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Generalized Pustular PsoriasisPhase 2NCT04399837

A Study to Test Whether BI 655130 (Spesolimab) Prevents Flare-ups in Patients With Generalized Pustular Psoriasis

A Phase 2 study testing Spesolimab in people with Generalized Pustular Psoriasis, run by Boehringer Ingelheim at 72 sites in 23 countries.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record

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Trial summary

This is a study in adolescents and adults with Generalized Pustular Psoriasis (GPP). People between 12 and 75 years old can take part in the study. The study is open to people who had GPP flare-ups in the past but whose skin is clear or almost clear when they join the study. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 12 to 75 years
Conditions the study is for
Generalized Pustular Psoriasis
What is being tested?
Spesolimab
Type of treatment
Injection or infusion
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
123 participants
Where
72 sitesin 23 countries
Study dates
4 Jun 2020to 23 Nov 2022
Phase
Phase 2

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 12 to 75 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Child, Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Patients with a known and documented history of GPP per ERASPEN criteria (see Section 3.3.1) regardless of IL36RN mutation status, with at least 2 presentations of moderate to severe GPP flares with fresh pustulation (new appearance or worsening) in the past.
  • Patients with a GPPGA score of 0 or 1 at screening and randomization.
  • Patients who are not on concomitant GPP treatment at time of randomization (V2) must have had at least two presentations of moderate to severe GPP flare in the past year, at least one of which had evidence of either fever and/or elevated CRP and/or elevated WBC, and/or asthenia and/or myalgia.
  • Patients who are not on concomitant GPP treatment at time of randomization (V2) but who were on concomitant GPP treatment until shortly before randomization (V2) (≤ 12 weeks before randomization), these patients must have a history of flaring while on concomitant treatment for GPP or in case of dose reduction or discontinuation of their concomitant medication.
  • Patients who are on concomitant treatment regimen with retinoids and/or methotrexate and/or cyclosporine must stop at the day of randomization (V2). These patients must have a history of flaring while on concomitant treatment for GPP or in case of dose reduction or discontinuation of these concomitant medications.
  • Male or female patients, aged 12 to 75 years at screening. For all patients, a minimum weight of 40 kg is required.
  • Signed and dated written informed consent and assent in accordance with ICH-GCP and local legislation prior to admission in the trial.
  • Women of childbearing potential (WOCBP)1 must be ready and able to use highly effective methods of birth control per ICH M3 (R2) that result in a low failure rate of less than 1% per year when used consistently and correctly. A list of contraception methods meeting these criteria is provided in the CTP as well as in the patient, parent(s) (or patient's legal guardian) information.

Who cannot join

  • Patients with SAPHO (Synovitis-acne-pustulosis-hyperostosis-osteitis) syndrome.
  • Patients with primary erythrodermic psoriasis vulgaris.
  • Severe, progressive, or uncontrolled hepatic disease, defined as >3-fold Upper Limit of Normal (ULN) elevation in Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) or Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) or alkaline phosphatase, or >2-fold ULN elevation in total bilirubin.
  • Treatment with:
  • Any restricted medication as specified in the CTP, or any drug considered likely to interfere with the safe conduct of the study, as assessed by the investigator.
  • Any prior exposure to BI 655130 or another IL36R inhibitor biologic.
Show all 15Show fewer
  • Increased risk of infectious complications (e.g. recent pyogenic infection, any congenital or acquired immunodeficiency (e.g. HIV), past organ or stem cell transplantation), as assessed by the investigator.
  • Relevant chronic or acute infections including active tuberculosis, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection or viral hepatitis at the time of randomization. A patient can be re-screened if the patient was treated and is cured from the acute infection.
  • Active or Latent Tuberculosis (TB):
  • Patients with active tuberculosis should be excluded
  • Patients with a positive QuantiFERON® (or if applicable, T-Spot®) TB test during screening are excluded, unless the patient had previous diagnosis of active or latent TB and has completed appropriate treatment per the discretion of the local investigator within the last 3 years and at the latest at the time of screening (i.e. 2 to 4 weeks before study drug administration); patients may be re-screened once to meet this criterion)
  • Patients with suspected false positive or indeterminate QuantiFERON® (or if applicable, T-Spot®) TB result may be re-tested once
  • If QuantiFERON® (or if applicable, T-Spot®) TB testing is not available or provides indeterminate results after repeat testing, a tuberculin skin test (TST) can be performed: A TST reaction of ≥10mm (≥5mm if receiving ≥15mg/d prednisone or its equivalent) is considered positive.
  • History of allergy/hypersensitivity to the systemically administered trial medication agent or its excipients.
  • Further exclusion criteria apply.

