Conditions: COVID-19
Keywords: COVID-19
Allocation: RANDOMIZED | Intervention model: PARALLEL
Enrollment: 206
Healthy volunteers: no

Brief summary:
This is a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2 trial investigating the safety and efficacy of C21 in subjects who are hospitalised with COVID-19 infection, but not in need of mechanical invasive or non-invasive ventilation.

In total, approximately 100 subjects will be enrolled and randomised to receive twice daily oral administration of either standard of care (SoC) + placebo (N=50) or SoC + C21 (N=50). Subjects will be treated for 7 days.

Detailed description:

Arms:
arm 1: Oral C21 treatment 100 mg twice daily for 7 days arm 2: Oral placebo treatment 100 mg twice daily for 7 days

Interventions: intervention 1: C21 intervention 2: Placebo
Intervention descriptions: intervention 1: C21 intervention 2: Placebo

Protocol document:
Prot_SAP_000.pdf: 
 
Clinical Trial Protocol 
 
Title: 
A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial 
investigating the safety and efficacy of C21 in hospitalised subjects with 
COVID-19 infection not requiring mechanical ventilation 
 
Short Title: 
C21 in COVID-19 
Sponsor: 
Vicore Pharma AB 
Kronhusgatan 11 
SE-411 05 Göteborg 
Sweden 
Trial ID: 
VP-C21-006 
EudraCT No.: 
NCT Number: 
2020-001502-38  
NCT04452435 
 
Investigational Medicinal 
Product: 
 
C21 (Compound 21) 
Indication: 
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19; SARS CoV-2) infection 
Phase: 
2 
Version: 
2.0  
Date: 
14-Aug-2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Angiotensin II Type Two Receptor Agonist COVID-19 Trial 
The ATTRACT Trial 
 
 
 
 


 
Clinical Trial Protocol 
 
 
Vicore Pharma AB 
Version: 2.0 
Trial ID: VP-C21-006 
Date: 14-Aug-2020 
 
 
Confidential 
Page 1 of 49 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Clinical Trial Protocol 
 
Title: 
A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial 
investigating the safety and efficacy of C21 in hospitalised 
subjects with COVID-19 infection not requiring mechanical 
ventilation 
 
Short Title: 
C21 in COVID-19 
Sponsor: 
Vicore Pharma AB 
Kronhusgatan 11 
SE-411 05 Göteborg 
Sweden 
Trial ID: 
VP-C21-006 
EudraCT No.: 
2020-001502-38  
Investigational 
Medicinal Product: 
 
C21 (Compound 21) 
Indication: 
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19; SARS CoV-2) infection 
Phase: 
2 
Version: 
2.0  
Date: 
14-Aug-2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Angiotensin II Type Two Receptor Agonist COVID-19 Trial 
The ATTRACT Trial 
 
 
This Clinical Trial Protocol is the property of Vicore Pharma AB and is a confidential document. It is not 
to be copied or distributed to other parties without written approval from Vicore Pharma AB. 


 
Clinical Trial Protocol 
 
 
Vicore Pharma AB 
Version: 2.0 
Trial ID: VP-C21-006 
Date: 14-Aug-2020 
 
 
Confidential 
Page 2 of 49 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sponsor’s Approval of Clinical Trial Protocol 
 
This trial protocol was subject to critical review by the Sponsor. The information it contains is 
consistent with current knowledge of the risks and benefits of the investigational medicinal 
product, as well as with the ethical and scientific principles governing clinical research as set out 
in the latest version of the Declaration of Helsinki and the International Conference on 
Harmonisation (ICH) Guideline for Good Clinical Practice (ICH-GCP R2). 
This trial will be conducted in compliance with the protocol, GCP, and applicable regulatory 
requirements. 
 
 
 
 
Sponsor’s Medical Responsible: 
___________________ 
______________ 
Chief Medical Officer 
Rohit Batta, MBBS MRCGP FFPM   
Signature 
 
Date 
Vicore Pharma AB 
 
 
 
 
Sponsor’s Statistical Expert: 
___________________ 
______________ 
Thomas Bengtsson, M.Sc    
Signature 
 
Date 
StatMind AB 
 
 
 
 
VP Clinical Development: 
___________________ 
______________ 
Mimi F. Flensburg, DVM, PhD   
Signature 
 
Date 
Vicore Pharma AB 


 
Clinical Trial Protocol 
 
 
Vicore Pharma AB 
Version: 2.0 
Trial ID: VP-C21-006 
Date: 14-Aug-2020 
 
 
Confidential 
Page 3 of 49 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Signatory Investigator’s Approval of Clinical Trial Protocol 
 
This trial will be conducted in compliance with the protocol, GCP, and the applicable regulatory 
requirements. 
I confirm, that I agree to conduct this trial in compliance with the Declaration of Helsinki, the 
International Conference on Harmonisation (ICH) Guideline for GCP (ICH-GCP R2) and 
applicable regulatory requirements. 
Furthermore, I confirm that I have read and understood the present clinical trial protocol and agree 
to conduct the trial in compliance with this. I fully understand that any changes from the clinical 
trial protocol constitute a deviation which will be notified to Sponsor. 
 
 
 
 
Coordinating 
Investigator: 
 
___________________ 
______________ 
Professor Joanna Porter,                                      Signature                       Date 
MA MB BCh FRCP PhD 
 
 
 
Department of Thoracic Medicine 
250 Euston Road 
London NW1 2PG 
 
 
 


 
Clinical Trial Protocol 
 
 
Vicore Pharma AB 
Version: 2.0 
Trial ID: VP-C21-006 
Date: 14-Aug-2020 
 
 
Confidential 
Page 4 of 49 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS 
SPONSOR’S APPROVAL OF CLINICAL TRIAL PROTOCOL ........................................ 2 
SIGNATORY INVESTIGATOR’S APPROVAL OF CLINICAL TRIAL PROTOCOL .. 3 
1 
PROTOCOL SUMMARY ......................................................................................... 7 
2 
FLOW CHARTS ...................................................................................................... 10 
3 
BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE .................................................................... 12 
3.1 
Indication Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) ................................................... 12 
3.2 
Current Treatment for COVID-19 .................................................................... 13 
3.3 
Investigational Medicinal Product ..................................................................... 13 
3.4 
Preclinical Safety ................................................................................................. 14 
3.5 
Clinical Safety ...................................................................................................... 15 
3.6 
Rationale for Trial ............................................................................................... 17 
3.7 
Rationale for Trial Design .................................................................................. 17 
3.8 
Rationale for Dose and Dosing Regimen ........................................................... 17 
3.9 
Risk-Benefit Assessment ..................................................................................... 18 
4 
OBJECTIVES AND ENDPOINTS ........................................................................ 18 
4.1 
Primary Objective ............................................................................................... 18 
4.2 
Secondary Objectives .......................................................................................... 19 
4.3 
Exploratory Objectives ....................................................................................... 19 
4.4 
Primary Endpoint ............................................................................................... 19 
4.5 
Secondary Endpoints .......................................................................................... 19 
4.6 
Exploratory Endpoints ....................................................................................... 19 
5 
TRIAL POPULATION ........................................................................................... 20 
5.1 
Inclusion Criteria ................................................................................................ 20 
5.2 
Exclusion Criteria ............................................................................................... 20 
5.3 
Restrictions During the Trial ............................................................................. 21 
5.4 
Withdrawal Criteria ........................................................................................... 21 
6 
TRIAL DESIGN ....................................................................................................... 22 
6.1 
Overall Trial Design ............................................................................................ 22 
6.2 
Number of Subjects ............................................................................................. 23 
6.3 
Trial Diagram ...................................................................................................... 23 
6.4 
Trial Duration and Participating Centers ........................................................ 23 
6.5 
Schedule of Events ............................................................................................... 24 
7 
TRIAL TREATMENT ............................................................................................ 27 
7.1 
Investigational Medicinal Product ..................................................................... 27 
7.2 
Packaging, Labelling and Storage ..................................................................... 28 
7.3 
Treatment Assignment ........................................................................................ 28 
7.4 
IMP Administration ............................................................................................ 28 
7.5 
Compliance Check and Drug Accountability ................................................... 28 


 
Clinical Trial Protocol 
 
 
Vicore Pharma AB 
Version: 2.0 
Trial ID: VP-C21-006 
Date: 14-Aug-2020 
 
 
Confidential 
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7.6 
Blinding of the Trial ............................................................................................ 29 
7.7 
Procedures for Unblinding ................................................................................. 29 
7.8 
Prior and Concomitant Medications ................................................................. 29 
8 
ASSESSMENTS ....................................................................................................... 30 
8.1 
Efficacy Assessments ........................................................................................... 30 
8.2 
Safety Assessments .............................................................................................. 31 
8.3 
Other Assessments............................................................................................... 32 
9 
ADVERSE EVENTS ................................................................................................ 32 
9.1 
Adverse Event Definitions .................................................................................. 32 
9.2 
Adverse Event Assessment Definitions .............................................................. 33 
9.3 
Reporting of Adverse Events .............................................................................. 34 
9.4 
Follow-up on Adverse Events ............................................................................. 35 
9.5 
Pregnancies .......................................................................................................... 35 
10 
CHANGES TO TRIAL CONDUCT ...................................................................... 35 
10.1 
Protocol Amendments ......................................................................................... 35 
10.2 
Premature Termination of the Trial.................................................................. 35 
10.3 
Premature Termination of a Trial Site ............................................................. 36 
11 
DATA HANDLING AND RECORD KEEPING .................................................. 36 
11.1 
Data from Clinical Trial Sites ............................................................................ 36 
11.2 
Source Data .......................................................................................................... 36 
11.3 
Coding of Data ..................................................................................................... 37 
11.4 
Subject Confidentiality ....................................................................................... 37 
12 
RETENTION OF DOCUMENTS .......................................................................... 37 
13 
STATISTICAL METHODS ................................................................................... 38 
13.1 
Sample Size and Power Considerations ............................................................ 38 
13.2 
Subject Disposition .............................................................................................. 38 
13.3 
Efficacy Analysis ................................................................................................. 39 
13.4 
Safety Analysis ..................................................................................................... 40 
14 
INDEPENDENT DATA MONITORING COMMITTEE ................................... 40 
15 
GOOD CLINICAL PRACTICE ............................................................................. 41 
16 
ETHICS ..................................................................................................................... 41 
16.1 
Independent Ethics Committees / Health Authorities ..................................... 41 
16.2 
Informed Consent ................................................................................................ 41 
17 
AUDITS AND INSPECTIONS ............................................................................... 42 
18 
MONITORING ........................................................................................................ 42 
19 
REPORTING OF RESULTS .................................................................................. 42 
19.1 
Integrated Clinical Trial Report ........................................................................ 42 
19.2 
Use of Information .............................................................................................. 42 


 
Clinical Trial Protocol 
 
 
Vicore Pharma AB 
Version: 2.0 
Trial ID: VP-C21-006 
Date: 14-Aug-2020 
 
 
Confidential 
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19.3 
Publication of Results.......................................................................................... 43 
20 
INSURANCE AND LIABILITY ............................................................................ 43 
21 
REFERENCES ......................................................................................................... 44 
22 
ABBREVIATIONS .................................................................................................. 48 
 
 
 


 
Clinical Trial Protocol 
 
 
Vicore Pharma AB 
Version: 2.0 
Trial ID: VP-C21-006 
Date: 14-Aug-2020 
 
 
Confidential 
Page 7 of 49 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1 
PROTOCOL SUMMARY   
 
Trial Title 
 
A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial investigating the safety and 
efficacy of C21 in hospitalised subjects with COVID-19 infection not requiring mechanical 
ventilation  
Trial ID 
VP-C21-006 
Trial p 
2 
Objectives  
Primary objective 
To investigate the efficacy of C21 200 mg daily dose (100 mg b.i.d.) on COVID-19 infection 
not requiring mechanical invasive or non-invasive ventilation 
 
Secondary objectives 
To evaluate the following of C21 200 mg daily dose (100 mg b.i.d.) 
• 
Effect on inflammation 
• 
Safety profile 
  
Exploratory objectives 
To investigate a range of laboratory parameters as potential biomarkers of inflammation and 
viral load, following oral administration of C21 200 mg daily dose (100 mg b.i.d.).  
 
