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Looking for participantsPhase2

A Phase II Study of Ensifentrine in Non-Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis

Sponsor: Verona Pharma, Inc., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc. (Rahway, New Jersey USA

NCT ID: NCT06559150

View on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

At a glance

What the study gets you
Access to the study treatment being tested
Type of study
Interventional (receives a drug or procedure)
Time in hospital
In-person visits at study sites — visit count not specified by the sponsor
Drug or intervention
Nebulized Ensifentrine Suspension; 3 mg (drug), Nebulized Placebo Solution (drug)
How long the study runs
Study runs about 36 months (dates as stated)
About the drug or intervention
Nebulized Ensifentrine Suspension; 3 mg — drug: Administered by a standard jet nebulizer, twice daily up to a maximum of 52 weeks · Nebulized Placebo Solution — drug: Administered by a standard jet nebulizer, twice daily up to a maximum of 52 weeks
Patient visit burden
Not specified by the sponsor

In plain English

This study is looking at a medicine called ensifentrine for people with bronchiectasis that is not caused by cystic fibrosis. Bronchiectasis is a long-term lung condition where the airways become widened and mucus builds up, causing coughing, phlegm and chest infections. The study is funded by Verona Pharma, Inc., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc.

Who can take part

  • Adults with a history of bronchiectasis symptoms (cough, long-term phlegm, and/or repeated chest infections), confirmed by a chest CT scan showing bronchiectasis in one or more lung lobes. A CT scan from the last 5 years may be used, or a new one can be done during screening
  • Currently produce phlegm (sputum) most days and able to give a sputum sample at the clinic during screening
  • Have had at least one flare-up of lung symptoms in the past 12 months that a doctor treated with antibiotics or antiviral medicine
  • Able to use the study's nebuliser (a device that turns medicine into a mist you breathe in) correctly
  • Able to do breathing tests (spirometry) properly, as judged by the study doctor
  • Men must agree to use contraception during the study and for at least 30 days after the last dose of study medicine
  • Women must not be pregnant or breastfeeding. Women who could become pregnant must agree to use contraception during the study and for at least 30 days after the last dose of study medicine

Who may not be able to

  • A diagnosis of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) or asthma as the main diagnosis
  • Bronchiectasis caused by cystic fibrosis, certain immune system problems, or needing treatment with immunoglobulin given through a drip
  • Current smokers. Former smokers are excluded if they smoked heavily (10 or more 'pack years') AND have test results showing blocked airways (FEV1/FVC ratio below 0.70) within the past year
  • Currently being treated for certain lung infections: non-tuberculous mycobacterial infection, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, or tuberculosis
  • A flare-up or sudden infection needing treatment within 28 days before joining
  • Recent use of certain medicines, including long-term immunosuppressants (such as methotrexate or systemic steroids) within 90 days, CFTR modulators (such as ivacaftor) within 1 week, theophylline or certain tablet treatments within 48 hours, or the medicine Ohtuvayre at any time
  • Starting or changing long-term antibiotic treatment (including macrolides) within 90 days before joining. People on regular on-off antibiotic cycles must have been taking the antibiotic for at least 7 days up to joining
  • Starting or changing inhaled corticosteroids within 4 weeks before joining
  • Unable to pause certain reliever inhalers for at least 4 hours before breathing tests
  • Coughing up large amounts of blood (300 mL or more, or needing a blood transfusion) within 6 weeks before joining
  • Taking part in an intensive pulmonary rehabilitation programme (a steady maintenance programme is allowed if it stays the same throughout the study)
  • Serious or unstable liver disease, or certain abnormal liver or kidney blood test results
  • Cancer (of any type) now or in the past 5 years, except some skin cancers
  • Taking part in another study of a drug or device within the last 30 days or 5 half-lives, whichever is longer
  • Allergy or bad reaction to ensifentrine or any of its ingredients
  • Drug or alcohol misuse now or in the past 5 years
  • A significantly abnormal heart tracing (ECG)

What taking part involves

  • • Taking ensifentrine or a dummy medicine (placebo) using a nebuliser — a device that turns the medicine into a fine mist that you breathe in
  • • The study medicine is 'blinded', meaning neither you nor the study team knows whether you are getting the real medicine or the dummy version
  • • Providing sputum (phlegm) samples at the clinic
  • • Breathing tests (spirometry) following standard guidelines
  • • Using contraception during the study and for at least 30 days after the last dose of blinded study medicine

Time commitment: Not stated — ask the trial team about how many visits there are, how long the study lasts, and what taking part involves.

Plain-English summary (AI-generated) from registry data. Not eligibility advice — only the trial team can confirm whether you can take part. Use the eligibility checker to see how your health profile matches this trial.

Type of study
Testing a treatment
Ages
18 Years to 80 Years
Who
All
Number of participants
284
Started
2024-09-11
Last checked
2026-08

Plain English Summary

What is this study?

