Transfer of the Dual Orexin Receptor Antagonist Daridorexant into Breast Milk of Healthy Lactating Women.

The novel dual orexin receptor antagonist daridorexant was approved in 2022 for the treatment of adult patients with insomnia. The aim of this post-marketing study was to measure daridorexant and its major metabolites in breast milk and plasma of 10 healthy lactating subjects. This single-center, open-label study evaluated the transfer of the analytes into breast milk. A single dose of 50 mg was orally administered in the morning. Milk and blood samples were collected pre-dose and over a period of 72 h after dosing. The pharmacokinetics of daridorexant in milk and plasma were assessed including the cumulative amount and fraction of dose excreted, daily infant dose, and relative infant dose. Safety and tolerability were also investigated. All subjects completed the study. Daridorexant was rapidly absorbed into and distributed from plasma. Daridorexant and its major metabolites were measurable in breast milk. The cumulative total amount of daridorexant excreted over 72 h was 0.010 mg, which corresponds to 0.02% of the maternal dose. This corresponds to a mean daily infant dose of 0.009 mg/day and a relative infant dose of less than 0.22% over 24 h. The maternal safety profile was similar to that observed in previous studies. Low amounts of daridorexant and its metabolites were detected in the breast milk of healthy lactating women. Since the exposure and potential effects on the breastfed infant are unknown, a risk of somnolence or other depressant effects cannot be excluded.

Pharmacokinetics-Based Pediatric Dose Evaluation and Optimization Using Saliva - A Case Study.

Understanding pharmacokinetics (PK) in children is a prerequisite to determine optimal pediatric dosing. As plasma sampling in children is challenging, alternative PK sampling strategies are needed. In this case study we evaluated the suitability of saliva as alternative PK matrix to simplify studies in infants, investigating metamizole, an analgesic used off-label in infants. Six plasma and 6 saliva PK sample collections were scheduled after a single intravenous dose of 10 mg/kg metamizole. Plasma/saliva pharmacometric (PMX) modeling of the active metabolites 4-methylaminoantipyrine (4-MAA) and 4-aminoantipyrine (4-AA) was performed. Various reduced plasma sampling scenarios were evaluated by PMX simulations. Saliva and plasma samples from 25 children were included (age range, 5-70 months; weight range, 8.7-24.8 kg). Distribution of metamizole metabolites between plasma and saliva was without delay. Estimated mean (individual range) saliva/plasma fractions of 4-MAA and 4-AA were 0.32 (0.05-0.57) and 0.57 (0.25-0.70), respectively. Residual variability of 4-MAA (4-AA) in saliva was 47% (28%) versus 17% (11%) in plasma. A simplified sampling scenario with up to 6 saliva samples combined with 1 plasma sample was associated with similar PK parameter estimates as the full plasma sampling scenario. This case study with metamizole shows increased PK variability in saliva compared to plasma, compromising its suitability as single matrix for PK studies in infants. Nonetheless, rich saliva sampling can reduce the number of plasma samples required for PK characterization, thereby facilitating the conduct of PK studies to optimize dosing in pediatric patients.

Effect of Daridorexant on the Pharmacokinetics of P-Glycoprotein Substrate Dabigatran Etexilate and Breast Cancer Resistance Protein Substrate Rosuvastatin in Healthy Subjects.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The dual orexin receptor antagonist daridorexant was approved in 2022 for the treatment of insomnia at doses up to 50 mg once per night. This study aimed at investigating the effect of daridorexant 50 mg at steady state on the pharmacokinetics of dabigatran, the active moiety of dabigatran etexilate, and rosuvastatin, sensitive substrates of P-glycoprotein and breast cancer resistance protein, respectively. METHODS: This single-center, open-label, fixed-sequence study enrolled 24 healthy male subjects who were dosed orally with dabigatran etexilate 75 mg on days 1 (Treatment A1) and 9 (Treatment C1) as well as rosuvastatin 10 mg on days 3 (Treatment A2) and 11 (Treatment C2). On days 7-14, daridorexant (50 mg once daily) was administered. Blood samples for the pharmacokinetics of both substrates and the pharmacodynamics of dabigatran, i.e., two coagulation tests, were collected and safety assessments performed. Noncompartmental pharmacokinetic parameters and pharmacodynamic variables were evaluated with geometric mean ratios and 90% confidence intervals of Treatment C1/C2 versus A1/A2. RESULTS: Geometric mean ratios (90% confidence interval) of dabigatran maximum plasma concentration and area under the plasma concentration-time curve were 1.3 (1.0-1.7) and 1.4 (1.1-1.9), respectively, whereas the time to maximum plasma concentration and terminal half-life were comparable between treatments. Pharmacodynamic variables showed a similar pattern as dabigatran pharmacokinetics in both treatments. Rosuvastatin pharmacokinetics were unchanged upon concomitant daridorexant administration. All treatments were well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: A mild inhibition of P-glycoprotein was observed after administration of daridorexant (50 mg once daily) at steady state, whereas breast cancer resistance protein was not affected. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT05480475; date of registration: 29 July, 2022.