Trial locations and contacts

72 sites in 23 countries.

72 sites in 23 countries

Malaysia8 sites
  • Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun

    Ipoh, 30450

  • Hospital Sultanah Aminah

    Johor Bahru, 80100

  • Hospital Sultan Ismail

    Johor Bahru, 81100

  • Queen Elizabeth Hospital

    Kota Kinabalu, 88586

  • Hospital Kuala Lumpur

    Kuala Lumpur, 50586

  • Sarawak General Hospital

    Kuching, Sarawak, 93586

  • Hospital Pakar Sultanah Fatimah

    Muar town, 84000

  • Hospital Pulau Pinang

    Pulau Pinang, 10990

Other trials in Malaysia

China7 sites
  • Sun yet-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun yet-sen Univesity

    Guangzhou, 510288

  • The Second Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine

    Hangzhou, 310009

  • Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital

    Shanghai, 200000

  • Huashan Hospital, Fudan University

    Shanghai, 200040

  • The First Hospital of China Medical University

    Shenyang, 110001

  • Tianjin Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated Hospital

    Tianjin, 300120

  • Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an JiaoTong University

    Xi'an, 710004

Other trials in China

Germany7 sites
  • Fachklinik Bad Bentheim

    Bad Bentheim, 48455

  • Universitätsklinikum Bonn AöR

    Bonn, 53127

  • Universitätsklinikum Frankfurt

    Frankfurt am Main, 60596

  • Klinikum der Universität München - Campus Innenstadt

    München, 80337

  • Universitätsklinikum Münster

    Münster, 48149

  • Klinikum Oldenburg AöR

    Oldenburg, 26133

  • Universitätsklinikum Würzburg AÖR

    Würzburg, 97080

Other trials in Germany

Russia7 sites
  • SBHI Chelyabinsk Reg.Clin.Derma.Dispen.

    Chelyabinsk, 454048

  • LLC "Medical Center Azbuka Zdorovia"

    Kazan', 420111

  • FSBEI HE "Kirov State Medical University"

    Kirov, 610035

  • LLC Skin Disease Clinic of Pier Volkenstein, St. Petersburg

    Saint Petersburg, 190123

  • LLC "Avrora Medfort"

    Saint Petersburg, 194156

  • 1stPavlov St.Med.Univ.St.-Petersburg Res.Inst.

    Saint Petersburg, 197022

  • Saratov State Med.Univ.n.a.Razumovskogo

    Saratov, 410028

Other trials in Russia

Japan6 sites
  • Nagoya City University Hospital

    Aichi, Nagoya, 467-8602

  • Kyushu Rosai Hospital

    Fukuoka, Kitakyushu, 800-0296

  • Tokyo Medical University Ibaraki Medical Center

    Ibaraki, Inashiki-gun, 300-0395

  • Saitama Medical University Hospital

    Saitama, Iruma-gun, 350-0495

  • Tokyo Medical University Hachioji Medical Center

    Tokyo, Hachioji, 193-0998

  • Tokyo Medical University Hospital

    Tokyo, Shinjuku-ku, 160-0023

Other trials in Japan

Tunisia5 sites
  • Hedi Chaker Hospital, Department of Dermatology

    Sfax, 1053

  • Farhat Hached Hospital

    Sousse, 4000

  • La Rabta Hospital

    Tunis, 1007

  • Charles Nicolle Hospital

    Tunis, 1008

  • Habib Thameur Hospital

    Tunis, 1008

Other trials in Tunisia

Turkey (Türkiye)4 sites
  • Uludag University Medicine Faculty Departmant of Dermatology

    Bursa, 16059

  • Bezmi Alem Valide Sultan Vakif Gureba Egitim ve Arastirma Hastanesi

    Istanbul, 34093

  • Istanbul Universitesi Cerrahpasa Tip Fakultesi

    Istanbul, 34098

  • Marmara Universitesi Tip Fakultesi

    Istanbul, 34460

Other trials in Turkey (Türkiye)

Philippines3 sites
  • Southern Philippines Medical Center

    Davao City, 8000

  • Iloilo Doctors Hospital

    Iloilo City, Iloilo, 5000

  • Center for Skin Research, Testing and Product Development

    Makati City, 1229

Other trials in Philippines

Thailand3 sites
  • King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital

    Bangkok, 10330

  • Institute of Dermatology

    Bangkok, 10400

  • Ramathibodi Hospital

    Ratchatewi, Bangkok, 10400

Other trials in Thailand

United States2 sites
  • Oakland Hills Dermatology

    Auburn Hills, Michigan, 48326

  • Washington University School of Medicine

    St Louis, Missouri, 63108

Other trials in United States

Argentina2 sites
  • Buenos Aires Skin S.A.

