Comparison of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, safety, and immunogenicity of teriparatide biosimilar with EU- and US-approved teriparatide reference products in healthy men and postmenopausal women

Biosimilar teriparatide (INTG-8) was tested in a healthy population of males and postmenopausal females to assess pharmacokinetic bioequivalence to originator teriparatide comparator products. Primary pharmacokinetic comparison confirmed bioequivalence. Pharmacodynamics, safety, and tolerability were comparable to the originator products. INTG-8 was therefore confirmed to be biosimilar to originator products.

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this present study was to demonstrate pharmacokinetic (PK) equivalence of a biosimilar teriparatide (INTG8) to EU- and US-approved teriparatide reference products in healthy men and postmenopausal women. Secondary objectives included comparison of the pharmacodynamics (PD), safety, and tolerability.

METHODS

One hundred and five subjects randomly (1:1:1) received single subcutaneous 20 μg injection of teriparatide biosimilar, EU- and US-teriparatide on 3 consecutive days in this assessor-blind, three-period, single-dose, crossover study. Maximum serum concentration (C_max), area under the curve (AUC) from time zero to t (AUC_0-t), and AUC from time zero extrapolated to infinity (AUC_0-∞) were primary PK parameters, analyzed by non-compartmental methods. The secondary PD endpoints were maximum observed effect (E_max), area under the effect curve (AUE) from time zero to the last measurable concentration (AUE_0-t), and time to maximum observed effect (Tmax) for total serum calcium levels. Safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity were also evaluated. This study was registered with ctri.nic.in/ (CTRI/2020/10/028627) on 26 October 2020.

RESULTS

Baseline demographics were similar across the three-treatment sequence groups. The 90% confidence intervals (CI) for the geometric mean ratios (test:reference) of Cmax, AUC_0-t, and AUC_0-∞ were within the predefined bioequivalence criterion of 80.00% to 125.00%, which demonstrated PK equivalence of teriparatide biosimilar to EU- and US-teriparatide for all primary endpoints. The PD comparability was demonstrated by similar serum calcium levels. Study treatments were generally well tolerated and showed no meaningful differences in safety or immunogenicity profiles. There were no deaths, or serious AEs were reported during this study.

CONCLUSION

The study demonstrated PK bioequivalence of teriparatide biosimilar to the EU- and US-teriparatide reference products with comparable PD, safety, and immunogenicity profiles.