Miglustat Purification via Extraction and Crystallization

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for preparing miglustat are inefficient due to the need for ion-exchange resins for purification, which results in low yields and difficulty in removing diastereomers and inorganic impurities, limiting the scalability of the process.

Innovation Solution

A process that involves preparing miglustat hydrochloride or its acid salt, neutralizing it with an organic base, and crystallizing it from a solvent medium without the use of ion exchange or flash column chromatography, allowing for high-purity crystalline miglustat production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If ion-exchange resins are used for purification of miglustat, then miglustat can be isolated from aqueous solution, but the yield is low and diastereomers and inorganic impurities cannot be effectively removed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepurity of miglustatVSAvoidyield of miglustat
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the purification approach from ion-exchange chromatography to a combination of extraction and crystallization. Specifically, the process involves extracting miglustat from aqueous solution into organic solvent, followed by crystallization to achieve high purity (>99%) while maintaining high yield, thereby resolving the contradiction between purity and productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes phase transition through crystallization to purify miglustat. By controlling the crystallization conditions, miglustat is separated from diastereomers and impurities in solid form, achieving both high purity and high yield without requiring ion-exchange resins

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

2Manufacturing precision

If ion-exchange column and flash column chromatography are used for purification, then miglustat purity can be improved, but the process complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepurity of miglustatVSAvoidpurification process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts miglustat from the aqueous reaction mixture into an organic solvent system. This extraction step separates miglustat from inorganic impurities and diastereomers, followed by crystallization to achieve high purity without requiring complex column chromatography apparatus

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces expensive and complex ion-exchange resins and chromatography columns with simple, inexpensive extraction solvents and crystallization processes. This approach uses readily available materials that can be easily removed, significantly reducing equipment complexity and operational costs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Manufacturing precision

If ion-exchange column purification is used, then miglustat can be isolated, but the scale of production is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepurity of miglustatVSAvoidscale of miglustat production
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the purification methodology from column-based chromatography to extraction-crystallization, which is inherently more scalable. The extraction process can be performed in large volumes, and crystallization can be easily scaled up by simply increasing the reaction and crystallization vessel sizes without proportionally increasing complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Manufacturing precision

If multiple chromatographic purification steps are required, then miglustat purity can be improved, but the time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepurity of miglustatVSAvoidpurification time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention combines multiple purification functions into a single integrated extraction-crystallization process. The extraction step removes inorganic impurities and diastereomers, while the subsequent crystallization step achieves final purification, replacing what would traditionally require multiple sequential chromatography steps, thereby significantly reducing time and cost

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This method achieves high-purity miglustat with a melting point of 128°C, significantly higher than previous reports, and eliminates the need for column purification, making it simpler, more cost-effective, and suitable for industrial-scale production.

Implementation Method 1

neutralizing the acid salt of miglustat with an organic base

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcid-base neutralization: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

crystallizing the neutralized miglustat from a medium by using an organic base in a solvent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCrystallization: Crystallisation

Implementation Method 3

crystallizing the neutralized miglustat from a medium by using an organic base in a solvent, followed by adding an anti-solvent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolvation: Solvation

Data Source

PatentEP3404019B1Process for the preparation of high purity miglustat
Publication Date: 2021.06.16 NAVINTA LLC
  • EP3404019B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3404019B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3404019B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides a process for the preparation and isolation of crystalline miglustat without the use of a column chromatography or ion exchange purification. The crystalline miglustat has a high purity and a melting point of 128 °C and an endothermic peak is 133 °C.