Population pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic and efficacy modeling of SB12 (proposed eculizumab biosimilar) and reference eculizumab

Abstract

Purpose To describe, compare similarity of pharmacokinetic (PK), pharmacodynamic (PD) and efficacy of SB12 and reference eculizumab (ECU) and find clinically significant covariate relationships. Methods The PK, PD (terminal complement activity) and efficacy (LDH) data of SB12 and ECU were obtained from 289 subjects from phase I and phase III studies. One- and two-compartment PK models with first-order elimination were evaluated for SB12 and ECU. For PD and efficacy, both direct and indirect models were tested. The impact of covariates on PK, PD and efficacy parameters was assessed. Relationship between PK/PD and PD/efficacy was characterized. This modeling was performed using NONMEM version 7.4 (Icon Development Solutions, Ellicott City, MD, USA). Results The two-compartment model adequately described the PK of SB12 and ECU, and the subject’s weight was chosen as a clinically significant covariate affecting drugs’ clearance and central volume of distribution. Treatment group was not a significant covariate affecting clearance. The direct response model using inhibitory sigmoid Emax and sigmoid Emax relationship well described the PK/PD relationship and PD/efficacy relationship of SB12 and ECU, respectively. Through this modeling, the relationships between PK, PD and efficacy were characterized. There were no differences in PK, PD and efficacy parameters between SB12 and ECU in pooled populations of healthy subjects and paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH) patients. Conclusion The population modeling showed PK, PD and efficacy similarities between SB12 and ECU in pooled population of healthy subjects and PNH patients, supporting the totality of evidence on biosimilarity for SB12.