Ribociclib Pharmaceutical Compositions for Nitrosamine Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ribociclib, a potent CDK4/6 inhibitor, has a risk of forming nitrosamine impurities due to its secondary amine structure, posing a potential health hazard as nitrosamines are classified as probable human carcinogens.

Innovation Solution

Formulating ribociclib compositions that are substantially free of nitrosamines by limiting nitrite exposure during synthesis, using controlled storage conditions, and employing specific manufacturing and packaging methods to prevent nitrosamine formation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If ribociclib is synthesized using conventional methods with nitrite salts, then the synthesis process is simple and efficient, but nitrosamine impurities form due to the secondary amine structure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynthesis efficiencyVSAvoidnitrosamine impurity formation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes nitrite salts from the synthesis process entirely, extracting the harmful nitrosating agent from the system. This is achieved by using alternative coupling reagents such as phosphazene-based reagents or isocyanates that do not generate nitrosamine impurities, thereby eliminating the source of contamination while maintaining synthesis efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediary substances to replace nitrite salts in the coupling reaction. These intermediaries include phosphazene reagents, isocyanates, or other carbodiimide derivatives that facilitate the same chemical transformation without generating nitrosating conditions, thus preventing nitrosamine formation while preserving the desired product

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If ribociclib compositions are stored under conditions that prevent nitrosamine formation, then safety is improved, but storage flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety against nitrosamine formationVSAvoidstorage condition flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary protective measures during manufacturing, such as incorporating nitrosation inhibitors or using stabilizing excipients that prevent nitrosamine formation during storage. By pre-establishing a protective environment in the formulation, the product maintains stability under varied storage conditions without requiring stringent cold chain requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates an inert environment within the pharmaceutical formulation by using packaging that excludes oxygen and moisture, or by incorporating oxygen scavengers and desiccants. This inert atmosphere prevents the oxidation and nitrosation reactions that lead to nitrosamine formation, allowing flexible storage conditions while maintaining product safety

Inventive Principle:
Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

3Manufacturing precision

If nitrite exposure is limited during synthesis, then nitrosamine levels are reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenitrosamine impurity controlVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the synthesis process by substituting nitrite salts with alternative reagents that have different chemical properties. These alternative reagents enable the same transformation without requiring complex purification steps to remove nitrosamine impurities, thus achieving precise impurity control while maintaining process simplicity

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 maintain low nitrosamine levels, ensuring safety and efficacy for treating breast cancer, with a suitable shelf life without the need for cold chain storage.

Implementation Method 1

Ribociclib is a potent and highly effective inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and cyclin-dependent kinase 6 (CDK4/6) with in vivo activity against hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HR+/HER2−) breast cancer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnzyme inhibition: Enzyme

Implementation Method 2

These compounds can form by a nitrosating reaction between amines (secondary, tertiary, or quaternary amines) and nitrous acid (nitrite salts under acidic conditions)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNitrosation: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS20250319032A1Pharmaceutical compositions of ribociclib
Publication Date: 2025.10.16 NOVARTIS AG
  • US20250319032A1 patent drawing
  • US20250319032A1 patent drawing
  • US20250319032A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Pharmaceutical compositions of ribociclib or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof are disclosed, wherein the compositions are substantially free of nitrosamines. Pharmaceutical products containing said compositions are also disclosed, as well as methods for preparing and storing said pharmaceutical compositions and pharmaceutical products.