First-In-Man, Healthy Volunteer Study to Evaluate Safety on the Use of YQ23

This is a first-in-man, phase 1, single-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study in healthy volunteers. It will be conducted at a single centre and will enroll approximately 64 subjects. Subjects will either receive a single dose of study drug or placebo in a 3:1 ratio. Eight dose levels of YQ23 will be evaluated.

Each dose level group will be divided into 2 cohorts, with each cohort being dosed at last 24 hours apart. The leading cohort will comprise of 2 subjects, with 1 subject receiving YQ23 and 1 subject receiving placebo. The remaining cohort will comprise of 6 subjects, with 5 receiving YQ23 and 1 receiving placebo.

Safety assessments will be performed throughout the dosing and follow-up periods, and multiple PK samples will be collected.

Inclusion criteria

• Males or females, of any ethnic origin, between 18 and 50 years of age, inclusive.
• Body mass index between 18.0 and 30.0 kg/m2, inclusive, and body weight between 50 and 100 kg, inclusive.
• In good health, determined by no clinically significant findings from medical history, physical examination, 12 lead ECG, vital sign measurements, and clinical laboratory evaluations (congenital non-hemolytic hyperbilirubinemia [eg, suspicion of Gilbert's syndrome based on total and direct bilirubin] is not acceptable) at Screening and Check in, as assessed by the Investigator (or designee).
• Females of non-childbearing potential defined as permanently sterile (ie, due to hysterectomy, bilateral salpingectomy, or bilateral oophorectomy) or postmenopausal (defined as at least 12 months postcessation of menses without an alternative medical cause and follicle stimulating hormone level ≥ 40 mIU/mL). Females will not be pregnant or lactating, and females of childbearing potential and males will agree to use contraception as detailed in the protocol.
• Able to comprehend and willing to sign an Informed Consent Form and to abide by the study restrictions.
• Subjects must agree to receive a bovine product.

Exclusion criteria

• Significant history or clinical manifestation of any metabolic, allergic, dermatological, hepatic, renal, haematological, pulmonary, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, neurological, respiratory, endocrine, or psychiatric disorder, as determined by the Investigator (or designee).
• History of significant hypersensitivity, intolerance, or allergy to any drug compound, food, or other substance (excluding non-active hay fever), unless approved by the Investigator (or designee).
• Any abnormality in the 12-lead ECG that, in the opinion of the Investigator (or designee), increases the risk of participating in the study.
• Any clinically relevant findings on echocardiography, including left ventricular ejection fraction < 50% at baseline.
• Supine blood pressure and supine pulse rate higher than 140/90 mmHg and 100 bpm, respectively, or lower than 90/50 mmHg and 40 bpm, respectively, at Screening or Check-in, confirmed by a repeat measurement.
• Liver function test results for aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and/or bilirubin > 1.5 x Upper Limit of Normal (ULN) at Screening or Check-in confirmed by repeat measurement.
• Total red blood cell count, total white blood cell count, and/or haemoglobin levels outside of the normal reference range at Screening or Check-in, confirmed by repeat measurement.
• History of alcoholism or drug/chemical abuse within 2 years prior to Check in.
• Alcohol consumption of > 21 units per week for males and > 14 units for females.
• Positive alcohol breath test result or positive urine drug screen (confirmed by repeat) at Screening or Check in.
• Positive hepatitis panel and/or positive human immunodeficiency virus test.
• Participation in a clinical study involving administration of an investigational drug (new chemical entity) in the past 90 days prior to dosing.
• Use or intend to use any prescription medications/products other than hormone replacement therapy (HRT), oral, implantable, transdermal, injectable, or intrauterine contraceptives within 14 days prior to dosing, unless deemed acceptable by the Investigator (or designee).
• Use or intend to use slow release medications/products considered to still be active within 14 days prior to dosing, unless deemed acceptable by the Investigator (or designee).
• Use or intend to use any non-prescription medications/products (with the exception of vitamins/mineral supplements) and phytotherapeutic/herbal/plant derived preparations within 7 days prior to dosing, unless deemed acceptable by the Investigator (or designee).
• Smoke more than 10 cigarettes or use the equivalent tobacco or nicotine containing products per day.
• Receipt of blood products within 2 months prior to Check in.
• Receipt of bovine Haemoglobin-based Oxygen Carrier (HBOC) or other HBOC in the past.
• Donation of blood from 3 months prior to Screening, plasma from 7 days prior to Screening, or platelets from 6 weeks prior to Screening, or donations on more than 2 occasions within the 12 months preceding dosing.
• Poor peripheral venous access.
• Have previously completed or withdrawn from this study.
• Have known allergies to bovine products.
• Are vegetarians.
• Subjects who have had a clinically significant illness as determined by the Investigator within 4 weeks of the start of dose administration.
• Subjects who, in the opinion of the Investigator (or designee), should not participate in this study.