First-in-Human Study of the Safety, Pharmacokinetics, and Pharmacodynamics of MHV370, a Dual Inhibitor of Toll-Like Receptors 7 and 8, in Healthy Adults

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: MHV370, a dual antagonist of human Toll-like receptors (TLR) 7 and 8, suppresses cytokines and interferon-stimulated genes in vitro and in vivo, and has demonstrated efficacy in murine models of lupus. This first-in-human study aimed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of single and multiple doses of MHV370 in healthy adults, as well as the effects of food consumption on a single dose of MHV370. METHODS: This was a phase 1, randomised, placebo-controlled study conducted in three parts. In part A, participants received (3:1) a single ascending dose (SAD) of 1, 3, 10, 20, 40, 80, 160, 320, 640 and 1000 mg MHV370 or placebo. In part B, participants received (3:1) multiple ascending doses (MAD) of 25, 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg MHV370 twice daily (b.i.d) or placebo for 14 days. In part C, participants received an open-label single dose of 200 mg MHV370 under fasted or fed conditions. Safety, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters were evaluated. RESULTS: MHV370 was well tolerated, and no safety signal was observed in the study. No dose-limiting adverse events occurred across the dose range evaluated. Plasma concentrations of MHV370 increased with dose (mean [SD] maximum plasma concentrations ranged from 0.97 [0.48] to 1670 [861.0] ng/mL for SAD of 3–1000 mg, 29.5 [7.98] to 759 [325.0] ng/mL for MAD of 25–400 mg b.i.d. on day 1). The intake of food did not have a relevant impact on the pharmacokinetics of MHV370. Pharmacodynamic data indicated time- and dose-dependent inhibition of TLR7-mediated CD69 expression on B cells (100% inhibition at 24 h post-dose starting from SAD 160 mg and MAD 50 mg b.i.d.) and TLR8-mediated TNF release after ex vivo stimulation (>90% inhibition at 24 h post-dose starting from SAD 320 mg and MAD 100 mg b.i.d.). CONCLUSION: The safety, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data support the further development of MHV370 in systemic autoimmune diseases driven by the overactivation of TLR7 and TLR8. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13318-023-00847-3.