CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
Mechanism Of Action
Revefenacin is a long-acting
muscarinic antagonist, which is often referred to as an anticholinergic. It has
similar affinity to the subtypes of muscarinic receptors M1 to M5. In the
airways, it exhibits pharmacological effects through inhibition of M3 receptor
at the smooth muscle leading to bronchodilation. The competitive and reversible
nature of antagonism was shown with human and animal origin receptors and
isolated organ preparations. In preclinical in vitro as well as in vivo models,
prevention of methacholine-and acetylcholine-induced bronchoconstrictive
effects was dose-dependent and lasted longer than 24 hours. The clinical
relevance of these findings is unknown. The bronchodilation following
inhalation of revefenacin is predominantly a site-specific effect.
Pharmacodynamics
Cardiac Electrophysiology
QTc interval prolongation was studied in a randomized,
double-blind, placebo-and positive-controlled, single dose, crossover trial in
48 healthy subjects. Following a single dose of revefenacin 700 mcg (4 times
the recommended dosage), no effects on prolongation of QTc interval were
observed.
Pharmacokinetics
Revefenacin pharmacokinetic parameters are presented as
the mean [standard deviation (SD)] unless otherwise specified. Following repeat
dosing of inhaled YUPELRI, steady-state was achieved within 7 days with
<1.6-fold accumulation. Revefenacin exposure (Cmax and AUC) in COPD patients
is approximately 60% lower as compared to healthy subjects. Exposure (Cmax and
AUC) of the active metabolite in COPD patients is approximately 2-fold higher
as compared to healthy subjects. Revefenacin Cmax was 0.16 ng/mL (0.11) and AUC
was 0.22 ng•hr/mL (0.20) at steady-state after inhaled YUPELRI 175 mcg dose in
COPD patients. Cmax of the active metabolite was 0.20 ng/mL (0.13) and AUC was
0.69 ng•hr/mL (0.53) at steady-state after inhaled YUPELRI 175 mcg dose in COPD
patients.
Revefenacin and its active metabolite exposure increased
in a slightly greater than dose proportional manner with increasing revefenacin
dose. After single or multiple once-daily dosing of YUPELRI, both AUC and Cmax of
revefenacin and its active metabolite increased by approximately 11-fold over
the 88 to 700 mcg (8-fold) dose range.
Absorption
Following inhaled administration of YUPELRI in healthy
subjects or COPD patients, Cmax of revefenacin and its active metabolite
occurred at the first postdose sampling time which ranged from 14 to 41 minutes
after start of nebulization. The absolute bioavailability following an oral
dose of revefenacin is low (<3%).
Distribution
Following intravenous administration to healthy subjects,
the mean steady-state volume of distribution of revefenacin was 218 L
suggesting extensive distribution to tissues. In vitro protein binding of
revefenacin and its active metabolite in human plasma was on average 71% and
42%, respectively.
Elimination
The terminal half-life of revefenacin and its active
metabolite after once-daily dosing of YUPELRI in COPD patients is 22 to 70
hours.
Metabolism
In vitro and in vivo data showed that revefenacin is
primarily metabolized via hydrolysis of the primary amide to a carboxylic acid
forming its major active metabolite. Following inhaled administration of
YUPELRI in COPD patients, conversion to its active metabolite occurred rapidly,
and plasma exposures of the active metabolite exceeded those of revefenacin by
approximately 4-to 6-fold (based on AUC). The active metabolite is formed by
hepatic metabolism and possesses activity at target muscarinic receptors that
is lower (approximately one-third to one-tenth) than that of revefenacin. It
could potentially contribute to systemic antimuscarinic effects at therapeutic
doses.
Excretion
Following administration of a single intravenous dose of
radiolabeled revefenacin to healthy male subjects, approximately 54% of total
radioactivity was recovered in the feces and 27% was excreted in the urine.
