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US20240350437A1 Patent on gamma-hydroxybutyrate compositions
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Patent on gamma-hydroxybutyrate compositions having improved pharmacokinetics in the fed state

Patents US20240350437A1 and US20240350438A1 – Gamma-hydroxybutyrate compositions having improved pharmacokinetics in the fed state – Google Patents relates to pharmaceutical compositions and systems designed to provide controlled and consistent drug release for oral administration. The invention addresses challenges associated with delayed or multi-stage drug delivery, particularly for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) with complex absorption profiles or sensitivity to environmental factors like pH. More specifically, gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) is employed as API. GHB is a drug from the group of sedatives that is approved for the treatment of narcolepsy with cataplexy in adults.

The core of the patent involves multiparticulate formulations, in which small spherical particles or granules are coated with APIs and polymers. These coatings are designed to modulate drug release rates, enabling gradual, sustained, or targeted delivery in the gastrointestinal tract. This technology is particularly useful for achieving precise therapeutic effects, minimizing dosing frequency, and reducing potential side effects caused by rapid drug release.

The document highlights advancements in coating techniques and the use of stabilizing agents to improve the integrity and functionality of the drug delivery system. It also discusses scalability and manufacturing efficiency, making these formulations suitable for large-scale production while maintaining consistency in dosage and performance.

Potential applications include treatments for chronic conditions or drugs that require precise dosing regimens. The invention provides flexibility in formulating for a range of APIs, allowing for customization to meet specific therapeutic needs. By enabling controlled drug release, the technology enhances medication adherence and efficacy, benefiting both patients and healthcare providers.

What is the role of MCC pellets as drug carrier of gamma-hydroxybutyrate compositions?

This patent US20240350437A1 focuses on an innovative approach to creating multiparticulate pharmaceutical formulations designed for oral administration. The patent introduces CELLETS® which are a key component of the drug delivery system. CELLETS® are small, uniform spherical particles made of inert microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), that act as carriers for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). These particles provide an optimal surface for drug layering, facilitating precise drug release profiles. In this patent, these types of CELLETS® are applicable:

  • CELLETS® 90
  • CELLETS® 100
  • CELLETS® 127

The invention addresses challenges in achieving controlled drug release, particularly for APIs requiring multi-step or delayed absorption. By coating these MCC carriers with specific polymers and APIs, the system allows for tailored drug release at targeted points in the gastrointestinal tract. This is especially beneficial for drugs with narrow therapeutic windows or those sensitive to pH levels.

The patent emphasizes advancements in coating techniques and formulation stability, ensuring high reproducibility and efficient manufacturing processes. The resulting multiparticulate system supports dosage flexibility, reduced side effects, and improved patient adherence compared to conventional tablet or capsule forms.

The invention has implications for developing treatments for chronic conditions, where consistent and predictable drug release is critical. The application of CELLETS® in this context highlights their versatility and potential to enhance the efficacy and safety of oral drug delivery systems.

Document information

Document Type and Numbers:

  • (“Gamma-hydroxybutyrate compositions having improved pharmacokinetics in the fed state”).
  • US20240350438A1 (“Gamma-hydroxybutyrate compositions having improved pharmacokinetics in the fed state”).
Kind Code: A1

Inventors:

Julien Grassot, Cendrine Grangeon, Jordan Dubow

Disclaimer

This text was partly generated by chatGPT engine version GPT‑4o, on Nov 21, 2024. Image was generated with Adobe Firefly.

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Patent on packaged modified release gamma-hydroxybutyrate formulations having improved stability

The patent WO2019123269A1, titled “Packaged modified release gamma-hydroxybutyrate formulations having improved stability“ presents innovative formulations and packaging methods designed to enhance the dissolution and chemical stability of gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), a treatment for narcolepsy. Current GHB treatments, like XYREM®, require patients to wake up mid-sleep for a second dose, making this method cumbersome. This patent aims to develop a once-nightly, modified-release GHB form that maintains stability through advanced packaging, which controls relative humidity to ensure long-term effectiveness and prevent chemical degradation of GHB into gamma-butyrolactone (GBL).

