Comparative Pharmacokinetics and Safety Assessment of 1st- and 2nd-Generation Zinpentraxin Alfa Drug Products in Healthy Volunteers: A Randomized Crossover Study.

Zinpentraxin alfa is a recombinant form of the human pentraxin-2 that was studied in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). To improve the purity and yield of the drug material, a 2nd-generation drug product was developed. To characterize and compare the pharmacokinetic (PK) properties of the 1st- and 2nd-generation zinpentraxin alfa, PK studies were conducted in healthy volunteers (HVs). In a phase 1 randomized, double-blind, 2-sequence crossover, sequential 2-stage study (ISRCTN59409907), single intravenous (IV) doses of 1st- and 2nd-generation zinpentraxin alfa at 10 mg/kg were studied with a blinded interim analysis (IA) at the end of stage 1. Bioequivalence (BE) was achieved for the maximum observed plasma concentration (Cmax), but the overall exposure was higher for the 2nd- compared to the 1st-generation zinpentraxin alfa. The study was stopped after stage 1 as the gating criteria were met based on the result of the blinded IA. Safety profiles were similar for the 1st- and 2nd-generation drug products, and antidrug antibody (ADA) was not observed in this study.

Population pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of efmarodocokin alfa (IL-22Fc).

Efmarodocokin alfa (IL-22Fc) is a fusion protein of human IL-22 linked to the crystallizable fragment (Fc) of human IgG4. It has been tested in multiple indications including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The purposes of the present analyses were to describe the population pharmacokinetics (PK) of efmarodocokin alfa and perform pharmacodynamic (PD) analysis on the longitudinal changes of the PD biomarker REG3A after efmarodocokin alfa treatment as well as identify covariates that affect efmarodocokin alfa PK and REG3A PD. The data used for this analysis included 182 subjects treated with efmarodocokin alfa in two clinical studies. The population PK and PD analyses were conducted sequentially. Efmarodocokin alfa concentration-time data were analyzed using a nonlinear mixed-effects modeling approach, and an indirect response model was adopted to describe the REG3A PD data with efmarodocokin alfa serum concentration linked to the increase in REG3A. The analysis software used were NONMEM and R. A 3-compartment model with linear elimination best described the PK of efmarodocokin alfa. The estimated population-typical value for clearance (CL) was 1.12 L/day, and volume of central compartment was 6.15 L. Efmarodocokin alfa CL increased with higher baseline body weight, C-reactive protein, and CL was 27.6% higher in IBD patients compared to healthy subjects. The indirect response PD model adequately described the longitudinal changes of REG3A after efmarodocokin alfa treatment. A popPK and PD model for efmarodocokin alfa and REG3A was developed and covariates affecting the PK and PD were identified.

Archway Phase 3 Trial of the Port Delivery System with Ranibizumab for Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration 2-Year Results.

PURPOSE: To report 2-year results from the Archway clinical trial of the Port Delivery System with ranibizumab (PDS) for treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). DESIGN: Phase 3, randomized, multicenter, open-label, active-comparator-controlled trial. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with previously treated nAMD diagnosed within 9 months of screening and responsive to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy. METHODS: Patients were randomized 3:2 to PDS with ranibizumab 100 mg/ml with fixed refill-exchanges every 24 weeks (PDS Q24W) or intravitreal ranibizumab 0.5 mg injections every 4 weeks (monthly ranibizumab). Patients were followed through 4 complete refill-exchange intervals (∼2 years). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) letter score from baseline averaged over weeks 44 and 48, weeks 60 and 64, and weeks 88 and 92 (noninferiority margin, -3.9 ETDRS letters). RESULTS: The PDS Q24W was noninferior to monthly ranibizumab, with differences in adjusted mean change in BCVA score from baseline averaged over weeks 44/48, 60/64 and 88/92 of -0.2 (95% confidence interval [CI], -1.8 to +1.3), +0.4 (95% CI, -1.4 to +2.1) and -0.6 ETDRS letters (95% CI, -2.5 to +1.3), respectively. Anatomic outcomes were generally comparable between arms through week 96. Through each of 4 PDS refill-exchange intervals, 98.4%, 94.6%, 94.8%, and 94.7% of PDS Q24W patients assessed did not receive supplemental ranibizumab treatment. The PDS ocular safety profile was generally unchanged from primary analysis. Prespecified ocular adverse events of special interest (AESI) were reported in 59 (23.8%) PDS and 17 (10.2%) monthly ranibizumab patients. The most common AESI reported in both arms was cataract (PDS Q24W, 22 [8.9%]; monthly ranibizumab, 10 [6.0%]). Events in the PDS Q24W arm included (patient incidence) 10 (4.0%) conjunctival erosions, 6 (2.4%) conjunctival retractions, 4 (1.6%) endophthalmitis cases, and 4 (1.6%) implant dislocations. Serum ranibizumab sampling showed that the PDS continuously released ranibizumab over the 24-week refill-exchange interval and ranibizumab serum concentrations were within the range experienced with monthly ranibizumab. CONCLUSIONS: The PDS Q24W showed noninferior efficacy to monthly ranibizumab through approximately 2 years, with approximately 95% of PDS Q24W patients not receiving supplemental ranibizumab treatment in each refill-exchange interval. The AESIs were generally manageable, with learnings continually implemented to minimize PDS-related AEs. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.