Endpoints 
Primary endpoint 
• 
Change from baseline in C-reactive protein (CRP) after treatment with C21 200 mg 
daily dose (100 mg b.i.d.) 
 
Secondary endpoints 
1) Change from baseline in: 
• 
Body temperature  
• 
IL-6 
• 
IL-10 
• 
TNF  
• 
CA125 
• 
Ferritin 
2) Number of subjects not in need of oxygen supply  
3) Number of subjects not in need of mechanical invasive or non-invasive ventilation 
4) Time to need of mechanical invasive or non-invasive ventilation 
5) Time on oxygen supply (for those not needing mechanical  invasive or non-invasive 
ventilation 
6) Adverse events 
 
Exploratory endpoints 
Blood samples will be saved for potential future analyses of biomarkers reflecting 
inflammation and lung injury  
 


 
Clinical Trial Protocol 
 
 
Vicore Pharma AB 
Version: 2.0 
Trial ID: VP-C21-006 
Date: 14-Aug-2020 
 
 
Confidential 
Page 8 of 49 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trial Design 
 
A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of 
C21 200 mg daily dose (100 mg b.i.d) on top of standard of care for 7 days.   
 
Approximately 150 subjects with COVID-19 infection will be randomised 1:1 to receive 
either standard of care + C21 (N=75) or  standard of care + placebo (N=75).  
 
All subjects will be followed-up 7-10 days after receiving the last investigational medicinal 
product (IMP) dose (visit or phone call, if recovering at home)  
Inclusion  
Criteria 
 
1) Written informed consent, consistent with ICH GCP R2 and local laws, obtained before 
the initiation of any trial related procedure 
2) Diagnosis of coronavirus (SARS-CoV)-2 infection confirmed by polymerase chain 
reaction (PCR) test < 4 days before Visit 1 with signs of an acute respiratory infection  
3) Age > 18 and < 70 years 
4) CRP > 50 and < 150 mg/l 
5) Admitted to a hospital or controlled facility (home quarantine is not sufficient) 
6) In the opinion of the Investigator, the subject will be able to comply with the 
requirements of the protocol  
 
Exclusion Criteria 
1) Any previous experimental treatment for COVID-19 
2) Need for mechanical invasive or non-invasive ventilation  
3) Concurrent respiratory disease such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 
idiopathic pulmonary disease (IPF) and/or intermittent, persistent or more severe 
asthma requiring daily therapy or any subjects that have had an asthma flare 
requiring corticosteroids in the 4 weeks (28 days) prior to COVID-19 diagnosis   
4) Participation in any other interventional trial within 3 months prior to Visit 1 
5) Any of the following  findings at Visit 1: 
o 
Positive results for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis C virus 
antibody 
(HCVAb) 
or 
human 
immunodeficiency 
virus 
1+2 
antigen/antibody (HIV 1+2 Ag/Ab) 
o 
Positive pregnancy test  (see Section 8.2.3) 
6) Clinically significant abnormal laboratory value at Visit 1 indicating a potential risk 
for the subject if enrolled in the trial as evaluated by the investigator 
7) Concurrent serious medical condition with special attention to cardiac or ophthalmic 
conditions (e.g. contraindications to cataract surgery), which in the opinion of the 
Investigator makes the subject inappropriate for this trial 
8) Malignancy within the past 3 years with the exception of in situ removal of basal cell 
carcinoma and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade I   
9) Treatment with any of the medications listed below within 1 week prior to Visit 1: 
o 
Strong Cytochrome p450 (CYP) 3A4 inducers (e.g. rifampicin, phenytoin, 
St. John’s Wort, phenobarbital, rifabutin, carbamazepine, anti HIV drugs, 
barbituates) 
o 
Warfarin 
10) Pregnant or breast-feeding female subjects 
11) Female subjects of childbearing potential not willing to use contraceptive methods as 
described in Section 5.3.1 
12) Male subjects not willing to use contraceptive methods as described in Section 5.3.1 
13) Subjects known or suspected of not being able to comply with this trial protocol (e.g. 
due to alcoholism, drug dependency or psychological disorder) 
 


 
Clinical Trial Protocol 
 
 
Vicore Pharma AB 
Version: 2.0 
Trial ID: VP-C21-006 
Date: 14-Aug-2020 
 
 
Confidential 
Page 9 of 49 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Withdrawal 
Criteria 
A subject will be withdrawn from IMP if any of the following occurs: 
 
• 
Need for mechanical invasive or non-invasive ventilation 
• 
Discharge from the hospital/controlled facility 
• 
Major protocol deviations as defined by Sponsor.  
• 
Sponsor decision to stop the trial or to stop the subject’s participation in the trial; 
reasons may include medical, safety, or regulatory issues, or other reasons consistent 
with applicable laws, regulations, and GCP. 
• 
It is the wish of the subject for any reason 
• 
The Investigator judges it necessary due to medical reasons 
• 
Adverse events such as: 
o 
Serious cardiovascular complications such as severe peripheral oedema or 
significant bradycardia indicating a potential risk for the subject as 
evaluated by the Investigator  
o 
Moderate to severe skin rashes as judged by the Investigator e.g. Stevens-
Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis 
• 
Pregnancy 
 
Withdrawal from trial: 
• 
Enrolment in other clinical studies involving investigational products or enrolment 
in other types of clinical research judged not to be scientifically or medically 
compatible with this trial. 
• 
Disallowed treatment during the trial period 
• 
It is the wish of the subject for any reason 
• 
The Investigator judges it necessary due to medical reasons  
• 
Adverse events 
• 
Lost to follow-up 
IMP 
IMP will be delivered as 50 mg capsules packed in plastic container units with 28 capsules in 
each.  
Each unit will contain either C21 or matching placebo. 
At the trial site, IMP must be stored separately from normal clinic stocks in a securely locked 
area only accessible to authorised trial personnel.  
Labeling of the IMP will be in local language and done in compliance with GMP Annex 13 
(GMP 2003) and local regulatory requirements. 
IMP will be administered twice daily to the subjects for 7 days as follows: 
• 
Morning dose: Two 50 mg capsules (100 mg C21 or placebo) to be taken with a 
glass of water after minimum 2 hours fasting  
• 
Afternoon/evening dose: Two 50 mg capsules (100 mg C21 or placebo) to be 
taken with a glass of water after minimum 2 hours fasting  
Subjects will be required not to eat anything for 1 hour after taking the IMP.  
Allowed 
Medications 
Concomitant medication may be given according to local standard of care.  
Disallowed 
Medications 
1 week before Visit 1 and during the trial period 
• Strong CYP3A4 inducers (e.g. rifampicin, phenytoin, St. John’s Wort, phenobarbital, 
rifabutin, carbamazepine, anti HIV drugs, barbituates) 
• Warfarin 
• Experimental drugs 


 
Clinical Trial Protocol 
 
 
Vicore Pharma AB 
Version: 2.0 
Trial ID: VP-C21-006 
Date: 14-Aug-2020 
 
 
Confidential 
Page 10 of 49 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2 
FLOW CHARTS 
Table 1 Flow Chart for Trial Procedures 
 
 
 
 
 
Screening 
Treatment Period  
With-
drawal1) 
End-of-
Trial 2) 
Visit Number 
Visit 1 
Visit 2 Visit 3 Visit 4 
Visit 5 
Visit 6 
Visit 7 
Visit 8 
- 
Visit 9 
Visit window (days 
allowed from previous 
visit)  
 
1-3 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
 
- 
 
7-102) 
Eligibility / General 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Informed consent 
x 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Check eligibility criteria 
x 
  x3) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Demographics 
x 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Medical history 
x 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Randomisation 
 
x 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Supplemental O2  
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
     x 
x 
 
x 
Previous/concomitant 
medication 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
Check of withdrawal 
criteria 
 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
 
 
Clinical Safety 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Physical examination4) 
   x4) 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
 
 
Body weight 
x 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Height 
x 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Body temperature 
x 
x 
    x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
 
 
Vital signs 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
 
 
12-lead ECG5) 
x 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adverse events 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
IMP 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
IMP administration6) 
 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
 
 
Check of fasting criteria 
 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
 
 
Drug accountability 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
x 
x 
 
1) 
Additional withdrawal asessments must be performed at Visit 2-8 if the subject is prematurely withdrawn from 
IMP (see Section 6.5.3) 
2) 
An end-of-trial visit for all randomised subjects who received IMP must be performed 7-10 days after the last 
dose of IMP. The end-of-trial visit must also be performed if a subject is withdrawn from the trial for any 
reason.  
3) 
Re-evaluation of in-/exclusion criteria including evaluation of ECG and laboratory results from Visit 1   
4) 
A complete physical examination will be performed at Visit 1. At Visits 2-8, only a short physical examination 
will be performed (see Section 8.2.4) 
5) 
All ECGs will be reviewed locally 
6) 
IMP is administered twice daily (see Section 7.4) 


 
Clinical Trial Protocol 
 
 
Vicore Pharma AB 
Version: 2.0 
Trial ID: VP-C21-006 
Date: 14-Aug-2020 
 
 
Confidential 
Page 11 of 49 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Table 2 Flow Chart for Laboratory Assessments 
 
 
 
 
Visit 
Screening 
Treatment Period  
With-
drawal1) 
End-of-
Trial 2) 
Visit Number 
Visit 1 
Visit 2 Visit 3 Visit 4 
Visit 5 
Visit 6 
Visit 7 
Visit 8 
- 
Visit 9 
Visit window (days 
allowed from previous 
visit)  
 
1-3 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
 
- 
  
7-10 
Laboratory Sampling 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
HCV Ab 
x 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
HBsAg 
x 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
HIV 1+2 Ag/Ab 
x 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Biochemistry7) 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
 
 
Haematology8) 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
 
 
CRP 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
 
IL-6 
 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
 
 
IL-10 
 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
 
 
TNF 
 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
 
 
CA125 
 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
 
 
Ferritin 
 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
 
 
Urinalysis 9) 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
 
 
Biomarkers 
 
x 
 
 
 
 
 
x 
x 
 
Pregnancy testing 10) 11)  
x 
 
 
 
 
 
 
x 
x 
 
 
7) 
Haematology: haemoglobin, haematocrit (erythrocyte volume fraction), platelet count (thrombocyte particle 
concentration [TPC]), leucocyte count, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), white blood cells with differential count 
(see Section 8.2.7) 
8) 
Biochemistry: albumin, alanine transferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST),  
alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bilirubin, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), calcium, creatinine, glucose, potassium, sodium 
(see Section 8.2.7) 
9) Urinalysis: dipstick for bilirubin, glucose, ketones, protein, specific gravity, urobilinogen, and pH 
 (see Section 8.2.7) 
10) Only applicable for female subjects of childbearing potential, as defined in Section 5.3.1. 
11) Urine dipstick is performed – if positive for pregnancy this is to be followed up by a pregnancy blood test 
 


