First-in-Human Evaluation of the Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacokinetics of SPR720, a Novel Oral Bacterial DNA Gyrase (GyrB) Inhibitor for Mycobacterial Infections.

SPR720 (phosphate pro-drug of SPR719) is a novel aminobenzimidazole bacterial DNA gyrase (GyrB) inhibitor in development for non-tuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) and pulmonary tuberculosis. SPR719 has demonstrated activity against clinically relevant mycobacteria in vitro and in murine and hollow fiber infection models. This Phase 1 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single ascending dose (SAD)/multiple ascending dose (MAD) trial evaluated the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of SPR720/SPR719. A total of 96 healthy volunteers (n=8/cohort, 3:1 randomization) received SPR720 (or placebo) as single oral doses ranging from 100 mg to 2000 mg, or repeat total daily doses ranging from 500 mg to 1500 mg for 7 or 14 days. SPR720 was well-tolerated at daily doses up to 1000 mg for up to 14 days. Across SAD/MAD cohorts, the most common adverse events (AEs) were gastrointestinal (nausea, vomiting and diarrhea) and headache, all of mild or moderate severity and dose dependent. No serious adverse events were reported. The median SPR719 Tmax ranged from 2.8 to 8.0 hours across cohorts, and the t1/2 ranged from 2.9 to 4.5 hours and was shown to be dose-independent. Dosing with food decreased SPR719 plasma exposure by approximately 20%. In the MAD cohorts, SPR719 plasma exposure declined approximately 40% between Days 1 and 7, suggesting induction of an elimination pathway. However, plasma AUC0-24 was comparable between Days 7 and 14. Results of this first-in-human study suggest that predicted therapeutic exposures of SPR719 can be attained with a once-daily oral administration of SPR720.