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Updated May 2026 · ClinicalTrials.gov

RECRUITINGPhase 2INTERVENTIONAL

A Study to Test Whether BI 764524 Helps People With an Eye Condition Called Diabetic Retinopathy

CRIMSON: A Multicentre, Randomised, Sham-controlled (and Active Controlled in the USA), Double-masked, 72-week Trial to Study the Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics, and Efficacy of 3 Dosing Regimens of Intravitreal BI 764524 in Patients With Moderately Severe to Severe Non-proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy

A Study to Test Whether BI 764524 Helps People With an Eye Condition Called Diabetic Retinopathy (NCT06321302) is a Phase 2 interventional studying Diabetic Retinopathy, sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim. RECRUITING as of the most recent ClinicalTrials.gov update. Talk to your doctor before contacting the trial site.

Important: This information is not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.

About This Trial

This study is open to adults with diabetic retinopathy. People who have non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy of moderate or high severity can join the study. The purpose of this study is to find out whether a medicine called BI 764524 helps people with diabetic retinopathy. The study also aims to find a suitable treatment plan for BI 764524. Participants are put into 5 groups by chance. Participants in groups 1, 2, and 3 get BI 764524. Over 1 year, they get a different number of injections of the same dose of BI 764524 injected into 1 eye. During some visits, participants may get a sham control, which is done like an eye injection but without a needle, so that participants will not know how many injections of BI 764524 they received. Participants in group 4 only get a sham control. Participants in group 5 (only in the USA) get aflibercept or sham injections during some visits. Aflibercept is a medicine already used to treat diabetic retinopathy. Participants are in the study for one and a half years. During this time, they visit the study site at least 16 times. During this time, doctors regularly do eye exams and visual tests to assess the severity of participants' eye condition. After 1 year of treatment, researchers look at the number of participants with eye improvements. To do so, they compare eye damage and certain severe eye problems between the groups of participants. The doctors also regularly check participants' health and take note of any unwanted effects.

What Stage of Research Is This?

Phase 2 trials evaluate whether a treatment actually works against Diabetic Retinopathy and continue monitoring side effects. Phase 2 enrolls larger groups (typically 100–300 patients) and produces the first real efficacy signal. A successful Phase 2 readout is what unlocks the much larger Phase 3 confirmatory trials needed for FDA approval.

This trial is currently recruiting participants. The sponsor has registered the study with ClinicalTrials.gov as actively enrolling, which means new applicants who meet the eligibility criteria can be considered for screening. Trial status can change between updates — confirm current recruiting status with the study contact before traveling for a screening visit.

Target enrollment of 178 participants puts this in the typical range for a Phase 2-style efficacy study or a moderate Phase 3 trial in a focused Diabetic Retinopathy subpopulation. At this scale, the study has enough statistical power to detect a clear treatment effect but is not the largest cohort in the field.

Who May Be Eligible (Plain English)

General inclusion criteria - Diagnosis of diabetes mellitus (DM) under regular treatment with Haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) (glycated haemoglobin) (HbA1c) \<12%; DM should be under regular investigation by a trained specialist as per local standard of care prior to and during the trial - Age ≥18 years at time of signing willing to sign a consent form Form (ICF) Ocular Who May Qualify: study eye - Moderately severe to severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) (Diabetic Retinopathy Severity Scale (DRSS) 47 to 53) based on early treatment diabetic retinopathy study (ETDRS) 7-field grading as confirmed by the central reading centre (CRC) at screening - Ultra-widefield fluorescein angiography (UWF-FA) image gradable for presence of retinal non-perfusion (RNP) as confirmed by the CRC at screening - Visual acuity: best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) letter score of ≥49 letters (approximate Snellen equivalent of 20/100 or better) using ETDRS chart at starting distance of 4 meter (m) at screening - Sufficiently clear ocular media, adequate pupillary dilation, and fixation to permit quality fundus imaging Main exclusion criteria in study eye: \- Evidence of active retinal neovascularisation (NV) on clinical exam and/or ultra-widefield colour fundus photography (UWF-CFP) within the ETDRS 7-field, confirmed by the CRC grading The following are permitted if, based on the assessment of the investigator, do not require acute treatment: - Small neovascular lesions within the ETDRS 7-field that are detected only on UWF-FA, but not on clinical exam or colour fundus photography (CFP) - Neovascularisations outside of the ETDRS 7-field on ultra-widefield imaging - Evidence of active NV of the iris (small iris tufts are not an exclusion) or in the anterior chamber angle - Prior pan-retinal photocoagulation (PRP). Peripheral scatter or targeted laser treatment in up to 1 quadrant outside the ETDRS 7-field area is permitted if it was performed at least 6 months prior to Day 1 ...See full criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov Always talk to your doctor about whether this trial is right for you.

