A Randomized, Open-Label Study Conducted to Evaluate the Bioequivalence of Pegfilgrastim-cbqv On-Body Injector Versus Prefilled Syringe in Healthy Male Participants

To help prevent febrile neutropenia, pegfilgrastim-cbqv (UDENYCA^®; Coherus BioSciences), a pegfilgrastim (NEULASTA^®; Amgen) biosimilar, is administered 24–96 h after myelosuppressive chemotherapy. Delivery of pegfilgrastim-cbqv using an on-body injector (OBI) provides an alternative method of administration, affording options in drug delivery. This study aimed to establish pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) bioequivalence and assess the safety of pegfilgrastim-cbqv administered using an OBI compared with a prefilled syringe (PFS).

In this open-label, two-period crossover study, healthy adult male participants (N = 189) were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive pegfilgrastim-cbqv 6 mg subcutaneously using an OBI (n = 92) or a PFS (n = 95) in period 1 and then an injection via the other method in period 2. Primary PK end points were area under the concentration–time curve from time 0 to infinity, area under the concentration–time curve from time 0 to the last quantifiable concentration, and maximum plasma concentration. Secondary PD end points, safety, immunogenicity, and tolerability were also assessed.

The 90% confidence intervals (CIs) of the geometric mean ratios for the PK and PD end points fell within the predetermined range (80–125%), indicating PK and PD bioequivalence between pegfilgrastim-cbqv OBI and pegfilgrastim-cbqv PFS. Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) occurred in 87.8% and 75.8% of participants in the OBI and PFS groups, respectively. Most TEAEs were musculoskeletal effects. The most common OBI-related TEAE was injection site erythema (31.7%), which was mild, transient, and self-limiting. The incidence of treatment-emergent antidrug antibodies (ADAs) was similar between the OBI and PFS. ADAs had no apparent impact on PK, PD, or safety. Neutralizing antibodies were not detected in any participant.

Results of the study showed PK and PD bioequivalence of pegfilgrastim-cbqv administered using OBI compared with PFS. OBI and PFS administration had similar safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity profiles. No unexpected safety signals were identified.

Graphical Abstract available for this article.