Clinical Pharmacology of the Antibody-Drug Conjugate Enfortumab Vedotin in Advanced Urothelial Carcinoma and Other Malignant Solid Tumors.

Enfortumab vedotin is an antibody-drug conjugate comprised of a human monoclonal antibody directed to Nectin-4 and monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE), a microtubule-disrupting agent. The objectives of this review are to summarize the clinical pharmacology of enfortumab vedotin monotherapy and demonstrate that the appropriate dose has been selected for clinical use. Pharmacokinetics (PK) of enfortumab vedotin (antibody-drug conjugate and total antibody) and free MMAE were evaluated in five clinical trials of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (n = 748). Intravenous enfortumab vedotin 0.5-1.25 mg/kg on days 1, 8, and 15 of a 28-day cycle showed linear, dose-proportional PK. No significant differences in exposure or safety of enfortumab vedotin and free MMAE were observed in mild, moderate, or severe renal impairment versus normal renal function. Patients with mildly impaired versus normal hepatic function had a 37% increase in area under the concentration-time curve (0-28 days), a 31% increase in maximum concentration of free MMAE, and a similar adverse event profile. No clinically significant PK differences were observed based on race/ethnicity with weight-based dosing, and no clinically meaningful QT prolongation was observed. Concomitant use with dual P-glycoprotein and strong cytochrome P450 3A4 inhibitors may increase MMAE exposure and the risk of adverse events. Approximately 3% of patients developed antitherapeutic antibodies against enfortumab vedotin 1.25 mg/kg. These findings support enfortumab vedotin 1.25 mg/kg monotherapy on days 1, 8, and 15 of a 28-day cycle. No dose adjustments are required for patients with renal impairment or mild hepatic impairment, or by race/ethnicity.

Pharmacokinetic Profile of Gilteritinib: A Novel FLT-3 Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Gilteritinib is a novel, highly selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor approved in the USA, Canada, Europe, Brazil, Korea, and Japan for the treatment of FLT3 mutation-positive acute myeloid leukemia. This article describes the clinical pharmacokinetic profile of gilteritinib. METHODS: The pharmacokinetic profile of gilteritinib was assessed from five clinical studies. RESULTS: Dose-proportional pharmacokinetics was observed following once-daily gilteritinib administration (dose range 20-450 mg). Median maximum concentration was reached 2-6 h following single and repeat dosing of gilteritinib; mean elimination half-life was 113 h. Elimination was primarily via feces. Exposure to gilteritinib was comparable under fasted and fed conditions. Gilteritinib is primarily metabolized via cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4; coadministration of gilteritinib with itraconazole (a strong P-glycoprotein inhibitor and CYP3A4 inhibitor) or rifampicin (a strong P-glycoprotein inducer and CYP3A inducer) significantly affected the gilteritinib pharmacokinetic profile. No clinically relevant interactions were observed when gilteritinib was coadministered with midazolam (a CYP3A4 substrate) or cephalexin (a multidrug and toxin extrusion 1 substrate). Unbound gilteritinib exposure was similar between subjects with hepatic impairment and normal hepatic function. CONCLUSIONS: Gilteritinib exhibits a dose-proportional pharmacokinetic profile in healthy subjects and in patients with relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia. Gilteritinib exposure is not significantly affected by food. Moderate-to-strong CYP3A inhibitors demonstrated a significant effect on gilteritinib exposure. Coadministration of gilteritinib with CYP3A4 or multidrug and toxin extrusion 1 substrates did not impact substrate concentrations. Unbound gilteritinib was comparable between subjects with hepatic impairment and normal hepatic function; dose adjustment is not warranted for patients with hepatic impairment. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02014558, NCT02456883, NCT02571816.