  • • Testing a new treatment for non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis
  • • Phase2 - 284 participants
  • • This study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study designed to assess the efficacy and safety of ensifentrine inhalation suspension (3 mg) delivered twice daily via standard jet nebulizer up to 52 weeks, compared to placebo, in participants with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFBE)

Who can take part?

  • • Ages 18 Years to 80 Years
  • • Diagnosed with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis

Where?

  • • Dundee - Ninewells Hospital - PPDS
  • • Glasgow - Queen Elizabeth University Hospital - PPDS
  • • Birmingham - Birmingham Heartlands Hospital
  • • Belfast - Queens Hospital Belfast
  • • +5 more UK sites

This is a simplified summary. Always discuss with your doctor before making any decisions.

About This Trial

This study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study designed to assess the efficacy and safety of ensifentrine inhalation suspension (3 mg) delivered twice daily via standard jet nebulizer up to 52 weeks, compared to placebo, in participants with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFBE).

More detail

The primary objective of this study is to assess the effect of ensifentrine vs placebo in addition to standard of care on pulmonary exacerbations, symptoms and quality of life in participants with NCFBE. Participants will be treated for up to 52 weeks (some subjects may end earlier as the sponsor may end the study after the last subject in the study completes the Week 24 visit). Participants will be randomized to receive either ensifentrine suspension or placebo via standard jet nebulizer during the treatment period and neither participants nor study staff will know which a participant is receiving.

Non-cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis

How this trial compares with your answers

Answer 2 more questions to improve match

What we know so far

Condition· Matched your search
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Still need:

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Preliminary match based on your answers. Full eligibility requires on-site assessment including medical history, physical exam, and lab tests. This does not guarantee enrolment.

Eligibility at a Glance

Key info

  • Age: 18 Years - 80 Years
  • Who can join: All genders

Biomarkers mentioned

eGFR

What the study is looking for

  • ✓Females are eligible to participate if they are not pregnant, not breastfeeding, and 1 of the following conditions...
  • ✓Not a woman of childbearing potential (WOCBP) OR
  • ✓A WOCBP who agrees to follow the contraceptive guidance from Screening throughout the study and for at least 30 days...
  • ✓Current sputum producer with a history of chronic expectoration and able to provide sputum sample spontaneously at...
  • ✓Capable of using the study nebulizer correctly