    CABA, C1055AA0

  • Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires

    CABA, C1056AB

Other trials in Argentina

France2 sites
  • HOP l'Archet

    Nice, 06200

  • HOP Saint-Louis

    Paris, 75010

Other trials in France

Mexico2 sites
  • Centro de Investigación de Enfermedades Autoinmunes S.C.

    Guadalajara, 44610

  • Hospital Universitario Dr Jose Eleuterio Gonzalez

    Monterrey, 64460

Other trials in Mexico

South Korea2 sites
  • Pusan National Univ. Hosp

    Busan, 49241

  • Severance Hospital

    Seoul, 03722

Other trials in South Korea

Spain2 sites
  • Hospital Sant Joan de Déu

    Esplugues Del Llobregat, 08950

  • Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre

    Madrid, 28041

Other trials in Spain

Taiwan2 sites
  • Chang Gung Medical Foundation (CGMF) - Linkou Bran

    Linkou District, 333

  • National Taiwan University Hospital

    Taipei, 10002

Other trials in Taiwan

Vietnam2 sites
  • National Hospital of Dermatology and Venereology

    Hà Nội, 10000

  • HCMC Hospital of Dermato-Venereology

    Ho Chi Minh City, 70000

Other trials in Vietnam

Belgium1 site
  • Brussels - UNIV Saint-Luc

    Brussels, 1200

Other trials in Belgium

Chile1 site
  • Clínica Dermacross S.A.

    Vitacura, 7640881

Other trials in Chile

Greece1 site
  • General Hospital of Thessaloniki "Ippokrateio"

    Thessaloniki, 54643

Other trials in Greece

Italy1 site
  • Istituto Clinico Humanitas

    Rozzano (MI), 20089

Other trials in Italy

Netherlands1 site
  • Erasmus Medisch Centrum

    Rotterdam, 3015 GD

Other trials in Netherlands

South Africa1 site
  • Arthritis Clinical Research Trials

    Cape Town, 7405

Other trials in South Africa

About this study

Official title: Effisayil™ 2: Multi-center, Randomized, Parallel Group, Double Blind, Placebo Controlled, Phase IIb Dose-finding Study to Evaluate Efficacy and Safety of BI 655130 (Spesolimab) Compared to Placebo in Preventing Generalized Pustular Psoriasis (GPP) Flares in Patients With History of GPP.

This is a study in adolescents and adults with Generalized Pustular Psoriasis (GPP). People between 12 and 75 years old can take part in the study. The study is open to people who had GPP flare-ups in the past but whose skin is clear or almost clear when they join the study. The purpose of the study is to test 3 different doses of a medicine called spesolimab and to see whether it helps to prevent GPP flare-ups.

Participants are put into 4 groups by chance. Three groups get different doses of spesolimab. The fourth group gets a placebo. Placebo looks like spesolimab but does not contain any medicine.

Read more

Spesolimab and placebo are given as an injection under the skin. Participants are in the study for about 1 year and 4 months. During this time, they visit the study site about 15 times. For the first 11 months, participants get spesolimab or placebo injections every month. At the study visits, the doctors check participants' skin for signs of a new GPP flare-up. The doctors also check the general health of the participants.

If a participant has a GPP flare-up during the study, more visits may be necessary. In case of a flare-up, participants get a dose of spesolimab as an infusion into a vein.