Approximately 19% of the administered radioactive dose was recovered in the
feces as the active metabolite. Following administration of a single
radiolabeled oral dose of revefenacin, 88% of total radioactivity was recovered
in the feces and <5% was present in urine, suggesting low oral absorption.
There was minimal renal excretion (<1%) of revefenacin and its active
metabolite following inhaled administration of YUPELRI in COPD patients.
Specific Populations
Population pharmacokinetic analysis showed no evidence of
a clinically significant effect of age (44 to 79 years), gender (59% male),
smoking status (42% current smoker), or weight (46 to 155 kg) on systemic
exposure of revefenacin and its active metabolite.
Patients With Hepatic Impairment
The pharmacokinetics of YUPELRI was evaluated in subjects
with moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh score of 7-9). There was no
increase in Cmax of revefenacin and 1.5-fold increase in Cmax of the active
metabolite. There was 1.2-fold increase in AUC of revefenacin and up to
4.7-fold increase in AUC of the active metabolite. YUPELRI has not been
evaluated in subjects with severe hepatic impairment.
Patients With Renal Impairment
The pharmacokinetics of YUPELRI was evaluated in subjects
with severe renal impairment (CrCl <30 mL/min). There was 1.5-fold increase
in Cmax of revefenacin and up to 2-fold increase in Cmax of the active
metabolite. There was up to 2.3-fold increase in AUCinf of revefenacin; the
active metabolite exposure (AUCinf) was increased by up to 2.5-fold. YUPELRI
has not been evaluated in subjects with end-stage renal disease.
Drug Interactions
Revefenacin And Cytochrome P450
Neither revefenacin nor its active metabolite inhibits
the following cytochrome P450 isoforms: CYP1A2, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9,
CYP2C19, CYP2D6, and CYP3A4/5. Neither revefenacin nor its active metabolite
induces CYP1A2, CYP2B6, and CYP3A4/5.
Revefenacin And Efflux Transporters
Revefenacin is a substrate of P-gp and BCRP. Neither
revefenacin nor its active metabolite is an inhibitor of these efflux
transporters.
Revefenacin And Uptake Transporters
The active metabolite of revefenacin is a substrate of
OATP1B1 and OATP1B3. Neither revefenacin nor its active metabolite is an
inhibitor of the uptake transporters OATP1B1, OATP1B3, OAT1, OAT3, or OCT2.
Clinical Studies
The safety and efficacy of YUPELRI 175 mcg once daily
were evaluated in two dose-ranging trials, two replicate 12-week, Phase 3
confirmatory clinical trials, and a 52-week safety trial. The efficacy of
YUPELRI is primarily based on the two replicate 12-week, Phase 3
placebo-controlled trials in 1,229 subjects with COPD.
Dose-Ranging Trials
Dose selection for YUPELRI was supported by a 28-day,
randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial of 355
subjects diagnosed with moderate to severe COPD, which was conducted to
evaluate four doses of YUPELRI. YUPELRI 44, 88, 175, and 350 mcg, or matching
placebo were taken once daily in the morning via a standard jet nebulizer (PARI
LC® Sprint Reusable Nebulizer) and evaluated using the primary efficacy
endpoint of change from baseline in trough (predose) FEV1 measured on Day 29.
The LS mean differences in change from baseline in trough FEV1 compared to
placebo for the 44 mcg, 88 mcg, 175 mcg, and 350 mcg once-daily doses were 52
mL [95% CI: -17.3, 121.0], 187 mL [95% CI: 118.8, 256.1], 167 mL [95% CI: 97.3,
236.0], and 171 mL [95% CI: 101.9, 239.3], respectively.
Evaluations of the dosing interval by comparing once-and
twice-daily dosing of YUPELRI in a 7-day, randomized, double-blind,
placebo-controlled, crossover trial in 64 patients supported selection of the
once-daily dosing interval for further evaluation in the confirmatory COPD
trials.
The dose-ranging results supported the evaluation of two
doses of YUPELRI, 88 mcg and 175 mcg once daily, in the confirmatory COPD
trials.
