Safety and Pharmacokinetics of CD101 IV, a Novel Echinocandin, in Healthy Adults

CD101 IV is a novel echinocandin with distinctive pharmacokinetic properties that is being developed as a once-weekly treatment for candidemia and invasive candidiasis. CD101 has potent in vitro activity and in vivo efficacy against a broad range of Candida and Aspergillus species. The primary objective of two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-escalation studies in healthy adults was to determine the safety and tolerability of CD101 IV. Sequential cohorts of 8 subjects (n = 6, active; n = 2, placebo) were administered single (50, 100, 200, 400 mg) or multiple once-weekly (100 mg given once weekly for two weeks [×2], 200 mg ×2, 400 mg ×3) doses of CD101 IV infused over 1 h. There were no deaths, serious adverse events (SAEs), severe adverse events (AEs), or withdrawals from the study due to an AE. The majority of AEs were mild, and all completely resolved. There was a higher incidence of total AEs and mild transient infusion reactions in the 400-mg ×3 dose group. There were no clinically meaningful trends in postbaseline laboratory abnormalities and no safety issues related to electrocardiograms, vital signs, or physical exams. CD101 showed dose-proportional plasma exposures, minor accumulation (30% to 55%), low apparent clearance (<0.28 liter/h), long half-life (t(1/2)) (>80 h), and minimal urine excretion. CD101 IV was safe and well tolerated at single and multiple doses of up to 400 mg given once weekly for 3 weeks and exhibited a long t(1/2), minimal accumulation over several weeks, negligible renal excretion, and high plasma exposures enabling once-weekly dosing.