Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion of Cenobamate in Adult, Fetal, Neonatal, and Lactating Rats.

Background And Objective: Cenobamate is an antiseizure medication (ASM) approved for treatment of focal epilepsy in adults. The objective of this study was to characterize the distribution, metabolism, and excretion of cenobamate in adult and pre- and postnatal rats, including pregnant and lactating females and nursing pups.

Methods: Distribution, metabolic, and excretion profiles were determined for C-labeled and unlabeled cenobamate using liquid scintillation counting, radiochromatography, LCMS, and LCMS/MS after oral or intravenous (IV) administration.

Considerations from the Innovation and Quality Induction Working Group in Response to Drug-Drug Interaction Guidance from Regulatory Agencies: Guidelines on Model Fitting and Recommendations on Time Course for In Vitro Cytochrome P450 Induction Studies Including Impact on Drug Interaction Risk Assessment.

Translational and ADME Sciences Leadership Group Induction Working Group (IWG) presents an analysis on the time course for cytochrome P450 induction in primary human hepatocytes. Induction of CYP1A2, CYP2B6, and CYP3A4 was evaluated by seven IWG laboratories after incubation with prototypical inducers (omeprazole, phenobarbital, rifampicin, or efavirenz) for 6-72 hours. The effect of incubation duration and model-fitting approaches on induction parameters (E and EC) and drug-drug interaction (DDI) risk assessment was determined.

Application of a Rat Liver Drug Bioactivation Transcriptional Response Assay Early in Drug Development That Informs Chemically Reactive Metabolite Formation and Potential for Drug-induced Liver Injury.

Drug-induced liver injury is a major reason for drug candidate attrition from development, denied commercialization, market withdrawal, and restricted prescribing of pharmaceuticals. The metabolic bioactivation of drugs to chemically reactive metabolites (CRMs) contribute to liver-associated adverse drug reactions in humans that often goes undetected in conventional animal toxicology studies. A challenge for pharmaceutical drug discovery has been reliably selecting drug candidates with a low liability of forming CRM and reduced drug-induced liver injury potential, at projected therapeutic doses, without falsely restricting the development of safe drugs.

Evaluation of the Drug Interaction Potential of Doravirine.

Doravirine is a novel nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection. studies were conducted to assess the potential for drug interactions with doravirine via major drug-metabolizing enzymes and transporters. Kinetic studies confirmed that cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A) plays a major role in the metabolism of doravirine, with ∼20-fold-higher catalytic efficiency for CYP3A4 versus CYP3A5.

Overcoming Time-Dependent Inhibition (TDI) of Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) Resulting from Bioactivation of a Fluoropyrimidine Moiety.

Herein we describe structure-activity relationship (SAR) and metabolite identification (Met-ID) studies that provided insight into the origin of time-dependent inhibition (TDI) of cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) by compound 1. Collectively, these efforts revealed that bioactivation of the fluoropyrimidine moiety of 1 led to reactive metabolite formation via oxidative defluorination and was responsible for the observed TDI. We discovered that substitution at both the 4- and 6-positions of the 5-fluoropyrimidine of 1 was necessary to ameliorate this TDI as exemplified by compound 19.

Considerations from the IQ Induction Working Group in Response to Drug-Drug Interaction Guidance from Regulatory Agencies: Focus on Downregulation, CYP2C Induction, and CYP2B6 Positive Control.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA), the Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have issued guidelines for the conduct of drug-drug interaction studies. To examine the applicability of these regulatory recommendations specifically for induction, a group of scientists, under the auspices of the Drug Metabolism Leadership Group of the Innovation and Quality (IQ) Consortium, formed the Induction Working Group (IWG). A team of 19 scientists, from 16 of the 39 pharmaceutical companies that are members of the IQ Consortium and two Contract Research Organizations reviewed the recommendations, focusing initially on the current EMA guidelines.

Evaluation of CYP2B6 Induction and Prediction of Clinical Drug-Drug Interactions: Considerations from the IQ Consortium Induction Working Group-An Industry Perspective.

Drug-drug interactions (DDIs) due to CYP2B6 induction have recently gained prominence and clinical induction risk assessment is recommended by regulatory agencies. This work aimed to evaluate the potency of CYP2B6 versus CYP3A4 induction in vitro and from clinical studies and to assess the predictability of efavirenz versus bupropion as clinical probe substrates of CYP2B6 induction. The analysis indicates that the magnitude of CYP3A4 induction was higher than CYP2B6 both in vitro and in vivo.

Evaluation of cynomolgus monkeys for the identification of endogenous biomarkers for hepatic transporter inhibition and as a translatable model to predict pharmacokinetic interactions with statins in humans.

