Population pharmacokinetic modeling of zavegepant, a calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonist, in healthy adults and patients with migraine

Zavegepant (ZAVZPRET™) is a high-affinity, selective, small-molecule calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonist available for acute treatment of migraine in adults. A population pharmacokinetic analysis was performed to describe zavegepant plasma concentration–time course, characterize bioavailability, and identify covariates affecting zavegepant exposure. The model was developed and validated using data from 10 phase I clinical studies, wherein zavegepant was administered intravenously, intranasally, or orally to healthy adults and patients with migraine. Plasma concentration–time data were analyzed using nonlinear mixed-effects modeling. A three-compartment model with first-order elimination from the central compartment, and sequential zero- and first-order absorption best described the observed plasma concentration–time course of zavegepant. Bioavailability was 5.1% and 0.65% for intranasal and oral treatment, respectively; absorption rate constants were 5.8 and 0.8 h⁻¹, respectively. Body weight-based empirical allometric scaling was applied using standard exponents (0.75 for clearance and 1 for volume of distribution). Age (range 18–71 years), race, ethnicity, sex, renal function, and co-administration of oral contraceptives or sumatriptan did not significantly change zavegepant pharmacokinetics. Moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh score 7–9) or co-administration of rifampin decreased elimination clearance of oral zavegepant by ~40%. The zavegepant population pharmacokinetic model adequately characterized zavegepant concentration–time profiles, the bioavailability of intranasal and oral zavegepant, as well as the effect of intrinsic and extrinsic factors on zavegepant pharmacokinetics.