GS-9350 is a new chemical entity under development as a potent, mechanism-based inhibitor of human cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A) isoforms. Its intended use is to increase the systemic exposure of coadministered agents that are metabolized by CYP3A enzymes. Unlike ritonavir, which is in current clinical use for this purpose, GS-9350 is devoid of anti-HIV activity. The pharmacokinetics of GS-9350 and its efficacy in increasing systemic exposure of the probe CYP3A substrate midazolam were examined in a study involving single- and multiple-dose escalations of GS-9350 from 50 to 400 mg. Single-dose escalation from 50 to 400 mg resulted in a 164-fold increase in GS-9350 exposure, whereas multiple-dose escalation in the dosage range of 50-300 mg resulted in a 47-fold increase in exposure. GS-9350 potently inhibited midazolam apparent clearance (95% reduction), similar in effect to ritonavir 100 mg. GS-9350 was generally well tolerated at all doses, and there was no evidence of dose-limiting toxicity. Establishing proof-of-concept, GS-9350 is currently under phase II development as a potential alternative to ritonavir for use with antiretroviral agents (including the HIV integrase inhibitor elvitegravir) that are often prescribed along with a "booster" drug.

Ritonavir, a potent inhibitor of cytochrome P450 isoform 3A (CYP3A) activity, is frequently used to boost the effects of protease inhibitors at doses of 100-400 mg per day; however, human data regarding the optimal dose required for boosting are limited. This study systematically evaluated the ritonavir dose-response relationship on presystemic and systemic CYP3A metabolism using the human immunodeficiency virus integrase inhibitor elvitegravir and midazolam as probe substrates. Ritonavir administered once daily with elvitegravir exhibited nonlinear pharmacokinetics, with a 119-fold increase in the area under the plasma concentration-time curve over the dosing interval over a 20- to 200-mg dose range. The 20-mg dose of ritonavir substantially reduced CYP3A-mediated clearance (CL), as evidenced by a 66% reduction in midazolam CL that plateaued to 17% of baseline activity at a 100-mg dose. Maximum inhibition of elvitegravir apparent oral CL was achieved with ritonavir doses of 50-100 mg. Elvitegravir and ritonavir were generally well tolerated in this study. These data provide a critical understanding of ritonavir's dose-response relationship for inhibition of CYP3A activity in humans.

Fixed-dose combination tablet containing COBI 150 mg resulted in desired high EVG Ctau concentrations and clinically equivalent tenofovir and FTC exposures relative to currently approved individual agents and was thus selected for subsequent evaluation.

During elvitegravir/r plus maraviroc administration, no elvitegravir or ritonavir dose change and a reduced 150-mg dose of maraviroc are recommended.