Pharmacokinetics and Tolerability of the Novel Oral Prostacyclin IP Receptor Agonist Selexipag.

PURPOSE: Targeting the prostacyclin pathway is an effective treatment option for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Patients with PAH have a deficiency of prostacyclin and prostacyclin synthase. Selexipag is an orally available and selective prostacyclin receptor (IP receptor) agonist. Selexipag is hydrolyzed to its active metabolite ACT-333679, also a selective and potent agonist at the IP receptor.
METHODS: In this phase I study the pharmacokinetics (PK) and tolerability of single and multiple ascending doses of selexipag were investigated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled manner in 64 healthy male subjects. An additional group of 12 subjects received an open-label dose of selexipag 400 μg in the fasted condition and after a meal.
RESULTS: Maximum plasma concentrations of selexipag and ACT-333679 were reached within 2.5 and 4 h, respectively, with mean half-lives of 0.7-2.3 and 9.4-14.22 h. In the presence of food, exposure to ACT-333679 was decreased by 27 %. The most frequent adverse event was headache. Selexipag was well tolerated up to a single dose of 400 μg and multiple doses of 600 μg following an up-titration step. No relevant treatment-related effects on vital signs, clinical laboratory, and electrocardiogram (ECG) parameters were detected.
CONCLUSION: Selexipag exhibits a good tolerability profile and PK properties that warrant further investigation.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes

Key Points

Introduction

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a hemodynamic and pathophysiological condition affecting the pulmonary arterioles and characterized by progressive increases in pulmonary vascular resistance and pulmonary artery pressure, ultimately leading to right heart failure and premature death [1, 2]. Recent therapeutic options have significantly improved the long-term outcome of patients with PAH, but PAH remains a disease with a poor prognosis [3-5].

Reduced expression of prostacyclin synthases in the lung and reduced levels of prostacyclin are key features of PAH [6-8]. Prostacyclin is produced by endothelial cells from prostaglandin H2 (PGH2) by the enzyme prostacyclin synthase [6]. Prostacyclin is a potent vasodilator and also has anti-proliferative, antithrombotic, and anti-inflammatory effects [8, 9]. As PAH is associated with vasoconstriction, proliferation, and thrombosis, there is a strong rationale for using prostacyclin treatment [1, 2, 10]. Restoration of IP receptor signaling using prostacyclin receptor (IP receptor) agonists is an effective strategy in the treatment of the disease.

Although beneficial effects of prostacyclins such as epoprostenol have been documented, their clinical application remains cumbersome due to limited stability and a very short half-life of 3–5 min [11] as well as the need for continuous intravenous (IV) infusion. Complex delivery systems are required that are associated with adverse and potentially serious complications. These may hamper dose titration and may lead to discontinuation of treatment [12, 13]. Epoprostenol was the first targeted PAH therapy to be approved, and improved the prognosis of patients with PAH [11, 14, 15]. Several prostacyclin analogs have been synthesized since, with different modes of application, including subcutaneous, inhaled, and oral. Alternatives to epoprostenol include treprostinil and iloprost in the USA and some European countries and beraprost in Japan and Korea.

Selexipag (previously known as NS-304 or ACT-293987) (Fig. 1) is a novel orally available selective IP receptor agonist. Selexipag is rapidly absorbed after oral administration and hydrolyzed to the pharmacologically more active metabolite ACT-333679 (previously known as MRE-269) [16]. ACT-333679 is considered as the major contributor to the overall activity of the drug. A single-dose study of oral selexipag (100 µg) conducted in five healthy male subjects showed that it was metabolized to ACT-333679, which has an elimination half-life in the human body of 7.9 h [17]. Although it acts through the prostacyclin pathway, selexipag is chemically distinct from prostacyclin analogs and has a high selectivity for the human IP receptor over other receptors [17].

Fig. 1

Chemical structures of selexipag and its metabolite ACT-333679

The aim of the present study was to assess the pharmacokinetics (PK) of single ascending doses (SAD) and multiple ascending doses (MAD) of selexipag in healthy male subjects. In addition, the effect of food on PK and tolerability was evaluated.

Methods

Subjects

The protocol was approved by the Research Ethics Committee at St Thomas’ Hospital (London, UK). Written informed consent was obtained from all subjects. The study was conducted in full compliance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki and with laws and regulations of the UK, where the research study was conducted. The Medicine and Health Care Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) of the UK reviewed and approved the study before any activity commenced.

