Clevidipine Emulsion Antimicrobial Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Clevidipine oil-in-water emulsion formulations are prone to microbial contamination, requiring strict aseptic handling and frequent vial replacements, which increases healthcare costs and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A stable clevidipine emulsion formulation incorporating an antimicrobial agent like EDTA, a co-emulsifier such as oleic acid, and an antioxidant like sodium ascorbate, combined with glycerin to inhibit microbial growth and maintain stability, reducing the risk of contamination and extending the formulation's usability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If clevidipine is formulated as an oil-in-water emulsion to improve solubility, then solubility is improved, but the formulation becomes prone to microbial contamination

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesolubility of clevidipineVSAvoidmicrobial contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces antimicrobial agents (benzyl alcohol, phenol, methylparaben, propylparaben, or their combinations) as intermediary substances that mediate between the emulsion formulation and microbial contaminants. These agents actively inhibit microbial growth in the oil-in-water emulsion, allowing the formulation to maintain improved solubility while protecting against the harmful microbial contamination effect

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite emulsion formulation by combining clevidipine with multiple components including oils (soybean oil, medium-chain triglycerides), emulsifiers (egg yolk phospholipids), and antimicrobial agents. This composite structure integrates the solubility-enhancing properties of the oil phase with the antimicrobial protection, resolving the contradiction between improved solubility and microbial susceptibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If strict aseptic technique and frequent vial replacements are implemented to prevent microbial contamination, then microbial contamination is reduced, but healthcare costs and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemicrobial contaminationVSAvoidhandling complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the formulation to protect itself against microbial contamination through the inclusion of antimicrobial agents. The formulation becomes self-protecting, eliminating the need for external interventions such as strict aseptic handling procedures and frequent vial replacements, thereby reducing operational complexity while maintaining protection against microbial contamination

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The antimicrobial agents are incorporated into the formulation during manufacturing, providing preliminary protection against microbial contamination before the product reaches the healthcare setting. This pre-established protection eliminates the need for complex ongoing protective measures during storage and administration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If strict aseptic technique and frequent vial replacements are implemented to prevent microbial contamination, then microbial contamination is reduced, but time consumption and operational inefficiency increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemicrobial contaminationVSAvoidtime for vial manipulation
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The formulation's built-in antimicrobial protection allows it to defend itself against microbial contamination without requiring time-consuming manual interventions. Healthcare providers no longer need to spend time on frequent vial replacements and strict aseptic manipulations, as the formulation maintains its stability and protection throughout the intended usage period

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Object-affected harmful factors

If frequent vial replacements are performed to prevent microbial contamination, then microbial contamination is reduced, but drug wastage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemicrobial contaminationVSAvoiddrug wastage
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The antimicrobial agents are incorporated into the formulation during manufacturing, providing preliminary and sustained protection against microbial contamination. This allows the formulation to remain stable and safe for use throughout its intended shelf life and beyond, eliminating the need for conservative disposal timelines and reducing drug wastage from frequent vial replacements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary 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 formulation effectively retards microbial growth for at least 24 hours, reducing the risk of contamination and minimizing wastage, while maintaining clevidipine's stability and efficacy, thus enhancing handling ease and cost-effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

further comprises an amount of EDTA sufficient to inhibit growth of microorganisms in the formulation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChelation:

Implementation Method 2

the emulsion is further stabilized by the co-emulsifier oleic acid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurface tension reduction: Surfactant

Implementation Method 3

an antioxidant like sodium ascorbate, combined with glycerin to inhibit microbial growth and maintain stability

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAntioxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 4

The tonicity of emulsion is adjusted with glycerin

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTonicity adjustment: Osmotic Pressure

Implementation Method 5

clevidipine is dispersed or dissolved in a lipid, such as soy bean oil, which in turn is emulsified with egg yolk phospholipids in water

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEmulsification: Emulsion

Data Source

PatentEP2627173B2Clevidipine emulsion formulations containing antimicrobial agents
Publication Date: 2018.07.04 CHIESI FARMACEUTICI SPA
  • EP2627173B2 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

Pharmaceutical formulations comprising clevidipine and an antimicrobial agent exhibit a reduced propensity for microbial growth and provide increased convenience to health care workers administering clevidipine-containing formulations to patients.