Absorption, metabolism and excretion of the GLP-1 analogue semaglutide in humans and nonclinical species.

Semaglutide is a human glucagon-like peptide-1 analogue in clinical development for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. The absorption, metabolism and excretion of a single 0.5mg/450µCi [16.7MBq] subcutaneous dose of [3H]-radiolabelled semaglutide was investigated in healthy human subjects and compared with data from nonclinical studies. Radioactivity in blood, plasma, urine and faeces was determined in humans, rats and monkeys; radioactivity in expired air was determined in humans and rats. Metabolites in plasma, urine and faeces were quantified following profiling and radiodetection. The blood-to-plasma ratio and pharmacokinetics of both radiolabelled semaglutide-related material and of semaglutide (in humans only) were assessed. Intact semaglutide was the primary component circulating in plasma for humans and both nonclinical species, accounting for 69-83% of the total amount of semaglutide-related material, and was metabolised prior to excretion. Recovery of excreted radioactivity was 75.1% in humans, 72.1% in rats and 58.2% in monkeys. Urine and faeces were shown to be important routes of excretion, with urine as the primary route in both humans and animals. Semaglutide was metabolised through proteolytic cleavage of the peptide backbone and sequential beta-oxidation of the fatty acid sidechain, and metabolism was not confined to specific organs. Intact semaglutide in urine accounted for 3.1% of the administered dose in humans and less than 1% in rats; it was not detected in urine in monkeys. The metabolite profiles of semaglutide in humans appear to be similar to the profiles from the nonclinical species investigated.

Pharmacokinetics and Tolerability of a Single Dose of Semaglutide, a Human Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Analog, in Subjects With and Without Renal Impairment.

BACKGROUND: The pharmacokinetics and tolerability of semaglutide, a once-weekly human glucagon-like peptide-1 analog in development for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, were investigated in subjects with/without renal impairment (RI). METHODS: Fifty-six subjects, categorized into renal function groups [normal, mild, moderate, severe, and end-stage renal disease (ESRD)], received a single subcutaneous dose of semaglutide 0.5 mg. Semaglutide plasma concentrations were assessed ≤480 h post-dose; the primary endpoint was the area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time zero to infinity. RESULTS: Semaglutide exposure in subjects with mild/moderate RI and ESRD was similar to that in subjects with normal renal function. In subjects with severe RI, the mean exposure of semaglutide was 22% higher than in subjects with normal renal function, and the 95% confidence interval (1.02-1.47) for the ratio exceeded the pre-specified limits (0.70-1.43). When adjusted for differences in sex, age, and body weight between the groups, all comparisons were within the pre-specified clinically relevant limits. Across RI groups there was no relationship between creatinine clearance (CLCR) and semaglutide exposure, or between CLCR and semaglutide maximum plasma drug concentration (C max). Hemodialysis did not appear to affect the pharmacokinetics of semaglutide. No appreciable changes in safety parameters or vital signs and no serious adverse events were noted. One subject with severe RI reported two major hypoglycemic events. CONCLUSION: When adjusted for differences in sex, age, and body weight, semaglutide exposure was similar between subjects with RI and subjects with normal renal function. Semaglutide (0.5 mg) was well-tolerated. Dose adjustment may not be warranted for subjects with RI. CLINICALTRIALS. GOV IDENTIFIER: NCT00833716.

Effect of Semaglutide on the Pharmacokinetics of Metformin, Warfarin, Atorvastatin and Digoxin in Healthy Subjects.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 analogue in development for the once-weekly treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Its effect on the rate and extent of absorption of concomitant oral medications (metformin, warfarin, atorvastatin and digoxin) was evaluated in healthy subjects. METHODS: Subjects received metformin (500 mg twice daily for 3.5 days), warfarin (25 mg, single dose), atorvastatin (40 mg, single dose) or digoxin (0.5 mg, single dose) before and with subcutaneous semaglutide treatment at steady state (1.0 mg). Lack of drug-drug interaction was concluded if the 90% confidence intervals for the area under the plasma concentration-time curve ratio before and with semaglutide were within a pre-specified interval (0.80-1.25). RESULTS: Overall, metformin, warfarin, atorvastatin and digoxin pharmacokinetics were not affected to a clinically relevant degree with semaglutide co-administration. Estimated area under the plasma concentration-time curve ratios for all concomitant medications before and with semaglutide treatment were within the pre-specified interval. In addition, semaglutide did not affect maximum plasma concentration of concomitant medications to a relevant degree. Furthermore, no clinically relevant change in international normalised ratio response to warfarin was observed with semaglutide co-administration. Most adverse events with semaglutide treatment were mild or moderate. Adverse events with semaglutide and co-administered medication were comparable to those reported during treatment with semaglutide alone, and were mostly gastrointestinal related. CONCLUSIONS: No clinically significant pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic interactions were identified and no new safety issues observed with combined treatment with semaglutide. This suggests that no dose adjustments should be required when semaglutide is administered concomitantly with these medications.