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Background: KRT-232 is a potent, selective, orally available, targeted inhibitor of human MDM2 homolog interactions with tumor suppressor protein 53 (p53). KRT-232 is under development for treatment of myeloproliferative neoplasms, acute myeloid leukemia and Merkel cell carcinoma. KRT-232 is a highly permeable 568.6 g/mol, monoprotic carboxylic acid (pKa 4.35); elimination involves primarily biliary-fecal excretion of an acyl glucuronide metabolite (M1) and enteric glucuronide hydrolysis with enterohepatic recirculation of parent drug. M1 is a 744.7 g/mol monoprotic acid with pKa 3.32 and 1/5th the MDM2 inhibitory potency of KRT-232. Plasma protein binding (fup) of KRT-232 and M1 were ~0.026 and ~0.006, respectively. Static model drug-drug interaction (DDI) calculations (FDA-CDER. 2020) indicated a potential minor DDI with substrates of cytochrome P450s (CYP) CYP3A4 and CYP2C8, UGT1A1, P-glycoprotein 1 (P-gp) and OATP1B1/3. Here, a 'fit-for-purpose' PBPK model for KRT-232 was developed using physicochemical, preclinical (in vitroandin vivo) and clinical pharmacokinetic (PK) data (KartosData on file; Ye et al.Xenobiotica. 2015; Gluck et al.Invest New Drugs. 2020 [Study A]). Methods:Simcyp Simulator V17 (release 1; 27/11/2017; 17.0.90.0) was used. In vitro kinetic parameters: In vitroKi for competitive inhibition of CYP2C8 was 3.8 and 0.17 µM for KRT-232 and M1, respectively.In vitroKI and kinact for mechanism-based inhibition of CYP3A4 by KRT-232 were 28 µM and 4.14 h-1, respectively. Estimatedin vitroKi values for KRT-232-mediated inhibition of UGT1A1, P-gp, OATP1B1 and OATP1B3, were 1.9, 14.8, 4.9 and 6.9 µM. For M1-mediated inhibition of UGT1A1, OATP1B1 and OATP1B3, values were 2.3, 0.393 and 0.606 µM. Model development and verification:KRT-232 absorption was described by a first-order process; fraction absorbed was assumed to be 100% and the absorption rate constant was manually optimized using observed mean plasma concentration data from Part 1 of Study A. KRT-232 clearance was based onin vitroformation clearance of M1 in human liver microsomes, scaled up 4-fold based on observed oral clearance of KRT-232 (Wood et al.Drug Metab Dispos. 2017). KRT-232 distribution volume was described by a minimal PBPK model. KRT-232 and M1 DDI parameters were based onin vitrodata. M1 clearance was manually optimized using mean observed data from Study A (Part 1, 240 mg dose), and distribution volume was predicted by the Simulator using Method 1 and a full PBPK model. PBPK simulated data were compared with patient PK data collected during Part 2 of Study A. Model application:The model predicted potential DDI after steady state (SS) 240 mg once daily KRT-232 administration with substrates of CYP3A4, CYP2C8, UGT1A1, P-gp and OATP1B1/3. DDI simulations included 100 virtual subjects assigned to 10 virtual trials (N=10 each). Population estimates of geometric mean and median Cmax and AUC0-∞ ratios were generated. A "worst case" sensitivity analysis was performed by using a 10-fold increase inin vitroCYP3A4 interaction potency (KI, EC50) relative to the measuredin vitrovalue. Results:Figure 1shows simulated SS mean and individual observed KRT-232 and M1 concentration data from Part 2 of Study A. SS KRT-232 Cmax, AUC0-24h and t1/2 were predicted within 0.80-1.25-fold of observed PK data and tmax was under-predicted (0.36-fold) by the model (Table 1). M1 Cmax and AUC0-24h were within 0.80-1.25-fold of observed PK data on Day 1 (not shown). M1 Cmax on Day 7 was within 0.80-1.25-fold of observed PK data and SS AUC0-24h, t1/2, and tmax were underpredicted (0.72, 0.79 and 0.61-fold) relative to observed PK data. In all simulated DDIs, no clinically significant interaction was predicted for SS 240 mg doses of KRT-232 since predicted Cmax and AUC0-∞ geometric mean ratio (GMR) changes were less than 1.25-fold (Table 2). The CYP3A4 DDI simulation gave a population GMR (90% CI) for Cmax and AUC0-∞ of 1.07 (1.06, 1.09) and 1.15 (1.12, 1.17), respectively. In a sensitivity check, predicted midazolam Cmax and AUC0-∞ after a 10-fold reduction ofin vitroKI and EC50 were 1.44-fold and 2.18-fold, respectively. Although unlikely, a weak CYP3A4 DDI could not be definitively excluded. Conclusions: Mean plasma exposure of KRT-232 and M1 and inter-individual variability were adequately described by the PBPK model. No clinically significant DDI were predicted based on Cmax and AUC0-∞ GMR changes of less than 1.25-fold. Disclosures Templeton: Certara UK, LTD.:Current Employment.Podoll:IV/PO, LLC:Consultancy.Krejsa:Kartos Therapeutics:Current Employment;AstraZeneca:Current equity holder in publicly-traded company;Seattle Genetics:Current equity holder in publicly-traded company;Acerta Pharma:Current equity holder in private company.Slatter:Kartos Therapeutics:Current Employment;AstraZeneca:Current equity holder in publicly-traded company;Amgen:Divested equity in a private or publicly-traded company in the past 24 months.

