Bioequivalence of Ertugliflozin/Metformin Fixed‐Dose Combination Tablets and Coadministration of Respective Strengths of Individual Components

A fixed‐dose combination (FDC) of ertugliflozin, a selective sodium‐glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor, and immediate‐release metformin is approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus in the United States and European Union. Four open‐label, randomized, 2‐period, single‐dose, crossover studies were conducted under fasted conditions in healthy subjects to demonstrate bioequivalence of the ertugliflozin/metformin FDC tablets and coadministration of the individual components at respective strengths. In each study, 32 or 34 subjects received an ertugliflozin/metformin FDC tablet (2.5 mg/500 mg, 7.5 mg/850 mg, or 7.5 mg/1000 mg) and the respective doses of individual components (ertugliflozin with US‐ or EU‐sourced metformin [Glucophage]). Plasma samples for ertugliflozin and metformin concentrations were collected for 72 hours in each period. For both ertugliflozin and metformin, the 90% confidence intervals for the adjusted geometric mean ratio (FDC : coadministration) for area under the plasma concentration–time profile from time zero extrapolated to infinity and maximum observed plasma concentration were within acceptance criteria for bioequivalence. The majority of adverse events were mild in intensity. The studies demonstrated that each strength of FDC tablet is bioequivalent to respective doses of coadministered individual components, supporting that safety and efficacy can be bridged to the individual components used in phase 3 studies evaluating ertugliflozin in combination with metformin.