These are translations of the protocol\'s inclusion and exclusion criteria, simplified for patients and caregivers. The original clinical text appears below. Eligibility is ultimately confirmed by the trial site\'s screening process — this summary is a starting point for a conversation with your doctor, not a final determination.

Original Eligibility Criteria

View original clinical language
General inclusion criteria * Diagnosis of diabetes mellitus (DM) under regular treatment with Haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) (glycated haemoglobin) (HbA1c) \<12%; DM should be under regular investigation by a trained specialist as per local standard of care prior to and during the trial * Age ≥18 years at time of signing Informed Consent Form (ICF) Ocular inclusion criteria: study eye * Moderately severe to severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) (Diabetic Retinopathy Severity Scale (DRSS) 47 to 53) based on early treatment diabetic retinopathy study (ETDRS) 7-field grading as confirmed by the central reading centre (CRC) at screening * Ultra-widefield fluorescein angiography (UWF-FA) image gradable for presence of retinal non-perfusion (RNP) as confirmed by the CRC at screening * Visual acuity: best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) letter score of ≥49 letters (approximate Snellen equivalent of 20/100 or better) using ETDRS chart at starting distance of 4 meter (m) at screening * Sufficiently clear ocular media, adequate pupillary dilation, and fixation to permit quality fundus imaging Main exclusion criteria in study eye: \- Evidence of active retinal neovascularisation (NV) on clinical exam and/or ultra-widefield colour fundus photography (UWF-CFP) within the ETDRS 7-field, confirmed by the CRC grading The following are permitted if, based on the assessment of the investigator, do not require acute treatment: * Small neovascular lesions within the ETDRS 7-field that are detected only on UWF-FA, but not on clinical exam or colour fundus photography (CFP) * Neovascularisations outside of the ETDRS 7-field on ultra-widefield imaging * Evidence of active NV of the iris (small iris tufts are not an exclusion) or in the anterior chamber angle * Prior pan-retinal photocoagulation (PRP). Peripheral scatter or targeted laser treatment in up to 1 quadrant outside the ETDRS 7-field area is permitted if it was performed at least 6 months prior to Day 1 * CI-DME, defined as central subfield thickness (CST) ≥320 micrometer (μm) as measured by Heidelberg Spectralis optical coherence tomography (OCT) and confirmed by central reading centre (CRC) at screening (equivalent measurements from other OCT machines may be accepted); participants with a CST of 320-330 μm can be included if, in the opinion of the investigator, the participant is not expected to require treatment for CI-DME during the duration of the study (e.g. no profound impact on BCVA, stable CST, etc.) * Previous treatment in the study eye for NPDR and/or diabetic macular edema (DME) with intravitreal (IVT) anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) (including anti-VEGF/Ang2) or short acting corticosteroid drugs (e.g. triamcinolone) within 6 months prior to Day 1 or dexamethasone intravitreal drug delivery system (Ozurdex) within 12 months prior to Day 1 (referred to elsewhere as 'previous IVT treatment'). * Any previous IVT treatment other than anti-VEGF, and steroids. Previous fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant (Iluvien) is not allowed * Refractive error of more than -8 dioptres of myopia (spherical equivalent) in the study eye. For patients having undergone refractive or cataract surgery in the study eye, either the pre-operative refractive error or the axial length measurement should be used, at the investigator's discretion. Axial length should be less than 26 mm * Any concurrent or past ocular condition in the study eye which, in the judgement of the investigator, could: * Require medical or surgical intervention during the study period to prevent or treat vision loss (e.g. advanced cataract, history of retinal detachment or macular hole (Stage 3 or 4) in the study eye) * Could likely contribute to a significant loss of BCVA during the study period if left untreated (e.g. advanced epiretinal membrane and/or vitreomacular traction, active or history of optic neuritis in either eye) * Contraindicate the use of the investigational drug, or may render the patient at high risk for treatment complications (e.g. active infectious or non-infectious conjunctivitis/keratitis in either eye; history of recurrent infectious or inflammatory ocular disease in either eye (e.g. uveitis) * May affect interpretation of the study results (e.g. central atrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium or photoreceptors; age-related macular degeneration, hereditary retinal degenerative diseases, myopic macular degeneration, past, current or planned use of medications known to be toxic to the retina, lens or optic nerve (e.g. deferoxamine, chloroquine/hydroxychloroquine, chlorpromazine, phenothiazines, tamoxifen, nicotinic acid, and ethambutol); history of central serous chorioretinopathy, ischemic optic neuropathy or retinal vascular occlusion

Treatments Being Tested

DRUG

BI 764524

BI 764524

DRUG

Sham comparator to BI 764524

Sham comparator to BI 764524

DRUG

Aflibercept (Eylea®) - US only

Aflibercept (Eylea®) - US only

Locations (20)

Trial sites listed on ClinicalTrials.gov for this study. Site activation status can vary — confirm with the specific site before traveling for a screening visit.

