Motilin is a peptide found in specific endocrine cells in the epithelia of the upper small intestine . It is released during fasting to act at its own receptor (motilin receptor, previously known as GPR38) resulting in the initiation of Phase III of the migrating motor complex (MMC). MMCs begin in the upper regions of the gut and are usually characterized by three distinct phases (I, a period of near-quiescence; II, short- or non-propulsive contractions at irregular frequency; III, a final burst of high amplitude propulsive contractions), terminating within the distal regions of the small intestine. Phase III activity may help clear the stomach and intestine from any undigested material, prevent bacterial overgrowth in the upper gut and perhaps help develop the sensation of hunger. The association of motilin release with Phase III of the MMC, together with an ability of motilin to mimic the strong propulsive contractions which comprise Phase III, has argued for an involvement of motilin in the regulation of certain functions of the gut during fasting.

Motilin receptor agonists can increase gastric emptying after ingestion of a meal; this action is mediated via the cholinergic system of the stomach. Erythromycin and motilides (non-peptide derivatives of macrolide antibiotics but devoid of antibiotic activity) are motilin receptor agonists and effective gastroprokinetic agents in patients. Erythromycin has been shown to stimulate gastric emptying in patients with diabetic, idiopathic and post-vagotomy gastroparesis, and in critically-ill patients receiving enteral nutrition, EM574 and KC 11458, and the peptide motilin receptor agonist atilmotin, also increase gastric emptying in humans.

In addition to effects on gastric emptying, motilin also appears to produce an effect on the oesophageal musculature. In particular, several studies have shown that single doses of motilin agonists (erythromycin in healthy volunteers and in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), atilmotin, a peptide motilin agonist, in healthy volunteers) , increase lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS) pressure and have various dose dependent effects on oesophageal peristaltic amplitudes and propulsive contractions in both healthy volunteers and patients with GORD. In addition, there is evidence that reduction of GORD in patients by using a motilin agonist may be useful clinically. For example, in a recent study in patients following lung transplantation, it was demonstrated that azithromycin, a motilin agonist macrolide antibiotic, reduced the number of reflux events and total oesophageal acid exposure as well as reduce the proximal extent to which reflux was regurgitated.

The clinical trials of promotility agents in GORD have not, however, shown consistent benefit. This may be related to compound characteristics. The dynamics of the relationship between PK and the effect on oesophageal function may be a factor as the most consistent data supporting their role as prokinetics in GORD come from studies which administered the drug intravenously, a route of administration which would not be suitable for a broader GORD population. In addition, if high doses of macrolides are required to have an effect on GORD, there is a risk of overlapping with antibiotic therapeutic doses, which would limit the interest of such approach. Macrolides also induce side effects such as nausea and abdominal, which makes macrolides difficult to tolerate for many patients. Another factor to consider is that repeat administration of macrolides induces desensitization of the motilin receptor reducing their efficacy over time, a phenomenon called tachyphylaxis. A strategy to decrease the tachyphylaxis to stimulation of motilin receptors is to identify agents that do not possess a complex motilide structure like erythromycin. This was the approach taken by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) by which they identified GSK962040, a small molecule motilin receptor agonist, which is not a motilide.

GSK962040 was designed using the recombinant human motilin receptor to enhance the specificity for the receptor and potentially decrease the negative characteristics encountered with compounds with complex and non-specific motilide structures. A range of in vitro and in vivo studies have been conducted using GSK962040 to investigate its primary, secondary and safety pharmacology and toxicology. In addition, the pharmacokinetics (PK), absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination of GSK962040 have been investigated in non-clinical species through a series of oral and intravenous studies.

The First Time in Human (FTIH) study (MOT107043) of GSK962040 is completed. It was an ascending single dose, randomised, placebo-controlled trial, with doses in the range of 1-150 mg to assess safety and tolerability, PK and pharmacodynamic effects on gastric emptying (GE) in healthy male and female volunteers. Dosing with GSK962040 was well tolerated. The results demonstrated that GSK962040 has an approximate dose proportional PK profile. Single doses of GSK962040 in the range of 1 to 150 mg resulted in mean exposures less than 23 μg.h/mL (AUC). At single doses of 50 mg to 150 mg, the rate of GE measured by the 13C-octanoic acid breath test was significantly increased in healthy volunteers when compared with placebo. Increasing the dose above 50 mg did not result in a greater effect on GE. The mean within subject time for half a \[13C\]-containing meal to empty from the stomach (GE t½) decreased by 22-43% from placebo with GSK962040 50, 75, 125 and 150 mg single doses (p ≤ 0.02). Increases in the rate of gastric emptying occurred in 85% to 100% of those healthy subjects receiving the 50 to 150 mg doses. The 14-day repeat dose study in healthy volunteers (MOT109681) was an ascending dose, randomised, placebo-controlled trial over the range of 10 mg to 125 mg daily. GSK962040 was well tolerated over the 14- day administration period for the doses tested and exhibited predictable PK, with and without food. The results indicated that GE was enhanced at doses of 50 mg and above, throughout the 14-day dosing. GSK962040 is currently in Phase II clinical development, being investigated in intensive care patients who receive enteral feeding, and in patients with diabetic gastroparesis. The present study will investigate effect of GSK962040 on oesophageal function because a combination of enhanced GE, barrier function (i.e. increase in LOS pressure) and oesophageal clearance would be potentially beneficial in patients with GORD or regurgitation.

Non clinical and clinical data indicate that a motilin agonist such as GSK962040 may also influence oesophageal function as well as GE. The purpose of the present study is primarily to evaluate the physiological effect of clinical doses of GSK962040 on oesophageal function in healthy volunteers, using established methods (oesophageal manometry, ambulatory pH/Impedance monitoring). GE will also be measured, using wireless motility capsule (WMC) monitoring. Given this is a physiological assessment, the use of healthy volunteers is considered appropriate; in addition, the study population will comprise male volunteers only in order to reduce variability in the measurements and therefore sample size, as GE varies with gender. The information from this study will inform decision making as to whether GSK962040 could have utility in conditions in which lower oesophageal function is deranged such as GORD.