Comparison of two biosimilarity studies of FKB327 with the adalimumab reference product: randomized phase 1 studies of single-blind, single-dose subcutaneous injection in healthy Japanese male participants

Background FKB327 has been developed as a biosimilar of the adalimumab reference product (RP). We compared the pharmacokinetics (PK), safety, and immunogenicity of FKB327 with those of the adalimumab RP after a single dose by subcutaneous (SC) injection in Japanese male participants. Methods Two randomized, single-blind, single-dose studies were conducted in healthy Japanese male participants to compare PK characteristics between FKB327 and the RP. Study 1 included 130 participants who were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive a subcutaneous injection of 40 mg of either FKB327 or the RP into the abdomen. In Study 2, another 130 subjects were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either drug as in Study 1, but the drug administration site was changed to the thigh. The primary PK endpoints of both studies were area under the concentration-time curve from time zero to the last measurable concentration (AUC0-t) and maximum serum concentration; area under the concentration-time curve from time zero to 360 h was also evaluated as one of the primary endpoints in Study 1. Biosimilarity in terms of pharmacokinetics was determined if the 90% confidence interval of the mean difference in geometric mean ratio of all primary PK parameters was within the prespecified equivalence criteria (0.80–1.25). Immunogenicity and safety were also evaluated as secondary endpoints. Results The serum concentration-time profiles were comparable between the FKB327 and the RP treatment groups in both studies. Primary PK parameters were within the prespecified bioequivalence range in Study 2, although AUC0-t was slightly outside the upper side of the range in Study 1. No differences in safety profile were observed in these studies. The incidence of anti-drug antibodies (ADAs) and impact of ADAs on PK profile were similar among the treatment groups in both studies. Conclusion Biosimilarity between FKB327 and the RP after a single 40-mg SC injection was confirmed in healthy Japanese male participants by modifying the study design. Trial registration jRCT2071200058 (https://jrct.niph.go.jp/en-latest-detail/jRCT2071200058, https://rctportal.niph.go.jp/en/detail?trial_id=jRCT2071200058) and jRCT2071200057 (https://jrct.niph.go.jp/en-latest-detail/jRCT2071200057, https://rctportal.niph.go.jp/en/detail?trial_id=jRCT2071200057). Retrospectively registered 25/11/2020.

A comparative pharmacokinetics study of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Root Extract sustained-release capsules: an open-label, randomized, two treatment, two-sequence, two period, single-dose crossover clinical study

Background: In this open-label, randomized, balanced, two-treatment, two-sequence, two-period, crossover, single-dose oral comparative pharmacokinetics study, the pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability of test product ‘ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)’ root extract sustained release capsule 300 mg (Prolanza™), each containing 15 mg withanolides (administered dose: 2×15 mg) was compared with that of a reference product (organic KSM-66 ashwagandha extract [vegan] capsule, each containing 15 mg withanolides [administered dose: 2×15 mg]).Methods: Total 14 healthy men were randomized to receive either the test or the reference product as a single dose of 2 capsules in sequence, administered under fasting conditions. Plasma concentrations of total withanolides, withanolide A and 12-deoxywithastramonolide were measured using validated liquid chromatography–mass spectroscopy/mass spectroscopy.Results: The test product had higher relative absorption, better relative bioavailability, and longer elimination half-life indicating a sustained-release profile compared to reference. Specifically, the relative bioavailability of the test formulation was 12, 44, and 11 times higher for total withanolides, withanolide A and 12-deoxywithastramonolide, respectively. No adverse events were reported during the study.Conclusions: The sustained-release profile of the test product, compared to reference product, will provide more long-lasting therapeutic effects from a single daily dose (Retrospectively applied on Clinical Trials Registry - India [CTRI]. Application reference number: REF/2020/03/032408). The study reports the unique sustained release formulation of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) root extract. The pharmacokinetic study also reports for first time, the successful plasma estimation of withanolide A and 12-deoxywithastraamonolide, the major phytoactives of ashwagandha.

