A Study to Assess the Safety and Efficacy of ASP8062 as an Add-on Therapy to Buprenorphine/Naloxone in Participants With Opioid Use Disorder

A Phase 2, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study to Assess the Safety and Efficacy of ASP8062 as an Add-on Therapy to Buprenorphine/Naloxone in Participants With Opioid Use Disorder

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy; safety and tolerability of ASP8062 compared with placebo ASP8062 as add-on therapy to buprenorphine/naloxone.

The study will consist of the following periods: Screening Period (up to 56 days); Double-blind treatment period (12 weeks/ 85 days); a Buprenorphine/naloxone down-titration period (as determined by the participant in collaboration with the investigator) (14 days); and a Follow-up period (30 days post last dose ASP8062 or placebo ASP8062 for ASP8062 End of Treatment [EOT]).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Participant has a diagnosis of moderate or severe opioid use disorder (OUD) according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Ed (DSM-5) using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) version 7.02.

• Participant is voluntarily seeking treatment for OUD, and is either:

  • Currently receiving medication-assisted treatment (MAT) (buprenorphine/naloxone maintenance dose equivalent to 16 mg/4 mg sublingual for >=28 days prior to screening) for OUD and considered clinically unstable, defined as: currently misusing opioids and has at least 4 positive urine drug screens during the Screening Period (including morphine and metabolites, diacetylmorphine [heroin], codeine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, fentanyl and metabolites, meperidine, propoxyphene, tramadol, oxymorphone and methadone)
  • Is not currently receiving MAT for OUD, and has not received MAT (consistently for > 48 hours) within 60 days prior to screening, and is: willing to initiate buprenorphine/naloxone therapy; considered to be a good candidate for buprenorphine/naloxone treatment based on medical and psychosocial history; able to tolerate buprenorphine/naloxone at the required maintenance dose of 16 mg/4 mg during the 7 days prior to randomization; has a positive urine drug screen at the initial screening visit (Visit 1) (including morphine and metabolites, diacetylmorphine (heroin), codeine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, fentanyl and metabolites, meperidine, propoxyphene, tramadol, oxymorphone and methadone).

• Participant does not have on-going opioid withdrawal symptoms (a score of < 11 on the Clinical Opioid Withdrawal Scale (COWS)) at the time of randomization (Day 1).

• Participant has a body mass index range of 18.5 to 45.0 kg/m^2, inclusive and weighs at least 50 kg at screening.

• Participant has stable living conditions.

• Participant agrees not to make significant changes to current non-medication therapy interventions (e.g., counseling, psychotherapy) in place at the time of Screening throughout the duration of the study.

• Participant agrees not to participate in another interventional study while participating in the present study; defined as from the time of informed consent form (ICF) signature until completion of the last study visit.

• Female participant is not pregnant and at least one of the following conditions apply:

  • Not a woman of childbearing potential (WOCBP)
  • WOCBP who agrees to follow the contraceptive guidance from the time of informed consent through at least 30 days after final investigational product (IP) administration.

• Female participant must agree not to breastfeed starting at screening and throughout the study period and for 30 days after final IP administration.

• Female participant must not donate ova starting at screening and throughout the study period and for 30 days after final IP administration.

• Male participant with female partner(s) of childbearing potential (including breastfeeding partner) must agree to use contraception throughout the treatment period and for 90 days after final IP administration.

• Male participant must not donate sperm starting at screening and throughout the study period and for 90 days after final IP administration.

