Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic equivalence of Biocon's biosimilar Insulin 70/30 with US‐licensed HUMULIN® 70/30 formulation in healthy subjects: Results from the RHINE‐3 (Recombinant Human INsulinEquivalence‐3) study

Abstract

Aim To establish the pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) equivalence of proposed biosimilar insulin 70/30 (Biocon's Insulin‐70/30) and HUMULIN® 70/30 (HUMULIN‐70/30; Eli Lilly and Company, IN). Materials and Methods In this phase 1, automated euglycaemic glucose clamp study, 78 healthy subjects were randomized (1:1) to receive a single dose of 0.4 IU/kg of Biocon's Insulin‐70/30 and HUMULIN‐70/30. Plasma insulin concentrations and glucose infusion rates (GIRs) were assessed over 24 hours. Primary PK endpoints were area under the insulin concentration‐time curve from 0 to 24 hours ‐ AUCins.0−24h ‐ and maximum insulin concentration ‐ Cins.max. Primary PD endpoints were area under the GIR time curve from 0 to 24 hours ‐ AUCGIR.0−24h ‐ and maximum GIR ‐ GIRmax. Results Equivalence was shown between Biocon's Insulin‐70/30 and HUMULIN‐70/30 for the primary PK/PD endpoints. The 90% confidence intervals of the treatment ratios were entirely within the acceptance range of 80.00%‐125.00%. The secondary PK/PD profiles were also comparable. There were no clinically relevant differences in the safety profiles of the two treatments and no serious adverse events were reported. Conclusion PK/PD equivalence was demonstrated between Biocon's Insulin‐70/30 and HUMULIN‐70/30 in healthy subjects. Treatment with Biocon's Insulin‐70/30 and HUMULIN‐70/30 was well tolerated.