Osmotic Methylphenidate Composition With Food-Independent Lag Release

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing treatments for ADHD/ADD, such as methylphenidate formulations, face challenges with variable drug release due to pH, food, and gastric transit time, leading to compliance issues and insomnia, necessitating a need for compositions that can delay drug release by at least 6 hours with minimal variability, independent of these factors.

Innovation Solution

Development of osmotic-controlled, oral, delayed-release methylphenidate compositions with a precise lag time, releasing the drug in the lower GI tract, independent of food, pH, and gastric emptying time, using a multilayer tablet core with specific polymer ratios and semipermeable membranes to achieve controlled release.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If immediate release methylphenidate is used to provide rapid therapeutic effect, then onset of action is fast, but duration of action is short and requires frequent dosing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveonset of actionVSAvoidduration of action
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The methylphenidate composition is segmented into multiple functional layers: an immediate release core providing rapid onset, surrounded by hydrophilic and hydrophobic barriers that control sequential release. This segmentation allows different portions of the composition to release methylphenidate at different rates, extending overall duration while maintaining fast initial response.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a nested structure where an immediate release methylphenidate core is surrounded by concentric layers of hydrophilic and hydrophobic materials. These nested layers act as sequential release barriers, with the innermost layer releasing first followed by outer layers, creating a multi-phase release profile that extends duration while preserving rapid initial effect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Duration of action of moving object

If extended release formulations are used to prolong duration of action, then dosing frequency is reduced, but onset of action is delayed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveduration of actionVSAvoidonset of action
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The formulation is divided into distinct functional segments: an immediate release core for rapid onset and outer hydrophilic/hydrophobic barrier layers for extended release. This segmentation enables the composition to simultaneously achieve fast initial response from the core and prolonged duration from the layered barriers, resolving the contradiction between speed and duration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The immediate release methylphenidate core is pre-positioned at the center of the composition, ready for instant release upon contact with body fluids. This preliminary arrangement ensures that rapid therapeutic effect is available immediately, while the surrounding hydrophilic and hydrophobic layers are pre-configured to provide sequential extended release, eliminating the need to choose between fast onset and prolonged duration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Duration of action of moving object

If conventional extended release formulations are used to reduce dosing frequency, then duration of action is prolonged, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveduration of actionVSAvoidmanufacturing precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes changes in physical-chemical parameters of the barrier materials, specifically their hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity, to control release rates. By selecting materials with appropriate partition coefficients and diffusion characteristics, the formulation achieves extended release through inherent material properties rather than complex mechanical structures, thereby reducing manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining prolonged duration of action.

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 compositions provide consistent drug release in the colon, improving ADHD/ADD symptoms throughout the day with minimal variability, eliminating the need for early morning dosing and reducing insomnia risks.

Implementation Method 1

a hydrophilic barrier layer and a hydrophobic barrier layer surrounding the immediate release methylphenidate core

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPermeation: Permeation

Implementation Method 2

The composition utilizes the principles of delayed release and immediate release formulations, incorporating an immediate release methylphenidate core, a hydrophilic barrier layer and a hydrophobic barrier layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPartitioning:

Data Source

PatentEP3934622B1Delayed release methylphenidate compositions
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 AMNEAL COMPLEX PROD RES LLC
  • EP3934622B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3934622B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3934622B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure provides programmable osmotic-controlled oral compositions providing delayed extended release of a therapeutically acceptable amount of methylphenidate hydrochloride. The programmable osmotic-controlled compositions of the disclosure provide a lag time that is independent of the presence or absence of food, type of food, pH, gastric emptying, and volume of gastric fluid. The compositions of the disclosure can be programmed to provide a desired and precise lag time, and release drug, after the lag time, at a rhythm that matches the circadian rhythm of an individual being treated to optimize therapeutic outcome and minimize side effects.