 
Clinical Trial Protocol 
 
 
Vicore Pharma AB 
Version: 2.0 
Trial ID: VP-C21-006 
Date: 14-Aug-2020 
 
 
Confidential 
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3 
BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE 
3.1 
Indication Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) 
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a viral infection caused by the newly emergent coronavirus 
SARS-CoV-2 (World Health Organization [WHO] In January 2020, SARS-CoV-2 was identified 
as the causative agent of an outbreak of viral pneumonia centered around Wuhan, Hubei, China, 
where the first cases were reported in December 2019 (Wu et al., 2020; Zhou et al., 2020; Lu et 
al., 2020). The virus caused a widespread outbreak of infection throughout China. It rapidly 
expanded globally and by March 12, 2020, COVID-19 was announced a pandemic by the World 
Health Organization (WHO).  
SARS-CoV-2 is currently thought to originate from a bat host (Zhou et al., 2020; Lu et al., 2020), 
probably with an intermediate animal host passing the virus from bats to humans (Lake et al., 
2020). Human-to-human transmission is now well established and the transmission occurs via the 
respiratory route or via contact with infected secretions. The basic reproduction number, R0 (the 
expected number of secondary cases produced by a single [typical] infection in a completely 
susceptible population), is currently estimated by the WHO as 1.4-2.5 (Phan et al., 2020). Based 
on 425 cases identified in early January 2020 in Wuhan, the mean incubation period was estimated 
to be 5.2 days (Li et al., 2020).  
COVID-19 infection can cause mild to severe respiratory illness, and symptoms can include fever, 
cough, and shortness of breath (WHO 2020). As of April 1., 2020, the WHO has reported 823,626 
confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 40,598 deaths globally. At present, the European region is the 
region that is most severely affected with 464,212 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 30,089 
deaths. 
Most reported cases of COVID-19 illness are mild, but severe disease is not uncommon. Currently, 
data are limited but early studies from China have shown that severity was related to the burden 
of comorbidities including diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease as well as to 
increasing age (WHO 2020; Huang et al., 2020). Dysregulation of the renin-angiotensin system 
(RAS) cascade is present in each of these comorbidities and could increase the likelihood or 
severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection (Hanff et al., 2020). 
Estimates of case fatality ratio (CFR) of COVID-19 are uncertain. In an early trial including 1,975 
confirmed cases in China, the CFR was 2.8% (Wang et al, 2020). In a new trial including 70,117 
cases in China, a CFR of 3.67% was estimated (Verity et al., 2020). In the same trial,  the authors 
made a best estimate of the CFR in China of 1.38% after adjusting for demography and under-
ascertainment and found substantially higher CFRs in age groups above 60 years than below 60 
years.   
Initial symptoms are not necessarily predictive of disease severity. Several very recent publications 
have shown that CRP is an indicator of COVID-19 progression that predicts severe disease (e.g. 
Li et al., 2020; Tan et al., 2020; Wang et al, 2020) and mortality (Ruan et al., 2020). 


 
Clinical Trial Protocol 
 
 
Vicore Pharma AB 
Version: 2.0 
Trial ID: VP-C21-006 
Date: 14-Aug-2020 
 
 
Confidential 
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3.2 
Current Treatment for COVID-19  
Currently, there is no cure or preventive vaccine for COVID-19. Several clinical trials are ongoing 
and investigating e.g. antiviral and immunomodulatory agents in the search for urgent, safe, and 
effective treatment of COVID-19 infection as well as vaccines for prophylactic treatment of 
COVID-9 infection (WHO). April 1., 2020, 260 trials investigating COVID-19 are listed at 
www.clinicaltrials.gov. The standard of care is primarily organ support depending on disease 
severity and complications (ICNARC 2020).  
3.3 
Investigational Medicinal Product 
The investigational medicinal product (IMP) Compound 21 (C21), is a potent and selective 
angiotensin II (AngII) type 2 receptor (AT2R) agonist presented as 50 mg capsules for oral 
administration. 
C21 is a first-in-class, low molecular weight, orally available high affinity AT2R agonist in 
development for COVID-19 and interstitial lung diseases, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis 
(IPF). The AT2R, which can be viewed as an activator of a tissue-protective natural arm of the 
human body, is mainly expressed in embryonic tissue and, under normal conditions, only at low 
levels in most tissues in healthy adults (Steckelings et al., 2005; de Gasparo et al., 2002). However, 
the AT2R is relatively highly expressed in the adult human lung (Human Protein Atlas), and can 
be upregulated during repair and regeneration (see e.g. Akishita et al., 1999).  
The Renin Angiotensin System (RAS) is an important hormone system that regulates blood 
pressure, fluid, and electrolyte balance, and several other physiological processes. In the RAS 
cascade, the hormone angiotensinogen is converted to angiotensin I (AngI) by the enzyme renin, 
and AngI is then converted to the powerful vasoconstrictor AngII by angiotensin-converting 
enzyme (ACE). AngII functions through 2 specific receptor types, Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor 
(AT1R) and AT2R which have opposing roles (Azushima et al., 2020).  
The AT1R mediates the classical actions of AngII, including constriction of blood vessels, sodium 
retention, and cell growth. However, abnormal AT1R activation contributes to the pathogenesis of 
cardiovascular and renal diseases such as hypertension, myocardial infarction, heart failure, 
different fibrotic diseases as well as the “cytokine storm” causing acute respiratory distress 
syndrome (ARDS) in COVID-19 (Henderson et al., 2020). Conversely, activation of AT2R causes 
dilatation of blood vessels and inhibition of inflammation, apoptosis, and fibrosis, and is thus 
considered to play a beneficial counter-regulatory role to the effects of AT1R activation 
(Matavelli and Siragy, 2015). The natural ligands/agonists of AT2R, Ang 1-7 and Ang 1-9, are the 
products of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), a homologue to ACE, cleaving AngII and 
AngI, respectively (Guignabert et al., 2018). Interstingly, both ACE2 and AT2R have been shown 
to protect mice from severe acute lung injury induced by acid aspiration or sepsis (Imai et al., 
2005), and C21 has been shown to significantly reduce pulmonary inflammation in different 
animal models of acute lung injury by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF 
(Bruce et al., 2015; Menk et al., 2018; Rathinasabapathy et al., 2018). 
ACE2 has been identified as the functional SARS-CoV receptor for cellular entry and replication, 
both in vitro (Li et al., 2003) and in vivo (Kuba et al., 2005).  It is also known that such infection 


 
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results in downregulation of ACE2 (Zhang et al., 2020). Because ACE2 protects against 
inflammatory lung injury, the SARS-CoV-mediated ACE2 downregulation is believed to 
contribute to virus-induced lung pathologies (Kuba et al., 2005) by a reduction of inhibitory control 
over toxic AngII and several pathological complications such as ARDS.  More recently, it was 
shown that ACE2 is also the cellular receptor for SARS-CoV-2, the COVID-19 pathogen (Zhou 
et al., 2020), and it has been suggested that the interaction between ACE2 and CoV-1/CoV-2 
(which is not seen with other less harmful corona viruses) may explain the shift in corona virus 
morbidity and mortality. 
Taken together, Vicore’s findings and the fact that the RAS plays a key role in the development 
of COVID-19 suggest that C21 may have a role in the treatment of the disease by directly 
activating AT2R downstream of ACE2 and thus counteracting the deranged ACE2/ACE imbalance 
in the infected state. 
3.4 
Preclinical Safety  
C21 has undergone an extensive nonclinical safety and toxicology evaluation including safety 
pharmacology, single, and repeated dose toxicity up to 13 weeks in rat, dog, and, cynomolgus 
monkey, genotoxicity, and phototoxicity studies. The key findings from the safety pharmacology 
studies and toxicology studies are presented in Table 3.  
 
Table 3 Summary of Key Safety and Toxicology Findings 
Rat 
Dog 
Cynomolgus Monkey 
Findings 
Effect Dose 
(mg/kg) 
No Effect Dose 
(mg/kg) 
Effect Dose 
(mg/kg) 
No Effect Dose 
(mg/kg) 
Effect Dose 
(mg/kg) 
No Effect Dose 
(mg/kg) 
Increased blood 
pressure 
n.a. 
n.a. 
11) 
n.o. 
n.o 
30 
Increased QTcR 
interval 
n.a 
n.a 
251) 
15 
n.o 
30 
Increased PR 
interval 
n.a 
n.a 
101) 
1 
n.o 
30 
Lens opacities 
20 
6 
n.o. 
25 
n.o 
30 
n.a., not analysed; n.o., not observed; 1)only observed in single dose telemetry trial. 
In the rat, the main toxicological finding was an irreversible uni- or bilateral eye opacity after 13 
weeks of treatment with C21 at doses of 20 and 60 mg/kg/day. The lenticular changes seemed to 
progress after cessation of the treatment. Lens opacity or lenticular changes were not observed in 
either dog or cynomolgus monkey and are therefore thought to be specific to the rat species. 
Other findings observed in rats after treatment of C21 at doses up to 60 mg/kg/day for 4-13 weeks 
included reversible histopathological changes and/or higher organ weights of the liver, the adrenal, 
the ovary, the pituitary, and the thyroid gland. The no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) in 
rats was determined to be 6 mg/kg/day in the 13-week study. 


 
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In the dog, daily doses of 30 mg/kg/day C21 for 14 days were tolerated but were associated with 
small reductions in food intake and body weight, salivation, and emesis. In a 4-week toxicity study, 
no signs of toxicity were detected at doses up to 25 mg/kg/day but increases in blood pressure 
were observed in males administered 25 mg/kg/day. In the 13-week study, only marginal increases 
in blood pressure were observed after administration of 15 mg/kg/day and these were considered 
non-adverse as all values remained within the normal biological variation range.  
Other findings in dogs after administration of 15-25 mg/kg/day for up to 13 weeks included small 
reversible changes in faecal consistency, decreased food consumption and an associated reduction 
in body weight gain, mild haemoconcentration (both sexes), slightly elevated monocyte count 
(males) and fibrinogen levels (both sexes), increased overnight urine volumes and an associated 
reduction in urine specific gravity (females).  
In safety pharmacology studies, cardiovascular effects of C21 treatment were observed in Beagle 
dogs. The main findings were increased blood pressure and electrocardiography (ECG) 
aberrations. Increases in systolic and diastolic arterial pressure were observed at doses of 1 to 25 
mg/kg in a single dose telemetry study and in a 4-week toxicity study only at the highest dose of 
25 mg/kg/day. Effects on ECG were observed at single doses of 10 and 25 mg/kg in the dog 
telemetry study and consisted of PR and QT/QTcR (QT interval with Rautaharju’s correction) 
prolongations, atrioventricular block I and II, and isolated premature ventricular contractions. 
These ECG aberrations could well be explained by the increase in blood pressure. In a 4-week dog 
toxicity study of C21 (up to 25 mg/kg/day), no ECG changes were observed. 
In cynomolgus monkeys, treatment with 100 mg/kg/day C21 for 5 days resulted in emesis, slightly 
reduced body weight, excessive salivation, and liquid faeces. No test item related-findings were 
observed during the in-life ophthalmic investigations or after microscopic evaluation of the eyes 
at doses up to 30 mg/kg/day after 13 weeks of dosing. Administration of C21 at dose levels of 10-
30 mg/kg/day in cynomolgus monkey was associated with excessive salivation, liquid faeces, and 
isolated areas of squamous skin. In addition, an increase in absolute and relative liver weight was 
observed in males, however this effect was probably a secondary effect due to hepatic P450 
induction. The NOAEL in cynomolgus monkey was determined to be 30 mg/kg/day in the 13-
week study. 
There are no indications of mutagenic, genotoxic or phototoxic potential of C21. 
For further details, please refer to the current Investigator’s Brochure. 
 