Model-based Prediction of the Long-term Glucose-Lowering Effects of Ipragliflozin, a Selective Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) Inhibitor, in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

INTRODUCTION: Sodium-dependent glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors inhibit the reabsorption of glucose from the kidneys and increase urinary glucose excretion (UGE), thereby lowering the blood glucose concentration in people suffering from type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In a previous study, we reported a pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics model to estimate individual change in UGE (ΔUGE), which is a direct pharmacological effect of SGLT2 inhibitors. In this study, we report our enhancement of the previous model to predict the long-term effects of ipragliflozin on clinical outcomes in patients with T2DM. METHODS: The time course of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) in patients with T2DM following ipragliflozin treatment that had been observed in earlier clinical trials was modeled using empirical models combined with the maximum drug effect (Emax) model and disease progression model. As a predictive factor of drug effect, estimated ΔUGE was introduced into the Emax model, instead of ipragliflozin exposure. The developed models were used to simulate the time course of FPG and HbA1c following once-daily treatment with placebo or ipragliflozin at doses of 12.5, 25, 50 and 100 mg, and the changes at 52 weeks at the approved dose of 50 mg were summarized by renal function category. RESULTS: The developed models that included UGE as a dependent variable of response were found to well describe observed time courses in FPG and HbA1c. Baseline blood glucose level and renal function had significant effects on the glucose-lowering effect of ipragliflozin, and these models enabled quantification of these impacts on clinical outcomes. Simulated median changes in HbA1c in T2DM patients with mild and moderate renal impairment were 25 and 63% lower, respectively, than those in T2DM patients with normal renal function. These results are consistent with the observed clinical data from a previous renal impairment study. CONCLUSIONS: Empirical models established based on the effect of UGE well predicted the renal function-dependent long-term glucose-lowering effects of ipragliflozin in patients with T2DM.

A phase I study of enfortumab vedotin in Japanese patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma.

Locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer is an aggressive form of cancer with high recurrence rates and low survival. Nectin-4 is a cell adhesion molecule commonly expressed in several tumors, including high expression in urothelial cancer. Enfortumab vedotin is an antibody-drug conjugate composed of an anti-Nectin-4 humanized monoclonal antibody linked to the microtubule disrupting agent, monomethyl auristatin E. In this phase I study (NCT03070990), Japanese patients with locally advanced/metastatic urothelial cancer treated with prior chemotherapy, or ineligible for cisplatin, were randomized 1:1 to receive 1.0 mg/kg (Arm A) or 1.25 mg/kg (Arm B) enfortumab vedotin on Days 1, 8, and 15 of each 28-day cycle. Assessing the pharmacokinetic and safety/tolerability profiles of enfortumab vedotin were primary objectives; investigator-assessed antitumor activity (RECIST v1.1) was a secondary objective. Seventeen patients (n = 9, Arm A; n = 8, Arm B) received treatment. Pharmacokinetic data suggest a dose-dependent increase in enfortumab vedotin maximum concentration and area under the concentration-time curve at Day 7. Enfortumab vedotin was well tolerated across both doses. Dysgeusia and alopecia (n = 9 each) were the most common treatment-related adverse events. Regardless of attribution, grade ≥ 3 adverse events occurring in ≥2 patients were anemia and hypertension (n = 2 each). One patient achieved a confirmed complete response (Arm A) and five achieved confirmed partial responses (n = 3, Arm A; n = 2, Arm B). Objective response and disease control rates were 35.3% and 76.5%, respectively. In Japanese patients with locally advanced/metastatic urothelial cancer, enfortumab vedotin is well tolerated with preliminary antitumor activity and a pharmacokinetic profile consistent with prior reports.

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic modelling for renal function dependent urinary glucose excretion effect of ipragliflozin, a selective sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor, both in healthy subjects and patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

