Official Title
A Phase IIa, Adaptive, Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Multi-Center Study in Hospitalized Patients Infected With Severe and Critical SARS-CoV-2 to Assess the Safety, Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics and Efficacy of MRG-001
Brief Summary

This study consists of two parts. Part A (Phase I): A Phase I Double-blind Randomized Placebo-controlled Study in Healthy Subjects to Assess the Safety, Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics of MRG-001 Part B (Phase 2): A Phase IIa, Adaptive, Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled, Multi-center Study in Hospitalized Patients Infected with Severe and Critical SARS-CoV-2 to Assess the Safety, Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics and Efficacy of MRG-001

Detailed Description

MRG-001 is a fixed-dose combination (FDC) drug, administered as a single subcutaneous (SC)
injection. Preclinical studies have demonstrated a synergistic effect of these 2 APIs in
mobilizing and recruiting stem cells/immunoregulatory cells and promoting tissue regeneration
in a wide variety of studies.

MRG-001 is likely to target multiple aspects of the COVID-19. MRG-001 exhibits
immunoregulatory and regenerative properties in preclinical studies with a wide variety of
diseases. Repairing damaged tissues in the lung and other organs, restoring the anti-virus
immune system and modulating the inflammation are obvious therapeutic targets for COVID-19.

Part A has been completed in May 01, 2021.

Part B has been initiated in January 2022.

Recruiting
COVID-19
ARDS, Human
Stem Cells
Regeneration

Drug: MRG-001

Subjects will receive subcutaneous MRG-001 injections.

Drug: Placebo

Subjects will receive subcutaneous placebo injections.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

1. Subject voluntarily agrees to participate in this study and is able to provide written
informed consent or has a legal representative who can provide informed consent.

2. Males and females over 18 years of age, inclusive, at the time of signing the ICF.

3. Hospitalized, with COVID-19 symptoms of respiratory illness caused by SARS-CoV-2
infection (defined as Scale 5 - 7 on the WHO 8-point ordinal scale for clinical
improvement.

4. Laboratory-confirmation SARS-CoV-2 by real time polymerase chain reaction in the
respiratory tract (NP swab, oropharyngeal swab, tracheal aspirate, BAL) prior to randomization.

5. Radiologic findings compatible with diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 pulmonary infection.

6. Women of childbearing potential must be willing and able to use at least one highly
effective contraceptive method for a period from the screening visit until the end of
study visit.

7. Men must be willing to use a double-barrier contraception from enrollment until at 5
months after the last dose of study drug, if not abstinent.

Exclusion Criteria

1. Participation in any other clinical trial of an experimental treatment for COVID-19
(remdesivir use is permitted).

2. Significant pre-existing organ dysfunction prior to randomization

1. Lung: Receiving supplemental home oxygen therapy at baseline for pre-existing medical
condition (other than COVID-19), as documented in medical record

2. Heart: Pre-existing congestive heart failure defined as an ejection fraction <20% as
documented in the medical record. clinically significant ventricular arrhythmias
(ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation), unstable angina, myocardial
infarction (past 3 months), heart and coronary vessel surgery (past 3 months),
significant valvular heart disease, uncontrolled arterial hypertension with systolic
blood pressure >180 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure >110 mm Hg.

3. Renal: End-stage renal disease requiring renal replacement therapy or eGFR <30 mL/min

4. Liver: Severe chronic liver disease defined as Child-Pugh Class C

5. Hematologic: Baseline platelet count <50,000/mm3

2. Concurrent treatment or prior use of drugs with actual or possible direct acting
immunomodulatory activity against ARDS in COVID-19 is prohibited including JAK1/JAK2
inhibitor ruxolitinib, baricitinib and tofacitinib. However, IL-6 inhibitors such as
tocilizumab, sarilumab are allowed if given >72 hours prior to first study dose.
Corticosteroids are permitted throughout the study.

3. History of splenectomy or splenomegaly (spleen weighing >750 g).

4. Body mass index of >45 kg/m2 at screening

5. Underlying malignancy, or other condition, with estimated life expectancy of less
than two months

6. Known family history of long QT syndrome (Torsades de Pointes) or currently taking
medication that prolongs QT interval.

7. Currently taking immunomodulating biologics (e.g., interferons, interleukin).

8. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).

9. Use of two or more vasopressors.

10. Female subjects who are pregnant or breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed at any
time through 90 days after last dose of IP.

11. Received a live-attenuated vaccine within 30 days prior to enrollment.

12. Positive test for Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), Hepatitis C antibody, human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibody or Active tuberculosis or a history of
inadequately treated tuberculosis.

13. Ongoing immunosuppression: solid organ transplant recipients.

14. Has used an investigational drug within 30 days prior to Screening.

15. History of hypersensitivity to MRG-001 (plerixafor [AMD3100, 24 mg/mL]) and
tacrolimus [FK506, 0.5 mg/mL]) or any of the excipients or to medicinal products with
similar chemical structures.

16. Current treatment with an anti-viral medication for COVID-19 (e.g.
hydroxychloroquine, lopinavir/ritonavir), other than remdesivir.

17. Unable to understand the protocol requirements, instructions and study related
restrictions, the nature, scope and possible consequences of the clinical study.

18. Unlikely to comply with the protocol requirements, instructions and study related
restrictions, e.g., uncooperative attitude, inability to return for follow-up visits
and improbability of completing the clinical study.

19. Previously been enrolled in this clinical study.

20. Vulnerable subjects defined as individuals whose willingness to volunteer in a
clinical study may be unduly influenced by the expectation, whether justified or not,
of benefits associated with participation, or of a retaliatory response from senior
members of a hierarchy in case of refusal to participate (e.g., persons in detention,
minors and those incapable of giving consent).

21. Any condition that in the opinion of the treating physician will increase the risk
for the participant.

Eligibility Gender
All
Eligibility Age
Minimum: 18 Years ~ Maximum: N/A
Countries
United States
Locations

Johns Hopkins Medicine
Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Investigator: Sherry Leung

Contacts

Ali R Ahmadi, MD PhD
+14437598563
info@medregenco.com

James Burdick, MD
+14437598563
info@medregenco.com

Russell N Wesson, M.B.Ch.B, Principal Investigator
Johns Hopkins University

NCT Number
MeSH Terms
COVID-19
Respiratory Distress Syndrome