TMC435-TiDP16-C115 - A Study in Healthy Volunteers Investigating the Pharmacokinetic Interaction Between TMC435 and Erythromycin and Between TMC435 and Darunavir/Ritonavir (DRV/r)

TMC435 is being investigated for treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, in combination with Peg-IFN (pegylated interferon) and RBV (ribavirin). Erythromycin is an antibiotic and Darunavir/ritonavir (DRV/r) is currently indicated for the treatment of HIV infection. TMC435 is metabolized by the degradation enzyme CYP3A. Erythromycin and DRV/r are respectively moderate and strong inhibitors of the degradation enzyme CYP3A. The result of this study will provide dosing recommendations for TMC435 and for erythromycin or DRV/r, when being coadministered. This is a Phase I, open-label (both participant and investigator know the name of the medication given at certain moment), randomized (sequence of treatment with study medications is assigned by chance), crossover trial in 48 healthy volunteers to investigate the pharmacokinetic interaction between TMC435, at steady state, and DRV/r or erythromycin, at steady-state. The volunteers will be allocated to one of two panels. In Panel 1, volunteers will receive three treatments (Trts A, B and C) in a randomized order. Volunteers will receive TMC435 150 mg once daily for 7 days (Trt A) and erythromycin 500 mg three times daily for 6 days + a morning dose on day 7 (Trt B) and TMC435 150 mg once daily for 7 days + erythromycin 500 mg three tmes daily for 7 days (Trt C). In Panel 2, volunteers will receive three treatments (Trts D, E and F) in a randomized order. Volunteers will receive TMC435 150 mg once daily for 7 days (Trt D), DRV/r 800/100 mg once daily for 7 days (Trt E) and TMC435 50 mg once daily for 7 days + DRV/r 800/100 mg once daly for 7 days (Trt F). In both panels, there will be a washout period (a period when no study drug will be taken, in order to have all the medication eliminated from the body before starting a new treatment) of at least 10 (Panel 1) or 7 (Panel 2) days between last intake of the study medication in one session and the first intake of study medication in the subsequent session. Pharmacokinetic profiles of all four compounds (TMC435, DRV, ritonavir and erythromycin) will be determined through blood samples taken at regular intervals during the study. Safety and tolerability will be assessed during the study period and during follow up. Blood and urine samples, electrocardiogram (ECG) and vital signs (blood pressure and heart rate) will be taken at screening, on Day 1, Day 7 and Day 8 and at the follow up visit at 1 week after last dose of study medication in the last session. A physical examination will be performed at screening, on Day -1 (= day before first medication intake in each session for both panels) or Day 1, on Day 8 and during the follow-up visit. Volnteers will be admitted to the unit on Day-1, discharged on Day2, re-admitted on Day6 and discharged again on Day8. Each volunteer follows 3 treatment (Trt) periods, which are a minimum 10 days (Panel 1) or 7 days (Panel 2) apart from each other. All treatment periods take 7 days and all drugs are for oral intake. Panel 1: Trt A = 150 mg TMC435 once daily; Trt B = 500 mg erythromycin three times daily; Trt C: combining Trt A + B. Panel 2: Trt D = Trt A; Trt E = 800/100 mg DRV/r once daily; Trt D = 50 mg TMC435 once daily + Trt E.