NCT07059091 · Johns Hopkins University
Clinical Trial of Omalizumab for Allergen Sensitized and Exposed Individuals With COPD
(COPD-OMA)
What this study is about
This research is being done to test if a drug called omalizumab can help people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and allergies. Each participant will be in the study for about 16 months, including 1-3 months of screening, 12 months of receiving the study drug at a clinic, and a follow-up call one month after your final clinic visit.
View original scientific description
This research is being done to test if a drug called omalizumab can help people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and allergies. Each participant will be in the study for about 16 months, including 1-3 months of screening, 12 months of receiving the study drug at a clinic, and a follow-up call one month after your final clinic visit.
Interventions
DRUG
Omalizumab (Xolair®)
The study drug (omalizumab or placebo) will be given as a subcutaneous injection, which means an injection into the fat layer just under the skin in your arm or leg. This is similar to an insulin injection and not as deep as a typical vaccine injection. After the injection, participants will be monitored for any side effects. The study team will determine the dose and how often the injection is given based on the participant's weight and blood test results. Injections will be either be given monthly, 12 doses, or twice per month, 24 doses. All injections will be given at the clinic.
DRUG
Sodium Chloride (NaCl) 0.9 %
The study drug (omalizumab or placebo) will be given as a subcutaneous injection, which means an injection into the fat layer just under the skin in your arm or leg. This is similar to an insulin injection and not as deep as a typical vaccine injection. After the injection, participants will be monitored for any side effects. The study team will determine the dose and how often the injection is given based on the participant's weight and blood test results. Injections will be either be given monthly, 12 doses, or twice per month, 24 doses. All injections will be given at the clinic.
Primary outcome measures
Rate of COPD exacerbations
Time frame: 12 months
To determine the efficacy of omalizumab injection in reducing the annualized rate of moderate or severe exacerbations (primary outcome) over the course of 12 months among individuals with COPD having sensitization and exposure to any of a panel of common indoor aeroallergens.
Who can participate
This study lists these criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov. A study coordinator reviews eligibility during screening — this page does not determine whether you qualify.
Inclusion criteria
- Able and willing to provide informed consent.
- Age ≥ 40 years at screening.
- Primary combustible tobacco cigarette exposure \>10 pack-years.
- Self-report of physician diagnosis of COPD and currently on dual or triple long-acting inhaled therapy (ICS/LABA/LAMA, ICS/LABA, LABA/LAMA).
- COPD Assessment Test (CAT) score of ≥ 15 OR history of at least one documented moderate (requiring treatment with oral corticosteroids) or severe (requiring ED visit or hospitalization) COPD exacerbation in the past year.
- Participants of childbearing potential must have negative pregnancy test upon study entry.
- Female (and male) participants with reproductive potential must agree to use FDA approved methods of contraception for duration of study.
- Post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC ratio \< 0.7 and FEV1% predicted \< 80%.
- Sensitization to one or more of five common indoor allergens including cat, dog, mouse, cockroach, dust mite confirmed with specific IgE. Positive specific IgE testing within 12 months of randomization to cat, dog, mouse, cockroach, or dust mite will be accepted
- Exposure to the same allergen to which individual is sensitized based on measurement in home settled dust (1 U/g cockroach, 1 μg/g mouse, 2 μg/g dust mite, (Der f 1), 8 μg/g for cat and dog).
- Participants on a stable dose for \>6 months will be allowed to enroll
Exclusion criteria
- Inability or unwillingness of a participant to give written informed consent or comply with study protocol.
- Live in a location other than home (i.e., care facility)
- Actively breastfeeding.
- Current asthma diagnosis.
- Other lung disease (cystic fibrosis, pneumoconiosis, bronchiectasis or otherwise) that is considered the primary respiratory diagnosis and would interfere with participation in the study
- Reduced life expectancy due to other disease that in the opinion of the investigator may interfere with participation in the study.
- Participants with severe medical condition(s) that in the view of the investigator prohibits participation in the study.
- Received or listed for a lung transplant.
- Surgical or bronchoscopic lung volume reduction surgery in the 12 months prior to screening.
- History of infection or active infection due to Mycobacterium tuberculosis
- Active parasitic infection diagnosed and/or treated within 6 months of randomization
- Currently receiving allergen immunotherapy.
- History of anaphylaxis from medications, foods or otherwise.
- Current active prescription for epinephrine autoinjector for treatment of severe chronic urticaria.
- Known sensitivity to study drug(s) or another biologic medication.
- Use of any other investigational agent for COPD in the last 90 days. If the other investigational agent being used is a biologic agent, this must be washed out for 6 months prior to randomization.
- Active use of biologic medication (monoclonal antibody) for treatment of respiratory disease in the past 6 months (benralizumab, omalizumab, mepolizumab, resilizumab, dupliumab, tezepelumab, or other similar medication or use of biologic medication for treatment of any non-respiratory disease in the past 3 months.
- Use of chronic systemic corticosteroids at doses above 10mg daily prednisone or the equivalent.
- Use of systemic corticosteroid course for acute exacerbation of COPD within 4 weeks of randomization.
- Weight \< 66 lbs (30kg) or \>330 lbs (150 kg); and total IgE \< 30 IU/mL or \>700 IU/mL; or no available dosing recommendation based on weight and total IgE level.
- No ICS in background regimen for individuals with blood eosinophil count of \>300 and systemic steroid requiring exacerbation in the past year, except in case of contraindication to ICS such as thrush, osteoporosis, or pneumonia in the past year.
- Participants who have been on a stable GLP-1 agonist dose for less than 6 months prior to randomization.
Where
- Birmingham, Alabama
- Tucson, Arizona
- San Francisco, California
- Denver, Colorado
- Jacksonville, Florida
- Chicago, Illinois
- Iowa City, Iowa
- Kansas City, Kansas
- Baltimore, Maryland
- Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Detroit, Michigan
- New York, New York
And 7 more locations — see the full list below.
Collaborators
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Genentech, Inc., American Lung Association Asthma Clinical Research Centers, American Lung Association
Related conditions & keywords
Frequently asked questions
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study that tests new medical treatments, drugs, devices, or procedures to determine their safety and effectiveness. Trials are carefully designed and monitored to protect participants while advancing medical knowledge.
Is it safe to participate?
Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. Trials must be reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals throughout the study. You can withdraw at any time if you choose.
Will I be compensated?
Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time, travel expenses, and inconvenience. The specific compensation varies by study and will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is typically provided at no cost to participants.
Will I receive a placebo instead of treatment?
When effective treatment exists, participants typically receive either the standard treatment plus the study intervention, or the standard treatment plus placebo. You would not be denied effective care. Placebos are primarily used when no proven treatment is available, or in addition to standard care. Your trial consent form will clearly explain what treatments you may receive.
Can I leave a trial if I change my mind?
Absolutely. Participation in clinical trials is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.
How long does a clinical trial last?
Trial duration varies widely depending on the study design and purpose. Some trials last just a few weeks, while others may continue for months or years. The study coordinator will provide specific timeline information during your screening call.
Data: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced Sep 4, 2026 · Source of record for eligibility and locations