AU2002365504A1 - Injection solution comprising an lhrh antagonist - Google Patents

Description

VERIFICATION OF TRANSLATION RWS Group plc, of Europa House, Marsham Way, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire, England, declare as follows: 1. That the translator responsible for the attached translation is well acquainted with both the English and German languages, and 2. That the attached document is a true and correct translation to the best of RWS Group plc knowledge and belief of: (a) The specification of International Bureau pamphlet numbered WO 03/045419 international Application No. PCT/EPO2/12798. Date: 14 May 2004 Signature: _ __ C. E. SITCH Deputy Managing Director - UK Translation Division For and on behalf of RWS Group plc (No witness required) (12) INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT) (19) World Intellectual Property Organization International Bureau (43) International publication date (10) International publication number 5 June 200oo3 (05.06.2oo003) PCT WO 03/045419 Al (51) International patent classification': A61K 38/09, (81) Designated states (national): AE, AG, AL, AM, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR, BY, BZ, CA, CH, CN, 9/08,47/26 CO, CR, CU, CZ, DE, DK, DM, DZ, EC, EE, ES, FI, GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, HR. HU, ID. IL, IN, IS. JP. (21) International application number: PCT/EP02/12798 KE, KG, KP, KR, KZ, LC, LK, LR, LS, LT, LU, LV, MA, MD, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, MZ, NO, NZ, (22) International filing date: 15 November 2002 (15.11.2002) OM, PH, PL, PT, RO, RU, SD. SE, SG, SI, SK, SL, TJ, TM, TN, TR, TT, TZ, UA, UG, UZ, VN, YU, ZA, (25) Language of filing: German ZM, ZW. (26) Language of publication: German (84) Designated states (regional): ARIPO Patent (GH, GM, KE, LS, MW, MZ, SD, SL, SZ, TZ, UG, ZM, ZW), (30) Data relating to the priority: Eurasian Patent (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, 101 57 628.5 26 November 2001 (26.11.2001) DE TM), European Patent (AT, BE, BG, CH, CY, C7Z, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, IE, IT, LU, MC, NL, PT, (71) Applicant: ZENTARIS AG [DE/DE]; Weismtllerstrasse 45 SE, SK, TR), OAPI Patent (BF, BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, 60314 Frankfurt (DE). GA, GN, GQ, GW, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG). (72) Inventors: SARLIKIOTIS, Werner; Sp. Dima 31, GR-190 02 Published: Peania (GR). BAUER, Horst; Rahrenstrasse 12a, 91217 With the International Search Report. Hersbruck (DE). RISCHER, Matthias; Schlesierstrasse 20, 60388 Frankfurt (DE). ENGEL, Jurgen; Erlenweg 3, 63755 For an explanation of the two-letter codes and the other Alzenau (DE). GVTHLEIN, Frank; Westendstrasse 5, 63477 abbreviations, reference is made to the explanations Maintal (DE). DI STEFANO, Dominique; Am B6rnchen 14, ("Guidance Notes on Codes and Abbreviations") at the 65479 Raunheim (DE). beginning of each regular edition of the PCT Gazette. As printed (54.) Title: INJECTION SOLUTION COMPRISING AN LHRH ANTAGONIST (54) Bezeichnung: INJEKTIONSLOSUNG EINES LHRIH-ANTAGONISTEN , (57) Abstract: The aqueous injection solution comprising an LHRH antagonist contains in addition to the LHRH antagonist, such If) as cetrorelix, an organic, physiologically compatible acid and optionally a surfactant and also a framework builder. The LHRH ' antagonist has significantly improved solubility and can be prepared in higher concentrations and with an improved bioavailability. The aggregation tendency of the LHRH antagonist is significantly reduced. (57) Zusammenfassuag: Die wlissrige Injektionslsung eines LHRH-Antagonisten enthklt neben dem LHRH-Antagonisten, wie Cetrorelix eine organische, physiologisch vertrigliche Siure, und ggf. ein Tensid sowie einen Gerdstbildner. Der LHRH-Antagonist ~ weist eine deutlich verbesserte Lislichkeit auf, kann in einer hBheren Konzentration und besseren BioverfUgbarkeit bereitgestelit werden. Die Aggregationsneigung des LHRH-Antagonisten wird deutlich herabgesetzt.

