Study of LYN-014 in Individuals With Opioid Use Disorder Who Are Stable on Methadone Therapy

A Phase 1, Single Dose, Open-label, Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacokinetic Study of LYN-014 in Individuals with Opioid Use Disorder Who are Stable on Methadone Therapy

Lyndra Therapeutics is currently developing extended release (ER) capsules for weekly administration across therapeutic areas with certain medications for which consistent pharmacokinetics (PK) or enhanced adherence may translate to improved efficacy, and possibly better safety. LYN-014 ER capsules are intended to provide comparable levomethadone exposure to daily treatment with racemic methadone for people with opioid use disorder (OUD). Compared to daily methadone dosing, LYN-014 could provide greater accessibility to methadone therapy and reduce the time devoted to obtaining medication the number of visits to methadone clinics, and thus reduce the stigma associated with methadone treatment, improve the quality of life for patients, and reduce the potential for diversion. This single dose study will evaluate the safety, tolerability, and PK of LYN-014 in individuals with OUD who are stable on daily methadone treatment. Data from this study will inform formulation optimization and dose selection for further development.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

To be eligible to participate in the study, individuals must meet all the following inclusion criteria at Screening (and at other timepoints, where specified):

Male or female aged ≥18 and ≤59 years. Body mass index of ≥18 kg/m2 and ≤33 kg/m2. Moderate or severe OUD according to the DSM-5 criteria. Clinically stable (for at least 6 months) on oral daily methadone therapy at a dose of 80 to 100 mg and have been taking the same dose for at least 3 months, and are stably engaged in a methadone program, confirmed by a methadone provider and defined as (1) demonstrates evidence of regular attendance, (2) has not had problems with missed visits, and (3) consistently demonstrates drug-negative urine samples (except for cannabis).

Agree to provide the study site with contact information for the clinic where they get methadone and agree that a study physician can contact the clinician providing methadone to confirm appropriateness for study participation and to manage their transition into the study and from the study back to their opioid treatment program.

Able to read and understand study procedures and provide written informed consent before the initiation of any protocol-specific procedures.

Willing to comply with all protocol-specified procedures and availability for the duration of the study (e.g., participant is not aware of any emergent life-changes or potential family emergencies that would interfere with a 40+ day inpatient stay).

Exclusion Criteria:

To be eligible to participate in the study, individuals must not meet any of the following exclusion criteria at Screening (and at other timepoints, where specified):

1. Known clinically significant esophageal or GI disease, including but not limited to:

a. Known strictures such as esophageal web, pyloric stenosis, small intestinal stricture, or individuals with high risk of stricture, ie, Crohn's disease b. Diagnosis of a condition known to elevate or lower gastric pH, eg, achlorhydria or hypochlorhydria c. Prior small or large bowel obstructions or varices d. Prior abdominal or upper GI surgery (prior uncomplicated laparoscopic procedures are permitted) e. History of dysphagia or aspiration in the last 5 years f. History of an esophageal motility disorder or undergoing treatment for a gastric motility disorder g. Significant history of diarrhea or constipation (non-methadone related) within 3 months of Screening h. Fewer than 3 bowel movements per week, on average i. Multiple episodes of abdominal pain in the prior 3 months j. Moderate or severe dysmenorrhea or menorrhagia (with use of pain medication) in the prior 3 months.

k. History of gastroparesis, rumination, autoimmune gastritis, H.pylori gastritis, or irritable bowel syndrome l. History compatible with acid reflux (heartburn, regurgitation, dysphagia, chest pain, water brash, globus sensation, odynophagia) m. Medical history compatible with Achlorhydria (i.e., history of autoimmune gastritis, pernicious anemia, H. plylori infection, partial gastrectomy).

1. History of moderate to severe Acid Reflux Disease or a score of ≥2 on the Acid Reflux Severity Scale (ARSS), indicating moderate to severe symptoms. The ARSS scale is as follows:

   None = 0 no symptoms Mild = 1 awareness of symptom, but easily tolerated Moderate = 2 discomfort sufficient to cause interference with normal activities Severe = 3 incapacitating, with inability to perform normal activities.
2. Individuals with PILL 5 swallowing questionnaire score of 5 or greater.
3. Medical history or current diagnoses indicating the presence of any of the following conditions:

