Bictegravir Sodium Form II Crystalline Polymorph Solubility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Bictegravir sodium, a low-solubility HIV-1 integrase strand transfer inhibitor, faces challenges with bioavailability due to its thermodynamically stable form being the least soluble, which complicates pharmaceutical processing and storage, necessitating a more stable and soluble polymorph that maintains stability during standard pharmaceutical processes.

Innovation Solution

A metastable polymorph of bictegravir sodium, designated as Form II, is developed, exhibiting high kinetic stability with a transition temperature above 300 °C, enhanced solubility, and reduced hygroscopicity, suitable for pharmaceutical compositions, characterized by specific PXRD, FTIR, and Raman spectra.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the thermodynamically stable form of bictegravir sodium is used, then the pharmaceutical composition has high stability during storage and processing, but the solubility and bioavailability are decreased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability during storage and processingVSAvoidsolubility and bioavailability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the crystalline structure parameters of bictegravir sodium from the thermodynamically stable Form I to the metastable Form II, which has different molecular packing and hydrogen bonding patterns. This parameter change in crystal structure results in improved solubility and bioavailability while maintaining sufficient stability for pharmaceutical use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the dynamic nature of polymorphic forms by selecting a metastable form (Form II) that can be controlled to remain stable under pharmaceutical storage and processing conditions. The metastable form provides a window of opportunity to achieve both solubility improvement and adequate stability through controlled formulation and storage conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Quantity of substance

If a metastable polymorph is used to improve solubility, then the bioavailability increases, but the risk of solid form transitions during processing and storage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesolubility and bioavailabilityVSAvoidrisk of solid form transitions
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary characterization of the metastable Form II to establish its transition temperature (>300°C) and stability profile before formulation development. This preliminary knowledge allows formulation scientists to design processing and storage conditions that remain well below the transition temperature, preventing solid form transitions during pharmaceutical manufacturing and storage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent builds in a large safety margin by identifying that Form II transforms to Form I at temperatures above 300°C. This creates a substantial temperature cushion between normal pharmaceutical processing temperatures (typically <100°C) and the transition temperature, effectively preventing unwanted polymorphic transitions during standard manufacturing and storage operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Ease of manufacture

If the known Form I of bictegravir sodium is used, then the processing and handling are simplified, but the dissolution profile and bioavailability are suboptimal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing and handlingVSAvoiddissolution profile and bioavailability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the crystalline form parameter from Form I to Form II, which alters the dissolution kinetics without significantly impacting processing and handling properties. Both forms are solids with similar mechanical properties, allowing Form II to maintain ease of manufacture while providing superior dissolution and bioavailability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Form II of bictegravir sodium offers improved bioavailability and stability during processing and storage, ensuring effective pharmaceutical compositions with increased solubility and dissolution rates, addressing the limitations of the thermodynamically stable form.

Implementation Method 1

A metastable polymorph of bictegravir sodium, designated as Form II, is developed, exhibiting high kinetic stability with a transition temperature above 300 °C

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPolymorphism:

Implementation Method 2

The transition temperature at which Form II of the present invention transforms to Form I of WO 2015/196116 A1 was found to be well above 300 °C, when measured with DSC at a heating rate of 10 K/min

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase transition: Phase Change

Implementation Method 3

Form II possesses a higher solubility compared to Form I. Hence, bictegravir sodium Form II of the present invention combines the advantageous properties of high physical stability and high solubility

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolubility:

Implementation Method 4

Further advantageous properties of bictegravir sodium Form II are low hygroscopicity and a good behavior during grinding and compression

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHygroscopicity:

Data Source

PatentEP3749673B1Crystalline form of bictegravir sodium
Publication Date: 2022.03.16 SANDOZ LTD
  • EP3749673B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3749673B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3749673B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a crystalline form of bictegravir sodium and to a process for its preparation. Furthermore, the invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising said crystalline form of bictegravir sodium, preferably in a predetermined and/or effective amount, at least one pharmaceutically acceptable excipient and optionally one or more additional antiviral agent(s). The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention can be used as a medicament, in particular for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of HIV-1 infections.