Four-Way Crossover Study to Compare Ferric Maltol Capsules and Oral Suspension in Healthy Volunteers

Open-label, Phase 1, four way crossover study to compare the PK of the new ferric maltol suspension, in healthy volunteers, with the existing ferric maltol capsules under fed and fasted conditions.

32 subjects will be randomised to 1:1:1:1 ratio to receive one of the treatment sequences.

Based on the randomised sequence, subjects will receive a single dose of 30mg ferric maltol capsule in a fed/ fasted condition and 30 mg (5ml) ferric maltol suspension in a fed/ fasted condition.

Subject participation in the study will consist of 3 periods:

• Screening: up to 14 days
• Randomised treatment: 8 days
• Post-treatment follow up: 3-7 days following drug discontinuation

Inclusion criteria

All of the following criteria must be met for a subject to participate in the study:

• Must voluntarily sign and date each Institutional Review Board (IRB)-approved informed consent form (ICF) prior to the initiation of any screening or study-specific procedures.
• Willing and able to comply with study requirements.
• Healthy adult subjects 18 to 55 years of age, inclusive at the time of informed consent.
• Body Mass Index (BMI) of 18-32 kg/m2 inclusive
• Female subjects of childbearing potential must not be planning a pregnancy or be pregnant or lactating. All female subjects must have a negative result for the pregnancy tests performed at screening and each treatment period.
• Female subjects of childbearing potential (including perimenopausal females who have had a menstrual period within 1 year prior to screening) must agree to use a reliable method of contraception until study completion and for at least 4 weeks following their final study visit. Reliable contraception is defined as a method which results in a low failure rate, i.e., less than 1% per year when used consistently and correctly, such as hormonal contraception (oral, implants, injection, ring, or patch) and intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUDs), at least 3 months prior to Screening, or a vasectomized partner.

Note: complete abstinence from sexual intercourse is an acceptable form of contraceptive practice.

• Female subjects of non-childbearing potential must be either surgically sterile (hysterectomy, bilateral, tubal ligation, bilateral salpingectomy, and/or bilateral oophorectomy at least 26 weeks before the Screening Visit) or post-menopausal, defined as spontaneous amenorrhea for at least 2 years
• Male subjects with partners of childbearing potential must have had surgical sterilization (vasectomy) at least 26 weeks prior to Screening or use a male barrier method of contraception (i.e. male condom with spermicide) during any sexual intercourse from Study Day -1 (beginning of confinement) until 3 months after the Follow-up Visit.

Note: Complete abstinence from sexual intercourse is an acceptable form of contraceptive practice.

• Male subjects must agree to abstain from sperm donation from initial study drug administration through 3 months after administration of the last dose of study drug.

Exclusion criteria

A subject who meets any of the following criteria is not eligible for participation in the study.

• Known hypersensitivity or allergy to the active substance or excipients of Ferric maltol oral suspension or capsules;
• Presence or history of any significant cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, hepatic, renal, pulmonary, hematologic, endocrine, immunologic, dermatologic, neurological, or psychiatric disease, as determined by the Investigator;
• Presence or history of any other condition (including surgery) known to interfere with the absorption, distribution, metabolism, or excretion of medicines;
• Recent (within 6 months of screening) history of drug or alcohol abuse;
• Positive screen results for drugs of abuse, alcohol at screening or Study Day -1 of Period1;
• Consumption of alcohol within 72 hrs prior to study drug administration;
• Positive test result for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBSaAg), hepatitis C virus antibody (HCV Ab), or human immunodeficiency virus antibody (HIV Ab) at screening;
• Donation or loss of 550 mL or more blood volume or receipt of a transfusions of any blood product within 8 weeks prior to study drug administration and 14 days for plasma donation unless medically inadvisable;
• Use of any over the counter medications, including herbal product within 7 days prior to Screening until study completion. Except for ordinary pain (e.g. headache), some analgesics (mainly paracetamol) and contraception which have no drug interactions with the study products may be given;
• Has received within 28 days prior to Screening intramuscular or intravenous (IV) injection or administration of depot iron preparation;
• Has received oral iron supplementation within 7 days prior to Screening;
• Has concomitant disease that would significantly compromise iron absorption or absorbed iron utilization such as swallowing disorders, gastric pH-disturbance and/or extensive small bowel resection;
• Scheduled or expected hospitalization and/or surgery during the course of the study;
• Diagnosed to be COVID-19 positive by polymerase chain reaction testing (SARS-CoV-2-RTPCR positive) of a respiratory specimen (preferably a nasopharyngeal swab) on Day -2;
• Participation in any other interventional clinical study within 28 days prior to Screening;
• Any other unspecified reason that, in the opinion of the Investigator or the Sponsor makes the subject unsuitable for enrolment.