Thiocolchicoside Dual-Phase Formulation for Stable Plasma

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional immediate release formulations of thiocolchicoside require frequent dosing (three to four times daily), leading to fluctuations in blood plasma concentrations and potential side effects, and are inconvenient for patients, while sustained release formulations face challenges in maintaining therapeutic effects and physical stability due to tablet hardness and compression force.

Innovation Solution

A pharmaceutical formulation comprising an immediate release phase and a sustained release phase using glyceryl behenate as a rate-controlling polymer, which maintains stable plasma concentrations for extended periods, allowing for once or twice daily dosing, and is independent of tablet hardness, thereby improving patient compliance and physical properties of the tablets.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If immediate release formulations of thiocolchicoside are used, then rapid absorption and immediate therapeutic effect are achieved, but frequent dosing (three to four times daily) is required leading to fluctuations in blood plasma concentrations and reduced patient compliance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabsorption speedVSAvoiddosing convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a dual-phase release system that dynamically adjusts drug release rates: an immediate release phase provides rapid initial absorption for quick therapeutic effect, while a sustained release phase maintains stable plasma concentrations over extended periods. This dynamic release profile eliminates the need for frequent dosing while preserving rapid onset benefits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The sustained release phase ensures continuous therapeutic action by maintaining steady plasma concentrations of thiocolchicoside over 12-24 hours. This continuous release mechanism eliminates the fluctuations associated with immediate release formulations and extends the duration of therapeutic effect without requiring repeated dosing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Duration of action of stationary object

If sustained release formulations are used, then dosing frequency is reduced and plasma concentrations are stabilized, but tablet hardness must be carefully controlled to maintain both physical stability and drug release properties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveduration of therapeutic effectVSAvoidtablet formulation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes specific formulation parameters including glyceryl behenate content (10-30%), compression force (5-15 tons), and granule particle size (0.5-1.0 mm) to achieve the desired balance between tablet physical stability and sustained drug release. These parameter changes enable extended duration of action while maintaining manufacturable tablet properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The formulation uses a composite approach combining multiple excipients with distinct functions: glyceryl behenate as a rate-controlling polymer for sustained release, microcrystalline cellulose for structural integrity, and starch for disintegration. This composite material system achieves both extended duration of action and adequate tablet physical properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Strength

If compression force is increased to improve tablet physical properties, then tablet hardness and resistance to breakage are improved, but release of active agent decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetablet strengthVSAvoiddrug release rate
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Glyceryl behenate acts as an intermediary substance that mediates between compression force and drug release. This rate-controlling polymer forms a matrix structure that maintains tablet integrity under compression while simultaneously controlling the diffusion and release of thiocolchicoside, ensuring both tablet strength and adequate drug release are achieved.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The granulated formulation creates a porous matrix structure through the granulation process that allows drug release pathways to be maintained even under compression. The porous structure of the glyceryl behenate-microcrystalline cellulose matrix enables drug diffusion while providing mechanical strength to the tablet.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous 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 formulation achieves stable plasma concentrations of thiocolchicoside for 12-24 hours, reducing dosing frequency and side effects, and maintains therapeutic effects while being resistant to capping, aberration, or breakage, enhancing patient compliance and tablet stability.

Implementation Method 1

sustained release phase comprising glyceryl behenate as rate controlling polymer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSustained release:

Implementation Method 2

glyceryl behenate as rate controlling polymer, which maintains stable plasma concentrations for extended periods

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRelease control:

Implementation Method 3

increase of the tablet hardness causes the decrease of the release of the active agent. Since the hardness of the tablets increased with the increased compression force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression force: Compression

Implementation Method 4

adjust the hardness of the sustained release tablet carefully by applying the sufficient compression force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTablet hardness:

Data Source

PatentEP2848260B1Novel formulations of thiocolchicoside
Publication Date: 2016.03.23 SANOVEL ILAC SANAYI & TICARET ANONIM SIRKETI
  • EP2848260B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2848260B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2848260B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The present invention relates to a sustained release pharmaceutical formulation comprising immediate release phase, and sustained release phase comprising glyceryl behenate as rate controlling polymer, wherein each of phases comprising thiocolchicoside or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof