Population pharmacokinetic and pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modeling of bempedoic acid and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in healthy subjects and patients with dyslipidemia

Population pharmacokinetics (popPK) of bempedoic acid and the popPK/pharmacodynamic (popPK/PD) relationship between bempedoic acid concentrations and serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) from baseline were characterized. A two-compartment disposition model with a transit absorption compartment and linear elimination best described bempedoic acid oral pharmacokinetics (PK). Multiple covariates, including renal function, sex, and weight, had statistically significant effects on the predicted steady-state area under the curve. Mild (estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) 60 to < 90 mL/min vs. ≥ 90 mL/min) and moderate (eGFR 30 to < 60 mL/min vs. ≥ 90 mL/min) renal impairment, female sex, low (< 70 kg vs. 70-100 kg) and high (> 100 kg vs. 70-100 kg) body weight were predicted to have a 1.36-fold (90% confidence interval (CI) 1.32, 1.41), 1.85-fold (90% CI 1.74, 2.00), 1.39-fold (90% CI 1.34, 1.47), 1.35-fold (90% CI 1.30, 1.41), and 0.75-fold (90% CI 0.72, 0.79) exposure difference relative to their reference populations, respectively. An indirect response model described changes in serum LDL-C with a model-predicted 35% maximal reduction and bempedoic acid IC50 of 3.17 µg/mL. A 28% reduction from LDL-C baseline was predicted for a steady-state average concentration of 12.5 µg/mL after bempedoic acid (180 mg/day) dosing, accounting for approximately 80% of the predicted maximal LDL-C reduction. Concurrent statin therapy, regardless of intensity, reduced the maximal effect of bempedoic acid but resulted in similar steady-state LDL-C levels. While multiple covariates had statistically significant effects on PK and LDL-C lowering, none were predicted to warrant bempedoic acid dose adjustment.

Absence of effect of steady state bempedoic acid on cardiac repolarization: Results of a thorough QT/QTc study in healthy volunteers

Bempedoic acid is an inhibitor of adenosine triphosphate-citrate lyase approved for use in adults with hypercholesterolemia. Nonclinical studies assessed binding to the human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG) potassium channel in vitro and the effect of bempedoic acid on QT/QTc in cynomolgus monkeys. A randomized, double-blind, parallel-design clinical study assessed the effects of steady-state bempedoic acid at a supratherapeutic dose (240 mg/day, 33.3% higher the180 mg/day therapeutic dose), placebo, and moxifloxacin (400 mg) in healthy subjects. In vitro binding potency for bempedoic acid to the hERG potassium channel was weak, with half-maximal inhibition (IC50 ) estimated at greater than 1000 μM (>1670-fold the bempedoic acid 180 mg/day steady-state unbound maximum concentration). In monkeys, individual rate-corrected QT intervals showed no time- or dose-dependent changes up to 100 mg/kg of bempedoic acid. In human subjects, the upper 90% confidence interval (CI) for the difference in QTc interval, corrected using Fridericia's formula (QTcF), between bempedoic acid and placebo was less than 5 msec at all time points. Concentration-QTcF analysis showed that maximum bempedoic acid concentration at steady-state was attained at a median 2.1 h postdose, and the predicted mean change (90% CI) in QTcF at the observed mean bempedoic acid concentration 2 h postdose was -0.5 (-5.0, 4.0) msec. The lower bound of the moxifloxacin 90% CI exceeded 5 msec at prespecified time points, establishing study sensitivity. Steady-state bempedoic acid at a supratherapeutic dose of 240 mg was generally well-tolerated and not associated with QTc prolongation in healthy subjects.