GenotoxicityAccepted with a conditionBeyond the letter
Positive Ames assay, including nitroreductase-deficient strains; applicant argued no human relevance
Why: Applicant: bacterial nitroreductases drive mutagenicity; reviewer: nitroreductase-deficient strains also positive, so results described in prescribing information
“The Applicant argues that the positive finding in the Ames assay does not indicate a risk to humans because bacterial nitroreductase enzymes contribute to the mutagenicity of fexinidazole and equivalent enzymes in mammalian cells cannot nitroreduce compounds with low redox potential and generate mutagenic by-products.”
✓ VerifiedFDA multi-discipline review, p. 57Source ↗ “This reviewer notes that even the nitroreductase-deficient strains the Applicant tested in the Ames assay were positive; therefore, the positive mutagenicity results will be described in the prescribing information.”
✓ VerifiedFDA multi-discipline review, p. 57Source ↗ CarcinogenicityVerdict not stated
No carcinogenicity studies despite a positive Ames assay and carcinogenic nitroimidazole analogues
“Carcinogenicity studies are not indicated for fexinidazole and were not conducted. However, structurally related compounds such as metronidazole have exhibited carcinogenic potential in lifetime animal studies.”
✓ VerifiedFDA multi-discipline review, p. 74Source ↗ Safety marginVerdict not stated
Rat NOAEL in males at 0.7 times the clinical exposure
“The no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) was estimated to be 200 mg/kg for males (0.7 times the clinical exposure, which is approximately 7 µg*hr/mL) and 800 mg/kg for females (similar to the clinical exposure).”
✓ VerifiedFDA multi-discipline review, p. 57Source ↗ DARTAcceptedBeyond the letter
Rabbit embryo-fetal study limited by maternal toxicity and abortions; NOAEL below 0.01 times clinical Cmax
Why: Excessive maternal toxicity is common in rabbits given antibiotics; rabbit not a good model for antibiotics · Class precedent
“Based on these findings, the NOAEL for maternal toxicity and embryofetal development in the rabbit was 10 mg/kg/day, equivalent to a dose of less than 0.01 times the maintenance dose based on Cmax comparisons).”
✓ VerifiedFDA multi-discipline review, p. 58Source ↗ “Excessive maternal toxicity is not uncommon when rabbits are used in embryo-fetal toxicity testing of antibiotics. The rabbit does not therefore serve as a good model for embryo-fetal toxicity testing of antibiotics.”
✓ VerifiedFDA multi-discipline review, p. 58Source ↗