Being tested
Spesolimab, Placebo
Medical subject headings
Psoriasis

What participants receive

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

  • SpesolimabDrug

    Solution for injection

  • PlaceboDrug

    Solution for injection

Study groups in NCT04399837
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Spesolimab SC low doseExperimentalNot described
Receives: Drug: Spesolimab
Spesolimab SC medium doseExperimentalNot described
Receives: Drug: Spesolimab
Spesolimab SC high doseExperimentalNot described
Receives: Drug: Spesolimab
PlaceboPlacebo comparatorNot described
Receives: Drug: Placebo

What is being measured

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

  1. Time to First Generalized Pustular Psoriasis (GPP) Flare

    A GPP flare was defined as increase in Generalized Pustular Psoriasis Physician Global Assessment (GPPGA) score by ≥ 2 from baseline and the pustular component of GPPGA ≥ 2) up to week 48. Use of rescue medication, or investigator-prescribed Standard of Care (SoC) for GPP worsening, was considered to represent a GPP flare onset.

    GPPGA relied on clinical assessment of the Generalized Pustular Psoriasis (GPP) patient's skin presentation. The GPPGA total score was calculated by taking the mean of the erythema subscore, pustules subscore and scaling/crusting subscore. The severity of each subscore was assessed using a 5 point scale score ranging from 0 to 4 (0=clear, 1=almost clear, 2=mild, 3=moderate, 4=severe). The final GPPGA score is assigned as follows:

    • 0 , if scores for all three subscores are 0,
    • 1, if 0 < mean < 1.5,
    • 2, if 1.5 ≤ mean < 2.5,
    • 3, if 2.5 ≤ mean < 3.5,
    • 4, if mean ≥ 3.5.

    Measured: GPPGA was regularly assessed at baseline (Week 1) and up to Week 48 (at Week 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48). Patients could come to site for flare confirmation anytime as unscheduled visit. Visit window was ±7 days.

Secondary outcomes (5)
  1. Key Secondary Endpoint: The Occurrence of at Least One Generalized Pustular Psoriasis (GPP) Flare up to Week 48

    Proportion of patients with at least one GPP flare up to Week 48 is reported. Proportions were rounded up to three decimal places.

    A GPP flare was defined as increase in Generalized Pustular Psoriasis Physician Global Assessment (GPPGA) score by ≥ 2 from baseline and the pustular component of GPPGA ≥ 2. Any use of rescue medication, or investigator-prescribed SoC for GPP worsening, prior to week 48 was considered to represent the onset of a GPP flare.

    Generalized Pustular Psoriasis Physician Global Assessment (GPPGA) relied on the clinical assessment of GPP patient's skin presentation. The total score is calculated by taking the mean of the three subscores: 1) erythema; 2) pustules and 3) scaling/crusting which were assessed using a scale score 0 to 4 (0=clear, 1=almost clear, 2=mild, 3=moderate, 4=severe). The final GPPGA score:

    0 , if scores for all three subscores are 0,

    1. if 0 < mean < 1.5;
    2. if 1.5 ≤ mean < 2.5;
    3. if 2.5 ≤ mean < 3.5;
    4. if mean ≥ 3.5.

    Measured: GPPGA was regularly assessed at baseline (Week 1) and up to Week 48 (at Week 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48). Patients could come to site for flare confirmation anytime as unscheduled visit. Visit window was ±7 days.

  2. Time to First Worsening of Psoriasis Symptom Scale (PSS) up to Week 48

    Worsening of Psoriasis Symptom Scale (PSS) was defined as a 4-point increase in total score from baseline. Intake of rescue medication, or investigator-prescribed SoC for GPP worsening, was considered as onset of a worsening.

    The PSS is a 4-item patient-reported outcome (PRO) instrument that was developed to assess the severity of 4 psoriasis symptoms in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis.

    The symptoms included are: pain, redness, itching, and burning. Current symptom severity is assessed using a 5-point scale ranging from 0 (none) to 4 (very severe). The symptom scores are added to an unweighted total score (range: 0 (no symptoms) to 16 (severe symptoms)).

    Measured: PSS assessments were performed at: Baseline (Week 1) and up to Week 48 (at Week 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48). Visit window was ±7 days.

  3. Time to First Worsening of Dermatology Quality of Life Index (DLQI) up to Week 48

    Worsening of DLQI up to week 48 was defined as a 4-point increase in total score from baseline. Intake of rescue medication, or investigator-prescribed SoC for GPP worsening, was considered as onset of a worsening.

    The DLQI is a patient-administered, ten-question, quality of life questionnaire that covers six domains including symptoms and feelings, daily activities, leisure, work and school, personal relationships and treatment. Response categories include "not relevant" (score of 0), "not at all" (score of 0), "a little" (score of 1), "a lot" (score of 2) and "very much" (score of 3). Question 7 is a "yes"/ "no" question where "yes" is scored as 3. DLQI total score is calculated by summing the scores of each question resulting in a range of 0 (no effect on patient's life) to 30 (extremely large effect on patient's life).

