Peptide Formulations Using Cyclodextrin Inclusion Complexes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current opioid formulations are too dilute for long-term pain management, leading to inconsistent delivery and side effects due to precipitation of lipophilic compounds, which limits their efficacy and absorption.

Innovation Solution

Development of pharmaceutical formulations using peptides with improved solubility, specifically combining a peptide with 2-Hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin and other excipients like propylene glycol, chremophor, and polysorbate to create a stable aqueous solution with enhanced µ-opioid receptor binding activity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If opioid formulations are made more concentrated to meet long-term treatment needs, then the quantity of substance delivered increases, but the lipophilic compounds precipitate out of solution causing inconsistent delivery and reduced absorption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconcentration of opioid formulationVSAvoidconsistency of drug delivery
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces cyclodextrins as intermediary molecules that form inclusion complexes with lipophilic opioid compounds. The cyclodextrin host molecules encapsulate the hydrophobic drug molecules within their hydrophilic cavities, creating water-soluble complexes that prevent precipitation while maintaining high drug concentrations. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by enabling concentrated formulations without the harmful precipitation effect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates composite formulations combining cyclodextrin polymers with lipophilic opioid compounds. This composite material approach allows the formulation to maintain both the lipophilic drug at high concentrations and the hydrophilic properties needed for solubility. The composite structure prevents phase separation and precipitation, ensuring consistent delivery reliability even at elevated concentrations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If lipophilic opioid compounds are used to achieve desired analgesic effects, then the efficacy improves, but the compounds precipitate from aqueous solutions reducing absorption and tissue response

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanalgesic efficacyVSAvoidprecipitation and reduced absorption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Cyclodextrins serve as intermediary carriers that solubilize lipophilic opioid compounds in aqueous environments. The cyclodextrin inclusion complexes protect the hydrophobic drug molecules from precipitating while maintaining their biological activity. This intermediary approach allows the lipophilic compounds to be delivered effectively without the harmful precipitation effect, resolving the contradiction between efficacy and absorption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical-chemical parameters of the formulation by introducing cyclodextrins that alter the solubility characteristics of lipophilic opioids. This parameter change enables the maintenance of drug molecules in a soluble state at physiological pH and temperature, preventing precipitation while preserving the analgesic efficacy of the lipophilic compounds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If conventional aqueous formulations are used with lipophilic opioids, then the formulations remain soluble, but the drug concentration is too dilute for effective long-term pain management

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesolubility in aqueous solutionVSAvoiddrug concentration
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates composite formulations where cyclodextrin polymers combine with lipophilic opioid compounds to form stable, water-soluble complexes. This composite material approach maintains the hydrophilic properties needed for aqueous solubility while incorporating high concentrations of the lipophilic drug. The composite structure prevents phase separation, allowing concentrated formulations to remain stable and soluble for long-term therapy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

Cyclodextrins act as intermediary molecules that bridge the hydrophilic aqueous environment and the lipophilic drug molecules. By forming inclusion complexes, the cyclodextrins enable high concentrations of lipophilic opioids to be maintained in soluble aqueous formulations, resolving the contradiction between solubility stability and drug concentration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 formulations provide a more concentrated and stable delivery of peptides, improving pain relief and reducing side effects by maintaining effective µ-opioid receptor binding activity, suitable for both acute and chronic pain management.

Implementation Method 1

The subject invention provides pharmaceutical formulations of peptides, and/or their salts, having advantageous μ-opioid receptor binding activity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInclusion complex formation: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3716948B1Novel analgesic pharmaceutical formulations and uses thereof
Publication Date: 2023.11.22 CYTOGEL PHARMA LLC

AI summary

The subject invention provides compositions and methods for alleviating pain. Specifically, the subject invention provides pharmaceutical formulations of peptides, and/or their salts, having advantageous μ-opioid receptor binding activity.