Patent Application
20110028736
The present invention relates to zofenopril calcium form A substantially free of other forms of zofenopril calcium and to zofenopril calcium having a chemical purity of more than 98.5%. The present invention also relates to methods of preparing such zofenopril calcium. It further relates to compositions comprising such zofenopril calcium. Zofenopril calcium, (4S)-1-[(2S)-3-benzoylthio-2-methylpropionyl]-4-(phenylthio)-L-proline calcium salt, has the following structure:
The manufacturing process for many pharmaceuticals is hindered by the fact that the organic compound which is the active drug substance is difficult to handle during the manufacturing process. These difficulties can lead to undesirable properties being imparted to the final drug or dosage form. In addition, it can be difficult to control the polymorphic form of the active drug substance throughout the manufacturing process.
For pharmaceuticals in which the active ingredient can exist in more than one polymorphic form, it is particularly important to ensure that the manufacturing process for the active ingredient affords a single polymorph with a consistent level of polymorphic purity. If the process leads to a polymorph with varying degrees of polymorphic purity and/or where the process does not control polymorphic interconversion, serious problems with dissolution and/or bioavailability can arise in the finished pharmaceutical formulation comprising the active ingredient. Zofenopril calcium, (4S)-1-[(2S)-3-benzoylthio-2-methylpropionyl]-4-(phenylthio)-L-proline calcium salt, is a non-peptidic, orally active, long acting ACE inhibitor. It is marketed for the treatment of hypertension under the trade name Zoprace®.
Zofenopril and methods for its preparation were first described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,316,906. Two polymorphs of zofenopril calcium, forms A and B, were disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,515,012 and international patent application WO 00/07984. It was also disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,515,012 and WO 00/07984 that polymorph A is much more industrially suitable than form B. Polymorph forms A and B of zofenopril calcium disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,515,012 and WO 00/07984 show the following XRD patterns:
One method for the preparation of zofenopril calcium as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,316,906 mainly yields polymorph A, but there is always contamination with polymorph B to varying degrees (never below 20%). An alternative synthesis described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,316,906 affords a partially amorphous product, with very variable characteristics, in which polymorph A, when present, is in concentrations much lower than those obtained in the preceding process.
A process for the preparation of supposedly pure form A is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,515,012 and WO 00/07984, and is summarised below:
However, the above method for the preparation of polymorph A has the following drawbacks:
Therefore there remains a need for an improved process for the preparation of zofenopril calcium form A with high polymorphic purity. There also remains a need for an improved process for the preparation of zofenopril calcium with high chemical purity.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a process for the preparation of zofenopril calcium polymorph A of high optical purity, in particular zofenopril calcium form A which is substantially free of form B or other polymorphs. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a process for the preparation of zofenopril calcium of high chemical purity.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide zofenopril calcium polymorph A of high optical purity. It is also an object of the present invention to provide zofenopril calcium of high chemical purity.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide compositions comprising zofenopril calcium polymorph A of high optical purity. It is also an object of the present invention to provide compositions comprising zofenopril calcium of high chemical purity.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide zofenopril calcium in a solid crystalline form that affords the compound improved handling properties (such as increased resistance to compression and/or micronisation) and/or improved properties as a pharmaceutical agent, and enables strict control of the purity and/or polymorphic form during manufacturing.
A first aspect of the present invention provides zofenopril calcium form A, substantially free of other forms of zofenopril calcium. Zofenopril calcium form A shows XRD peaks at substantially the following scattering angles 2θ: 4.3, 7.4, 8.7, 10.1, 10.8, 11.7, 13.0, 14.8, 16.0, 17.2, 18.2, 19.0, 20.0, 21.7, 23.5, and 24.6.
In the context of the present application, the term ‘substantially free’ of other forms of zofenopril calcium means that the zofenopril calcium form A comprises less than 6% of other crystalline or amorphous forms of zofenopril calcium, preferably less than 5%, preferably less than 4%, preferably less than 3%, preferably less than 2%, preferably less than 1%.
The first aspect of the present invention also provides zofenopril calcium having a chemical purity of more than 98.5%, preferably more than 99%, preferably more than 99.3%, as measured by HPLC.
A second aspect of the present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising zofenopril calcium according to the first aspect of the present invention.
