Palmitic Acid-Conjugated GnRH Derivative for Extended Half-Life

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing GnRH sustained-release products cause pain and tissue injury due to high doses required for prolonged drug release, with biodegradable polymers not fully absorbed, leading to residual lumps and inflammation, and have issues with initial drug release and stability.

Innovation Solution

A long-acting palmitic acid-conjugated GnRH derivative is developed, increasing the in vivo half-life and bioavailability by conjugating palmitic acid to GnRH, which is then formulated into a pharmaceutical composition for improved efficacy and ease of administration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If high doses of GnRH are used to achieve prolonged therapeutic effect, then the duration of action is improved, but pain and tissue injury at injection site increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveduration of therapeutic effectVSAvoidpain and tissue injury
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the chemical structure of GnRH through conjugation with palmitic acid and conversion to salt forms (sodium or acetate salts). This structural modification fundamentally changes the pharmacokinetic parameters of the drug, extending its half-life from minutes to days while enabling sustained release at lower doses, thereby resolving the contradiction between duration of action and injection site harm

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite molecular structure by conjugating palmitic acid (a fatty acid) with the GnRH peptide. This composite structure combines the therapeutic properties of GnRH with the prolonged circulation characteristics of fatty acid conjugates, achieving extended duration of action without requiring high doses that cause injection site pain and tissue injury

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Duration of action of moving object

If additional sustained release ingredients are added to extend drug release time, then the duration of action is improved, but the total dose and formulation complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrug release timeVSAvoidformulation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the need for additional sustained release ingredients by incorporating the sustained release functionality directly into the GnRH molecule itself through palmitic acid conjugation. This removes the separate sustained release component, simplifying the overall formulation while maintaining extended drug release time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the therapeutic agent (GnRH) with the sustained release mechanism (palmitic acid conjugate) into a single integrated molecular entity. This combination eliminates the need for separate sustained release ingredients and complex formulation designs, achieving prolonged drug release through the inherent properties of the conjugated structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Duration of action of moving object

If biodegradable polymers are used for sustained release, then the duration of action is improved, but residual lumps and inflammation occur due to incomplete absorption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprolonged drug releaseVSAvoidresidual lumps and inflammation
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces long-lasting biodegradable polymers that leave residual lumps with a smaller molecular weight palmitic acid conjugate that is completely metabolizable. The conjugate acts as a temporary carrier that fulfills its sustained release function and then is fully broken down and eliminated by the body, avoiding persistent residues and associated inflammation

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

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 palmitic acid-conjugated GnRH derivative maintains high blood levels for a prolonged period, reducing dosing frequency, minimizing adverse effects like pain and residual lump formation, and enhancing therapeutic effects on sex hormone-dependent diseases.

Implementation Method 1

a long-acting palmitic acid-conjugated GnRH derivative was prepared by conjugating palmitic acid to a GnRH derivative which is designed to have an increased in vivo half-life of GnRH

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMetabolic stability enhancement:

Implementation Method 2

the long-acting palmitic acid-conjugated GnRH derivative was found to exhibit excellent bioavailability and a prolonged in vivo half-life and maintain a high blood level

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectProtein binding:

Data Source

PatentEP3639856B1Long-acting palmitic acid-conjugated gnrh derivative and pharmaceutical composition containing same
Publication Date: 2022.08.03 NOVEL PHARMA
  • EP3639856B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3639856B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3639856B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a novel long-acting palmitic acid-conjugated gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) derivative and a pharmaceutical composition containing the same. A GnRH derivative of the present invention is expected to greatly contribute, through excellent bioavailability and increased half-life in blood, to the reduction in drug dosing frequency and dosage and the like in the treatment of sex hormone-dependent diseases. Particularly, the GnRH derivative can overcome the disadvantages of existing GnRH sustained-release preparations, which have the side effects of residual feeling and pain at the injection site.