Background: KRT-232 is a potent, selective, orally available, small-molecule drug that binds to mouse double minute 2 homolog (MDM2) and inhibits its interactions with tumor suppressor protein p53. KRT-232 is under development for treatment of myeloproliferative neoplasms, acute myeloid leukemia, and Merkel cell carcinoma. Increased serum MIC-1 (pg/mL) is a pharmacodynamic (PD) marker of p53-mediated activity in patients treated with KRT-232 (Allard,HemaSphere, 2020;4:S1, Abstract EP519). The aim of this study was to assess the safety and effect of a high-fat meal on KRT-232 pharmacokinetics (PK) and MIC-1 PD of a new tablet formulation in healthy volunteers. This is the first characterization of a MDM2-inhibitor-induced MIC-1 response in healthy volunteers. Methods: KRT-232-105 was a single-center, open-label, 60-mg single-dose, 3-treatment, 4-period, and 3-sequence study with a partial replicate crossover design. Volunteers (N=30) were randomized to three treatment groups: A: new tablet, fasted (reference, dosed twice in Periods 2-4); B: new tablet, 30 min after a high-fat, high-calorie meal (test 1, dosed once in periods 2-4); C: current tablet, fasted (test 2, period 1 only). Plasma KRT-232, its acyl glucuronide metabolite (M1) and serum MIC-1 concentrations were measured over 0-96 h. Urine from group C was collected over 0-48 h. Doses were one week apart. All volunteers had aH pyloribreath test and were genotyped for UGT1A1*28 polymorphisms. Results: Volunteers were 43% female, 7% African American and 77% Hispanic/Latino. Mean age was 38.1 y (range, 18-54), and mean body mass index was 26.9 kg/m2 (range, 21.4-30.9). No deaths, serious adverse events (SAEs), or discontinuations were reported. Twenty-one treatment-emergent AEs (TEAEs) were observed in 13 (43%) volunteers; constipation was the most frequent AE, followed by headache. All TEAEs were grade 1 (n=17) or grade 2 (n=4: 1 headache event [possibly study drug-related] and 3 events of headache, influenza-like illness, and pharyngitis). Mean (SD) concentration-time plots of KRT-232 and M1 were similar across the 3 groups (Figure 1a and b). A second peak was observed, consistent with enterohepatic recirculation. With a meal (test 1), KRT-232 geometric least-squares mean (GLSM) maximum concentration (Cmax) was similar (431 and 442 ng/mL (GLSM ratio [90% CI], 103% [87.4-121]) and KRT-232 GLSM area under the curve (AUC0-t) decreased from 2858 to 2325 ng∙h/mL (GLSM ratio [90% CI], 81.4 [76.2-86.9]). Median time of Cmax (Tmax) was 2 h fasted and 3 h fed. Geometric mean half life (t1/2) was unchanged (17.0 vs 17.1 h). Under fasting conditions, the current tablet (C, test 2) vs new tablet (A, reference), KRT-232 GLSM Cmax decreased from 431 to 337 ng/mL (GLSM ratio [90% CI], 78.4% [72.0-85.3]) and KRT-232 GLSM AUC0-t had a possible small decrease (2858 and 2455 ng∙h/mL, GLSM ratio [90% CI], 85.9 [80.5-91.7]). Median Tmax (~2 h) and geometric mean t1/2 (17 h) were unchanged. The fraction of the KRT-232 dose in urine as KRT-232 and M1 was negligible at 0.0201% and 0.0220% of dose, respectively. KRT-232 is a carboxylic acid with pH-dependent solubility that increases with increasing pH.H pyloriinfection, which can increase stomach pH, did not have any discernable impact on KRT-232 PK. KRT-232 and M1 exposure in heterozygous UGT1A1*28 poor metabolizers (6/7 TA repeats, N=16) was generally comparable to exposure in wild-type (WT) UGT1A1*28 (6/6 TA repeats, N=12) subjects. MIC-1 concentrations in serum were variable and followed the PK time course with a median Tmax lag of ~8-12 h. Group A: Mean Cmax 2115 pg/mL, C0 (Baseline) 170 pg/mL, AUC0-T 89267 pg*h/mL and mean t1/2 27 h. MIC-1 Cmax and AUC were generally comparable over 96 h across groups (Figure 1c).Figure 1dshows the statistically significant correlation between KRT-232 AUC0-t and MIC-1 AUC0-t. Conclusions: Based on generally comparable PK, KRT-232 can be administered with or without food, and no dose adjustment is warranted with a new tablet formulation. KRT-232 PK was not affected byH pylori, inferring that higher gastric pH did not alter absorption of KRT-232. KRT-232 exposure in