Buffered Apixaban Suspension Without Surfactants for Stable Oral Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pharmaceutical formulations of apixaban, such as liquid preparations and injectable solutions, often require emulsifiers and surfactants to maintain stability and solubility, which can lead to unwanted phase changes and impurity formation, making them unsuitable for stable oral delivery.

Innovation Solution

A buffered aqueous suspension of micronized apixaban is developed with a pH range of 1.5 to 6.5, containing no emulsifier or surfactant, using a composition of 0.08-0.20 w/v% apixaban, at least 70 w/w% water, and additional components like buffering agents, thickening agents, and preservatives to maintain form stability and improve dissolution profiles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If apixaban is formulated as a solid dose form (tablets, capsules), then manufacturing and storage are easier, but dissolution and absorption are impaired

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoiddissolution rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state parameter of apixaban from solid to liquid suspension form, enabling both ease of manufacture and improved dissolution/absorption properties simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a suspending agent as an intermediary substance that maintains apixaban in a stable suspended state, allowing the drug to retain both manufacturability and enhanced dissolution characteristics

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If apixaban is administered as a liquid suspension, then dissolution and absorption are improved, but manufacturing complexity and storage stability become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedissolution rateVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the concentration parameter of apixaban in the suspension (0.1-10 mg/mL) to achieve a balance between improved dissolution and manageable manufacturing complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a suspending agent as an intermediary that simplifies the formulation process and ensures storage stability, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining the liquid suspension format

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If apixaban is administered as a liquid suspension, then dissolution and absorption are improved, but storage stability and shelf life become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedissolution rateVSAvoidstorage stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a suspending agent as an intermediary substance that prevents aggregation and maintains uniform distribution of apixaban particles throughout the suspension, thereby ensuring storage stability and extended shelf life

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the particle size parameter of apixaban (0.1-10 μm) and concentration (0.1-10 mg/mL) to achieve a stable suspension that maintains its properties over time while preserving dissolution benefits

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

The suspension maintains the crystalline form of apixaban without significant conversion, ensuring stability and low impurity formation, suitable for oral administration with improved dissolution and taste, enhancing patient compliance.

Implementation Method 1

a) providing a liquid suspension formulation of apixaban with a suspending agent that maintains the apixaban in a stable suspended state

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuspension: Suspension

Data Source

PatentEP4412586B1Apixaban suspension and preparation method
Publication Date: 2026.05.13 PHARMA DATA RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENTSINGLE MEMBER SA
  • EP4412586B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4412586B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4412586B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention describes a buffered oral aqueous apixaban suspension comprising 0.08 – 0.20 w/v% micronized apixaban having a pH of 1.5 – 6.5 and a method for the preparation thereof