Patent Application
20080254113
The present invention relates to novel pharmaceutical compositions in which the active agent is a substance P antagonist, in particular a S-aryl-4(R)-arylcarbonylamino-pent-2-enoic acid amide, that is useful for the treatment and prevention of respiratory diseases including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bowel disorders including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), urinary incontinence, and cough.
5-aryl-4(R)-arylcarbonylamino-pent-2-enoic acid amide substance P antagonists are a class of compounds described in international patent application WO 98/07694, the contents of which publication is incorporated herein by reference.
5-aryl-4(R)-arylcarbonylamino-pent-2-enoic acid amide substance P antagonists, such as those disclosed in WO 98/07694, present highly specific difficulties in relation to administration generally and galenic compositions in particular, including in particular problems of drug bioavailability and variability in inter- and intra-patient dose response, necessitating development of a non-conventional dosage form.
In accordance with the present invention it has now surprisingly been found that stable pharmaceutical compositions with 5-aryl-4(R)-arylcarbonylamino-pent-2-enoic acid amide substance P antagonists, having particularly interesting bioavailability characteristics and reduced variability in inter- and intra-subject bioavailability parameters, are obtainable. These novel compositions have been found to meet or substantially reduce the difficulties encountered previously. It has been shown that the compositions of the invention may enable effective dosaging with concomitant enhancement of bioavailability as well as reduced variability of absorption/bioavailability levels for and between individual patients. Thus, the invention may achieve effective therapy with tolerable dosage levels of such S-aryl-4(R)-arylcarbonylamino-pent-2-enoic acid amide substance P antagonists, and may permit closer standardization and optimization of daily dosage requirements for each individual. Consequently, occurrence of potential undesirable side-effects is diminished and overall cost of therapy may be reduced.
In a first aspect the present invention provides a spontaneously dispersible pharmaceutical composition comprising a 5-aryl-4(R)-arylcarbonylamino-pent-2-enoic acid amide substance P antagonist.
The spontaneously dispersible pharmaceutical composition is hereinafter also referred to as a “composition of the invention”. It is preferably a microemulsion preconcentrate.
Terms used in the specification have the following meanings:
“Active agent” as used herein means a 5-aryl-4(R)-arylcarbonylamino-pent-2-enoic acid amide substance P antagonist, such as those disclosed in WO 98/07694.
“Poorly water soluble” as used herein means having a solubility in water at 20° C. of less than 1%, for example 0.01% weight/volume, i.e. a “sparingly soluble to very slightly soluble drug” as described in Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy, 19th Edition, Ed. A. R. Gennaro, Mack Publishing Company, US, 1995, vol. 1, p 195.
“Bioavailable” as used herein with reference to a composition means the composition provides a maximum concentration of the active agent in that composition in a use environment that is at least 1.5 fold that of a control comprising an equivalent quantity of the undispersed drug.
“Spontaneously dispersible pharmaceutical composition” as used herein means a composition that contains an active agent herein defined and is capable of producing colloidal structures-when diluted with an aqueous medium, for example water, or in gastric juices. The colloidal structures can be solid or preferably liquid particles including droplets and nanoparticles. The spontaneously dispersible pharmaceutical composition is preferably a microemulsion preconcentrate.
“Microemulsion preconcentrate” as used herein means a composition which spontaneously forms a microemulsion in an aqueous medium, for example, in water, for example on dilution of 1:1 to 1:300, preferably 1:1 to 1:70, but especially 1:1 to 1:10 or in the gastric juices after oral application.
“Microemulsion” as used herein means a slightly opaque, opalescent, non-opaque or substantially non-opaque colloidal dispersion that is formed spontaneously or substantially spontaneously when its components are brought into contact with an aqueous medium. A microemulsion is thermodynamically stable and typically contains dispersed droplets of a mean diameter less than about 200 nm (2000 Å). Generally microemulsions comprise droplets or liquid nanoparticles that have a mean diameter of less than about 150 nm (1500 Å); typically less than 100 nm, generally greater than 10 nm, and they are stable over periods up to 24 hours.
