Polymerized Nanocapsules for Bendamustine Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Bendamustine hydrochloride is unstable in aqueous solutions, leading to technical difficulties in its preparation and administration, and its short half-life limits its suitability for treating certain types of solid tumors, restricting the expansion of its therapeutic use.

Innovation Solution

The method involves forming an emulsion with a continuous organic solvent phase and a dispersed aqueous phase containing a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of bendamustine, treating it with a base to convert the salt to bendamustine free base, and then allowing an isocyanate-containing compound to polymerize with a polyhydric alcohol surfactant at the water-polyhydric alcohol interface to form stable particles, such as nanocapsules, which encapsulate the drug.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If bendamustine hydrochloride is used in aqueous solutions, then it is soluble and can be administered, but it degrades rapidly leading to short half-life and limited therapeutic use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesolubility and administrabilityVSAvoidhalf-life
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses an intermediary polymeric carrier system that mediates between the aqueous environment and the drug molecule. The carrier particles provide a protective matrix that allows the drug to maintain solubility while preventing rapid degradation, thereby extending half-life. The carrier acts as a protective intermediary that modifies the drug's interaction with the aqueous environment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the drug delivery system by formulating bendamustine hydrochloride as lyophilized particles with controlled size distribution (0.1-100 μm). This parameter change allows the drug to maintain stability while remaining administrable, resolving the contradiction between solubility and half-life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If bendamustine hydrochloride is formulated as lyophilized preparation, then stability is improved, but it requires reconstitution immediately prior to infusion adding complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoidpreparation and administration process
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-formulating the drug as stable lyophilized particles with controlled size and composition before administration. The particles are prepared in advance with optimal characteristics for both stability and ease of administration, eliminating the need for complex reconstitution steps while maintaining stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If current formulations are used, then bendamustine can be administered, but the short half-life limits suitability for treating solid tumors

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadministrabilityVSAvoidtherapeutic applicability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the drug delivery system by creating particles with specific size distributions (0.1-100 μm) and controlled morphology. These parameter changes enable the formulation to maintain administrability while extending half-life, thereby expanding therapeutic applicability to solid tumors and other indications.

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

This approach enhances the stability and bioavailability of bendamustine by forming stable particles that minimize degradation, allowing for improved delivery and extended therapeutic use beyond current limitations.

Implementation Method 1

allowing sufficient time for the isocyanate-containing compound to polymerize with the at least one polyhydric alcohol surfactant at the water-polyhydric alcohol interface to form the bendamustine free base-containing particles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 2

treating the emulsion with an amount of base sufficient to convert the pharmaceutically acceptable salt of bendamustine to bendamustine free base

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical conversion: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

forming an emulsion by mixing a continuous phase comprising an organic solvent, a dispersed phase comprising an aqueous solution of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of bendamustine, and at least one polyhydric alcohol surfactant

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEmulsion formation: Emulsion

Data Source

PatentEP3135276B1Nanoparticulate and macroparticulate formulations
Publication Date: 2019.05.08 CEPHALON INC
  • EP3135276B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3135276B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3135276B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The present invention is directed to particles prepared via the polymerization of at least one surfactant and an isocyanate-containing compound. Pharmaceutical compositions prepared using these particles are also described.