Associated Retina Consultants, Ltd.
Phoenix, Arizona, United States
California Retina Consultants-Bakersfield-65523
Bakersfield, California, United States
Retina-Vitreous Associates Medical Group
Beverly Hills, California, United States
Retinal Diagnostic Center
Campbell, California, United States
The Retina Partners
Encino, California, United States
Lugene Eye Institute
Glendale, California, United States
Retina Associates of Southern California
Huntington Beach, California, United States
Byers Eye Institute
Palo Alto, California, United States
California Eye Specialists Medical Group Inc
Pasadena, California, United States
Retinal Consultants Medical Group
Sacramento, California, United States
Retinal Consultants Medical Group
Sacramento, California, United States
California Retina Consultants-Santa Maria-65510
Santa Maria, California, United States
Bay Area Retina Associates - Walnut Creek
Walnut Creek, California, United States
Colorado Retina Associates
Lakewood, Colorado, United States
Retina Group of New England, PC
Waterford, Connecticut, United States
Florida Retina Institute
Jacksonville, Florida, United States
Florida Retina Consultants
Lakeland, Florida, United States
East Florida Eye Institute
Stuart, Florida, United States
Center for Retina and Macular Disease
Winter Haven, Florida, United States
Retina Consultants Of Hawaii
‘Aiea, Hawaii, United States

How to Talk to Your Doctor About This Trial

Bring the printable summary of this trial — including the NCT ID (NCT06321302), the sponsor (Boehringer Ingelheim), and the key eligibility criteria — to your next appointment. Your doctor can review the inclusion and exclusion criteria against your medical history, lab values, and current treatments to assess whether you are likely to qualify. They can also help you weigh whether trial participation makes sense alongside your existing care plan.

Useful questions to walk through together: What does the trial protocol require beyond standard care? How long is the active treatment phase, and how long is follow-up? Are there study visits at sites I can reach? Who pays for the trial-specific procedures, and who pays for standard-of-care portions? See our 25 questions to ask about clinical trials guide for a more complete checklist.

Authoritative Sources

The official record for this trial lives on ClinicalTrials.gov — the federal registry maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. For background on how this trial fits into the FDA approval pathway, see the FDA drug approval process. For oncology-specific guidance for patients considering trials, the National Cancer Institute publishes patient-oriented overviews. International trial registries are aggregated by the WHO ICTRP.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NCT06321302 clinical trial studying?

This study is open to adults with diabetic retinopathy. People who have non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy of moderate or high severity can join the study. The purpose of this study is to find out whether a medicine called BI 764524 helps people with diabetic retinopathy. The study also aims to find a suitable treatment plan for BI 764524. Participants are put into 5 groups by chance. Participants in groups 1, 2, and 3 get BI 764524. Over 1 year, they get a different number of injections of the same dose of BI 764524 injected into 1 eye. During some visits, participants may get a sham con… The full protocol is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov and includes the primary outcome measures, eligibility criteria, and study endpoints.

Who can participate in NCT06321302?

Eligibility for this trial depends on the specific inclusion and exclusion criteria set by the sponsor. The plain-English summary above translates the most important criteria into accessible language; the official clinical text is preserved in the collapsible section underneath. Whether you fit any specific trial is a medical decision your doctor needs to confirm — bring the trial information to your treating physician for a full review against your medical history.

How do I contact the trial site for NCT06321302?

Contact information registered with ClinicalTrials.gov is shown in the sidebar of this page. Before reaching out, confirm with your treating physician that this trial is appropriate for your situation. The trial site will then walk you through the screening process to determine final eligibility.

Is participating in a clinical trial safe?

Clinical trials in the United States are regulated by the FDA and overseen by Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) that review the protocol for safety. Risk varies by trial — Phase 1 studies test new treatments in humans for the first time, while Phase 3 trials use treatments that have already passed earlier safety screening. The informed consent document for any specific trial details the known risks and what to expect. Discuss those risks with your physician before deciding whether to participate.

Where can I verify the data on this page?

Every detail on this page comes directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API. Click "View on ClinicalTrials.gov" in the sidebar to see the official, unmodified record. The federal record is always authoritative; this page is a structured presentation with a plain-English eligibility translation. For background on how clinical trials are regulated, see the FDA drug approval process documentation.

How This Page Is Built

Every field on this page is pulled directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 — no estimates, no proxies. The plain-English eligibility translation is generated from the original protocol text and reviewed for fidelity to the underlying clinical criteria. The original clinical text remains visible in the collapsible section above so users and clinicians can verify the translation. Read the full methodology for the data pipeline and known limitations.

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 record for NCT06321302. Maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. Public domain. Cite as: "TrialFinderData. NCT06321302. Data: ClinicalTrials.gov."

Medical disclaimer: This page is informational, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.

Last updated 2026-05-08 · Data from ClinicalTrials.gov.