Comparison of Three Complementary Analytical Techniques for the Evaluation of the Biosimilar Comparability of a Monoclonal Antibody and an Fc-Fusion Protein

In this work, a monoclonal antibody, adalimumab, and an Fc-fusion protein, etanercept, were studied and compared to one of their biosimilars. Samples submitted to stress conditions (agitation and high temperature) were used for method development. The developed methods were also applied to samples reduced by beta-mercaptoethanol to evaluate their capability to distinguish the expected species. Capillary gel electrophoresis (CGE), reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RPLC), and size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) methods coupled with UV detection were used to analyze the biopharmaceuticals. Their complementarity was investigated. For further molecular weight determination, SEC-multi angle light scattering and RPLC-quadrupole time-of-flight were occasionally used. For adalimumab, a larger amount of fragments and aggregates was observed in the biosimilar compared with the reference product. For etanercept, more related species were found in the reference product. Those three separation techniques showed good complementarity. Indeed, RPLC enabled the separation of hydrophilic and hydrophobic degradation products. CGE provided good selectivity for several adalimumab fragments, and SEC was useful for the analysis of aggregates and certain fragments that cannot be separated by the other approaches. Moreover, those formulations were submitted to mild stress conditions (30°C, 300 rpm for 4 h) that mimic shipping conditions. No additional peak was found under these conditions for the two studied biopharmaceuticals.

Formulation of High-Performance Corrosion Inhibitors in the 21St Century: Robotic High Throughput Experimentation and Design of Experiments

Critical micelle concentration (CMC) is a known indicator for surfactants such as corrosion inhibitors’ ability to partition to water from two phase systems such as oil and water. Most corrosion inhibitors are surface active. At critical micelle concentration, the chemical is partitioned to water from the interface, physisorption on metallic surfaces and forms a physical barrier between steel and corrosive water. This protective barrier thus prevents corrosion initiating on the metal surface. When the applied chemical concentration is equal or higher than the CMC, the surfactant is partitioned to aqueous phase from the oil-water interface. This would lead to higher chemical availability of the inhibitor in water, preventing corrosion. Therefore, it was suggested that CMC can be used as an indicator to optimal chemical dose for corrosion control1-5. The lower the CMC of a corrosion inhibitor product, the better is this chemical for corrosion control as the availability of the chemical in the aqueous phase increases. This can achieve corrosion control with lesser amount of corrosion inhibitor product. Thus, increasing the performance of corrosion inhibitor product. In this work, the physical property, CMC, was used as an indicator to differentiate corrosion inhibitor performance. A vast array of corrosion inhibitor formulations was achieved by combinatorial chemical methods using Design of Experiment (DoE) methodologies and these arrays of chemical formulations were screened by utilizing high throughput screening (HTE)6-8, using CMC as the selection guide. To validate the concept, a known corrosion inhibitor formulation (Inhibitor Abz) was selected to optimize its efficacy. This formula contains several active ingredients and a solvent package. Three raw materials of this formulation were selected and varied in combinatorial fashion, keeping the solvents and other raw materials constant9. These three raw materials were blended in a random but in a controled manner utizing DoE and using combinatorial techniques. Instead of rapidly blending a large amount of formulations using robotics, the design of experiment (DoE) methods were utilized to constrain the number of blends. When attempting to discover the important factors, DoE gives a powerful suite of statistical methodologies10. In this work, Design Expert software utilizes DoE methods and this prediction model was used to explore a desired design space. The more relevant (not entirely random) formulations were generated by DoE methods, using Design Expert software that can effectively explore a desired design space. The Design of Experiment software mathematically analyzes the space in which fundamental properties are being measured. The development of an equally robust prescreening analysis was also developed. After blending a vast array of formulations by using automated workstation, these products were screened for CMC by utilizing an automated surface tension workstation. Several formulations with lower CMCs than the reference product (Inhibitor Abz) were discovered and identified for further study. The selected corrosion inhibitor formulations were blended in larger scales. The efficacy of these products was tested by classical laboratory testing methods such as rotating cylinder electrode (RCE) and rotating cage autoclave (RCA) to determine their performance as anti-corrosion agents. As the focus of this project was to optimize the corrosion Inhibitor Abz, this chemical was used as the reference product throughout of this work. The testing indicated that several new corrosion inhibitor formulations discovered from this work outperformed the original blend, thus validating the proof of concept.

