Dose-finding Study of MR-130A-01 Contraceptive Transdermal Patch

A single-center, randomized, open-label, parallel-group, multi-arm, phase II clinical trial in healthy women aged 18 to 35 years who have a documented ovulatory cycle prior to randomization.

MR-130A-01 is a progestin-only TDS containing NGMN as its progestin. NGMN is currently available in combination with EE in CHC TDSs Xulane® (US) and Evra® (EU), at doses of 150 mcg/day (Xulane® USPI 2022) and 203 mcg/day (Evra®SmPC 2022) respectively. In the currently planned dose-finding clinical trial the ovulation inhibition and the impact on further physiological functions and hormones of the three dose strengths of MR-130A-01 will be investigated in healthy pre-menopausal obese and non-obese women with ovulatory menstrual cycles. Eligible subjects will be randomized according to their body mass index (BMI) into one of 7 treatment arms with different doses and regimens of IMP administration. The IMPs which are transdermal patches, will be applied to the skin (upper outer arm, abdomen, buttock or back) and will be changed weekly. Depending on the treatment arm, either 4 or 3 patches of an allocated patch strength will be applied per cycle (28/0-day regimen and 21/7-day regimen). Patch adhesion will be assessed by the subjects daily and the results (adhesion scores) will be recorded in a diary. Throughout the clinical trial, ovarian activity will be monitored by TVUS, and blood samples will be collected for determination of progesterone (P), estradiol (E2), LH and FSH concentrations. The inhibition of ovulation will be assessed by Hoogland and Skouby Score (HSS). In addition, bleeding pattern will be assessed based on the subject's records of bleeding and its intensity in a diary.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Healthy, post-menarcheal and premenopausal women of age 18 to 35 years inclusive).
2. BMI ≥18.0 kg/m2 at screening examination.
3. Subjects must be in good physical and mental health as determined by vital signs, medical history, and physical and gynecological examination, as assessed by the investigator.
4. Written informed consent, after having been informed about benefits and potential risks of the clinical trial, as well as details of the insurance taken out to cover the subject participating in the clinical trial.
5. Status at least 3 months after a delivery, abortion, and stopping lactation, if applicable, before screening.
6. Has regular menstrual cycles that are between 21 and 35 days in duration as reported by the subject during anamnesis, with an intact uterus and ovaries. If the subject uses hormonal birth control at screening, historic data should be used to evaluate this criterion.
7. Both ovaries must be visible on TVUS examination during screening.
8. Ovulatory pre-treatment cycle, as confirmed by a progesterone concentration \>10.0 nmol/L.
9. Subjects must consent to use reliable non-hormonal contraceptive methods (male condoms, diaphragm, or heterosexual abstinence) throughout the study, unless the subject has a history of female sterilization or sterilization of the sexual partner.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Known hypersensitivity or intolerance to any ingredient of the investigational product.
2. History or presence of dermal sensitivity to medicated patches or to topical applications including bandages, surgical tape.
3. Pregnancy or a positive serum beta human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) pregnancy test at screening.
4. Clinically relevant abnormal findings from serum biochemistry and hematology and HBsAg and Hepatitis C virus/human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) serology as evaluated by the investigator.
5. ASAT (aspartate-aminotransferase) \> 20 % upper limit of normal (ULN), ALAT (alanine-aminotransferase) \> 10 % ULN, bilirubin \> 20% ULN (except in case of existing Morbus Gilbert-Meulengracht deduced from anamnesis/medical history) and creatinine \> 0.1 mg/dL ULN (limit of \> 0.1 mg/dL corresponds to \> 9 μmol/l ULN).
6. Use of a non-hormonal intra-uterine device within the pre-treatment cycle or any hormonal contraception as follows:

   * Short-acting hormonal contraceptives such as oral, patch, ring or intra-uterine systems within the menstrual cycle prior to the pre-treatment cycle.
   * Injectable (intramuscularly or subcutaneously) within 10 months (three-month treatment duration), 6 months (two-month treatment duration) or 3 months (one-month treatment duration) prior to the start of pre-treatment cycle or implants within the menstrual cycle prior to the pre-treatment cycle.
7. Known or suspected malignancy or history thereof.
8. Has unexplained vaginal bleeding within the past 6 months suspicious for serious condition, or any abnormal bleeding which is expected to recur during the study (eg. bleeding from cervical polyp, recurrent bleeding after sex).
9. History or presence of ischemic heart disease, coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, stroke, other cerebrovascular diseases including transient ischemic attacks (TIAs).
10. Known dyslipidemias with other known cardiovascular risk factors.
11. History or presence of hypertension (including adequately controlled hypertension) or hypertension with vascular disease or elevated blood pressure (BP) defined as systolic BP ≥140 mm Hg or diastolic BP ≥90 mm Hg, measured in sitting position after at least 5 minutes of rest (a single reading of blood pressure level is not sufficient to classify a woman as hypertensive).
12. Pulse rate \< 50 bpm or \> 90 bpm
13. Presence of deep vein thrombosis/pulmonary embolism.
14. Has any comorbid condition that may require major surgery with prolonged immobilization during the study period.
15. History or presence of migraine with aura.
16. Presence of liver disease including severe (decompensated) cirrhosis, benign (e.g., hepatocellular adenoma) or malignant liver tumors.
17. Chronic disease potentially necessitating organ transplantation during the anticipated course of the study.
18. Subjects having any other known contraindication to progestin only contraception as defined by category 3 or 4 conditions per World Health Organization Medical eligibility