AIMS: To provide a model-based prediction of individual urinary glucose excretion (UGE) effect of ipragliflozin, we constructed a pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) model and a population PK model using pooled data of clinical studies. METHODS: A PK/PD model for the change from baseline in UGE for 24 hours (ΔUGE24h ) with area under the concentration-time curve from time of dosing to 24 h after administration (AUC24h ) of ipragliflozin was described by a maximum effect model. A population PK model was also constructed using rich PK sampling data obtained from 2 clinical pharmacology studies and sparse data from 4 late-phase studies by the NONMEM $PRIOR subroutine. Finally, we simulated how the PK/PD of ipragliflozin changes in response to dose regime as well as patients' renal function using the developed model. RESULTS: The estimated individual maximum effect were dependent on fasting plasma glucose and renal function, except in patients who had significant UGE before treatment. The PK of ipragliflozin in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients was accurately described by a 2-compartment model with first order absorption. The population mean oral clearance was 9.47 L/h and was increased in patients with higher glomerular filtration rates and body surface area. Simulation suggested that medians (95% prediction intervals) of AUC24h and ΔUGE24h were 5417 (3229-8775) ng·h/mL and 85 (51-145) g, respectively. The simulation also suggested a 1.17-fold increase in AUC24h of ipragliflozin and a 0.76-fold in ΔUGE24h in T2DM patients with moderate renal impairment compared to those with normal renal function. CONCLUSIONS: The developed models described the clinical data well, and the simulation suggested mechanism-based weaker antidiabetic effect in T2DM patients with renal impairment.

Clinical pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the novel SGLT2 inhibitor ipragliflozin.

Ipragliflozin (Suglat(®)) is a potent and selective inhibitor of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 that was recently launched in Japan. Its mechanism of action involves the suppression of glucose re-absorption in the kidney proximal tubules, causing excretion of glucose in the urine. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of currently available pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data on ipragliflozin, including studies in healthy subjects, patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and special populations. In single- and multiple-dose studies, the maximum plasma concentration and area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) for ipragliflozin increased in a dose-dependent manner. Although urinary excretion of ipragliflozin is low (approximately 1 %), tubular concentration of free ipragliflozin is adequate to provide pharmacological activities. No clinically relevant effects of age, gender or food on the exposure of ipragliflozin were observed. The AUC for ipragliflozin was 20-30 % greater in patients with moderate renal or hepatic impairment than in patients with normal renal or hepatic function. In drug-drug interaction studies, the pharmacokinetics of ipragliflozin and other oral antidiabetic drugs (metformin, sitagliptin, pioglitazone, glimepiride, miglitol and mitiglinide) were not significantly affected by their co-administration. Urinary glucose excretion (UGE) also increased in a dose-dependent manner, approaching a maximum effect at 50-100 mg dosages in Japanese healthy volunteers and patients with type 2 diabetes. The change in UGE from baseline (ΔUGE) tended to be lower in older subjects and female subjects, compared with younger subjects and male subjects, respectively. ΔUGE tended to decrease with decreasing renal function, especially in patients with type 2 diabetes with moderate or severe renal impairment.

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic study of ipragliflozin in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

AIMS: Ipragliflozin is a novel and highly selective sodium-glucose transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor that reduces plasma glucose levels by enhancing urinary glucose excretion in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We examined the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics of two oral doses of ipragliflozin in Japanese patients with T2DM. METHODS: In this randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study, patients were treated with placebo, 50mg or 100mg ipragliflozin once daily for 14 days. Plasma and urine pharmacodynamic parameters were measured on Days -1 and 14, and pharmacokinetic parameters on Day 14. Pharmacodynamic characteristics included area under the curve (AUC) for plasma glucose and insulin for 0-3h (AUC0-3h) and 0-24h (AUC0-24h). Pharmacokinetic characteristics included AUC0-24h, maximum ipragliflozin concentration (Cmax), and time to maximum plasma ipragliflozin concentration (tmax). RESULTS: Thirty patients were enrolled; 28 were included in pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic analyses and 30 in safety analyses. Administration of 50 and 100mg ipragliflozin significantly reduced fasting plasma glucose, as well as the AUC0-3h and AUC0-24h for plasma glucose relative to placebo. Both doses of ipragliflozin also reduced AUC0-24h for insulin, body weight, and glycoalbumin, while urinary glucose excretion increased remarkably. Cmax and AUC0-24h were 1.7- and 1.9-fold higher, respectively, in the 100-mg group than in the 50-mg group. CONCLUSIONS: Ipragliflozin increased urinary glucose excretion and improved fasting and postprandial glucose, confirming its pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic properties in Japanese patients with T2DM.

Darexaban (YM150), an oral direct factor Xa inhibitor, has no effect on the pharmacokinetics of digoxin.