3.5 
Clinical Safety  
Safety and tolerability of C21 have been evaluated in three phase 1 trials of which 2 trials are 
completed (C21-001-16, C21-002-16) and 1 trial is in the reporting phase (C21-003 [preliminary 
data]). During these trials, C21 was evaluated in single ascending dose (SAD) and multiple 
ascending dose (MAD) trials at doses up to 200 mg twice daily for up to 8 days in healthy subjects 
and at doses up to 100 mg daily for up to 8 days in obese subjects. These trials included 83 subjects 
receiving at least 1 dose of C21.  


 
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C21 was rapidly absorbed in all 3 trials with median tmax ranging from 20 to 60 min. The plasma 
concentration of C21 increased with dose in a dose-dependent (C21-003) or nearly supra-
proportional manner (C21-001-16, C21-002-16). Little or no accumulation of C21 was observed 
after 8 days of dosing. The exposure of C21 was substantially decreased under fed conditions as 
compared to fasted conditions (C21-003). The maximal plasma concentration (Cmax) and area 
under the curve (AUC0-∞) were reduced in a statistically significant manner and were 6.5 and 2.3 
times lower, respectively, in the fed state when compared to the fasted state. In addition, median 
tmax was delayed by approximately 35 min in presence of food. These findings indicate a strong 
interaction with food.   
Levels of the main metabolite of C21 in plasma, M1, were also quantified during the trials. M1 
was rapidly formed across the trials and median tmax was reached a little later than for C21, ranging 
from 75 to 150 min. The plasma concentration of M1 also increased with dose in a nearly supra-
proportional manner. Little or no accumulation of M1 was observed after 8 days of dosing.    
Across the trials, C21 was generally well tolerated at daily doses up to 200 mg, whereas doses of 
200 mg twice daily (400 mg daily) for 8 days resulted in reversible alopecia in 6 out of 6 subjects 
occurring within 2 weeks after end of dosing and improving within 8 weeks after end of dosing 
(C21-003). The observed alopecia was considered related to C21-treatment and is possibly due to 
a secondary pharmacological effect of stimulation of the AT2R.  
The most frequently reported treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAE) related to C21 treatment 
was headache. Other TEAEs related to C21 treatment included dizziness, nausea, and fatigue that 
were reported by 2 subjects and pruritus, rash, vomiting, and diarrhoea that were reported as single 
events. One incidence of syncope of moderate intensity was reported as being related to C21 
treatment (100 mg C21; C21-002-16) and one incidence of presyncope was observed and assessed 
as related to C21 treatment (100 mg C21; C21-002-16).  
One episode of clinically significant PR prolongation was reported in 1 subject’s ECG, recorded 
1 hour after intake of 3 mg C21 (C21-001-16). This event was assessed as related to C21 treatment. 
However, a causal relationship with C21 treatment could not be confirmed or excluded and at this 
stage, it cannot be excluded that C21 could cause slowing of atrioventricular conduction (= PR 
prolongation) in susceptible individuals, although it is considered unlikely with a documented first 
and second degree atrioventricular block in the subject 1 month after the treatment period and 
given the reassuring telemetry findings within the recent phase 1 trial (C21-003) that C21 treatment 
did not affect ECG values. 
There were no clinically significant abnormal findings in the safety laboratory parameters that 
were considered to be related to C21 treatment and no clinically significant findings or dose-related 
trends in blood pressure, heart rate, and ECG except for the above mentioned PR prolongation.  
No serious adverse events (SAEs) or deaths observed during the 3 phase 1 trials.  
In addition, a phase 2a trial in subjects with Raynaud’s phenomenon secondary to SSc (SSc-RP) 
to show proof of mechanism of C21 on vasodilation is currently ongoing. 
For further details, please refer to the current Investigator’s Brochure. 


 
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3.6 
Rationale for Trial  
There is no cure or effective specific therapeutics for treating patients with COVID-19. A 51% 
mortality has been reported in the UK for patients in critical care (ICNARC 2020). The standard 
of care is primarily focussed on organ support such as respiratory failure. A safe and effective 
treatment is urgently needed to reduce mortality and improve clinical disease outcome such as 
from ARDS which is thought to manifest from the exuberant cytokine storm associated with the 
adaptive stage of the disease. 
The current clinical trial is the first investigation of C21 in patients infected with COVID-19. Data 
from the trial will guide and support the design of further clinical investigations of C21 in this 
indication. 
3.7 
Rationale for Trial Design  
Given the urgent need for effective medicines in COVID-19, proof of concept for C21 is sought 
within this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2 trial evaluating the safety and 
efficacy in subjects with  COVID-19 infection who have been hospitalised and are not requiring 
mechanical invasive or non-invasive ventilation. The aim is to intervene early in order to prevent 
more serious complication such as ARDS and/or mechanical ventilation. 
Approximately 150 subjects will be randomised in a 1:1 schedule to receive either standard of care 
+ placebo or standard of care + C21 200 mg daily (100 mg b.i.d.[ bis in die; twice daily]) for 7 
days.  
Rationale for the primary endpoint is supported by several very recent publications that have 
shown that CRP is an indicator of COVID-19 progression predicting severe disease (e.g. Li et al., 
2020; Tan et al., 2020; Wang et al, 2020) and mortality (Ruan et al., 2020). 
Data from the trial will guide the design of further clinical investigations of C21 in this indication. 
3.8 
Rationale for Dose and Dosing Regimen  
C21 is being developed for oral treatment of COVID-19. COVID-19 is a viral infection that 
spreads easily and may cause severe respiratory illness that is potentially life-threatening and 
represents a huge challenge to the health care system. 
 
The results of the phase 1 healthy subject trials for C21 (C21-003; preliminary data) indicate an 
acceptable safety and tolerability profile for the 100 mg b.i.d. dose. The risks of C21 in adults are 
considered primarily related to reversible alopecia seen at the higher dose of 200 mg b.i.d. In the 
recent phase 1 trial, the 100 mg b.i.d. dose administered for 8 days did not cause any hair loss. 
Alopecia is therefore not considered to present any significant safety risk to subjects in this trial.  
 
In the recent phase 1 trial (C21-003), 100 mg b.i.d dosing prolonged the duration of the plasma 
concentration at therapeutic relevant levels. After oral administration, C21 was rapidly absorbed. 
On day 8, median tmax was 0.33 hours after each dose post-dose, and C21 was only measurable in 
plasma until 4-6 hours after the first and second dose. Lower doses than 100 mg b.i.d. may not 
provide maximal efficacy benefit.  


 
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The most recent information on the natural course of hospitalised COVID-19 patients, indicate 
that these patients generally deteriorate within 48 hours and are either discharged or taken into 
intensive care within 7 days. Hence, it is currently believed, that 7 days of treatment with C21 is a 
sufficient treatment duration for a conclusive first trial in this population.  
Overall, the safety profile of C21 as available from preclinical data and from the phase 1 trials is 
interpreted as favourable for further study of the intended indication ‘Treatment of COVID-19’. 
3.9 
Risk-Benefit Assessment  
Currently, there is no cure or preventive vaccine for COVID-19 and the disease has a mortality 
rate of 51% for patients in critical care (ICNARC 2020). 
The risks to subjects in the present trial will be reduced by using a C21 dosing regimen (100 mg 
b.i.d for 7 days), which has been evaluated in the recently completed phase 1 trial (C21-003) and 
found to have an acceptable safety profile. 
The risks of treatment with C21 are primarily considered related to alopecia. However, in the phase 
I trial, alopecia occurred only in subjects who received 200 mg b.i.d. for 8 days. Regrowth of the 
hair observed to date provides reassurance that any such an effect is reversed on cessation of 
treatment.  
There is a hypothetical risk of cataract, given lens opacities seen in one species, the rat; however, 
the dog and the non-human primate showed no evidence at all of this finding, increasing the 
likelihood that the effect is rat specific. In the recently conducted phase 1 trial (C21-003), no effect 
was demonstrated on the lens of subjects exposed to 100 mg b.i.d or 200 mg b.i.d for 8 days. 
In the present trial, any potential risks will be minimised by strict compliance with the eligibility 
criteria. All subjects participating in the trial will be followed closely by medically qualified staff 
throughout the trial period (see Section 2 and Section 6.1). Adverse events (AEs) will be carefully 
documented, and the subjects will receive relevant treatment should they occur.  
Furthermore, the protocol defines withdrawal criteria (see Section 5.4) to secure the safety of 
subjects with severe progression of disease.  If the physician judges it necessary for the subject to 
receive mechanical ventilation or a different treatment during the trial period, the subject will be 
withdrawn from the trial and receive relevant treatment.  
Based on the above, it is considered ethically justifiable to include subjects in the present trial, as 
the potential benefits of C21 are judged to balance possible disadvantages connected with 
participation in the trial. 
 
4 
OBJECTIVES AND ENDPOINTS  
4.1 
Primary Objective 
To investigate the efficacy of C21 200 mg daily dose (100 mg b.i.d.) on COVID-19 infection not 
requiring mechanical invasive or non-invasive ventilation. 


 
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4.2 
Secondary Objectives 
To evaluate the following of C21 200 mg daily dose (100 mg b.i.d.) 
• Effect on inflammation 
• Safety profile 
4.3 
Exploratory Objectives 
To investigate a range of laboratory parameters as potential biomarkers of inflammation and 
viral load, following oral administration of C21 200 mg daily dose (100 mg b.i.d.).  
4.4 
Primary Endpoint 
Change from baseline in C-reactive protein (CRP) after treatment with C21 200 mg daily dose 
(100 mg b.i.d.). 
4.5 
Secondary Endpoints 
1) Change from baseline in: 
• Body temperature  
• IL-6 
• IL-10 
• TNF 
• CA125 
• Ferritin 
2) Number of subjects not in need of oxygen supply  
3) Number of subjects not in need of mechanical invasive or non-invasive ventilation 
4) Time to need of mechanical invasive or non-invasive ventilation 
5) Time on oxygen supply (for those not needing mechanical invasive or non-invasive 
ventilation) 
6) Adverse events 
4.6 
Exploratory Endpoints 
Blood samples will be stored for potential future analyses of biomarkers reflecting inflammation 
and lung injury.  
 
