First-in-man-proof of concept study with molidustat: a novel selective oral HIF-prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor for the treatment of renal anaemia.

AIMS: Insufficient erythropoietin (EPO) synthesis is a relevant cause of renal anaemia in patients with chronic kidney disease. Molidustat, a selective hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase (HIF-PH) inhibitor, increases endogenous EPO levels dose dependently in preclinical models. We examined the pharmacokinetics, safety, tolerability and effect on EPO levels of single oral doses of molidustat in healthy male volunteers. METHODS: This was a single-centre, randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled, group-comparison, dose-escalation study. Molidustat was administered at doses of 5, 12.5, 25, 37.5 or 50 mg as a polyethylene glycol-based solution. RESULTS: In total, 45 volunteers received molidustat and 14 received placebo. Molidustat was absorbed rapidly, and the mean maximum plasma concentration and area under the concentration-time curve increased dose dependently. The mean terminal half-life was 4.64-10.40 h. A significant increase in endogenous EPO was observed following single oral doses of molidustat of 12.5 mg and above. Geometric mean peak EPO levels were 14.8 IU l-1 (90% confidence interval 13.0, 16.9) for volunteers who received placebo and 39.8 IU l-1 (90% confidence interval: 29.4, 53.8) for those who received molidustat 50 mg. The time course of EPO levels resembled the normal diurnal variation in EPO. Maximum EPO levels were observed approximately 12 h postdose and returned to baseline after approximately 24-48 h. All doses of molidustat were well tolerated and there were no significant changes in vital signs or laboratory safety parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Oral administration of molidustat to healthy volunteers elicited a dose-dependent increase in endogenous EPO. These results support the ongoing development of molidustat as a potential new treatment for patients with renal anaemia.

Rivaroxaban. A novel, oral, direct factor Xa inhibitor in clinical development for the prevention and treatment of thromboembolic disorders.

Rivaroxaban (Xarelto) is a novel, oral, direct Factor Xa (FXa) inhibitor in late-stage development for the prevention and treatment of thromboembolic disorders. Rivaroxaban inhibits clot-associated and free FXa activity, and prothrombinase activity, and reduces thrombin generation. In animal models, rivaroxaban prevented venous and arterial thrombosis, and was effective at treating venous thrombosis. Rivaroxaban has high oral bioavailability, a rapid onset of action and predictable pharmacokinetics. In phase II studies, rivaroxaban was effective and well tolerated for the prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) after major orthopaedic surgery, and for the treatment of deep vein thrombosis. In a phase III study, rivaroxaban demonstrated significantly superior efficacy to enoxaparin for thromboprophylaxis after total knee arthroplasty, with similar low bleeding. Rivaroxaban is also being assessed for the treatment and secondary prevention of VTE, prevention of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation and secondary prevention in patients with acute coronary syndrome. Rivaroxaban is a promising alternative to current pharmacological agents for thromboembolic disorders.

Effects of iron supplements on the oral bioavailability of moxifloxacin, a novel 8-methoxyfluoroquinolone, in humans.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of concomitant iron administration on the pharmacokinetics and tolerability of moxifloxacin. DESIGN: This was a single-centre, nonblinded, randomised, 2-way crossover study in healthy male volunteers. PARTICIPANTS: 12 healthy males (age 19 to 41 years) were enrolled in the study. METHODS: The plasma and urinary pharmacokinetics of moxifloxacin were investigated after single oral doses of moxifloxacin 400mg given either alone or together with ferrous sulfate (Eryfer 100 equivalent to 100mg of Fe2+) administered concomitantly and again after 24 hours. There was a 1-week washout phase between the treatments. The plasma and urinary pharmacokinetics of moxifloxacin were characterised over the 72 hours after drug administration. RESULTS: The treatments were well tolerated. The concomitant administration of Eryfer reduced the bioavailability of moxifloxacin [geometric mean area under the plasma concentration-time curve 20.7 versus 34.0 mg/L x h; relative bioavailability 61%, 90% confidence interval (CI) 54 to 69%] and slowed down the absorption rate (median time to maximum concentration 2.79 versus 1.0 hours), with a reduction in the mean maximum concentration (Cmax) [geometric mean Cmax 1.17 and 2.86 mg/L; estimated true ratio of Cmax 41%, 90% CI 34 to 49%]. CONCLUSIONS: Concomitant ingestion of iron supplements significantly reduces the bioavailability of moxifloxacin. This is compatible with a reduction in solubilisation due to chelation with polyvalent cations, a common finding for quinolones. Because of the long half-life of moxifloxacin, staggered administration of moxifloxacin and potential cationic interactants should be considered to avoid a loss of therapeutic efficacy caused by subtherapeutic plasma concentrations of the quinolone.