Nonclinical safety assessment of PF614: A novel TAAP prodrug of oxycodone for chronic pain indication

PF614, a novel trypsin activated abuse protection (TAAP) prodrug of oxycodone, is being studied as chronic pain analgesic with extended release and abuse resistant properties. A series of nonclinical safety studies were conducted to support PF614 introduction to clinical trials. Ames assays (PF614 and its metabolites), comet assay (PF614 ≤ 50 mg/kg/day oral gavage in rats) and micronucleus assay (PF614 ≤ 175 mg/kg/day oral gavage in rats) were negative. hERG assay IC50 for PF614 was ≥300 μM. PF614 (0.1 and 10 μM) showed a low permeability in Caco-2 cells (≤1.17 x 10-6 cm/s) and was not a P-gp or BCRP substrate or inhibitor. The mean percent unbound PF614 among all concentrations in plasma ranged from 91.2 to 98.4, 79.4 to 100, and 52.9–79.9% in rat, dog, and human, respectively. Also, PF614 was metabolically stable in rat, dog, and human hepatocytes with no metabolites identified. Safety pharmacology study in dog indicated moderately lower heart rate at ≥ 2 mg/kg oral gavage doses. Toxicity studies of PF614 in rat and dog with daily oral doses of 25 and 18 mg/kg, respectively, for 14 Days were well tolerated with favorable safety profile supporting its further clinical evaluation. •PF614, a novel TAAP, is a potential prodrug of oxycodone.•Ames, comet and micronucleus assay were negative, hERG IC50 was ≥300 μM.•Low permeability in Caco-2 cells and not a P-gp or BCRP substrate or inhibitor.•Metabolically stable in rat, dog, and human hepatocytes.•Oral doses of 25 and 18 mg/kg in rat and dog, respectively, were well tolerated.