Comparison of the pharmacokinetics, safety, and immunogenicity of MSB11022, a biosimilar of adalimumab, with Humira(®) in healthy subjects

Abstract

Aims: The aim of the study was to compare the pharmacokinetics (PK), safety and tolerability of the proposed adalimumab biosimilar MSB11022 (Merck) with Humira(®) (AbbVie), sourced from both the US (US reference product [US-RP]) and Europe (European reference medicinal product [EU-RMP]).

Methods: In this phase 1 double-blind, parallel group trial (EMR200588-001), 213 healthy volunteers were randomized 1 : 1 : 1 to receive a single dose (40 mg) of MSB11022, US-RP or EU-RMP in order to achieve 80% power assuming a 5% difference among groups and a 10% dropout rate. Following a preplanned blinded sample size re-assessment after more than 50% of the originally planned subjects had been observed, the sample size was increased to 237 (79 per arm) to ensure 213 completers. Primary PK endpoints analyzed by non-compartmental methods, were area under the curve (AUC) from time 0 extrapolated to infinity (AUC(0,∞)), maximum observed concentration (Cmax ), and AUC from time 0 to the last quantifiable concentration (AUC(0,tlast )). PK equivalence was declared if the 90% CI for the test : reference ratio lay within the 80-125% equivalence margin. Bioequivalence was demonstrated if all three PK parameters met the PK equivalence criteria. Safety and tolerability were also evaluated.

Results: Mean serum concentration-time profiles for the three treatments were similar. MSB11022 demonstrated PK equivalence to US-RP and EU-RMP for all primary endpoints. The geometric means of AUC(0,∞), Cmax and AUC(0,tlast ) following a single dose of MSB11022 were 2276.05 μg ml(-1) h, 3.44 μg ml(-1) and 1983.90 μg ml(-1) h, respectively. Adverse events (AEs) were similar across all groups, with treatment-emergent AEs (TEAEs) reported by 62.8%, 56.3% and 62.0% of subjects within the MSB11022, US-RP and EU-RMP groups, respectively. Most of the TEAEs were considered mild and unrelated to study drug. No deaths or severe AEs related to the study drug were reported.

Conclusions: Bioequivalence between MSB11022, US-RP and EU-RMP was demonstrated. Safety, tolerability and immunogenicity profiles were similar between subjects receiving MSB11022 and US-RP or EU-RMP. These data support the further clinical evaluation of MSB11022 as a proposed biosimilar of adalimumab.

Keywords: adalimumab; biosimilar; pharmacokinetics; safety.