Crystalline Tazobactam Arginine Polymorphs for Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current pharmaceutical compositions of tazobactam and ceftolozane face challenges with chemical stability, hygroscopicity, and impurity levels, which affect their efficacy and handling during storage and administration.

Innovation Solution

The development of crystalline tazobactam arginine polymorphs, specifically polymorph Ia and Ib, which exhibit improved chemical stability, reduced hygroscopicity, and lower impurity levels, combined with ceftolozane in a 2:1 weight ratio, formulated using lyophilization and characterized by specific X-ray powder diffraction patterns and thermal stability profiles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If tazobactam is formulated in conventional pharmaceutical compositions, then it provides beta-lactamase inhibition activity, but it exhibits high hygroscopicity and poor chemical stability during storage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechemical stabilityVSAvoidhygroscopicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by converting tazobactam from its conventional amorphous or hygroscopic crystalline forms to a specific crystalline form with defined lattice structure. This phase transition fundamentally alters the physical parameters of tazobactam, resulting in reduced hygroscopicity and improved chemical stability while maintaining pharmaceutical efficacy. The crystalline form exhibits distinct X-ray diffraction patterns and thermal properties that confirm the structural transformation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite pharmaceutical composition by combining ceftolozane and tazobactam in a specific 2:1 weight ratio within a controlled release matrix. This composite formulation leverages the synergistic interaction between the beta-lactam antibiotic and beta-lactamase inhibitor, while the matrix system provides additional stability and controls the release profile, thereby addressing the hygroscopicity and stability issues of pure tazobactam.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If tazobactam is combined with ceftolozane to enhance antibacterial activity, then the composition shows potent effect against resistant organisms, but the chemical stability and impurity levels deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantibacterial efficacyVSAvoidimpurity levels
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by establishing precise stoichiometric ratios (2:1 weight ratio of ceftolozane to tazobactam) and controlling crystallization parameters during formulation. This precise parameter control ensures consistent drug release profiles and minimizes the formation of degradation products and impurities, thereby maintaining high antibacterial efficacy while improving manufacturing precision and reducing impurity levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-formulating the ceftolozane-tazobactam combination in a stable crystalline matrix before administration. This pre-established structure prevents premature degradation and interaction-induced impurity formation that would occur with simple mixing. The controlled release matrix is designed in advance to maintain stability throughout storage and only release the drugs in controlled amounts during administration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional tazobactam formulations are used, then they are easy to manufacture, but they decompose rapidly and show poor storage stability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveformulation simplicityVSAvoidstorage stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent exploits phase transitions by transforming tazobactam from amorphous or unstable crystalline phases to a stable crystalline phase with defined molecular packing. This phase transition is achieved through controlled crystallization processes that are integrated into the manufacturing workflow. The resulting crystalline form exhibits enhanced storage stability while the manufacturing process remains feasible through established pharmaceutical crystallization techniques.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

Solution Approach 2:

The patent develops a composite material system where tazobactam and ceftolozane are embedded within a stabilizing matrix framework. This composite structure provides physical protection against degradation while maintaining manufacturability through conventional pharmaceutical processing techniques. The matrix acts as a protective environment that extends storage stability without significantly complicating the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 crystalline tazobactam arginine forms enhance the stability and bioavailability of the antibiotic composition, reducing decomposition and impurities, making them suitable for stable storage and effective treatment of bacterial infections, including those resistant to beta-lactamases.

Implementation Method 1

The development of crystalline tazobactam arginine polymorphs, specifically polymorph Ia and Ib, which exhibit improved chemical stability, reduced hygroscopicity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCrystallisation: Crystallisation

Implementation Method 2

formulated using lyophilization

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFreeze drying: Freeze Drying

Data Source

PatentEP2900244B1Tazobactam arginine antibiotic compositions
Publication Date: 2019.10.23 MERCK SHARP & DOHME CORP
  • EP2900244B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2900244B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2900244B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This disclosure provides compositions comprising a beta- lactam compound and crystalline tazobactam arginine, and related methods and uses of these compositions.