Phase 2a Randomized Controlled Trial of Short-Term Activity, Safety, and Pharmacokinetics of a Novel Nonnucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor, RDEA806, in HIV-1-Positive, Antiretroviral-Naïve Subjects

RDEA806 is a novel nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) with potent in vitro activity against wild-type and NNRTI-resistant HIV-1. A phase 2a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-escalating study evaluated the short-term antiviral activity, safety, and pharmacokinetics (PKs) of RDEA806 monotherapy in antiretroviral-naive, HIV-1-infected subjects. The subjects were randomized to four cohorts comprising four dosage regimens and two formulations of RDEA806 or placebo in a 3:1 ratio within each cohort. The investigators were blinded to the results for each cohort. The subjects received RDEA806 or placebo for 7 days. The primary end point was the change in the HIV RNA load from the baseline to day 9 for each of the four RDEA806 dose regimens compared to that achieved with placebo. The RDEA806 PKs and the immune response to RDEA806 were evaluated along with the safety and tolerability of each dose. Of a total of 48 enrolled subjects, 36 subjects (9 in each cohort) were randomized to RDEA806 study drug, and 12 (3 in each cohort) took placebo. A statistically significant decrease in the viral load from the baseline to day 9 was observed for all RDEA806 treatment groups (P < 0.001). On day 9, the mean changes in the HIV RNA load from that at the baseline were −1.95 log10 copies/ml (400 mg twice a day), −1.39 log10 copies/ml (600 mg once a day [q.d.]), −1.62 log10 copies/ml (800 mg q.d.), and −1.70 log10 copies/ml (1,000 mg q.d.). The pharmacokinetics were linear and dose proportional. Treatment with RDEA806 was well tolerated, and there were no discontinuations due to adverse events. In conclusion, all doses of RDEA806 were safe and well tolerated and exhibited robust antiretroviral activity in this short-term monotherapy study with antiretroviral-naive HIV-infected subjects. RDEA806 is a potent and promising novel NNRTI.