Treprostinil Ion-Exchange Resin Complexes for Controlled Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treprostinil formulations for treating pulmonary arterial hypertension have limitations in controlled release and stability, particularly in maintaining therapeutic levels over time due to rapid absorption and metabolism.

Innovation Solution

A composition comprising treprostinil or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt complexed with an anion ion-exchange resin, forming an ion complex that is coated to slow the release of treprostinil during dissolution, allowing for a sustained release formulation through the use of ion-exchange resin complexes with cholestyramine resins like PUROLITE and DUOLITE, which are mixed with treprostinil solutions to form a suspension, enhancing drug loading efficiency and stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If treprostinil is administered using conventional formulations, then rapid absorption occurs, but therapeutic levels cannot be maintained over time due to rapid metabolism

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveduration of therapeutic effectVSAvoidstability of therapeutic levels
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The formulation segments the drug release process into multiple phases: initial rapid release from uncoated microbeads for immediate therapeutic effect, followed by sustained release from coated microbeads to maintain therapeutic levels. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by providing both rapid onset and prolonged duration of action.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The dual-component formulation creates periodic drug release patterns where uncoated microbeads provide initial drug delivery and coated microbeads provide sustained periodic release over time. This periodic action maintains reliable therapeutic levels while extending the duration of action beyond what single formulations can achieve.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Duration of action of moving object

If ion-exchange resin complexes are used to slow drug release, then controlled release is achieved, but drug loading efficiency may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverelease durationVSAvoiddrug loading efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The formulation segments the drug delivery system into uncoated microbeads for immediate release and coated microbeads for controlled release. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, maintaining high overall drug loading efficiency while achieving the desired controlled release profile from the coated portion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The formulation uses composite microbeads combining ion-exchange resin with polymer coatings. This composite structure maintains the high drug loading capacity of the ion-exchange resin while the polymer coating provides controlled release, thus achieving both high drug loading efficiency and extended release duration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Duration of action of moving object

If a functional coat is applied to the resin resonates, then release control is improved, but formulation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverelease controlVSAvoidformulation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The formulation extracts the coating function into a separate polymer layer applied to pre-formed ion-exchange resin microbeads. This separation allows the core resin to maintain high drug loading while the outer polymer layer provides release control, simplifying the overall formulation process compared to attempting to combine both functions in a single material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The polymer-coated ion-exchange resin microbeads create a composite structure where each material contributes its specific property: the ion-exchange resin provides high drug loading capacity and the polymer coating provides controlled release. This composite approach achieves effective release control without excessive formulation complexity by leveraging the strengths of each material.

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 ion-exchange resin complexes with treprostinil provide a controlled and prolonged release profile, maintaining therapeutic levels for extended periods, improving the efficacy and stability of treprostinil in treating conditions like pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Implementation Method 1

anion ion exchange resin, which is preferably in the form of an ion complex

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIon exchange: Ion Exchange

Implementation Method 2

The coated resonate may be formulated as a suspension for the final dosage form

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentEP3164155B1Treprostinil formulations
Publication Date: 2022.02.09 UNITED THERAPEUTICS CORP
  • EP3164155B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3164155B1 patent drawingFigure 2A-B
  • EP3164155B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

Provided are ion complexes comprising treprostinil and an ion-exchange resin, pharmaceutical formulations based on such complexes, and methods of treating diseases and conditions using the ion complexes and pharmaceutical formulations.