Microemulsions offer greater ease of preparation due to spontaneous formation, thermodynamic stability, transparent and elegant appearance, increased drug loading, enhanced penetration through the biological membranes, increased bioavailability, and less inter- and intra-individual variability in drug pharmacokinetics than coarse emulsions. Further characteristics of microemulsions can be found in United Kingdom patent specification GB 2,222,770; Rosof, Progress in Surface and Membrane Science, 12, 405 et seq. Academic Press (1975); Friberg, Dispersion Science and Technology, 6 (3), 317 et seq. (1985); and Muller et al. Pharm. Ind., 50 (3), 370 et seq. (1988)].
Throughout this specification and in the claims that follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps
In a second aspect the present invention provides a spontaneously dispersible pharmaceutical composition comprising a S-aryl-4(R)-arylcarbonylamino-pent-2-enoic acid amide substance P antagonist as an active agent, and a carrier medium comprising a lipophilic component, a surfactant, and optionally a hydrophilic component.
Preferably the spontaneously dispersible pharmaceutical composition is suitable for oral administration.
The 5-aryl-4(R)-arylcarbonylamino-pent-2-enoic acid amide substance P antagonist is poorly water soluble as herein defined. It has a water solubility of below 0.001%, e.g. 0.001 to 0.0001%.
The active agent is preferably used in free base form.
In a third aspect the present invention provides a microemulsion preconcentrate comprising a 5-aryl-4(R)-arylcarbonylamino-pent-2-enoic acid amide substance P antagonist.
In a fourth aspect the present invention provides a microemulsion preconcentrate comprising a 5-aryl-4(R)-arylcarbonylamino-pent-2-enoic acid amide substance P antagonist and a carrier medium that comprises a lipophilic component, a surfactant, and optionally a hydrophilic component.
The microemulsion preconcentrate preferably forms an o/w (oil-in-water) microemulsion when diluted with water.
Preferably the relative proportions of the lipophilic component(s), the hydrophilic component(s), and the surfactant(s) lie within the “Microemulsion” region on a standard three way plot graph. These phase diagrams, can be generated in a conventional manner as described in e.g. GB 2,222,770 or WO 96/13273.
In a fifth aspect the present invention provides a microemulsion comprising a 5-aryl-4(R)-arylcarbonylamino-pent-2-enoic acid amide substance P antagonist.
The microemulsion is preferably an o/w (oil-in-water) microemulsion.
In a sixth aspect the present invention provides a microemulsion comprising a 5-aryl-4(R)-arylcarbonylamino-pent-2-enoic acid amide substance P antagonist, a lipophilic component, a surfactant, water, and optionally a hydrophilic component.
The colloidal structures of the microemulsion form spontaneously or substantially spontaneously when the components of the composition of the invention are brought into contact with an aqueous medium, e.g. by simple shaking by hand for a short period of time, for example for 10 seconds. The compositions of the invention are thermodynamically stable, e.g. for at least 15 minutes or up to 4 hours, even to 24 hours. Typically, they contain dispersed structures, i.e. droplets or liquid nanoparticles of a mean diameter less than about 200 nm (2,000 Å), e.g. less than about 150 nm (1,500 Å), typically less than 100 nm (1,000 Å), generally greater than 10 nm (100 Å) as measured by standard light scattering techniques, e.g. using a MALVERN ZETASIZER 300™ particle characterising machine. Solid drug particles of mean diameter greater than 200 nm may also be present. The proportion of particles present may be temperature dependent.
The active agent is a neurokinin antagonist (NK antagonist) and is therefore capable of preventing disease symptoms that are caused inter alia by the activation of the NK1 receptor by substance P and the activation of the NK2 receptor by neurokinin A[=NKA]. The substance-P-antagonizing effects can be demonstrated, for example, as follows: in vitro, for example, the binding of 3H-substance P to the bovine retina in the radio receptor assay according to H. Bittiger, Ciba Foundation Symposium 91 (1982) 196-199, is inhibited with IC50 values of from about 0.2 nM.
More specifically the active agent is a 5-aryl-4(R)-arylcarbonylamino-pent-2-enoic acid amide substance P antagonist. This class of compounds is described in WO 98/07694.
Preferred active agents, which are described in WO 98/07694, include:
The especially preferred active agent is (4R)-4-[N′-methyl-N′-(3,5-bistrifluoro-methyl-benzoyl)amino]-4-(3,4-dichlorobenzyl)-but-2-enoic acid N-[(R)-epsilon-caprolactam-3-yl]-amide, i.e. a compound of formula I
This compound is hereinafter referred to as Compound A.
