Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic modeling of drug interactions at the P2Y 12 receptor between selatogrel and oral P2Y 12 antagonists

Abstract Selatogrel is a potent and reversible P2Y 12 receptor antagonist developed for subcutaneous self‐administration by patients with suspected acute myocardial infarction. After single‐dose emergency treatment with selatogrel, patients are switched to long‐term treatment with oral P2Y 12 receptor antagonists. Selatogrel shows rapid onset and offset of inhibition of platelet aggregation (IPA) to overcome the critical initial time after acute myocardial infarction. Long‐term benefit is provided by oral P2Y 12 receptor antagonists such as clopidogrel, prasugrel, and ticagrelor. A population pharmacokinetic (PK)/pharmacodynamic (PD) model based on data from 545 subjects in 4 phase I and 2 phase II studies well described the effect of selatogrel on IPA alone and in combination with clopidogrel, prasugrel, and ticagrelor. The PK of selatogrel were described by a three‐compartment model. The PD model included a receptor‐pool compartment to which all drugs can bind concurrently, reversibly or irreversibly, depending on their mode of action. Furthermore, ticagrelor and its active metabolite can bind to the selatogrel‐receptor complex allosterically, releasing selatogrel from the binding site. The model provided a framework for predicting the effect on IPA of selatogrel followed by reversibly and irreversibly binding oral P2Y 12 receptor antagonists for sustained effects. Determining the timepoint for switching from emergency to maintenance treatment is critical to achieve sufficient IPA at all times. Simulations based on the interaction model showed that loading doses of clopidogrel and prasugrel administered 15 h and 4.5 h after selatogrel, respectively, provide sustained IPA with clinically negligible drug interaction. Study HighlightsWHAT IS THE CURRENT KNOWLEDGE ON THE TOPIC?Selatogrel is a potent reversible P2Y 12 receptor antagonist developed for subcutaneous self‐administration by patients in case of suspected acute myocardial infarction. Transition to oral P2Y 12 receptor antagonists without drug interaction and sufficient inhibition of platelet aggregation must be assured at all times. WHAT QUESTION DID THIS STUDY ADDRESS?The pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic model semimechanistically describes the effect of selatogrel on platelet inhibition alone and in combination with the oral P2Y 12 receptor antagonists clopidogrel, prasugrel, and ticagrelor. WHAT DOES THIS STUDY ADD TO OUR KNOWLEDGE?Model‐based simulations showed that loading doses of clopidogrel and prasugrel can be administered from 15 h and 4.5 h after selatogrel, respectively. HOW MIGHT THIS CHANGE CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY OR TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE?These results support guiding the clinical transition from selatogrel emergency treatment to oral maintenance therapy in a safe and efficacious way.