A third aspect of the present invention provides use of zofenopril calcium according to the first aspect of the present invention, for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of hypertension or another angiotensin-mediated condition.
A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a method of treating hypertension or another angiotensin-mediated condition, comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of zofenopril calcium according to the first aspect of the present invention to a patient in need thereof.
A fifth aspect of the present invention provides a method of preparing zofenopril calcium according to the first aspect of the present invention. Preferably the method comprises the use of zofenopril potassium or zofenopril dicyclohexylamine. Preferably the method comprises the use of calcium chloride. Preferably the method comprises the use of an organic solvent/water system.
The fifth aspect of the present invention also provides a method of preparing zofenopril calcium, comprising the step of reacting a zofenopril salt other than zofenopril calcium with an aqueous solution of a calcium salt in an organic solvent/water system.
The fifth aspect of the present invention also provides a method of preparing zofenopril calcium, comprising the steps of:
Preferably the calcium salt used in step (a) is soluble in water, preferably readily soluble in water. Calcium salts which are soluble in water include, but are not limited to, calcium chloride, calcium bromide, calcium iodide, calcium formate, calcium acetate, calcium propionate, calcium butyrate, calcium isobutyrate, calcium α-methyl butyrate, and calcium oxide. A preferred calcium salt used in step (a) is calcium chloride.
Preferably the zofenopril salt used in step (a) is a lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, amine or amino acid salt of zofenopril. Amine salts of zofenopril include, but are not limited to, the dibenzylamine, N,N-dibenzylethylenediamine, methylamine, dimethylamine, trimethylamine, ethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, N-ethylmethylamine, t-butylamine, N,N-diisopropylethylamine, N,N-diisopropylmethylamine, procaine, N-ethylpiperidine, cyclohexylamine, dicyclohexylamine, and 1-adamantanamine salt. Amino acid salts of zofenopril include, but are not limited to, the arginine and lysine salt. Preferred zofenopril salts used in step (a) are zofenopril potassium and zofenopril dicyclohexylamine.
Organic, water miscible solvents include, but are not limited to, alcohols, aliphatic ketones (such as acetone or ethyl methyl ketone), acetonitrile, formamide, N,N-dimethylformamide, dimethylsulfoxide, sulfolane, diglyme, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, and N-methylpyrrolidine. Preferably the organic, water miscible solvent is a lower alkyl alcohol. Lower alkyl alcohols include, but are not limited to, methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol and n-butanol. Preferably the organic, water miscible solvent is methanol.
In step (a), the aqueous solution of a calcium salt and the solution of a zofenopril salt in an organic, water miscible solvent are preferably combined in a water:organic solvent ratio of 1:1 to 1:10, preferably 1:1 to 1:5, more preferably 1:1 to 1:3.
Preferably the combining of step (a) is carried out at a temperature of up to 85° C., preferably at a temperature of 55-85° C., preferably 55-70° C., preferably 55-60° C.
Preferably the maintaining of step (b) is carried out with stirring and/or for at least one hour. Preferably the maintaining of step (b) is carried out at a temperature of up to 85° C., preferably at a temperature of 55-85° C., preferably 55-70° C., preferably 55-60° C.
Preferably the method is carried out without seeding zofenopril calcium form A.
The separating of step (c) may be achieved by filtering the suspension. Preferably the separating of step (c) is carried out at a temperature of up to 85° C., preferably up to 70° C., preferably up to 60° C., preferably up to 55° C.
The separated zofenopril calcium may be purified by washing with water, preferably until the zofenopril calcium is substantially free from chloride ions.
Alternatively or additionally, the separated zofenopril calcium may be purified by washing with methanol. The washing with methanol may be achieved by stirring the zofenopril calcium in methanol and filtering.
The separated zofenopril calcium may be dried under reduced pressure at a temperature of up to 85° C., preferably up to 70° C., preferably up to 60° C., preferably up to 50° C.
Zofenopril calcium polymorph A obtained by the prior art processes is always contaminated with polymorph B.
The present invention provides zofenopril calcium form A substantially free of other polymorphs.
The present invention provides polymorph form A that has a level of polymorph form B or other polymorphs at a level of less than 10%, preferably less than 8%, more preferably less than 5%, even more preferably less than 3%, and most preferably less than 1%.