Pharmacokinetics of the Port Delivery System with Ranibizumab in the Ladder Phase 2 Trial for Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

INTRODUCTION: Ladder was a phase 2 trial that evaluated the Port Delivery System with ranibizumab (PDS) for neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Serum and aqueous humor samples were collected to characterize the pharmacokinetics (PK) of ranibizumab delivered through the PDS. METHODS: Ladder was a multicenter, randomized, active treatment-controlled, phase 2 clinical trial. Patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (n = 220) were randomized (3:3:3:2) to PDS 10 mg/ml, PDS 40 mg/ml, PDS 100 mg/ml, or monthly intravitreal ranibizumab 0.5 mg. Serum PK samples were collected in all arms and analyzed for ranibizumab concentration using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The main PK analyses were conducted in the PK-evaluable population (n = 68), which excluded patients who received fellow eye intravitreal treatment, supplemental ranibizumab treatment, or had previous treatment with bevacizumab in either eye within 9 months of randomization. RESULTS: In the PDS 10 mg/ml arm, median serum ranibizumab concentrations were below the serum trough concentration (Ctrough; 130 pg/ml) expected with monthly intravitreal ranibizumab 0.5 mg at all time points. In the PDS 40 mg/ml and 100 mg/ml arms, median serum ranibizumab concentrations were above the Ctrough expected with monthly intravitreal ranibizumab 0.5 mg (130 pg/ml) through month 3 and month 12 after implantation, respectively, and remained above the lower limit of quantification through month 15 and month 16 after implantation, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These PK data indicate that the implant in the PDS 100 mg/ml arm maintained ranibizumab concentrations within the range of monthly intravitreal ranibizumab 0.5 mg injections (130-2220 pg/ml) through month 12 after implantation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT02510794.

A phase 1, randomized study to evaluate safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of GDC-3280, a potential novel anti-fibrotic small molecule, in healthy subjects.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic progressive lung disease. Although anti-fibrotic treatments, such as pirfenidone, are available that reduce the rate of disease progression, these medications have limitations in tolerability, and IPF patients still have poor prognoses. GDC-3280, an orally available small molecule that was designed to improve upon pirfenidone's activity, has anti-fibrotic activity in animal models. This first-in-human, phase 1 trial evaluated GDC-3280 to determine its safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics (PK). METHODS: Single and multiple ascending-doses of GDC-3280 were administered to healthy volunteers in two parts. Part A consisted of 6 treatment groups, each receiving a single, oral dose of GDC-3280 (25-1600 mg) or placebo in the fasted state. Part A also assessed the effect of food and coadministration of a proton pump inhibitor (rabeprazole) on the tolerability and PK of single doses of 400- and 800-mg GDC-3280. Part B consisted of 3 treatment groups who received either 200- or 275-mg GDC-3280 twice daily or 525-mg once daily after a low-fat meal for 7 days. The trial monitored treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) and assessed the pharmacokinetics of GDC-3280 in blood and urine samples. RESULTS: Fifty-six subjects (42 GDC-3280, 14 placebo) in Part A and 24 subjects (18 GDC-3280, 6 placebo) in Part B received treatment. No deaths, serious adverse events, or dose-limiting adverse events occurred, and no subjects withdrew due to a TEAE. In both Parts A and B, most TEAEs were mild. The most frequent TEAEs in Part A were headache and nausea. TEAEs occurred more often when GDC-3280 was administered with food. Pretreatment and coadministration with rabeprazole had no effect on GDC-3280 tolerability. In Part B, the most frequent TEAEs were nausea, dizziness, nasal congestion, and cough. Transient, treatment-related increases in serum creatinine occurred at doses greater than 400 mg in Part A (12%-18% from baseline) and after multiple doses in each group in Part B (20%-34% from baseline). GDC-3280 was generally readily absorbed with a median tmax < 4.0 h following single- or repeat-dose oral administration. In Part A, less-than-dose-proportional increases in systemic exposure occurred, and in Part B, dose-proportional increases occurred within the dose range tested. At doses of 200 mg or lower, more than 50%-70% of orally administered doses were recovered in urine as unchanged GDC-3280 when subjects received a single dose of GDC-3280, suggesting renal excretion is one of the major routes of elimination. Administration of single doses of 400- and 800-mg GDC-3280 after a meal caused statistically significant increases in exposure due to increased rates of absorption compared to the fasted state. Pretreatment and coadministration of rabeprazole dosing led to decreases in exposure compared to GDC-3280 alone, indicating a weak drug-drug interaction. Following repeat dose administration, steady-state plasma concentrations of GDC-3280 were achieved within 2 days with an apparent terminal half-life (t1/2) between 5 and 6 h. CONCLUSIONS: Single and multiple doses of GDC-3280 were generally well tolerated, with acceptable safety and pharmacokinetic profiles that support twice-daily, oral administration with food in future clinical trials.

