Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of CinnoVex (Interferon Beta-1a) Compared to Avonex (Interferon Beta-1a)

This trial will be a double-blind, randomised, active-controlled, single-centre, two-stage crossover trial with administration of single doses of CinnoVex® and Avonex®. Stage 1 includes comparison of 30 µg and 60 µg IM doses in 16 healthy volunteers (eight subjects on each dose level, each subject will be administered one dose of each product as 30 µg or 60 µg doses in a crossover manner and in randomised order). After interim analysis of the PK and PD results of these 16 subjects and evaluation of the data by an expert data monitoring committee (DMC), Stage 2 will investigate the selected dose. The sample size of Stage 2 will be determined in the interim analysis so that a sufficient number of additional healthy volunteers are added to one or both dose levels to ensure adequate statistical power for the study's objectives, to evaluate biosimilarity. Up to 48 additional healthy volunteers may be added at this stage.

Subjects will undergo screening assessments before their first treatment visit. A total of 16 healthy volunteers will be selected for Stage 1 and 24 or 48 will be selected for Stage 2 according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. To reveal possible differences in the trial outcomes between the sexes, approximately equal numbers of male and female subjects will be included. The trial will be performed in healthy adult volunteers with a maximum age of 45 years, to limit variability that may result from including older adults.

Eligibility of subjects will be confirmed prior to each IMP administration with a pregnancy test (female subjects with childbearing potential), a urine drug screen and an alcohol breath test. In addition, the subjects will be asked about current illnesses, subjective well-being, and concomitant medications. A physical examination will take place, if indicated.

The subjects will participate in 2 treatment periods in sequential order; treatment period 1 starts when the first IMP is administered and treatment period 2 starts when the second IMP is administered. The two treatment administrations of individual subjects will be separated by at least 14 days.

Blood samples will be collected prior to and at scheduled time points after the IMP administration. Plasma concentrations of IFNβ-1a and concentrations of the selected biomarkers in serum and blood will be determined. The total volume of blood collected from each subject during the trial is less than 500 ml.

Safety will be assessed by recording blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), body temperature and subjective symptoms at scheduled time points after IMP administration. AEs and concomitant medications will be recorded throughout the trial.

Inclusion criteria

• Provide written informed consent (IC) to participate in the trial, to comply with the trial procedures, and to abide by the trial restrictions.
• Be aged between 18 and 45 years with sufficient command of the Finnish language to be able to provide valid IC and to communicate adequately with the trial personnel.
• Have a Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18 and 28 kg/m2.
• Have good general health according to medical history, physical examination, ECG recording and clinical laboratory assessments.
• Female subjects of child-bearing potential must agree to use a medically accepted method of contraception during the trial and one month after the end of the trial. Acceptable methods of contraception include the following:

• Stable oral/transdermal/injectable hormonal contraceptive regimen without breakthrough uterine bleeding and condom/spermicide.
• Intrauterine device (inserted at least 2 months prior to Screening visit) used with spermicide/condom.
• Condom (male or female) with spermicide
• Vasectomy of the male partner in conjunction with condom or spermicide.

Exclusion criteria

• 1) Be doubtful about his/her availability to complete the trial. 2) Have unsuitable veins for repeated venipuncture. 3) Be pregnant, or intend to become pregnant during the trial, or be lactating. 4) Have a history or evidence of clinically significant cardiovascular, renal, hepatic, haematological, gastrointestinal, pulmonary, metabolic, endocrine, neurological, psychiatric or other major disease.

• Have any surgical or medical condition which might significantly alter the absorption, distribution, metabolism or excretion of any drug.

• Have strong susceptibility to allergic reactions or history of allergy to any of the components of the IMP.

• Have clinically significant illness within 4 weeks before the start of the trial.

• Have any abnormal laboratory value or physical finding which may interfere with the interpretation of the test results or cause a health hazard for the subject if he/she takes part in the trial.

• Have any condition requiring regular concomitant medication or use of any medication that might affect the trial results or cause a health hazard to the subject within 2 weeks prior to the start of the trial; hormonal contraception and hormone replacement therapy are allowed.

• Have history of alcohol abuse or drug addiction or a positive result in the urine drug screen or breath alcohol test, or report consumption of more than 14 units of alcohol per week on a regular basis (1 unit = 4 cl of spirits of equivalent).

• Have a history of smoking >10 cigarettes per day. 12) Participate in another drug trial or donation of blood within 90 days before first IMP administration in this trial.

• Have participated before in a clinical study investigating a Type I Interferon or have been treated with a Type I Interferon before.

• Be under anti-doping control. 15) Be at imminent risk of self-harm, based on clinical interview and responses on the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS), or of harm to others in the opinion of the investigator. Subjects must be excluded, if they report suicidal ideation with intent, with or without a plan or a method (e.g., positive response to items 4 or 5 in assessment of suicidal ideation on the C-SSRS) in the past two months or suicidal behaviour in the past six months.

• Have any other condition that in the opinion of the investigator would interfere with the evaluation of the trial results or constitute a health hazard for the subject.