A novel sustained‐release cysteamine bitartrate formulation for the treatment of cystinosis: Pharmacokinetics and safety in healthy male volunteers

• Main Authors: Cécile L. Berends, Lisa Pagan, Michiel J. vanEsdonk, Naomi B. Klarenbeek, Kirsten R. Bergmann, Matthijs Moerland, Vincent van derWel, Saco J. deVisser, Hans Büller, Frans deLoos, Wouter S. deVries, Hans Waals, Leo G. J. deLeede, Jacobus Burggraaf, Ingrid M. C. Kamerling
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 2021-04-01
• Series: Pharmacology Research & Perspectives
• Subjects: compliance; cystagon; cysteamine; cystinosis; sustained‐release
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1002/prp2.739

Abstract The strict intake regimen of cysteamine bitartrate formulations, associated with side effects, is a concern for the treatment compliance in cystinosis therapy. Therefore, there is a need for a cysteamine formulation with an improved pharmacokinetic profile. This study investigated the pharmacokinetics, safety and tolerability of a new sustained‐release cysteamine dosage form, PO‐001, in healthy volunteers. This was a randomized, investigator‐blinded, three‐way cross‐over study to compare single doses (600 mg) of PO‐001 with Cystagon® (immediate‐release) and Procysbi® (delayed‐release). Collected blood samples were analyzed for plasma cysteamine concentrations and pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated by noncompartmental analysis. In addition, plasma cysteamine concentrations were analyzed using a population pharmacokinetic approach using NONMEM®. Pharmacokinetics showed clear sustained‐release characteristics of PO‐001 over time with a lower Cmax and longer Tmax compared to Cystagon® and Procysbi®. All treatment‐emergent adverse events were of mild severity, with the exception of two subjects who reported moderate severity gastrointestinal problems including vomiting and diarrhea, which were related to Cystagon® intake. Population PK simulations showed a favourable PK profile based on Cmax and Ctrough concentrations at steady state. In conclusion, a single dose of 600 mg PO‐001 was well tolerated with no findings of clinical concern. This new cysteamine bitartrate formulation showed pharmacokinetics of a sustained‐release formulation, which may be beneficial for the treatment of cystinosis patients. This study supports advancing this type of sustained‐release formulation into a subsequent study to confirm reduced dosing frequency with efficient control of white blood cells (WBCs) cystine levels. Netherlands Trial Registry (NTR) (NL67638.056.18).