A Phase IIb, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Multicenter Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of LQ036 Single-Domain Antibody Nebulization Solution in Patients With Poorly Controlled Asthma
What is the goal of this study? The goal of this clinical trial is to find out whether the study drug LQ036 (a nebulized solution taken by inhaling through a nebulizer) works to improve lung function and asthma control in people whose asthma is not well controlled. The study will also learn about the safety of LQ036, how the body processes it, and whether the body develops an immune response to it. What are the main questions? The most important question is: • Does LQ036 improve lung function (measured by FEV₁ - the amount of air you can blow out in one second) more than a placebo at Week 12? Other important questions include: * Does LQ036 improve lung function at other time points (weeks 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 20, 24)? * Does LQ036 reduce asthma attacks (sudden worsening of asthma that needs extra treatment)? * Does LQ036 help people use less rescue medication (inhaler for quick relief) and have more days without asthma symptoms? * Does LQ036 improve scores on asthma control and quality of life questionnaires? * What medical problems do participants have when taking LQ036?
• Outpatients, aged 12 to 75 years inclusive, male or female, with body mass index (BMI) between 18 and 30 kg/m² inclusive. For participants aged 12 to 17 years, body weight must be ≥30 kg.
• Diagnosed with bronchial asthma according to the 2025 Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guidelines prior to screening, with a documented history of asthma for ≥12 months.
• For at least 3 months prior to screening, the participant has used inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) combined with at least one controller medication, and has maintained a stable treatment regimen and dosage for at least 1 month prior to screening. Low, medium, and high maintenance doses of ICS are defined according to the 2025 GINA guidelines (if multiple nebulized or combined administration methods are used, doses are to be combined).
• At screening, pre-bronchodilator FEV₁ is ≥40% and \<80% of the predicted normal value. For participants on low-dose ICS, pre-bronchodilator FEV₁ is ≥40% and \<85% of the predicted normal value.
• At screening, Asthma Control Questionnaire-5 (ACQ-5) score ≥1.5.
• At screening, a positive bronchodilator reversibility test (increase in FEV₁ of ≥12% and an absolute increase of ≥200 mL, 15-30 minutes after inhalation of 400 μg salbutamol). If the reversibility test does not reach the positive threshold, one additional test is permitted within 7 days (excluding the day of the initial test). Alternatively, documented evidence of a positive bronchodilator reversibility test within 12 months prior to screening is acceptable.
• At screening, blood eosinophil (EOS) count ≥150 cells/μL and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) ≥25 ppb.
• Experienced ≥1 severe exacerbation within the 12 months prior to screening (not required for participants on low-dose ICS).
• Participants fully understand the purpose, nature, methods, and possible adverse reactions of the study, voluntarily agree to participate, and sign the informed consent form before any study procedures begin.
• At randomization, pre-bronchodilator FEV₁ has increased by ≤20% from the screening value, and remains ≥40% and \<80% of the predicted normal value (for participants on low-dose ICS, pre-bronchodilator FEV₁ is ≥40% and \<85% of the predicted normal value).
• At randomization, ACQ-5 score ≥1.5.
• At randomization, blood EOS count ≥150 cells/μL and FeNO ≥25 ppb.
• During the run-in period, participant compliance with run-in medication and background medication is ≥80% and ≤120%, compliance with daily diary completion is ≥80%, and there are complete data for at least 4 days within the 7 days prior to randomization.