P–587 Highly purified human menopausal gonadotrophin (HP-hMG, Menopur) as a ready-to-use solution for injection in pre-filled pen is bioequivalent to HP-hMG powder for reconstitution

Study question

Are serum FSH levels after single subcutaneous dosing of HP-hMG in a liquid formulation and a powder formulation bioequivalent?

Summary answer

The 90% CIs for the geometric mean ratios of serum FSH AUCt and Cmax were both within 0.8000–1.2500, thus the two formulations are bioequivalent.

What is known already

For several decades, HP-hMG (Menopur) has been used for the treatment of infertility; its efficacy and safety compared to other gonadotropins have been consistently demonstrated in several prospective, randomised controlled trials and meta-analyses (Deeks et al 2018; Bordewijk et al 2019). Menopur powder for reconstitution is available in multidose and single dose formulations. Up to 3 single dose vials (each containing 75 IU) may be dissolved into 1 mL solvent for administration. Recently, and for the first time, Menopur has been successfully formulated in a stable, ready-to-use solution for injection, which may be administered by a pre-filled pen.

Study design, size, duration

This was a randomised, two-way crossover, single dose, bioequivalence trial comparing Menopur liquid injected by pre-filled pen, with Menopur powder injected by conventional syringe and needle. The primary endpoints were AUCt and Cmax of baseline-adjusted FSH. Pituitary-suppressed, healthy women were randomised to receive one treatment sequence including a single subcutaneous injection of 450 IU Menopur liquid (600 IU/0.96 mL) and of 450 IU Menopur powder by two subcutaneous injections of 225 IU in 1 mL.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

Blood samples were collected pre- and post-dose, until 9 days after each injection. The PK parameters of FSH and hCG were assessed by noncompartmental methods with adjustment for endogenous pre-dose levels. Highly sensitive and specific electrochemiluminescence immunoassays were used for quantification and the LLOQ of the FSH and hCG assays were 1.47 mIU/mL and 0.5 mIU/mL, respectively, and the total validated CV was within 5% for both assays.

Main results and the role of chance

In total, 76 women were randomised and 56 completed the trial. The main reason for discontinuation was insufficient pituitary suppression prior to the second administration of HP-hMG. The mean FSH and hCG serum concentration-time profiles were comparable between the two HP-hMG formulations. The geometric mean ratios and 90% confidence intervals of FSH for HP-hMG liquid versus HP-hMG powder were 1.12 [1.0562; 1.1889] for AUCt and 1.17 [1.0946; 1.2490] for Cmax, showing that the two formulations were bioequivalent. Maximal serum FSH concentrations were reached at 18.19 h for HP-HMG liquid and 15.55 h for HP-hMG powder. In addition to FSH, the PK parameters for hCG were compared between the two HP-hMG formulations. The geometric mean ratios and 90% confidence intervals for HP-hMG liquid versus HP-hMG powder were 0.93 [0.86; 1.01] for AUCt and 0.94 [0.86; 1.02] for Cmax. There was no difference between the two groups in the incidence or severity of adverse events, and both preparations were well tolerated. Mild injection site reactions were less common after administration of HP-hMG liquid by a single injection compared to HP-hMG powder by two injections and were mostly related to pain and erythema after drug administration.

Limitations, reasons for caution

This bioequivalence study is based on the comparison of single dose administrations in healthy female volunteers of reproductive age.

Wider implications of the findings: The new HP-hMG solution for injection in a pre-filled pen will deliver the efficacy and safety of Menopur in a convenient delivery device.

Trial registration number

NA

Anticonvulsant drugs differentially suppress individual ictal signs: A pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic analysis in the cortical stimulation model in the rat

Antiepileptic drugs can suppress seizures completely, but they may also modify the appearance of drug-resistant seizures. In this study, the effects of three antiepileptic drugs on a seizure pattern were assessed by means of population pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) modeling, yielding estimates of baseline response, EC50, and Hill slope. Lamotrigine did not affect eye closure, although it did suppress the other ictal signs in a concentration-dependent fashion. Midazolam suppressed forelimb clonus less potently than the other ictal signs; the same was observed for tiagabine with respect to eye closure. This study shows that ictal component analysis (ICA) in combination with PK/PD modeling may facilitate drug selection and dose optimization. The application of ICA is not restricted to a single seizure type or anticonvulsant drug and can be used to identify drug combinations that have a complementary action.

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of midazolam administered as a concentrated intranasal spray. A study in healthy volunteers

AIMS

To investigate the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile of midazolam administered as a concentrated intranasal spray, compared with intravenous midazolam, in healthy adult subjects.

METHODS

Subjects were administered single doses of 5 mg midazolam intranasally and intravenously in a cross-over design with washout period of 1 week. The total plasma concentrations of midazolam and the metabolite 1-hydroxymidazolam after both intranasal and intravenous administration were described with a single pharmacokinetic model. beta-band EEG activity was recorded and related to midazolam plasma concentrations using an exponential pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic model.

RESULTS

Administration of the intranasal spray led to some degree of temporary irritation in all six subjects, who nevertheless found intranasal administration acceptable and not painful. The mean (+/-s.d.) peak plasma concentration of midazolam of 71 (+/-25 ng ml-1) was reached after 14 (+/-5 min). Mean bioavailability following intranasal administration was 0.83+/-0.19. After intravenous and intranasal administration, the pharmacokinetic estimates of midazolam were: mean volume of distribution at steady state 1.11+/-0.25 l kg-1, mean systemic clearance 16.1+/-4.1 ml min-1 kg-1 and harmonic mean initial and terminal half lives 8.4+/-2.4 and 79+/-30 min, respectively. Formation of the 1-hydroxymetabolite after intranasal administration did not exceed that after intravenous administration.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study in healthy volunteers a concentrated midazolam nasal spray was easily administered and well tolerated. No serious complications of the mode of administration or the drug itself were reported. Rapid uptake and high bioavailability were demonstrated. The potential of midazolam given via a nasal spray in the acute treatment of status epilepticus and other seizure disruptions should be evaluated.