Clinical trial • Phase I/II • Neurology

VO659 for Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 | Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 | Huntington's disease

Phase I/II trial of VO659 for Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 | Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 | Huntington's disease.

Overview

Trial Therapeutic Area
Neurology
Trial Disease
Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 | Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 | Huntington's disease
Trial Stage
Phase I/II
Drug Modality
Oligonucleotide
Orphan Drug
Yes

Key dates

Initial CTIS Submission Date
11-10-2024
First CTIS Authorization Date
11-11-2024

Trial design

open-label, none/not specified-controlled, adaptive Phase I/II trial across 13 sites in Denmark, Netherlands, France and others.

Open Label
Yes
Comparator
None/Not specified
Adaptive
True, dose-escalation (multiple ascending dose) design (multiple ascending doses of intrathecal VO659); specific escalation rules or interim/stopping rules not specified in the summary.
Single Multiple Or Escalation Dose Combined
Yes
Target Sample Size
88

Eligibility

Recruits 88 Written informed consent (signed and dated) is required; participants’ ability to give informed consent is to be assessed using the Evaluation to Sign Consent tool. No vulnerable population was selected in the trial metadata (isVulnerablePopulationSelected=false)..

Pregnancy Exclusion
Other Exclusions. Pregnant or breast-feeding (lactating) women or women who plan to become pregnant or breast-feed during the trial.
Vulnerable Population
Written informed consent (signed and dated) is required; participants’ ability to give informed consent is to be assessed using the Evaluation to Sign Consent tool. No vulnerable population was selected in the trial metadata (isVulnerablePopulationSelected=false).

Inclusion criteria

  • {"criterion_text":"- Informed Consent 1. Provide written informed consent (signed and dated). Participants should be assessed for their ability to give informed consent using the Evaluation to Sign Consent tool."}
  • {"criterion_text":"- Age 2. Is ≥25 and ≤ 60 years of age, of any gender, at the time of signing the informed consent."}
  • {"criterion_text":"- Type of Indications and Disease Characteristics 3. Have SCA1, SCA3 or HD meeting 1 of the following criteria: a. SCA1 and SCA3: mild to moderate disease with a Scale for Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA) score of ≥3 and ≤ 18 b. HD: early manifest, Stage I disease with a Total Functional Capacity (TFC) Score of ≥11 and ≤ 13 and a Unified Huntington’s Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS) Diagnostic Confidence Level (DCL) of 4."}
  • {"criterion_text":"- Have genetically confirmed disease, defined by increased cytosine, adenine, and guanine (CAG) repeat length in the disease-causing allele by direct DNA testing (for details, see Section 8.6.1). For each indication the requirements are: a. SCA1: ≥41 contiguous, uninterrupted CAG repeats in Ataxin 1 gene / mRNA transcript (ATXN1) b. SCA3: ≥61 repeats in Ataxin 3 gene / mRNA transcript (ATXN3) c. HD: ≥40 CAG repeats in Huntingtin gene/mRNA transcript (HTT). NOTE: Genetic testing will be performed during screening, which will serve as a reference for criterion."}
  • {"criterion_text":"- Have good general health, in the opinion of the investigator, apart from having SCA1, SCA3, or HD. NOTE: Patients with a chronic illness (e.g., hypertension) will be eligible if in the opinion of the investigator, the illness is stable and well-controlled and will not impact the primary objectives of the trial."}
  • {"criterion_text":"- Weight 6. Body weight of ≥50 kg and body mass index within the range of ≥17.5 and <32.5 kg/m2 (inclusive)."}
  • {"criterion_text":"- Reproductive status and Contraceptive/Barrier Requirements 7. Is willing to follow contraceptive requirements per local regulations regarding the methods of contraception for those participating in clinical trials. In case local regulations deviate from the contraception methods listed in Section 10.4, local regulations apply and will be described in the Informed Consent Form. a. Male participants: Applicable for Europe (NOTE: details according to the Clinical Trial Facilitation Group [CTFG] Contraception Guidance Version 1.1, issued 2020; see Section 10.4): Non-sterilised males who are sexually active with a female partner of childbearing potential: Agreement to use a condom as a method of contraception during the entire period from first IMP (VO659) administration up to 90 days after the last IMP administration and not to donate sperm during this period. Additionally, contraception for the female partner of childbearing potential should be considered. b. Female participants: Applicable for Europe (NOTE: Details according to CTFG Contraception Guidance version 1.1, issued 2020; see Section 10.4): Women of childbearing potential: a negative result in a pregnancy test at screening and prior to each IMP administration AND agreement to practice a highly effective method of contraception during the entire period from informed consent up to 6 months after the last IMP administration. A woman is considered of childbearing potential, i.e., fertile, following menarche and until becoming postmenopausal unless permanently sterile. Permanent sterilisation methods include hysterectomy, bilateral salpingectomy, and bilateral oophorectomy. A postmenopausal state is defined as no menses for at least 12 months without an alternative medical cause. Women under the age of 55 years must have both no menses for at least 12 months and a follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) level >40m IU/mL (while not on any therapy that may interfere with FSH levels) in order to confirm menopause. In the absence of 12 months of amenorrhea, an FSH measurement in itself is insufficient to establish menopause."}