Key Innovations:

  1. Modified Release Formulation: The patent includes an immediate and modified release component, both containing GHB or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt. The modified release form is designed to control the release of GHB over time, providing sustained therapeutic effects throughout the night without the need for a second dose. This formulation helps improve patient convenience and adherence to treatment.
  2. Stability Issues with GHB: GHB is highly hygroscopic and chemically unstable, which leads to degradation, especially in high humidity environments. Its instability results in the formation of GBL, a degradation product that reduces the drug’s effectiveness. The patent addresses these challenges by creating a formulation with stable dissolution profiles and chemical stability, even under stressful storage conditions (e.g., high temperature and humidity).
  3. Packaging Innovation: To further enhance the stability, the GHB formulations are packaged in a way that maintains a specific relative humidity range (29% to 54%) within the package. This careful control of humidity is crucial to prevent GHB from degrading into GBL. The packaging material has a low water vapor transmission rate, reducing moisture exposure and ensuring the drug remains stable over time.
  4. Hydrophobic Coating: The patent uses a hydrophobic coating (e.g., glyceryl tristearate, hydrogenated vegetable oil) and methacrylic acid copolymers for the modified release component. These coatings help control the release rate of GHB and protect it from moisture, ensuring a steady release and preventing premature degradation.
  5. Pharmaceutical Composition: The GHB composition in the patent includes varying ratios of immediate and modified release components. These compositions are tailored to provide a sufficient therapeutic dose while maintaining stability. The sizes of the particles and the specific formulation ratios (e.g., 40/60 to 60/40) are key factors in achieving the desired pharmacokinetics and release profiles.

The primary innovation lies in controlling the relative humidity within the packaging, alongside a modified release formulation with hydrophobic coatings to maintain the drug’s chemical stability and effectiveness. These advancements make GHB therapy more convenient by eliminating the need for a second nightly dose and addressing the stability challenges that have plagued previous formulations.

In this patent, CELLETS® play a crucial role as inert cores used in the formulation of modified release or the active or salts thereof. These starter spheres serve as carriers for the active ingredient by providing a surface for multi-layer drug layering. Their primary function is to ensure uniform drug distribution and control the release profile of GHB. The benefits include enhancing dissolution stability, maintaining the integrity of the dosage form over time, and helping to modulate the release rate of the drug for once-nightly dosing convenience. For these aspects, MCC starter sphere types where employed: CELLETS® 90, CELLETS® 100, CELLETS® 127. Glatt ProCell™ technique is used for spraying molten API.

Document information

Document Type and Number: (“Packaged modified release gamma-hydroxybutyrate formulations having improved stability”).
Kind Code: A1

Inventors:

Hervé GUILLARD

Disclaimer

This text was partly generated by chatGPT engine version GPT‑4o, on Oct 21, 2024. Image was generated with Adobe Firefly.

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Patent on modified-release Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate formulations having improved pharmacokinetics

The patent application titled “Modified Release Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate (GHB) Formulations Having Improved Pharmacokinetics” (US20240148685) focuses on improving the delivery of GHB, a substance used for treating sleep disorders like narcolepsy, through modified-release formulations. The goal is to optimize GHB’s absorption, enhancing patient convenience and compliance by reducing the need for multiple nightly doses.

The key innovation in the patent is the use of CELLETS®, microcrystalline spheres often employed as a neutral core for drug layering. In this application, CELLETS® act as carriers for the active ingredient, allowing precise control over the release profile of GHB. These small spherical particles, made from microcrystalline cellulose, offer uniform size and high mechanical strength, ensuring consistent drug loading and a controlled release rate.

In this patent, the CELLETS® are coated with various layers of GHB and release-modifying agents, enabling a predictable and sustained release of the active substance. This modified release profile allows GHB to be administered in a once-nightly dose rather than requiring the patient to wake up for a second dose, which was a limitation with previous immediate-release formulations. This extended-release mechanism helps maintain stable plasma concentrations of GHB over an 8-hour period, improving both the efficacy of the treatment and patient compliance.

The innovation emphasizes addressing the shortcomings of existing GHB formulations by ensuring a better pharmacokinetic profile—particularly regarding absorption, bioavailability, and minimizing drug levels in the bloodstream after the therapeutic effect has been achieved. In this specific patent, the following MCC Sphere types are recommended: CELLETS® 90, CELLETS® 100, CELLETS® 127.

Document information

Document Type and Number: (“Modified release Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate formulations having improved pharmacokinetics”)
Kind Code: A1

Inventors:

Dubow, Jordan (Lyon, FR)
Guillard, Hervé (Villeurbanne, FR)
Mégret, Claire (Lyon, FR)
Dubuisson, Jean-françois (Lyon, FR)

Disclaimer

This text was generated by chatGPT engine version GPT‑4o, on Oct 21, 2024. Image was generated with Adobe Firefly.