Inhibition of hepatic transporters such as organic anion transporting polypeptides (OATPs) 1B can cause drug-drug interactions (DDIs). Determining the impact of perpetrator drugs on the plasma exposure of endogenous substrates for OATP1B could be valuable to assess the risk for DDIs early in drug development. As OATP1B orthologs are well conserved between human and monkey, we assessed in cynomolgus monkeys the endogenous OATP1B substrates that are potentially suitable to assess DDI risk in humans.

Prednisone has no effect on the pharmacokinetics of CYP3A4 metabolized drugs - midazolam and odanacatib.

We evaluated the effect of prednisone on midazolam and odanacatib pharmacokinetics. In this open-label, 2-period crossover study in healthy male subjects, midazolam 2 mg was administered (Day -1) followed by odanacatib 50 mg (Day 1) during Part 1. In Period 2, prednisone 10 mg once daily (qd) was administered on Days 1-28; odanacatib was co-administered on Day 14 and midazolam 2 mg was co-administered on Days 1 and 28.

Pharmacological evaluation of selective α2c-adrenergic agonists in experimental animal models of nasal congestion.

Nasal congestion is one of the most troublesome symptoms of many upper airways diseases. We characterized the effect of selective α2c-adrenergic agonists in animal models of nasal congestion. In porcine mucosa tissue, compound A and compound B contracted nasal veins with only modest effects on arteries.

In vitro assessment of drug-drug interaction potential of boceprevir associated with drug metabolizing enzymes and transporters.

The inhibitory effect of boceprevir (BOC), an inhibitor of hepatitis C virus nonstructural protein 3 protease was evaluated in vitro against a panel of drug-metabolizing enzymes and transporters. BOC, a known substrate for cytochrome P450 (P450) CYP3A and aldo-ketoreductases, was a reversible time-dependent inhibitor (k(inact) = 0.12 minute(-1), K(I) = 6.

Substituted imidazole of 5-fluoro-2-[4-[(2-phenyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl)methyl]-1-piperazinyl]pyrimidine Inactivates cytochrome P450 2D6 by protein adduction.

5-Fluoro-2-[4-[(2-phenyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl)methyl]-1-piperazinyl]pyrimidine (SCH 66712) is a potent mechanism-based inactivator of human cytochrome P450 2D6 that displays type I binding spectra with a K(s) of 0.39 ± 0.10 μM.

Pharmacological characterization of a novel α2C-adrenoceptor agonist N-[3,4-dihydro-4-(1H-imidazol-4-ylmethyl)-2H-1, 4-benzoxazin-6-yl]-N-ethyl-N'-methylurea (compound A).

We define the pharmacological and pharmacokinetic profiles of a novel α(2C)-adrenoceptor agonist, compound A [N-[3,4-dihydro-4-(1H-imidazol-4-ylmethyl)-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-6-yl]-N-ethyl-N'-methylurea]. This compound has high affinity (K(i)) for the human α(2C)-adrenoceptor (K(i) = 12 nM), and 190- to 260-fold selectivity over the α(2A)- and α(2B)-adrenoceptor subtypes. In cell-based functional assays, compound A produced good agonist (EC(50) = 166 nM) and efficacy (E(max) = 64%) responses at the α(2C)-adrenoceptor, much lower potency and efficacy at the α(2A)-adrenoceptor (EC(50) = 1525 nM; E(max) = 8%) and α(2B)-adrenoceptor (EC(50) = 5814 nM; E(max) = 21%) subtypes, and low or no affinity and functional activity at the α(1A)-, α(1B)-, and α(1D)-adrenoceptor subtypes.

Pharmacokinetics of pseudoephedrine in rats, dogs, monkeys and its pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic relationship in a feline model of nasal congestion.

The objectives of these studies were to characterize the pharmacokinetics (PK) of the nasal decongestant pseudoephedrine (PSE) in rats, dogs, and monkeys, and to evaluate its lower gastrointestinal tract regional bioavailability in rats. An LC-MS/MS assay with a lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) of 0.4 ng/mL of plasma was developed for the analysis of PSE in animal plasma.

Loratadine and montelukast administered in combination produce decongestion in an experimental feline model of nasal congestion.

Background: Histamine and leukotrienes act to exert numerous local and systemic effects that contribute to the pathophysiology of allergic rhinitis. The aim of these experiments was to evaluate the nasal decongestant effects of loratadine and montelukast alone and in combination in a feline model of nasal congestion. We also studied the decongestant actions of the alpha-agonist adrenergic agonist D-pseudoephedrine with and without desloratadine.

Evaluation of CYP1A1 and CYP2B1/2 m-RNA induction in rat liver slices using the NanoString technology: a novel tool for drug discovery lead optimization.

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) induction in rodents and humans is considered a liability for new chemical entities (NCEs) in drug discovery. In particular, CYP1A1 and CYP2B1/2 have been associated with the induction of liver tumors in oncogenicity studies during safety evaluation studies of potential drugs. In our laboratory, real time PCR (Taqman) has been used to quantify the induction of rat hepatic CYP1A1 and CYP2B1/2 in precision -cut rat liver slices.

