Dose-finding Study to Assess the Efficacy, Safety and Tolerability of Tobramycin Inhalation Powder in Patients With Non-Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis and Pulmonary P. Aeruginosa Infection

The purpose of this study was to support the selection of a safe and tolerable tobramycin inhalation powder (TIP) dose, and regimen that exhibits effective bacterial reduction of P. aeruginosa in non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (BE) patients with P. aeruginosa colonization.

This was a blinded, randomized, dose and regimen finding trial utilizing a three treatment cohort design where active TIP and TIP/Placebo cyclical (3 capsules o.d \[Cohort A\], 5 capsules o.d. \[Cohort B\] or 4 capsules b.i.d. \[Cohort C\]) versus Placebo were administered for a total of 112 days.

Novartis decided to close the recruitment of new subjects into this study earlier than scheduled. Subjects who had a signed informed consent form and entered screening by 10-Sep-2018 still participated in the study. The latest possible randomization was on 08-Oct-2018. All subjects enrolled in the study (107 enrolled subjects out of 180 planned) continued as planned through to their last scheduled visit. The early recruitment halt of the study was not due to safety or lack of efficacy.

Eligibility Criteria:
Key Inclusion Criteria:

* Written informed consent must be obtained before any assessment is performed.
* Male and female patients of ≥ 18 years of age at screening (Visit 1).
* Proven diagnosis of non-CF BE as documented by computed tomography or high-resolution computed tomography
* At least 2 or more exacerbations treated with oral antibiotics OR 1 or more exacerbation requiring intravenous antibiotic treatment within 12 months prior to screening.
* FEV1 ≥ 30% predicted at screening (Visit 1).
* P. aeruginosa, must be documented in a respiratory sample at least 1 time within 12 months and also present in the expectorated sputum culture at Visit 1.

Key Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients with a history of cystic fibrosis.
* Patients with a primary diagnosis of bronchial asthma.
* Patients with a primary diagnosis of COPD associated with at least a 20 pack year smoking history.
* Any significant medical condition that is either recently diagnosed or was not stable during the last 3 months, other than pulmonary exacerbations, and that in the opinion of the investigator makes participation in the trial against the patients' best interests.
* Clinically significant (in the opinion of the investigator) hearing loss that interferes with patients' daily activities (such as normal conversations) or chronic tinnitus. Patients with a past history of clinically significant hearing loss in the opinion of the investigator may be eligible only if their hearing threshold at screening audiometry is 25dB or lower at frequencies 0.5-4 kHz. The use of a hearing device is reflective of a clinically significant hearing loss; hence patients using hearing aids at screening are not eligible.
* Patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis.
* Patients currently receiving treatment for nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) pulmonary disease.
* Patients who are regularly receiving inhaled anti-pseudomonal antibiotic (during the study inhaled anti-pseudomonal antibiotics are not allowed other than the study drug).