 
 
 
 


 
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5 
TRIAL POPULATION 
5.1 
Inclusion Criteria 
1) Written informed consent, consistent with ICH-GCP R2 and local laws, obtained before 
the initiation of any trial related procedure 
2) Diagnosis of coronavirus (SARS-CoV)-2 infection confirmed by polymerase chain 
reaction (PCR) test < 4 days before Visit 1 with signs of an acute respiratory infection  
3) Age > 18 and < 70 years 
4) CRP > 50 and < 150 mg/l 
5) Admitted to a hospital or controlled facility (home quarantine is not sufficient) 
6) In the opinion of the Investigator, the subject will be able to comply with the 
requirements of the protocol  
5.2 
Exclusion Criteria 
1) Any previous experimental treatment for COVID-19 
2) Need for mechanical invasive or non-invasive ventilation  
3) Concurrent respiratory disease such as COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), 
IPF and/or intermittent, persistent or more severe asthma requiring daily therapy or any 
subjects that have had an asthma flare requiring corticosteroids in the 4 weeks (28 days) 
prior to COVID-19 diagnosis   
4) Participation in any other interventional trial within 3 months prior to Visit 1 
5) Any of the following  findings at Visit 1: 
o Positive results for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis C virus antibody 
(HCVAb) or human immunodeficiency virus 1+2 antigen/antibody (HIV 1+2 
Ag/Ab 
o Positive pregnancy test (see Section 8.2.3) 
6) Clinically significant abnormal laboratory value at Visit 1 indicating a potential risk for the 
subject if enrolled in the trial as evaluated by the Investigator 
7) Concurrent serious medical condition with special attention to cardiac or ophthalmic 
conditions (e.g. contraindications to cataract surgery), which in the opinion of the 
Investigator makes the subject inappropriate for this trial 
8) Malignancy within the past 3 years with the exception of in situ removal of basal cell 
carcinoma and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade I   
9) Treatment with any of the medications listed below within 1 week prior to Visit 1: 
a. Strong Cytochrome p450 (CYP) 3A4 inducers (e.g. rifampicin, phenytoin, St. 
John’s Wort, phenobarbital, rifabutin, carbamazepine, anti HIV drugs, barbituates) 
b. Warfarin 
10) Pregnant or breast-feeding female subjects 
11) Female subjects of childbearing potential not willing to use contraceptive methods as 
described in Section 5.3.1 


 
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12) Male subjects not willing to use contraceptive methods as described in Section 5.3.1 
13) Subjects known or suspected of not being able to comply with this trial protocol (e.g. due 
to alcoholism, drug dependency or psychological disorder) 
5.3 
Restrictions During the Trial 
5.3.1 
Contraception Requirements 
Women of child bearing potential must practice abstinence (if that is their preferred lifestyle) from 
Visit 1 to Visit 9, or must agree to use a highly effective method of contraception with a failure 
rate of <1% to prevent pregnancy (combined [oestrogen and progestogen containing] hormonal 
contraception associated with inhibition of ovulation [oral, intravaginal, transdermal], 
progestogen-only hormonal contraception associated with inhibition of ovulation [oral, injectable, 
implantable], intrauterine device or intrauterine hormone-releasing system) from at least 4 weeks 
prior to first IMP administration to 4 weeks after last IMP administration. Their male partner must 
agree to use a condom during the same time frame, unless he has had a demonstrated successful 
vasectomy more than 6 months prior to first IMP administration. 
Males should use condom and their female partner of child-bearing potential must use a 
contraceptive method with a failure rate of <1% to prevent pregnancy (see above) and drug 
exposure of a partner and refrain from donating sperm from the date of dosing until 3 months after 
the last IMP administration. 
 
5.3.2 
Dietary Restrictions  
In relation to IMP administrations, subjects should adhere to restrictions regarding food intake: 
• No food intake for 2 hours prior to taking the C21 capsules 
• No food intake for 1 hour after taking the C21 capsules 
5.4 
Withdrawal Criteria 
In all cases of withdrawal from IMP or trial, the reason(s) for withdrawal, must be recorded in the 
electronic case report form (eCRF) if known. Note: all attempts should be made to determine the 
underlying reason for the withdrawal and, where possible, the primary underlying reason should 
be recorded. 
5.4.1 
Withdrawal from Trial IMP  
If a subject is prematurely withdrawn from IMP, the Investigator must make every effort to 
perform the withdrawal assessments described in Section 6.5.3, and further perform end-of-trial 
Visit (Visit 9) 7-10 days after the last dose of IMP.   
A subject will be withdrawn from IMP if any of the following occurs: 
 
• Need for mechanical invasive or non-invasive ventilation 
• Discharge from the hospital/controlled facility 
• Major protocol deviations as defined by Sponsor.  


 
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• Sponsor decision to stop the trial or to stop the subject’s participation in the trial; reasons 
may include medical, safety, or regulatory issues, or other reasons consistent with 
applicable laws, regulations, and GCP. 
• It is the wish of the subject for any reason 
• The Investigator judges it necessary due to medical reasons 
• Adverse events such as: 
o Serious cardiovascular complications such as severe peripheral oedema or 
significant bradycardia indicating a potential risk for the subject as evaluated by 
the Investigator  
o Moderate to severe skin rashes as judged by the Investigator e.g. Stevens-Johnson 
syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis 
• Pregnancy 
 
5.4.2 
Withdrawal from Trial  
• Enrolment in other clinical trials involving investigational products or enrolment in other 
types of clinical research judged not to be scientifically or medically compatible with this 
trial. 
• Disallowed treatment during the trial period 
• It is the wish of the subject for any reason 
• The Investigator judges it necessary due to medical reasons  
• Adverse events 
• Lost to follow-up 
6 
TRIAL DESIGN  
6.1 
Overall Trial Design 
This is a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2 trial investigating the safety and 
efficacy of C21 in subjects who are hospitalised with COVID-19 infection, but not in need of 
mechanical invasive or non-invasive ventilation.  
In total, approximately 150  subjects will be enrolled and randomised to receive twice daily oral 
administration of either standard of care (SoC) + placebo (N=75) or SoC + C21 (N=75). Subjects 
will be treated for 7 days. 
All subjects will be followed up 7-10 days after receiving the last IMP dose (visit, or phone call if 
recovering at home). 
A total of 9 visits are defined: 
• Visit 1:  
Screening 
• Visits 2–8:  
Treatment period  
• Visit 9:  
End-of-trial 
IMP will be administered twice daily (b.i.d.) during the treatment period. 


 
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Final safety follow-up assessments at Visit 9 (end-of-trial visit), must be performed for all subjects 
who have received IMP administration. Visit 9 must be scheduled 7-10 days after the last IMP 
administration (see Section 7.4). 
The maximum duration of the trial for any subject will be approximately 3 weeks, including a 
screening period of up to 3 days, a treatment period of 7 days and a visit for safety follow-up (end-
of-trial) to be conducted 7-10 days after the last dose of IMP (see clinical trial design in Figure 1). 
6.2 
Number of Subjects 
The trial will include approximately 150 subjects. Re-screening of subjects failing to meet the in- 
& exclusion criteria is not allowed. 
6.3 
Trial Diagram  
Visit 1
(Sceening)
SoC + C21 (N=75)
SoC + Placebo (N=75)
Visit 9
(End-of-
trial)
(may be a 
telephone 
contact)
Randomisation
(Visit 2)
Treatment period over 7 days (Visit 2-Visit 8) 
 
6.4 
Trial Duration and Participating Centers 
Planned first subject screened:  
Q2 2020 
Planned last subject enrolled:  
Q3 2020 
Planned last subject last visit:  
Q3 2020 
The end-of-trial date is defined as the date the last subject completes the last visit. 
The trial will be conducted at trial sites  globally. 
Figure 1. VP-C21-006 Clinical Trial Design 


 
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6.5 
Schedule of Events 
6.5.1 
Screening (Visit 1) 
Prior to and no later than at start of screening (Visit 1), i.e. before any trial-related activity takes 
place, the Investigator or a qualified designee will explain the nature of the trial, its purpose, the 
procedures involved, the expected duration, the potential risks and benefits involved, and any 
discomfort the subject may entail. All explanations shall be in layman’s language. The subject will 
be provided with a copy of the information sheet. The subject must be given sufficient time to 
consider the trial before deciding whether to participate. 
After signed informed consent is obtained from the subject, the screening procedures can be 
initiated. 
All subjects giving informed consent to participate in the trial will receive a screening number. 
During the screening visit, the subject is evaluated for eligibility (see Section 5.1 and 5.2). 
The following procedures are performed: 
• Written informed consent to be obtained 
• Assignment of screening number 
• Check of in- & exclusion criteria  
• Assessment of eligibility which includes review of demographics, medical history, 
concomitant illnesses and medication, physical examination, height, body weight, and 
measurement of blood pressure, pulse, respiration rate, and body temperature (morning 
values) 
• Medical history and concomitant medication 
• 12-lead electrocardiography (ECG) 
• Recording need of supplementary O2   
• Blood sampling for: 
o CRP 
o HBsAG, HCVab, HIV 1+2 Ag/Ab (see Table 2 and Section 8) 
o Safety (haematology and biochemistry) (see Section 8.2.7) 
• Urinalysis (dipstick) for bilirubin, glucose, ketones, protein, specific gravity, urobilinogen, 
pH (see Section 8.2.7) 
• Pregnancy testing (urine dipstick), if positive a blood pregnancy test must be performed to 
confirm positive pregnancy 
• Adverse events 
 
6.5.2 
Treatment Period (Visits 2-8) 
The treatment period lasts for 7 days (Visit 2-8). The procedures to be performed at each visit are 
specified below. 
 
 


 
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Visit 2 
Visit 2 can be scheduled as soon as the relevant screening assessments are available. Visit 2 must 
occur within 3 days from Visit 1 (screening). 
 
The following procedures are performed: 
• Re-evaluation of in- & exclusion criteria  
• Short physical examination (including vital signs)  
• Evaluation of ECG and laboratory results from Visit 1 
• Assignment of randomisation number 
• Concomitant medication 
• Recording need of supplementary O2 
• Blood sampling for: 
o CRP 
o Safety (haematology and biochemistry) (see Section 8.2.7) 
o IL-6, IL-10, TNF, CA125, ferritin 
o Biomarkers 
• Urinalysis (dipstick for bilirubin, glucose, ketones, protein, specific gravity, urobilinogen 
and pH) 
• IMP administration twice daily including diatery restrictions (see Section 5.3.2) 
• Check of withdrawal criteria 
• Adverse events 
 
Visits 3-8 
• Concomitant medication 
• Short physical examination (including vital signs at the judgement of the Investigator) 
• Recording need of supplementary O2 
• Blood sampling for  
o CRP  
o Safety (haematology and biochemistry) (see Section 8.2.7) 
o IL-6, IL-10, TNF, CA125, ferritin 
• Urinalysis (dipstick for bilirubin, glucose, ketones, protein, specific gravity, urobilinogen 
and pH) 
• IMP administration twice daily including dietary restrictions (see Section 5.3.2) 
• Check of withdrawal criteria  
• Adverse events 
 
In addition for Visit 8 (end-of-treatment) only: 
• Pregnancy testing (urine dip-stick), if positive a blood pregnancy test must be performed 
to confirm positive pregnancy 
• Biomarkers 
• Drug accountability  
 


 
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6.5.3 
Withdrawal assessments  
If a subject is prematurely withdrawn from IMP at Visit 2-8 (before last dose at Visit 8), additional 
withdrawal assessments must be performed (see Section 5.4.1). These include: 
• Concomitant medication 
• Blood sampling for: 
o CRP 
o Biomarkers 
• Pregnancy test 
• Adverse events 
• Drug accountability  
 
6.5.4 
End-of-Trial (Visit 9) 
Visit 9 is performed for all randomised subjects 7-10 days after the last IMP administration and 
may be performed as a telephone contact. 
The following procedures are performed: 
• Concomitant medication 
• Date of discharge 
• Use of supplemental O2  
• Use of mechanical invasive and non-invasive mechanical ventilation   
• Adverse events  
If a subject is prematurely withdrawn from IMP, Visit 9 must be performed 7-10 days after last 
IMP dose (see Section 5.4.1). 
 
