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A clinical research trial of a potential new therapy for adults affected by Alpha-1 Antitrypsin-related lung disease has opened in the UK and has started enrolling patients.

Seven trial sites – in Birmingham, Cambridge, Coventry, Edinburgh, Leicester, London and Southampton – are already open, and it is anticipated that additional sites will be added in due course.  There are many sites spread across the UK and Scotland, so you have the opportunity to hopefully find a site nearby and minimise the travel time for study visits.

All details are available on the UK website www.astraeus-alpha1.com, where you will be able to find more details, check if you are eligible for the study and get in contact with a trial centre near to you. There are also details on the official clinical trial registry:  www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03636347.

All patients interested in participating in this study are at liberty to contact any of the study centres to discuss the trial.  If you are interested in participating in this study, please use the website link above to find a suitable trial site or contact any of the study centres directly to discuss the trial.  Your preferred study centre does not have to be the same centre where you receive your regular care for Alpha-1 and may be chosen based on ease of access and personal preference.

The Astraeus Study is testing the safety of a research drug and whether it has the potential to reduce lung damage and slow the progression of lung disease caused by Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency.  The potential treatment, alvelestat, is taken as tablets and has already been tested in people with other lung diseases.

You must meet the study inclusion criteria which, amongst others, include the age range of between 18 to 75 years and a diagnosis of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency lung disease.  The referral section of the Astraeus website will help you make the initial determination and also direct youtowards the different physicians leading the trial centres.  The physicians at the different trial centres will be able to advise if you are eligible based on the study criteria, which have been agreed by the regulatory ethics committees here in the UK.

Enrolled participants will receive all study-related care, testing and study medication at no cost.  You will receive study drug for about 12 weeks and you will be in the study for approximately 20 weeks in total.  You will need to visit the research site about 9 times and receive 2 phone calls during the study.

 For more information, please see:  www.astraeus-alpha1.com.