RAPA-501 Therapy of ALS Expanded Access Protocol

ALS is a rare disease that is considered an orphan disease according to the Orphan Drug Act.

This is an open-label, non-randomized, multi-center intermediate size expanded access clinical trial of single-agent RAPA-501 T stem cells in patients with high-risk ALS who are not eligible for other ALS clinical trials.

After a subject consents to the study, an apheresis procedure will be performed to collect cells to manufacture the investigational product, RAPA-501 T stem cells. RAPA-501 cells are manufactured ex vivo using epigenetic reprogramming to yield a T stem cell population that is enriched for a dual anti-inflammatory phenotype based on hybrid TREG and Th2 differentiation. RAPA-501 T stem cells express both the TREG and Th2 transcription factors FOXP3 and GATA3, are enriched for expression of the ATP ectonucleotidase molecules CD39 and CD73, are enriched for the T cell homing molecule CD103, and suppress both effector T cell inflammatory molecules and CNS microglial cell inflammatory molecules.

This study is evaluating RAPA-501 T stem cell therapy at the dose of 80 x 10EE6 cells per infusion, with up to 4 infusions separated by six weeks between doses (infusion at time 0, and then after week 6, 12, and 18). Study subjects are then followed for several months to capture major clinical events and to assess survival. The total duration of RAPA-501 T stem cell therapy and follow-up interval on this protocol is approximately 8-months (250 days). The primary objective in the expanded access cohort is to determine the feasibility and safety of the highest-dose established safe dose of RAPA-501 (80 x 10EE6 cells per infusion). Secondary study objectives relate to assessment of overall survival compared to historical controls and determining the ALS disease activity pre-therapy, during study interventions, and throughout the post-therapy observation interval of RAPA-501 therapy through the monitoring of ALSFRS-R scores, SVC values, hand grip strength, and ROADS Scale. In addition, secondary study objectives relate to characterizing immune system parameters pre- and post- therapy and the potential effect of RAPA-501 therapy on serum markers of neurodegeneration.