UGT1A1*28 heterozygous poor metabolizers was generally comparable to WT UGT1A1*28 wild type healthy volunteers. The 60-mg KRT-232 dose elicited a reproducible and robust MIC-1 response that correlated with KRT-232 exposure, indicating MDM2-p53 target engagement. Disclosures Wong: Kartos Therapeutics:Current Employment;AbbVie Biotherapeutics:Ended employment in the past 24 months.Krejsa:Kartos Therapeutics:Current Employment;AstraZeneca:Current equity holder in publicly-traded company;Seattle Genetics:Current equity holder in publicly-traded company;Acerta Pharma:Current equity holder in private company.Lee:Kartos Therapeutics:Current Employment.Harris:Gilead Sciences:Current equity holder in publicly-traded company;Kartos Therapeutics:Current Employment, Current equity holder in private company;BeiGene:Ended employment in the past 24 months;Clovis:Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Ended employment in the past 24 months.Simard:Certara:Current Employment;AltaScience:Ended employment in the past 24 months.Wang:Certara:Current Employment.Rubets:Certara:Current Employment.Allard:Certara:Consultancy, Ended employment in the past 24 months;CytomX Therapeutics:Ended employment in the past 24 months;Telios Pharma:Current Employment, Current equity holder in private company.Podoll:IV/PO, LLC:Consultancy.O'Reilly:Celerion:Current Employment.Slatter:Amgen:Divested equity in a private or publicly-traded company in the past 24 months;Kartos Therapeutics:Current Employment;AstraZeneca:Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. OffLabel Disclosure: Yes, KRT-232 is an investigational small molecule MDM2 inhibitor.

Emixustat potently inhibits the visual cycle isomerase retinal pigment epithelium protein 65 (RPE65) to reduce the accumulation of toxic bisretinoid by-products that lead to various retinopathies. Orally administered emixustat is cleared rapidly from the plasma, with little excreted unchanged. The hydroxypropylamine moiety that is critical in emixustat’s inhibition of RPE65 is oxidatively deaminated to three major carboxylic acid metabolites that appear rapidly in plasma. These metabolites greatly exceed the plasma concentrations of emixustat and demonstrate formation-rate-limited metabolite kinetics. This study investigated in vitro deamination of emixustat in human vascular membrane fractions, plasma, and recombinant human vascular adhesion protein-1 (VAP-1), demonstrating single-enzyme kinetics for the formation of a stable aldehyde intermediate (ACU-5201) in all in vitro systems. The in vitro systems used herein established sequential formation of the major metabolites with addition of assay components for aldehyde dehydrogenase and cytochrome P450. Reaction phenotyping experiments using selective chemical inhibitors and recombinant enzymes of monoamine oxidase, VAP-1, and lysyl oxidase showed that only VAP-1 deaminated emixustat. In individually derived human vascular membranes from umbilical cord and aorta, rates of emixustat deamination were highly correlated to VAP-1 marker substrate activity (benzylamine) and VAP-1 levels measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In donor-matched plasma samples, soluble VAP-1 activity and levels were lower than in aorta membranes. A variety of potential comedications did not strongly inhibit emixustat deamination in vitro.

Lipid A is an essential component of the Gram negative outer membrane, which protects the bacterium from attack of many antibiotics. The Lipid A biosynthesis pathway is essential for Gram negative bacterial growth and is unique to these bacteria. The first committed step in Lipid A biosynthesis is catalysis by LpxC, a zinc dependent deacetylase. We show the design of an LpxC inhibitor utilizing a robust model which directed efficient design of picomolar inhibitors. Analysis of physiochemical properties drove design to focus on an optimal lipophilicity profile. Further structure based design took advantage of a conserved water network over the active site, and with the optimal lipophilicity profile, led to an improved LpxC inhibitor with in vivo activity against wild type Pseudomonas aeruginosa.