A Study of EPEG in Beta Thalassemia Patients

An open-label study in which 6 patients will receive once-weekly subcutaneous injections of EPEG for 4 weeks. Final visit will occur 60 days after study entry

Following the provision of informed consent, screening visit procedures to be performed will include: a detailed medical history (including concomitant medications), physical exam, vital signs (non-invasive systolic and diastolic arterial blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate, temperature, and oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry,), laboratory testing of blood samples collections for safety (hematology and chemistry), and urinalysis (dipstick and microscopy, if necessary). A serum pregnancy test for all female patients (of child-bearing potential) will be measured during the Screening Visit. Urine pregnancy test for all female patients (of child-bearing potential) will be measured at each dosing visit prior to dosing.

Eligible patients will receive either subcutaneous injection of EPEG (0.9 µg/kg, 1.2 µg/kg, and 1.5 µg/kg,) for four weeks followed by follow up for 5-6 weeks after 4th dose of IP.

Vital signs will be recorded for study documentation at 1 hour after dosing and at discharge of the day (to occur 2 hours after the time of dosing). All patients will receive standard of care as per investigative site standard practice.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Male or female
2. Age 18 - 65 years of age
3. Confirmed diagnosis of Non-Transfusion Dependent β-thalassemia (β-NTDT)
4. Hemoglobin 6.0-10.0 g/dL
5. Signed and dated informed written consent by the subject
6. Able to receive subcutaneous injections of study drug
7. Female patients must be non-lactating
8. Female patients of reproductive potential must have a negative serum pregnancy (β-HCG) test at screening.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. In the judgment of the investigator the patient is not a good candidate for the study
2. Blood transfusion within the last 30 days
3. Any of the following medical conditions:

   1. Severe kidney insufficiency, defined as use of hemodialysis or serum creatinine at levels greater than 2.5 mg/dL at the time of screening
   2. Cardiac disease with adjustment of cardiac medications in the 60 days before study entry
   3. Symptomatic coronary artery disease, as indicated by a history of chest pain, angina, claudication, or surgery to treat coronary artery disease in the 1 year before study entry
   4. Stroke, defined as a new focal neurological deficit lasting more than 24 hours in the 45 days before study entry
   5. New diagnosis of pulmonary embolism by ventilation-perfusion scan, angiography, or any other technique in the 90 days before study entry
   6. History of retinal detachment or retinal hemorrhage in the 180 days before study entry
   7. Use of nitrate-based vasodilators, prostacyclin (inhaled, subcutaneous, or intravenous)
   8. Acute asthma exacerbation requiring use of prednisone in the 60 days before study entry
   9. Initiation or dosage increase of calcium channel blockers in the 30 days before study entry
   10. Initiation of any other cardiac or pulmonary medication in the 90 days before study entry
4. Presence of any other condition, which in the opinion of the investigator, would make the person unsuitable for enrollment or could interfere with compliance in the study, including but not limited to alcohol or drug abuse
5. Any prior treatment with Erythropoiesis-stimulating Agents (ESA) within 90 days of study treatment;
6. History of hypersensitivity to erythropoietin or any related drug.