The study population included non-smoking healthy male subjects of any ethnic origin aged between 18 and 45 years, with a body mass index (BMI) between 19 and 30 kg/m2. Subjects were assessed to be healthy on the basis of screening examinations. For recruitment, the subjects were to have normal physical examination findings, vital signs, laboratory values, and 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) results during screening, as well as no history or evidence of alcohol or drug abuse. Subjects who reported the use of another investigational drug, smoking, or donation of blood within 3 months prior to first dosing were excluded from the study.

Study Design

The SAD and MAD studies were double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, dose-escalation phase I studies evaluating the safety, tolerability, and PK of selexipag and ACT-333679, whereas the food effect was evaluated in an open-label, randomized, two-period crossover study.

Subjects who were deemed eligible (based on screening, inclusion and exclusion criteria) were admitted to the site in the evening of the day before the start of treatment (Day 1). They were tested for any evidence of consumption or abuse of alcohol or drugs and were assigned the randomization code number for the corresponding study treatment group. Within each group of the SAD and MAD part, subjects were randomly allocated to selexipag or placebo. Dose escalation to the next treatment group was performed following satisfactory review of the safety and tolerability of the preceding dose groups.

In the SAD study, subjects were enrolled: eight subjects each participated in one of five treatment groups (100, 200, 400, 600, and 800 µg dose groups), in which six and two subjects per dose group were randomized to active medication and placebo, respectively. In all dose groups, subjects received the study drug in the fasted state in the morning of treatment Day 1. The subjects remained under observation at the study site for 48 h after administration of the study drug and were discharged after all study assessments were completed (i.e., in the morning of Day 3). A post-treatment follow-up visit was performed on Day 7 for adverse event (AE) review, medical history update, and clinical laboratory safety tests. The dose used to study the food effect was selected based on the safety and tolerability results of the SAD study. In period 1, a total of 12 subjects received a single dose of 400 μg after an overnight fast of at least 10 h or following a high-fat breakfast given 30 min pre-dose [18]. In period 2, the same subjects received the study medication in the alternative condition to period 1. The dosing in both periods was separated by at least 7 days. The subjects remained under observation at the study site for 48 h after administration of the study drug. A post-treatment follow-up visit was performed on Day 7 for AE review, medical history update, and clinical laboratory safety tests.

In the MAD study, 24 healthy male subjects were studied in three groups of eight subjects each (six receiving active drug and two receiving placebo) in one of three treatment groups (200 µg, 400 µg, up-titration scheme from 400 to 600 µg dose groups). In the morning of Day 1, a single oral dose of selexipag or placebo was administered; no study drug was administered on Day 2. On Days 3–7, treatment was twice daily, followed by a single dose of selexipag or placebo in the morning of Day 8. Subjects in the 400/600 µg up-titration group received a single oral dose of selexipag 400 µg or placebo in the morning of Day 1. No study drug was administered on Day 2. Subsequently, on Days 3–4, selexipag 400 µg or placebo was administered twice daily, followed by selexipag 600 µg or placebo twice daily on Days 5–7, and then a single dose of selexipag 600 µg or placebo in the morning of Day 8. All doses were administered within 5 min after breakfast or dinner. Based on the results of the food-effect study, investigators decided to administer selexipag in the MAD part of the study in the fed state. Subjects resided at the study site until the morning of Day 10 (48 h after last dose). A follow-up visit for AE review, medical history update, and clinical laboratory safety tests was performed on Day 17.

Safety and Tolerability

Subjects were monitored for safety and tolerability throughout the study. Assessments were based on recording of AEs as well as physical examination, vital signs, ECGs, and clinical laboratory tests, performed at screening and periodically after dosing.

Sample Collection and Bio-Analysis

Plasma and urine samples were collected for measurement of selexipag and ACT-333679 concentrations. Validated liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) assays specific for measurement of the unchanged compound as well as the metabolite were used. The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was 0.01 ng/ml for both analytes in plasma and urine.