 


 
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7 
TRIAL TREATMENT 
7.1 
Investigational Medicinal Product 
7.1.1 
Active Treatment  
Active substance: C21 is presented as a capsule for oral administration. The drug substance is 3-
[4-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)phenyl]-5-(2-methylpropyl)thiophene-2-[(N-butyloxylcarbamate)-
sulphonamide] sodium salt supplied as a free form equivalent (eq.) 50 mg C21 oral capsule. 
Table 4 Qualitative and Quantitative Composition of C21 
Component 
Quality reference 
Function 
Quantity (mg) /unit 
C21 (PD00377 Na-salt) 
Company specification 
Active pharmaceutical 
ingredient 
52.3a 
Mannitol 
Ph. Eur. 
Filler 
203.38 
Anhydrous colloidal 
silica 
Ph. Eur. 
Glidant 
2.14 
Magnesium stearate 
Ph. Eur. 
Lubricant 
2.61 
Vcaps® Plus capsule 
Company specification 
Capsule shell 
1 piece 
a Equivalent to 50 mg free form and the amount may be adjusted based on its purity 
 
7.1.2 
Reference Treatment (Placebo) 
Active substance: None 
Table 5 Qualitative and Quantitative Composition of Placebo 
Component 
Quality reference 
Function 
Quantity (mg) /unit 
Mannitol 
Ph. Eur. 
Filler 
347.32 
Anhydrous colloidal 
silica 
Ph. Eur 
Glidant 
2.94 
Magnesium stearate 
 
Ph. Eur 
Lubricant 
3.53 
Vcaps® Plus capsule 
  
Company specification 
Capsule shell 
1 piece 
 
 
 


 
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7.2 
Packaging, Labelling and Storage 
IMP will be delivered as 50 mg capsules packed in plastic containers with 28 capsules in each.  
Each container will be labelled in local language. 
At the trial site, IMP must be stored separately from normal clinic stocks in a securely locked area 
only accessible to authorised trial personnel. Storage temperature must be monitored and kept at 
room temperature (15-25o C) at the pharmacy. 
Labelling of the IMP will be done in compliance with GMP Annex 13 (GMP 2003) and local 
regulatory requirements. 
IMP will be administereded twice daily to subjects at Visits 2-8.  
7.3 
Treatment Assignment 
Eligible subjects will be randomised to receive either SoC + placebo or SoC + C21. The doses 
administered to each subject will be: 
• C21 100 mg b.i.d. 
• Placebo b.i.d 
Each subject will be assigned a ransomisation (kit) code number. 
Authorised staff will document the randomisation number assigned in the subject’s medical 
record and in the eCRF. 
7.4 
IMP Administration 
IMP will be administered twice daily as follows: 
• Morning dose: Two 50 mg capsules (100 mg C21 or placebo) to be taken with a glass 
of water after minimum 2 hours fasting  
• Afternoon/evening dose: Two 50 mg capsules (100 mg C21 or placebo) to be taken 
with a glass of water after minimum 2 hours fasting  
Subjects will be required not to eat anything for 1 hour after taking the IMP.  
7.5 
Compliance Check and Drug Accountability 
Compliance with C21 administration will be assessed by capsule count performed by the trial 
staff at Visit 8 or as an additional withdrawal assessment (see Section 6.5.3), if the subject is 
prematurely withdrawn. Details of the capsule count and compliance check will be recorded in 
the subject’s medical record. 
After IMP accountability has been completed, all unused and partly used IMP will be returned to 
the Sponsor or Sponsor’s designee for destruction. All returned IMP will be documented and 
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7.6 
Blinding of the Trial 
The trial will be conducted in double-blind fashion and the allocation of treatments will not be 
disclosed until clean file has been declared and the database has been locked.  
Active treatment (C21) and reference treatment (matching placebo capsules) are identical in size, 
colour, smell, and appearance. The packaging and labelling of IMP will reveal no evidence of IMP 
identity. Hence, it is expected that subjects, Investigator and other trial personnel will remain 
unaware of treatment allocation. 
7.7 
Procedures for Unblinding 
The Sponsor or Sponsor’s designee will provide trial sites with one randomisation code envelope 
per each randomised subject (together with the IMP). 
The treatment code may only be broken in case of a medical emergency. The Investigator shall 
only un-blind the treatment allocation of a subject in the course of a clinical trial, if un-blinding is 
relevant for the safety of the subject.  
For expedited reporting purposes, the Sponsor or Sponsor’s designee will be able to perform un-
blinding.  
Whenever a randomisation code is broken at the site, the person breaking the code must record the 
time, date, and reason as well as her/his initials in the subject’s medical records. 
The subject must be withdrawn immediately after code break. 
7.8 
Prior and Concomitant Medications 
Concomitant medications are all medications being continued by the subject at trial entry, and all 
medications 3 months prior to screening and received in addition to IMP during the trial period. 
At each visit, the Investigator or qualified designee will record concomitant medication. All 
concomitant medications will be documented in the subject’s medical records and in the eCRF. 
Any changes in concomitant medications (e.g. new treatment, discontinuation of treatment or 
change in dosage) during the trial period must be documented in the subject’s medical records and 
in the eCRF. 
The following information will be recorded in the eCRF: 
• Generic name (preferred) or trade name 
• Reason for prescription 
• Dose unit and frequency 
• Route of administration 
• Start date (if started > 3 months prior to Visit 1, then this can be stated instead of recording 
a date) 
• Stop date (unless ongoing at trial termination) 
 


 
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7.8.1 
Allowed Concomitant Medication 
Concomitant medication may be given according to local standard of care.  
 
7.8.2 
Disallowed Concomitant Medication 
The following treatments are not allowed: 
 
8 
ASSESSMENTS 
8.1 
Efficacy Assessments 
8.1.1 
Temperature  
Daily measurements of body temperature will be performed at each visit from Visit 1 (screening) 
to Visit 8 (end-of-treatment) in the morning.  
 
8.1.2 
Laboratory Samples 
The following blood samples, will be obtained at each visit from Visit 1 (screening) to Visit 8 
(end-of-treatment).  
 
• CRP (additional blood samples for CRP must be obtained from subjects prematurely 
withdrawn from IMP (see Section 6.5.3) 
• IL-6, IL-10, TNF, CA125, and ferritin  
Details of blood sampling and storage will be specified in the laboratory manual. 
 
8.1.3 
Biomarkers  
Blood samples for potential analysis of biomarkers related to inflammation and lung injury will be 
obtained at Visit 2 and Visit 8 (end-of-treatment). 
Details of blood sampling and storage will be specified in the laboratory manual. 
One week before Visit 1 and during the trial period 
• Strong CYP3A4 inducers (e.g. rifampicin, phenytoin, St. John’s Wort, phenobarbital, rifabutin, 
carbamazepine, anti HIV drugs, barbituates) 
• Warfarin 
• Experimental drugs 


 
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8.2 
Safety Assessments 
8.2.1 
Adverse Events 
Adverse events will be reported from signing of informed consent until end-of-trial participation 
(Visit 9). 
 
8.2.2 
Medical History and Concomitant Illnesses 
The medical history including date of first diagnosis of disease under study and concomitant 
illnesses will be obtained by interviewing the subject or by checking his/her medical records. 
 
8.2.3 
Pregnancy Test 
Women of childbearing potential will undergo pregnancy tests (urine dip-sticks) at Visit 1 and 
Visit 8 (or at the withdrawal assessments if the subject is withdrawn prematurely). If the urine 
pregnancy test is positive, a blood pregnancy test will be performed to confirm positive 
pregnancy.1)  
1) Women of non-childbearing potential are defined as pre-menopausal females who are sterilised (tubal 
ligation or permanent bilateral occlusion of fallopian tubes); or post-menopausal defined as 12 months of 
amenorrhea). 
 
8.2.4 
Physical Examination 
A complete physical examination including assessments of the head, eyes, ears, nose, throat, skin, 
thyroid, neurological, lungs, cardiovascular, abdomen (liver and spleen), lymph nodes, and 
extremities will be performed at Visit 1.  
A short version of the physical examination including assessments of selected body systems at the 
judgement of the Investigator will be performed at Visits 2-8.  
 
8.2.5 
Vital Signs and Body Temperature 
Systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulse, respiration rate, and body temperature will be 
measured sitting in a 45º angle position after 10 minutes of rest at all visits except Visit 9  (end-of-
trial).  
 
8.2.6 
Electrocardiogram 
12-lead electrocardiography (ECG) will be recorded at Visit 1. 
 
8.2.7 
Safety Laboratory Parameters 
Safety laboratory parameters which are to be taken at every visit except Visit 9 (end-of-trial): 


 
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• Haematology: haemoglobin (Hb), haematocrit (erythrocyte volume fraction), platelet 
count (thrombocyte particle concentration [TPC]), leucocyte count, mean corpuscular 
volume (MCV), white blood cells with differential count 
• Biochemistry: albumin, alanine transferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), 
alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bilirubin, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), calcium, creatinine, 
glucose, potassium, sodium 
• Urinalysis: dipstick for bilirubin, glucose, ketones, protein, specific gravity, urobilinogen, 
and pH 
 
Any laboratory abnormality, judged by the Investigator to be a clinically relevant worsening since 
Visit 1, should be reported as an adverse event if the laboratory abnormality requires clinical 
intervention or further investigation, unless the laboratory abnormality is associated with an 
already reported event. 
 
8.3 
Other Assessments 
8.3.1 
Demographics  
Demographic and baseline characteristics will be obtained at Visit 1. These include but are not 
limited to age at screening, sex, height, and body weight. 
 
9 
ADVERSE EVENTS 
9.1 
Adverse Event Definitions 
An adverse event (AE), an adverse drug reaction (ADR), and a serious adverse event (SAE) are 
defined according to ICH Guideline E2A (ICH 1994). 
An AE is any untoward medical occurrence in a subject administered the IMP and which may or 
may not have a causal relationship with this IMP. An AE can therefore be any unfavorable and 
unintended sign (e.g. a significant abnormal laboratory finding, symptom, or disease temporally 
associated with the use of the IMP, whether or not considered related to the IMP. 
An ADR is any noxious and unintended response to an IMP related to any dose of the IMP.  
An SAE is any untoward medical occurrence that at any dose: 
• Results in death 
• Is life-threatening (this refers to an event in which the subject was at risk of death at the 
time of the event; it does not refer to an event that hypothetically might have caused death 
if it was more severe) 
• Requires in-patient hospitalisation or prolongation of existing hospitalisation 
• Results in persistent or significant disability or incapacity 
• Is a congenital anomaly or birth defect 


 
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• Is judged medically important (this refers to an event that may not be immediately life-
threatening or result in death or hospitalisation, but may jeopardise the subject or may 
require intervention to prevent one of the other outcomes listed) 
A non-SAE is any AE that does not meet the definition of an SAE. 
The following will not be considered an AE: 
• Pre-planned procedure (documented at Visit 1) unless the condition for which the 
procedure was planned has worsened from the first trial related activity after the subject 
has signed the informed consent form 
• Concomitant illness identified as a result of screening procedures. However, if symptoms 
are worsened and/or become serious as defined in Section 9.1, this must be reported as a 
SAE. 
9.2 
Adverse Event Assessment Definitions 
9.2.1 
Severity 
The Investigator should assess the severity of all AEs according to the following definitions: 
• Mild: awareness of sign or symptom, but easily tolerated (acceptable). 
• Moderate: discomfort to interfere with usual activities (disturbing). 
• Severe: incapacity to work or to perform usual activities (unacceptable).  
Note the distinction between seriousness and severity: The term severe is used to describe the 
intensity of the event and a severe event is not necessarily serious. The seriousness criteria serve 
as a guide for defining regulatory reporting obligations. 
 
