A Study to Assess the Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Single Doses of GSK2256294 in Healthy Volunteers, and Single and Repeat Doses of GSK2256294 in Adult Male Moderately Obese Smokers

A Single-centre, Randomised, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Escalating Dose Study to Assess the Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Single Doses of GSK2256294 in Healthy Volunteers, and Single and Repeat Doses of GSK2256294 in Adult Male Moderately Obese Smokers

This study is the First Time in Human Study for GSK2256294 and will evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of single and repeat oral doses of GSK2256294 administered to healthy male volunteers (Cohort 1) and otherwise healthy adult male moderately obese smokers (Cohorts 2 to 4). Cohorts 1 and 2 will enrol 12 subjects each and each subject will take part in four study periods. All subjects will receive placebo regimen and three dosing regimens of GSK2256294 in a specified sequence (planned doses 2 mg, 6 mg and 18 mg in Cohort 1 and 15 mg, 40 mg and 100 mg in Cohort 2). Each study period will be followed by a Wash-out period of 7 to 14 days in Cohort 1 and up to 4 weeks in Cohort 2. During each study period subjects will be in-house from Day -1 until the 48 hours post dose assessments have been completed. Subjects will return to the unit as out-patients for remaining post-dose assessments. Subjects will then be followed for 7 to 14 days in Cohort 1 and up to 3 to 4 weeks in Cohort 2. Total duration of the study for Cohort 1 will be 98 days and for Cohort 2 it will be up to 144 days. Cohort 3 and 4 will each recruit 15 subjects. For Cohorts 3 and 4, each subject will take part in one treatment period of 18 days (Day-1 to Day 17) with dosing from Day 1 to Day 14. Subjects will then be followed for 7 to 14 days. Total duration of the study for Cohort 3 and Cohort 4 will be 67 days. Dose selection for Cohorts 3 and 4 will be based on the safety, PK profile and enzyme inhibition obtained in Cohorts 1 and 2. This study will also evaluate the evidence for a functional effect of soluble Epoxide Hydrolase (sEH) in a forearm blood flow (FBF) model.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Suitable for cannulation and with adequate venous access.
• 12 lead ECG without any clinically significant abnormality as judged by the Investigator, and ECGs QTcF (QT interval was corrected using Fridericia's formula)<=450 milliseconds (msec) determined by the average of triplicate ECGs.
• Healthy as determined by a responsible and experienced physician, based on a medical evaluation including medical history, physical examination, laboratory tests and cardiac monitoring. A subject with a clinical abnormality or laboratory parameter outside the reference range for the population being studied may be included only if the Investigator agree that the finding is unlikely to introduce additional risk factors and will not interfere with the study procedures. Consultation with the medical monitor is required.
• Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin <=1.5xupper limit of normal (ULN) (isolated bilirubin >1.5xULN is acceptable if bilirubin is fractionated and direct bilirubin <35%).
• Male between 18 and 55 years of age inclusive, at the time of signing the informed consent.
• Male subjects must agree to use one of the approved contraception methods This criterion must be followed from the time of the first dose of study medication until the follow-up visit.
• Capable of giving written informed consent, which includes compliance with the requirements and restrictions listed in the consent form.
• For Cohort 1 Only: Subjects should have blood pressure (BP) <=130/80; body weight >=60 kilograms (kg) and body mass index (BMI) within the range 19 to 25 kilogram/meter squared (kg/m^2) (inclusive); subjects should be non-smokers, which for this study is defined as having smoked <100 cigarettes or <1 pack per year in their lifetime.
• For Cohorts 2 to 4 Only: Subjects must have smoked in the 12 month period preceding the screening visit. Smoking is defined as >=10 cigarettes/day for at least the preceding 1 year, and have a >5-pack year history. [number of pack years = (number of cigarettes per day/20) x number of years smoked]; having body weight >=60 kg and BMI within the range 28 to 35 kg/m^2 (inclusive); and BP <=140/90.
• Cohorts 3 and 4 Only: Palpable brachial artery in the non-dominant and/or dominant hands, as assessed by a clinician at screening.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Subjects with any history of a carcinoma.
• Participants who have had previous vasovagal events secondary to any painful stimulus e.g. venepuncture or have a phobia of blood.
• Current or chronic history of liver disease, or known hepatic or biliary abnormalities (with the exception of Gilbert's syndrome or asymptomatic gallstones).
• Significant cardiac, pulmonary, metabolic, renal, gastrointestinal or other conditions that in the opinion of the investigator and/or GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) medical monitor, places the subject at an unacceptable risk as participant in this trial. Patients with asthma or diabetes are excluded.
• A positive pre-study Hepatitis B surface antigen or positive Hepatitis C antibody at screening.
• A positive pre-study drug/alcohol screen.
• A positive test for HIV antibody.
• History of regular alcohol consumption within 6 months of the study defined as an average weekly intake of >21 units for males. One unit is equivalent to 8 g of alcohol: a half-pint (~240 mL) of beer, 1 glass (125 mL) of wine or 1 (25 mL) measure of spirits.
• The subject has participated in a clinical trial and has received an investigational product within the following time period prior to the first dosing day in the current study: 30 days, 5 half-lives or twice the duration of the biological effect of the investigational product (whichever is longer).
• Exposure to more than four new chemical entities within 12 months prior to the first dosing day.
• The use of prescription or non-prescription drugs, including vitamins, herbal and dietary supplements (including St John's Wort) within 7 days (or 14 days if the drug is a potential enzyme inducer) or 5 half-lives (whichever is longer) prior to the first dose of study medication, unless in the opinion of the Investigator or GSK Medical Monitor the medication will not interfere with the study procedures or compromise subject safety. Other concomitant medication may be considered on a case by case basis by the GSK Medical Monitor.
• History of sensitivity to any of the study medications and challenge agents, or components thereof or a history of drug or other allergy that, in the opinion of the investigator or GSK Medical Monitor, contraindicates their participation.
• Where participation in the study would result in donation of blood or blood products in excess of 500 mL within a 56 day period.
• For Cohorts 2 to 4 Only: Smokers who require a cigarette within 30 minutes after they wake in the morning, or cannot abstain from smoking for approximately 5 hours; or subjects with symptomatic asthma requiring regular inhaled or oral steroids and bronchodilators.; or subjects who are currently on statins or have been on statins within 3 months prior to the first dose of study medication.
• For Cohorts 3 and 4 Only: Subjects who are unable to lie still for the duration of the forearm study (up to 3 hours).