Pharmacokinetics and safety of a single dose of the novel LAMA/LABA fixed-dose combination of glycopyrronium/formoterol fumarate dihydrate metered dose inhaler, formulated using co-suspension delivery technology, in Japanese healthy subjects

Exhaled breath analysis for the discrimination of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma are the most common chronic respiratory diseases. In middle-aged and elderly patients, it is difficult to distinguish between COPD and asthma based on clinical symptoms and pulmonary function examinations in clinical practice. Thus, an accurate and reliable inspection method is required. In this study, we aimed to identify breath biomarkers and evaluate the accuracy of breathomics-based methods for discriminating between COPD and asthma. In this multi-center cross-sectional study, exhaled breath samples were collected from 89 patients with COPD and 73 with asthma and detected on a high-pressure photon ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPPI-TOFMS) platform from 20 October 2022, to 20 May 2023, in four hospitals. Data analysis was performed from 15 June 2023 to 16 August 2023. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were calculated to assess the overall performance of the volatile organic component (VOC)-based COPD and asthma discrimination models. Potential VOC markers related to COPD and asthma were also analyzed. The age of all participants ranged from to 18-86 years, and 54 (33.3%) were men. The age [median (minimum, maximum)] of COPD and asthma participants were 66.0 (46.0, 86.0), and 44.0 (17.0, 80.0). The male and female ratio of COPD and asthma participants were 14/75 and 40/33, respectively. Based on breathomics feature selection, ten VOCs were identified as COPD and asthma discrimination biomarkers via breath testing. The joint panel of these ten VOCs achieved an area under the curve of 0.843, sensitivity of 75.9%, specificity of 87.5%, and accuracy of 80.0% in COPD and asthma discrimination. Furthermore, the VOCs detected in the breath samples were closely related to the clinical characteristics of COPD and asthma. The VOC-based COPD and asthma discrimination model showed good accuracy, providing a new strategy for clinical diagnosis. Breathomics-based methods may play an important role in the diagnosis of COPD and asthma.

The Pharmacokinetics, Safety and Tolerability of Aclidinium Bromide 400 μg Administered by Inhalation as Single and Multiple (Twice Daily) Doses in Healthy Chinese Participants

Purpose

To date, aclidinium pharmacokinetic (PK) studies have focused on Caucasian populations, and no data are available for Chinese populations. We aimed to characterize the PK and safety profile of aclidinium and its metabolites (LAS34823 and LAS34850) following single and multiple (twice-daily; BID) dosing in healthy Chinese participants, and to compare PK data between Chinese and Caucasian populations.

Materials and methods

In this Phase I, open-label study (NCT03276052), healthy participants from a single site in China received aclidinium bromide 400 µg via a dry powder inhaler. The Day 1 single dose was followed by a washout period of 96 hours. On Days 5 through 8, participants received BID doses.

Results

Twenty healthy Chinese participants, aged 18-45 years, were enrolled. Aclidinium absorption was rapid (median time to maximum concentration [tmax] 0.08 hours post-dose following single/multiple doses). LAS34823 had a similar median tmax of 0.08 hours, whereas LAS34850 tmax occurred later (median 2.50-3.00 hours). Aclidinium, LAS34823, and LAS34850 concentrations declined in a bi-phasic manner; geometric mean half-life was 13.5 hours (single dosing) and 21.4 hours (multiple dosing), while steady state was generally achieved after 5 days' continuous dosing. Area under the concentration-time curve during a dosage interval (AUCτ) metabolite to parent ratios for LAS34823 were 2.6 (Day 1) and 2.9 (Day 9), while LAS34850 had ratios of 136.0 and 94.8, respectively. Aclidinium accumulation occurred after 5 days of BID dosing (LS mean accumulation ratio for AUCτ Day 9/Day 1: 214.1% [90% CI, 176.5, 259.6]); LAS34823 accumulation was similar, while LAS34850 accumulation was lower. Between-participant exposure variability was moderate to high for aclidinium and LAS34823, and low for LAS34850.

Conclusion

Single and multiple doses of aclidinium were well tolerated in healthy Chinese participants. The safety profile of and exposure to aclidinium was consistent with previous studies conducted in Caucasian populations.