To investigate the impact of the direct Factor Xa inhibitor darexaban administered in a modified-release formulation (darexaban-MR) on the pharmacokinetic (PK) profile of digoxin. In this Phase I, randomized, double-blind, two-period crossover study (8 days for each treatment, 10 days washout), 24 healthy subjects received darexaban-MR 120 mg once/day (qd) + digoxin 0.25 mg qd in one treatment period, and placebo + digoxin 0.25 mg qd in the other treatment period. Blood for PK assessment of digoxin and darexaban was obtained in serial profile on day 8, as well as pre-dose on day 6-7; urinary PK samples were obtained up to 24 h after the last dose on day 8. A lack of interaction was determined if 90 % confidence intervals (CIs) for the geometric mean ratios (GMR) of digoxin C max,ss and AUC0-24h,ss with and without darexaban-MR co-administration were within 0.80-1.25 limits. Pharmacodynamic activity was assessed by international normalized ratio and activated partial thromboplastin time. Twenty-three subjects completed the study. The GMR (90 % CI) for C max,ss and AUC0-24h,ss of digoxin plus darexaban versus digoxin plus placebo was 1.03 (90 % CI: 0.94-1.12) and 1.11 (90 % CI: 1.05-1.17), respectively. The 90 % CI for the GMRs fell within the limits of 0.80-1.25, indicating a lack of drug-drug interaction. Co-administration of digoxin with darexaban-MR was well tolerated, with no unexpected treatment-emergent adverse events or safety concerns. Co-administration of darexaban-MR did not impact the steady-state PK profile of digoxin.

The pharmacokinetics of darexaban (YM150), an oral direct factor Xa inhibitor, are not affected by ketoconazole, a strong inhibitor of CYP3A and P-glycoprotein.

We investigated the effects of ketoconazole on the pharmacokinetics (PK) of the direct clotting factor Xa inhibitor darexaban (YM150) and its main active metabolite darexaban glucuronide (YM-222714) which almost entirely determines the antithrombotic effect. In this open-label, randomized, two-period crossover study, 26 healthy male volunteers received in one treatment period a single dose of darexaban 60 mg, and in the other treatment period, ketoconazole 400 mg once daily on Days 1-9 with a single dose of darexaban 60 mg on Day 4. Washout between periods was at least 1 week. The geometric mean ratio (90% confidence interval) of darexaban glucuronide (darexaban plus ketoconazole versus darexaban) for AUCinf was 1.11 (1.00, 1.23), and for Cmax 1.18 (1.03, 1.35). Darexaban concentrations remained very low (AUClast ∼196-fold lower) in relation to darexaban glucuronide concentrations. In conclusion, the PK of darexaban glucuronide was not affected to a clinically relevant degree by co-administration of the strong CYP3A/P-glycoprotein inhibitor, ketoconazole. The PK of the parent compound darexaban were changed, however, concentrations remained quantitatively insignificant in relation to the main active moiety, darexaban glucuronide.

Clinical pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, safety and tolerability of darexaban, an oral direct factor Xa inhibitor, in healthy Caucasian and Japanese subjects.

BACKGROUND: Darexaban (YM150) is a potent direct factor Xa (FXa) inhibitor developed for the prophylaxis of venous and arterial thromboembolic disease. This drug is rapidly and extensively metabolized to darexaban glucuronide (YM-222714), which is a pharmacologically active metabolite. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the clinical pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics (PD), safety and tolerability of ascending multiple oral doses of darexaban in healthy non-elderly Caucasian and Japanese subjects. METHODS: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single and multiple dose-escalating study of healthy Caucasian and Japanese male and female subjects was performed. The tested doses were 20, 60, 120 and 240 mg of darexaban. RESULTS: Plasma concentrations of darexaban glucuronide increased with dose, and Cmax and AUC increased dose-dependently after both single and repeated doses in both Caucasians and Japanese. Cmax was about 17%-19% lower in Caucasians than in Japanese, although AUC appeared to be similar. The time-profiles of prothrombin time reported as the international normalized ratio (PT-INR), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and FXa activity closely followed the time-concentration profile of darexaban glucuronide, and no clear differences were observed in ethnicity. Overall, 38 of the 82 enrolled subjects reported a total of 57 treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs). Fifty-five TEAEs were of mild intensity and two were of moderate intensity. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that single and multiple doses of darexaban are safe and well tolerated up to 240 mg with predictable PK and PD profiles in both Caucasians and Japanese, and that ethnicity does not affect its PK, PD or tolerability.