Exclusion criteria

  • {"criterion_text":"- Medical Conditions 1. Have any condition that would prevent participation in trial assessments."}
  • {"criterion_text":"- Have any known history of hypersensitivity or allergies to the antisense oligonucleotide (VO659) or any excipient contained in the IMP."}
  • {"criterion_text":"- Have any significant (moderate or severe) acute or chronic liver or kidney disease."}
  • {"criterion_text":"- Have deviations of any of the following laboratory parameters at screening:  Aspartate aminotransferase >2.0 x Upper Limit of normal range (ULN)  Alanine aminotransferase >2.0 x ULN  Total bilirubin > 1.5 x ULN  Platelets <100,000/µl (i.e., <100 x 109 /L)  Estimated glomerular filtration rate <45 mL/min/1.73m2 based on the modification of diet in renal disease formula (see Section 10.5)"}
  • {"criterion_text":"- Have uncompensated cardiovascular disorder, any past or present cardiac arrhythmia, QTcF values on screening ECG of > 450 ms for males and > 470 ms for females, familial history of long QT syndrome or sudden unexpected death."}
  • {"criterion_text":"- Have a history of uncontrolled hypokalaemia or hypomagnesaemia."}
  • {"criterion_text":"- Have a history of hospitalisation for any major medical or surgical procedure involving general anaesthesia within 6 weeks of screening or planned during the trial."}
  • {"criterion_text":"- Have long-term neurological consequences of COVID-19 / SARS-CoV-2 infection that have not resolved or stabilised at the time of screening."}
  • {"criterion_text":"- Have a history of attempted suicide, or suicidal ideation with a plan that required hospital admission and/or change in level of care within 12 months prior to screening. For patients with (i) a suicide ideation score ≥4 on the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) within the last 12 months, or (ii) suicidal behaviours within the last 12 months (as measured by the answer “Yes” on any of the C-SSRS Suicidal Behaviour Items), a risk assessment should be done by an appropriately-qualified mental health professional (e.g., a psychiatrist or licensed clinical psychologist) to assess whether it is safe for the patient to participate in the trial."}
  • {"criterion_text":"- Have a history of psychosis, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia and patients deemed to be at significant risk of an acute depressive episode, confusional state or violent behaviour."}
  • {"criterion_text":"- Have medical, psychiatric, or other conditions that, in the judgement of the investigator, may compromise the patient’s ability to understand the patient information sheet, to give informed consent, to comply with all trial requirements, or to complete the trial."}
  • {"criterion_text":"- Have an acute infection or febrile illness at the time of each dosing, or ongoing systemic antiviral or antimicrobial therapy that will not be completed at least 3 days prior to dosing."}
  • {"criterion_text":"- Presence of an implanted shunt for the drainage of CSF or an implanted central nervous system (CNS) catheter"}
  • {"criterion_text":"- Treatment with another IMP, biological agent, or device within 3 months prior to screening, or 5 half-lives of the investigational agent, whichever is longer"}
  • {"criterion_text":"- Riluzole use unless stable dose for at least 4 weeks prior to screening and with a dose regimen that is not anticipated to change during the trial."}
  • {"criterion_text":"- Treatment for spasticity unless stable dose for at least 4 weeks prior to screening and with a dose regimen that is not anticipated to change during the trial"}
  • {"criterion_text":"- Antidepressant or benzodiazepine use unless stable dose for at least 12 weeks prior to screening and with a dose regimen that is not anticipated to change during the trial"}
  • {"criterion_text":"- Current or recent (within the last 3 months) use of antipsychotics (prescribed for psychosis) acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, memantine or amantadine. Use of antipsychotics (prescribed for treatment of motor symptoms) and/or tetrabenazine/deutetrabenazine and valproic acid are not permitted unless stable for at least 12 weeks prior to screening and with a dose regimen that is not anticipated to change during the trial."}
  • {"criterion_text":"- Drugs known to prolong the QT interval (see Section 10.7), unless the treatment stopped at least five times the respective drug’s 1/2 in advance of the first dosing with VO659."}
  • {"criterion_text":"- Supplement use (e.g., coenzyme Q10, vitamins, creatine), unless stable dose for 6 weeks prior to screening and with a dose regimen that is not anticipated to change during the trial."}
