Evaluation of the Effects of Meal Type and Acid-Reducing Agents on the Pharmacokinetics of Cilofexor, a Selective Nonsteroidal Farnesoid X Receptor Agonist

Clin Pharmacol Drug Dev. 2024 Jun;13(6):677-687. doi: 10.1002/cpdd.1384. Epub 2024 Feb 12.

Abstract

Cilofexor is a nonsteroidal farnesoid X receptor agonist being developed in combination with firsocostat/semaglutide for the treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. This phase 1 study evaluated the effects of food and acid-reducing agents (ARAs) on the pharmacokinetics of cilofexor (100- or 30-mg fixed-dose combination with firsocostat) in healthy participants. Cohorts 1 (n = 20, 100 mg) and 2 (n = 30, 30 mg) followed a 3-period, 2-sequence crossover design and evaluated effects of light-fat and high-fat meals. Cohort 3 (n = 30, 100 mg fasting) followed a 2-period, 2-sequence crossover design and evaluated the effects of a 40-mg single dose of famotidine. Cohort 4 (n = 18, 100 mg) followed a 3-period, 2-sequence crossover design and evaluated the effects of a 40-mg once-daily regimen of omeprazole administered under fasting conditions or following a light-fat meal. Administration with light-fat or high-fat meals resulted in no change and an ∼35% reduction in cilofexor AUC, respectively, relative to the fasting conditions. Under fasting conditions, famotidine increased cilofexor AUC by 3.2-fold and Cmax by 6.1-fold, while omeprazole increased cilofexor AUC by 3.1-fold and Cmax by 4.8-fold. With a low-fat meal, omeprazole increased cilofexor exposure to a lesser extent (Cmax 2.5-fold, AUC 2.1-fold) than fasting conditions. This study suggests that caution should be exercised when cilofexor is administered with ARAs under fed conditions; coadministration of cilofexor (100 or 30 mg) with ARAs under fasting conditions is not recommended with the current clinical trial formulations.

Keywords: acid‐reducing agents; clinical pharmacology; drug‐drug interactions; food effect; pharmacokinetics and drug metabolism.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Clinical Trial, Phase I

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Area Under Curve
  • Cross-Over Studies*
  • Dietary Fats / administration & dosage
  • Drug Combinations
  • Famotidine / administration & dosage
  • Famotidine / pharmacokinetics
  • Fasting / metabolism
  • Female
  • Food-Drug Interactions*
  • Healthy Volunteers
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Meals
  • Middle Aged
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear* / agonists
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear
  • farnesoid X-activated receptor
  • Famotidine
  • Drug Combinations
  • Dietary Fats