Safety, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of idarucizumab, a specific dabigatran reversal agent in healthy Japanese volunteers: a randomized study

ESSENTIALS: Idarucizumab, a monoclonal antibody fragment, binds dabigatran with high affinity and specificity. In this phase 1 trial, healthy Japanese males received idarucizumab alone or with dabigatran. Idarucizumab achieved immediate, complete and sustained reversal of dabigatran anticoagulation. Idarucizumab was well tolerated and demonstrated no pro‐coagulant effects. BACKGROUND: Idarucizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody fragment that specifically binds with high affinity to dabigatran. OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of idarucizumab alone and with dabigatran at steady state, and the effects of idarucizumab on dabigatran‐induced anticoagulation. PATIENTS/METHODS: This was a two‐part, phase I, randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind, rising‐dose trial in healthy Japanese males. Part 1: 32 subjects (males) received single idarucizumab doses (1, 2, 4 or 8 g [n=6/dose group]) or placebo (n=2/dose group). Part 2: 48 males received dabigatran (220 mg bid) followed by idarucizumab (n=9/dose group) 1, 2, 4 or 5 g (2×2.5 g), or placebo (n=3/dose group). Anti‐idarucizumab antibodies (ADAs) and idarucizumab effect on anticoagulation parameters (diluted thrombin time [dTT], ecarin clotting time [ECT], activated partial thromboplastin time [aPTT] and thrombin time [TT]) were assessed. RESULTS: No adverse events were reported in subjects receiving idarucizumab. After single doses of idarucizumab (alone or at steady state of dabigatran), maximum plasma concentration was achieved around the end of each infusion. Mean all anticoagulation parameters fell below the upper limit of normal immediately after idarucizumab infusion in all dose groups; the effect was sustained at 4 and 2×2.5 g over the entire measurement period until 72 h. At 1‐ and 2‐g doses, partial return of the anticoagulant effect occurred. Idarucizumab alone had no effect on coagulation parameters. Treatment‐emergent ADAs occurred in 6/60 males receiving idarucizumab. CONCLUSIONS: Idarucizumab infusion achieved immediate, complete and sustained reversal of dabigatran‐induced anticoagulation in Japanese volunteers. Idarucizumab was well tolerated with no procoagulant effects. Trial registration number: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02028780 (completed)