Modeling time-delayed concentration-QT effects with ACT-1014-6470, a novel oral complement factor 5a receptor 1 (C5a1 receptor) antagonist.

The novel oral complement factor 5a receptor 1 antagonist ACT-1014-6470 was well tolerated in single- and multiple-ascending dose studies, including 24 h Holter electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings evaluating its cardiodynamics based on data from single doses of 30-200 mg and twice-daily (b.i.d.) dosing of 30-120 mg for 4.5 days. By-time point, categorical, and morphological analyses as well as concentration-QT modeling and simulations were performed. No relevant effect of ACT-1014-6470 on ECG parameters was observed in the categorical and morphological analyses. After single-dose administration, the by-time point analysis indicated a delayed dose-dependent increase in placebo-corrected change from baseline in QT interval corrected with Fridericia's formula (ΔΔQTcF) at >6 h postdose. After b.i.d. dosing, ΔΔQTcF remained elevated during the 24-h recording period, suggesting that the effect was not directly related to ACT-1014-6470 plasma concentration. The concentration-QT model described change from baseline in QTcF (ΔQTcF)-time profiles best with a 1-oscillator model of 24 h for circadian rhythm, an effect compartment, and a sigmoidal maximum effect model. Model-predicted ΔΔQTcF was derived for lower doses and less-frequent dosing than assessed clinically. Median and 90% prediction intervals of ΔΔQTcF for once-daily doses of 30 mg and b.i.d. doses of 10 mg did not exceed the regulatory threshold of 10 ms but would achieve ACT-1014-6470 plasma concentrations enabling adequate target engagement. Results from cardiodynamic assessments identified dose levels and dosing regimens that could be considered for future clinical trials, attempting to reduce QT liability.

Evaluation of the cytochrome P450 2C19 and 3A4 inhibition potential of the complement factor 5a receptor 1 antagonist ACT-1014-6470 in vitro and in vivo.

ACT-1014-6470 is an orally available complement factor 5a receptor 1 antagonist and a novel treatment option in auto-inflammatory diseases. The in vitro inhibition potential of ACT-1014-6470 on cytochrome P450 isozymes (CYPs) and its effect on the pharmacokinetics (PK) of the CYP2C19 and CYP3A4 substrates omeprazole and midazolam, respectively, in humans were assessed. In vitro assays were conducted with isoform-specific substrates in human liver microsomes. In an open-label, two-period, fixed-sequence cocktail study, single doses of 20 mg omeprazole and 2 mg midazolam were administered concomitantly to 20 healthy male subjects alone (treatment A) and after a single dose of 100 mg ACT-1014-6470 (treatment B) under fed conditions. Safety and PK assessments were performed. Geometric mean ratios (GMRs) and 90% confidence intervals (CIs) of noncompartmental PK parameters of treatment B versus treatment A were calculated. In vitro, no time-dependent inhibition was observed and the lowest inhibition constant of 4.3 µM ACT-1014-6470 was recorded for CYP2C19. In humans, GMRs (90% CI) of omeprazole PK were 1.9 (1.5-2.5) for maximum plasma concentration (Cmax ) and 1.9 (1.5-2.3) for area under the plasma concentration-time curve from 0 to 12 h (AUC0-12 h ). Midazolam PK showed GMRs (90% CI) of 1.1 (1.1-1.2) for Cmax and 1.5 (1.4-1.6) for AUC0-24 h . All treatments were well-tolerated. In line with in vitro results and regulatory risk factor calculation, the increased exposure to omeprazole and midazolam in humans after concomitant administration with a single dose of 100 mg ACT-1014-6470 reflected a weak inhibition of CYP2C19 and CYP3A4.

Multiple-ascending doses of ACT-1014-6470, an oral complement factor 5a receptor 1 (C5a1 receptor) antagonist: Tolerability, pharmacokinetics and target engagement.

