The Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacokinetics of Single and Multiple Ascending Doses of BWC0977 in Healthy Adult Volunteers

A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Phase 1 Study of the Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacokinetics of Single and Multiple Ascending Doses of BWC0977 in Healthy Adult Volunteers

The purpose of this study is to assess the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of single and multiple intravenous doses of BWC0977 when administered to healthy adult volunteers.

This Phase 1 study is designed to assess the safety, tolerabilty and pharmacokinetics of single and multiple intravenous doses of BWC0977 when administered to healthy adult volunteers. This is a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled, ascending dose, multi-cohort trial. A total of 56 healthy volunteers are expected to be enrolled into 7 Cohorts. The study will be conducted in two phases: A multiple ascending dose (MAD) phase , followed by A single ascending dose (SAD) phase. In SAD, participants in Cohorts 1 - 2 will receive one dose of BWC0977 or placebo. In MAD, participants in Cohorts 6 - 8 will receive multiple doses of BWC0977 or placebo for 10 consecutive days at a dose deemed safe and tolerable as determined in the preceding SAD Cohorts. In both parts sequential cohorts will be exposed to increasing doses of BWC0977.

Inclusion Criteria:

Each subject must meet all the following criteria to be eligible for study participation:

1. Healthy male or female 18 to 55 years of age, inclusive, at time of consent.

2. Body mass index (BMI) ≥ 19.0 and ≤ 30.0 (kg/m2) and weight between 55.0 and 100.0 kg (inclusive).

3. Medically healthy without clinically significant abnormalities at the screening visit, Day -1 or Day 1, including:

   1. No findings in Physical examination or vital signs (including temperature, HR, respiratory rate, and blood pressure) that the Investigator determines would interfere with interpretation of study results.
   2. Electrocardiograms (ECGs) without clinically significant abnormalities, including a QTcF interval duration ≤450 msec (for males), and ≤470 msec (for females) obtained as an average from the triplicate screening ECGs after at least 5 minutes in a supine quiet-rest position.
   3. Clinically significant abnormalities in the screening clinical laboratory tests, as determined by the Investigator. Repeat testing could be performed at the Investigator's discretion.

4. Willing and able to provide written informed consent.

5. Agrees to be available for all study visits and cooperate fully with the requirements of the study protocol, including the schedule of events.

6. Willing to refrain from strenuous physical activity that could cause muscle aches or injury, including contact sports, at any time from 4 days prior to admission in the clinical research unit (CRU) until completion of the study (follow-up [FU] visit).

7. Willing to refrain from prescription medications from Screening visit until follow-up; and over-the-counter (OTC) medications, vitamin preparations and other food supplements, from Day -1 up to follow-up.

8. Have suitable venous access for drug administration and blood sampling.

9. If female of child-bearing potential, must agree to and comply with:

   1. Using 1 barrier method (e.g., female condom or male partner using a condom) plus 1 other highly effective method of birth control (e.g., oral contraceptive, implant, injectable, indwelling intrauterine device, vasectomized partner), or double-barrier method (use of a condom by the male partner with use of a diaphragm by the female partner), from signing the consent form until 30 days after last study drug administration, or
   2. Sexual abstinence, for the duration of the study (from signing of consent to FU visit) and for 30 days after last study drug administration, plus
   3. Females of child-bearing potential must also agree not to donate ova or oocytes (ie, human eggs) during the study, and for one menstrual cycle after completion of the study.
   4. To be considered of non-childbearing potential, a female must have either a tubal ligation, hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (at least 6 weeks prior to screening), or menopause (last menstruation >12 months and FSH in menopausal range); provision of written documentation is not required for female sterilization and oral confirmation is adequate.
   5. Female participants in same sex relationships do not need to utilize contraception.

10. Male volunteers, if sexually active with a female partner, must agree to and comply with using 1 barrier method of birth control (e.g., male condom) plus 1 other highly effective method of birth control in their partner (e.g., oral contraceptive; implant, injectable, indwelling intrauterine device), or double-barrier method (use of a condom by the male partner with use of a diaphragm by the female partner, or sexual abstinence, and must not donate sperm, for the duration of the study (from signing of consent) and for 90 days after last study drug administration.

