Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and tolerability of verinurad, a selective uric acid reabsorption inhibitor, in healthy adult male subjects

Abstract

Purpose

Verinurad (RDEA3170) is a selective uric acid reabsorption inhibitor in clinical development for the treatment of gout and asymptomatic hyperuricemia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and tolerability of verinurad in healthy adult males.

Subjects and methods

This was a Phase I, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single and multiple ascending dose study. Panels of eight male subjects received a single oral dose of verinurad or placebo in either a fasted or fed state; panels of 10–12 male subjects received ascending doses of once-daily verinurad or placebo in a fasted state for 10 days. Serial blood and urine samples were assayed for verinurad and uric acid. Safety was assessed by adverse event (AE) reports, laboratory tests, vital signs, and electrocardiograms (ECGs).

Results

A total of 81 adult males completed the study. Following single doses of verinurad, maximum observed plasma concentration (C_max) and area under the plasma concentration–time curve (AUC) increased in a dose-proportional manner; C_max occurred at 0.5–0.75 hours and 1.25 hours in the fasted and fed states, respectively. Food decreased AUC by 23% and C_max by 37%−53%. There was a modest accumulation of verinurad following multiple daily doses. Verinurad reduced serum urate levels by up to 62% (40 mg, single dose) and 61% (10 mg, multiple dose). The increase in urinary excretion of uric acid was greatest in the first 6 hours after dosing and was still evident ≥24 hours for verinurad doses ≥2 mg. Verinurad was well tolerated at all doses. No serious AEs, severe AEs, discontinuations due to AEs, or clinically significant laboratory or ECG abnormalities were reported.

Conclusion

Single and multiple doses of verinurad were well tolerated, absorption was rapid, and exposure was dose proportional. Verinurad increased urinary uric acid elimination and resulted in sustained reductions in serum urate. These data support further clinical evaluation of once-daily verinurad as a treatment for gout.

Keywords:

• fractional excretion of uric acid
• selective uric acid reabsorption inhibitor
• serum urate
• urinary uric acid

Acknowledgments

Funding was provided by Ardea Biosciences/AstraZeneca. Editorial support was provided by Tom Claus, PhD, of PAREXEL and funded by AstraZeneca. Ardea Biosciences, Inc. is a member of the AstraZeneca group. This article was presented at the 2016 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting, November 11–16, 2016, Washington, DC, USA, as a poster presentation. The poster’s abstract was published in “Poster Abstracts” in Arthritis Rheumatol. 2016;68(suppl 10): http://acrabstracts.org/abstract/pharmacokinetics-pharmacodynamics-and-tolerability-of-verinurad-a-selective-uric-acid-reabsorption-inhibitor-in-healthy-adult-male-subjects/.

Disclosure

Zancong Shen, Jeffrey N Miner, Gail Bucci, David M Wilson, and Jesse W Hall are employees or former employees of Ardea Biosciences, Inc. Michael Gillen is an employee of AstraZeneca. The authors report no other conflicts of interest in this work.