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Amyotrophic Lateral SclerosisPhase 3NCT04768972

FUSION: A Study to Evaluate the Efficacy, Safety, Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of ION363 in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Participants With Fused in Sarcoma Mutations (FUS-ALS)

A Phase 3 study testing ION363 in people with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, run by Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. at 25 sites in 16 countries.

Active, not recruiting

Under way, not looking for participants. Everyone needed has enrolled. The study is still running.

Official record
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Trial summary

The primary purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of ION363 on clinical function and survival in carriers of fused in sarcoma mutations with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FUS-ALS). Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 10 years and older
Conditions the study is for
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
What is being tested?
ION363
Type of treatment
Injection or infusion
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
89 participants
Where
25 sitesin 16 countries
Study dates
14 Jun 2021to Mar 2028
Phase
Phase 3
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 10 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Child, Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Participants must be ≥10 years of age at the time of informed consent and have signs or symptoms consistent with an ALS disease (in the opinion of the Investigator).
  • Genetic mutation in FUS confirmed by a testing laboratory that is Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) certified and European Conformity (CE)-marked, or equivalent. Mutations must be reviewed and approved by a variant classification committee.
  • Upright (sitting position) slow vital capacity (SVC) is ≥ 50% of predicted value (as adjusted for sex, age, and height) OR if SVC is < 50% of predicted value, must be 10 to 30 years of age (inclusive) at the time of informed consent AND had ALS symptom onset within 12 months before the time of informed consent.
  • Participants taking edaravone, riluzole, Relyvrio (sodium phenylbutyrate/taurursodiol combination, called Albrioza in Canada), sodium phenylbutyrate, or tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA, also known as taurursodiol or urosodiol) must be on a stable dose for ≥ 28 days prior to Day 1, and willing to continue on that dose throughout the duration of the study, unless the Investigator determines that it should be discontinued for medical reasons, in which case it may not be restarted during the study.
  • Stable concomitant medications and nutritional support for at least 1 month prior to Study Day 1. Concomitant medications or nutritional support that have not been stable for at least 1 month prior to Study Day 1 may be allowed in consultation with the Sponsor Medical Monitor or designee.
  • Females must not be pregnant or lactating. Males and females must be willing to following protocol-specified contraception requirements, or be surgically sterile, or be post-menopausal (females).
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  • Has an informant/caregiver who, in the Investigator's judgment, has frequent and sufficient contact with the participant as to be able to provide accurate information about the participant's cognitive and functional abilities throughout the study. In addition, a patient who is < 18 years old must have a trial partner (parent, caregiver, or other) who is reliable, competent, at least 18 years of age, and willing to accompany the patient to all trial visits.
  • Completed, or rescued from, Part 1, or
  • Enrolled and received at least 1 dose of ION363 in the Investigator-initiated study program
  • Patient meeting Criteria #1-2 is otherwise suitable for study participation, in the opinion of the Investigator

Who cannot join

  • Requiring permanent ventilation (> 22 hours of mechanical ventilation [invasive or noninvasive] per day for > 21 consecutive days) and/or tracheostomy.
  • Any known genetic variant (other than those in the FUS gene) that is pathogenic or likely to be pathogenic for the ALS-frontotemporal dementia (FTD) spectrum of disease.
  • Positive test result for:
  • Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
  • Hepatitis C (HCV), unless previously treated and has been serum/plasma HCV RNA negative for at least 6 months after the end of treatment
  • Hepatitis B (HBV) by HBV surface antigen test, unless currently on nucleotide/nucleoside analogue treatment
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  • Clinically significant abnormalities in medical history (e.g., previous acute coronary syndrome within 3 months before Screening, major surgery within 2 months before Screening) or physical examination.
  • Uncontrolled hypertension (blood pressure [BP] > 160/100 millimeters of mercury [mm Hg]).
  • Malignancy within 1 year before Screening, except for basal or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin or carcinoma in situ of the cervix that has been successfully treated. Participants with a history of other malignancies that have been treated with curative intent and which have not recurred within 6 months may also be eligible per Investigator judgement.
  • Obstructive hydrocephalus
  • Known significant brain or spinal disease that would interfere with the lumbar puncture (LP) process, CSF circulation or safety assessment, including tumors or abnormalities by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography, subarachnoid hemorrhage, suggestion of raised intracranial pressure on MRI or ophthalmic examination, spinal stenosis or curvature, Chiari malformation, syringomyelia, tethered spinal cord syndrome and connective tissue disorders such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and Marfan syndrome.
  • Concurrent participation in any other interventional clinical study.
  • Previous or current treatment with an oligonucleotide (including small interfering RNA [siRNA], tofersen). This exclusion criterion does not apply to COVID-19 vaccinations, which are allowed.
  • Treatment with another investigational drug, biological agent, or device within 1 month before Screening, or 5 half-lives of investigational agent, whichever is longer.
  • History of gene therapy or cell transplantation or any other experimental brain surgery.
  • Anticipated need, in the opinion of the Investigator, for administration of any antiplatelet or anticoagulant medication that cannot be safely paused before and/or after an LP procedure according to local or institutional guidelines and/or Investigator determination after consultation with the appropriate treating physician. Low-dose aspirin (≤ 100 mg/day, administered as monotherapy) is permitted and may be continued through the LP procedure.
  • Have any other conditions, which, in the opinion of the Investigator would make the participant unsuitable for inclusion or could interfere with the individual participating in or completing the study, in the opinion of the Investigator.

