Particle Forming Amorphous Solid Dispersions: A Mechanistic Randomized Pharmacokinetic Study in Humans

Amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs) are a promising drug-delivery strategy to overcome poor solubility through formulation. Currently, the understanding of drug absorption mechanisms from ASDs in humans is incomplete. Aiming to gain insights in this matter, we conducted a randomized cross-over design open-label clinical study (NCT03886766) with 16 healthy male volunteers in an ambulatory setting, using micro-dosed efavirenz as a model drug. In three phases, subjects were administered (1) solid ASD of efavirenz 50 mg or (2) dissolved ASD of efavirenz 50 mg or (3) a molecular solution of efavirenz 3 mg (non-ASD) as a control in block-randomized order. Endpoints were the pharmacokinetic profiles (efavirenz plasma concentration vs. time curves) and derived pharmacokinetic parameters thereof (AUC(0–t), C(max), t(max), and k(a)). Results showed that the dissolved ASD (intervention 2) exhibited properties of a supersaturated solution (compared to aqueous solubility) with rapid and complete absorption of the drug from the drug-rich particles. All interventions showed similar AUC(0–t) and were well tolerated by subjects. The findings highlight the potential of particle forming ASDs as an advanced drug-delivery system for poorly soluble drugs and provide essential insights into underlying mechanisms of ASD functioning in humans, partially validating current conceptual models.