Ipragliflozin does not prolong QTc interval in healthy male and female subjects: a phase I study.

BACKGROUND: Ipragliflozin, a potent, selective sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor, is in development for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The International Conference on Harmonisation recommends that the safety investigation of new drugs include characterization of each agent's effects on the QT/QTc interval. OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to assess the effect on cardiac repolarization (QTc interval) of repeated oral dosing of ipragliflozin at therapeutic (100 mg/d) and supratherapeutic (600 mg/d) levels in healthy subjects. METHODS: This was a double-blind, placebo- and active-controlled, 4-way crossover study. Subjects were randomized to 1 of 4 treatment sequences each including the following 4 treatments: placebo for 7 days; ipragliflozin 100 mg/d for 7 days; ipragliflozin 600 mg/d for 7 days; and active control moxifloxacin 400 mg on day 7 only. The primary assessment of QTc was based on Fridericia's correction for heart rate (QTcF). Continuous 12-lead ECG interval extraction assessments were conducted on day 7. The least squares mean treatment difference from placebo and corresponding 2-sided 90% CIs were calculated for QTcF up to 14 hours postdose on treatment day 7. Ipragliflozin was deemed unlikely to have a clinically relevant effect on QTcF if the upper bound of the maximum treatment difference from placebo for ipragliflozin across all time points was < 10 ms. Assay sensitivity for QTcF interval prolongation was confirmed if the lower bound of the 2-sided 90% CIs for the mean moxifloxacin QTcF difference from placebo, determined at sampling time closest to average Tmax, was > 5 ms. RESULTS: A total of 88 subjects were randomized to treatment (n = 22 per sequence; 10 males and 12 females). The largest upper bounds of the 90% CIs of mean treatment differences from placebo were 4.44 and 3.39 ms for ipragliflozin 600 and 100 mg, respectively, in all subjects, indicating no clinically relevant effect on QTcF interval. No specific effects were observed when the data were analyzed according to sex. No subject showed outlier QTcF intervals > 480 ms or a time-matched change from baseline > 60 ms. Moxifloxacin confirmed assay sensitivity for QTcF interval prolongation; the lower bound of the 2-sided 90% CIs at 3 hours postdose was 11.7 ms (> 5 ms). CONCLUSIONS: No clinically meaningful QTc interval prolongation was observed in these healthy subjects who received ipragliflozin doses up to 600 mg/d for 7 days. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01232413.

The effect of moderate hepatic impairment on the pharmacokinetics of ipragliflozin, a novel sodium glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor.

BACKGROUND: Ipragliflozin (ASP1941), a potent selective sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor, is in development for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Ipragliflozin is primarily eliminated via conjugation by the liver as five pharmacologically inactive metabolites (M1, M2, M3, M4 and M6). This study evaluated the effect of moderate hepatic impairment on the pharmacokinetics of ipragliflozin and its metabolites. METHODS: In an open-label, single-dose, parallel-group study, 16 subjects (eight with moderate hepatic impairment [Child-Pugh score 7-9] and eight healthy, matched controls) received a single oral dose of 100-mg ipragliflozin. Plasma concentrations of ipragliflozin and its metabolites were determined. Adverse events (AEs) and other clinical laboratory parameters were monitored. RESULTS: All subjects completed the study. Least-squares geometric mean ratios (GMRs) (90 % confidence interval [CI]) for maximum plasma concentration (C max) and area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time zero to infinity (AUC∞) of ipragliflozin were 127 % (93-173 %) and 125 % (94-166 %), respectively, in moderate hepatic impairment versus controls. No changes in elimination half-life and protein binding of ipragliflozin were observed in moderate hepatic impairment subjects. Least-squares GMRs for C max and AUC∞ of M2, the major metabolite, were respectively 95 % (68-133 %) and 100 % (77-130 %) in moderate hepatic impairment versus controls. No deaths, other serious AEs or AEs leading to discontinuation occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Moderate hepatic impairment had no clinically relevant effects on the single-dose pharmacokinetics of ipragliflozin and its major metabolite, M2. A single oral dose of ipragliflozin, 100 mg, was well tolerated in both healthy subjects and those with moderate hepatic impairment.