To 600 µl of acidified plasma (containing 10 % of 1 M hydrochloric acid) or acidified urine, 50 µl of internal standard solution (MRE-282, methanol as solvent), 500 µl of 1 % formic acid, and 50 µl of methanol were added. The samples were loaded onto a solid-phase extraction cartridge (OASIS HLB 60 mg/3 cc, Waters Corporation, Milford, MA, USA), washed, and eluted with methanol 6 ml. After evaporation of eluted solutions under a stream of nitrogen gas heated to a maximum temperature of 40 °C, the residues were reconstituted in 200 µl of solvent (ultrapure water and methanol mixed in a 50:50 ratio), centrifuged (12,000 rpm, 2 min, 4 °C), and 20 µl of the supernatant was injected onto the LC–MS/MS. The chromatographic system consisted of a pump, a column (Develosil C30-UG-5 2 mm × 150 mm, 5 µm particle size, Nomura Chemical Co. Ltd., Seto, Japan), and a guard filter (Rheodyne Column Inlet Filter 3 mm diameter frit Rheodyne, Co. Ltd, Rohnert Park, CA, USA). Mobile phases consisted of methanol/formic acid 0.1 % (85:15 vol/vol). Mass spectrometric detection was performed with a turbo ion spray operating in positive-ion mode at 600 °C. Samples were quantified using peak area ratios.

Quality control (QC) samples were analyzed, and their measured concentrations were used to determine between-run, overall precision, and accuracy of the analyses. The inter-batch coefficients of variation of QC samples were between 3.7 and 12.2 % for selexipag and between 3.9 and 10.6 % for ACT-333679, whereas the inter-batch accuracies were in the range of 97.5–107.9 % for selexipag and 95.2–102.0 % for ACT-333679.

In the SAD and the food-effect studies, blood samples were collected into lithium-heparin tubes on Day 1 prior to dosing, and at 0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 24, 36, and 48 h post-dose. A similar schedule of blood sampling was applied in the MAD study for Day 1 and 2 (first 36 h post-dose only) and on Day 8–10, whereas blood was sampled every morning immediately before dosing between Days 3 and 7. Within 30 min of collection, blood samples were centrifuged, plasma was transferred into new polypropylene tubes, and 10 % of 1 M hydrochloric acid was added. All samples were stored in an upright position at −20 °C or below.

Urine samples were collected into polyethylene containers over the following time intervals: pre-dose, 0–12, 12–24, and 24–48 h post-dose for the SAD study and 0–48 h post-dose on Day 1 and Day 8 for the MAD study. Hydrochloric acid (100 ml of 1.0 M HCl) was added to each container before urine collection commenced. During each collection period, the contents were stored in a refrigerator at approximately 4 °C. At the end of each collection period, the total volume was measured, and urine aliquots were stored at approximately −20 °C.

Data Analysis and Statistical Results

Pharmacokinetic analyses were performed to determine the plasma PK parameters and the total excretion of selexipag and ACT-333679 in urine. Individual plasma concentrations were analyzed using WinNonLin® 4.1.b software and the PK parameters per subject were derived.

Dose proportionality was assessed for selexipag and ACT-333679 across doses for maximum plasma concentration (C max) and area under plasma concentration–time curve from 0 to infinity (AUC0–∞) or AUCτ values using a power model [19]. A point estimate and 95 % confidence interval (CI) were produced for the population mean slope. Non-dose proportionality was established if the 95 % CI for the slope excluded 1.

The effect of food on the PK of a single dose of selexipag 400 µg was investigated using a mixed-effects analysis of variance model, with fixed-effect terms for sequence, treatment, and period and a random effect for subject, which was fitted to the data using PROC MIXED in the statistical package SAS. The primary PK parameters C max and AUC0–∞ of selexipag and ACT-333679 were logarithmically transformed prior to statistical analysis.

The 90 % CI of the ratio of geometric means for the variables C max and AUC0–∞ was calculated comparing fed versus fasted. No effect of food was concluded when the 90 % CI was entirely within the bioequivalence interval of 0.80–1.25.

Concentrations below the LLOQ prior to C max were taken as zero, and those observed after C max were excluded from the analysis.

Statistical Analysis System (SAS®) software, version 8.2 (SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA) was used for all statistical analysis.

Results

Demographics and Baseline Characteristics

In the SAD study, 40 healthy male subjects were randomized (29 Caucasian, six Black, three Asian, one Hispanic, and one ‘other’). The age range was 19–44 years, and the BMI was 21–30 kg/m2.

In the MAD study, 24 healthy male subjects aged between 18 and 34 years (22 Caucasian, two Asian) were enrolled, with a BMI of 20–30 kg/m2.

In the food-effect study, 12 healthy subjects (seven Caucasian, three Asian, one Hispanic, and one Black) aged between 19 and 44 years were enrolled, with a BMI of 19–27 kg/m2.

