Adhesion Evaluation of AG200-15: An Investigational Transdermal Contraceptive Delivery System.

Introduction: AG200-15, an investigational transdermal contraceptive delivery system or patch, is designed to be a low-dose, non-daily, combined hormonal contraceptive option for women. In this phase 1 study, the in vivo adhesion of the AG200-15 patch was compared to Xulane, the only contraceptive patch available in the USA.

Methods: This phase 1, randomized, open-label, single-dose, two-treatment, two-period crossover adhesion study compared the 7-day adhesion of the AG200-15 and Xulane contraceptive patches. Eighty-three women, ages 18 to 35 years old, with body mass index (BMI) ≥ 19 kg/m and < 35 kg/m, and weight ≥ 48 kg and < 90 kg were enrolled. Trained study site personnel used a five-point scale to assess patch adhesion daily. A score of 0 reflected at least 90% adhesion; while a score of 4 represented complete detachment of the patch. The primary objective was to compare the adhesion properties of the two patches; AG200-15 would be considered statistically non-inferior to Xulane if the upper 95% confidence limit (CL) of the mean difference in adhesion scores was below + 0.15.

Results: The overall mean (standard deviation) scores for AG200-15 (N = 78) and Xulane (N = 77) were 0.14 (0.28) and 0.39 (0.40), respectively (lower scores on the adhesion scale indicate better adhesion). The study demonstrated a difference in mean adhesion scores of - 0.24, meeting the prespecified non-inferiority criterion by demonstrating a one-sided upper CL of - 0.16. Thus, the in vivo adhesion of AG200-15 was shown to be non-inferior to that of Xulane. Most subjects experienced no skin irritation at the application site for either patch and no serious adverse event was reported in the study.

Conclusion: The in vivo adhesion of AG200-15 is non-inferior to that of Xulane on the basis of the prespecified criterion of the upper bound of the one-sided 95% CL for the mean adhesion score difference being below + 0.15. Both patches were generally well tolerated.

Funding: Agile Therapeutics, Inc.