9.2.2 
Relationship to IMP 
Assessment of causality is based on the following considerations: associative connections (time 
and/or place), pharmacological explanations, previous knowledge of the drug, presence of 
characteristic clinical or pathological phenomena, exclusion of other causes, and/or absence of 
alternative explanations. 
The Investigator will be asked to assess causal relationship to the IMP according to the following 
classifications: 
Related:  
• Time relationship exists; and previous knowledge of the trial product supports a causal 
relationship although another cause cannot be ruled out; and/or improvement on dechallenge 
or dose reduction has occurred (if performed); and/or recurrence of symptoms on rechallenge 
has occurred (if performed); and/or a specific laboratory test supports a causal relationship 
 


 
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Not related:  
• No time relationship between administration of the trial product and occurrence or worsening 
of the AE exists; and/or another cause is confirmed and no indication for involvement of the 
trial product in the occurrence/worsening of the AE exists. The alternative, most likely other 
cause(s) should be indicated 
 
9.2.3 
Outcome 
The Investigator will be asked to record the most appropriate outcome of the following: 
• Recovered/resolved 
• Recovering/resolving 
• Not recovered/not resolved 
• Recovered/resolved with sequelae 
• Fatal 
• Unknown  
 
9.3 
Reporting of Adverse Events 
All events meeting the definition of an AE must be reported in the period from the subject has 
signed the informed consent form until the end-of-trial participation (Visit 9). 
At each visit the subject will be asked about AEs in an objective manner, e.g.: “Have you 
experienced any problems since the last visit?” 
Only medically qualified personnel (Investigators) must assess AEs. 
AEs must be reported on the AE form. In the eCRF the diagnosis should be recorded, if available. 
If no diagnosis is available each sign and symptom should be recorded as individual AEs. 
SAEs, in addition, must be reported within 24 hours of obtaining knowledge of the event. The 
information to be reported will include assessment of severity, causal relationship to IMP or trial 
procedures, action taken, outcome, and a narrative description of the course of the event. 
Additional information may be subsequently provided. 
The SAE form and all other relevant documents supporting the reported SAE (e.g. diagnostic 
procedures, hospital records, autopsy reports) must be faxed or scanned/emailed to the Sponsor or 
Sponsor’s designee.  
The independent ethics committees (IEC) and regulatory authorities will be notified of SAEs 
according to current regulation and local requirements. 
All suspected unexpected serious adverse reactions (SUSARs) are subject to expedited reporting 
to regulatory authorities. Pharmacovigilance will unblind such cases prior to reporting. 
Investigators, the Sponsor and local IECs (if applicable) will remain blinded. 


 
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The expectedness of a SUSAR will be assessed against the reference safety information. Any 
SUSARs will be reported by the clinical research organisation (CRO) to the relevant competent 
authority. SUSARS will also be reported to the IEC by the site/CRO. Fatal and life threatening 
SUSARs will be reported as soon as possible and no later than seven calendar days from the date 
of first knowledge of the event. Relevant follow-up information will subsequently be expedited 
within an additional eight days. All other SUSARs will be expedited no later than 15 calendar days 
of first knowledge of the event. 
9.4 
Follow-up on Adverse Events 
All AEs should be followed until they are resolved or the subject’s participation in the trial ends, 
whichever comes first. 
SAEs and severe, non-serious AEs considered related to IMP should be followed on a regular basis 
according to the investigator’s clinical judgment until a final outcome has been established. 
9.5 
Pregnancies 
Any pregnancy that occurs during trial participation must be reported and administration of IMP 
must be terminated immediately. A pregnancy must be reported immediately to Sponsor or 
designee. The pregnancy must be followed up to determine outcome (including premature 
termination) and status of mother and infant. Pregnancy complications and elective terminations 
for medical reasons must be reported as AEs or SAEs, as applicable. Spontaneous abortion must 
be reported as an SAE. 
In addition, the Investigator must attempt to collect pregnancy information on any female partners 
of male trial participants who become pregnant while the participant is enrolled in the trial. 
Pregnancy information must be reported to Sponsor as described above. 
 
10 
CHANGES TO TRIAL CONDUCT 
10.1 
Protocol Amendments 
Before implementation of substantial changes (as defined in EU guidance documents [European 
Commission 2006, 2010]) unless considered an Urgent Safety Measure, approval/favourable 
opinion must be obtained from the appropriate regulatory authority(ies) and IEC(s). 
10.2 
Premature Termination of the Trial 
In case of premature termination of the trial, regulatory authorities, and IECs will be notified in 
writing, including the reason for premature termination. 
Conditions that may warrant premature termination of the trial include, but are not limited to the 
following: 
• The discovery of an unexpected and significant or unacceptable risk to the subjects enrolled in 
the trial 
• A decision of the Sponsor to discontinue development of the IMP 


 
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10.3 
Premature Termination of a Trial Site 
The Sponsor can decide to prematurely terminate a site. Conditions that may warrant termination 
include, but are not limited to: 
• Insufficient adherence to protocol requirements 
• Failure to enrol subjects at an acceptable rate 
 
11 
DATA HANDLING AND RECORD KEEPING  
11.1 
Data from Clinical Trial Sites 
Data from clinical trial sites will be entered in an eCRF. 
The Investigator will sign relevant eCRF sections by use of an electronic signature. Only the 
Investigator (i.e. medically qualified personnel) can sign data on medical assessments. Any 
corrections made by the Investigator or authorised staff to the eCRF after original entry will be 
documented in an audit trail. The person making the change and the date, time and reason for the 
change will be identified in the audit trail. Changes to the data already approved/signed by an 
Investigator will require re-signature by the Investigator. The Investigator (principal Investigator 
or sub-Investigator) will sign all subject data in the eCRF by an electronic signature. 
Subject data will be recorded anonymously and the subjects will be identified only by a screening 
number. 
The monitor will check the eCRF for accuracy and completion and perform source data 
verification. Data entered in the eCRF will be verified against source data. The level of source data 
verification is described in Section 11.2. 
 
11.2 
Source Data 
All data entered in the eCRF should be verifiable by source data in the subject’s medical record 
or other records at the trial site, as applicable: 
• Details of the trial (trial ID and subject screening and randomisation number) 
• Date(s) of informed consent of the subject 
• Data of each trial visit including signature and/or initials of person(s) conducting the visit 
• Data and information of any relevant telephone contact with the subject and signature and/or 
initials of person(s) conducting or receiving the call 
• Subject’s date of birth 
• Diagnosis of coronavirus (SARS-CoV)-2 infection including start date  
• Medical history and concomitant illness including start and stop dates 


 
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• Concomitant medication including start and stop dates 
• Overall conclusion of the subject’s eligibility  
• Conclusion and results for each in-/exclusion criterion with respect to fulfillment of trial 
eligibility or not 
• Physical examination  
• Height and body weight  
• Blood pressure, pulse, respiration rate, and body temperature  
• ECG evaluation by Investigator 
• All laboratory samplings and data, including date and time of blood and urine   
• Investigator’s evaluation of haematology and biochemistry results being out of range 
• Date and times of blood sampling 
• All AEs, SAEs, and pregnancies described in details 
• Date and time of IMP administration  
• Fasting criteria fulfilled 
• Premature withdrawal of subject from the trial including reason and withdrawal criteria 
fullfilled 
11.3 
Coding of Data 
Medical history and AEs will be coded using the lastest version of Medical Dictionary for 
Regulatory Activities (MedDRA). 
Concomitant medication will be coded using the latest version of WHO Drug Reference List. 
11.4 
Subject Confidentiality 
The confidentiality of the subject data and subject records shall be protected, respecting the 
privacy and confidentiality rules in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements. 
 
12 
RETENTION OF DOCUMENTS 
The monitor will instruct the Investigator to maintain source documents and the signed informed 
consent form for each subject. 
Furthermore, the monitor will instruct the Investigator to archive essential documents for the 
duration defined in the ICH Guideline E6 (Note for Guidance on Good Clinical Practice 
[ICH-GCP R2]) or for 15 years, whichever comes first. 
The duration of archiving defined in the ICH Guideline E6 is as follows: 


 
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Essential documents should be retained until at least 2 years after the last approval of a marketing 
application in an ICH region and until there are no pending or contemplated marketing applications 
in an ICH region or at least 2 years have elapsed since the formal discontinuation of clinical 
development of the investigational product. These documents should be retained for a longer 
period however if required by the applicable regulatory requirements or by an agreement with the 
Sponsor. 
The Sponsor will notify the Investigator when retention of the trial-related records is no longer 
required. 
 
13 
STATISTICAL METHODS  
The principal features of the statistical analysis to be performed are described in this section. A 
more technical and detailed elaboration of the principal features will be presented in a separate 
statistical analysis plan, which will be signed and approved prior to the database lock. 
13.1 
Sample Size and Power Considerations 
Sample size is based on the assumption of a standard deviation of 60 mg/L for the change in CRP. 
With  75 subjects per group and a two-sided t-test at 10% significance level, there will be an 
approximative 80% power to detect a true reduction of 25 mg/L in C21 treated subjects compared 
to placebo.    
 
Analysis Data Sets 
The full analysis set (FAS) will consist of all subjects who have been randomised and received at 
least one dose of IMP and who has at least one post-baseline assessment of efficacy.  
The per protocol analysis set (PPAS) will be a subset of FAS and consist of all subjects without 
any major protocol deviations that are judged to compromise the analysis of the data. All protocol 
deviations will be judged as major or minor prior to database lock. 
The safety analysis set (SAS) will consist of all subjects who have been randomised and received 
at least one dose of IMP. 
13.2 
Subject Disposition 
13.2.1 
Baseline Characteristics 
The subject flow in terms of number of enrolled, randomised, treated, completed, and withdrawn 
(including reason for withdrawal) subjects and subjects included in each analysis data set will be 
summarised by treatment group. 
Demographics, medical history, baseline characteristics, and prior medications will be listed and 
summarised by treatment group in terms of descriptive statistics: mean, standard deviation, 


 
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median, and range for continuous outcomes and frequencies and percentages for categorical 
outcomes. 
13.3 
Efficacy Analysis 
13.3.1 
Efficacy Endpoint Analysis 
The primary endpoint will be the change in CRP from baseline to the average of the last 2 
assessments during the treatment period. For early withdrawn subjects (any cause) the last 
computable average or value (if only one) will be carried forward to represent state at end-of-trial. 
CRP data will be summarised by day and treatment including the change from baseline. 
Treatments will be compared using an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) model with fixed factor 
treatment and baseline CRP as covariate. Estimated treatment difference will be given with 90% 
confidence intervals and associated, two-sided, p-value. Subjects will be evaluated both with 
respect to the FAS and the PPAS populations. 
Secondary (continuous) endpoints such as body temperature and pre-specified laboratory values 
and biomarkers will be summarised by visit and for the change over trial by descriptive statistics. 
The change from baseline will be compared using similar ANCOVA models as the primary 
endpoint. 
The number of subjects not in need of oxygen or not in need of mechanical ventilaton will be 
compared between treatments using a logistic regression model adjusting for treatment. Estimated 
treatment difference will be given as an odds ratio with 90% confidence intervals and associated, 
two-sided, p-value. For early withdrawn subjects the status as assessed on last day in the treatment 
will be used. 
The time to need of mechanical invasive or non-invasive ventilation will be summarised by 
treatment group and compared between groups using the log-rank test. Subjects not in need of 
mechanical ventilation will be censored at last day in treatment period. 
The time on oxygen supply (for those not needing mechanical ventilation) will be summarised by 
treatment group. For subjects withdrawing from the trial (for instance due to worsening), 
imputation assuming oxygen need will be made. Treatment groups will be compared using the 
Wilcoxon rank sum test.  
13.3.2 
Biomarker Data 
Biomarker data will be exploratory and the analyses data-driven. Collected data will be visualised 
graphically and summarised descriptively. 
 


