Affiliation:
1. Merck & Co., Inc. Rahway New Jersey USA
2. Cognigen Division of Simulations Plus, Inc. Buffalo New York USA
3. Acceleron Pharma, a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc. Rahway New Jersey USA
Abstract
AbstractSotatercept is a breakthrough, first‐in‐class biologic, that is FDA‐approved for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). A population pharmacokinetic (PopPK) model was developed using data from two phase 1 studies in healthy participants, and two phase 2 studies and one phase 3 study in participants with PAH. The pooled sotatercept PK data encompassed single intravenous (IV) or subcutaneous (SC) doses ranging from 0.01 to 3.0 mg/kg, as well as multiple SC doses ranging from 0.03 to 1.0 mg/kg, with PK samples collected up to a maximum of ~150 weeks following Q3W and Q4W dosing regimens. The final PopPK analysis included 350 participants, with 30 and 320 participants receiving sotatercept IV and SC, respectively. A two‐compartment model with a first‐order absorption rate constant and a linear disposition from central compartment well‐described sotatercept PK. The estimated bioavailability is ~66%; bioavailability, clearance (CL), and central volume (VC) have low to moderate inter‐individual variability. Time‐varying body weight and baseline albumin concentration were statistically significant predictors of PK; CL and VC were predicted to increase with increasing body weight, while CL was predicted to decrease with increasing baseline albumin concentration. However, the magnitude of covariate effects is not predicted to meaningfully alter the disposition of sotatercept. Altogether, the PopPK modeling results demonstrate favorable PK characteristics (low to moderate variability and typical bioavailability), supporting sotatercept as a SC biological agent for the treatment of patients with PAH.