• Male participant with pregnant partner(s) must agree to remain abstinent or use a condom for the duration of the pregnancy throughout the study period and for 90 days after final IP administration.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Participant has received any investigational therapy within 28 days or 5 half-lives, whichever is longer, prior to screening.
• Participant has a history of respiratory depression while on buprenorphine-based or other MAT for OUD.
• Participant has human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) per screening serology test.
• Participant has a positive hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg) or detectable hepatitis B DNA. Participants with negative HbsAg, positive hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) and negative hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) are eligible if hepatitis B DNA is undetectable.
• Current diagnosis of chronic pain and currently treated with opioids other than buprenorphine or buprenorphine/naloxone.
• Current DSM-5 diagnosis of moderate to severe substance use disorder on any other psychoactive substances other than opioids, caffeine or nicotine (e.g., alcohol, sedatives) and the non-opioid substance use disorder(s) are considered primary or coprimary, causing current (last 30 days) significant impairment and/or would interfere with the efficacy and safety assessments.
• Participant has 2 or more positive urine drug screen (UDS) results for barbiturates or benzodiazepines during screening. (Day 1 eligibility will be based on a quick urine test conducted on-site, and not a sample sent to the central lab.)
• Participant has a known or suspected hypersensitivity to ASP8062, buprenorphine, naloxone or any components of the formulations used.
• Participant has previous exposure to ASP8062.
• Participant has a history of suicide attempt or suicidal behavior within 12 months prior to screening or has any suicidal ideation that meets criteria at a level of 4 or 5 by using the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) within 12 months prior to screening or who is at significant risk to commit suicide, as assessed at screening or at Day 1.
• Participant's prescription for buprenorphine/naloxone is unable to be filled at the pharmacy during Screening because they are already receiving an opioid based MAT.
• Participant has any clinically significant liver chemistry test result including aspartate aminotransferase [AST] or alanine aminotransferase [ALT] result > 3 times above the upper limit of normal (ULN), and total bilirubin [TBL] result > 1.5 times above the ULN at screening. These assessments may be repeated once, after a reasonable time period (but within the Screening Period).
• Participant has a mean pulse < 45 or > 110 beats per minute (unless above the upper bound of the range [> 110 beats per minute] deemed to be secondary to opioid withdrawal); resting systolic blood pressure > 140 mmHg or < 90 mmHg, and/or a resting diastolic blood pressure > 90 mmHg at screening (unless out of range blood pressure is deemed to be secondary to opioid withdrawal). These assessments may be repeated once after a reasonable time period (but within the Screening Period).
• Participant has a clinically significant abnormality on 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) at screening or at randomization (Day 1). If the ECG is abnormal an additional ECG can be carried out. If this also gives a clinically significant abnormal result the participant must be excluded.
• Participant has a history of chest pain or palpitation with either exertion or drug use, myocardial infarction, endocarditis (within 12 months of screening), unexplained syncope, cardiac arrest, unexplained cardiac arrhythmias or torsade de pointes, structural heart disease or a family history of Long QT Syndrome.
• Participant has a clinically significant abnormality (e.g., severe respiratory insufficiency) in past medical history or at the screening visit that may place the participant at risk or interfere with the treatment outcomes.
• Participant has a mean corrected QT interval using Fridericia's formula (QTcF) > 450 msec (for male participants) and > 470 msec (for female participants) at screening or at randomization. If the mean QTcF exceeds the limits above, one additional triplicate ECG can be taken on Day 1.
• Participant has known kidney disease and a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) < 60 mL/min per meter squared at screening.
• Participant has evidence of any clinically significant, uncontrolled cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, endocrinologic, hematologic, hepatic, immunologic, infectious, metabolic, urologic, pulmonary (including obstructive sleep apnea not controlled by a continuous positive airway pressure device), neurologic, dermatologic, psychiatric (other than moderate to severe OUD or other mild substance use disorders), renal and/or other major disease. Participants with mild, moderate or severe cocaine use disorder are not eligible.
• Participant has planned surgery during the study participation.
• Participant has an active malignancy or a history of malignancy (except for treated non melanoma skin cancer) within 5 years of screening.
• Participant's treatment for OUD was required by a court order, or participant's current incarceration or pending incarceration/legal action that could prohibit participation or compliance in the study.
• Participant is homeless or living in a shelter.
• Participant has manic-depressive illness or Major Depressive Disorder with psychotic features.
• Participant has clinically significant anemia or low hemoglobin (levels < 9 g/dL) at screening or donation of > 250 mL of blood or plasma within 30 days prior to providing informed consent.
• Participant is currently using protocol-specified prohibited medications and is unable to wash out or adjust their dosage.
• Participant has used any cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 inhibitor (including most azole antifungals, macrolide antibiotics, protease inhibitors and antidepressants) or inducer (including phenobarbital, arbamazepine, phenytoin and rifampin) within 4 weeks prior to randomization.
• Participant has a negative lab test for buprenorphine and norbuprenorphine during screening (at any time prior to Day 1) for participants currently receiving treatment with buprenorphine/naloxone, or during the Run-in Period for participants newly initiating buprenorphine/naloxone treatment. The Day 1 collection will not be included in the eligibility assessment for either participant group.
• Participant has any condition which makes the participant unsuitable for study participation.
• Participant is an employee of the Astellas Group, the clinical research organization (CRO) involved or the investigator site personnel directly affiliated with this study and/or their immediate families (spouse, parent, child or sibling, whether biological or legally adopted).
• Participants with a positive urine drug screen for cocaine during Screening and/or a current diagnosis of mild, moderate or severe cocaine use disorder.