An Evaluation of the Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Tolerability of Aclidinium/Formoterol Fixed-Dose Combination Administered in Chinese Patients with Moderate-to-Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Background and Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability of aclidinium bromide/formoterol fumarate in patients from China with moderate-to-severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods

In this open-label, repeat-dose, 5-day pharmacokinetic study (NCT03276078) of inhaled aclidinium bromide/formoterol fumarate 400/12 µg twice daily, plasma concentrations of aclidinium, formoterol, and two aclidinium metabolites (LAS34823, LAS34850) were assessed (days 1 and 5). Adverse event (AE) data were collected.

Results

Twenty patients (15 [75%] males) with a mean age of 59.2 years were included. Median (range) time to maximum concentration on days 1 and 5 was 0.08 (0.08–0.50) and 0.08 (0.08–0.50) h, respectively, for aclidinium; and 1.00 (0.08–3.00) and 0.08 (0.08–1.50) h, respectively, for formoterol. Mean elimination half-life and accumulation ratio for area under the concentration–time curve during a dosage interval (AUC_τ) was 19.42 h and 2.0, respectively, for aclidinium; and 14.06 h and 1.4, respectively, for formoterol. Steady-state maximum concentration (C_max,ss) and AUC_τ on day 5 were 60.86 pg/mL and 168.80 h·pg/mL, respectively, for aclidinium; and 6.47 pg/mL and 31.98 h·pg/mL, respectively, for formoterol. Aclidinium produced high coefficients of variation (day 1: AUC_τ 79.0%, C_max 84.5%; day 5: AUC_τ 82.2%, C_max 150.0%). Few AEs were reported, typically one per patient. One patient discontinued due to a serious AE (considered possibly unrelated to treatment).

Conclusions

Aclidinium/formoterol 400/12 µg twice daily was well-tolerated in patients from China with moderate-to-severe COPD. Safety findings were consistent with the known safety profile.

Clinical Trial Identifier

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03276078.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40268-021-00374-z.

Glycopyrrolate and formoterol fumarate for the treatment of COPD

INTRODUCTION

Long acting bronchodilators are nowadays the central treatment for management of stable COPD. Several combinations exist within the market with different formulation devices. This article reviews a recent dual combination of glycopyrronium and formoterol fumarate in an innovative pMDI-fixed dual combination, Bevespi® Aerosphere.

AREAS COVERED

This article explored the literature to understand the place of this novel combination and unique delivery drug device in today's therapeutic arsenal. Clinical efficacy and safety have been evaluated through the different clinical trials published in public databases.

EXPERT OPINION

Within the fixed-dose combinations, Glycopyrrolate and formoterol fumarate offer a credible unique pMDI option to be given twice a day. LABA-LAMA offers an ICS-free alternative in COPD pharmacology which represents an important treatment option given the current debate over whether or not, maintenance triple therapy combined with ICS are benefic in the long term.

Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Modelling of Glycopyrronium in Patients With Renal Impairment

Glycopyrronium bromide, a synthetic anticholinergic agent used to treat patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is eliminated from the body by renal excretion and therefore systemic exposure is expected to be increased in patients with decreasing renal function. Despite enrollment of patients with decreasing renal function to evaluate the impact of renal impairment on the pharmacokinetics of glycopyrronium in clinical studies, no patients with severe renal impairment were included. A physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model was developed in patients with COPD with normal renal function and used to predict systemic exposure of glycopyrronium in patients with severe renal impairment. The model accurately predicted plasma concentration-time profiles in patients with normal renal function, and mild and moderate renal impairment; the predicted and observed AUC and C_max in these populations were similar. Compared to patients with normal renal function, a 1.20-, 1.45-, and 1.59-fold increase AUC was predicted in patients with mild, moderate, and severe renal impairment, respectively, suggesting dose adjustment is not necessary in patients with renal impairment. In conclusion, PBPK models, verified with clinical study data from patients with normal renal function, can potentially be used to predict the pharmacokinetics and recommended dose adjustment for patients with renal impairment.

Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and safety of a novel extrafine BDP/FF/GB combination delivered via metered-dose inhaler in healthy Chinese subjects

BACKGROUND

BDP/FF/GB pMDI is a novel triple fixed-dose combination of extra-fine inhalation aerosol beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP)/formoterol fumarate (FF)/glycopyrronium bromide (GB). Limited data on the pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) properties of BDP/FF/GB fixed-dose combination in healthy subjects was available.

PURPOSES

This study aimed to evaluate the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and safety of BDP/FF/GB pMDI in healthy Chinese subjects.

