherapy for psoriasis;
6. Duration of psoriasis of at least 6 months;
7. Elevated whole blood A3AR expression level, defined as ≥ 1.5-fold over a predetermined normal population standard at Screening;
8. Females of child-bearing potential must have a negative serum pregnancy test at screening;
9. Females of child-bearing potential must be willing to use 2 methods of contraception deemed adequate by the Investigator (for example, oral contraceptive pills plus a barrier method) to be eligible for, and continue participation in, the study;
10. Ability to complete the study in compliance with the protocol; and
11. Ability to understand and provide written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Psoriasis limited to erythrodermic, guttate, palmar, plantar, or generalized pustular psoriasis in the absence of plaque psoriasis;
2. Prior treatment with apremilast within 4 weeks prior to the Baseline visit, or contraindication to apremilast;
3. Treatment with systemic retinoids, corticosteroids, tofacitinib, or immunosuppressive agents (e.g., methotrexate, cyclosporine) within 4 weeks of the Baseline visit;
4. Treatment with a biological agent (etanercept, adalimumab, efalizumab, infliximab, ustekinumab, alefacept, secukinumab, or others, including investigational agents) within a period of time equal to 5 times its circulating half-life, or 30 days, whichever is longer, prior to the Baseline visit;
5. Treatment with high potency topical dermatological corticosteroids (Class I-III in US, Class III-IV in Europe), Vitamin D analogs, keratolytics, or coal tar (other than on the scalp, palms, groin, and/or soles) within 2 weeks of the Baseline visit;
6. Ultraviolet or Dead Sea therapy within 4 weeks of the Baseline visit, or anticipated need for either of these therapies during the study period;
7. Treatment with lithium, hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine within 2 weeks of the Baseline visit, or anticipated need for such drugs during the study period, unless dose has been stable for 3 months prior to the Screening visit and will remain stable throughout the trial;
8. Serum creatinine level greater than 1.5 times the laboratory's upper limit of normal at Screening;
9. Liver aminotransferase levels greater than 1.5 times the laboratory's upper limit of normal at Screening;
10. Electrocardiogram (ECG) at Screening shows abnormalities which, in the judgment of the Investigator, are clinically significant and could, in the judgment of the Principal Investigator, compromise subject safety;
11. Active gastrointestinal disease which could interfere with the absorption of oral medication;
12. Pregnancy, planned pregnancy, lactation, or inadequate contraception as judged by the Investigator;
13. Active drug or alcohol dependence;
14. History of depression or suicidal ideation within the past year;
15. Concomitant use of strong cytochrome P450 inducers, eg, rifampin, phenobarbital, phenytoin, carbamazepine;
16. Previous participation in a CF101 clinical trial;
17. Significant acute or chronic medical or psychiatric illness that, in the judgment of the Investigator, could compromise subject safety, limit the subject's ability to complete the study, and/or compromise the objectives of the study;
18. Participation in another investigational drug or vaccine trial concurrently or within 30 days prior to the Screening visit.