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Patent on methods of administering gamma-hydroxybutyrate compositions with divalproex sodium

The United States Patent Application US20240024263 focuses on methods of administering gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) in combination with divalproex sodium (DVP), particularly for treating conditions like narcolepsy. The aim is to co-administer these drugs without altering their dosage or efficacy. The patent emphasizes how DVP affects GHB’s pharmacokinetics, allowing adjustments to minimize side effects while ensuring therapeutic benefits.

The role of CELLETS® in this patent is critical. CELLETS® are microcrystalline cellulose spheres used in drug formulations. They provide a stable, controlled-release matrix for GHB, ensuring consistent drug delivery over time. This controlled release minimizes fluctuations in drug concentrations, improving safety and efficacy. These MCC starter beads also help prevent interaction between GHB and DVP, ensuring that neither drug’s therapeutic effects are compromised.

By using CELLETS®, the formulation enhances the pharmacokinetic profile of GHB, ensuring a smoother and more predictable drug release. This innovation is crucial when GHB is administered alongside DVP, as it allows for better management of conditions like excessive daytime sleepiness or cataplexy, without significantly altering either drug’s profile.

In summary, this patent introduces an optimized co-administration strategy for GHB and DVP, with Cellets playing a pivotal role in achieving steady, controlled drug release and mitigating adverse drug interactions. This approach aims to improve the overall effectiveness and safety of treatment for sleep-related disorders. In this specific patent, the following MCC Sphere types are recommended: CELLETS® 90, CELLETS® 100 or CELLETS® 127. United States Patent Application US20240024263 seems as well to be a patent following the patent US11896572B2 wherein modified-release formulations are described.

Document information

Document Type and Number: (“Methods of administering gamma-hydroxybutyrate compositions with divalproex sodium”)
Kind Code: A1

Inventors:

Baek, Bong-Sook, Flamel Ireland Limited (Dublin, IE)

Disclaimer

This text was generated by chatGPT engine version GPT‑4o, on Oct 21, 2024. Image was generated with Adobe Firefly.

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Patent on modified release gamma-hydroxybutyrate formulations having improved pharmacokinetics

The patent US11896572B2, titled “Modified release gamma-hydroxybutyrate formulations having improved pharmacokinetics,” outlines a pharmaceutical formulation aimed at optimizing the release and therapeutic effectiveness of gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), a drug used for narcolepsy treatment. The patent focuses on improving GHB’s pharmacokinetics by creating a modified release system that extends its action, reducing the need for frequent dosing and improving patient compliance.

The formulation includes both immediate-release and delayed-release particles, allowing for a controlled release of GHB. This combination ensures that a portion of the drug is rapidly released for quick onset, while the remaining is gradually released, providing sustained therapeutic effects over time. The goal is to provide 6 to 8 hours of sleep with just one bedtime dose.

A key aspect of the patent is the use of CELLETS® which are spherical microcrystalline cellulose particles that serve as a core for both immediate and delayed-release systems (pellet technologies). These CELLETS® are critical because they provide a stable, uniform platform for the drug’s release. For the immediate-release component, CELLETS® are coated with sodium oxybate and a binder (povidone). For the delayed-release part, CELLETS® are coated with additional polymers, such as methacrylic acid copolymers and hydrogenated vegetable oil, which control the release based on pH levels in the gastrointestinal tract. This dual-layer system ensures precise drug release timing, optimizing the treatment’s effectiveness and minimizing side effects like abrupt peaks in drug concentration.

The CELLETS® play a crucial role in maintaining particle size consistency, which is important for ensuring predictable dissolution and absorption rates, thereby enhancing the overall pharmacokinetic profile of the drug. This innovation represents an advancement over traditional formulations by offering more reliable and patient-friendly narcolepsy management. In this specific patent, the following MCC Sphere types are recommended: CELLETS® 90, CELLETS® 100 or CELLETS® 127.

By utilizing CELLETS® and other advanced components, the patent aims to reduce the frequency of administration (allowing for once-daily dosing) and improve patient compliance, which is especially important for MG patients who need consistent, long-term management of their symptoms.

Document information

Document Type and Number: (“modified release gamma-hydroxybutyrate formulations having improved pharmacokinetics”)
Kind Code: B2

Inventors:

Jordan Dubow
Hervé Guillard
Claire Mégret
Jean-François DUBUISSON

Disclaimer

This text was generated by chatGPT engine version GPT‑4o, on Oct 21, 2024. Image was generated with Adobe Firefly.

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