Who cannot take part

  • ✗A diagnosis of COPD or a primary diagnosis of asthma, as judged by the investigator
  • ✗Bronchiectasis due to cystic fibrosis, primary hypogammaglobulinemia common variable immunodeficiency, severe...
  • ✗Current smoker defined as by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  • ✗Meets both of the following
  • ✗Evidence within 1 year prior to randomization of obstructed lung function as shown by forced expiratory volume in 1...
See the full criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Males are eligible to participate if they agree to use contraception as described in the contraceptive guidance from Screening and throughout the study and for at least 30 days after the last dose of blinded study medication * Females are eligible to participate if they are not pregnant, not breastfeeding, and 1 of the following conditions apply: 1. Not a woman of childbearing potential (WOCBP) OR 2. A WOCBP who agrees to follow the contraceptive guidance from Screening throughout the study and for at least 30 days after the last dose of blinded study medication * Clinical history consistent with bronchiectasis (cough, chronic sputum production, and/or recurrent respiratory infections) confirmed by chest CT demonstrating bronchiectasis affecting 1 or more lobes. Confirmation may be based on prior chest CT within the prior 5 years; subjects whose past CT image records are not available will require chest CT scan during screening Notes: If a subject has no clinical history consistent with bronchiectasis, they may not be re-screened * Current sputum producer with a history of chronic expectoration and able to provide sputum sample spontaneously at the clinic during screening * ≥ 1 documented pulmonary exacerbation defined by an antimicrobial prescription (i.e., antibiotic or antiviral) by a physician for the signs and symptoms of respiratory infections in the past 12 months before screening * Capable of using the study nebulizer correctly * Ability to perform acceptable spirometry in accordance with American Thoracic Society and European Respiratory Society guidelines as assessed by the Investigator Exclusion Criteria: * A diagnosis of COPD or a primary diagnosis of asthma, as judged by the investigator * Bronchiectasis due to cystic fibrosis, primary hypogammaglobulinemia common variable immunodeficiency, severe immunodeficiency, or requirement for treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin * Current smoker defined as by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) * Meets both of the following 1. Former cigarette smokers with a history of cigarette smoking ≥ 10 pack years at Screening \[number of pack years = (number of cigarettes per day / 20) × number of years smoked (e.g., 20 cigarettes per day for 10 years, or 10 cigarettes per day for 20 years)\]. Pipe and/or cigar use cannot be used to calculate pack-year history. Former smokers are defined as those who have stopped smoking for at least 6 months prior to Screening AND 2. Evidence within 1 year prior to randomization of obstructed lung function as shown by forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio of \< 0.70 * A diagnosis of primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is not exclusionary. Subjects with a diagnosis of PCD are permitted to be enrolled, but the proportion of subjects with PCD enrolled in the study may be limited * Current treatment for nontuberculous mycobacterial lung infection, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, or tuberculosis * Presence of acute exacerbation or acute infection that required acute treatment within 28 days of randomization * Use of the following prohibited medications within the designated time periods: 1. Chronic, systemic immunomodulatory agents for any chronic indication (including but not limited to the following: methotrexate, systemic corticosteroids, see adalimumab, azathioprine, dupilumab, cyclosporine, hydroxychloroquine, etc.) within 90 days prior to signing the ICF 2. CFTR modulators (e.g., ivacaftor, lumacaftor, tezacaftor) within 1 week prior to signing the ICF 3. Theophylline and oral PDE4 inhibitors (e.g., roflumilast, apremilast, crisaborole) within 48 hours prior to signing the ICF 4. Ohtuvayre at any time prior to signing the ICF * Initiated or altered therapy within 90 days prior to randomization with: 1. oral or inhaled antibiotics as chronic treatment (including macrolides) 2. Cyclic antibiotics: defined as prescribed regular cycles of on antibiotic treatment and off antibiotic treatment (for example, but not limited to, 28 days on an antibiotic and 28 days off an antibiotic). Note: Subjects on cyclic antibiotics must be actively taking antibiotics for at least 7 days prior to randomization through the day of randomization 3. Dipeptidyl peptidase 1 (DPP1) or cathepsin C (CatC) inhibitor (e.g., brensocatib) * Initiated or altered therapy with ICS within 4 weeks prior to randomization * Unable to withhold short-acting beta-agonists or short-acting muscarinic antagonists for ≥ 4 hours prior to spirometry * Significant hemoptysis (≥ 300 mL or requiring blood transfusion) within 6 weeks prior to randomization * Currently participating in or scheduled to participate in an intensive pulmonary rehabilitation program (a maintenance rehabilitation program is allowed if their schedule and procedure will be consistent for the duration of the study) * Current or chronic history of unstable liver disease defined by the presence of ascites, encephalopathy, coagulopathy, hypoalbuminemia, esophageal or gastric varices or persistent jaundice, cirrhosis, or known hepatic or biliary abnormalities except for Gilbert syndrome or asymptomatic gallstones Note: Chronic stable hepatitis B and C is not exclusionary if the subject otherwise meets study entry criteria * History of or current malignancy of any organ system, treated or untreated within the past 5 years, except for localized basal or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin * Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) \< 30 mL/min * Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ≥ 2 × upper limit of normal (ULN), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) ≥ 2 × ULN, alkaline phosphatase and/or bilirubin \> 1.5 × ULN (isolated bilirubin \> 1.5 × ULN is acceptable only in subjects with a diagnosis of Gilbert's syndrome) * Participation in any other interventional, clinical studies (drugs or devices) within 30 days, or 5 half-lives, whichever is longer, prior to signing the ICF * Intolerance of or hypersensitivity to ensifentrine or any of its excipients/components * Current or history of drug or alcohol abuse within the past 5 years * Significantly abnormal ECG finding

Where Is This Study? (9 UK sites)

Ninewells Hospital - PPDS

Dundee DD1 9SY, United Kingdom

Recruiting

Queen Elizabeth University Hospital - PPDS

Glasgow G12 0YN, United Kingdom

Recruiting
Hospital R&D contact (matched)

Tom Dymond

research&development@qehkl.nhs.uk01553 613532

Birmingham Heartlands Hospital

Birmingham B9 5SS, United Kingdom

Recruiting
Hospital R&D contact (matched)

Sarah Pountain Head of Research Governance

R&D@uhb.nhs.uk0121 371 4185

Queens Hospital Belfast

Belfast BT9 7AB, United Kingdom

Recruiting

Royal Papworth Hospital

Cambridge CB2 0AY, United Kingdom

Recruiting
Hospital R&D contact (matched)

Vikki Hughes

papworth.randdenquiries@nhs.net01223 638000

Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh - PPDS

Edinburgh EH16 4SA, United Kingdom

Recruiting

Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital - PPDS

Liverpool L14 3PE, United Kingdom

Recruiting

Royal Brompton Hospital

London SW3 6HP, United Kingdom

Recruiting
Hospital R&D contact (matched)

Main Email: gstt.research.rbhh@nhs.net

gstt.research.rbhh@nhs.netn/a

Freeman Hospital

Newcastle-under-Lyme NE7 7DN, United Kingdom

Recruiting

How to Get in Touch

Verona Pharma, Inc., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc. (Rahway Toll Free Number

Sponsor contact

CONTACT

Reach out by phone or email Trialsites@msd.com
Data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov · Last verified: 2026-08