Natalizumab Formulations High Concentration Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for multiple sclerosis (MS) and other inflammatory disorders lack effective formulations for delivering high concentrations of VLA-4 binding antibodies, such as natalizumab, which are stable and suitable for subcutaneous, intramuscular, and intravenous administration, with challenges in maintaining therapeutic efficacy and patient tolerance.

Innovation Solution

Development of stable aqueous pharmaceutical compositions containing high concentrations (120-190 mg/mL) of VLA-4 binding antibodies, like natalizumab, in phosphate or histidine buffers, with polysorbate 80 and other excipients, for subcutaneous, intramuscular, and intravenous delivery, along with methods for gradual concentration increase and administration optimization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If high concentrations of VLA-4 binding antibody (120-190 mg/mL) are formulated, then therapeutic efficacy is improved, but formulation stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantibody concentrationVSAvoidformulation stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by systematically optimizing multiple formulation parameters including pH (adjusted to specific ranges using phosphate or histidine buffers), ionic strength (controlled through salt concentrations), temperature conditions, and the presence of specific excipients. These parameter adjustments enable the formulation to maintain stability at high antibody concentrations of 120-190 mg/mL, resolving the contradiction between concentration and stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediary substances including phosphate buffers, histidine buffers, polysorbate 80, and other excipients that act as mediators to stabilize the high-concentration antibody formulation. These intermediaries prevent aggregation and maintain solubility, enabling the formulation to achieve both high concentration and stability simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If high concentrations of VLA-4 binding antibody are used, then therapeutic effect is enhanced, but patient tolerance worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetherapeutic effectVSAvoidpatient tolerance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes formulation parameters including pH adjustment to physiological-compatible ranges, control of osmolarity through buffer and excipient selection, and temperature control during storage and administration. These parameter changes enable high-concentration formulations to be administered via subcutaneous or intramuscular routes with improved patient tolerance, resolving the contradiction between therapeutic effect and patient comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Duration of action of moving object

If high concentrations of VLA-4 binding antibody are formulated, then dosage frequency can be reduced, but formulation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedosage intervalVSAvoidformulation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functional components into a single integrated formulation system, including the VLA-4 binding antibody, phosphate or histidine buffers, polysorbate 80, and other excipients all in one stable aqueous solution. This merging enables high-concentration formulation that can be administered less frequently while maintaining simplicity in the overall delivery system, resolving the contradiction between dosage interval and formulation complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3461500A1Natalizumab antibody formulations
Publication Date: 2019.04.03 BIOGEN MA INC
  • EP3461500A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3461500A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3461500A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Formulations of VLA-4 binding antibody are described.