Dexpramipexole SAD/MAD Study

Preclinical and clinical data to date support the exploration of doses of dexpramipexole higher than 150 mg twice daily for their effectiveness in slowing the progression of ALS. Exploration of doses of dexpramipexole higher than 150 mg twice daily is justified by preclinical and clinical data that suggest that higher doses could potentially be more effective in slowing the progression of ALS than the dose of dexpramipexole currently being explored in Phase 3 studies (150 mg twice daily).

This is a Phase 1, single-center, blinded, randomized, placebo controlled, ascending-dose study consisting of 2 parts; Part A (single-ascending dose [SAD]) and Part B (multiple ascending dose [MAD]). The study will explore safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of single doses ranging from 300 to 600 mg and multiple daily doses ranging from 225 mg to 300 mg BID dexpramipexole in healthy volunteers.

Inclusion criteria

• Must give written informed consent.
• Adult males/females aged 18 to 55 years inclusive and between 19 and 30 kg/m2 body mass index (BMI), inclusive at screening.
• Subjects who are healthy as determined by prestudy medical history, physical examination and 12-lead ECG.
• Subjects of childbearing potential must practice effective contraception during the study and be willing and able to continue contraception for 1 month (females) or 3 months (males) after their last dose of study treatment.
• Normal systemic blood pressure defined as a systolic blood pressure of 90 to 140 mmHg and a diastolic blood pressure of 50 to 90 mmHg.

Exclusion criteria

• History of cardiovascular disease (e.g., hypertension, arrhythmia, heart failure, Long QT Syndrome, or other conditions/diseases causing prolongation of the QT/QTc interval).
• A prolongation of QT/QTc interval (e.g., repeated demonstration of a QT/QTc interval >450 ms before study treatment administration) at screening, admission or pre-dose on Day 1.
• Any clinically important abnormalities in resting ECG that may interfere with the interpretation of QTc interval changes at screening, admission or pre-dose on Day 1.
• Prior exposure to dexpramipexole.
• Treatment with pramipexole or any dopamine agonist within 1 year.
• Treatment with another investigational drug or approved therapy for investigational use within 30 days, or 5 half-lives (whichever is longer), or in follow up for any other drug, biologic, or device study.
• Currently active infection or serious infection (e.g., pneumonia, septicemia) within the 2 months prior to Day -2 as determined by the Investigator.
• Female subjects who are pregnant, currently breastfeeding, or attempting to conceive during the study.