Bivalirudin Formulation pH Control Lyophilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current bivalirudin formulation processes often result in high levels of impurities like Asp9-bivalirudin, which affect product stability and shelf-life, with existing methods failing to consistently maintain low impurity levels and efficient reconstitution times.

Innovation Solution

A compounding process involving dissolving bivalirudin in a solvent, efficiently mixing a pH-adjusting solution to minimize Asp9-bivalirudin levels, and removing the solvent through lyophilization, using high shear mixing and controlled pH conditions to achieve a pharmaceutical formulation with reduced impurities and rapid reconstitution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional compounding processes are used to prepare bivalirudin formulations, then the formulation can be produced, but high levels of impurities (up to 12% Asp9-bivalirudin) are generated which affect product stability and shelf-life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpurity levelVSAvoidproduct stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the pH-adjusting step to maintain pH below 8.0 during compounding, and controlling temperature at 25°C or lower during storage. These parameter changes prevent deamidation of asparagine at position 9, reducing Asp9-bivalirudin impurity formation and improving both manufacturing precision and product stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs preliminary anti-action by adding pH-adjusting solution under controlled conditions (pH < 8.0, temperature ≤ 25°C) before impurity formation can occur. This preventive approach counteracts the deamidation reaction that would otherwise generate Asp9-bivalirudin impurities, thereby maintaining low impurity levels and ensuring product stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Productivity

If conventional compounding processes are used, then formulation production is achieved, but reconstitution time exceeds acceptable limits (greater than 42 seconds)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereconstitution timeVSAvoidformulation production
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state parameter by using lyophilization (freeze-drying) to create a porous solid structure that rapidly reconstitutes. This parameter change in the formulation's physical state enables fast reconstitution (≤42 seconds) while maintaining ease of manufacture through standardized lyophilization processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If pH-adjusting solution is added without controlled mixing, then the compounding process is simple, but Asp9-bivalirudin impurity levels increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAsp9-bivalirudin levelVSAvoidmixing process
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies continuity of useful action by implementing continuous or thorough mixing during the pH-adjusting step. This ensures uniform pH distribution throughout the formulation, preventing localized high-pH zones that would catalyze deamidation and Asp9-bivalirudin formation, thereby achieving low impurity levels through controlled mixing processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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

The process consistently produces bivalirudin formulations with maximum Asp9-bivalirudin levels below 0.6% and total impurities below 2%, along with reconstitution times not exceeding 42 seconds, enhancing stability and usability.

Implementation Method 1

Impurities such as Asp9-bivalirudin (deamidation of asparagine at position 9 of bivalirudin to aspartic acid)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDeamidation:

Implementation Method 2

removing the solvent from the second solution

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLyophilization: Freeze Drying

Data Source

PatentUS7582727B1Pharmaceutical formulations of bivalirudin and processes of making the same
Publication Date: 2009.09.01 NOVARTIS PHARM CORP

AI summary

Pharmaceutical batch(es) or pharmaceutical formulation(s) comprising bivalirudin as the active ingredient, and a method of preparing the pharmaceutical batch(es) or pharmaceutical formulation(s). The pharmaceutical batch(es) or pharmaceutical formulation(s) may have a maximum impurity level of Asp9-bivalirudin that does not exceed about 0.6%. Also, the pharmaceutical batch(es) or pharmaceutical formulation(s) may have a reconstitution time that does not exceed about 42 seconds. The method of preparing the pharmaceutical batch(es) or pharmaceutical formulation(s) may comprise dissolving bivalirudin in a solvent to form a first solution, efficiently mixing a pH-adjusting solution with the first solution to form a second solution in which the pH-adjusting solution may comprise a pH-adjusting solution solvent, and removing the solvent and the pH-adjusting solution solvent from the second solution.