METHODS

This is an open-label, parallel-group, randomized, single and multiple dose study. In the single dose group, subjects received single supra-therapeutic inhaled dose of BDP/FF/GB pMDI (BDP/FF/GB 400/24/50 µg). In the multiple dose group, subjects received therapeutic inhaled dose of BDP/FF/GB pMDI (BDP/FF/GB 200/12/25 µg), twice daily, for 7 consecutive days. Plasma BDP, B17MP, formoterol and GB were determined by a validated ultra performance liquid chromatography method with tandem mass spectrometric detection (UPLC/MS-MS). Heart rate (HR), QTcF, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were evaluated as the surrogate indicators of pharmacodynamic effects.

RESULTS

A total of 24 subjects were randomized and 22 (11 in each group) completed the study. The dose adjusted pharmacokinetic profiles of BDP, beclomethasone-17-monopropionate (B17MP, the most active metabolite of BDP), formoterol and GB were overall similar in therapeutic and supra- therapeutic dose group, showing dose proportional increase of the systemic exposure to BDP, B17MP, formoterol and GB. The pharmacodynamic variables were within the normal range and showed no significant difference between the two groups. All the treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were mild and no severe TEAE was reported.

CONCLUSIONS

Dose adjusted PK profiles were similar between therapeutic and supra-therapeutic dose for all compounds, nearly dose proportional systemic exposure to B17MP, formoterol and GB after BDP/FF/GB pMDI administration in healthy Chinese subjects. BDP/FF/GB pMDI was safe and well tolerated in healthy Chinese subjects. The PK profiles were comparable to previously published data from Western European healthy Caucasian subjects.

Pharmacokinetics and Tolerability of Budesonide/Glycopyrronium/Formoterol Fumarate Dihydrate and Glycopyrronium/Formoterol Fumarate Dihydrate Metered Dose Inhalers in Healthy Chinese Adults: A Randomized, Double-blind, Parallel-group Study

PURPOSE

The objective of this study was to assess pharmacokinetic (PK) and safety profiles of 2 fixed-dose combinations in development for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): budesonide/glycopyrronium/formoterol fumarate dihydrate metered-dose inhaler (BGF MDI; triple combination) and glycopyrronium/formoterol fumarate dihydrate (GFF MDI; dual combination). The PK and safety profiles of BGF MDI and GFF MDI were assessed for the first time in healthy Chinese adults after single and repeated (7-day) dosing.

METHODS

This Phase I, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group study was conducted at a single site in Shanghai, China. Male or female Chinese subjects, 18-45 years of age and in good general health, were randomized 1:1:1 to receive BGF MDI 320/14.4/10 μg, BGF MDI 160/14.4/10 μg, or GFF MDI 14.4/10 μg. PK parameters were assessed after a single dose (day 1) and at steady state (day 8), and included AUC_0-12, C_max, and T_max. Tolerability was assessed using physical examination findings, adverse events reporting, 12-lead ECG, vital signs, and clinical laboratory values.

FINDINGS

Ninety-six subjects (mean age, 25.6 years; 83.3% male) were randomized and received treatment. All randomized subjects were included in the safety and PK populations. After single and repeated dosing, budesonide AUC_0-12 and C_max were increased dose proportionally from BGF MDI 160/14.4/10 μg to BGF MDI 320/14.4/10 μg, respectively (single dose: AUC_0-12, 811.8 vs 1748 h · pg/mL; C_max, 224.3 vs 459.3 pg/mL; repeated dosing: AUC_0-12, 1250 vs 2510 h · pg/mL; C_max, 315.4 vs 626.4 pg/mL). After single and repeated dosing, glycopyrronium AUC_0-12 and C_max were similar across all treatments (single dose: AUC_0-12, 27.20-29.40 h · pg/mL; C_max, 4.884-5.674 pg/mL; repeated dosing: AUC_0-12, 69.49-77.08 h · pg/mL; C_max, 11.30-13.12 pg/mL) and formoterol (single dose: AUC_0-12, 46.49-53.58 h · pg/mL; C_max 9.651-10.62 pg/mL; repeated dosing: AUC_0-12, 81.94-85.32 h · pg/mL; C_max, 16.13-17.71 pg/mL), suggesting that the addition of budesonide did not appreciably alter the PK properties of GFF MDI. All treatment-emergent adverse events were mild in severity and rates were similar across groups (range, 50.0%-56.3%). There were no new or unexpected findings on tolerability.

IMPLICATIONS

Overall, all treatments were well tolerated and PK parameters were generally comparable to those previously reported in Western and Japanese healthy subjects, suggesting that the doses of BGF MDI and GFF MDI in development globally for COPD are also appropriate for Chinese patients with COPD. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03075267.