The safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetic profile of GSK2838232, a novel 2nd generation HIV maturation inhibitor, as assessed in healthy subjects

This work aimed to assess the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK), and relative bioavailability of GSK2838232, an investigational HIV maturation inhibitor. GSK2838232 was administered over four dose‐escalation studies in healthy subjects which assessed single oral doses (5‐250 mg) and repeat doses (up to 200 mg once or twice daily) ±100 mg ritonavir (RTV) once daily. GSK2838232 administration (up to 250 mg) to 124 subjects across four studies resulted in few mild adverse events (AEs) with similar frequencies to placebo. There were no clearly identified drug‐related AEs. GSK2838232 tested fasted was quickly absorbed with a t (max) of 2‐3 hours. With food, the absorption was delayed and more variable, with ~60% increase in AUC and C (max). Overall, following single doses GSK2838232 AUC and C (max) generally exhibited proportional PK from 50 to 100 mg dose without RTV and from 50 to 250 mg with RTV and following repeated doses of 20‐200 mg with RTV. In relative bioavailability studies, a micronized formulation was found to be suitable for development. At steady state, RTV increased GSK2838232 AUC and C (max) by 10‐ and 3‐fold, respectively. Half‐life was prolonged from ~17 hours nonboosted to ~34 hours with RTV. This boosting effect was also seen in repeat‐dose GSK2838232 studies, which achieved the targeted plasma exposure with GSK2838232 as a once‐daily regimen of up to 200 mg with RTV. The results of these studies demonstrated a favorable safety and PK profile for GSK2838232 and support its investigation for the treatment of HIV infection.