clinical study to assess bioequivalence between nicorette extra mint gum and nicorette® mint gum in healthy smokers

Conditions: Tobacco Dependence

Summary: this is a research study to verify the same effectiveness and safety profile for the test products, nicotine 2 mg gum and nicotine 4 mg gum, as for the already approved products, nicorette mint 2 mg gum and nicorette mint 4 mg gum (reference products), in a standardized mode. this verification is done in a so-called bioequivalence study, which means that the same amount of the same active substance (nicotine), in the same dosage form, for the same route of administration, and meeting the same or comparable standards is performed. during the study visits, blood samples will be drawn to measure the level of the substance in the blood to verify that the two test products are comparable to the reference products. tolerability of the treatments will be evaluated based on reported and observed adverse events.

this is a single-center, randomized, single-dose open-label, cross-over study in 76 healthy males and females in total. the investigational products (ips), i.e., nicorette extra mint gum 2 and 4 mg, and nicorette mint gum 2 and 4 mg, will be given as single doses at separate treatment visits. investigational treatments will be separated by at least 36 hours. blood samples for determination of nicotine will be drawn pre-dose (within 5 minutes of administering, i.e., start of chewing) and at 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 45, and 60 minutes, as well as 1.5, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 hours after start of administration. used gums will be collected and analyzed to determine the amount of remaining nicotine. any adverse events (aes) that may occur will be registered.

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: 1. healthy male subjects between the ages of 18 and 55 years, inclusive, and healthy female subjects between the ages of 18 and 45 years, inclusive. health is defined as the absence of clinically relevant abnormalities identified by a detailed medical history, physical examination, blood pressure and pulse rate measurements, 12-lead electrocardiogram (ecg) as well as clinical laboratory tests, as judged by the investigator or an authorized physician. 2. smoking of at least 10 cigarettes daily for at least one year preceding inclusion. 3. subjects will have a body mass index (bmi) between 19 and 25 (inclusive) kg/m2 and a body weight \>50 kg. 4. females of childbearing potential must have a negative pregnancy test at the screening visit. 5. male or non-pregnant, non-lactating female agree to the contraceptive requirements including male's and female partner's use of a highly effective methods of birth control for at least 3 months before the study, during the study and for 30 days after the last dose of the study drug). 6. a personally signed and dated informed consent document, indicating that the subject has been informed of all pertinent aspects of the study before participating in any study-specific procedures. 7. willingness and ability to comply with scheduled visits, treatment plan, laboratory tests, and other study procedures specified in the protocol. exclusion criteria: 1. use of medications other than contraceptives specified in inclusion criterion 4. vitamins, dietary, and herbal supplements must be discontinued at least two days before the first dose of study medication. 2. any positive result on screening for serum hepatitis b surface antigen, hepatitis c antibody, human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) or syphilis. 3. hypersensitivity to the ingredients/components of any of the ips. 4. history of alcoholism, as judged by the investigator, within the past 6 months preceding this study and/or presenting a positive respiratory alcohol test (breathalyzer) at the screening visit. 5. history of drug abuse or presenting a positive drug screening test for psychoactive drugs and narcotic substances at screening visit. 6. treatment with an ip within 3 months preceding this study. 7. donation or loss of blood within 3 months preceding this study if the estimated lost blood volume equaled or exceeded 200 ml. 8. impaired chewing capability as assessed by oral examination (e.g. dentures, significant oral ulceration) or impaired salivary secretion (e.g. sicca syndrome). piercing of tongue and lips is considered to impair oral function. 9. preplanned surgery or procedures during the study period, if this may interfere with the conduct of the study. 10. relationship to persons involved directly with the conduct of the study (i.e. pi; sub investigators; study coordinators; other study personnel; employees or contractors of the sponsor or johnson \& johnson (j\&j) subsidiaries; and the families of each).

Keywords: bioequivalence