Investigation of disposition for TAK-448, a synthetic peptide of kisspeptin analog, in rats and dogs using the radiolabeled TAK-448 suitable for pharmacokinetic study

Disposition of 2-(N-acetyl-d-tyrosyl-trans-4-hydroxy-l-prolyl-l-asparaginyl-l-threonyl-l-phenylalanyl) hydrazinocarbonyl-L-leucyl-N^ω-methyl-l-arginyl-l-tryptophanamide monoacetate (TAK-448, RVT-602), a synthetic kisspeptin analog, was investigated after parenteral dosing of radiolabeled TAK-448 ([d-Tyr-¹⁴C]TAK-448) to rats and dogs, and it was confirmed if the radiolabeling position at d-Tyr was eligible for assessment of in vivo disposition. Dosed radioactivity was rapidly and well absorbed after subcutaneous administration and an appreciable amount of unchanged TAK-448 (TAK-448F) and a hydrolyzed metabolite, M-I, were detected in the plasma of rats and dogs. After intravenous administration of [d-Tyr-¹⁴C]TAK-448 to rats, the radioactivity widely distributed to tissues with relatively higher concentrations in kidney and urinary bladder. The radioactivity was decreased rapidly from the tissues. After subcutaneous administration of [d-Tyr-¹⁴C]TAK-448 to rats and dogs, the dosed radioactivity was almost completely recovered by 48 and 72 h in rats and dogs, respectively, and most of the radioactivity was excreted in urine after extensive metabolism in the two species. These results suggest that TAK-448 has an acceptable pharmacokinetic profile for clinical evaluation and development, and demonstrate that the synthesized [D-Tyr-¹⁴C]TAK-448 used in this study represents a favorable labeling position to evaluate disposition properties of this compound.