The preferred and especially preferred active agents, in free or pharmaceutically acceptable salt form, may be prepared as described in international patent application WO 98/07694. As mentioned therein, they may be in the form of their hydrates and/or may include other solvents, for example solvents which may have been used for the crystallisation of compounds in solid form.
In accordance with the present invention the active agent may be present in an amount by weight of up to about 20% by weight of the composition of the invention, e.g. from about 0.05% by weight. The active agent is preferably present in an amount of 0.5 to 15% by weight of the composition, more preferably in an amount of 1.5 to 5% by weight of the composition.
The active agent is poorly water soluble so it is carried in a carrier medium.
In some embodiments of the compositions of the invention the carrier medium comprises a lipophilic component and a surfactant. In other embodiments the carrier medium comprises a lipophilic component, a hydrophilic component and a surfactant.
The lipophilic component comprises one or more lipophilic substances. The hydrophilic component comprises one or more hydrophilic substances. And the carrier medium can contain one or more surfactants.
The compositions of the invention can include a variety of additives including antioxidants, antimicrobial agents, enzyme inhibitors, stabilizers, preservatives, flavours, sweeteners and further components such as those described in Fiedler, H. P. “Lexikon der Hilfsstoffe für Pharmazie, Kosmetik und angrenzende Gebiete”, Editio Cantor, D-7960 Aulendorf, 4th revised and expanded edition (1996). These additives will conveniently be dissolved in the carrier medium.
The compositions of the invention include a lipophilic component or phase. The active agent may be contained in this component of the carrier medium.
The lipophilic component (when present) is preferably characterized by a low HLB value of less than 10, e.g. up to 8. Suitable lipophilic components include:
1) Glyceryl Mono-C6-C14-fatty Acid Esters
These are obtained esterifying glycerol with vegetable oil followed by molecular distillation. Monoglycerides suitable for use in the compositions of the invention include both symmetric (i.e. β-monoglycerides) as well as asymmetric monoglycerides (α-monoglycerides. They also include both uniform glycerides (in which the fatty acid constituent is composed primarily of a single fatty acid) as well as mixed glycerides (i.e. in which the fatty acid constituent is composed of various fatty acids) The fatty acid constituent may include both saturated and unsaturated fatty acids having a chain length of e.g. C8-C14. Particularly suitable are caprylic or lauric acid monoglycerides which are commercially available, e.g. under the trade names Imwitor® 308 or Imwitor® 312, respectively, from e.g. sasol. For example Imwitor® 308 comprises at least 80% monoglycerides and exhibits the following additional characterising data: free glycerol max 6%, acid value max. 3, saponification value 245-265, iodine value max. 1, water content max. 1%. Typically it comprises 1% free glycerol, 90% monoglycerides, 7% diglycerides, 1% triglycerides (H. Fiedler, loc. cit., volume 1, page 798). A further example is Capmul MCM C8 from Abitec Corporation.
2) Mixtures of mono- and di-glycerides of C6-C15 Fatty Acids
Mixed mono-, di-, tri-glycerides preferably comprise mixtures of C8 to C10 or C12-20 fatty acid mono-, di- and tri-glycerides, especially mixed C16-C18 fatty acid mono-, di- and triglycerides. The fatty acid component of the mixed mono-, di- and tri-glycerides may comprise both saturated and unsaturated fatty acid residues. Preferably however they are predominantly comprised of unsaturated fatty acid residues; in particular C18 unsaturated fatty acid residues. Suitably the mixed mono-, di-, tri-glycerides comprise at least 60%, preferably at least 75%, more preferably at least 85% by weight of a C18 unsaturated fatty acid (for example linolenic, linoleic and oleic acid) mono-, di- and tri-glycerides. Suitably the mixed mono-, di-, tri-glycerides comprise less than 20%, for example about 15% or 10% by weight or less, saturated fatty acid (for example palmitic and stearic acid) mono-, di- and tri-glycerides. Mixed mono-, di-, tri-glycerides are preferably predominantly comprised of mono- and di-glycerides; for example mono- and di-glycerides comprise at least 50%, more preferably at least 70% based on the total weight of the lipophilic phase or component. More preferably, the mono- and di-glycerides comprise at least 75% (for example about 80% or 85% by weight of the lipophilic