Abstract Inhibiting cMet has potential therapeutic value in oncology. The Janssen WAVE Early Development unit, a team focused on efficient proof-of-concept evaluations, sought to rapidly assess the safety, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of a novel, highly selective small molecule cMet TK inhibitor with a favorable preclinical safety profile. We conducted a placebo-controlled, randomized, double blind single ascending dose and multiple dose trial in 84 healthy males at Quotient Clinical LTD (UK). The trial design was adaptive in several respects: to expedite determination of an optimal formulation and to maintain sufficient systemic exposure to sustain target inhibition. In the single ascending dose phase, doses ranged from 6-350 mg, with early transition from a solution to capsule formulation at 18 mg. Two multiple dose cohorts received 60 mg twice daily for 7 days (inter-dose intervals of 4.5 and 12 hours). Target engagement biomarkers were plasma hepatocyte growth factor and soluble cMet. Evaluation of renal safety was of particular interest. Clinical evaluation, including both single ascending and multiple dose phases, was completed in only 6 months. All doses were safe and well tolerated. Pharmacokinetic analysis revealed dose-proportional increases in exposure. Dose escalation was limited by concentrations of a major metabolite that approached the ceiling established in preclinical toxicology studies. Renal toxicity was not identified. Initial evaluation of this oncology drug in healthy subjects offered the advantages of rapid trial enrollment and completion, robust placebo comparison data, absence of concomitant illness or laboratory abnormalities, rapid dose escalation in a carefully-monitored, controlled setting, a thorough preliminary safety evaluation, and reduced costs. This approach, enabled by the acceptable preclinical safety profile of the compound, efficiently produced high quality clinical safety and pharmacokinetic data to support compound progression decisions. Citation Format: A Dawn Millington, Sandra R. Chaplan, Zuleima Aguilar, Dennis M. Fisher, Jo Collier, Marielena Mata, Geert Mannens, Nico Goyvaerts, Vijay Peddareddigari, Chris Takimoto. Rapid evaluation of a novel small molecule cMet tyrosine kinase inhibitor in healthy subjects. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr CT309. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-CT309