LAUSR

AIM Ropeginterferon alfa-2b is a novel, long-acting pegylated interferon alfa-2b. We aimed to evaluate its safety, pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD). METHODS Thirty-six subjects received single subcutaneous injection of ropeginterferon alfa-2b at doses ranging 24-270 μg, and twelve subjects received Pegylated IFN alfa-2a subcutaneously at 180 μg. Primary endpoints were safety/PK profiles of ropeginterferon alfa-2b, while secondary endpoints were to compare PK/PD parameters with Pegylated IFN alfa-2a. RESULTS Adverse events in ropeginterferon alfa-2b and Pegylated IFN alfa-2a groups were similar, and most of them were mild or moderate. Mean Cmax increased from 1.78 to 24.84 ng/mL along with the dose escalations in ropeginterferon alfa-2b groups and was 12.95 ng/mL for Pegylated IFN alfa-2a. At 180 μg, ropeginterferon alfa-2b showed statistically significant Cmax geometric mean ratio (1.76; p=0.0275). Mean Tmax ranged from 74.52 to 115.69 h for ropeginterferon alfa-2b groups, and was 84.25 h for Pegylated IFN alfa-2a. Mean AUC0-t increased from 372.3 to 6258 ng•hr/mL with the dose escalations in the ropeginterferon alfa-2b groups, while for Pegylated IFN alfa-2a it was found to be 2706 ng•hr/mL in Pegylated IFN alfa-2a. For neopterin and 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthase, mean Emax , Tmax , and AUC0-t of ropeginterferon alfa-2b were similar to those of Pegylated IFNα-2a at 180 ug. CONCLUSIONS Ropeginterferon alfa-2b up to 270 μg was safe and well tolerated. The PK/PD parameters of ropeginterferon alfa-2b showed increase in dose-response. Ropeginterferon alfa-2b had higher drug exposures and showed similar safety profile when compared to Pegylated IFN alfa-2a at the same dose level.