To Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability and Pharmacokinetics of Oral NNZ-2591 in Healthy Volunteers

This study is in two stages:

Stage 1: A First-in-Human (FIH), single dose escalation study of oral NNZ-2591 in healthy volunteers to establish safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetic parameters.

Stage 2: A First-in-Human (FIH), randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, Multiple Ascending Dose study (MAD) in healthy volunteers to establish safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetic parameters.

Inclusion criteria

• Male or female subjects aged 18 to 55 years, inclusive;
• Weight at screening and admission between 45 kg and 100 kg;
• Body mass index (BMI) between 18.0 and 32.0 kg/m2 inclusive;
• Healthy as determined by the Investigator based on pre-study medical history, physical examination, vital signs, complete neurological examination and 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG);
• Negative tests for Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis C virus antibody (anti-HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 and HIV-2 antibody at screening;
• Clinical laboratory test results up to >1.5 x Lower Limit of Normal (LLN) or <1.5 x Upper Limit of Normal (ULN) at screening and admission and deemed not clinically significant by the Investigator;
• Negative screen for alcohol and drugs of abuse at screening and admission;
• Non-smokers or ex-smokers (must have ceased smoking >3 months prior to screening visit);

If female:

• Woman with no childbearing potential by reason of surgery or at least 1year post- menopause (i.e., 12 months post last menstrual period), and menopause confirmed by follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) testing;
• If of childbearing potential, using an effective nonhormonal method of contraception (intrauterine device; condom or occlusive cap [diaphragm or cervical or vault caps]; true abstinence; or vasectomized male partner (provided that he is the sole partner of that subject and had a vasectomy ≥30 days prior to screening) for the duration of the study and up to one month after the last investigational medicinal product (IMP) administration;
• Negative serum pregnancy test at screening and negative urine pregnancy test on admission (women of childbearing potential only);

If male:

• Using an effective method of contraception (condom) if sexually active with a female partner of child-bearing potential; true abstinence; or vasectomy ≥30 days prior to screening) throughout the study and for one month after the last IMP administration.

Exclusion criteria

• Subjects who have a clinically relevant history as determined by the Investigator, or presence of respiratory, gastrointestinal, renal, hepatic, haematological, lymphatic, neurological, cardiovascular, psychiatric, musculoskeletal, genitourinary, immunological, dermatological, endocrine, connective tissue diseases or disorders;
• Fridericia's correction factor for QT (QTcF) > 450 ms for male participants and >470ms for female participants or history of QT interval prolongation.
• Have a clinically relevant surgical history, as determined by the Investigator;
• Have a history of relevant atopy or drug hypersensitivity;
• Have a history of alcoholism or drug abuse;
• Consume more than 21 standard drinks a week for males and more than 14 standard drink if female [1 standard drink is any drink containing 10g of alcohol, regardless of container size or alcohol type].
• Have a significant infection or known inflammatory process on screening or admission;
• Have acute gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, heartburn) at the time of screening or admission;
• Have used any prescription or non-prescription medicines within 2 weeks of admission, unless in the investigator's opinion will not affect determination of safety or other study assessments. Occasional paracetamol use (up to 2g/day is permitted);
• Have received any investigational drug within 30 days prior to screening;
• Have used tobacco or nicotine products within 3 months of screening
• Have donated or received any blood or blood products within the 3 months prior to screening;
• Cannot communicate reliably with the investigator;
• Are unlikely to co-operate with the requirements of the study;
• Are unwilling or unable to give written informed consent.

If female:

• Pregnancy or breast-feeding;
• Woman of childbearing potential not willing to use an accepted effective contraceptive method or using hormonal contraceptives;

If male:

• Not willing to use an accepted effective method of contraception.