Renal glucose handling: impact of chronic kidney disease and sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibition in patients with type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: Ipragliflozin, a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor, stimulates glycosuria and lowers glycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). The objective of this study was to assess the pharmacodynamics of ipragliflozin in T2DM patients with impaired renal function. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Glycosuria was measured before and after a single ipragliflozin dose in 8 nondiabetic subjects and 57 T2DM patients (age 62 ± 9 years, fasting glucose 133 ± 39 mg/dL, mean ± SD) with normal renal function (assessed as the estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR]) (eGFR1 ≥90 mL · min(-1) · 1.73 m(-2)), mild (eGFR2 ≥60 to <90), moderate (eGFR3 ≥30 to <60), or severe reduction in eGFR (eGFR4 ≤15 to <30). RESULTS: Ipragliflozin significantly increased urinary glucose excretion in each eGFR class (P < 0.0001). However, ipragliflozin-induced glycosuria declined (median [IQR]) across eGFR class (from 46 mg/min [33] in eGFR1 to 8 mg/min [7] in eGFR4, P < 0.001). Ipragliflozin-induced fractional glucose excretion (excretion/filtration) was 39% [27] in the T2DM patients (pooled data), similar to that of the nondiabetic subjects (37% [17], P = ns). In bivariate analysis of the pooled data, ipragliflozin-induced glycosuria was directly related to eGFR and fasting glucose (P < 0.0001 for both, r(2) = 0.55), predicting a decrement in 24-h glycosuria of 15 g for each 20 mL/min decline in eGFR and an increase of 7 g for each 10 mg/dL increase in glucose above fasting normoglycemia. CONCLUSIONS: In T2DM patients, ipragliflozin increases glycosuria in direct, linear proportion to GFR and degree of hyperglycemia, such that its amount can be reliably predicted in the individual patient. Although absolute glycosuria decreases with declining GFR, the efficiency of ipragliflozin action (fractional glucose excretion) is maintained in patients with severe renal impairment.

The pharmacokinetics of darexaban are not affected to a clinically relevant degree by rifampicin, a strong inducer of P-glycoprotein and CYP3A4.

AIMS: We investigated the effects of rifampicin on the pharmacokinetics (PK) of the direct clotting factor Xa inhibitor darexaban (YM150) and its main active metabolite, darexaban glucuronide (YM-222714), which almost entirely determines the antithrombotic effect. METHODS: In this open-label, single-sequence study, 26 healthy men received one dose of darexaban 60 mg on day 1 and oral rifampicin 600 mg once daily on days 4-14. On day 11, a second dose of darexaban 60 mg was given with rifampicin. Blood and urine were collected after study drug administration on days 1-14. The maximal plasma drug concentration (C(max)) and exposure [area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time zero to time of quantifiable measurable concentration; (AUC(last)) or AUC(last) extrapolated to infinity (AUC(∞))] were assessed by analysis of variance of PK. Limits for statistical significance of 90% confidence intervals for AUC and C(max) ratios were predefined as 80-125%. RESULTS: Darexaban glucuronide plasma exposure was not affected by rifampicin; the geometric mean ratio (90% confidence interval) of AUC(last) with/without rifampicin was 1.08 (1.00, 1.16). The C(max) of darexaban glucuronide increased by 54% after rifampicin [ratio 1.54 (1.37, 1.73)]. The plasma concentrations of darexaban were very low (<1% of darexaban glucuronide concentrations) with and without rifampicin. Darexaban alone or in combination with rifampicin was generally safe and well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, rifampicin did not affect the PK profiles of darexaban glucuronide and darexaban to a clinically relevant degree, suggesting that the potential for drug-drug interactions between darexaban and CYP3A4 or P-glycoprotein-inducing agents is low.