WO 03/045419 PCT/EPO2/12798 Injection solution of an LHRH antagonist Technical field: s The invention relates to aqueous injection solutions of an LHRH antagonist using additions of organic, physiologically tolerable acids and/or surfactants and their preparation for prevention of the aggregation of the LHRH antagonist in solution. The injection solutions prepared according to the invention additionally lead to an increase in the bioavailability and make 10 possible the lowering of the injection volume to be administered. Prior art: In controlled ovarian stimulation followed by egg cell removal and 15 techniques of assisted reproduction, besides LHRH agonists (e.g. triptorelin, buserelin), LHRH antagonists (cetrorelix, ganirelix) have especially been used for some time, since they avoid the initial increase in endogenous gonadotropin secretion and immediately lead to a competitive inhibition of gonadotropin-releasing hormone [EP 0 788 799 A2; EP 0 299 20 402 B1]. The LHRH antagonist ganirelix is at present used in a formulation which contains 0.25 mg of ganirelix in 0.5 ml of an aqueous, mannitol containing solution in the form of a ready-to-use injection (Orgalutran®). The LHRH antagonist cetrorelix (Cetrotide®) is at present supplied in two administration forms: a lyophilizate containing 0.25 mg of cetrorelix 25 combined with a ready-to-use syringe which contains 1 ml of water for reconstitution, and a lyophilizate containing 3 mg of cetrorelix combined with a ready-to-use syringe which contains 3 ml of water for reconstitution. LHRH antagonists, however, are not only used for controlled ovarian stimulation, but can also be used for the therapy of hormone-dependent 30 types of cancer such as, for example, prostate carcinoma. Substances such as abarelix [WO 98/25642] or cetrorelix [WO 00/47234] could be used for this in that the LHRH antagonists could be an alternative to the market dominating agonists (leuprolide, goserelin) in this therapy. On account of the relatively poor solubility of abarelix in water or physiological media, a 35 depot formulation must be used in order to achieve a long-term action. There are indications, however, that a long-term action could also be caused by good solubility of the LHRH antagonists [G. Jiang, J. Stakewski, R. Galyean, J. Dykert, C. Schteingart, P. Broqua, A. Aebi, M. L. Aubert, j, -2 G. Semple, P. Robson, K. Akinsanya, R. Haigh, P. Riviere, J. Trojnar, J. L. Junien and J. E. Rivier, J. Med. Chem., 2001, 44, 453-467]. Presentation of the invention: 5 It is the object of the invention to prepare an injection solution which achieves a low injection volume together with an increased concentration of the LHRH antagonist by means of its improved solubility. At the same time, the aggregation of the LHRH antagonist in the relatively highly 10 concentrated injection solution should be prevented. It has surprisingly been found that organic, physiologically tolerable acids, particularly carboxylic acids, in particular hydroxycarboxylic acids, but preferably gluconic acid on its own or in combination with surfactants such 15 as, for example, Tween, markedly improve the solubility of LHRH antagonists and thus markedly reduce the proneness to aggregation of these substances. The invention therefore makes it possible to prepare LHRH antagonists in relatively high concentration in aqueous solutions for injection. LHRH 20 antagonists which may be mentioned are, for example, cetrorelix, teverelix, D-63 153 (Ac-D-Nal-pCi-D-Phe-3-D-Pal-Ser-N-Me-Tyr-D-H-Cit-Iso-Leu Arg-Pro-D-Ala-NH2) ganirelix, abarelix, antide, azaline B. It was seen that an excess of the respective carboxylic acid must be used; equimolar amounts are not sufficient. Obviously, this effect cannot be explained alone 25 by an in-situ salt formation with basic amino acid residues present such as, for example, arginine, pyridylalanine, lysine. Likewise, the surfactant concentration must not be chosen to be too high, since otherwise the solutions foam too much and aggregation is in turn induced by the surfactants. 30 At the same time, these additions make possible an increase in the bioavailability, since they obviously also slow the spontaneous aggregation in the body after injection or make possible a more rapid absorption of the substance from the site of action. It was seen that the lowered pH of such injection solutions (e.g. pH = 2.5-3) has no influence on the local tolerability 35 of the injection. By increasing the concentration, it is possible to reduce the volume administered, e.g. in the case of cetrorelix from 3 ml to 1 ml for the 3 mg form. It was likewise shown that by means of these additions a good storage stability can be achieved (see Example 1). Although storage for over 6 months at 25°C/60% produced an increase in the impurities, the -3 content value in each case was still clearly above 90% (as a rule the lowest value of the use period specification of pharmaceutical products). The turbidity, as a sign of aggregation, increased only slightly. Turbidity values of up to 8 FTU (formazine turbidity unit according to European 5 Pharmacopoeia) are perfectly tolerable. Preservatives such as, for example, phenol or p-chloro-m-cresol do not interfere and can additionally be used for the preservation of the solutions. The use of customary bulking agents, such as mannitol, lactose, glucose and fructose, is likewise possible. 10 Description of a route for carrying out the invention: Example 1 15 500 mg of cetrorelix 2 g of Tween 80 2.4 g of gluconic acid delta-lactone 95 g of mannitol 20 were mixed with water for injection to 2 litres to give a homogeneous solution. The solution was then sterile-filtered and dispensed into ampoules. The ampoules were investigated analytically for purity (HPLC), content (HPLC), pH and aggregation (turbidity) initially and after a storage 25 time of 6 months at 2-8 0 C and 25°C/60% rel. humidity. Analytical results: Starting Investigation Investigation investigation after 6 months after 6 months at 2-80C at 250C/60% rel. humidit Purity [%] 0.37 0.69 2.32 Content [%] 100.0 98.7 95.4 pH 3.12 3.16 3.16 Turbidity [FTU] 1.88 2.62 3.92 -4 Example 2 About 500 mg of D-63153 About 100 mg of Tween 80 About 475 mg of mannitol 5 were adjusted to a pH of about 2.5 using aqueous, saturated gluconic acid delta-lactone solution. A volume of about 50 ml resulted. The mixture was stirred until a clear solution resulted. 10 Analytical results: The turbidity of the solution was initially 2.4 FTU. After 24 h, 2.1 FTU were measured. The purity profile and the content of the solution (HPLC) remained unchanged. 15 Structure of the LHRH antagonist D-63153: Ac-D-Nal-pCI-D-Phe-3-D-Pal-Ser-N-Me-Ty r- D- H

