A Study of ARC-521 Injection in Normal Adult Volunteers and Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B (CHB)

A Sequential Phase 1a/1b Dose-Escalating Study to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics and Antiviral Activity of ARC-521 in Normal Adult Volunteers and Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B

Normal healthy volunteer (NHV) participants will enroll sequentially into a total of 6 escalating dose levels (6 subjects per dose level), randomized to receive a single dose of ARC-521 Injection or placebo. The maximum study duration for NHVs is approximately 21 weeks.

Hepatitis B e Antigen (HBeAg)-negative participants with (CHB) will enroll sequentially into 3 dose levels (8 patients per dose level) to receive multiple doses of open label ARC-521 Injection. For each CHB participant the maximum study duration is approximately 37 weeks.

Phase 1a/1b multicenter dose-escalation study of ARC-521 Injection in normal healthy volunteers and patients with CHB. Eligible participants who have signed an Ethics Committee (EC)/Institutional Review Board (IRB) approved informed consent form and have met all of the protocol eligibility criteria.

Patients will undergo the following evaluations at regular intervals during the study: medical history, physical examinations, vital sign measurements (blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature), weight, adverse events assessment (AEs), concomitant medications/therapies assessment, electrocardiograms (ECGs), telemetry [NHVs only], measures of hepatic fibrosis [CHBs only], blood sample collection for hematology, coagulation, chemistry, Pharmacokinetics (PK) [NHVs only], metabolic analysis [NHVs only], exploratory Pharmacodynamic (PD) measures, urinalysis, hepatitis B virus (HBV) serology, immunogenicity, Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) testing (post-menopausal females) and pregnancy testing for females of childbearing potential. Clinically significant changes including AEs will be followed until resolution, until the condition stabilizes, until the event is otherwise explained, or until the patient is lost to follow-up. Prior to enrollment there is a 60 day screening period.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male or female, 18 to 55 years of age inclusive (NHVs) or 18-65 years of age inclusive (CHBs), at the time of informed consent
• Able to provide written informed consent prior to the performance of any study specific procedures
• Body mass index (BMI) between 19.0 and 35.0 kg/m2, inclusive
• A 12-lead ECG at Screening and pre-dose assessment that, in the opinion of the investigator, has no abnormalities that compromise participant's safety in this study
• Must use 2 effective methods of contraception (double barrier contraception or hormonal contraceptive along with a barrier contraceptive (both male and female partners)
• Have suitable venous access for blood sampling
• No abnormal finding of clinical relevance at the Screening evaluation (NHVs only)
• Have a diagnosis of HbeAg-negative chronic HBV infection (CHB patients only)
• Treatment-naive or currently on entecavir/tenofovir for 6 months or longer

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnant or lactating
• Acute signs of hepatitis/other infection at Screening or at baseline
• Use within last 14 days or anticipated requirement for anticoagulants, systemic corticosteroids, immunomodulators, or immunosuppressants
• Use of prescription medication within 14 days prior to study treatment that in the opinion of the PI or the Sponsor would interfere with study conduct.
• Known diagnosis of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis [NHVs only] or familial hypercholesterolemia
• Taking interferon alpha (INFalpha) within 6 months of screening [CHBs only]
• History of poorly controlled autoimmune disease or history of autoimmune hepatitis
• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection
• Seropositive for HBV (NHVs only) or hepatitis C virus (HCV), and/or history of delta virus hepatitis
• Hypertension defined as blood pressure > 170/100 mmHg at screening [NHVs only]
• A history of cardiac rhythm disturbances
• Family history of congenital long QT syndrome, Brugada syndrome or unexplained sudden cardiac death
• Symptomatic heart failure, unstable angina, myocardial infarction, severe cardiovascular disease within 6 months prior to study entry
• History of malignancy within the last 5 years except for adequately treated basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell skin cancer, superficial bladder tumors, or in situ cervical cancer
• History of major surgery within 3 months of Screening
• Regular use of alcohol within one month prior to the Screening visit (more than fourteen units of alcohol per week)
• Evidence of severe systemic acute inflammation, sepsis, or hemolysis [NHVs only]
• Use within 3 months of illicit drugs (cocaine, phencyclidine [PCP], 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine [MDMA], others) or positive test for drugs of abuse at screening.
• History of allergy to bee venom or history of severe hypersensitivity reaction, such as anaphylaxis
• Use of an investigational agent or device within 30 days prior to dosing or current participation in an investigational study
• Clinically significant history of any alcoholic liver disease, cirrhosis, Wilson's disease, hemochromatosis, or alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, liver or kidney disease
• Clinically significant history/presence of poorly controlled or decompensated neurological, endocrine, cardiovascular, pulmonary, hematological, immunologic, psychiatric, metabolic, or other uncontrolled systemic disease
• Blood donation (500 mL) within 7 days prior to study treatment administration [NHVs only]
• History of fever (>38.0ºC/100.4ºF) within 2 weeks of Screening [NHVs only]
• Any concomitant medical or psychiatric condition or social situation that impacts compliance or involves additional safety risk
• History of coagulopathy (including deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism) or stroke within 6 months of baseline, and/or concurrent anticoagulant medication(s)
• Presence of cholangitis, cholecystitis, cholestasis, or duct obstruction