The present invention comprises the use of the dicyclohexylamine (DCHA) salt of the zofenopril acid.
The present invention comprises the use of the potassium salt of the zofenopril acid in an alcohol/water solvent system at relatively mild temperature conditions, which exercise strict control on polymorph composition thereby preventing the interconversion of polymorphs. The alcohol used can be any lower alkyl alcohol, but is preferably methanol.
The present invention yields zofenopril calcium form A of very good HPLC (chemical) purity (more than 98.5%, preferably more than 99%, preferably more than 99.3%).
The present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising pure polymorph A of zofenopril calcium.
The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention is preferably solid and can comprise a compound in accordance with the invention in addition to one or more conventional pharmaceutically acceptable excipient(s). Preferred dosage forms in accordance with the invention include tablets, capsules and the like.
The compounds of the present invention may also be useful as precursors to other novel or known polymorphic forms of zofenopril that may be useful in the preparation of pharmaceutical products. Alternatively, the compounds in accordance with the present invention may be used to prepare other desired polymorphic forms of zofenopril in a more controllable manner.
The present invention is illustrated, but in no way limited, by the following examples.
An aqueous solution of calcium chloride was added to a methanolic solution (methanol:water=1:1) of DCHA salt of zofenopril acid at 80-85° C. and the resulting suspension was stirred for 3 hours. The resulting suspension was filtered off at 55° C. and the product was washed with water until free from chloride ions. The wet cake was stirred in methanol and filtered and the wet solids were dried under reduced pressure at 50° C. until a constant weight was obtained.
Melting point=235-246° C.; DSC endotherm at 257° C.
The XRPD pattern of the product thus obtained matched with the reported polymorph A (WO 00/07984).
The product obtained had only traces of form B detectable by XRPD. The detection limit of the XRPD instrument used was 3%.
An aqueous solution of calcium chloride was added to a methanolic solution (methanol:water=3:1) of DCHA salt of zofenopril acid at 80-85° C. and the resulting suspension was stirred for 3 hours. The resulting suspension was filtered off at 55° C. and the product was washed with water until free from chloride ions. The wet cake was stirred in methanol and filtered and the wet solids were dried under reduced pressure at 50° C. until a constant weight was obtained.
Melting point=235-246° C.; DSC endotherm at 254° C.
The XRPD pattern of the product thus obtained matched with the reported polymorph A (WO 00/07984).
The product obtained had only traces of form B detectable by XRPD. The detection limit of the XRPD instrument used was 3%.
An aqueous solution of calcium chloride was added to a methanolic solution (methanol:water=1:1) of DCHA salt of zofenopril acid at 55-60° C. and the resulting suspension was stirred for 3 hours. The resulting suspension was filtered off at 55° C. and the product was washed with water until free from chloride ions. The wet cake was stirred in methanol and filtered and the wet solids were dried under reduced pressure at 50° C. until a constant weight was obtained.
Melting point=235-246° C.; DSC endotherm at 255.7° C.
The XRPD pattern of the product thus obtained matched with the reported polymorph A (WO 00/07984).
The product obtained had only traces of form B detectable by XRPD. The detection limit of the XRPD instrument used was 3%.
An aqueous solution of calcium chloride was added to a methanolic solution (methanol:water=1:1) of the potassium salt of zofenopril acid at 55-60° C. and the resulting suspension was stirred for 3 hours. The resulting suspension was filtered off at 55° C. and the product was washed with water until free from chloride ions. The wet cake was stirred in methanol and filtered and the wet solids were dried under reduced pressure at 50° C. until a constant weight was obtained.
Melting point=235-246° C.; DSC endotherm at 258° C.
The XRPD pattern of the product thus obtained matched with the reported polymorph A (WO 00/07984)
The product obtained had no trace of form B detectable by XRPD. The detection limit of the XRPD instrument used was 3%.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 815/MUM/2006 | May 2006 | IN | national |
This application is a continuation of International Patent Application No. PCT/GB2007/050296, filed on May 25, 2007, which claims priority to Indian Patent Application No. 815/mum/2006, filed on May 26, 2006, the entire contents of both of which are incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 12277841 | Nov 2008 | US |
| Child | 12904318 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/GB2007/050296 | May 2007 | US |
| Child | 12277841 | US |