All except two subjects completed the study. One subject within the food-effect study discontinued the study prematurely as a result of increased liver enzymes of less than two times the upper limit of normal, probably due to alcohol intake during the washout period. This subject was not replaced. A subject in the MAD study, who withdrew consent post-dose on Day 1, was replaced.

Across all three studies, a total of 113 treatment-emergent AEs were reported by 43 of the 77 subjects included in the safety analysis. Overall, the most frequently reported AE was headache. Selexipag was well tolerated in the SAD study at the 100, 200, and 400 μg dose levels, at all dose levels in the MAD study, and in the food-effect study. AEs occurred with increasing frequency and intensity at single doses beyond 400 μg.

No clinically relevant effects of treatment with selexipag on mean clinical laboratory parameters, ECG recordings, physical examination, and vital sign values were observed. No AEs related to clinical laboratory variables, ECG recordings, or physical examination were recorded. There were no serious AEs. The majority of AEs resolved spontaneously without sequelae. One incident of procedural site reaction, rash, and nasal congestion in the MAD study had not resolved at follow-up. Summaries of the AEs reported during the SAD and MAD parts of the study, including those AEs judged to be unrelated to study drug, are provided in Tables 1 and 2.

Table 1

Summary of treatment-emergent adverse events (including unrelated) by frequency (fasted) reported by two or more subjects following single ascending doses

Group: all subjects	Treatment (selexipag/placebo)
	100 µg	200 µg	400 µg	600 µg	800 µg	Total selexipag	Placebo
n	6	6	6	6	6	30	10
All system organ classes
Total subjects with at least one AE	1	1	0	4	6	12	4
Total number of AEs	2	2	0	12	17	33	7
Headache	1	1	–	2	5	9	–
Nausea	–	–	–	2	3	5	1
Vomiting	–	–	–	1	3	4	–
Dizziness	1	–	–	–	2	3	–
Dizziness postural	–	1	–	1	1	3	1

Only AEs with onset after start of treatment are included

AE(s) adverse event(s)

Table 2

Summary of treatment-emergent adverse events (including unrelated events) by frequency (fasted) reported by two or more subjects following multiple ascending doses

Group: all subjects	Treatment (selexipag/placebo)
	200 µg	400 µg	400/600 µg	Total selexipag	Placebo
n	6	6	7	19	6
All system organ classes
Total subjects with at least one AE	5	5	5	15	5
Total number of AEs	15	26	15	56	10
Headache	3	4	3	10	1
Procedural site reaction	1	3	2	6	1
Dizziness	1	1	2	4	1
Somnolence	2	2	–	4	–
Cough	–	1	1	2	–
Pharyngolaryngeal pain	–	1	1	2	1
Nausea	–	1	1	2	–
Rhinitis	–	1	1	2	1
Feeling abnormal	–	2	–	2	–

200 and 400 µg group: subjects received selexipag/placebo once daily on Day 1, twice daily on Days 3–7 and once daily on Day 8. 400/600 µg group = Day 1, 3, 4 at 400 µg; Days 5–8 at 600 µg

AE(s) adverse event(s)

In the SAD study, 16 of the 40 subjects reported AEs, 12 (40 %) subjects after administration of selexipag and four (40 %) subjects after administration of placebo. The most frequent treatment-emergent AE was headache, with nine subjects across the different selexipag dose groups, and none in the placebo group. Six subjects reported nausea: five subjects within the 600 and 800 µg dose groups and one in the placebo group. The incidence and intensity increased at doses higher than 400 µg. All subjects who received selexipag 800 μg reported at least one AE.

Selexipag was well tolerated by the subjects participating in the food study. Nine treatment-emergent AEs were reported by six of the 12 subjects. Two subjects (17 %) reported AEs in the fed period and five subjects (45 %) in the fasted period. One subject was withdrawn before period 2 dosing because of increased hepatic enzymes of less than two times the upper limit of normal, probably due to alcohol consumption during the washout period.

Multiple doses of selexipag were well tolerated at the 200, 400, and 400 μg/600 μg dose levels. A total of 66 treatment-emergent AEs were reported by 20 of the 25 subjects, of whom 15 (79 %) received selexipag and five (83 %) received placebo. There was no consistent trend in the number of AEs with increasing doses of selexipag, and the incidence of AEs per subject was similar for all treatment groups.