High-throughput evaluation of CYP1A1 and 2B1 induction in rat liver slices using a semi-automated system.

Drug candidates with the propensity to induce rat CYP1A1 or 2B1 isoforms are believed to possess a greater tendency to induce hepatic tumors in oncogenicity studies. We have previously published on a manual rat liver slice assay that showed a satisfactory relationship between in vitro CYP2B1 m-RNA induction using real time PCR and the ex vivo pentoxyresorufin O-dealkylase (PROD) activity in liver microsomes prepared from rats treated daily via the oral route for 14 consecutive days with inducers or non-inducers. We now describe this automated in vitro high throughput liver slice technique to screen out drug candidates that are potent rodent CYP1A1 and/or CYP2B1 inducers.

Co-induction of CYP3A12 and 3A26 in dog liver slices by xenobiotics: species difference between human and dog CYP3A induction.

The induction of dog CYP3A12 and CYP3A26 mRNA levels was evaluated in liver slices after treatment with 22 xenobiotics. Eleven of the 22 xenobiotics increased 3A12 mRNA by more than four-fold, while nine did the same for 3A26 mRNA. A four-fold increase in the mRNA level was used as the cut-off for indication of induction based on the noise level of the real time-PCR.

Temporal evaluation of CYP mRNA in mice administered with prototypical P450 inducers: comparison with conventional protein/enzyme methods.

Assessment of cytochrome P450 (CYP) induction at the mRNA level in preclinical rodent studies has gained interest in recent years, but there are still concerns regarding correlations between the mRNA and the enzyme activity levels, especially in mice. The purpose of the present study was to systematically evaluate patterns of temporal changes of CYPs 1a1, 1a2, 2b10, 3a11, and 4a10 at mRNA, protein, and activity levels in order to determine to what extent mRNA levels could be used either qualitatively or quantitatively for the assessment of CYP enzyme induction. In this study, livers from male CD-1 mice treated daily with beta-naphthoflavone, phenobarbital, dexamethasone, clofibrate, and control vehicles were collected for RNA and microsomal analysis after 0.

Discovery of a novel, orally active himbacine-based thrombin receptor antagonist (SCH 530348) with potent antiplatelet activity.

The discovery of an exceptionally potent series of thrombin receptor (PAR-1) antagonists based on the natural product himbacine is described. Optimization of this series has led to the discovery of 4 (SCH 530348), a potent, oral antiplatelet agent that is currently undergoing Phase-III clinical trials for acute coronary syndrome (unstable angina/non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction) and secondary prevention of cardiovascular events in high-risk patients.

Heterotricyclic himbacine analogs as potent, orally active thrombin receptor (protease activated receptor-1) antagonists.

Pursuing our earlier efforts in the himbacine-based thrombin receptor antagonist area, we have synthesized a series of compounds that incorporate heteroatoms in the C-ring of the tricyclic motif. This effort has resulted in the identification of several potent heterocyclic analogs with excellent affinity for the thrombin receptor. Several of these compounds demonstrated robust inhibition of platelet aggregation in an ex vivo model in cynomolgus monkeys following oral administration.

Metabolism-based identification of a potent thrombin receptor antagonist.

The metabolism of our prototypical thrombin receptor antagonist 1, Ki = 2.7 nM, was studied and three major metabolites (2, 4, and 5) were found. The structures of the metabolites were verified independently by synthesis.

Quantitative PCR assay for cytochromes P450 2B and 3A induction in rat precision-cut liver slices: correlation study with induction in vivo.

Introduction: In drug development, new chemical entities that cause cytochrome P450 induction are considered to be undesirable since P450 induction is linked to tumor formation and may compromise the evaluation of drug safety when autoinduction results in poor drug exposure.

Methods: We evaluated the use of the precision-cut liver slice as a model for measuring induction of cytochrome P450 in rats. Quantitative real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to analyze the induction of selected forms of cytochrome P450 at the mRNA level.

Optimization of purine based PDE1/PDE5 inhibitors to a potent and selective PDE5 inhibitor for the treatment of male ED.

In search of a PDE5 inhibitor for erectile dysfunction, an SAR was developed from a PDE1/PDE5 purine series of leads, which had modest PDE5 potency and poor isozyme selectivity. A compound (41) with PDE5 inhibition and in vivo activity similar to sildenafil was discovered from this effort. In addition, purine 41 demonstrated superior overall PDE isozyme selectivity when compared to the approved PDE5 inhibitors sildenafil, vardenafil, and tadalafil, which may result in a more favorable side-effect profile.

SAR development of polycyclic guanine derivatives targeted to the discovery of a selective PDE5 inhibitor for treatment of erectile dysfunction.

Development of structure-activity relationship of cyclic guanines I lead us to discovery of a potent and selective series of phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors 52-59 (IC50=1.3-11.0 nM, PDE6/5=116-600).