TMC278 Nanoparticle Depot Injection for HIV Suppression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current HIV treatment therapies face challenges such as high pill burden, frequent dosing, and the emergence of resistant mutants, which can lead to non-compliance and viral resistance, and there is a need for effective prevention measures against HIV transmission.

Innovation Solution

Formulating the NNRTI compound TMC278 into micro- or nanoparticles for depot formulations that can be administered via intramuscular or subcutaneous injection at extended intervals, providing sustained plasma levels to suppress HIV and prevent transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional oral dosage forms (tablets, capsules) are used for HIV treatment, then the drug can be administered, but the pill burden becomes high and dosing frequency increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedosing convenienceVSAvoidnumber of dosage forms
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the drug TMC278 into micro- or nanoparticle form, which enables the drug to be administered as a depot formulation via injection rather than multiple oral doses. This segmentation of the drug into fine particles allows for sustained release from the injection site, reducing the number of administrations required while maintaining therapeutic efficacy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical state and size parameters of TMC278 from conventional tablet/capsule form to micro- or nanoparticle suspension. This parameter change in particle size and formulation type enables parenteral administration with depot effect, fundamentally altering the dosing regimen from frequent oral administration to less frequent injections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If frequent dosing is required to maintain plasma levels above minimum threshold, then effective HIV suppression is achieved, but patient compliance decreases due to high pill burden

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveHIV suppression effectivenessVSAvoidpatient compliance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The depot formulation creates a continuous release of TMC278 from the injection site into the bloodstream, maintaining plasma levels above the minimum threshold continuously over an extended period. This continuous action eliminates the need for frequent dosing while ensuring reliable HIV suppression, thereby improving patient compliance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The depot formulation is prepared in advance with TMC278 incorporated into micro- or nanoparticles that are designed to release the drug slowly over time. This preliminary preparation ensures that the drug is already in a form suitable for sustained release, eliminating the need for frequent re-dosing and ensuring continuous therapeutic effect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If high doses are administered frequently to suppress HIV, then viral suppression is maintained, but the risk of resistance emergence increases due to non-adherence

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveviral suppressionVSAvoidviral resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The depot formulation ensures continuous maintenance of plasma drug levels above the minimum threshold required for viral suppression. By eliminating gaps in therapy that occur with frequent dosing schedules, the continuous release mechanism prevents viral replication and reduces the selective pressure that leads to resistance emergence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The extended-release depot formulation is designed in advance to provide sustained drug delivery over weeks or months. This preliminary structuring of the drug delivery system ensures that therapeutic levels are maintained without requiring patient adherence to frequent dosing schedules, thereby preventing resistance development through consistent viral suppression.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This approach reduces the number of administrations, improves patient compliance, and maintains effective HIV suppression and prevention over prolonged periods, minimizing the risk of resistance and transmission.

Implementation Method 1

micro- or nanoparticles comprising: (a) TMC278, a salt, a stereoisomer or a stereoisomeric mixture thereof, in micro- or nanoparticle form, having a surface modifier adsorbed to the surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentEP3366278B1Aqueous suspensions of TMC278
Publication Date: 2024.08.07 JANSSEN SCI IRELAND UC

AI summary

This invention concerns pharmaceutical compositions for administration via intramuscular or subcutaneous injection, comprising micro- or nanoparticles of the NNRTI compound TMC278, suspended in an aqueous pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, and the use of such pharmaceutical compositions in the treatment and prophylaxis of HIV infection.