Plasma Pharmacokinetics

The PK parameters determined in the SAD and MAD study are reported in Tables 3 and 4, respectively.

Table 3

Pharmacokinetic parameters of selexipag and ACT-333679 in healthy male subjects after a single oral dose of selexipag 100–800 µg in the fasted state

Dose (µg)	n	C max (ng/ml)	t max (h)	AUC0–∞ (ng·h/ml)	t ½ (h)
Selexipag
100	6	2.20 (1.42–3.52)	1.26 (1.0–1.5)	4.61 (3.0–8.3)	0.7 (0.7–0.9)
200	6	3.40 (1.98–7.98)	1.00 (1.0–1.5)	6.77 (4.5–14.9)	0.8 (0.7–1.0)
400	6	5.98 (3.86–10.40)	1.00 (1.0–1.5)	12.35 (7.6–20.5)	1.0 (0.8–1.9)
600	6	11.19 (7.16–15.66)	1.00 (1.0–2.0)	23.27 (19.7–27.2)	1.9 (0.7–2.8)
800	6	11.53 (9.45–14.81)	1.00 (0.5–1.5)	24.97 (18.1–35.3)	2.3 (1.0–3.4)
ACT-333679
100	6	1.99 (1.51–2.44)	2.50 (2.0–4.0)	12.60 (9.1–15.5)	9.8 (8.1–12.2)
200	6	4.10 (2.78–5.36)	2.75 (2.0–4.0)	26.33 (19.3–36.4)	12.6 (11.5–15.6)
400	6	8.18 (4.50–15.64)	2.25 (2.0–4.0)	53.65 (30.7–125.9)	9.8 (8.5–11.3)
600	6	12.47 (10.08–16.10)	2.50 (2.0–4.0)	78.85 (59.5–121.5)	9.4 (8.5–11.5)
800	6	14.37 (10.85–17.84)	2.25 (1.5–4.0)	93.30 (64.4–142.9)	10.7 (8.4–14.9)

Data are geometric means (and range) or for t max the median (and range)

AUC area under the plasma concentration–time curve from 0 to infinity, C maximum plasma concentration, n number of subjects, t terminal elimination half-life, t time to reach C max

Table 4

Pharmacokinetic parameters of selexipag and ACT-333679 in healthy male subjects following multiple oral doses of selexipag in the fasted state

Dose	C max (ng/ml)	t max (h)	AUC0–12h (Day 1) or AUCτ (Day 8)(ng·h/ml)	t ½ (h)	AUCτ, Day 8/AUC0–12h, Day 1
Selexipag
200 µg
Day 1 (n = 6)	2.41 (1.55–4.37)	2.00 (1.0–3.0)	5.86 (3.8–10.8)	0.96 (0.7–1.4)	NA
Day 8 (n = 6)	1.85 (1.27–3.58)	2.25 (1.5–3.0)	5.38 (3.2–8.7)	1.14 (0.8–1.5)	0.92 (0.81–1.04)
400 µg
Day 1 (n = 12)a	4.34 (2.14–7.55)	2.50 (1.5–4.0)	11.04 (5.8–15.6)	1.28 (0.7–1.8)	NA
Day 8 (n = 6)	4.12 (2.68–5.64)	2.26 (1.0–3.0)	9.70 (7.4–12.5)	1.41 (1.2–1.9)	0.79 (0.56–1.12)
600 µg
Day 8 (n = 6)	5.29 (3.14–7.03)	2.00 (1.0–4.0)	13.78 (10.8–17.8)	1.24 (0.7–2.5)
ACT-333679
200 µg
Day 1 (n = 6)	3.45 (2.62–4.25)	4.00 (4.0–4.1)	17.65 (12.4–23.1)	11.97 (11.1–13.2)	NA
Day 8 (n = 6)	3.29 (2.39–5.50)	4.00 (3.0–4.0)	22.38 (15.5–34.5)	14.22 (11.2–19.9)	1.27 (1.07–1.51)
400 µg
Day 1 (n = 12)a	5.92 (3.54–10.13)	4.00 (3.0–4.0)	27.90 (17.1–47.0)	10.46 (8.7–13.6)	NA
Day 8 (n = 6)	4.69 (3.68–8.55)	4.00 (2.0–4.0)	29.28 (23.8–51.2)	13.72 (10.8–15.9)	1.02 (0.84–1.15)
600 µg
Day 8 (n = 6)	8.72 (6.72–10.06)	4.00 (3.0–4.0)	46.86 (35.7–58.4)	10.53 (8.5–14.7)	NA

