Relative Bioavailability of Omaveloxolone When Capsules Are Sprinkled Over and Mixed in Applesauce Compared With...

Omaveloxolone (SKYCLARYS^®) is approved for the treatment of Friedreich ataxia (FA) in patients aged ≥16 years in the United States and European Union (EU). The recommended dosage is 150 mg administered orally once daily as three 50-mg capsules. However, some patients with FA may have oropharyngeal dysphagia or difficulty swallowing whole capsules; therefore, alternate method(s) of administration are needed. A Phase 1 clinical study in 32 healthy volunteers evaluated the relative bioavailability, safety, and tolerability of a single dose of omaveloxolone when capsule contents were sprinkled on and mixed in applesauce compared to when taken as intact capsules. Palatability when sprinkled on and mixed in applesauce was assessed with a questionnaire. After a single 150-mg dose, the peak and overall exposures of omaveloxolone were similar irrespective of administration method, with the 90% CIs of the geometric least squares mean ratio (%) for maximum plasma concentration (C_max), AUC_0-t, and AUC_0-∞ within the 80% to 125% reference intervals. Omaveloxolone was absorbed more slowly as intact capsules (median t_max, 10 h) compared with sprinkled capsule contents over applesauce (median t_max, 6 h). With chronic daily administration of omaveloxolone to treat FA, the 4-h difference in t_max is not considered clinically relevant. Sprinkled omaveloxolone capsule contents on applesauce were well tolerated, with acceptable palatability and no serious adverse events. Given the similar systemic exposure when capsules were swallowed whole, sprinkling omaveloxolone capsule contents on and mixing in applesauce is a feasible alternative method of administering omaveloxolone and has been included in both the United States and EU prescribing information.