Confirmatory Trials
The clinical development program for YUPELRI included two
12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multiple-dose,
parallel-group, confirmatory trials in subjects with moderate to very severe
COPD designed to evaluate the efficacy of once-daily YUPELRI's effect on lung
function (Trial 1: NCT02459080 and Trial 2: NCT02512510). To be enrolled,
subjects needed to be 40 years of age or older, have a clinical diagnosis of
COPD, a history of smoking greater than or equal to 10 pack-years, moderate to
very severe COPD (post-ipratropium FEV1 less than or equal to 80% of predicted
normal values but at least 700 mL), and an FEV1/FVC ratio of 0.7 or less.
Trials 1 and 2 included 1,229 subjects of which 395 received the 175 mcg dose
administered via a standard jet nebulizer (PARI LC® Sprint Reusable Nebulizer).
The study population had a mean age of 64 years (range: 41 to 88) and mean
smoking history of 53 pack-years, with 48% identified as current smokers. At
screening, the mean post-bronchodilator percent predicted FEV1 was 55% (range:
10% to 90%), and the post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC ratio was 0.54 (range: 0.3 to
0.7). In addition, of the subjects enrolled, 37% were taking LABA or ICS/LABA
therapy at study entry and remained on this concomitant therapy throughout the
study.
Trials 1 and 2 evaluated YUPELRI 175 mcg once daily and
placebo once daily. The primary endpoint was change from baseline in trough
(predose) FEV1 at Day 85. In both trials, YUPELRI 175 mcg demonstrated
significant improvement in lung function (mean change from baseline in trough
(predose) FEV1) compared to placebo.
Table 2 presents the results from Trial 1 and Trial 2.
The change from baseline in trough FEV1 over time from Trial 1 is depicted in
Figure 1.
Table 2: LS Mean Change from Baseline in Trough FEV1 (mL)
on Day 85 (ITT)
|
Trial 1 |
Trial 2 |
Placebo
(N = 209) |
YUPELRI 175 mcg QD
(N = 198) |
Placebo
(N = 208) |
YUPELRI 175 mcg QD
(N = 197) |
n* |
191 |
189 |
187 |
181 |
LS Mean (SE) |
-19 (16.1) |
127 (15.4) |
-45 (18.8) |
102 (18.5) |
LS Mean Difference (SE) from Placebo |
|
146 (21.6) |
|
147 (25.5) |
95% CI for LS Mean Difference from Placebo |
|
(103.7, 188.8) |
|
(97.0, 197.1) |
LS – Least Square, SE – Standard Error
*n=subjects in ITT population used in the statistical analyses. |
Figure 1: LS Mean Change
from Baseline in Trough FEV1 (mL) over 12 Weeks (Trial 1)
In Trial 1, serial spirometry
over 24 hours was performed in a subset of patients (n=44 placebo, n=45 YUPELRI
175 mcg) on Day 84. In Trial 2, similar testing was also performed (n=39
placebo, n=44 YUPELRI 175 mcg). That data for Trial 1 is shown in Figure 2.
Figure 2: LS Mean Change from Baseline in Trough FEV1 (mL)
over 24 Hours Day 84 (Trial 1 subset)
Peak FEV1 was defined as the
highest postdose FEV1 within the first 2 hours after dosing on Day 1. The mean
peak FEV1 improvement on Day 1 relative to placebo was 133 mL and 129 mL in
Trials 1 and 2, respectively.
The St. Georges Respiratory
Questionnaire (SGRQ) was assessed in Trials 1 and 2. In Trial 1, the SGRQ
responder rate (defined as an improvement in score of 4 or more as threshold)
for the YUPELRI treatment arm on Day 85 was 49% compared to 34% for placebo
[Odds Ratio: 2.11; 95% CI: 1.14, 3.92]. In Trial 2, the SGRQ responder rate for
the YUPELRI treatment arm was 45% compared to 39% for placebo [Odds Ratio:
1.31; 95% CI: 0.72, 2.38].