Trametinib Powder for Oral Solution Pediatric Formulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Formulating a stable and effective pediatric dosage form of trametinib, which is sensitive to light and humidity, and has poor solubility and bitter taste, posing challenges for oral administration, especially in pediatric populations where solid tablets are not preferred.

Innovation Solution

A powder for oral solution (POS) formulation of trametinib is developed, mixed with excipients and an aqueous vehicle, providing a stable and effective treatment option that is reconstituted to a clear solution, with controlled particle size and solubilizer ratios to maintain stability and bioavailability, and flavored to mask bitterness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If trametinib is formulated as a solid tablet, then it provides stable dosage form, but it is not preferred for pediatric populations who have difficulty swallowing tablets

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of administrationVSAvoidformulation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the solid tablet into a powder for oral solution that can be reconstituted with water, creating smaller, more manageable particles suitable for pediatric administration while maintaining the therapeutic dose

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an aqueous vehicle as an intermediary medium to convert the solid powder into a liquid solution, facilitating easier administration to children who cannot swallow tablets

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If trametinib is administered in solvate form, then it provides improved solubility, but desolvation releases unsolvated compound that exhibits poor pharmacodynamic properties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepharmacodynamic reliabilityVSAvoidsolvate stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the physical-chemical parameters of the solvate by selecting specific solvents (dimethyl sulfoxide, ethanol, acetonitrile) and controlling crystallization conditions to produce stable solvates that maintain their structure during storage and administration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates composite pharmaceutical formulations that combine the trametinib solvate with excipients and aqueous vehicles, designing a multi-component system that preserves the solvate structure while enabling proper dissolution and absorption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If trametinib is formulated with low solubility, then it maintains compound integrity, but it provides insufficient and inconsistent exposure upon in vivo administration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvein vivo exposureVSAvoidsolubility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the solubility parameters by forming solvates with specific solvents and controlling particle size through milling processes, thereby increasing the apparent solubility and dissolution rate while maintaining adequate bioavailability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from solid tablet form to powder for oral solution, adding the liquid dimension to enhance dissolution and absorption, thereby improving in vivo exposure without compromising compound integrity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Ease of operation

If trametinib is administered to pediatric populations, then it provides targeted treatment, but the bitter taste and light sensitivity pose additional challenges

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepediatric suitabilityVSAvoidlight sensitivity and bitter taste
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces flavoring agents and packaging materials as intermediaries to mask the bitter taste and protect from light, respectively, thereby improving pediatric acceptability without affecting the therapeutic action

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs light-protective packaging and potentially inert atmosphere storage to create a protected environment that prevents degradation from light exposure, maintaining compound stability during pediatric administration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

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 POS formulation ensures improved physical and chemical stability, increased bioavailability, and a consistent pharmacokinetic profile, addressing the challenges of light sensitivity, solubility, and taste issues, making it suitable for pediatric use.

Implementation Method 1

A powder for oral solution (POS) formulation of trametinib is developed, mixed with excipients and an aqueous vehicle, providing a stable and effective treatment option that is reconstituted to a clear solution

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolubilization: Solvation

Data Source

PatentEP3400933A1Novel pharmaceutical trametinib composition
Publication Date: 2018.11.14 NOVARTIS AG
  • EP3400933A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3400933A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3400933A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed are novel pharmaceutical formulations containing N-{3-[3-cyclopropyl-5-(2-fluoro-4-iodo-phenylamino)-6,8-dimethyl-2,4,7-trioxo-3,4,6,7-tetrahydro-2H-pyrido[4,3-d]pyrimidin-1-yl]phenyl}acetamide dimethyl sulfoxide solvate, methods of using the compositions in therapy and processes for preparing the same.