An Active and Placebo-Controlled Study of Brazikumab in Participants With Moderately to Severely Active Crohn's Disease

This study seeks to evaluate the safety and efficacy of brazikumab versus placebo (Stage I) and versus an active comparator (Stage 2) in participants with moderately to severely active CD and will include assessments of clinical response as demonstrated by improvement of symptoms and colonic mucosal appearance as observed on endoscopy


Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria are the same for both Stage 1 and Stage 2; however, participants enrolled in Stage 1 will not be permitted to enroll in Stage 2.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. At the time of signing the informed consent, the participant must be 18 to 80 years of age, inclusive.
2. A diagnosis of ileal, ileocolonic, or colonic CD with an onset of symptoms for a minimum of 3 months prior to Screening as determined by the investigator based on clinical history, exclusion of other etiologies including infectious causes, and characteristic endoscopic and/or histologic findings.
3. Moderately to severely active CD defined by a CDAI score of 220 to 450 AND; CDAI LSF score ≥ 5 OR CDAI AP score ≥ 2; AND SES-CD of at least 6
4. Participant had an inadequate response or intolerance to intervention with conventional treatment \[oral aminosalicylates, oral CS, azathioprine, methotrexate, or 6-mercaptopurine\], or prior biological treatment, or demonstrated CS dependence for the treatment of CD. For participants who have previously used biological treatment, a participant may have failed up to 3 biologics that include up to 2 different mechanisms of action.
5. Participants taking 5-aminosalicylates, Oral prednisone (or equivalent), Budesonide, Immunomodulators, Oral antibiotics, Immunomodulators, Probiotics must be at a stable dose.
6. Participant must have the QFT-TB test performed and meet the following TB criteria.

A TB worksheet must also be completed:

1. Participant has no known history of active TB.
2. Participant has no known history of latent TB without completion of an appropriate course of intervention.
3. Meets 1 of the following acceptable TB test results:

i. Negative QFT-TB obtained from central laboratory during Screening, OR ii. For a positive QFT-TB test obtained during Screening from the central laboratory, active TB must be ruled out or treated and negative QFT-TB confirmed by central laboratory OR iii. Indeterminate QFT-TB test obtained during the Screening Period from the central laboratory with ongoing QFT-TB testing as outlined in Appendix G. Participants with an indeterminate QFT-TB test can continue with Screening if they have all of the following:

1. no symptoms/risk factors per TB worksheet provided by the sponsor
2. no known recent exposure to a case of active TB
3. no evidence of active TB on chest x-ray within 8 weeks prior to Screening or during Screening
4. confirmed QFT-TB negative by central laboratory

7 Female participants of childbearing potential must have a negative urine pregnancy test prior to administration of study intervention and must agree to use a highly effective method of birth control (confirmed by the investigator) from randomization throughout the study duration and for at least 18 weeks after last dose of study intervention.

8 Women not of childbearing potential are defined as women who are either permanently sterilized or who are postmenopausal. Women will be considered postmenopausal if they have been amenorrhoeic for 12 months prior to the planned date of randomization without an alternative medical cause.

9 Nonsterilized males who are sexually active with a female partner of childbearing potential must comply with the methods of contraception during treatment and until the end of relevant systemic exposure in the male participant, plus a further 18 weeks.

10 Capable of giving signed informed consent, which includes compliance with the requirements and restrictions listed in the ICF and in the protocol.

11 Willingness and ability to attend all study visits, comply with the study procedures, read and write in order to complete questionnaires, and be able to complete the study period.

12 Provision of signed and dated written Optional Genetic Research Information informed consent prior to collection of samples for optional genetic research that supports Genomic Initiative.