    Measured: DLQI assessments were performed at: Baseline (Week 1) and up to Week 48 (at Week 4, 8, 12, 24, 36 and 48). Visit window was ±7 days. Time window for Week 48 was from Week 46 to Week 50.

  4. Sustained Remission

    Proportion of patients with sustained remission at all visits up to Week 48. Proportions were rounded up to three decimal places.

    Remission was defined as a patient with a GPPGA score of 0 or 1 (clear or almost clear) at all visits up to week 48, without intake of rescue medication, or investigator-prescribed SoC for GPP worsening.

    GPPGA relied on clinical assessment of the Generalized Pustular Psoriasis (GPP) patient's skin presentation. The GPPGA total score was calculated by taking the mean of the erythema subscore, pustules subscore and scaling/crusting subscore. The severity of each subscore was assessed using a 5 point scale score ranging from 0 to 4 (0=clear, 1=almost clear, 2=mild, 3=moderate, 4=severe). The final GPPGA score is assigned as follows:

    • 0 , if scores for all three subscores are 0,
    • 1, if 0 < mean < 1.5,
    • 2, if 1.5 ≤ mean < 2.5,
    • 3, if 2.5 ≤ mean < 3.5,
    • 4, if mean ≥ 3.5.

    Measured: GPPGA was regularly assessed at baseline (Week 1) and up to Week 48 (at Week 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48). Patients could come to site for flare confirmation anytime as unscheduled visit. Visit window was ±7 days.

  5. The Occurrence of Treatment Emergent Adverse Events (TEAEs)

    Percentage of patients with treatment emergent adverse events (TEAEs) is reported. Percentages were rounded up to one decimal places.

    Time Frame: Placebo, Spesolimab (Speso) SC low, medium, high: From randomized study treatment start until the first use of rescue medication with IV spesolimab or until last dose + 16 weeks, up to 62 weeks.

    Speso IV SD and Speso IV DD: From first use of rescue medication with IV spesolimab until OL maintenance spesolimab SC or until last dose of spesolimab IV + 16 weeks, up to 17 weeks.

    Speso OL SC: From the first dose of OL spesolimab SC treatment until last dose + 16 weeks, up to 62 weeks.

    Measured: Up to 62 weeks (for detailed timeframe see description).

Timeline

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

  1. First posted22 May 2020
  2. Study start4 Jun 2020
  3. Primary completion23 Nov 2022
  4. Study completion23 Nov 2022

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 2
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Quadruple blind
Who is masked
Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
123 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT04399837
Sponsor's protocol ID
1368-0027
Other IDs
2018-003081-14, 2018
Status last verified
Oct 2025
First submitted
20 May 2020
Last updated
20 Oct 2025
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
Yes
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No: Clinical studies sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim, phases I to IV, interventional and non-interventional, are in scope for sharing of the raw clinical study data and clinical study documents. Exceptions might apply, e.g. studies in products where Boehringer Ingelheim is not the license holder; studies regarding pharmaceutical formulations and associated analytical methods, and studies pertinent to pharmacokinetics using human biomaterials; studies conducted in a single center or targeting rare diseases (in case of low number of patients and therefore limitations with anonymization). For more details refer to: https://www.mystudywindow.com/msw/datatransparency

Publications

  • Gordon KB, Augustin M, Barker J, Tada Y, Lebwohl MG, Tang M, Hofmann P, Thoma C, Gottlieb AB. Effect of spesolimab on sustained disease control in patients with generalized pustular psoriasis: Post hoc analysis of the EFFISAYIL 2 study. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2025 Jun;92(6):1235-1242. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2025.01.089. Epub 2025 Mar 7.

    PubMed 40057892
  • Morita A, Choon SE, Bachelez H, Anadkat MJ, Marrakchi S, Zheng M, Tsai TF, Turki H, Hua H, Rajeswari S, Thoma C, Burden AD. Design of Effisayil 2: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of Spesolimab in Preventing Flares in Patients with Generalized Pustular Psoriasis. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2023 Jan;13(1):347-359. doi: 10.1007/s13555-022-00835-6. Epub 2022 Nov 5.

    PubMed 36333618

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