Effect of a high‐fat and high‐calorie food on the pharmacokinetics of a novel, potent GABA analog HSK16149 in healthy subjects

HSK16149 is a novel, potent gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) analog for the treatment of neuropathic pain. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of a high‐fat and high‐calorie meal on the pharmacokinetics of HSK16149 in healthy Chinese subjects. An open‐label, two‐period crossover design was applied in this study. Twenty‐six subjects were enrolled and were randomly divided into two groups: a fasted‐fed group and a fed‐fasted group, with 13 subjects in each group. Subjects took a single oral dose of 45 mg of HSK16149 under fasted or fed conditions on Day 1 and Day 4. A series of blood samples were collected for PK analysis. Safety was evaluated throughout the study by physical examinations, clinical laboratory tests, 12‐lead ECGs, vital signs, and adverse events (AEs). The parameters AUC(0‐∞), AUC(0‐t), and C(max) of HSK16149 were compared to assess the bioequivalence of HSK16149 under fasted and fed conditions. The geometric mean ratios (GMRs) and their 90% confidence intervals (CIs) of AUC(0‐t) and AUC(0‐∞) under the fed condition compared with the fasted condition were 95.84% (91.94–99.90%) and 95.79% (91.89–99.84%), respectively, which were all within the bioequivalent interval (80.00–125.00%). The GMR (90% CI) of C(max) under the fed condition compared with the fasted condition was 66.04% (59.45–73.36%), which was not within the bioequivalent range (80.00–125.00%). All adverse events were transient and resolved. This study demonstrated that HSK16149 can be administered with or without food.