AIMS: Targeting the complement factor 5a receptor 1 (C5a1 receptor) offers potential to treat various autoimmune diseases. The C5a1 receptor antagonist ACT-1014-6470 was well tolerated in a single-ascending dose study in healthy subjects. This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study aimed to investigate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK) and target engagement of multiple-ascending doses of ACT-1014-6470. METHODS: Per dose level, 10 healthy male and female subjects of nonchildbearing potential (1:1 sex ratio) were enrolled to assess 30, 60 and 120 mg ACT-1014-6470 administered twice daily for 4.5 days under fed conditions. Adverse events, clinical laboratory data, vital signs, electrocardiogram and PK blood samples were collected up to 120 h post last dose and ex vivo stimulated matrix metalloproteinase 9 was quantified as target engagement biomarker. At the 60-mg dose level, PK samples were collected until 8 weeks post last dose. RESULTS: The total adverse event number was 57 and no treatment-related safety pattern was apparent. At steady state, ACT-1014-6470 reached maximum plasma concentrations after 2-3 h and the half-life estimated up to Day 10 was 115-146 h across dose levels. Exposure parameters increased dose-proportionally, steady state was attained between Day 3-5, and ACT-1014-6470 accumulated 2-fold. At the 60-mg dose level, ACT-1014-6470 was quantifiable until 8 weeks after the last dose. Matrix metalloproteinase 9 release was suppressed to endogenous background concentrations up to the last sampling time point, confirming sustained target engagement of ACT-1014-6470. CONCLUSION: The compound was generally safe and well tolerated at all dose levels, warranting further clinical investigations.

First-in-human study with ACT-1014-6470, a novel oral complement factor 5a receptor 1 (C5aR1) antagonist, supported by pharmacokinetic predictions from animals to patients.

Aberrantly controlled activation of the complement system contributes to inflammatory diseases. Safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of single-ascending doses of ACT-1014-6470, a novel orally available complement factor 5a receptor 1 antagonist, were assessed in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 1 study. Six ACT-1014-6470 doses (0.5-200 mg) were selected after predictions from a Complex Dedrick plot. In each group, ACT-1014-6470 or matching placebo was administered to six and two healthy male individuals under fed conditions, respectively, including a cross-over part with 10 mg administered also under fasted conditions. Pharmacokinetic blood sampling and safety assessments (adverse events, clinical laboratory, vital signs, 12-lead electrocardiogram, and QT telemetry) were performed. ACT-1014-6470 was absorbed with a time to maximum plasma concentration (tmax ) of 3 h across dose levels and eliminated with a terminal half-life of 30-46 h at doses ≥ 2.5 mg. Exposure increased approximately dose proportionally. Under fed compared to fasted conditions, ACT-1014-6470 exposure was 2.2-fold higher and tmax delayed by 1.5 h. Pharmacokinetic modelling predicted that twice-daily oral administration is warranted in a subsequent multiple-dose study. No clinically relevant findings were observed in safety assessments. ACT-1014-6470 was well tolerated at all doses and could provide a novel therapy with more patient-friendly administration route compared to biologicals.

Permeation Studies across Symmetric and Asymmetric Membranes in Microdroplet Arrays.

We investigated the permeation of molecules across lipid membranes on an open microfluidic platform. An array of droplet pairs was created by spotting aqueous droplets, dispersed in a lipid oil solution, onto a plate with cavities surrounded by a hydrophobic substrate. Droplets in two adjacent cavities come in contact and form an artificial lipid bilayer, called a droplet interface bilayer (DIB). The method allows for monitoring permeation of fluorescently tagged compounds from a donor droplet to an acceptor droplet. A mathematical model was applied to describe the kinetics and determine the permeation coefficient. We also demonstrate that permeation kinetics can be followed over a series of droplets, all connected via DIBs. Moreover, by changing the lipid oil composition after spotting donor droplets, we were able to create asymmetric membranes that we used to mimic the asymmetry of the cellular plasma membrane. Finally, we developed a protocol to separate and extract the droplets for label-free analysis of permeating compounds by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Our versatile platform has the potential to become a new tool for the screening of drug membrane permeability in the future.

Multiple-dose clinical pharmacology of the selective orexin-1 receptor antagonist ACT-539313.

