Evidence supports combining Onconic Therapeutics’ Zaqbo with hyperlipidemia drugs

[Financial News] Onconic Therapeutics has obtained clinical results showing that taking its gastroesophageal reflux disease treatment Zaqbo together with a hyperlipidemia drug does not cause a significant change in drug exposure in the body.
Onconic Therapeutics said on the 21st that a study evaluating drug interactions between Zaqbo (generic name: zastaprazan) and the hyperlipidemia drug atorvastatin had been published in the international journal Drug Design, Development and Therapy (DDDT).
The study was conducted by a research team led by Professor Won-seok Shin of the Department of Clinical Pharmacology at Bundang CHA Hospital, CHA University. The researchers studied 24 healthy Korean adults, first administering atorvastatin 40 mg and Zaqbo 20 mg separately, then repeatedly administering both drugs together once daily for five days and comparing their blood concentrations. They assessed the bidirectional drug interaction after the drugs had reached steady concentrations in the body.
The study found that when taken with Zaqbo, atorvastatin’s peak blood concentration was 98% of that with atorvastatin alone, while its total exposure in the body was 103%. This means there was no clinically significant change in the drug’s blood concentration or overall exposure. The concentration of 2-hydroxyatorvastatin, an active metabolite of atorvastatin, did not increase either.
Zaqbo’s total exposure in the body likewise remained similar to that seen when it was administered alone, even when taken with atorvastatin. In terms of safety, most adverse events were mild, and all resolved. There were no serious adverse events or withdrawals from the clinical trial due to adverse events.
Atorvastatin is a statin that lowers blood cholesterol and is metabolized mainly through CYP3A4, a liver enzyme. Since Zaqbo is also metabolized through the CYP3A pathway, checking for interactions between the two drugs is important in treating patients who take multiple medications together.
The researchers said the findings support the possibility that atorvastatin dose adjustment may not be necessary when the two drugs are taken together under the study conditions. However, since the study was conducted in healthy adults, further clinical experience is needed to confirm the effects and safety of taking the drugs together in actual patients.
An Onconic Therapeutics representative said, "Many patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease also take multiple medications for chronic conditions such as hyperlipidemia," adding, "This study is significant because it provides pharmacokinetic evidence that healthcare professionals can refer to when Zaqbo and atorvastatin are taken together."

[email protected] Jeong Sang-hee Reporter