Complete inclusion criteria are in the study protocol

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Participant is unable or unwilling to have endoscopic procedures performed during the study.
2. History or current diagnosis of ulcerative colitis, indeterminate colitis, microscopic colitis, ischemic colitis, colonic mucosal dysplasia, primary sclerosing cholangitis, or untreated bile acid malabsorption.
3. History of toxic megacolon within 3 months prior to Randomization.
4. Any intra-abdominal surgery, bowel resection, diversion, placement of ostomy or stoma within 3 months prior to Screening. Participants with a draining stoma, ostomy, or extensive colonic resection are excluded irrespective of the time from surgery.
5. Participant has an enterocutaneous or enterovesicular fistula. Participants with other active fistulas, including perianal fistulas, may be considered for enrollment if there is no anticipation for surgery and there is no evidence of active infection (eg, abscess).
6. Bowel perforation during the 6 months prior to Screening or evidence of obstruction within 3 months of Screening.
7. Complications of CD including short bowel syndrome, strictures/stenoses with obstruction or pre-stenotic dilation, or conditions where surgery may be anticipated within 6 months, or other conditions that may confound efficacy evaluations for the study.
8. Participant has any non-passable colonic stenosis/narrowing identified during the qualifying ileocolonoscopy (successful endoscope passage to the caecum with inability to enter the endoscope into the ileum is not covered under this exclusion criterion, and does not require exclusion).
9. Ongoing nutritional dependency for total parenteral nutrition or an elemental diet at Screening.
10. Participant has any of the following related to infections: • Evidence of a recent (within 6 months of Randomization) systemic fungal infection, requiring inpatient hospitalization, and/or antifungal treatment. • Any infection requiring hospitalization or treatment with IV anti-infectives (including antiviral treatment) within 4 weeks of Screening. • Cytomegalovirus or Epstein-Barr virus infection that has not resolved within 8 weeks prior to Screening • Clinically significant chronic infection (eg, osteomyelitis) that has not resolved within 8 weeks of Screening • Nonserious infection requiring oral anti-infectives within 2 weeks prior to randomization must be further discussed with the Study Physician/designee. • Participant has clinical evidence of or suspected to have an abscess during Screening. • Diagnosis of peritonitis or receiving treatment for peritonitis within 8 weeks prior to Screening • Participant has any underlying condition that predisposes participant to infections • Clinically significant active infection or signs/symptoms of infection that has the potential to worsen with immunosuppressive therapy • Signs or symptoms of ongoing infection due to intestinal pathogens
11. Previous allogenic bone marrow transplant or history of organ or cell-based transplantation (eg, islet cell transplantation or autologous stem cell transplantation) with the exception of corneal transplant.
12. Chronic hepatitis B or C infection.
13. Known history of primary immunodeficiency, splenectomy, or any underlying condition that predisposes the subject to infection, includingHIV infection.
14. Prior history of or current diagnosis of a demyelinating disorder.
15. Participant has received the following treatment: • Adalimumab, certolizumab pegol, infliximab, or golimumab: within 8 weeks prior to Randomization • Vedolizumab or ustekinumab within 12 weeks prior to Randomization • Other prohibited medication, biologic or small molecule treatment within 5 half-lives prior to Randomization • Fecal microbiota transplantation: within 8 weeks prior to Screening ileocolonoscopy
16. Except for ustekinumab, prior exposure to any biologic agent targeting IL-12 or IL-23.
17. Participants who received cyclosporine, mycophenolate mofetil, sirolimus (rapamycin), thalidomide, tacrolimus (FK-506), or tofacitinib within 2 weeks prior to Screening Visit 1.
18. Known history of allergy to the study intervention formulation or any of its excipients or components of the delivery device, or to any other biologic therapy.
19. Participants received more than 1 dose of IV or intramuscular steroids within 2 weeks prior to Screening Visit 1.
20. Participant received topical (rectal) aminosalicylic acid (eg, mesalamine) or topical (rectal) steroids within 2 weeks prior to Randomization.
21. Participant received a Bacille Calmette-Guérin vaccination within 12 months of Randomization or any other live vaccine less than 4 weeks prior to Randomization or is planning to receive any such vaccine over the course of the study.
22. Participant has known or suspected history of chronic use of NSAIDs (defined as at least 3 times per week for more than 3 months; not applicable to daily aspirin use up to 325mg per day) and/or opiates, drug, or alcohol abuse.
23. History of cancer with the following exceptions: (a) A history of basal cell carcinoma and/or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, with apparent successful curative therapy greater than 12 months prior to Screening (b) Carcinoma in situ of the cervix, with apparent successful curative therapy, greater than 12 months prior to Screening.
24. Clinically significant cardiovascular conditions including recent myocardial infarction, unstable angina, stroke, transient ischemic attack, decompensated heart failure requiring hospitalization, or Class III/IV heart failure within 6 months of Screening.
25. Prolonged QTcF interval (QTc \>450 msec or QTC \>480 for participants with bundle branch block; determined on central ECG), or conditions leading to additional risk for QT prolongation (eg, congenital long-QT syndrome).
26. Clinically significant kidney disease
27. Abnormal laboratory results at Screening
28. Other concurrent medical conditions: Participant has known, preexisting, clinically significant endocrine, autoimmune, metabolic, neurologic, renal, gastrointestinal, hepatic, hematological, respiratory or any other system abnormalities that are not associated with CD and are uncontrolled with standard treatment.
29. Participant is currently enrolled in another investigational device or drug study, or is within 35 days or 5 half-lives, whichever is longer, since ending another investigational device or drug study, or receiving other investigational agent(s)
30. Transfusion of blood, plasma, or platelets within the 30 days prior to Screening.
31. Females who are pregnant, nursing, or planning a pregnancy during the study OR females who are of childbearing potential and do not agree to use a highly effective method of contraception consistently and correctly.
32. Employees of the clinical study site or any other individuals involved with the conduct of the study, or immediate family members of such individuals.
33. Previous randomization in the present study. . Complete exclusion criteria are in the study protocol