pharmacokinetics (pk) and pharmacodynamics (pd) of mayne glucagon for injection compared with glucagen® (novo nordisk) in healthy volunteers

Conditions: Hypoglycemia

Summary: the purpose of this study is to evaluate the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic bioequivalence and safety of hospira glucagon for injection and glucagen® in healthy volunteers.

glucagon has been shown to be effective in the treatment of hypoglycemia, low blood sugar levels, in patients with diabetes. it primarily functions as a counter-regulatory hormone by opposing the actions of insulin to maintain blood glucose levels. a major problem for diabetic patients with hypoglycemia is the development of defective counter regulatory responses including reduced or absent glucagon responses to hypoglycemia. mayne glucagon for injection has been developed as an alternative to currently marketed products. administration of exogenous glucagon i.e., not produced in the body, has been shown to be effective in the treatment of low blood sugar in patients with diabetes. mayne has developed a product, glucagon for injection, which is an alternative to currently marketed products. the only difference is the source of the active ingredient. the formulation, routes of administration, dosage regimen and indications of mayne glucagon for injection are identical to those currently registered for the marketed product. a total of 28 healthy volunteers will be recruited into this study at one investigational site.

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: * healthy male or female aged 18-50 years inclusive * body weight between 50 - 100 kg and body mass index (bmi) between 18 and 30 kg/m2 or, if outside the range, considered not clinically significant by the investigator * non-smokers or ex-smokers who have not smoked with in the previous 3 months * written informed consent given * willing and able to comply with the requirements of the protocol and available for the planned duration of the study * subject must agree to use an adequate method of contraception during the study and for 12 weeks after the last dose of investigational medicinal product (imp). adequate methods of contraception for subject or partner include condoms with spermicide gel, diaphragm with spermicide gel, coil (intrauterine device), surgical sterilisation, subdermal implant, vasectomy, oral contraceptive pill, depot progesterone injections and abstinence. if a volunteer is usually not sexually active but becomes active he/she or their partner must use one of the contraceptive methods listed . male subjects whose partner is of child bearing potential must ensure that they or their partner use effective contraception for the course of the study and 12 weeks thereafter exclusion criteria: * history or presence of any clinically significant findings that, in the opinion of the investigator, would preclude inclusion in the study * history or presence of clinical significant gastrointestinal pathology or symptoms, liver or kidney disease or any other condition that might interfere with the absorption, distribution, metabolism or excretion of the drug. * any clinically significant laboratory findings * clinically significant abnormalities in 12-lead electrocardiogram (ecg) results * positive pregnancy test or lactation * participation in any other clinical study using an investigational product or device within the previous 12 weeks * positive human immunodeficiency virus (hiv), hepatitis b or c test * history of drug or alcohol abuse within the past two years or alcohol consumption greater than 21 units per week for males and greater than 14 units per week for females * blood donation of ≥ 500 ml in the previous 12 weeks * hypersensitivity to glucagon and/or any excipients * use of prescription medicines or st john's wort in the previous 2 weeks. the use of over-the-counter medicines within 5 days of dosing except those deemed by the investigator not to interfere with the outcome of the study. vitamins, minerals and nutritional supplements may be taken at the discretion of the investigator. hormonal contraceptives will be permitted.