Trial locations and contacts

25 sites in 16 countries.

25 sites in 16 countries

United States8 sites
  • Johns Hopkins University

    Baltimore, Maryland, 21205

  • Massachusetts General Hospital

    Boston, Massachusetts, 02114

  • The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center

    Columbus, Ohio, 43210

  • University of California San Diego

    La Jolla, California, 92037

  • Columbia University Medical Center

    New York, New York, 10032

  • Stanford University Medical Center

    Palo Alto, California, 94304

  • University of Utah

    Salt Lake City, Utah, 84132

  • Washington University School of Medicine

    St Louis, Missouri, 63110

Other trials in United States

Germany2 sites
  • Universitaetsmedizin Rostock

    Rostock, 18147

  • Universitätsklinikum Ulm

    Ulm, 89081

Other trials in Germany

South Korea2 sites
  • Seoul National University Hospital

    Seoul, 3080

  • Hanyang University Seoul Hospital

    Seoul, 4763

Other trials in South Korea

Belgium1 site
  • UZ Leuven

    Leuven, VL-Brabant, 3000

Other trials in Belgium

Brazil1 site
  • PSEG Centro de Pesquisa Clinica S.A.

    São Paulo, 04038-002

Other trials in Brazil

Canada1 site
  • Montreal Neurological Institute

    Montreal, Quebec, H3A 2B4

Other trials in Canada

Ireland1 site
  • St. James Hospital

    Dublin, D08 A978

Other trials in Ireland

Italy1 site
  • Citta della Salute e della Scienza di Torino - Ospedale le Molinette

    Torino, 10126

Other trials in Italy

Japan1 site
  • Toho University Omori Medical Center

    Tokyo, 143-8541

Other trials in Japan

Netherlands1 site
  • Universitair Medisch Centrum Utrecht

    Utrecht, 3584 CX

Other trials in Netherlands

Poland1 site
  • Linden spólka z ograniczona odpowiedzialnoscia spólka komandytow

    Krakow, 30-721

Other trials in Poland

Spain1 site
  • Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge

    Barcelona, 8907

Other trials in Spain

Sweden1 site
  • University Hospital of Umea

    Umeå, SE-901 85

Other trials in Sweden

Switzerland1 site
  • Kantonsspital St. Gallen

    Sankt Gallen, 9007

Other trials in Switzerland

Taiwan1 site
  • Taipei Veterans General Hospital (VGHTP)

    Taipei, 11217

Other trials in Taiwan

United Kingdom1 site
  • King's College Hospital

    London, SE5 9RT

Other trials in United Kingdom

About this study

Official title: A Phase 1-3 Study to Evaluate the Efficacy, Safety, Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Intrathecally Administered ION363 in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Patients With Fused in Sarcoma Mutations (FUS-ALS)

The primary purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of ION363 on clinical function and survival in carriers of fused in sarcoma mutations with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FUS-ALS).

Read the detailed description

This is a multi-center, three-part study of ION363 in up to 95 participants. Part 1 will consist of participants who will be randomized in a 2:1 ratio to receive a multi-dose regimen of ION363 or placebo for a period of 60 weeks, followed by Part 2, in which participants will receive open-label ION363 for a period of 84 weeks. Participants may continue to receive open-label ION363 in Part 3 for up to 3 additional years or until ION363 becomes commercially available in the patient's country or until the Sponsor discontinues the ION363 development program, whichever occurs earlier.

Being tested
ION363, Placebo
Keywords
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Participants With Fused in Sarcoma Mutations, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Sarcoma Mutations
Medical subject headings
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • ION363Drug

    ION363 will be administered by IT bolus injection.

