TMC435-TiDP16-C125 - Study in Healthy Volunteers to Evaluate the Potential of TMC435 to Increase the Sensitivity of the Skin Towards Exposure to Sun Light

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the potential effect of TMC435 on the sensitivity of the skin towards exposure to sunlight. TMC435 is a drug that is currently under development for treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus infection. This study will be conducted in healthy volunteers. Ciprofloxacin, a commonly used antibiotic, is used as a positive control as this drug is known to mildly increase skin sensitivity to exposure to sunlight. This study also evaluates the levels of TMC435 and ciprofloxacin in the blood circulation and the safety and tolerability of TMC435.

This is a randomized (study drug assigned by chance), double blind (neither the study doctor, nor medical staff nor the healthy volunteer know the name of the assigned drug), double-dummy (all healthy volunteers take the same number of identically looking capsules, independent of the drug they have been assigned to), placebo- and positive-controlled (ciprofloxacin is a drug known to cause a mild photosensitive response) study. A total of 36 healthy volunteers will participate. Participants will be assigned to take TMC435 (one dose between 75 and 150 mg, once a day), TMC435-placebo (once a day) or ciprofloxacin (500 mg twice a day). The aim of this study is to look at the reaction of the skin after exposure to artificial sunlight when taking TMC435, ciprofloxacin or placebo. Study drug will be administered for 9 days. Phototesting (area of skin on your back will be exposed to artificial sunlight) will be conducted during 3 days before intake of study medication starts and during 3 days (Days 8, 9 and 10) during treatment. Skin reactions, general tolerability and safety of TMC435 will be assessed throughout the trial period (or longer if needed). Blood and urine samples will be taken at screening, on day 1, day 7, day 10 and at 2 follow-up visits. Blood levels of TMC435 and ciprofloxacin will be determined on Day 1, 5, 6, 7 (16 times), 8 (twice), 9 (twice) and 10. ECG and vital signs will be taken at screening, on day 1, twice on day 7, on day 10 and at 2 follow-up visits. A physical examination will be done at screening, on day 1, day 10 and at both follow-up visits. Volunteers assigned to the TMC435 group will receive a morning oral dose (dose between 75 and 150 mg) of TMC435 and a noon and evening oral dose of placebo, for 9 consecutive days. Volunteers assigned to the placebo group will receive oral placebo doses in the morning, at noon and in the evening, for 9 consecutive days. Volunteers assigned to the ciprofloxacin group will receive an oral morning placebo dose and a noon and evening oral dose of 500 mg ciprofloxacin, for 9 consecutive days.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Skin type I to III
* No ultraviolet exposure on the back for 4 weeks prior to baseline phototesting
* Normal skin response during baseline phototesting
* Body Mass Index of 18.0 to 30.0 kg/m2
* Healthy based on a medical evaluation including medical history, physical examination, blood tests and electrocardiogram.

Exclusion Criteria:

* History of hypersensitivity to sunlight or artificial source of intense light, especially UV light
* history or currently active porphyria or lupus erythematosus
* Positive plasma porphyrin scan and lupus erythematosus antibodies
* Active skin disorders on the back where phototesting will be performed
* Infection with Hepatitis A, B or C virus
* Infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
* Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding
* History of or any current medical condition which could impact the safety of the participant in the study