Enhancement of Drug Dissolution of Erlotinib Tablets by Micronization Technique Using Pharmaceutical Experimental Design

Lung cancer is the second most frequent cancer and among the top cause of death worldwide. Chemotherapy is the main therapeutic option for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which accounts for the majority of all lung malignancies. The aim of the current work was to develop a tablet formulation having increased drug release profile to improve the bioavailability in order to reduce the dose of the drug. In this present study, Erlotinib tablet was prepared using micronization technique which showed increase drug release profile. Film-coated tablets containing Erlotinib hydrochloride (150 mg) were prepared by dry granulation technique and coated using Opadry ready-mix. Tablets were characterized for Hardness, Friability, Potency and Drug release profile. Drug release was checked in 0.1 N HCL containing 0.5 % SLS and biorelevant dissolution media up to 60 minutes. Tablets of the selected batch were subjected to dissolution in biorelevant media and compare with reference product. The improvement in the drug release was observed in the biorelevant media in comparison with reference product. The in-vitrodissolution data demonstrated the potential of micronization technology to prepare tablets with improved bioavailability of the drug.

Biosimilar approval and checkpoints

Biologic drugs and subsequently developed biosimilars treat chronic inflammatory autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis, ankylosingspondylitis, crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and psoriasis. Biologics can target the cancer in a specific way and may work synergistically with chemotherapy to improve outcome. It is expected that in the next five years, 50% of biological products will originate from biotechnology. Biological products, including those manufactured by biotechnology, tend to be heat sensitive and susceptible to microbial contamination. There are no expected clinically meaningful differences in efficacy and safety between a biosimilar and the biologic drugs which are authorized for sale. The global market for Biosimilars is dominated by oncology (nearly 39% share) whereas the total biosimilar market size is expected to reach nearly 70 billion by 2025. Biosimilars are generally marketed at prices 25 to 40 percent below original branded productsie Biologics. The number of biosimilars approved by US FDA are nearly 30. There are about 25 top global manufacturers of biosimilars. Many Domestic companies in India are making strong presence even in regulated markets. (BPCIA) guidelines in the United States (US), mention that a biosimilar can be designated as “interchangeable”, whereby it may be substituted for the reference product (original biological drug).

Real-world use of bevacizumab-awwb, a bevacizumab biosimilar, in US patients with metastatic colorectal cancer

Aim: Evaluated real world use of bevacizumab-awwb (MVASI®), a bevacizumab biosimilar, for treating metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Materials & methods: Adult mCRC patients who received bevacizumab-awwb during the first year after market availability were identified from the ConcertAI oncology dataset. Results: Of 304 patients, 47% initiated bevacizumab-awwb as reference product (RP) naive patients and 53% received bevacizumab-awwb with prior exposure to RP. Overall, 78% received bevacizumab-awwb as first-line therapy; the proportion was higher (91%) in RP-naive patients. Among RP-experienced patients, 83% were transitioned from RP to bevacizumab-awwb in the same line without disease progression; of those, the majority (83%) were transitioned within 28 days. Conclusion: Early evidence from US oncology practices suggests clinical adoption of bevacizumab-awwb in treating mCRC patients.

In-vitro Study and In-vivo Predictions of Valsartan and Amlodipine Capsules through Micro Tablets

Aim: The present research work was carried out to develop Valsartan and Amlodipine capsules using micro tablets and to evaluate the in-vitro drug release characteristics. The study was targeted to determine the systemic concentrations using in-vivo prediction. Study Design: The in vivo parameters along with the marketed Valsartan and Amlodipine product was predicted using WinNonlin® software external prediction method. Place and Duration of the Study: The present work was carried out at Pacific Academy of Higher Education and Research University, Udaipur between the duration of February-2019 to November-2019. Methodology: The dissolution studies were performed for test and reference products in 900ml Phosphate buffer (pH 6.8), and the USP Type II apparatus at 50 RPM with a sinker. The in vivo pharmacokinetic prediction was performed using WinNonlin® Software. A mechanistic oral absorption model was built in Phoenix® WinNonlin® 8.2 software (Certara, Princeton, NJ, 08540, USA). Results: The in-vitro dissolution studies were comparable between the test product and the reference product. The Similarity factor achieved was 61.7 and 84.8 for Amlodipine and Valsartan test product in comparison with the reference product. An average percent prediction error for Cmax and AUC for both Valsartan and Amlodipine achieved was less than 10% for all IVIVC models. Conclusion: The relatively low prediction errors for Cmax and AUC observed strongly suggest that the Valsartan and Amlodipine IVIVC models are valid. The average percent prediction error of less than 10% indicates that the correlation is predictive and allows the associated dissolution data to be used as a surrogate for bioavailability studies.