Safety, Tolerability and Pharmacokinetics Study of MK-7252 in Healthy Adult Participants (MK-7252-001)

The purpose of this study is to assess the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics (PK) of MK-7252 in healthy adults. Participants receive ascending doses of MK-7252 over five treatment periods. Each treatment period is separated by a 7-day washout period.

Upon review of the interim safety and preliminary PK data of human exposure to date, Protocol Amendment 3 includes a third panel of participants, Panel C, to assess the PK of higher doses of MK-7252 and to assess the food effect of MK-7252.

Three panels (Panels A, B, and C) of 8 healthy participants (n=6 MK-7252, n=2 placebo) are enrolled. In Panels A and B, participants will alternately receive single rising doses of MK-7252 or placebo for 5 treatment periods. In Panel C, participants will receive single rising doses of MK-7252 or placebo for up to 5 treatment periods. All doses in Panels A and B will be administered in the fasted state during the 5 treatment periods. Doses in Panel C will be administered in a fasted state in treatment periods 1 through 4 and the treatment period 1 dose will be repeated in a fed state during treatment period 5. Panel A will begin first. At least 3 days will elapse before participants in Panel B will receive the next higher dose. For all panels, there will be at least 7 days washout between treatment periods for any given participant. Participants may only be enrolled in one panel of the study. The planned dose levels may be adjusted downward or replaced based on evaluation of safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetic and/or pharmacodynamic data observed after previous treatment periods. All participants in the treatment periods of all panels (with exception of 120 mg fasted/fed periods in Panel C) will be randomly assigned to either study drug or placebo; that is a participant could be assigned to receive study drug in one period and placebo in another. As per the protocol allocation plan, the same participants in Panel C will receive 120 mg MK-7252 in a fasted and fed state. In addition, during any of the treatment periods if a participant demonstrates change in any one of the protocol-defined parameters lasting ≥2 hours, dose escalation in that participant will be halted and the participant may be withdrawn from the study or re-challenged at same dose or at a lower or divided dose. Participants that meet criteria listed will be followed up until parameters no longer meet stopping rule criteria.

During the study, participants in Panel A were planned to receive placebo, 1 mg, 6 mg, 24 mg, 72 mg and 108 mg, all in a fasted state in 5 periods. Participants in Panel B were planned to receive placebo, 3 mg, 12 mg, 48 mg, 72 mg and 162 mg, all in a fasted state in 5 periods. All periods in Panels A and B were conducted. Participants in Panel C were planned to receive placebo fasted, placebo fed, 120 mg fasted, 240 mg fasted, 360 mg fasted, 540 mg fasted, and 120 mg fed in 5 periods. Periods 4 and 5 were not conducted and, as a result, the 240 mg fasted, 360 mg fasted, 540 mg fasted, 120 mg fed, and placebo fed doses were not administered. A 180 mg fasted dose was added during Period 3.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Male or female participants of non-childbearing potential (Note: If postmenopausal female: participant is without menses for at least 1 year and has a documented follicle stimulating hormone \[FSH\] level in the postmenopausal range at pre-trial \[screening\] - OR - If surgically sterile female: participant is status post hysterectomy, oophorectomy or tubal ligation.)
* Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18.5 and 32 kg/m\^2, inclusive. BMI = weight (kg)/height (m)\^2.
* While in semi-recumbent position, has a systolic blood pressure ≤140 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure ≤90 mm Hg and a respiratory rate ≤20 breaths/min at the pre-study (screening) visit and prior to randomization.
* Judged to be in good health based on medical history, physical examination, vital sign measurements and electrocardiogram (ECG) performed prior to randomization.
* Non-smoker and/or has not used nicotine or nicotine-containing products (e.g., nicotine patch) for at least approximately 3 months.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Mentally or legally incapacitated, has significant emotional problems at the time of pretrial (screening) visit or expected during the conduct of the study or has a history of clinically significant psychiatric disorder of the last 5 years.
* History of clinically significant endocrine, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, hematological, hepatic, immunological, renal, respiratory, genitourinary or major neurological (including stroke and chronic seizures) abnormalities or diseases.
* History of liver disease (chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, etc.).
* History of cancer (malignancy). Exceptions include adequately treated non-melanomatous skin carcinoma or carcinoma in situ of the cervix and other malignancies which have been successfully treated ≥10 years prior to the pre-study (screening) visit.
* History of significant multiple and/or severe allergies (e.g. food, drug, latex allergy), or has had an anaphylactic reaction or significant intolerability (i.e. systemic allergic reaction) to prescription or non-prescription drugs or food.
* Tests positive for hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis C antibodies or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
* Had major surgery, donated or lost 1 unit of blood (approximately 500 mL) within 4 weeks prior to the pre-study (screening) visit.
* Participated in another investigational study within 4 weeks (or 5 half-lives), whichever is greater, prior to the pre-study (screening) visit.
* QTc interval ≥470 msec (for males) and ≥480 msec (for females).
* Taken a Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) during the 5 days prior to start of study treatment.
* Unable to refrain from or anticipates the use of any medication, including prescription and non-prescription drugs or herbal remedies beginning approximately 2 weeks (or 5 half-lives) prior to administration of the initial dose of study drug, throughout the study (including washout intervals between treatment periods), until the post-study visit.
* Consumes \>3 glasses of alcoholic beverages (1 glass is approximately equivalent to: beer \[354 mL/12 ounces\], wine \[118 mL/4 ounces\], or distilled spirits \[29.5 mL/1 ounce\]) per day.
* Consumes excessive amounts, defined as \>6 servings (1 serving is approximately equivalent to 120 mg of caffeine) of coffee, tea, cola, energy-drinks, or other caffeinated beverages per day.
* Regular user of cannabis, any illicit drugs or has a history of drug (including alcohol) abuse within approximately 1 year. Participants must have a negative result for urine drug screen test prior to randomization.