   1. Presence of an uncontrolled, unstable, or clinically significant medical condition, mental impairment, or psychiatric disease (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar, major depression, or borderline personality disorder) that could put the subject at risk because of participation in the study, interfere with the subject's ability to participate in the study or influence the interpretation of safety or PK evaluations
   2. History of a major cardiovascular event (myocardial infarction, cardiac surgery or revascularization, unstable angina, stroke, or transient ischemic attack) or a hospitalization for heart failure within 6 months of Screening
   3. Presence of Long QT Syndrome
   4. Any clinically significant illness, medical or surgical procedure or trauma within 4 weeks of Screening, in the opinion of the Sponsor/designee or Principal Investigator
   5. Known immunocompromised status, including individuals who have undergone organ transplantation, on immunosuppression for an immune mediated disease, or are positive for HIV
   6. Positive test for active hepatitis B at Screening, unless hepatitis B infection has been resolved for ≥1 year
   7. Donated more than 250 mL of blood within 4 weeks of Screening
   8. Difficulties with venipuncture/cannulation, including difficulty accessing veins for blood sampling and/or history of coagulopathy or endocarditis
   9. Suicidal ideation associated with actual intent and a method or plan in the past 6 months, as measured by the C-SSRS (i.e., "Yes" answers on items 4 or 5) at Screening or Day 1, or has a history of suicide attempt within the last 2 years
   10. Chronic pain that requires chronic opioid treatment
   11. Active SARS-CoV-2 infection, as defined in the site-specific COVID 19 Risk Mitigation Plan
   12. History of pernicious anemia
   13. History of advanced cirrhosis
4. Use of the below in the 2 weeks before enrollment:

   1. Proton pump inhibitors and H2 blockers
   2. Prokinetics
   3. Grapefruit juice, blood oranges, Seville (bitter) oranges, and star fruit
   4. Medications that may interfere with the absorption, metabolism, or excretion of methadone (see Appendix 18.1)
   5. Medications that have a known risk of Torsades des Pointes (see Appendix 18.2)
   6. Concomitant medications, natural remedies, supplements, or vitamins that are associated with changes to gastric motility or pH. Use of antacids is permissible, except for within 2 hours of dosing with LYN 014
   7. Benzodiazepines except for treatment of insomnia (short/medium acting benzodiazepines used occasionally (1 or 2 times per week)
   8. Hormonal contraceptives
5. Use of blood products within 3 months of Screening.
6. Medical history or current diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, restrictive lung disease, asthma, or any condition that could contribute to respiratory distress during study participation.
7. Clinically significant abnormal safety (e.g., physical examination, vital signs) or safety laboratory assessments at Screening, specifically:

   1. Presence of a clinically significant abnormal laboratory result on blood or urine safety tests
   2. Anemia (hemoglobin below lower limit of normal reference range and considered to be clinically significant)
   3. Alanine aminotransferase or aspartate aminotransferase ≥3.0 × upper limit of normal or total bilirubin ≥1.5 × upper limit of normal
   4. Moderate or severe renal insufficiency (Glomerular Filtration Rate \<60 mL/min as determined using the Cockcroft Gault formula)
   5. Heart rate \<60 beats per minute (bpm)
   6. Systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mmHg
   7. Glycated hemoglobin (hemoglobin A1c; HbA1c) ≥6.5 mmol/L
   8. Thrombocytopenia (platelets \<150 × 109/L) or bleeding diathesis (International Normalization Ratio \> 1.4)
   9. Positive fecal occult blood test (FOBT) at Screening
8. The following specified patterns of substance use:

   1. Concomitant substance use disorder other than OUD, caffeine use disorder, or nicotine use disorder
   2. Positive urine drug screen for cocaine, amphetamine, methamphetamine, barbiturates, propoxyphene, phencyclidine, or buprenorphine
   3. Cannabis use disorder
   4. Positive ethanol breathalyzer result
9. Women of childbearing potential and men, who are unwilling to use acceptable means of contraception through the EOS. For clarity, women who are at least 1 year post menopausal are considered not of childbearing potential and can be included in the study. Acceptable means of contraception include:

   1. Individuals who have been surgically sterilized
   2. Females of childbearing potential: diaphragm, contraceptive sponge, or intrauterine device in use before enrollment, in combination with use of a condom for their male partners
   3. Males: condom in combination with any of the above means of contraception for their female partners
   4. All individuals: abstinence is only acceptable if a subject chooses not to be sexually active
10. Individuals who are nursing or have a positive or indeterminate pregnancy test at Screening (serum test) or Day 1 (urine test).
11. Use of any experimental agent within 3 months or 5 half lives of Screening, whichever is longer.
12. Employees or immediate family members of employees of the site, Sponsor, or study related vendors.
13. History of a serious allergic or hypersensitivity reaction to LYN 014 components or any components of morphine sulfate or ancillary medications.
14. History of X ray, computed tomography scan or angiogram of the abdomen within 1 year of Screening.