AIMS: Compounds that selectively target orexin-1 receptors may be beneficial for the treatment of various disorders. The role of selective orexin-1 receptor antagonists (1-SORAs) in addictive behavior and stress/anxiety-related disturbances has been demonstrated in animals. ACT-539313, an orally active, potent 1-SORA, has been assessed in a clinical single-ascending dose study and exhibited good safety and tolerability. In the two reported studies on ACT-539313, multiple-dose pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics (PD), safety, and tolerability were investigated and in a proof-of-mechanism study a CO2 challenge was applied as pharmacological model for induction of anxiety and panic symptoms (sequential inhalation of air, 7.5% CO2, and 35% CO2). METHODS: Two double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, multiple-dose studies included 58 healthy male and female subjects. In Study 1, multiple-ascending oral doses of 30, 100, and 200 mg twice daily (b.i.d.) ACT-539313 were investigated in 3 dose groups of 8 or 12 subjects (of whom 2 received placebo per dose group). Study 2 was conducted as a randomized two-way crossover design, enrolling 21 male and 9 female subjects who received 200 mg ACT-539313 or matching placebo b.i.d. for 2.5 days followed by a CO2 challenge, with a washout period in between. PK, PD (objective and subjective measures of sedation, alertness, effects on central nervous system (CNS), and anxiety/panic symptoms), safety, and tolerability were assessed. RESULTS: At steady state, ACT-539313 was rapidly absorbed with a median time to maximum plasma concentration of 1.8-2.3 h and eliminated with a mean half-life of 3.8-6.5 h. Overall exposure increased dose-proportionally. In Study 1, PD effects confirmed activity of ACT-539313 on the CNS, without consistent or marked effects of sedation, reduced alertness or visuo-motor impairment. In the CO2 challenge, cortisol concentrations were lower during initial air inhalation after treatment with ACT-539313 compared to placebo, while no difference was detected after CO2 inhalation. Trends for lower scores in subjective anxiety assessments were observed for ACT-539313. Besides reports of stress related to the challenge, the most frequently reported adverse events were somnolence and headache. No clinically relevant effects in other safety assessments were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple-dose administration of ACT-539313 was safe and well tolerated up to multiple doses of 200 mg b.i.d. The drug's PK properties as well as the pattern of a decrease in stress-related symptoms after the CO2 challenge support further investigations of ACT-539313.

Microfluidic platform enables tailored translocation and reaction cascades in nanoliter droplet networks.

In the field of bottom-up synthetic biology, lipid membranes are the scaffold to create minimal cells and mimic reactions and processes at or across the membrane. In this context, we employ here a versatile microfluidic platform that enables precise positioning of nanoliter droplets with user-specified lipid compositions and in a defined pattern. Adjacent droplets make contact and form a droplet interface bilayer to simulate cellular membranes. Translocation of molecules across membranes are tailored by the addition of alpha-hemolysin to selected droplets. Moreover, we developed a protocol to analyze the translocation of non-fluorescent molecules between droplets with mass spectrometry. Our method is capable of automated formation of one- and two-dimensional droplet networks, which we demonstrated by connecting droplets containing different compound and enzyme solutions to perform translocation experiments and a multistep enzymatic cascade reaction across the droplet network. Our platform opens doors for creating complex artificial systems for bottom-up synthetic biology.

Treatment of Rare Inflammatory Kidney Diseases: Drugs Targeting the Terminal Complement Pathway.

The complement system comprises the frontline of the innate immune system. Triggered by pathogenic surface patterns in different pathways, the cascade concludes with the formation of a membrane attack complex (MAC; complement components C5b to C9) and C5a, a potent anaphylatoxin that elicits various inflammatory signals through binding to C5a receptor 1 (C5aR1). Despite its important role in pathogen elimination, priming and recruitment of myeloid cells from the immune system, as well as crosstalk with other physiological systems, inadvertent activation of the complement system can result in self-attack and overreaction in autoinflammatory diseases. Consequently, it constitutes an interesting target for specialized therapies. The paradigm of safe and efficacious terminal complement pathway inhibition has been demonstrated by the approval of eculizumab in paroxysmal nocturnal hematuria. In addition, complement contribution in rare kidney diseases, such as lupus nephritis, IgA nephropathy, atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, C3 glomerulopathy, or antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis has been demonstrated. This review summarizes the involvement of the terminal effector agents of the complement system in these diseases and provides an overview of inhibitors for complement components C5, C5a, C5aR1, and MAC that are currently in clinical development. Furthermore, a link between increased complement activity and lung damage in severe COVID-19 patients is discussed and the potential for use of complement inhibitors in COVID-19 is presented.

First-in-human study with ACT-539313, a novel selective orexin-1 receptor antagonist.

