Selexipag

Last updated
Selexipag
Selexipag.svg
Clinical data
Trade names Uptravi
Other namesACT-293987, NS-304
License data
Routes of
administration
By mouth, intravenous
ATC code
Legal status
Legal status
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability 49%
Protein binding 99%
Metabolism Activation by carboxylesterases, inactivation by CYP2C8 and others
Metabolites ACT-333679, the free acid (active metabolite)
Elimination half-life 0.8–2.5 h (selexipag) and 6.2–13.5 h (ACT-333679)
Excretion 93% faeces
Identifiers
  • 2-{4-[(5,6-Diphenylpyrazin-2-yl)(propan-2-yl)amino]butoxy}-N-(methanesulfonyl)acetamide
CAS Number
PubChem CID
IUPHAR/BPS
DrugBank
ChemSpider
UNII
KEGG
ChEBI
ChEMBL
ECHA InfoCard 100.237.916 OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Chemical and physical data
Formula C26H32N4O4S
Molar mass 496.63 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)
  • CC(C)N(CCCCOCC(=O)NS(=O)(=O)C)C1=CN=C(C(=N1)C2=CC=CC=C2)C3=CC=CC=C3
  • InChI=1S/C26H32N4O4S/c1-20(2)30(16-10-11-17-34-19-24(31)29-35(3,32)33)23-18-27-25(21-12-6-4-7-13-21)26(28-23)22-14-8-5-9-15-22/h4-9,12-15,18,20H,10-11,16-17,19H2,1-3H3,(H,29,31)
     Yes check.svgY
  • Key:QXWZQTURMXZVHJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N
 X mark.svgNYes check.svgY  (what is this?)    (verify)

Selexipag, sold under the brand name Uptravi, is a medication developed by Actelion for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). [2] Selexipag and its active metabolite, ACT-333679 (or MRE-269, the free carboxylic acid), are agonists of the prostacyclin receptor, which leads to vasodilation in the pulmonary circulation. [3] It is taken by mouth or administered intravenously. [2] [4]

Contents

It is available as a generic medication. [5]

Contraindications

In Europe, use of selexipag together with strong inhibitors of the liver enzyme CYP2C8, such as gemfibrozil, is contraindicated because it increases concentrations of selexipag twofold, and its active metabolite 11-fold, potentially leading to more adverse effects. [6]

Adverse effects

The adverse effects of selexipag are similar to those of intravenous prostacyclins used for pulmonary arterial hypertension. Common side effects include headache and jaw pain. An increased risk for hyperthyroidism has also been noted in people taking selexipag. [7]

Pharmacology

Mechanism of action

ACT-333679, the active metabolite MRE 269 skeletal.svg
ACT-333679, the active metabolite

Selexipag and its active metabolite ACT-333679 act on the prostacyclin receptor of lung tissue, with the latter being 37-fold more potent. They are selective for the prostacyclin receptor. Binding to this receptor leads to three major effects: increased vasodilation of the arteries, decreased cell proliferation and inhibition of platelet aggregation, [7] all beneficial in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Pharmacokinetics

Selexipag is quickly absorbed from the gut and hydrolyzed in the intestines and the liver to ACT-333679 by carboxylesterases. Absolute bioavailability is about 49%, most likely because of a high first-pass effect. Highest concentrations in the blood plasma are reached after one to three hours for selexipag and after three to four hours for the active metabolite. When in the circulation, about 99% of both substances are bound to plasma proteins, namely to albumin and alpha-1-acid glycoprotein to equal amounts. [7]

The liver enzymes CYP2C8 and, to a lesser extent, CYP3A4, hydroxylate and dealkylate the active substance, thereby inactivating it. Besides, ACT-333679 is glucuronidized by the enzymes UGT1A3 and UGT2B7. The terminal half-life of selexipag is 0.8 to 2.5 hours, that of the active metabolite is 6.2 to 13.5 hours. [7]

Chemistry

Synthesis

Synthesis of Selexipag Selexipag synthesis.png
Synthesis of Selexipag

The synthesis of celexipag begins from two inexpensive compounds, glycine hydrochloride and benzil, condensed under basic conditions. [8] [9]

The hydroxypyrazine is converted to the chloropyrazine by reaction with phosphorous oxychloride. The amine side-chain is introduced via an nucleophilic aromatic substitution and the pendant alcohol is then alkylated with tert-butyl 2-bromoacetate.

To finalize the synthesis, the ester is saponified and an amidation is carried out using methanesulfonamide.

History

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted selexipag orphan drug status for PAH. [10] It was approved by the FDA on 22 December 2015. [10]

In Europe, the drug was approved in May 2016. [7]

Society and culture

Economics

The expected price for the drug in the US is $160,000 to $170,000 per patient before rebates. [11]

Related Research Articles

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References

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  2. 1 2 3 "Uptravi- selexipag tablet, coated Uptravi Titration Pack- selexipag kit". DailyMed. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  3. Sitbon O, Morrell N (December 2012). "Pathways in pulmonary arterial hypertension: the future is here". European Respiratory Review. 21 (126): 321–327. doi: 10.1183/09059180.00004812 . PMC   9487224 . PMID   23204120.
  4. "Uptravi (selexipag) Receives FDA Approval for Intravenous Use in Adult Patients with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH)". Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies (Press release). 30 July 2021. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  5. "Competitive Generic Therapy Approvals". U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 29 June 2023. Archived from the original on 29 June 2023. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  6. Information des Bundesamtes für Sicherheit im Gesundheitswesen zu Uptravi (in German), Österreichisches Bundesamt für Sicherheit im Gesundheitswesen, 2017-06-07
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 "Uptravi: Authorisation details". European Medicines Agency. 2016-05-12.
  8. Asaki T, Kuwano K, Morrison K, Gatfield J, Hamamoto T, Clozel M (September 2015). "Selexipag: An Oral and Selective IP Prostacyclin Receptor Agonist for the Treatment of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension". Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. 58 (18): 7128–7137. doi:10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5b00698. PMID   26291199.
  9. Flick AC, Ding HX, Leverett CA, Kyne RE, Liu KK, Fink SJ, O'Donnell CJ (August 2017). "Synthetic Approaches to the New Drugs Approved During 2015". Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. 60 (15): 6480–6515. doi:10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b00010. PMID   28421763.
  10. 1 2 New Drug Approved for Rare Lung Disorder. PPN. 23 Dec 2015 Has link to GRIPHON study results
  11. "Actelion sees Uptravi price of $160,000-170,000/patient". Reuters. 2016-01-05. Retrieved 2016-01-06.