  • {"criterion_text":"- Antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapy within 14 days prior to screening or anticipated use during the trial, including but not limited to dipyridamole, warfarin, dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban, and edoxaban; aspirin ≤100 mg/day or clopidogrel are permitted"}
  • {"criterion_text":"- Prior treatment with an antisense oligonucleotide (including small interfering RNA (siRNA))."}
  • {"criterion_text":"- Have 1 or more pathogenic mutation(s) in another polyglutamine (polyQ) disease gene, i.e., ATXN2, calcium voltage-gated channel subunit Alpha1 A gene / mRNA transcript (CACNA1A), Ataxin 7 gene / mRNA transcript (ATXN7), TATA-box binding protein gene / mRNA transcript (TBP), androgen receptor gene/mRNA transcript (AR), Ataxin 1 gene/mRNA transcript (ATN1), plus either ATXN3 and HTT (for patients with SCA1), ATXN1 and HTT (for participants with SCA3), or ATXN1 and ATXN3 (for participants with HD), in addition to the disease-causing mutation in the ATXN1 (patients with SCA1), ATXN3 (patients with SCA3) or HTT (patients with HD) gene. Pathogenic mutations are defined as: ≥41 contiguous, uninterrupted CAG repeats in ATXN1; ≥61 repeats in ATXN3; ≥36 CAG repeats in HTT; ≥38 CAG repeats in AR; ≥48 CAG repeats in ATN1; ≥33 CAG repeats in ATXN2; ≥34 CAG repeats in ATXN7; ≥20 CAG repeats in CACNA1A; ≥41 CAG repeats in TBP."}
  • {"criterion_text":"- History of gene therapy or cell transplantation or any experimental brain surgery."}
  • {"criterion_text":"- Adenoviral vector-based vaccination within 45 days of the first dosing."}
  • {"criterion_text":"- History of chemical meningitis"}
  • {"criterion_text":"- Prior/Concurrent Clinical Trial Experience 33. Concurrent or planned concurrent participation in any other clinical trial evaluating IMPs; for observational and non-interventional trials, the same applies, unless approved by the Sponsor’s Medical Expert or Medical Monitor."}
  • {"criterion_text":"- Other Exclusions. Pregnant or breast-feeding (lactating) women or women who plan to become pregnant or breast-feed during the trial."}
  • {"criterion_text":"- Have a history of any drug or alcohol abuse in the past 5 years or regular daily alcohol consumption, in any form, of more than 24 g (for men) or 12 g (for women). NOTE: 24 g of alcohol corresponds to approximately 500 mL of usual beer or 250 mL of usual wine; 12 g of alcohol corresponds to approximately 250 mL of usual beer or 125 mL of usual wine."}
  • {"criterion_text":"- Have a positive urine drug screen for amphetamines, barbiturates, cocaine, opiates, cannabinoids, or benzodiazepines at the screening visit. NOTE: benzodiazepines are acceptable if consistent with the declared concomitant medication which may include benzodiazepine use with a stable dose for at least 12 weeks prior to screening – see exclusion criterion No.24. NOTE: cannabinoids/tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are acceptable if use is stable for at least 12 weeks prior to screening and for a medical but not recreational purposes."}
  • {"criterion_text":"- Is unable to undergo and tolerate MRI scans, e.g., due to metal implants including MRI-incompatible intrauterine devices, claustrophobia, any movement disorder of a severity that precludes MRI scans or jeopardises the quality of the MRI scan, or any other condition that renders MRI scans intolerable for the patient."}
  • {"criterion_text":"- Have a close affiliation with the Sponsor or the trial site, e.g., a close relative of the investigator, dependent person (e.g., employee or student of the trial site)."}
  • {"criterion_text":"- Have clinical diagnosis of moderate or severe chronic migraines or history of the post-lumbar-puncture headache of moderate or severe intensity requiring hospitalisation or blood patch."}
  • {"criterion_text":"- Have a brain, spinal or systemic disorder that would interfere with the LP process, CSF circulation, or safety assessments."}
  • {"criterion_text":"- Have a history of bleeding diathesis or coagulopathy, or a platelet count less than the lower limit of normal unless stable and assessed by the investigator and the Medical Monitor to be not clinically significant."}
  • {"criterion_text":"- Have a history of any malignancy or obligatory precancerous condition of any organ system, except cervical carcinoma of Stage 1B or less, or non-invasive basal cell or squamous cell skin carcinoma that has been successfully treated."}
  • {"criterion_text":"- Have inherited or acquired immunodeficiency, including human immunodeficiency virus infection"}
  • {"criterion_text":"- Have positive serology for hepatitis B surface antigen or active hepatitis C infection."}

