Omaveloxolone is a potential therapy thatactivates Nrf2, a master transcription factor that regulates genes with antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and mitochondrial bioenergetic properties, and is being evaluated in patients with Friedreich's ataxia. This study evaluated the pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics (PD) and tissue distribution of omaveloxolone in monkeys after single and multiple oral doses, and then compared these data to initial results in Friedreich's ataxia patients. A PK/PD model was generated with the monkey data, and used to further evaluate the Friedreich's ataxia patient PK profile. The authors found that oral administration of omaveloxolone to monkeys was associated with dose-linear plasma PK and readily measurable and dose-proportional concentrations in liver, lung, and brain. Dose-dependent induction of Nrf2 target genes was also observed. Clinically, oral administration of omaveloxolone to Friedreich's ataxia patients at incremental doses from 2.5 to 300 mg produced dose-proportional systemic exposures. Clinical doses of at least 80 mg were associated with meaningful improvements in neurological function in patients and generated plasma omaveloxolone concentrations consistent with those significantly inducing Nrf2 target genes in monkeys, as shown with the monkey PK/PD model. Overall, the monkey data demonstrate a well-characterized and dose-proportional PK and tissue distribution profile after oral administration of omaveloxolone, which was associated with Nrf2 activation. Further, systemic exposures to omaveloxolone that produce Nrf2 activation in monkeys were readily achievable in Friedreich's ataxia patients after oral administration.
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