Clinical Pharmacology for Wayrilz
Mechanism Of Action
Rilzabrutinib is a small-molecule, covalent, reversible kinase inhibitor targeting Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK). Rilzabrutinib mediates its therapeutic effect in ITP through immune modulation including 1) inhibition of B cell activation, and 2) interruption of antibody-coated cell phagocytosis by Fcγ receptor (FcγR) in spleen and liver. In vitro, rilzabrutinib reduced autoantibody signaling mediated through the FcγR pathway, blocked B cell signaling, and decreased autoantibody generation through effects on B cell activation.
Pharmacodynamics
Plasma Exposure and BTK Occupancy
WAYRILZ has a short duration of systemic exposure with a long duration of action on the target due to its slow dissociation from BTK. At therapeutic doses in healthy participants, durable BTK occupancy in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was observed over a 24-hour period.
Pharmacokinetics
The pharmacokinetics of rilzabrutinib are presented as geometric mean (% coefficient of variation) unless otherwise specified. The Cmax and AUC of rilzabrutinib increase proportionally following administration of multiple doses of 300 mg to 600 mg. Steady-state plasma levels are reached within 3 days with accumulation up to 1.3-fold at the approved recommended dosage. Following daily doses of 400 mg rilzabrutinib twice daily, the steady-state Cmax and AUC24h are 150 ng/mL (56%) and 1540 ng.h/mL (57.5%), respectively.
Absorption
The absolute oral bioavailability of rilzabrutinib is 4.7%. Following a single oral dose of 400 mg rilzabrutinib, the median time to peak plasma concentration (Tmax) is approximately 2 hours.
Effect of Food:
Rilzabrutinib AUC and Cmax decreased by 20% and 31%, respectively, following administration of a single oral 400 mg dose with a high fat meal (approximately 1,000 calories with 50% of total caloric content from fat).
Distribution
The volume of distribution at terminal phase (Vz) after IV administration is 149L. Rilzabrutinib is 97.5% bound to plasma proteins and the blood-to-plasma ratio is 0.786.
Metabolism
Rilzabrutinib is predominantly metabolized by cytochrome P450 3A.
Elimination
The clearance of rilzabrutinib is time-independent. Following multiple doses of 400 mg twice daily rilzabrutinib in patients with ITP, mean CL/F ranged from 246 to 911 L/h. Based on the population pharmacokinetic analysis in patients with ITP, the mean CL/F was 516 L/h.
In Phase 1 studies, the half-life of rilzabrutinib ranged between 1.6 to 4.5 hours.
Excretion
Following administration of a single 400 mg 14C-labeled rilzabrutinib dose in healthy subjects, approximately 86% of the dose was recovered in feces (9% unchanged) and to a lesser extent in urine (~5%) and bile (~6%). Approximately 0.03% of rilzabrutinib was excreted unchanged in the urine.
Special Populations
No clinically significant differences in the pharmacokinetics of rilzabrutinib were observed based on age (12 to 80 years), sex, race, mild to moderate renal impairment (CLCR 46 to 89 mL/min), or mild hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh class A). Rilzabrutinib exposure (both Cmax and AUC) increased by approximately 4.5-fold in participants with moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh class B). Patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh class C) and CLCR <46 mL /min have not been studied.
Drug Interaction Studies
Clinical Studies and Model-Informed Approaches Effect of Other Drugs on Rilzabrutinib
Strong CYP3A inhibitors: Concomitant use with ritonavir (strong CYP3A inhibitor) increased rilzabrutinib Cmax by approximately 5-fold and AUC by 8-fold at steady state.
Moderate CYP3A inhibitors: Concomitant use with moderate CYP3A inhibitors (fluconazole, erythromycin and verapamil) is predicted to increase rilzabrutinib Cmax and AUC by approximately 3-fold at steady state.
Weak CYP3A inhibitors: Cimetidine is predicted to increase rilzabrutinib Cmax by approximately 2-fold and AUC by 1.6-fold.
Strong CYP3A inducers: Coadministration of rifampin (strong CYP3A inducer) decreased rilzabrutinib Cmax and AUC by approximately 80% at steady state.
Moderate CYP3A inducers: Coadministration of moderate CYP3A inducers (efavirenz, rifabutin) is predicted to reduce rilzabrutinib Cmax and AUC by up to 70% at steady state.
Weak CYP3A inducers: Modafinil is predicted to reduce rilzabrutinib Cmax and AUC by 20%.
Proton pump inhibitor: Coadministration of esomeprazole (proton pump inhibitor) decreased rilzabrutinib Cmax by 55% and AUC by 51%.
H2 receptor antagonist: Administration of famotidine (H2 receptor antagonist) two hours after the evening dose of rilzabrutinib decreased the next morning dose of rilzabrutinib Cmax by 35% and AUC by 28%.
P-glycoprotein (P-gp) inhibitor: Coadministration of quinidine (P-gp inhibitor) increased rilzabrutinib Cmax and AUC by approximately 13% at steady state.
Effect of Rilzabrutinib on Other Drugs
CYP3A4 substrates: Concomitant use of a single dose of rilzabrutinib 400 mg with midazolam (sensitive CYP3A inhibitor) increased midazolam Cmax and AUC by 2.2-fold as observed in study with healthy participants. Midazolam AUC is predicted to increase up to 3.0-fold in patients with immune thrombocytopenia following coadministration with 400 mg rilzabrutinib twice daily.
In Vitro Studies
CYP Enzymes: Rilzabrutinib is a substrate of CYP3A. Rilzabrutinib is both an inhibitor and inducer of CYP3A.
Transporters: Rilzabrutinib is a substrate of P-gp and BCRP, but not a substrate for OAT1, OAT3, OCT1, OCT2, OATP1B1, OATP1B3, or BSEP. Rilzabrutinib inhibits P-gp, BCRP, OATP1B1, OATP1B3, and BSEP at clinically relevant concentrations.