TY - JOUR T1 - Pharmacologic Characterization of Valbenazine (NBI-98854) and Its Metabolites JF - Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics JO - J Pharmacol Exp Ther SP - 454 LP - 461 DO - 10.1124/jpet.116.239160 VL - 361 IS - 3 AU - Dimitri E. Grigoriadis AU - Evan Smith AU - Sam R. J. Hoare AU - Ajay Madan AU - Haig Bozigian Y1 - 2017/06/01 UR - http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/361/3/454.abstract N2 - The vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) is an integral presynaptic protein that regulates the packaging and subsequent release of dopamine and other monoamines from neuronal vesicles into the synapse. Valbenazine (NBI-98854), a novel compound that selectively inhibits VMAT2, is approved for the treatment of tardive dyskinesia. Valbenazine is converted to two significant circulating metabolites in vivo, namely, (+)-α-dihydrotetrabenazine (R,R,R-HTBZ) and a mono-oxy metabolite, NBI-136110. Radioligand-binding studies were conducted to assess and compare valbenazine, tetrabenazine, and their respective metabolites in their abilities to selectively and potently inhibit [3H]-HTBZ binding to VMAT2 in rat striatal, rat forebrain, and human platelet homogenates. A broad panel screen was conducted to evaluate possible off-target interactions of valbenazine, R,R,R-HTBZ, and NBI-136110 at >80 receptor, transporter, and ion channel sites. Radioligand binding showed R,R,R-HTBZ to be a potent VMAT2 inhibitor in homogenates of rat striatum (Ki = 1.0–2.8 nM), rat forebrain (Ki = 4.2 nM), and human platelets (Ki = 2.6–3.3 nM). Valbenazine (Ki = 110–190 nM) and NBI-136110 (Ki = 160–220 nM) also exhibited inhibitory effects on VMAT2, but with lower potency than R,R,R-HTBZ. Neither valbenazine, R,R,R-HTBZ, nor NBI-136110 had significant off-target interactions at serotonin (5-HT1A, 5-HT2A, 5-HT2B) or dopamine (D1 or D2) receptor sites. In vivo studies measuring ptosis and prolactin secretion in the rat confirmed the specific and dose-dependent interactions of tetrabenazine and R,R,R-HTBZ with VMAT2. Evaluations of potency and selectivity of tetrabenazine and its pharmacologically active metabolites were also performed. Overall, the pharmacologic characteristics of valbenazine appear consistent with the favorable efficacy and tolerability findings of recent clinical studies [KINECT 2 (NCT01733121), KINECT 3 (NCT02274558)]. ER -