Data are geometric means (and range) or for t max the median (and range)

AUC area under the plasma concentration–time curve during a dose interval, AUC area under the plasma concentration–time curve from 0 to 12 h, C maximum plasma concentration, n number of subjects, NA not applicable, t terminal half-life, t time to reach maximum plasma concentration

a n = 12 comprising six subjects in the 400 µg dose group and six in the 400/600 µg dose group. In the 400/600 µg dose group, subjects received 400 µg selexipag on Day 1

Following single oral administration of selexipag under fasted conditions, peak plasma concentrations were achieved within 2 h, with no concentrations above 15.66 ng/ml. The mean plasma concentration–time profiles of selexipag and its metabolite on Day 1 in all dose groups are shown in Fig. 2. Selexipag plasma concentrations declined rapidly, and no subject who received active drug had plasma concentrations detectable beyond 16 h. The elimination of selexipag was characterized by a mean terminal half-life varying between 0.7 and 2.3 h in the different dose groups. The maximum plasma concentrations of the metabolite were achieved between 2.25 and 2.75 h post-dose, with no concentration above 17.84 ng/ml. The terminal half-life of ACT-333679 was longer than that of selexipag, with means of between 9.4 and 12.6 h in the different dose groups. The exposure to ACT-333679 was approximately fourfold higher than with selexipag. Analysis of the data for dose proportionality showed that the 95 % CI of selexipag and ACT-333679 for the slope included 1 for both C max and AUC0–∞, suggesting an approximate dose-proportional increase in both parameters across the doses tested (data not shown).

Fig. 2

Mean (standard deviation) plasma concentration–time profiles of selexipag (a) and ACT-333679 (b) after a single dose in healthy male subjects by dose group on Day 1 (n = 6 per dose group) in the fasted state

In the presence of food, the mean AUC0–∞ for selexipag and ACT-333679 was, on average, 10 % higher and 27 % lower, respectively, whereas the median time to C max increased from 1.00 and 2.50 h in the fasted state to 2.75 and 4.00 h in the fed state, respectively. The ratios of geometric means (90 % CI) for fed/fasted conditions for C max were 0.65 (0.48–0.88) and for AUC0–∞ 1.10 (0.92–1.30) for selexipag and 0.52 (0.41–0.65) and 0.73 (0.65–0.81) for the active metabolite, respectively.

The mean plasma concentration–time profiles of selexipag and its metabolite on Day 8 after multiple-dose administration in all dose groups are shown in Fig. 3. The observed and calculated PK variables on Day 1 and 8 for both parent compound and metabolite are shown in Table 2. The accumulation factors for selexipag, as estimated by the geometric mean ratio of AUCτ on Day 8 and AUC0–12h on Day 1 were 0.92 and 0.79 after 200 and 400 µg, respectively. The accumulation factors for ACT-333679 were 1.27 and 1.02 after 200 and 400 µg selexipag, respectively. Based on visual inspection of the mean trough concentrations of selexipag and ACT-333679, concentrations on Day 8 were at steady state (data not shown). The results of the dose-proportionality testing for selexipag using the power model assessment of Day 8 AUCτ and C max versus dose indicated a slope (95 % CI) of 0.85 (0.59–1.12) and 0.98 (0.61–1.34), respectively. The 95 % CI for both variables included 1, indicating dose-proportional PK of selexipag in the dose range tested. For ACT-333679, the results of the power model assessments showed that the slope and the 95 % CI were 0.85 (0.51–1.18) and 0.64 (0.31–0.97) for C max and AUCτ, respectively. This indicates a dose-proportional increase in rate of exposure and a slight deviation from dose proportionality in extent of exposure to the active metabolite.

Fig. 3

Mean plasma concentration–time profiles after multiple dosing of selexipag (a) and ACT-333679 (b) in healthy male subjects by dose group on Day 8 (200 µg, 400 µg, and 600 µg) (n = 6 per dose group); in the fed state

Urine Pharmacokinetics

Selexipag could not be detected in urine, whereas ACT-333679 was detected for doses of 200 µg and higher. The active metabolite was mainly excreted during the first 12 h after dose, and the total amount excreted increased with increasing selexipag doses. The fraction of the administered selexipag dose excreted as ACT-333679 in urine was below 0.12 % for all dose groups.