Effect of food on the pharmacokinetics of darexaban, an oral direct factor Xa inhibitor, in healthy Japanese subjects.

BACKGROUND: Darexaban is a potent direct factor Xa (FXa) inhibitor developed for prophylaxis of venous and arterial thromboembolic disease. This drug is rapidly and extensively metabolized to darexaban glucuronide (YM-222714), which is a pharmacologically active metabolite. The potential effects of food on the harmacokinetics of darexaban glucuronide after darexaban administration were assessed in two studies. METHODS: Both studies were conducted as open-label, two-way crossover studies. Healthy non-elderly Japanese male subjects received darexaban as a single 15 mg tablet (Study 1, n = 24) or a single 30 mg tablet (Study 2, n = 24). The geometric mean ratio (GMR) (fed/fasted) for AUClast and Cmax were evaluated as primary parameters. RESULTS: GMR(fed/fasted) for AUClast emonstrated slight decreases as 0.797 (90% CI: 0.758 - 0.838) in Study 1 and 0.821 (90% CI: 0.752 - 0.896) in Study 2. For Cmax, the GMR was 0.908 (90%CI: 0.835 - 0.988) in Study 1 and 1.039 (90% CI: 0.953 - 1.131) in Study 2. There were no serious adverse events during the two studies. None was considered to be drug-related. CONCLUSION: These studies demonstrated that there was no clinically significant effect of food on the pharmacokinetics after administration of darexaban. We therefore conclude that darexaban can be administered without regard to food intake.

Clinical Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, Safety and Tolerability of Darexaban, an Oral Direct Factor Xa Inhibitor, in Healthy Elderly Japanese Subjects.

The clinical pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, safety and tolerability of darexaban after single and multiple once-daily doses of 60, 120, and 240 mg in healthy elderly Japanese subjects were assessed. Following oral administration, darexaban was rapidly and extensively metabolized to darexaban glucuronide, which is an active glucuronide metabolite. Plasma concentrations of darexaban glucuronide increased with dose, and Cmax and AUC increased dose-dependently after both single and repeated doses. Cumulative urinary excretion of darexaban glucuronide up to 24 hours after repeated doses ranged from 28.59% to 36.50%. PT-INR, aPTT, and FXa activity were prolonged or decreased dose-dependently after both single and repeated doses of darexaban. The time-profile of pharamcodynamic parameters closely followed the time-concentration profile of darexaban glucuronide. Five adverse events occurred in the present study (4: darexaban [16.7%]; 1: placebo [8.3%]), all of which were mild in severity and required no treatment.

Combination treatment with ipragliflozin and metformin: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Ipragliflozin (ASP1941) is a selective sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor in clinical development for the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). OBJECTIVES: The primary objective was to evaluate the safety profile and tolerability of ipragliflozin as a glucose-lowering agent in combination with stable metformin therapy in patients with T2DM. A secondary objective was to evaluate the effect of ipragliflozin on the pharmacokinetic (PK) properties of metformin. METHODS: Thirty-six patients with T2DM stable on metformin therapy (850, 1000, or 1500 mg bid) were randomized in a double-blind manner to receive ipragliflozin (300 mg qd; n = 18) or matching placebo (n = 18) for 14 days. Safety profiles, including monitoring of hypoglycemic events, treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs), laboratory measurements, and vital signs were assessed throughout the study. The PK properties of metformin and ipragliflozin were determined in plasma. The geometric mean ratio and its 90% CI for the maximum plasma concentration and AUC(0-10) were calculated for metformin + ipragliflozin (day 14) versus metformin alone (day -1). Pharmacodynamic properties were assessed by measurement of urinary glucose excretion over 24 hours (UGE(0-24)). RESULTS: All the TEAEs, except 1, were mild. Fifteen TEAEs were observed in the ipragliflozin group (7 of 18 patients [38.9%]), and 19 TEAEs were observed in the placebo group in (8 of 18 patients [44.4%]). Treatment-related TEAEs were reported by 3 of 18 patients (16.7%) receiving metformin + ipragliflozin and by 5 of 18 patients (27.8%) receiving metformin + placebo. No hypoglycemic events (blood glucose level <54 mg/L [to convert to millimoles per liter, multiply by 0.0555]) were observed. The geometric mean ratios for C(max) and AUC(0-10) of metformin + ipragliflozin versus metformin alone were 1.11 (90% CI, 1.03-1.19) and 1.18 (90% CI, 1.08-1.28), respectively. After ipragliflozin treatment, UGE(0-24) on day 14 (74.9 g) was significantly higher than that in the placebo group (3.6 g) and at baseline (3.3 g). CONCLUSIONS: Combination treatment for 14 days with ipragliflozin and metformin was well tolerated in patients withT2DM without hypoglycemia. The addition of ipragliflozin (300 mg qd) to metformin therapy did not result in a clinically relevant change in the PK properties of metformin. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01302145.

