Effect of a Supratherapeutic Dose of Omaveloxolone on the Corrected QT Interval in Healthy Participants: A

Hamim Zahir1, Masako Murai1, Lucy Wu1

  • 1Biogen Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.

PubMed

Insights

Omaveloxolone, used for Friedreich ataxia, did not cause significant heart rhythm changes (QTc prolongation) even at high doses. This safety study confirms its well-tolerated profile in healthy adults.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Cardiology

Background:

  • Omaveloxolone is approved for treating Friedreich ataxia (FA) in patients 16 years and older.
  • Cardiac safety, specifically the risk of QTc prolongation, is a critical consideration for drug development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effect of supratherapeutic omaveloxolone exposure on the corrected QT interval (QTc) in healthy adults.
  • To exclude a clinically significant QTc prolongation (defined as >10 ms) under conditions of maximal drug exposure.

Main Methods:

  • A double-blind, randomized, placebo- and active-controlled, three-way crossover study (NCT05927649) involving 30 healthy adults.
  • Participants received single oral doses of omaveloxolone (450 mg), placebo, or moxifloxacin (400 mg positive control) with a high-fat meal.
  • Serial pharmacokinetic sampling and time-matched electrocardiogram assessments were performed to measure the placebo-corrected change from baseline in QTcF (ΔΔQTcF).

Main Results:

  • Omaveloxolone exposure in the study (mean Cmax 319 ng/mL) was 4.5-fold higher than the mean steady-state Cmax at the approved dose.
  • Mean QTcF intervals remained below 450 ms, and mean changes from baseline were below 10 ms at all timepoints.
  • The upper limits of the 90% confidence intervals for ΔΔQTcF following omaveloxolone administration, and at the Cmax of omaveloxolone and its metabolites (M17, M22), were all below 10 ms.

Conclusions:

  • Supratherapeutic exposure to omaveloxolone did not result in clinically significant QTc prolongation in healthy adults.
  • The study demonstrated a favorable cardiac safety profile for omaveloxolone, even at exposures exceeding therapeutic levels.
  • Omaveloxolone was generally well tolerated, with no safety concerns identified during the study.

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