Negative in Ames, in vitro chromosomal aberration and rat micronucleus assays
“Ponesimod was negative in in vitro (Ames, chromosomal aberration in mammalian cells) and in vivo (micronucleus in rat) assays.”
✓ VerifiedFDA pharmacology/toxicology review, p. 6Source ↗
Carcinogenicity
2-year rat: no drug-related tumors; mouse: hemangiomas/hemangiosarcomas at all doses in males and high-dose females
“In the 2-year rat carcinogenicity study, there were no drug-related increases in neoplasms in M or F. The mouse study was positive for hemangiomas and hemangiosarcomas, with an increase in incidences at all doses in M and in HDF.”
✓ VerifiedFDA pharmacology/toxicology review, p. 11Source ↗
Instead of carcinogenicity
Not stated in public reviews
Not reported in the public reviews. Reviewers summarise selectively, so this usually means it wasn't discussed publicly, not that it wasn't studied.
Instead of genotoxicity
Not stated in public reviews
Not reported in the public reviews. Reviewers summarise selectively, so this usually means it wasn't discussed publicly, not that it wasn't studied.
DRG histopathology
Not stated in public reviews
Not reported in the public reviews. Reviewers summarise selectively, so this usually means it wasn't discussed publicly, not that it wasn't studied.
Reproductive & developmental
Fertility unaffected in rats (NOAEL 100 mg/kg/day); rat and rabbit EFD: teratogenicity and fetal lethality
“In the reproductive and development studies with oral ponesimod, fertility was not affected in F or M (NOAEL was 100 mg/kg/day), but teratogenicity and fetal lethality was observed in both rats and rabbits.”
✓ VerifiedFDA pharmacology/toxicology review, p. 11Source ↗
Safety pharmacology
Single dose decreased heart rate and blood pressure and caused first- to third-degree AV block in guinea pigs
“In cardiovascular safety pharmacology studies, a single oral dose of ponesimod decreased heart rate, blood pressure, and caused first-, second-, and third-degree AV block in guinea pigs.”
✓ VerifiedFDA pharmacology/toxicology review, p. 10Source ↗
Genotox: Ames
Negative (Ames)
“Ponesimod was negative in in vitro (Ames, chromosomal aberration in mammalian cells) and in vivo (micronucleus in rat) assays.”
✓ VerifiedFDA pharmacology/toxicology review, p. 6Source ↗
Genotox: in vitro mammalian
Chromosomal aberration in mammalian cells: negative
“Ponesimod was negative in in vitro (Ames, chromosomal aberration in mammalian cells) and in vivo (micronucleus in rat) assays.”
✓ VerifiedFDA pharmacology/toxicology review, p. 6Source ↗
Genotox: in vivo
Rat micronucleus: negative
“Ponesimod was negative in in vitro (Ames, chromosomal aberration in mammalian cells) and in vivo (micronucleus in rat) assays.”
✓ VerifiedFDA pharmacology/toxicology review, p. 6Source ↗
Carcinogenicity model
2-year CD-1 mouse (hemangiomas/hemangiosarcomas) and 2-year Wistar rat (negative)
“In the 2-year rat carcinogenicity study, there were no drug-related increases in neoplasms in M or F. The mouse study was positive for hemangiomas and hemangiosarcomas, with an increase in incidences at all doses in M and in HDF.”
✓ VerifiedFDA pharmacology/toxicology review, p. 11Source ↗
Carcinogenicity timing
2-year CD-1 mouse and 2-year Wistar rat studies completed and reviewed in the NDA
“The carcinogenic potential of ponesimod was tested in 2-year oral carcinogenicity studies in CD-1 mouse and Wistar rat.”
✓ VerifiedFDA pharmacology/toxicology review, p. 6Source ↗
hERG / QT
hERG minimally inhibited (22% at 3 µM); metabolite M13 25% and 46% at 10 and 100 µM
“The hERG tail current, expressed in CHO cells, was minimally reduced by ponesimod (22% at 3 µM). The major metabolite M13 (ACT-338375) dose-dependently decreased the hERG tail current by 25% and 46% at 10 and 100 µM, respectively.”
✓ VerifiedFDA pharmacology/toxicology review, p. 18Source ↗
Not genotoxic overall: Ames negative; in vitro chromosome aberration positive without (not with) metabolic activation; rat micronucleus and comet negative