-

C it- Iso- Le u -A rg -P r o

-D

Ala-NH2 20 About 100 mg of teverelix About 100 mg of Tween 80 About 475 mg of mannitol 25 were adjusted to a pH of about 2.5 using aqueous, saturated gluconic acid delta-lactone solution. A volume of about 10 ml resulted. The mixture was stirred until a clear solution resulted. 30 Analytical results: The turbidity of the solution was initially 6.8 FTU. After 24 h, 8.4 FTU were measured. The purity profile and the content of the solution (HPLC) remained unchanged. 35 Structure of the LHRH antagonist teverelix: Ac-D-Nal-pCI-D-Phe-3-D-Pal-Ser-Ty r-D -H-C it

-

Le u -iP r-Lys -P r o - D-Ala - NH2

Claims (6)

1. 2. Aqueous injection solution according to Claim 1, characterized in that a carboxylic acid is added. 10 3. Aqueous injection solution according to Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that a hydroxycarboxylic acid is added.
2. 4. Aqueous injection solution according to Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that gluconic acid is added. 15 15 5. Aqueous injection solution according to Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a surfactant is added.
3. 6. Aqueous injection solution according to Claims 1 to 5, which 20 contains Tween as a surfactant.
4. 7. Aqueous injection solution according to Claim 1, which as LHRH antagonist contains cetrorelix, teverelix, D-63 153 (Ac-D-Nal-pCI-D Phe-3-D-Pal-Ser-N-Me-Tyr-D-H-Cit-Iso-Leu-Arg-Pro-D-Ala-NH2), 25 ganirelix, abarelix, antide or azaline B.
5. 8. Aqueous injection solution according to Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the acid is present in an at least equimolar amount, based on the amount of the LHRH antagonist. 30 3 9. Aqueous injection solution of an LHRH antagonist according to Claims 1 to 8, comprising 500 mg of cetrorelix 2.4 g of gluconic acid delta-lactone 2.0 g of Tween 80 35
6. 95.0 g of mannitol in 2 1 of water for injection. -6 10. Aqueous injection solution of an LHRH antagonist according to Claims 1 to 8, comprising 500 mg of D-63 153 100 mg of Tween 80 475 mg of mannitol 5 adjusted to 50 ml using saturated gluconic acid delta-lactone solution. 11. Aqueous injection solution of an LHRH antagonist according to Claims 1 to 8, comprising 100 mg of teverelix 10 100 mg of Tween 80 475 mg of mannitol adjusted to 10 ml using saturated gluconic acid delta-lactone solution. 15 12. Process for the preparation of aqueous injection solutions of an LHRH antagonist, characterized in that, alternatively -an LHRH antagonist, an organic, physiologically tolerable acid and optionally a surfactant and a bulking agent are dissolved in water for injection, homogenized and processed for injection purposes, or 20 -an LHRH antagonist and optionally a surfactant and a bulking agent are dissolved using an aqueous saturated solution of an organic, physiologically tolerable acid, homogenized and processed for injection purposes. 25 13. Process according to Claim 12, characterized in that a carboxylic acid, in particular hydroxycarboxylic acid, but preferably gluconic acid, is employed.