component. Preferably monoglycerides comprise from about 25 to about 50%, based on the total weight of the lipophilic component, of the mixed mono-, di-, tri-glycerides. More preferably from about 30 to about 40% (for example 35 to 40%) monoglycerides are present. Preferably diglycerides comprise from about 30 to about 60%, based on the total weight of the lipophilic component, of the mixed mono-, di-, tri-glycerides. More preferably from about 40 to about 55% (for example 48 to 50%) diglycerides are present. Triglycerides suitably comprise at least 5% but less than about 25%, based on the total weight of the lipophilic component, of the mixed mono-, di-, tri-glycerides. More preferably from about 7.5 to about 15% (for example from about 9 to 12%) triglycerides are present. Mixed mono-, di-, tri-glycerides may be prepared by admixture of individual mono-, di- or tri-glycerides in appropriate relative proportion. Conveniently however they comprise trans-esterification products of vegetable oils, for example almond oil, ground nut oil, olive oil, peach oil, palm oil or, preferably, corn oil, sunflower oil or safflower oil and most preferably corn oil, with glycerol. Such transesterification products are generally obtained as described in GB 2 257 359 or WO 94/09211. Preferably some of the glycerol is first removed to give a “substantially glycerol free batch” when soft gelatine capsules are to be made. Purified transesterification products of corn oil and glycerol provide particularly suitable mixed mono-, di-, and tri-glycerides hereinafter referred to as “refined oil” and produced according to procedures described in United Kingdom patent specification GB 2,257,359 or international patent publication WO 94/09211.
Transesterified ethoxylated vegetable oils are known and are commercially available under the trade name Labrafil® (H. Fiedler, loc. cit., vol 2, page 880). Examples are Labrafil® M 2125 CS (obtained from corn oil and having an acid value of less than about 2, a saponification value of 155 to 175, an HLB value of 3 to 4, and an iodine value of 90 to 110), and Labrafil® M 1944 CS (obtained from kernel oil and having an acid value of about 2, a saponification value of 145 to 175 and an iodine value of 60 to 90). Labrafil® M 2130 CS (which is a transesterification product of a C12-18 glyceride and polyethylene glycol and which has a melting point of about 35 to 40° C., an acid value of less than about 2, a saponification value of 185 to 200 and an iodine value of less than about 3) may also be used. The preferred transesterified ethoxylated vegetable oil is Labrafil® M 2125 CS which can be obtained, for example, from Gattefossé, Saint-Priest Cedex, France.
Especially suitable alkylene polyol ethers or esters include products obtainable by transesterification of glycerides, e.g. triglycerides, with poly-(C2-4alkylene) glycols, e.g. poly-ethylene glycols and, optionally, glycerol. Such transesterification products are generally obtained by alcoholysis of glycerides, e.g. triglycerides, in the presence of a poly-(C2-4alkylene) glycol, e.g. polyethylene glycol and, optionally, glycerol (i.e. to effect transesterification from the glyceride to the poly-alkylene glycol/glycerol component, i.e. via poly-alkylene glycolysis/glycerolysis). In general such reaction is effected by reacting the indicated components (glyceride, polyalkylene glycol and, optionally, glycerol) at elevated temperature under an inert atmosphere with continuous agitation.
Preferred glycerides are fatty acid triglycerides, e.g. (C10-22fatty acid) triglycerides, including natural and hydrogenated oils, in particular vegetable oils. Suitable vegetable oils include, for example, olive, almond, peanut, coconut, palm, soybean and wheat germ oils and, in particular, natural or hydrogenated oils rich in (C12-18fatty acid) ester residues. Preferred polyalkylene glycol materials are polyethylene glycols, in particular polyethylene glycols having a molecular weight of from ca. 500 to ca. 4,000, e.g. from ca. 1,000 to ca. 2,000.
Suitable alkylene polyol ethers or esters include mixtures of C3-5alkylene triol esters, e.g. mono-, di- and tri-esters in variable relative amount, and poly(C2-4alkylene) glycol mono- and di-esters, together with minor amounts of free C3-5alkylene triol and free poly-(C2-5alkylene) glycol. As hereinabove set forth, the preferred alkylene triol moiety is glyceryl; preferred polyalkylene glycol moieties include polyethylene glycol, in particular having a molecular weight of from ca. 500 to ca. 4,000; and preferred fatty acid moieties will be C10-22fatty acid ester residues, in particular saturated C10-22fatty acid ester residues.
