Incannex Initiates BA/BE Clinical Trial Evaluating IHL-42X In Obstructive Sleep Apnoea

Cannabis and psychedelics-focused Pharma company Incannex Healthcare Limited IXHL IHL initiated a BA/BE study and is targeting submission of an IND application with the FDA in Q1 2023.

Study Highlights

The BA/BE study will assess the pharmacokinetics and tolerability of the two active pharmaceutical ingredients (‘APIs’) in IHL-42X, dronabinol (‘THC’) and acetazolamide, compared to the respective FDA reference listed drugs, as well as the effect of food on pharmacokinetics of the two APIs.

IHL-42X is a synergistic composition of dronabinol, a synthetic form of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and acetazolamide, a Carbonic anhydrase inhibitor.

The study will include 116 participants who will each complete four single dose treatment periods, being dosed with IHL-42X, dronabinol and acetazolamide under fasted conditions as well as IHL-42X under fed conditions. Blood samples will be collected over 48 hours and the concentrations of the APIs and their major metabolites in the samples will be analysed.

The study will be conducted at CMAX Clinical Research in Adelaide, South Australia and managed by Novotech. The design of the BA/BE study is consistent with FDA recommendations for BA/BE and specific advice received by Incannex in the pre-IND meeting.

The results of this study will form a critical component of a future new drug application (‘NDA’), providing the necessary bridge to the reference listed drugs, thereby facilitating the use of historic safety data via the FDA505(b)2 regulatory pathway.

IND Application To FDA

In parallel with the BA/BE study, Incannex is preparing an IND application for submission to the FDA. An IND application is a comprehensive information document detailing the safety, efficacy, and quality

of the IHL-42X drug product for the treatment of OSA and is precursory to conducting clinical trials at treatment sites in the United States. Once the IND is opened, it is continuously updated with research and development results for the purpose of ongoing assessment by the FDA.

Incannex aims to submit the IND application in Q1 2023, followed shortly by the commencement of pivotal, multi-site, Phase 2/3 clinical trials investigating the effects of IHL-42X in patients with OSA. The trials will assess the safety and efficacy of IHL-42X at the best performing two doses from the proof-of-concept clinical trial, in patients with OSA over a 12-month treatment period.

Participants will receive one of IHL-42X, dronabinol, acetazolamide or placebo for the entirety of the study. All participants will complete daily surveys on their sleep quality, attend monthly clinic visits to assess functional outcomes of sleep, cognitive function and other measures of safety and efficacy. Every 3 months, overnight polysomnography will be conducted to determine the effect of treatment on the patients’ AHI. All drug treatments will be compared to placebo.

Photo: Courtesy of Kinga Cichewicz on Unsplash