One-Time gene therapy aims to halt rare, fatal brain disease in children
NCT ID NCT04713475
First seen Jun 30, 2026 · Last updated Jul 01, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests a single dose of PBGM01, a gene therapy delivered directly into the fluid around the brain and spinal cord, in children with GM1 gangliosidosis. The therapy uses a harmless virus to carry a working copy of the GLB1 gene, which is missing or faulty in these patients. The trial includes two groups: infants with the early-onset form (Type 1) and older infants with the late-onset form (Type 2a). Researchers will monitor safety and whether the treatment helps children reach developmental milestones.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- PBGM01 (a gene therapy using a harmless virus to deliver a working GLB1 gene)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could provide a one-time treatment that slows or stops the progression of GM1 gangliosidosis, a devastating and currently untreatable disease.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early-phase trial with only 26 participants, so results may not apply to all patients. Gene therapies carry risks like immune reactions or the treatment not reaching all affected cells.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 1/2
Runs two stages together: safety and dose first, then whether the treatment works.
- Participants
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About 26 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Mar 2021
- Expected to finish
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Feb 2029
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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1 month to 24 months
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * All Patients: Documented GM1 gangliosidosis diagnosis based on genotyping confirming 2 mutations in the GLB1 gene and documented deficiency of beta-galactosidase enzyme by laboratory testing. * Early onset infantile (Type 1) must be ≥1 month and \<12 months of age at enrollment and have signs and/or symptoms of GM1 gangliosidosis that started before 6 months of age with specific minimum developmental milestones remaining. * Late onset infantile (Type 2a) must be ≥6 months and ≤24 months of age at enrollment and have signs and/or symptoms of GM1 gangliosidosis that started between 6 and 18 months of age with specific minimum developmental milestones remaining including the ability to sit independently at screening as defined by the WHO Multicenter Growth Reference Study (WHO-MGRS) criteria of being able to sit up unsupported with head erect for at least 10 seconds. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Any clinically significant neurocognitive deficit not attributable to GM1 gangliosidosis or any other condition that may, in the opinion of the investigator, confound interpretation of study results. 2. If a subject had an acute illness requiring hospitalization within 30 days of enrollment, the history must be discussed with the sponsor's medical monitor before allowing the subject to be enrolled. 3. History of ventilation assisted respiratory support or a need for tracheostomy as a result of their disease. Chronic ventilatory support is defined as use of invasive or noninvasive (BiPAP) mechanical ventilation. Note: This does not exclude participants who use respiratory vests or noninvasive (BiPAP) mechanical ventilation for obstructive sleep apnea regardless of cause for less than 12 hours per day. 4. Intractable seizure or uncontrolled epilepsy defined as having had an episode of status epilepticus, or seizures requiring hospitalization within 30 days prior to dosing of PBGM01. Note: This does not exclude participants who have a history of staring spells that have not been associated with EEG findings. 5. Any contraindication to the ICM administration procedure, including contraindications to fluoroscopic imaging and anesthesia or any condition that would increase the risk of adverse outcomes from the ICM procedure including, but not limited to, the presence of a space occupying lesion causing mass effects or signs of increased intracranial pressure, space occupying lesion in the posterior fossa or foramen magnum, aberrant vascular anatomy such as a large midline posterior inferior cerebellar artery, aberrant venous anatomy such as a large cerebellar vein or occipital sinus, or congenital anatomical abnormalities such as a Chiari malformation. 6. Any contraindication to MRI or lumbar puncture (LP). 7. Prior gene therapy. 8. Use of miglustat within 48 hours prior to dosing of PBGM01. The use of miglustat is prohibited throughout the study. 9. Use of enzyme replacement therapy or other investigational therapy within 5 half-lives prior to dosing of PBGM01. The use of enzyme replacement is prohibited throughout the study. 10. Receipt of a vaccine within 14 days prior to dosing and/or scheduled vaccine within 30 days after dosing. 11. Estimate glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) \<30 mL/minute based on creatinine 12. Coagulopathy (INR \> 1.5) or activated partial thromboplastin time \[aPTT\] \> 40 seconds 13. Thrombocytopenia (platelet count \< 100,000 per μL. 14. AST or ALT \> 3 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) or total bilirubin \> 1.5x ULN 15. Cardiomyopathy (screening troponin level above the ULN). 16. Peripheral neuropathy 17. Medical conditions or laboratory or vital sign abnormalities that would increase risk of complications from intra-cisterna magna injection, anesthesia, fluoroscopy, LP, and/or MRI including temperature over 38°C, oxygen saturation below 95% on room air or baseline oxygen requirement, heart rate or respiratory rate abnormal for age of the subject, abnormal blood pressure for age, or evidence of infection. 18. Any condition (e.g., history of any disease, evidence of any current disease, any finding upon physical examination, or any laboratory abnormality) that, in the opinion of the investigator, would put the subject at undue risk during the administration procedure or would interfere with evaluation of PBGM01 or interpretation of subject safety or study results.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Benioff Children's Hospital
Oakland, California, 94158, United States
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Children's Hospital at St. Peter's University Hospital
New Brunswick, New Jersey, 08901, United States
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Gazi University
Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye)
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Great Ormond Street Hospital
London, United Kingdom
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Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA)
Porto Alegre, Brazil
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The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States
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University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55455, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Gene therapy before birth: a new hope for babies with GM1 disease
- Scientists track rare brain diseases to pave way for future cures
- Hope fades: trial of Tay-Sachs drug venglustat terminated early
- New study maps how rare brain diseases worsen over time in kids
- New pill hopes to tame rare childhood brain diseases
- Rare disease study tracks GM1 progression to pave way for future treatments