Phase 1 studies comparing safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of HLX01(a rituximab biosimilar) to reference rituximab in Chinese patients with CD20-positive B-cell lymphoma

Objective: This study aimed to compare the pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic and safety profiles of HLX01(a rituximab biosimilar) and reference rituximab sourced from China(Mab Thera?;rituximab-CN).Methods: Here we report the results of two phase 1 studies. In the phase 1 a, open-label, dose-escalation study(NCT03218072, CTR20140400), eligible patients received 250, 375 and 500 mg/m^(2) HLX01 sequentially at 7-day intervals, after confirming no dose-limiting toxicity(DLT). In the phase 1 b, double-blind study(NCT02584920,CTR20140764), eligible patients were given a single dose of 375 mg/m^(2) HLX01 or rituximab-CN. The primary endpoints included safety and tolerability parameters for the phase 1 a and the area under the plasma concentrationtime curve from time zero to day 91(AUC0-91 d) for the phase 1 b study. Equivalence was concluded if 90%confidence interval(90% CI) for the geometric least squares mean ratio(GLSMR) fell in the pre-specified equivalence criteria(80%-125%).Results: Between June 20, 2014 and January 5, 2015, 12 patients were enrolled in the phase 1 a study. The pharmacokinetics of HLX01 showed dose proportionality and accumulation to steady state. HLX01 was well tolerated, with no serious adverse events(AEs), discontinuations or DLTs. Between November 8, 2014 and August13, 2015, 87 eligible patients were enrolled in the phase 1 b study, including 43 who received HLX01 and 44 who were treated with rituximab-CN. The equivalence endpoint was met with GLSMR for AUC0-91 d being 89.6%(90% CI: 80.4%-99.8%). AEs, anti-drug antibodies, and CD19+ and CD20+ B lymphocyte counts were similar between the HLX01 and rituximab-CN treatment groups.Conclusions: Treatment with HLX01 was safe and well tolerated in Chinese patients with B-cell lymphoma.HLX01 and rituximab-CN have similar pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic and safety profiles.

Efficacy and safety of intravitreal HLX04-O,an anti-VEGF monoclonal antibody,for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration

·AIM:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of HLX04-O,an investigational ophthalmic formulation of HLX04(bevacizumab biosimilar)for intravitreal injection,as a treatment for wet age-related macular degeneration(wAMD)in a phase 1/2 clinical trial(NCT04993352).·METHODS:Eligible patients with wAMD were enrolled to receive HLX04-O intravitreal injections at a dose of1.25 mg/0.05 mL every four weeks.Efficacy and adverse events were evaluated every month during study visits.·RESULTS:A 76-year-old male with wAMD in his left eye participated in the trial and completed six cycles of HLX04-O intravitreal injections.Changes were observed in macular center point thickness(baseline vs last study visit,437 vs 255μm)and best-corrected visual acuity letter score(baseline vs last study visit,36 vs 77)of the affected eye,which indicated an improvement in wAMD over treatment.No adverse events were reported by the data cutoff date.·CONCLUSION:HLX04-O at 1.25 mg/0.05 mL every four weeks is well tolerated in this patient,demonstrating promising safety and efficacy in wAMD treatment.Largescale studies are required to confirm the outcomes.