Safety, Tolerability and Pharmacokinetics of Multiple Ascending Doses of AZD8871 in Healthy Male Japanese Subjects

AZD8871 is a new chemical entity possessing long-acting dual-pharmacology (muscarinic receptor antagonist and β2 adrenoceptor agonist \[MABA\]) in a single molecule. This type of agent presents a novel approach to the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and potentially asthma (in combination with an inhaled corticosteroid). AZD8871 is being developed for inhalation, formulated with alpha lactose monohydrate and delivered by dry powder inhaler (DPI) that allows delivery of a single dose of the study drug.

The primary objective is to investigate the safety and tolerability of AZD8871 at steady state in healthy male Japanese subjects.

This is a Phase I, single centre, randomised, single blind, placebo-controlled study to investigate the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics (PK) of single and multiple ascending doses of inhaled AZD8871 in healthy male Japanese subjects.

All subjects will sign an Informed Consent Form before starting any study-related procedures.

Twenty-four healthy subjects, aged 20 to 55 years, will participate in 3 cohorts. All subjects will be admitted to the unit the day preceding the 1st dose and will be housed in the unit until 96 hours (4 days) post last dose of investigational medicinal product (IMP) (Day 20).

Eight subjects will participate in each cohort and will receive either AZD8871 or placebo, randomised 3:1 (6 subjects to receive AZD8871:2 subjects to receive placebo). Each subject will only be dosed in 1 cohort. The study design allows a gradual escalation of dose (Cohorts 2 and 3) with intensive safety monitoring to ensure the safety of the subjects.

In Cohort 1, subjects will receive only a single dose of AZD8871 300 µg or placebo on Day 1, followed by once daily dosing on Days 5 to 16. The dosing schedule of all cohorts will be single dose of IMP (active or placebo) on Day 1, followed by once daily dosing on Days 5 to 16. Within 5 to 7 days of discharge from the unit, there will be two follow-up visits.

Following each cohort, a maximum dose of 2 times the dose administered in the previous cohort will be considered for the subsequent cohort. However, the planned dose for Cohort 2 is 600 µg and for Cohort 3 is 900 µg. Dosing of Cohorts 2 and 3 will be preceded by a SRC meeting, which will confirm the adequacy of the planned doses. A minimum of 5 subjects on active treatment need to complete dosing per cohort in order to proceed to the next dose level.

The total duration of the study for each subject will be approximately 58 days (from Screening \[up to -28 days before randomization\] to Final Follow up visit \[Day 30\]).

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Provision of written informed consent prior to any study related procedures, including withdrawal of medications.
2. Male Japanese subjects aged 20 to 55 years, inclusive at Screening.
3. Body mass index (BMI) calculated as weight in kg/height in m2 from \>= 18 to \<= 30 kg/m2 and weight \>= 50 kg at Screening.
4. Healthy, free from any clinically significant disease/conditions (including all cardiovascular conditions), as determined by medical history, physical examination, clinical laboratory testing, 12-lead ECG findings at Screening and admission to the unit.
5. Spirometry readings (Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second and Forced Vital Capacity) to be \>= 80% of predicted value calculated using equations at Screening (Quanjer et. al. 2012).
6. Normal blood pressure (BP) (defined as systolic BP \>= 90 and \<= 140 mmHg and diastolic BP \>= 50 and \<= 90 mmHg) at Screening and admission to the unit, measured after resting in supine position for at least 10 minutes.
7. Normal heart rate (HR) (defined as HR \>= 45 and \<= 90) measured after resting in supine position for at least 10 minutes at Screening and admission to the unit.
8. Negative hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B core (HBc) antibody (IgM), hepatitis C antibody and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) I and II antibodies at Screening.
9. Negative drugs of abuse and alcohol tests at Screening and at admission to the unit.
10. Willing and able to comply with study specific procedures and restrictions.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Involvement in the planning and/or conduct of the study (applies to both AstraZeneca staff and/or staff at the study site)
2. Surgical history clinically relevant for the purpose of the study or any clinically significant illness, medical/surgical procedure or trauma within 4 weeks of Screening.
3. History of malignancy of any organ system, treated or untreated within the past 5 years, with the exception of localised basal cell carcinoma of the skin.
4. Current smokers, or a smoking history during the last 6 months or total smoking history of more than 10 pack years. Use of electronic cigarettes or other forms of nicotine, current use or use within the last 6 months.

   Note: Pack years are calculated by dividing the number of cigarettes smoked per day by 20 (the number of cigarettes per pack) and multiplying tis figure by the number of years a person has been smoking. For example, a person who smoked 40 cigarettes a day and has been smoking for 10 years would have a 20 pack-year smoking history (40 cigarettes per day at 20 cigarettes per pack =2; 2 x 10 years of smoking =20 pack-year history).
5. Prolonged QTcF corrected using Fredericia's formulae) interval, \> 450 ms at Screening, or family history of long QT syndrome.
6. Any clinically significant abnormalities in rhythm, conduction or morphology noted on physical examination, ECG or telemetry recording, prior to randomisation.
7. History of excessive use or abuse of alcohol within the past 2 years, defined as: subjects consuming more than 21 (male subjects) units of alcohol a week (1 unit = 1 glass of wine (125 mL) = 1 measure of spirits = half pint of beer).
8. History of drug abuse within the past 2 years prior to Screening.
9. Donation or loss of \> 400 ml blood and plasma within the previous 3 months prior to Screening.
10. History or presence of severe allergy/hypersensitivity or ongoing allergy/hypersensitivity to any drug, as judged by the Investigator or history of hypersensitivity to drugs pharmacologically related to study drug.
11. PR (PQ) interval shortening \< 120 ms (PR \> 110 ms but \< 120 ms is acceptable if there is no evidence of ventricular pre-excitation) at Screening.
12. PR (PQ) interval prolongation (\> 240 ms), intermittent second (Wenckebach block while asleep is not exclusive), or third degree AV block, or AV dissociation at Screening.
13. Persistent or intermittent complete bundle branch block, incomplete bundle branch block.
14. Intraventricular conduction delay with QRS (onset of ventricular depolarization) \> 110 ms at Screening.

    Note: Subjects with QRS \> 110 ms but \< 115 ms are acceptable if there is no evidence of ventricular hypertrophy or pre-excitation.
15. Subject who does not agree to follow instructions to avoid partner pregnancy.
16. Subject who is not able to adhere to the restrictions on prior and concomitant medications.
17. Administered any investigational drug within 3 months prior to first dosing in this study or within the equivalent time of 5 half lives of receiving the last IMP administration, whichever is longer, or on an extended Follow up after receiving an IMP.
18. Subjects unable to communicate reliably with the Investigator, even with the help of an interpreter.
19. Vulnerable subjects, e.g., kept in detention, protected adults under guardianship, trusteeship, or committed to an institution by governmental or juridical order.
20. Subjects who failed any Screening procedures will not be included in the study.
21. Subjects with psychiatric disease with limitations to follow instructions in regards of study procedures.
22. Subjects with serum potassium values \< 3.5 mmol/L at Screening and on repeat testing.

    Note: Potassium replacement and repeat testing is allowed if serum potassium concentration was \< 3.5 mmol/L at Screening.
23. Any laboratory abnormality or suspicion of any clinically relevant disease or disorder (on history or examination), including uncontrolled diabetes, which, in the opinion of the Investigator, may either put the subject at risk because of participation in the study, or influence the results or the subject's ability to participate in the study, or any other safety concern in the opinion of the Investigator.