Rimegepant Fast-Dispersing Oral Formulation for Migraine Efficacy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for migraine, such as triptans, have limitations such as incomplete efficacy and potential contraindications, leaving a significant unmet medical need for more effective therapies, and CGRP receptor antagonists like rimegepant offer potential benefits for various CGRP-related disorders.

Innovation Solution

A pharmaceutical composition in the form of an oral solid molded fast-dispersing dosage form containing rimegepant or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt, combined with a water-soluble carrier like fish gelatin, for rapid dissolution and improved bioavailability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If triptans are used for acute migraine treatment, then migraine symptoms are treated, but incomplete efficacy and headache recurrence remain with only about 30% of patients pain free at two hours

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveefficacyVSAvoidpain freedom rate
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the pharmacological parameter from 5-HT1B/1D receptor agonism (triptans) to CGRP receptor antagonism (rimegepant), targeting a different pathway in migraine pathophysiology. This parameter change in mechanism of action achieves superior efficacy with 64.1% of patients achieving pain freedom at 2 hours compared to 30% with triptans, while avoiding the vasoconstriction side effects that limit triptan use

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If triptans are used for migraine treatment, then migraine symptoms are addressed, but contraindications exist for patients with cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, or significant risk factors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment availabilityVSAvoidcontraindications
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the mechanism parameter from serotonin 5-HT1B-mediated vasoconstriction to CGRP receptor antagonism, fundamentally altering the safety profile. This enables treatment availability for patients with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular conditions who were previously contraindicated from triptan use, expanding the treatable population while maintaining efficacy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful vasoconstriction effect of triptans into a beneficial profile by targeting CGRP receptors instead. By blocking CGRP rather than causing vasoconstriction, the treatment eliminates the harmful cardiovascular side effects while preserving migraine relief, effectively converting the harmful pathway into a safe therapeutic approach

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional migraine medications are used, then treatment is provided, but significant unmet medical need remains due to incomplete efficacy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment accessibilityVSAvoidtreatment effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a parameter change in the chemical structure and mechanism of action, using rimegepant as a selective CGRP receptor antagonist. This novel approach achieves superior treatment effectiveness with 64.1% pain freedom at 2 hours and sustained relief through 24 hours, while maintaining ease of manufacture as an oral solid dosage form that is accessible and convenient for patients

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4088720B1Rimegepant for CGRP related disorders
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 PFIZER IRELAND PHARMACEUTICALS (CORPORATION)
  • EP4088720B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4088720B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4088720B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed are methods of treating CGRP related disorders, e.g., migraine, by administering to a patient in need thereof rimegepant or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising rimegepant and kits including the pharmaceutical compositions and instructions are also disclosed.