Evaluation of Safety, Tolerability and Pharmacokinetic Characteristics of SA001 and Its Active Metabolite Rebamipide after Single and Multiple Oral Administration

Dry eye disease (DED) is one of the most common eye diseases caused by multiple factors. Rebamipide, which is currently used to treat peptic ulcer disease, was shown to enhance secretory function and modulate inflammation in animal disease models. Considering the pathophysiology of DED, SA001 was developed expecting enhanced systemic exposure of rebamipide. Clinical trials to evaluate the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetic (PK) characteristics of SA001 and its active metabolite rebamipide were conducted. After oral administration of SA001, blood and urine samples were collected for PK analysis of SA001 and rebamipide. PK parameters were compared between SA001 and conventional rebamipide (Bamedin(®)) and also between fasted and fed. Safety and tolerability were evaluated throughout the study based on adverse events (AEs), physical examinations, vital signs, 12-lead electrocardiography and clinical laboratory tests. SA001 was rapidly absorbed and quickly converted to rebamipide. The systemic exposure of rebamipide was dose-proportional after single and multiple doses. The plasma concentration of rebamipide after administration of SA001 was higher with a dose adjusted AUC(last) and C(max) 2.20 and 5.45 times higher in the 240 mg dose group and 4.73 and 11.94 times higher in the 600 mg dose group compared to conventional rebamipide. The favorable PK and tolerability profiles support further clinical development.