Particularly suitable alkylene polyol ethers or esters include transesterification products of a natural or hydrogenated vegetable oil and a polyethylene glycol and, optionally, glycerol; or compositions comprising or consisting of glyceryl mono-, di- and tri-C10-22fatty acid esters and polyethylene glycol mono- and di-C10-22fatty esters (optionally together with, e.g. minor amounts of free glycerol and free polyethylene glycol).
Preferred vegetable oils, polyethylene glycols or polyethylene glycol moieties and fatty acid moieties in relation to the above definitions are as hereinbefore set forth.
Particularly suitable alkylene polyol ethers or esters as described above for use in the present invention include those commercially available under the trade name Gelucire® from e.g. Gattefossé, in particular the products:
Some of these, e.g. (1-3, 5-6, 8-9, 12-13, 19), display surfactant-like behaviour and may also be termed co-surfactants.
The lipophilic component (when present) preferably comprises 5 to 85% by weight of the composition of the invention, e.g. 10 to 85%; preferably 15 to 60% by weight, more preferably about 20 to about 40% by weight.
For those embodiments where the carrier medium comprises a hydrophilic component in addition to the lipophilic component and the surfactant the relative proportions of the lipophilic component(s), hydrophilic component(s) and the surfactant(s) lie within the “Microemulsion” region on a standard three way plot graph. The compositions of the invention may include a hydrophilic component or phase.
Suitable hydrophilic compounds include:
Other suitable hydrophilic compounds include transcutol (C2Hs-[O—(CH2)2]2—OH), glycofurol (also known as tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol polyethylene glycol ether), 1,2-propylene glycol, dimethylisosorbide (Arlasolve), polyethylene glycol, triethylenglycol, ethylacetate, and ethyllactate.
The hydrophilic component may comprise 5 to 60% by weight of the composition of the invention, e.g. 10 to 50%; preferably 10 to 40% by weight, more preferably about 10 to about 30% by weight.
The hydrophilic component may comprise a mixture of two or more hydrophilic components.
The compositions of the invention may lower alkanols such as ethanol as a hydrophilic co-component. While the use of ethanol in the compositions is not essential, it has been found to be of particular advantage when the compositions are to be manufactured in soft gelatine, encapsulated form. This is because storage characteristics are improved, in particular the risk of active agent precipitation following encapsulation procedures is reduced. Thus the shelf life stability may be extended by employing ethanol or some other such co-component as an additional ingredient of the composition. The ethanol may comprise 0 to 60% by weight of the composition; preferably 5 to about 30% by weight and more preferably about 5 to 20% by weight.
The compositions of the present invention preferably contain one or more surfactants to reduce the interfacial tension thereby providing thermodynamic stability. Surfactants may be complex mixtures containing side products or unreacted starting products involved in the preparation thereof, e.g. surfactants made by polyoxyethylation may contain another side product, e.g. polyethylene glycol. The or each surfactant preferably has a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) value of 8 to 17, especially 10 to 17. The HLB value is preferably the mean HLB value.
Suitable surfactants include:
These include those with e.g. from 10 to 20, e.g. 10 glycerol units. The fatty acid constituent may include both saturated and unsaturated fatty acids having a chain length of from e.g. C8-C18. Particularly suitable is e.g. decaglycerylmonolaurat or decaglycerylmonomyristat, as known and commercially available under the trade mark Decaglyn® 1-L or Decaglyn® 1-M or Decaglyn 1-0, respectively, from e.g. Nikko Chemicals C., Ltd (Fiedler, loc. cit., vol. 2, pp. 1228).
The surfactant may comprise 5 to 90% by weight of the composition of the invention; preferably 15 to 85% by weight, more preferably 20 to 60% by weight and even more preferably between about 35% and about 55% by weight.
Certain embodiments of the compositions of the invention include additives for example antioxidants, antimicrobial agents, enzyme inhibitors, stabilizers, preservatives, flavours, sweeteners and other components such as those described in Fiedler, H. P., loc. at.
