Developmental and reproductive toxicity studies of BIA 10-2474

• Published in: Regulatory toxicology and pharmacology Vol. 111; p. 104543
• Main Authors: Harris, Stephen B., Hardisty, Jerry F., Hayes, A. Wallace, Weber, Klaus
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Inc 01.03.2020
• Subjects: BIA 10–2474; Endocannabinoid system; Endogenous anandamide; Rabbit; Rat; Reproductive toxicology; Rabbit; Endocannabinoid system; Endogenous anandamide; Rat; Reproductive toxicology; BIA 10–2474
• ISSN: 0273-2300; 1096-0295; 1096-0295
• DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2019.104543

A series of regulatory studies were carried out to investigate the effects of the FAAH inhibitor BIA 10–2474 on fertility, embryo-fetal toxicity and pre- and post-natal development in rats and rabbits. Despite some reductions in sperm count in rats from 50 mg/kg, there were no major changes in male fertility up to 100 mg/kg. In female rats administered up to GD6, there were increases in pre-implantation loss at 50 and 100 mg/kg but neither post-implantation loss nor early embryonic development was affected. In contrast, when administered to female rats during pregnancy (GD6-GD17), BIA 10–2474 at 75 mg/kg/day reduced food consumption resulting in weight loss, increased post-implantation loss and reduced mean fetal body weight. In rabbits, the same maternal toxicity was seen but there were no effects in this species on post-implantation loss or fetal body weights. There were no teratological effects clearly due to BIA 10–2474 and developmental milestones and behavior of offspring were not affected. When administered during pregnancy and lactation (GD6-PND20), some post-implantation loss was seen from 20 mg/kg/day, but developmental milestones and behavior of the offspring were not affected, although males tended to have lower body weight. Based on these data the NOAEL for parental fertility was established as 50 mg/kg/day, the maternal NOAEL during pregnancy was 25 mg/kg/day in rats and developmental NOAEL was 25 and 75 mg/kg/day in rats and rabbits, respectively. When administered during post-natal development to rats the maternal NOAEL was 6 mg/kg/day. The parental reproductive NOAEL, the NOAEL for viability and growth of the F1 offspring, the F1 parental NOAEL and the F1 reproductive NOAEL were all considered to be 20 mg/kg/day. •During a Phase I clinical trial one subject died after receiving BIA 10–2474 and others displayed neurological signs.•The effects of BIA 10–2474 on fertility, embryo-fetal toxicity and pre- and post-natal development in rats and rabbits.•Moderate effects on male and female fertility were found.•This had minor impact on the offspring with normal developmental milestones.•Effects seen at higher doses might not be related to FAAH inhibition.