Endpoints

Primary endpoints

  • {"endpoint_text":"- • Incidence and dose relationships of treatment-related: o AEs, o SAEs, o AESI o Severe events (NCI- CTCAE Grade 3 or higher).","definition_or_measurement_approach":"Assessment of incidence and dose relationships of treatment-related adverse events, serious adverse events, adverse events of special interest and severe events graded by NCI-CTCAE (Grade ≥3)."}
  • {"endpoint_text":"- • Changes in clinical safety parameters including physical and neurological examinations, vital signs, body weight, ECG, cardiac monitoring, suicidal ideation and behaviour risk monitoring by the C-SSRS, and review of structural MRI scans","definition_or_measurement_approach":"Monitoring changes in clinical safety parameters via physical and neurological exams, vital signs, weight, ECG and cardiac monitoring, C-SSRS for suicidal ideation/behaviour, and structural MRI review."}
  • {"endpoint_text":"- • Changes in laboratory safety parameters in blood (haematology, haemostasis, and clinical chemistry), CSF (cell counts, protein, and glucose), and urine (urinalysis)","definition_or_measurement_approach":"Laboratory assessments of blood (haematology, haemostasis, clinical chemistry), CSF (cell counts, protein, glucose) and urine (urinalysis) to detect safety changes."}
  • {"endpoint_text":"- • Adverse changes in clinical status based on exploratory clinical, biochemical and neuroimaging assessments","definition_or_measurement_approach":"Exploratory clinical, biochemical and neuroimaging assessments to detect adverse changes in clinical status; specific measures defined in protocol's exploratory assessment sections."}

Secondary endpoints

  • {"endpoint_text":"- • The CSF concentration-time profile of VO659, including the derived PK parameter of elimination t1/2, if possible","definition_or_measurement_approach":"CSF concentration-time profiling of VO659 with derived PK parameters including elimination half-life (t1/2)."}
  • {"endpoint_text":"- • The plasma concentration-time profile of VO659, including the derived PK parameters such as the area under the curve, peak plasma concentration t1/2.","definition_or_measurement_approach":"Plasma concentration-time profiling of VO659 with derived PK parameters such as AUC, Cmax and t1/2."}

Recruitment

Planned Sample Size
88
Recruitment Window Months
62
Consent Approach
Written informed consent (signed and dated) required. Participants assessed for capacity to consent using the Evaluation to Sign Consent tool. Subject information and informed consent forms are provided; published ICF documents available in multiple languages (Danish, Dutch, French, German, English). No assent procedures specified (adult-only population, age ≥25 to ≤60).

Geography

Total Number Of Sites
13
Total Number Of Participants
88

Denmark

Latest Decision Or Authorization Date
15-08-2025
Number Of Sites
1
Number Of Participants
1

Sites

Site Name
Rigshospitalet
Department Name
Neurology
Principal Investigator Name
Lena Elisabeth Hjermind
Principal Investigator Email
lena.elisabeth.hjermind.01@regionh.dk
Contact Person Name
Lena Elisabeth Hjermind

Netherlands

Latest Decision Or Authorization Date
19-01-2026
Number Of Sites
3
Number Of Participants
30

