Bioequivalence Study of Fenofibric Acid Versus Tricor® (Fenofibrate)

Fenofibrate is rapidly and completely hydrolyzed to fenofibric acid, the active moiety. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the bioequivalence of fenofibric acid and fenofibrate under fasting conditions. Additionally, the safety and tolerability of the study treatments will be evaluated. Fifty-four healthy, non-smoking, non-obese, 18-45 year old, male and female volunteers will be randomly assigned in a crossover fashion to receive each of two dosing regimens, fenofibric acid (Fibricor™) and fenofibrate (Tricor®) in sequence with a 7 day washout period between dosing periods. On the morning of Day 1, after an overnight fast of at least 10 hours, subjects will receive either a single oral dose of the test formulation, fenofibric acid (1 x 105 mg tablet) or a single oral dose of the reference formulation, fenofibrate (1 x 145 mg tablet). After a 7 day washout period, on the morning of Day 8 after an overnight fast, subjects will receive the alternate regimen. Fasting will continue for 4 hours after each dose. Blood samples will be drawn from all participants before dosing and for 72 hours post dose at times sufficient to adequately define the pharmacokinetics of fenofibric acid and fenofibrate. Subjects will be monitored throughout their participation for adverse reactions to the study drug and/or procedures. Seated blood pressure and pulse will be measured prior to each dose and approximately 2 hours post-dose. All adverse experiences, whether elicited by query, spontaneously reported, or observed by clinic staff, will be documented in the subject's case report form.

Inclusion criteria

• Healthy adults 18-45 years of age
• Non-smoking
• Non-pregnant (post-menopausal, surgically sterile or using effective contraceptive measures)
• Body mass index (BMI) less than 30
• Medically healthy on the basis of medical history and physical examination
• Hemoglobin > or = to 12g/dL
• Completion of the screening process within 28 days prior to dosing
• Provision of voluntary written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Recent participation (within 28 days) in other research studies
• Recent significant blood donation or plasma donation
• Pregnant or lactating
• Test positive at screening for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg), or hepatitis C virus (HCV)
• Recent (2-year) history or evidence of alcoholism or drug abuse
• History or presence of significant cardiovascular, pulmonary, hepatic, gallbladder or biliary tract, renal, hematologic, gastrointestinal, endocrine, immunologic, dermatologic, neurologic, or psychiatric disease
• Subjects who have used any drugs or substances known to inhibit or induce cytochrome (CYP) P450 enzymes and/or P-glycoprotein (P-gp) within 28 days prior to the first dose and throughout the study
• Drug allergies to fenofibrate (fenofibric acid)