Preferred antioxidants include ascorbyl palmitate, butyl hydroxy anisole (BHA), butyl hydroxy toluene (BHT) and tocopherols. The antioxidant α-tocopherol (vitamin E) is especially preferred.
These additives or ingredients may comprise about 0.05 to 5% by weight of the total weight of the composition. Antioxidants, antimicrobial agents, enzyme inhibitors, stabilizers or preservatives typically provide up to about 0.05 to 1% by weight based on the total weight of the composition. Sweetening or flavouring agents typically provide up to about 2.5 or 5% by weight based on the total weight of the composition.
The aforementioned additives can also include components that solidify a liquid micro-emulsion pre-concentrate (MEPC). These include solid polyethylene glycols (PEGs) and Gelucire™ products, preferably those such as like Gelucire™ 44/14 or Gelucire™ 50/13 that function as additional surfactants.
In a seventh aspect the invention provides a process for preparing a spontaneously dispersible pharmaceutical composition containing a S-aryl-4(R)-arylcarbonylamino-pent-2-enoic acid amide substance P antagonist as an active agent, which process comprises bringing the active agent and a carrier medium comprising (1) a lipophilic component, (2) a surfactant, and optionally (3) a hydrophilic component into intimate admixture.
The carrier medium can be prepared separately before bringing the active agent into intimate admixture with the carrier medium. Alternatively the two or more of the components of the carrier medium can be mixed together with the active agent.
The spontaneously dispersible pharmaceutical composition is preferably a microemulsion preconcentrate as herein defined.
The spontaneously dispersible pharmaceutical composition preferably spontaneously or substantially spontaneously forms an o/w (oil-in-water) emulsion, e.g. microemulsion, when diluted with an aqueous medium such as water to a dilution of 1:1 to 1:300, e.g. 1:1 to 1:70, especially 1:10 to 1:70, more especially e.g. 1:10, or in the gastric juices of a patient after oral application.
In an eighth aspect the invention provides a process for the preparing a microemulsion containing a S-aryl-4(R)-arylcarbonylamino-pent-2-enoic acid amide substance P antagonist as an active agent, which process comprises:
As mentioned above, the active agent may be present in an amount by weight of up to about 20% by weight of the composition of the invention, e.g. from about 0.05% by weight. The active agent is preferably present in an amount of 0.5 to 15% by weight of the composition, more preferably in an amount of 1.5 to 5% by weight of the composition.
The lipophilic component preferably comprises 5 to 85% by weight of the composition of the invention, e.g. 10 to 85%; preferably 15 to 60% by weight, more preferably about 20 to about 40% by weight.
The hydrophilic component (when present) may comprise 5 to 60% by weight of the composition of the invention, e.g. 10 to 50%; preferably 10 to 40% by weight, more preferably about 10 to about 30% by weight. It may comprise a mixture of two or more hydrophilic components. The ratio of main hydrophilic component to hydrophilic co-component is typically from about 0.5:1 to about 2:1.
The surfactant may comprise 5 to 90% by weight of the composition of the invention; preferably 15 to 85% by weight, more preferably 20 to 60% by weight and even more preferably between about 35% and about 55% by weight.
The relative proportion of the active agent(s), the lipophilic component(s), the surfactant(s) and the hydrophilic component(s) (when present) preferably lie within the “Microemulsion” region on a standard three way plot graph. The compositions will therefore be of high stability that are capable, on addition to an aqueous medium, of providing microemulsions, for example having a mean particle size of <200 nm.
When the composition of the invention is a microemulsion preconcentrate it may be combined with water or an aqueous solvent medium to obtain an emulsion, for example a microemulsion. The emulsion or microemulsion may be administered enterally, for example orally, for example in the form of a drinkable solution.
When the composition of the invention is a microemulsion preconcentrate a unit dosage of the microemulsion preconcentrate is preferably used to fill orally administrable capsule shells. The capsule shells may be soft or hard capsule shells, for example made of gelatine. Each unit dosage will suitably contain from 0.1 to 100 mg active agent, for example 0.1 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, 25 mg or 50 mg, preferably between 10 and 100 mg of the active agent, more preferably between 10 and 50 mg; for example 15, 20, 25, or 50 mg, more preferably between 5 and 20 mg, most preferably 5 or 10 mg. Such unit dosage forms are suitable for administration 1 to 5 times daily depending upon the particular purpose of therapy, the phase of therapy and the like. However, if desired, the compositions may be in drink solution form and may include water or any other aqueous system, e.g. fruit juice, milk, and the like, to provide e.g. colloidal systems, suitable for drinking, e.g. with a dilution of from about 1:10 to about 1:100.
