Sepiapterin Salt Forms for Stability and Bioavailability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for primary tetrahydrobiopterin deficiency (PBD) are varied and lack clinical evidence, and existing therapies for increasing tetrahydrobiopterin levels are not adequately effective or stable, leading to neuromotor deficits and neurotransmitter deficiencies.

Innovation Solution

Development of pharmaceutically acceptable salts of sepiapterin, such as nicotinate and tartrate salts, with improved stability, purity, and bioavailability, formulated with excipients and antioxidants to enhance tetrahydrobiopterin levels in the body.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If oral administration of BH4 is used to treat PBD, then Phe concentrations are reduced, but the treatment lacks clinical evidence and stability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclinical evidenceVSAvoidtreatment formulation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical form of sepiapterin from free base to pharmaceutically acceptable salt forms (e.g., hydrochloride, methanesulfonate, toluenesulfonate, benzenesulfonate, sulfate, phosphate, malonate, L-tartrate, fumarate, gentisate, glycolate, hydroxysuccinate, and oxalate salts). This parameter change improves stability, solubility, and bioavailability, providing a reliable treatment formulation with clinical potential.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If sepiapterin is administered to increase tetrahydrobiopterin levels, then neurotransmitter synthesis improves, but the compound lacks stability and purity

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoidpurity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms sepiapterin into salt forms with improved stability and purity characteristics. The salt formulations maintain structural integrity during storage and administration, preventing degradation while ensuring high purity levels suitable for pharmaceutical use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces pharmaceutically acceptable excipients and antioxidants as intermediary substances that protect sepiapterin from degradation during storage and administration. These excipients act as stabilizing agents, maintaining the integrity and purity of the active compound throughout the pharmaceutical formulation process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Quantity of substance

If current therapies are used to treat PBD, then treatment is provided, but exposure and bioavailability of sepiapterin are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetetrahydrobiopterin levelsVSAvoidbioavailability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the pharmacokinetic parameters of sepiapterin by formulating it as salts with improved bioavailability. The salt forms enhance absorption, distribution, and metabolism characteristics, ensuring sufficient exposure and reliable delivery of sepiapterin to target tissues, thereby achieving adequate tetrahydrobiopterin levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3807279B1Pharmaceutically acceptable salts of sepiapterin with improved stability
Publication Date: 2025.12.31 PTC THERAPEUTICS MP INC
  • EP3807279B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3807279B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3807279B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to new pharmaceutical salts and/or co-crystals of sepiapterin which exhibit improved properties. In particular, the invention relates to salts of sepiapterin with improved stability. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions including a pharmaceutically effective amount of one or more salts and/or co-crystals of sepiapterin, as well as methods of treating tetrahydrobiopterin-related disorders including administration of a sepiapterin salt and/or co-crystal of the invention to a subject in need thereof.