Bilayer Rosuvastatin-Fenofibrate Tablet for Immediate Dissolution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fixed-dose combinations of fenofibrate and rosuvastatin face manufacturing complexity and inadequate dissolution profiles, particularly for fenofibrate, leading to incomplete bioavailability and treatment compliance issues.

Innovation Solution

A multilayer pharmaceutical composition with fenofibrate and rosuvastatin in separate layers, using micronized fenofibrate, allows for immediate release and significantly improved dissolution of fenofibrate, replicating the bioequivalence of existing monotherapies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If fenofibrate and rosuvastatin are combined in a single fixed-dose formulation, then patient compliance is improved and pill burden is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases and dissolution profile becomes inadequate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepatient complianceVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tablet is divided into two distinct layers: a fenofibrate layer containing micronized fenofibrate with immediate release properties, and a rosuvastatin layer containing rosuvastatin calcium. This segmentation allows each drug to be optimized independently for its dissolution characteristics while being administered as a single combined pill, thus improving patient compliance without compromising manufacturing feasibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each layer is formulated with specific local qualities tailored to the individual drug requirements. The fenofibrate layer uses micronized particles (D10: 1-5 μm, D50: 2-10 μm, D90: 5-20 μm) with immediate release excipients, while the rosuvastatin layer uses different particle sizes and excipients optimized for its dissolution profile, allowing each component to perform optimally within the combined formulation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Manufacturing precision

If fenofibrate is micronized to improve dissolution, then dissolution rate increases, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedissolution profileVSAvoidmanufacturing process
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The fenofibrate is micronized to specific particle size parameters (D10: 1-5 μm, D50: 2-10 μm, D90: 5-20 μm) which dramatically improves dissolution rate. This parameter change is achieved through controlled micronization processes that maintain particle size distribution within specified ranges, balancing dissolution improvement with manufacturing feasibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If fenofibrate is placed in a separate layer from rosuvastatin, then dissolution of fenofibrate is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedissolution rateVSAvoidtablet structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tablet structure is segmented into two layers separated by a barrier layer or interface. The fenofibrate layer is formulated as immediate release with micronized particles and appropriate excipients, while the rosuvastatin layer is formulated separately. This segmentation enables independent optimization of dissolution profiles for each drug while maintaining a relatively simple bilayer tablet structure that is manufacturable using conventional compression technology

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4115879B1Pharmaceutical composition comprising HMG-coa reductase inhibitors and fenofibrate
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 INTAS PHARM LTD
  • EP4115879B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4115879B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4115879B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The present invention provides a multilayer, pharmaceutical composition comprising a fixed dose combination of rosuvastatin or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and fenofibrate or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein the fenofibrate or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and the rosuvastatin or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof are present in separate layers, namely a fenofibrate layer and a rosuvastatin layer, wherein fenofibrate and rosuvastatin are immediately released from the fenofibrate layer and the rosuvastatin layer, respectively, and wherein the fenofibrate layer comprises micronized fenofibrate. Further, the present invention provides a process for the preparation of the said composition.