AIMS: The orexin system is involved in anxiety behaviour and corresponding physiological reactions and constitutes a target for treatment of anxiety disorders. ACT-539313 is a potent, selective orexin-1 receptor antagonist being developed for the treatment of anxiety disorders. This first-in-human study investigated its single-dose pharmacokinetics (PK) including food effect, pharmacodynamics (PD), safety and tolerability. METHODS: This double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study included 40 healthy male subjects. Ascending oral doses of 10-400 mg ACT-539313 were investigated in 5 dose groups of 8 subjects (of whom 2 received placebo per dose group). At 100 mg, subjects received ACT-539313 in fasted and fed conditions in a fixed sequential design. PK, PD (objective and subjective measures of sedation and effects on central nervous system), safety and tolerability were assessed. RESULTS: In fasted conditions, ACT-539313 was rapidly absorbed (median time to maximum plasma concentration [Cmax ] 0.7-3.5 h) and cleared from plasma with a mean terminal half-life of 3.3-5.7 h across dose levels. A 1.63-fold (90% confidence interval: 1.26-2.11) increase in Cmax and no change in area under the concentration-time curve extrapolated to infinity was observed under fed compared to fasted conditions. No relevant PD signals were detected except for a trend of reduced saccadic peak velocity around time to Cmax . The most commonly reported adverse events were somnolence and headache. All adverse events were transient and of mild or moderate intensity. No treatment-related effects on vital signs, clinical laboratory or 12-lead electrocardiogram were observed. CONCLUSIONS: ACT-539313 exhibits good safety and tolerability at single doses of up to and including 400 mg that warrant further investigations.

Multiple-Ascending Dose Study in Healthy Subjects to Assess the Pharmacokinetics, Tolerability, and CYP3A4 Interaction Potential of the T-Type Calcium Channel Blocker ACT-709478, A Potential New Antiepileptic Drug.

BACKGROUND: ACT-709478 is a selective, orally available T-type calcium channel blocker being studied as a potential new treatment in epilepsy. ACT-709478 had previously been investigated in a single-ascending dose study up to a dose of 400 mg. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of multiple doses of ACT-709478. In addition, the drug-drug interaction potential of multiple doses of ACT-709478 with the cytochrome P450 3A4 substrate midazolam was investigated. METHODS: This double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study included 46 healthy male and female subjects. Ascending multiple oral doses of ACT-709478 were administered to 10 (cohorts 1-2) or 12 (cohorts 3-4) subjects (two taking placebo per cohort). In cohorts 1-2, 30 or 10 mg ACT-709478 was administered once daily for 12 days. An up-titration regimen was used in cohorts 3-4 with administration of 10, 30, and 60 mg for 7 days each in both cohorts and an additional dose level of 100 mg ACT-709478 once daily for 8 days in cohort 4. Single doses of midazolam were administered at baseline and concomitantly to 60 mg and 100 mg ACT-709478 in cohort 4. Blood sampling for pharmacokinetic evaluations and safety assessments (clinical laboratory, vital signs, adverse events, and electrocardiogram) were performed regularly. Holter electrocardiograms were recorded at baseline and for 24 h at steady state and central nervous system effects were assessed with pharmacodynamic tests at baseline and steady state. RESULTS: ACT-709478 was absorbed with a time to reach the maximum plasma concentration of 3.5-4.0 h and eliminated with a half-life of 45-53 h. Steady state was reached after 5-7 days of dosing and exposure increased dose-proportionally. An accumulation index of approximately three fold was observed in cohorts 1 and 2. Exposure to midazolam was lower upon concomitant administration of 60 and 100 mg ACT-709478 compared to midazolam alone while the half-life and time to reach the maximum plasma concentration of midazolam remained unchanged, suggesting a weak induction at the gastrointestinal but not hepatic level. Pharmacokinetic parameters of 1-hydroxymidazolam were not affected by ACT-709478 administration. The most frequent adverse events were dizziness, somnolence, and headache. A tolerability signal was detected in cohort 1 (30 mg once daily); therefore, the dose was decreased to 10 mg once daily in cohort 2. The subsequently established up-titration regimen, starting with 10 mg once daily, considerably improved tolerability. Multiple doses up to 100 mg once daily were well tolerated. No treatment-related effects were detected on vital signs, clinical laboratory tests, Holter electrocardiogram variables, or in the pharmacodynamic tests. CONCLUSIONS: ACT-709478 exhibits good tolerability up to 100 mg once daily using an up-titration regimen and pharmacokinetic properties that support further clinical investigations. A weak induction of gastrointestinal cytochrome P450 3A4 activity was observed, unlikely to be of clinical relevance. CLINICALTRIALS. GOV IDENTIFIER: NCT03165097.