Comparison of the Pharmacokinetics of Three Budesonide Formulations in Healthy Chinese Subjects

HR19042 is a novel, orally administered, targeted-release formulation of the topically active corticosteroid budesonide, developed to release active drug within the terminal ileum and indicated to reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate loss in adults with primary immunoglobulin A nephropathy. This randomized, single-dose, open-label, six-sequence, three-treatment crossover trial aimed to explore the pharmacokinetic (PK) of HR19042 in comparison with two other budesonide targeted-release formulations among healthy Chinese subjects. Plasma budesonide concentrations were measured via liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry, and PK parameters were analyzed using non-compartmental methods. Eighteen subjects successfully completed the trial. The median T_lag and T_max of HR19042 were 1.25 and 3.50 h shorter than those of Nefecon, respectively. The C_max of HR19042 was approximately 1.9-fold higher than that of Nefecon and 1.4-fold higher than that of Budenofalk. Based on the AUC_0-t determination, the relative bioavailability (F) of HR19042 was approximately 136.93% relative to Nefecon and 129.68% relative to Budenofalk. In vitro, the dissolution of HR19042 occurred 30 min earlier than that of Nefecon in the intestinal buffer medium. In conclusion, both in vivo and in vitro findings suggest that HR19042 exhibits a faster absorption rate and higher oral bioavailability.