To be considered surgically sterile, male participants must have had a vasectomy at least 3 months prior to screening with appropriate documentation of the absence of sperm in the ejaculate.

Male participants in same sex relationships do not need to utilize contraception.

Exclusion Criteria:

Volunteers who meet any of the following criteria will be excluded from the study:

1. Women who are pregnant and/or lactating.

2. History or presence of significant cardiovascular (including QT prolongation, clinically significant hypokalemia, or other proarrhythmic conditions), pulmonary, hepatic, renal, hematological, gastrointestinal, endocrine (including glucose intolerance, diabetes mellitus), immunologic (including asthma or seasonal allergies [that require intermittent use of steroids or other medication]), musculoskeletal (including tendinopathy), dermatologic, or neurological disease (including seizure disorders, psychiatric disorders), including any acute illness or surgery within the past 3 months, as determined by the Investigator to be clinically relevant.

3. A serum creatinine value on Day -1 (check-in) that increased by more than 0.2 mg/Dl (or 15.25 μmol/L) from the Screening value. Note: the serum creatinine test may be repeated prior to confirming exclusion.

4. History of photosensitivity to quinolones.

5. History of known or suspected Clostridium difficile infection.

6. Any condition that necessitated hospitalization within the 3 months prior to Day -1 or is likely to require so during the study.

7. Positive test for HbsAg, anti-HCV antibodies, or antibodies to HIV-1, HIV-2 at screening.

8. Exposure to any prescription medications (small molecules, biologics, and vaccines, including influenza and/or COVID-19 vaccines) or, systemically administered OTC drugs, dietary supplements, or herbal remedies, within 14 days or 5 half-lives (if known), whichever is longer, prior to Day 1 (first dose). Participants should not receive any vaccinations (including influenza and/or COVID-19 vaccines) until after study completion. Discussion between the PI and the Sponsor Medical Monitor is encouraged regarding prior use of any medications during the pre-dose period.

   Note: An exception is made for hormonal contraceptives and a limited amount of paracetamol (a maximum of 4 doses per day of 500-mg paracetamol, and no more than 3 g per week) for the treatment of headache or any other pain.

9. Documented hypersensitivity reaction or anaphylaxis to any medication.

10. Smoker (including tobacco, e-cigarettes, or marijuana) or nicotine user within 1 month prior to dosing and have a negative test for cotinine at check in on Day -1 (may be repeated once, at the discretion of the Investigator, in the instance of a positive result).

11. Positive urine drug/alcohol testing at screening or check-in (Day -1), or history of substance abuse or alcohol abuse (defined as greater than 2 standard drinks on average each and every day, where one standard drink is defined as containing 10 g of alcohol and is equivalent to 1 can or stubby of mid-strength beer, 30 ml nip spirits, or 100 ml wine) within the previous 5 years (may be repeated once per timepoint, at the discretion of the Investigator, in the instance of a positive result).

12. Donation of blood or plasma within 30 days prior to randomization, or loss of whole blood of more than 500mL within 30 days prior to randomization, or receipt of a blood transfusion within 1 year of study enrollment.

13. Previous participation in this study or previous participation in another study within 5 half-lives (if known) of the agent, or 30 days, whichever is longer, of Day 1.

    Note: prior participation at any time in non-invasive methodology trials in which no drugs were given is acceptable.

14. Consumption of red wine, Seville oranges, grapefruit, or grapefruit juice, pummelos, other citrus fruits, grapefruit hybrids or fruit juices containing such products from 7 days prior to the first dose of study medication.

15. Employee or family member of an employee of the Sponsor, clinical research unit, or clinical research organization at which the study will be conducted.

16. Unable to cooperate fully with the requirements of the study protocol, including the schedule of events, or likely to be non-compliant with any study requirements.

17. Any disease or condition (medical or surgical) that, by the determination of the Investigator, precludes the subject's participation in the study or would place the subject at risk as a result of participation in the study.

Note: Volunteers should refrain from consumption of any foods containing poppy seeds within 48 hours (2 days) prior to screening and prior to Day -1 to avoid false positive drug screen results