  • PlaceboDrug

    Placebo will be administered by IT bolus injection.

Study groups in NCT04768972
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
ION363ExperimentalION363 will be administered by lumbar intrathecal (IT) bolus injection every 12 weeks, with an additional loading dose at 4 weeks, over a 60-week double-blind treatment period in Part 1; every 12 weeks for 84 weeks in the open-label extension treatment period (Part 2), with an additional loading dose administered 4 weeks after the first dose. Patients may continue to receive open-label ION363 every 12 weeks in Part 3 for up to 3 additional years or until ION363 becomes commercially available in the patient's country or until the Sponsor discontinues the development program, whichever occurs earlier.
Receives: Drug: ION363
PlaceboPlacebo comparatorPlacebo will be administered by lumbar IT bolus injection every12 weeks, with an additional loading dose at 4 weeks, over a 60-week double-blind treatment period (Part 1).
Receives: Drug: Placebo

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Change from Baseline (Day 1) through Study Day 505 in Part 1 in functional impairment

    Functional impairment to be measured by joint rank analysis of the combined assessment of: In-clinic Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R) total score, time of rescue or discontinuation from Part 1 and entering Part 2 due to a deterioration in function, and ventilation assistance-free survival (VAFS). ALSFRS-R measures functional disease severity. The scale measures four functional domains, bulbar function, gross motor skills, fine motor skills, and respiratory function. The assessment will contain 12 questions scored from 0 (no function) to 4 (full function), with a total possible score of 48, which will indicate the highest level of function. ALSFRS-R will be a part of the combined assessment of joint rank analysis to assess efficacy in Part 1.

    Measured: Baseline, Day 505 in Part 1

Secondary outcomes (7)
  1. Change from Baseline in ALS Assessment Questionnaire, 5-item (ALSAQ-5)

    Measured: Baseline, Day 505 in Part 1

  2. Change from Baseline in the in-clinic Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R)

    Measured: Baseline, Day 505 in Part 1

  3. Survival and Ventilation Assistance-Free Survival (VAFS)

    Measured: Up to Day 505 in Part 1

  4. Change from Baseline in In-clinic Slow Vital Capacity (SVC) to Day 505 in Part 1

    Measured: Baseline, Day 505 in Part 1

  5. Change from Baseline in Handheld Dynamometry (HHD) to Day 505 in Part 1

    Measured: Baseline, Day 505 in Part 1

  6. Change from Baseline in Neurofilament Light (NfL) Concentration in Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) to Day 505

    Measured: Baseline, Day 505 in Part 1

  7. Change from Baseline in FUS Concentration in Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) to Day 505

    Measured: Baseline, Day 505 in Part 1

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted24 Feb 2021
  2. Study start14 Jun 2021
  3. Primary completion17 Jun 2026
  4. Study completionMar 2028 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 3
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Double blind
Who is masked
Participant, Investigator
Enrolment
89 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT04768972
Sponsor's protocol ID
ION363-CS1
Other IDs
2020-005522-28
Status last verified
Jul 2026
First submitted
22 Feb 2021
Last updated
21 Jul 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
Yes
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Yes: Ionis may share anonymized individual participant data, aggregated clinical data, and other types of data that support the results in this study. Data requests from qualified researchers will be considered once all three of the following criteria are met: (1) 12 months from marketing approval of the study drug in both the United States and European Union; (2) 18 months from conclusion of the study; and (3) 6 months from publication of study article. Access would be via a secure environment and is contingent upon approval of a research proposal and entry into an appropriate data use agreement. Requests to access data can be submitted via the website https://vivli.org/ourmember/ionis/.

Publications

  • Codron P, Cassereau J, Vourc'h P. InFUSing antisense oligonucleotides for treating ALS. Trends Mol Med. 2022 Apr;28(4):253-254. doi: 10.1016/j.molmed.2022.02.006. Epub 2022 Mar 1.

    PubMed 35246398

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 3 study testing ION363 in people with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, run by Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. at 25 sites in 16 countries.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 10 inclusion and 17 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: under way, not looking for participants, as of the sponsor's last update on 21 Jul 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 25 sites in United States, Germany, South Korea, Belgium, Brazil and 11 more countries. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this phase mean?

Phase 3 studies compare the treatment with the current standard treatment or a placebo in a large group, to confirm how well it works and watch for side effects.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Change from Baseline (Day 1) through Study Day 505 in Part 1 in functional impairment (time frame: Baseline, Day 505 in Part 1). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT04768972, which also lists 1 linked publication.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 21 Jul 2026.

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