The compositions of the invention, e.g. those in the examples hereinafter, may show good stability characteristics as indicated by standard stability trials, for example having a shelf life stability of up to one, two or three years, and even longer. One group of compositions of the invention may be of high stability that are capable, on addition to water, of providing aqueous microemulsions having an average particle size of <200 nm (2,000 Å), e.g. <150 nm (1,500 Å), e.g. <100 nm (1,000 Å).
The compositions of the invention exhibit especially advantageous properties when administered orally; for example in terms of consistency and high level of bioavailability obtained in standard bioavailability trials.
Pharmacokinetic parameters, for example drug substance absorption and measured for example as blood levels, also become surprisingly more predictable and problems in administration with erratic absorption may be eliminated or reduced. Additionally the pharmaceutical compositions are effective with biosurfactants or tenside materials, for example bile salts, being present in the gastro-intestinal tract. That is, the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention are fully dispersible in aqueous systems comprising such natural tensides and thus capable of providing emulsion or microemulsion systems and/or particulate systems in situ which are stable. The function of the pharmaceutical compositions upon oral administration remain substantially independent of and/or unimpaired by the relative presence or absence of bile salts at any particular time or for any given individual. The compositions of this invention may also reduce variability in inter- and intra-patient dose response.
The utility of the compositions of the invention may be observed in standard clinical tests in, for example, known indications of active agent at dosages giving therapeutically effective active agent blood levels. Any increased bioavailability of the compositions of the invention may be observed in standard animal tests and in clinical trials.
The dose of the active agent in the compositions of the invention is of the same order as, or up to half, that used in known compositions containing the active agent. The compositions of the invention show activity at concentrations from about 0.1 mg to about 40 mg/day of active agent, preferably from about 0.1 mg to about 20 mg/day, e.g. most preferably from about 0.1 to about 1 mg/day of active agent for respiratory disease states.
The compositions of the invention are useful for the treatment of respiratory diseases, e.g. asthma and chronic bronchitis. For these indications, the appropriate dosage will, of course, vary depending upon, for example, the particular composition of the invention employed, the host, the mode of administration, and the nature and severity of the conditions being treated.
A typical dose for the active agent is from 0.1 to 1 mg/day for asthma and chronic bronchitis.
Thus in a ninth aspect the present invention provides a method of treatment of a subject suffering from a disorder treatable with a S-aryl-4(R)-arylcarbonylamino-pent-2-enoic acid amide substance P antagonist comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition of the invention to a subject in need of such treatment.
The invention is illustrated by the following Examples.
In the following examples the pharmaceutically active agent is Compound A i.e. (4R)-4-[N′-methyl-N′-(3,5-bistrifluoro-methyl-benzoyl)amino]-4-(3,4-dichlorobenzyl)-but-2-enoic acid N-[(R)-epsilon-caprolactam-3-yl]-amide.
The formulation contains:
The formulation contains:
The formulation contains:
The compositions of all three examples are prepared whereby the carrier components are mixed and the active ingredient is dissolved therein whilst stirring. The mixtures of the formulation of Examples 1 and 2 are filled into hard gelatine capsules and sealed using the Quali-Seal™ sealing technique.
Similarly, further examples are prepared as follows:
No phase separation or precipitation observed for any of the above compositions which are clear for at least 4 hours.
Bioavailability analysis of Example 1 in a dog study shows, that single peroral doses of 20 mg Compound A given as standard capsule formulation using micronized DS (formulation A) resulted in significantly lower plasma levels of Compound A (˜50%) than given as microemulsion (formulation B). For illustration of the data see table below and figure on page 1/1.
In general for our microemulsions the most preferred embodiment are soft gelatine capsules. This is due to the fact that a number of microemulsion excipients e.g. propylene glycol, are incompatible with hard gelatin capsules making them brittle. Soft gelatine capsules contain a large amount of softener and therefore compatibility is better.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0402679.5 | Feb 2004 | GB | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2005/001166 | 2/4/2005 | WO | 00 | 2/12/2008 |
