Crystalline Form C Stability for NPY5 Antagonist

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing process for producing N-[1-(2-fluorophenyl)-3-pyrazolyl]-3-oxospiro[6-azaisobenzofuran-1(3H),1'-cyclohexane]-4'-carboxamide yields unstable crystalline Form A, complicating the development of solid dosage formulations, and lacks stable crystalline forms suitable for pharmaceutical use.

Innovation Solution

A process is developed to produce four crystalline forms, including pure Form A, Form C, the mesylate salt, and the fumarate salt, with Form C being the most thermodynamically stable at room temperature, suitable for pharmaceutical compositions and stable above 81°C, and Form A stable above 81°C, ensuring stability and ease of processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the original process using EDC-HCl is employed, then Compound I is produced, but the product is obtained as a mixture of unstable crystalline Form A and amorphous compound

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidstability of crystalline form
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the reaction process by replacing EDC-HCl with thionyl chloride and dimethylacetamide, which fundamentally alters the product's crystalline form and stability characteristics, transforming unstable Form A into stable Form C

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes phase transition concepts by controlling the crystallization process to obtain specific polymorphic forms (anhydrous forms A and C, and solvate form D) with different stability characteristics, where Form C represents the most stable phase at room temperature

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

2Ease of operation

If crystalline Form A is used for pharmaceutical formulation, then the compound can be processed, but it transforms to another crystal form on storage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of processingVSAvoidcrystal form stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by pre-converting the compound into its most stable crystalline form (Form C) before pharmaceutical formulation, preventing subsequent polymorphic transformations during storage and ensuring long-term compositional stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful polymorphic transformation issue into a benefit by identifying and utilizing the stable Form C, which not only prevents transformation problems but also provides superior processing characteristics and thermodynamic stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Productivity

If a streamlined process using thionyl chloride is employed, then the free base step is performed in-situ and yield is improved, but stable crystalline forms must be identified

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveyieldVSAvoidavailability of stable crystalline forms
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by allowing the reaction process itself to generate the stable crystalline form C directly, where the thionyl chloride-mediated coupling reaction inherently produces the thermodynamically stable polymorph without requiring additional purification or form conversion steps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 novel crystalline Form C provides improved stability and ease of processing, making it suitable for pharmaceutical dosage forms, while Form A maintains stability at higher temperatures, addressing the instability issues of the original process.

Implementation Method 1

The disclosed coupling process employed EDC-HCl and required the separate free base formation step of the pyrazole salt prior to use. Safety and cost concerns associated with the EDC-HCl route led to the development of the present route, which uses thionyl chloride as an improved reagent for the transformation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical transformation: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

The original process for the preparation of Compound I, as disclosed in WO 01/14376, yielded Compound I as a mixture of crystalline Form A and amorphous compound. However, the instability of Form A at room temperature complicated the development of solid dosage formulations for compound I

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCrystallization: Crystallisation

Implementation Method 3

The novel crystal Form C is the most thermodynamically stable crystalline form of Compound I below 81 °C., while the most thermodynamically stable crystalline form of compound (I) above 81 °C is Form A

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPolymorphic transition: Phase Change

Data Source

PatentEP1912642B1A crystalline form of a NPY5 antagonist
Publication Date: 2012.10.17 MERCK SHARP & DOHME CORP
  • EP1912642B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1912642B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1912642B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a process for producing crystalline trans-N-[l-(2-fluorophenyl)- S-pyrazoly]-3-oxospiro[6-azaisobenzofuran-1(3H),1'-cyclohexane]-4'-carboxamide and novel salts, hydrates and polymorphs thereof.