Self-Emulsifying Formulation for Peptide Membrane Permeability

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Poorly membrane-permeable compounds, particularly middle molecular-weight compounds and peptides, face challenges with oral absorption due to low membrane permeability, leading to inefficiencies in drug delivery and metabolic stability.

Innovation Solution

Lymphatically transported self-emulsifying formulations comprising oleate ester or oleylether as a surfactant and an oily component, specifically designed for compounds with a logD (pH 7.4) value of 3.2 or greater and a Caco-2 Papp value of 1.8E-6 or less, enhance membrane permeability and absorbability by forming emulsions that improve drug solubility and bioavailability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If middle molecular-weight compounds (molecular weight 500-2000) are used to target intracellular proteins, then the ability to access tough targets is improved, but membrane permeability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to access intracellular targetsVSAvoidmembrane permeability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the compound by introducing N-methyl amino acid residues, which alter the hydrogen bonding properties and molecular conformation, thereby improving membrane permeability while maintaining the ability to access intracellular targets

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite structure by incorporating N-methyl amino acid modifications into the peptide backbone, combining the target-binding capability of middle molecular-weight compounds with enhanced permeability properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If N-methyl amino acid is introduced into peptides to fix conformation and acquire protease resistance, then metabolic stability is improved, but membrane permeability may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemetabolic stabilityVSAvoidmembrane permeability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the parameters of N-methyl amino acid incorporation, specifically controlling the number and position of N-methyl groups to achieve the right balance between conformational stability, protease resistance, and membrane permeability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If conventional SEDDS is used to improve solubility of water insoluble compounds, then solubility is improved, but membrane permeability of poorly permeable compounds remains insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesolubilityVSAvoidmembrane permeability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent develops a composite self-emulsifying formulation containing multiple components including surfactants, oils, and co-solvents that work synergistically to simultaneously improve both solubility and membrane permeability of poorly permeable compounds

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Adaptability or versatility

If compounds with molecular weight 500 or higher are administered orally, then the ability to inhibit protein-protein interaction is improved, but oral absorbability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to inhibit protein-protein interactionVSAvoidoral absorbability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies molecular parameters such as hydrogen bond donor count, lipophilicity, and conformational flexibility through N-methyl amino acid introduction, enabling middle molecular-weight compounds to overcome oral absorption barriers while maintaining target inhibition capability

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 formulations significantly increase the bioavailability and absorption of poorly membrane-permeable compounds, achieving higher maximum blood concentration and shorter time to reach maximum concentration compared to conventional solutions, while avoiding the first-pass effect and enhancing lymphatic transport.

Implementation Method 1

SEDDS is a formulation prepared by mixing the above-mentioned constituents to homogeneity under a water-free condition, and then dissolving or dispersing. After administration, SEDDS is dispersed and dissolved in water within the digestive tract to form emulsions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEmulsion: Emulsion

Implementation Method 2

When a compound is orally administered, the major part of it is transported into blood; therefore, only a small fraction of the compound is transported into the lymph vessels. Drugs that are transported to the lymph vessels do not pass through the portal vein. Therefore, drugs that are transported to the lymph vessels can avoid the first-pass effect by the liver

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLymphatic transport:

Data Source

PatentEP4039250A1Self-emulsifying drug formulation for improving membrane permeability of compound
Publication Date: 2022.08.10 CHUGAI PHARMA CO LTD
  • EP4039250A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4039250A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4039250A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An objective of the present invention is to provide lymphatically-transported self-emulsifying formulations for enhancing membrane permeability of poorly membrane-permeable compounds in oral administration of the compounds. It was discovered that by applying lymphatically-transported self-emulsifying formulations containing a surfactant containing oleic acid as a moiety or oily component to poorly membrane-permeable compounds containing a cyclic peptide and having features (i) and (ii) below, the membrane permeability and absorbability of the compounds can be improved: (i) logD (pH 7.4) value of the compounds is 3.2 or greater; and (ii) Caco-2 Papp (cm/sec) value of the compounds is 1.8E-6 or less.