A Phase 1/2, Multicenter, Double-Masked, Placebo-Controlled Study of KB801 in Subjects With Stage 2 or 3 Neurotrophic Keratitis
The Sponsor is developing KB801, a replication-defective, non-integrating herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1)-derived vector engineered to deliver functional full-length human nerve growth factor (NGF) to the corneas of people with Stage 2 or 3 neurotrophic keratitis (NK) via topical application. This is a Phase 1/2, multicenter, double-masked, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy of KB801 in these subjects.
• The subject must have read, understood, and signed an Institutional Review Board (IRB) approved Informed Consent Form and must be willing and able to comply with study procedures and instructions.
• Aged ≥ 18 years at the time of informed consent.
• Diagnosis of Stage 2 or Stage 3 NK, as defined by the Mackie criteria.
• Persistent corneal epithelial defect (PCED) of at least 2 weeks duration without clinical improvement during that time. PCED is defined as a focal loss of the cornea's outermost cell layer and can include involvement of the deeper stromal layers (i.e., corneal ulcer).
• PCED at Screening 1 must have a minimum of 1 mm of any linear measurement of defect.
• Decreased corneal sensitivity (≤ 4 cm using the Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer \[CBE\]) within the area of the PCED and in at least one corneal quadrant outside of the area of the defect.
• A negative pregnancy test at Screening 1 and Day 1 for women of child-bearing potential.