In this PIERRE-PK study, researchers will learn how the body processes nusinersen when it is given through the ThecaFlex DRx™ System, compared to when nusinersen is given by lumbar puncture (LP). The ThecaFlex DRx system is an investigational implantable medical device developed by Alcyone Therapeutics, Inc. It consists of a catheter, which is a flexible tube, connected to a port which is placed under the skin. Alcyone Therapeutics, Inc. has an ongoing study called PIERRE to test the ThecaFlex DRx system. Participants with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in the PIERRE study may be enrolled in the PIERRE-PK study. The main objective of the PIERRE-PK study is to learn how the body processes nusinersen when given by the ThecaFlex DRx system compared to a lumbar puncture. The main questions researchers want to answer are: * What is the highest amount of nusinersen found in the blood after dosing? * How much nusinersen is found in the blood over the first 24 hours after dosing? The PIERRE-PK study will be done as follows: * Participants will be screened to check if they can join the study. The screening period will be up to 30 days for this study and may overlap with the PIERRE study. * Participants will receive a dose of nusinersen by lumbar puncture. * The ThecaFlex DRx system will be implanted after the lumbar puncture, as part of the PIERRE study. * Participants will receive a dose of nusinersen by the ThecaFlex DRx system, as part of the PIERRE study. * Researchers will take blood samples before and after each dose. The last blood sample will be taken 24 hours after the dose. * The total study duration for each participant in the PIERRE-PK study will be approximately 5 months. This period will overlap with the participant's first 5 months in the PIERRE study.
Phase 1 trials primarily test safety and dosing in a small number of participants (typically 20–100). Results do not yet speak to efficacy. FDA approval is typically many years away from this stage.
Currently recruiting: the trial is enrolling patients. A data readout is not expected until after enrollment closes and the follow-up period is complete.
Biogen Inc (BIIB) is the sponsoring company for this trial. BiotechSign currently grades this company D (43/100) based on composite catalyst signals across its full pipeline. This trial is one data point in that overall catalyst picture.