Design of a phase III, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial of BI 1015550 in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (FIBRONEER-IPF)

Introduction There is an unmet need for new treatments for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The oral preferential phosphodiesterase 4B inhibitor, BI 1015550, prevented a decline in forced vital capacity (FVC) in a phase II study in patients with IPF. This study design describes the subsequent pivotal phase III study of BI 1015550 in patients with IPF (FIBRONEER-IPF).Methods and analysis In this placebo-controlled, double-blind, phase III trial, patients are being randomised in a 1:1:1 ratio to receive 9 mg or 18 mg of BI 1015550 or placebo two times per day over at least 52 weeks, stratified by use of background antifibrotics (nintedanib/pirfenidone vs neither). The primary endpoint is the absolute change in FVC at week 52. The key secondary endpoint is a composite of time to first acute IPF exacerbation, hospitalisation due to respiratory cause or death over the duration of the trial.Ethics and dissemination The trial is being carried out in compliance with the ethical principles of the Declaration of Helsinki, in accordance with the International Council on Harmonisation Guideline for Good Clinical Practice and other local ethics committees. The results of the study will be disseminated at scientific congresses and in peer-reviewed publications.