Discovery of N-[2-hydroxy-6-(4-methoxybenzamido)phenyl]-4- (4-methyl-1,4-diazepan-1-yl)benzamide (darexaban, YM150) as a potent and orally available factor Xa inhibitor.

Inhibitors of factor Xa (FXa), a crucial serine protease in the coagulation cascade, have attracted a great deal of attention as a target for developing antithrombotic agents. We previously reported findings from our optimization study of a high-throughput screening (HTS) derived lead compound 1a that resulted in the discovery of potent amidine-containing FXa inhibitors represented by compound 2. We also conducted an alternative optimization study of 1a without incorporating a strong basic amidine group, which generally has an adverse effect on the pharmacokinetic profile after oral administration. Replacement of 4-methoxybenzene with a 1,4-benzodiazepine structure and introduction of a hydroxy group at the central benzene led to the discovery of the potent and orally effective factor Xa inhibitor 14i (darexaban, YM150). Subsequent extensive study revealed a unique aspect to the pharmacokinetic profile of this compound, wherein the hydroxy moiety of 14i is rapidly transformed into its glucuronide conjugate 16 (YM-222714) as an active metabolite after oral administration and it plays a major role in expression of potent anticoagulant activity in plasma. The distinctive, potent activity of inhibitor 14i after oral dosing was explained by this unique pharmacokinetic profile and its favorable membrane permeability. Compound 14i is currently undergoing clinical development for prevention and treatment of thromboembolic diseases.

Effect of Ipragliflozin (ASP1941), a novel selective sodium-dependent glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor, on urinary glucose excretion in healthy subjects.

BACKGROUND: Hyperglycaemia is associated with serious complications, significant morbidity and death. Despite the availability of a wide range of therapeutic options, many patients with diabetes mellitus fail to achieve or maintain recommended glycaemic goals. Ipragliflozin (ASP1941) is a novel, selective inhibitor of the sodium-dependent glucose co-transporter 2, which is highly expressed in the proximal tubules of the kidneys. It suppresses renal glucose reabsorption and increases urinary glucose excretion (UGE), potentially providing an insulin-independent treatment option for type 2 diabetes. METHODS: This multiple ascending-dose study assessed the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of ipragliflozin in healthy subjects after single doses and multiple once-daily doses for 10 days (dose levels: 5-600 mg). RESULTS: Ipragliflozin was well tolerated following single and multiple once-daily oral dosing. Ipragliflozin was rapidly absorbed with a median time to reach the maximum plasma concentration of 1.3 hours after the last dose. The area under the plasma concentration-time curve increased proportionally with increasing dose. The mean elimination half-life was 12 hours following the last dose. Ipragliflozin dose dependently increased UGE up to a maximum of approximately 59 g (327 mmol) of glucose excreted over 24 hours following multiple doses, without affecting plasma glucose levels in healthy subjects. CONCLUSION: Administration of ipragliflozin was well tolerated and resulted in a rapid, dose-dependent increase in glucosuria. Pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic data suggest that ipragliflozin is suitable for prolonged once-daily oral treatment.