Sites

Site Name
Radboud universitair medisch centrum Stichting
Department Name
Neurology
Principal Investigator Name
Bart van de Warrenburg
Principal Investigator Email
Bart.vandeWarrenburg@radboudumc.nl
Contact Person Name
Bart van de Warrenburg
Site Name
Leids Universitair Medisch Centrum (LUMC)
Department Name
Neurology
Principal Investigator Name
Susanne T. de Bot
Principal Investigator Email
S.T.de_Bot@lumc.nl
Contact Person Name
Susanne T. de Bot
Contact Person Email
S.T.de_Bot@lumc.nl
Site Name
Universiteit Maastricht
Department Name
Neurology
Principal Investigator Name
Mayke Oosterloo
Principal Investigator Email
Mayke.oosterloo@mumc.nl
Contact Person Name
Mayke Oosterloo
Contact Person Email
Mayke.oosterloo@mumc.nl

France

Latest Decision Or Authorization Date
26-03-2026
Number Of Sites
5
Number Of Participants
30

Sites

Site Name
Hopitaux Universitaires Pitie Salpetriere
Department Name
Neurology
Principal Investigator Name
Alexandra Durr
Principal Investigator Email
alexandra.durr@icm-institute.org
Contact Person Name
Alexandra Durr
Site Name
Centre Hospitalier Universitaire De Montpellier
Department Name
Neurology
Principal Investigator Name
Cecilia Marelli
Principal Investigator Email
c-marelli@chu-montpellier.fr
Contact Person Name
Cecilia Marelli
Contact Person Email
c-marelli@chu-montpellier.fr
Site Name
Centre Hospitalier Universitaire D'Angers
Department Name
Neurology
Principal Investigator Name
Christophe Verny
Principal Investigator Email
chverny@chu-angers.fr
Contact Person Name
Christophe Verny
Contact Person Email
chverny@chu-angers.fr
Site Name
Assistance Publique Hopitaux De Paris
Department Name
Neurology
Principal Investigator Name
Katia Youssov
Principal Investigator Email
katia.youssov@aphp.fr
Contact Person Name
Katia Youssov
Contact Person Email
katia.youssov@aphp.fr
Site Name
Centre Hospitalier Regional De Marseille
Department Name
Neurologie et pathologie du mouvement
Principal Investigator Name
Jean-Philippe Azulay
Principal Investigator Email
jean-philippe.azulay@ap-hm.fr
Contact Person Name
Jean-Philippe Azulay
Contact Person Email
jean-philippe.azulay@ap-hm.fr

Germany

Latest Decision Or Authorization Date
13-05-2026
Number Of Sites
4
Number Of Participants
27

Sites

Site Name
Universitaetsklinikum Tuebingen AöR
Department Name
Neurology
Principal Investigator Name
Lüdger Schöls
Principal Investigator Email
Ludger.Schoels@uni-tuebingen.de
Contact Person Name
Lüdger Schöls
Site Name
Charite Research Organisation GmbH
Department Name
Psychiatry and Psychotherapy
Principal Investigator Name
Josef Priller
Principal Investigator Email
josef.priller@charite.de
Contact Person Name
Josef Priller
Contact Person Email
josef.priller@charite.de
Site Name
Deutsches Zentrum Fuer Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen e.V.
Department Name
Neurology
Principal Investigator Name
Jennifer Faber
Principal Investigator Email
Jennifer.Faber@dzne.de
Contact Person Name
Jennifer Faber
Contact Person Email
Jennifer.Faber@dzne.de
Site Name
Katholisches Klinikum Bochum gGmbH
Department Name
Neurology
Principal Investigator Name
Carsten Saft
Principal Investigator Email
Carsten.saft@rub.de
Contact Person Name
Carsten Saft
Contact Person Email
Carsten.saft@rub.de

Sponsor

Primary sponsor

Full Name
Vico Therapeutics B.V.
Organisation Type
Pharmaceutical company
Country Of Registered Address
Netherlands

Contract research organisations

Name
Allucent (NL) B.V.
Responsibilities
CRO submission

Third parties

  • {"country":"Netherlands","full_name":"Allucent (NL) B.V.","duties_or_roles":"CRO submission","organisation_type":"Pharmaceutical company"}

Investigational products

Investigational Product Name
VO659
Active Substance
VO659
Modality
Oligonucleotide
Routes Of Administration
I.T. BOLUS INJECTION TO THE INTRATHECAL SPACE
Route
I.T. BOLUS INJECTION TO THE INTRATHECAL SPACE
First In Human
Yes
Orphan Designation
Yes

Related trials

Other published trials that may interest you.