Study of Apitegromab Treatment in Children Under 2 Years Old with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)

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What is this study about?

This study focuses on children under 2 years of age who have Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), a genetic condition that affects the nerves controlling muscle movement, causing muscle weakness and movement difficulties. The study will test a medicine called apitegromab, given through intravenous infusion (delivered directly into a vein).

The purpose of this research is to understand how apitegromab works in young children with SMA and to evaluate its effects on their movement abilities. All children in the study must already be receiving or have received other approved treatments for SMA, such as onasemnogene abeparvovec-xioi, nusinersen, or risdiplam.

The study will last for 48 weeks, during which children will receive regular infusions of the study medication. Throughout the study, doctors will monitor how the medicine moves through the body and its effects on muscle function. This is a double-blind study, which means neither the participants nor the doctors directly involved in their care will know which treatment each child receives.

1 Initial assessment

Your eligibility for the study will be confirmed based on specific criteria, including being less than 2 years old and having a confirmed diagnosis of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).

A medical assessment will verify that you are currently receiving or have received approved therapy for SMA.

Your weight will be checked to ensure it meets the required minimum according to standard growth charts.

2 Treatment initiation

You will receive apitegromab through an intravenous infusion (medicine given through a vein).

The study will be conducted in a double-blind format, which means neither you nor the doctor will know the exact treatment assignment.

3 Regular monitoring

Your blood samples will be collected to measure the levels of apitegromab and a protein called myostatin in your body.

Your motor function (movement ability) will be regularly assessed using specific tests designed for infants.

The medical team will monitor your health and any possible side effects throughout the study.

4 48-week assessment

At week 48, a detailed assessment of your motor skills will be performed using the BSID-4 GMS (a standardized test that measures movement abilities).

The results will be compared to your initial assessment to measure any changes in motor function.

5 Study completion

The study is expected to continue until March 2029.

All observed effects and safety information will be documented throughout the study period.

Who Can Join the Study?

  • Must be less than 2 years old when parents/guardians provide consent for participation
  • Must have been born after 35 weeks of pregnancy and weighed at least 2.0 kilograms at birth
  • Must have a confirmed diagnosis of 5q autosomal recessive SMA (a genetic form of spinal muscular atrophy)
  • Must have confirmed presence of SMN2 gene copies (genes related to muscle function)
  • Must be currently receiving or have previously received approved treatment for SMA, either:
    • Gene therapy (onasemnogene abeparvovec-xioi), or
    • Ongoing treatment with medications that target SMN2 (nusinersen or risdiplam)
  • Body weight must be at or above the 1st percentile for age according to World Health Organization growth charts when screened
  • Must show delayed motor development for their age due to SMA, as determined by the doctor, or have a CHOP-INTEND score below 55 (CHOP-INTEND is a test that measures movement abilities in infants)

Who Cannot Join the Study?

  • History of severe adverse reactions to any monoclonal antibody (a type of medical treatment that targets specific proteins in the body)
  • Prior participation in any clinical trial involving investigational drugs within 5 half-lives or 30 days before screening
  • Major surgery within 6 months before screening or planned during the study period
  • Active or chronic infection, including hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or HIV
  • Any medical condition that could interfere with the study medication or put the patient at risk, as determined by the study doctor
  • History of cancer within the past 3 years (except successfully treated non-melanoma skin cancer)
  • Severe heart, liver, or kidney problems
  • Current use of medications that could interact with the study drug
  • Inability to comply with study procedures or visits
  • Pregnancy, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant during the study period
  • Known allergies to any components of the study medication
  • Any contraindication to MRI scanning (a type of medical imaging test)

Where you can join this trial?

Verified and Recommended Sites

No sites found in this category

Verified Sites

Other Sites

Site Name City Country Status
Universitair Ziekenhuis Gent Gent Belgium
Hospital Sant Joan De Deu Barcelona Esplugues De Llobregat Spain
Centre Hospitalier Regional De La Citadelle Liege Belgium
Universitair Medisch Centrum Utrecht Utrecht The Netherlands
Association Institut De Myologie Paris France
Fondazione I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Neurologico Besta Milan Italy
Czuafq Cczvkgo Nilc Milan Italy

Want to learn more about this study or check if you can participate? Contact us.

Trial status

Country Status Recruitment Start
Belgium Belgium
Recruiting
14.11.2025
France France
Recruiting
14.11.2025
Italy Italy
Recruiting
14.11.2025
Spain Spain
Recruiting
14.11.2025
The Netherlands The Netherlands
Recruiting
14.11.2025

Trial locations

Investigated drugs:

Apitegromab is a medication being studied for treating Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) in young children. It’s designed to help improve muscle strength and motor function in patients with SMA. This medication works by targeting specific proteins involved in muscle growth and development. The treatment aims to help very young children (under 2 years old) who are affected by this rare genetic condition that affects muscle strength and movement.

Investigated diseases:

Spinal Muscular Atrophy – A genetic condition that affects the nerve cells responsible for controlling muscle movement. The disease causes progressive muscle weakness and atrophy, primarily affecting muscles used for crawling, walking, sitting up, and controlling head movement. The condition occurs when there is a problem with the survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene, which is essential for maintaining motor neurons. Symptoms typically include muscle weakness, decreased muscle tone, and difficulties with movement and motor development. The severity and age of onset can vary among different individuals.

Trial ID:
2024-520130-29-00
Protocol code:
SRK-015-005
Trial Phase:
Therapeutic exploratory (Phase II)

Other Trials to Consider

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