Baloxavir marboxil

Absorption

Following oral administration of 40 mg baloxavir marboxil in adolescents and adults aged 12 years and older, the AUC was 5520 ng x hr/mL and the Cmax was 68.9 ng/mL. Following a 80 mg dose, the the AUC was 6930 ng x hr/mL and the Cmax was 82.5 ng/mL. The Tmax is about four hours. Food decreased Cmax by 48% and AUC0-inf by 36%.
In pediatric patients aged five to 12 years of age weighing less than 20 kg, the AUCinf was 5830 ng x hr/mL and the Cmax was 148 ng/mL following a 2 mg/kg dose. The AUCinf was 4360 ng x hr/mL and the Cmax was 81.1 ng/mL following a 40 mg dose in pediatric patients who weigh greater than or equal to 20 kg. The Tmax ranged from 3.5 to 4.5 hours.

Toxicity

Oral LD50 is >2000 mg/kg in rats.
There is limited clinical experience with baloxavir overdose. In one ascending single-dose study involving healthy volunteers, up to 80 mg dose of baloxavir was administered without notable safety concerns. Treatment of an overdose of baloxavir marboxil should consist of general supportive measures, including monitoring of vital signs and observation of the clinical status of the patient. There is no specific antidote for overdose with baloxavir marboxil. Baloxavir, the active ingredient, is unlikely to be significantly removed by dialysis due to high serum protein binding.

The Uses of Baloxavir marboxil

Baloxavir Marboxil is a prodrug of S-033447, which is an inhibitor of the cap-dependent endonuclease of influenza A and B viruses.

Background

Baloxavir marboxil is an antiviral drug used to treat influenza. More specifically, it is a first-in-class cap-dependent endonuclease inhibitor that works to block influenza virus proliferation. It is a prodrug of baloxavir with an improved absorption profile than its active metabolite due to the addition of a phenolic hydroxyl group to its structure. Baloxavir marboxil was first globally approved in Japan in February 2018, followed by the US approval in October, 2018. It was also approved by the European Commission on January 7, 2021.

Indications

Baloxavir marboxil is an influenza virus polymerase acidic (PA) endonuclease inhibitor indicated for the treatment of acute uncomplicated influenza in patients who have been symptomatic for no more than 48 hours and who are otherwise healthy adults and pediatric patients five years of age and older, or patients 12 years of age and older who are at high risk of developing influenza-related complications.
The drug is also indicated for post-exposure prophylaxis of influenza in patients five years of age and older following contact with an individual who has influenza. In Europe, it is approved for use in patients aged one year and above for these indications.
Baloxavir marboxil is associated with a risk for loss of efficacy due to changes in influenza virus such as changes in virus subtypes, emergence of virus resistance, and changes in viral virulence; therefore, the drug should be used after considering available information on drug susceptibility patterns for circulating influenza virus strains.

Preparation

The synthesis of baloxavir marboxil involved the following steps: The coupling of the 1-R and 2 fragments was carried out under dehydration conditions of 1-propanephosphonic anhydride (T3P) and methanesulfonic acid at 70 °C to obtain protected baloxavir 19. Compound 19 was then reacted with 0.6 equivalents of PhBr and K2CO3. Debenzylation was then carried out using LiCl in CH3CONMe2 to give baloxavir acid in 94% yield. In the final step for the preparation of the prodrug, baloxavir acid was reacted with chloromethyl methyl carbonate in dimethylacetamide in 93% yield to form baloxavir marboxyl.

The reaction mechanism for the final step for the synthesis of baloxavir marboxil(BXM).

brand name

XOFLUZA? (baloxavir marboxil)

Biological Activity

Baloxavir marboxil is a prodrug that is metabolised to the active form baloxavir acid also known as S-033447. S-033447 is a small molecule inhibitor of the cap-dependent endonuclease of influenza A and B viruses. It has shown nanomolar antiviral activity against influenza A and B viruses in vitro. In murine models of seasonal influenza and avian influenza A(H5N1) or A(H7N9), orally administered baloxavir showed a rapid reduction in pulmonary viral loads and decreased mortality. Baloxavir significantly reduced the time for alleviation of symptoms and reduced virus titres at 24 and 48 hours post-treatment at three different doses (10 mg, 20 mg and 40 mg) in a phase II study with patients experiencing uncomplicated influenza.

Mechanism of action

Baloxavir marboxil is an influenza therapeutic agent, specifically, an enzyme inhibitor targeting the influenza virus' cap-dependent endonuclease activity, one of the activities of the virus polymerase complex. In particular, it inhibits a process known as cap snatching, by which the virus derives short, capped primers from host cell RNA transcripts, which it then uses for polymerase-catalyzed synthesis of its needed viral mRNAs. A polymerase subunit binds to the host pre-mRNAs at their 5' caps, then the polymerase's endonuclease activity catalyzes its cleavage "after 10–13 nucleotides". As such, its mechanism is distinct from neuraminidase inhibitors such as oseltamivir and zanamivir.

Pharmacokinetics

Baloxavir marboxil is an antiviral drug that works against influenza virus to block viral replication. It has an 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 1.4 to 3.1 nM for influenza A viruses and 4.5 to 8.9 nM for influenza B viruses in a polymerase acidic (PA) endonuclease assay. In murine models of influenza and avian influenza A, baloxavir reduced pulmonary viral loads and increased survival rates of mice. The reduction of viral titer was observed within 24 hours of administration, in a dose-dependent manner.

Side Effects

Common side effects following the single dose administration of baloxavir marboxil include diarrhea, bronchitis, common cold, headache, and nausea. Adverse events were reported in 21% of people who received baloxavir, 25% of those receiving placebo, and 25% of oseltamivir.

Metabolism

Baloxavir predominantly undergoes UGT1A3-mediated metabolism to form glucuronic acid conjugate. It is subsequently metabolized by CYP3A4 to form sulfoxide.

References

[1] HUGHES* D L. Review of the Patent Literature: Synthesis and Final Forms of Antiviral Drugs Tecovirimat and Baloxavir Marboxil[J]. Organic Process Research & Development, 2019, 23 7: 1298-1307. DOI:10.1021/acs.oprd.9b00144.
[2] ANDOYOSHINORI. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic analysis of baloxavir marboxil, a novel cap-dependent endonuclease inhibitor, in a murine model of influenza virus infection.[J]. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 2021, 76 1: 189-198. DOI:10.1093/jac/dkaa393.
[3] YANGTIANRUI. Baloxavir Marboxil: The First Cap-Dependent Endonuclease Inhibitor for the Treatment of Influenza.[J]. Annals of Pharmacotherapy, 2019, 53 7: 754-759. DOI:10.1177/1060028019826565.
[4] Chemical Structure and Synthesis of Baloxavir Marboxil, A Novel Endonuclease Inhibitor For The Treatment Influenza : An Overview