Translational and pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic application for the clinical development of GDC-0334, a novel TRPA1 inhibitor.

GDC-0334 is a novel small molecule inhibitor of transient receptor potential cation channel member A1 (TRPA1), a promising therapeutic target for many nervous system and respiratory diseases. The pharmacokinetic (PK) profile and pharmacodynamic (PD) effects of GDC-0334 were evaluated in this first-in-human (FIH) study. A starting single dose of 25 mg was selected based on integrated preclinical PK, PD, and toxicology data following oral administration of GDC-0334 in guinea pigs, rats, dogs, and monkeys. Human PK and PK-PD of GDC-0334 were characterized after single and multiple oral dosing using a population modeling approach. The ability of GDC-0334 to inhibit dermal blood flow (DBF) induced by topical administration of allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) was evaluated as a target-engagement biomarker. Quantitative models were developed iteratively to refine the parameter estimates of the dose-concentration-effect relationships through stepwise estimation and extrapolation. Human PK analyses revealed that bioavailability, absorption rate constant, and lag time increase when GDC-0334 was administered with food. The inhibitory effect of GDC-0334 on the AITC-induced DBF biomarker exhibited a clear sigmoid-Emax relationship with GDC-0334 plasma concentrations in humans. This study leveraged emerging preclinical and clinical data to enable iterative refinement of GDC-0334 mathematical models throughout the FIH study for dose selection in subsequent cohorts throughout the study. Study Highlights WHAT IS THE CURRENT KNOWLEDGE ON THE TOPIC? GDC-0334 is a novel, small molecule TRPA1 inhibitor and a pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) modeling strategy could be implemented in a systematic and step-wise manner to build and learn from emerging data for early clinical development. WHAT QUESTION DID THIS STUDY ADDRESS? Can noncompartmental and population-based analyses be used to describe the PK and PD characteristics of GDC-0334 in preclinical and clinical studies? WHAT DOES THIS STUDY ADD TO OUR KNOWLEDGE? GDC-0334 exposure generally increased with dose in rats, dogs, and monkeys. The starting dose (25 mg) in the clinical study was determined based on the preclinical data. GDC-0334 exhibited linear PK in humans and the bioavailability was increased with food. The inhibitory effect of GDC-0334 on dermal blood flow induced by the TRPA1 agonist allyl isothiocyanate in humans indicates a clear PK-PD relationship. HOW MIGHT THIS CHANGE CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY OR TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE? The models developed based on TRPA1 agonist-induced dermal blood flow inhibition data can be used to predict PK-PD relationships in future preclinical and clinical studies evaluating new drug entities that target TRPA1.

Comparable Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Tolerability of Etrolizumab Administered by Prefilled Syringe or Autoinjector in a Randomized Trial in Healthy Volunteers.

INTRODUCTION: Etrolizumab is a novel, dual-action anti-ß7 integrin antibody studied in phase 3 trials in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. An autoinjector (AI) is being developed in parallel to complement the prefilled syringe with needle safety device (PFS-NSD) for subcutaneous (SC) administration in these trials. Here we demonstrate the comparable pharmacokinetics, tolerability, and safety of both devices. METHODS: This randomized, open-label, two-part study in healthy participants evaluated the comparability of etrolizumab exposure between the AI and the PFS-NSD. Part 1 (pilot) involved a small number of participants, and initial results were used to finalize the design of the larger part 2 (pivotal) study. In both parts, participants were randomly assigned to receive a single SC dose of etrolizumab 105 mg by AI or PFS-NSD. Randomization was stratified by body weight. Primary pharmacokinetic outcomes were Cmax, AUClast, and AUC0-inf. RESULTS: One hundred and eighty healthy participants (part 1, n = 30; part 2, n = 150) received a single SC dose of etrolizumab by AI or PFS-NSD. Primary pharmacokinetic results from part 1 supported modification of the part 2 study design. Results from part 2 demonstrated that etrolizumab exposure was equivalent between devices, with geometric mean ratios (GMRs) between AI and PFS-NSD of 102% (90% confidence interval [CI] 94.2-111) for Cmax, 98.0% (90% CI 89.3-107) for AUClast, and 97.6% (90% CI 88.6-107) for AUC0-inf. Median tmax and mean terminal t1/2 were also similar between devices. GMRs and 90% CIs of all primary pharmacokinetic parameters were fully contained within the predefined equivalence limits (80-125%). CONCLUSION: This pharmacokinetic study demonstrated that single SC injections of etrolizumab 105 mg using an AI or a PFS-NSD resulted in equivalent etrolizumab exposure and similar safety and tolerability in healthy participants. Taken together, these results support the use of an AI for etrolizumab administration. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02996019.