Discussion

Overall, single doses of selexipag given after overnight fasting were well tolerated at the 100, 200, and 400 μg dose levels. Single doses of selexipag were less well tolerated at the 600 and 800 μg dose levels due to increasing incidence and severity of AEs such as headache, nausea, dizziness, and vomiting. Multiple doses of selexipag were well tolerated at the 200 μg, 400 μg, and 400/600 μg twice daily dose levels. Interestingly, flushing, a relatively common side effect of intravenous epoprostenol [11, 20], was not reported by any subject receiving selexipag. Likewise, no symptomatic hypotension was reported.

A dosing regimen of 600 μg selexipag twice daily was well tolerated during the MAD part of the study following up-titration from 400 μg, whereas 600 μg selexipag as a single dose without prior up-titration was less well tolerated following a single dose in the SAD study. This suggests improved tolerability after repeated dosing. Gradual dose up-titration is a common treatment regimen for drugs addressing the prostacyclin pathway, including epoprostenol (IV), treprostinil (oral, IV, subcutaneous, and inhaled), and iloprost (inhaled), which leads to individualized dosing for each patient based on the symptoms of the disease and tolerability of IP receptor agonists [21, 22]. This is of particular relevance as a clinical study on a subcutaneously administered prostacyclin analog suggested that patients who tolerate a higher dose of these drugs achieve greater improvement in disease markers such as exercise capacity [23].

Based on AUC and C max, the pharmacokinetics of selexipag were dose proportional over the tested dose range after single- and multiple-dose administration. Overall, after single- and multiple-dose administration, the plasma concentration–time profiles of selexipag were characterized by fast absorption (time to C max [t max] approximately 1 h after drug administration) and an apparent mean elimination half-life of 0.7–2.3 h in the different dose groups. The active metabolite ACT-333679 is rapidly formed and more slowly eliminated, with a mean elimination half-life of 9.4–14.2 h. These data are comparable to those obtained in a previous single-dose study [17].

The apparent dose-dependent increase in half-life could be explained by a longer time period above LLOQ and enabled capturing the actual elimination phase at higher doses that was not detectable at lower doses. The low urinary concentrations of unchanged selexipag or ACT-333679 indicate that this compound is mainly eliminated via the hepatobiliary route, but urinary excretion of other metabolites cannot be excluded.

Exposure to the metabolite exceeded that of the parent compound by a factor of approximately four. As ACT-333679 is a more potent IP receptor agonist in both receptor affinity and functional assays [17, 24], it is expected to be the major contributor to the pharmacological activity of selexipag. Within the multiple-dose regimen, no accumulation was measured in plasma on Day 8. Steady-state conditions had been attained within 8 days of twice-daily dosing. The observed PK profile of selexipag and its metabolite is consistent with twice-daily oral dosing, which is a regimen that has resulted in good patient compliance when compared with more frequent dosing regimens [25] or with other routes of administration [26, 27].

Compared with the fasted state, food decreased the rate of absorption of selexipag, shown by a decrease in C max and a delay in median t max. Food had no significant effect on the extent of exposure to selexipag, whereas exposure to the active metabolite was reduced by 27 %; however, with the sample size chosen for this exploratory study, the lower or upper limits of the 90 % CI for C max of selexipag and AUC and C max of ACT-333679 were not within the limits for absence of a food effect. It is interesting to note that more subjects reported AEs in the fasted period (45 % of subjects) than in the fed period (17 % of subjects), suggesting better tolerability when selexipag is administered with food.

Conclusion

Data from the SAD and MAD studies of selexipag show single oral doses of up to 400 µg selexipag and twice-daily multiple oral doses of 600 µg following up-titration from 400 µg selexipag were well tolerated by healthy male subjects. Tolerability was improved following an up-titration scheme. The PK profile supports twice-daily dosing taken with food. Further investigations to achieve higher dose levels following an up-titration regimen are warranted.

Orally administered selexipag is in development for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Selexipag targets the prostacyclin pathway, one of the key pathways involved in the pathology of PAH.

In this phase I study, selexipag was well tolerated in healthy male subjects receiving both single oral doses up to 400 µg and multiple oral doses of twice-daily 600 µg (following up-titration from 400 µg).

Tolerability was improved when the drug was up-titrated in steps.

The drug pharmacokinetic profile supports that selexipag should be taken twice daily with food.