 
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13.3.3 
Statistical/Analytical Issues 
13.3.3.1 Missing Data 
The imputation of last value (average) carried will be used for analysis if subject is early 
withdrawn. 
13.3.3.2 Examination of Subgroups 
Important demographic and baseline value-defined subgroups may be investigated. A detailed 
description will be provided in the Statistical Analysis Plan. 
13.4 
Safety Analysis 
13.4.1 
Adverse Events 
An overview of all treatment-emerging AEs including severity, relationship to IMP, SAEs and 
AEs leading to withdrawals of treatment and withdrawal from trial or death will be presented by 
treatment group. All treatment-emergent AEs will be listed. 
AEs will be summarised by system organ class (according to MedDRA), and preferred term 
(according to MedDRA) displaying number of subjects in each treatment group, number and 
percentage of subjects having the AE as well as number of AEs. Furthermore, AEs will be 
summarised according to severity and relationship to IMP. 
SAEs and AEs leading to withdrawal from treatment will be listed and tabulated by System Organ 
Class and preferred term, if appropriate. 
13.4.2 
Vital Signs 
Vital signs data (e.g. blood pressure and body temperature)  will be summarised by treatment group 
for each visit including the change over trial using descriptive statistics.  
13.4.3 
Laboratory Safety Assessments 
Laboratory test data will be summarised by treatment group and visit, and for changes over trial 
using descriptive statistics. Abnormal laboratory test results will be summarised by treatment and 
visit using numbers and frequencies. 
13.4.4 
Physical examination 
Abnormal findings on the physical examination will be summarised by visit. 
 
14 
INDEPENDENT DATA MONITORING COMMITTEE 
Not applicable.  


 
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15 
GOOD CLINICAL PRACTICE 
This trial will be carried out in compliance with the protocol, ICH-GCP R2, standard operating 
procedures and applicable regulatory requirements. 
The Investigator agrees, when signing this protocol, to adhere to the instructions and procedures 
described in it, to the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki, ICH-GCP R2, and applicable 
regulatory requirements.  
 
16 
ETHICS 
16.1 
Independent Ethics Committees / Health Authorities 
Before implementing this trial, the protocol, the proposed subject information and subject consent 
form, and other documents as required, will be reviewed by properly constituted IECs and by the 
national regulatory authorities. 
A signed and dated statement that the protocol and subject information and subject consent form 
have been approved by the IECs and regulatory authorities will be obtained before trial initiation. 
For each individual IEC, the name and occupation of the chairman and the members of the IEC 
will be collected as well as a statement that the IEC works in accordance with ICH GCP. 
IECs will receive updates on trial progress according to local regulations. 
16.2 
Informed Consent 
The subject’s signed and dated informed consent to participate in the trial will be obtained prior to 
any trial-related procedures being carried out. 
Before any trial-related procedures, the investigator will explain to the potential subject the aims, 
methods, reasonably expected benefits, and potential hazards of the trial and any discomfort 
participation in the trial may entail. Subjects will be informed that participation in the trial is 
voluntary and that the subject may withdraw from the trial at any time and for any reason. Subjects 
will be informed that if they choose not to participate, this will not affect the care the subject will 
receive for the treatment of his or her disease. Finally, subjects will be informed that their records 
may be accessed by health authorities and authorised Sponsor staff without violating the 
confidentiality of the subject, to the extent permitted by the applicable laws or regulations. 
All subjects will be given opportunity to ask questions and will be given sufficient time to consider 
before consenting. The subjects may choose to be accompanied, e.g. by a family member, during 
the information process. After having consented, a copy of the informed consent form will be 
given to the subject. 
 


 
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17 
AUDITS AND INSPECTIONS 
A representative of the Sponsor or the Sponsor may visit the trial site(s) at any time during the trial 
or after completion of the trial to conduct an audit of the trial. These audits will require access to 
all trial records, including source documents, for inspection and comparison with the CRFs. 
Subject privacy will, however, be respected. The Investigator and other trial personnel will be 
responsible for being present and available for consultation during routinely scheduled site audit 
visits conducted by the Sponsor’s representative. 
Similar auditing procedures (inspections) may also be conducted by agents of regulatory health 
authorities, either as part of a national GCP compliance program or to review the results of this 
trial in support of a regulatory submission. The Investigator should notify the Sponsor’s 
representative or Sponsor immediately, if he/she has been contacted by a regulatory agency 
concerning an upcoming inspection. 
 
18 
MONITORING 
Before trial initiation a monitor from the Sponsor’s representative will review the protocol and the 
CRF with the Investigators and their trial personnel. During the trial the monitor will check the 
completeness of subject records, the accuracy of entries in CRFs, the adherence to the protocol 
and to GCP, the progress of enrolment and the handling and accounting of IMP. Key trial personnel 
must be available to support the monitor. 
The Investigator must give the monitor direct access to source data/documents (e.g. relevant 
hospital or medical records) to confirm their consistency with the entries in CRFs. The Sponsor 
representative will ensure remote access to records will be by authorised personnel only. 
 
19 
REPORTING OF RESULTS 
19.1 
Integrated Clinical Trial Report 
Data will be reported in an integrated clinical trial report in compliance with the requirements of 
the current version of ICH E3: Structure and Content of Clinical Study Report (ICH 1995). The 
signatory Investigator will review and sign the integrated clinical trial report. 
The results and interpretation of the exploratory biomarker analyses may not be included in the 
clinical trial report but may be reported and/or published separately at a later stage. 
19.2 
Use of Information 
All unpublished information relating to this trial and/or to the IMP is considered confidential by 
the Sponsor and shall remain the sole property of the Sponsor. 
The Investigator must accept that the Sponsor may use the information from this clinical trial in 
connection with the development of the IMP, and therefore, may disclose it as required to other 


 
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investigators, to government licensing authorities, to regulatory agencies of other governments, 
stock exchange market, and commercial partners. 
19.3 
Publication of Results 
The Sponsor is committed to publishing the trial results, whether positive or negative, in a peer-
reviewed journal (Wager, 2003; Graf 2009). 
The criteria for authorship as set out by the Committee of Medical Journal Editors 
(www.icmje.org) will be applied. 
The contributorship model will be applied and contributors who do not meet the criteria for 
authorship will be listed in an acknowledgments section with descriptions of the role of each 
contributor in order to ensure indexation in the National Library of Medicine. 
Publications are subject to the following conditions: 
• Data are the property of the Sponsor and cannot be published without prior authorisation from 
the Sponsor 
• Publications should be drafted with protection of individual privacy, intellectual property, and 
contract rights in mind, and also conform to legislation and current national practices in patent 
and other laws 
• The primary publication (i.e. the results from all centers) should be published before, or in 
parallel with, any secondary publications 
• Publications shall not disclose any Sponsor confidential information or property 
 
20 
INSURANCE AND LIABILITY 
The Sponsor has subscribed to an insurance policy covering, in its terms and provision, its legal 
liability for injuries caused to participating subjects and arising out of trial procedures performed 
in accordance this protocol, in accordance with applicable law and with the ICH Guideline E6 
(Note for Guidance on Good Clinical Practice) (ICH-GCP R2). 
 


 
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21 
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22 
ABBREVIATIONS 
Ab 
ACE 
Antibody 
Aniotensin-converting enzyme 
ADR 
Adverse drug reaction 
AE 
Adverse event 
Ag 
Antigen 
ALP 
Alkaline phosphatase 
ALT 
ANCOVA 
AngI 
AngII 
ARDS 
Alanine aminotransferase 
Analysis of covariance 
Angiotensin I 
Angiotensin II 
Acute respiratory distress syndrome  
AST 
AT1R 
AT2R 
Aspartate aminotransferase 
Angiotension type 1 receptor 
Angiotension type 2 receptor 
b.i.d. 
bis in die (i.e. twice a day) 
BMI 
COPD 
Body mass index 
Chronic obstructiv epulmonary disease 
CoV 
COVID 
Coronavirus 
Coronavirus disease 
CRF 
Case report form 
CRO 
Contract research organisation 
CRP 
C-reactive protein 
CYP 
Cytochrome p450 
eCRF 
Electronic case report form 
ECG 
Electrocardiography 
FAS 
Full analysis set 
GCP 
Good Clinical Practice 
GMP 
Good Manufacturing Practice 
Hb 
Haemoglobin 
HBsAg 
Hepatitis B surface antigen 
HCVAb 
Hepatitis C virus antibody 
HIV 
Human immunodeficiency virus  
ICH 
International Conference on Harmonisation 
IEC 
IL 
Independent ethics committee 
Interleukin 
IMP 
Investigational medicinal product 
IPF 
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis 
MAD 
MCV 
Multiple ascending dose 
Mean corpuscular volume 
MedDRA 
Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities 
NOAEL 
PCR 
No observed adverse effect level 
Polymerase chain reaction 
PPAS 
Per protocol analysis set 
R0 
RAS 
Basic reproduction number  
Renin-angiotensin system 
RP 
Raynaud’s phenomenon 
SAD 
Single ascending dose 
SAE 
Serious adverse event 
SAS 
Safety analysis set 
SoC 
Standard of Care 


 
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SSc 
Systemic sclerosis 
SSc-RP 
Raynaud’s phenomenon secondary to SSc 
SUSAR 
TEAE 
tmax 
TNF 
Suspected unexpected serious adverse reaction 
Treatment-emergent adverse event 
Maximal plasma concentration 
Tumor necrosis factor 
TPC 
Thrombocyte particle concentration 
WHO 
World Health Organisation 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

SAP_001.pdf: 
 
Statistical Analysis Plan 
 
Title: 
A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial 
investigating the safety and efficacy of C21 in hospitalised subjects 
with COVID-19 infection not requiring mechanical ventilation 
 
Short Title: 
C21 in COVID-19 
Sponsor: 
Vicore Pharma AB 
Kronhusgatan 11 
SE-411 05 Göteborg 
Sweden 
 
Trial ID: 
Syne qua non Ltd study 
No: 
VP-C21-006 
 
OCH20005 
EudraCT No.: 
NCT Number: 
2020-001502-38  
NCT04452435 
 
Version: 
Final 1.0  
Date: 
10-Sep-2020