A TRPA1 inhibitor suppresses neurogenic inflammation and airway contraction for asthma treatment.

Despite the development of effective therapies, a substantial proportion of asthmatics continue to have uncontrolled symptoms, airflow limitation, and exacerbations. Transient receptor potential cation channel member A1 (TRPA1) agonists are elevated in human asthmatic airways, and in rodents, TRPA1 is involved in the induction of airway inflammation and hyperreactivity. Here, the discovery and early clinical development of GDC-0334, a highly potent, selective, and orally bioavailable TRPA1 antagonist, is described. GDC-0334 inhibited TRPA1 function on airway smooth muscle and sensory neurons, decreasing edema, dermal blood flow (DBF), cough, and allergic airway inflammation in several preclinical species. In a healthy volunteer Phase 1 study, treatment with GDC-0334 reduced TRPA1 agonist-induced DBF, pain, and itch, demonstrating GDC-0334 target engagement in humans. These data provide therapeutic rationale for evaluating TRPA1 inhibition as a clinical therapy for asthma.

Phase I Study of Enavatuzumab, a First-in-Class Humanized Monoclonal Antibody Targeting the TWEAK Receptor, in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors.

This phase I study evaluates the safety, MTD, pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics, and preliminary anticancer activity of enavatuzumab, a humanized IgG1 antibody to the TWEAK receptor, in patients with advanced solid malignancies. Patients received escalating doses of enavatuzumab given intravenously over 60 minutes every 2 weeks. Blood was obtained for PK and biomarker assessment. Three patients were enrolled per dose level in a standard 3+3 design with response assessment by RECIST version 1.0, every 8 weeks. Thirty patients were enrolled at 6 dose levels ranging from 0.1 to 1.5 mg/kg. Dose-limiting toxicities included grade 4 (G4) lipase, G3 bilirubin, and G4 amylase elevations. There was no apparent correlation of liver or pancreatic enzyme elevation with drug exposure or the presence of liver metastases. Enavatuzumab exhibited a two-compartment linear PK model. Estimated systemic clearance was 23 to 33 mL/h with an elimination half-life of 7 to 18 days. The predicted target efficacious peak and trough concentrations occurred at 1.0 mg/kg following the second dose. There were no objective responses; 4 patients had stable disease. The MTD of enavatuzumab is 1.0 mg/kg i.v. every 2 weeks. Higher doses were not tolerated due to hepatopancreatic lab abnormalities. Further evaluation of the mechanisms of the liver and pancreatic enzyme toxicities is needed before embarking on further single-agent or combination strategies. Mol Cancer Ther; 17(1); 215-21. ©2017 AACR.

A Pharmacokinetic Bioequivalence Study Comparing Pirfenidone Tablet and Capsule Dosage Forms in Healthy Adult Volunteers.

INTRODUCTION: Pirfenidone film-coated tablets were developed to offer an alternative to the marketed capsule formulation. This study assessed the bioequivalence of the tablet and capsule formulations under fed and fasted states. METHODS: A Phase I, open-label, randomized, four-treatment-period, four-sequence, crossover pharmacokinetics study (NCT02525484) was conducted. Each subject received an 801-mg single dose of pirfenidone as three 267-mg capsules or one 801-mg tablet under fasted and fed conditions. Pirfenidone plasma C max, AUC0-t and AUC0-∞ were used to assess bioequivalence. RESULTS: Forty-four subjects were randomized to treatment. The 801-mg tablet in the fasted state met bioequivalence criteria [90% confidence intervals (CI) 80.00-125.00%] for the GLSM ratios of natural log-transformed C max, AUC0-t and AUC0-∞. Under fed conditions, the 801-mg tablet met the bioequivalence criteria for AUC0-t and AUC0-∞, but slightly exceeded the bioequivalence criteria for the C max (90% CI of 108.26-125.60%). The tablet C max was approximately 17% higher than that of the capsules. In the fed state, the tablet C max, and both AUC0-t and AUC0-∞ were reduced by 39% and 17%, respectively, relative to the fasted state. The tablet and capsules had acceptable tolerability profiles. CONCLUSIONS: The pirfenidone 801-mg tablet met bioequivalence criteria when compared with three 267-mg capsules in the fasted state. The tablet C max was slightly higher relative to capsules in the fed state, but this is not expected to have a clinically meaningful impact on the benefit-risk profile of pirfenidone. FUNDING: This work was supported by F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.