WO1998041222A1

WO1998041222A1 - Obesity protein formulations

Info

Publication number: WO1998041222A1
Application number: PCT/US1998/005415
Authority: WO
Inventors: Joseph V. Rinella, Jr.
Original assignee: Eli Lilly And Company
Priority date: 1997-03-20
Filing date: 1998-03-19
Publication date: 1998-09-24
Also published as: AU6569998A

Abstract

The present invention discloses a stable, soluble pharmaceutical composition comprising an obesity protein, a hydrophobic preservative, and nicotinamide. Said storage-stable, soluble composition is useful as a commercially-viable, multi-use pharmaceutical product.

Description

OBESITY PROTEIN FORMULATIONS

Background of the Invention

1. Field of the Invention. The present invention is in the field of human medicine, particularly in the treatment of obesity and disorders associated with obesity. More specifically, the present invention relates to formulations of obesity protein.

2. Background Information. Obesity, and especially upper body obesity, is a common and very serious public health problem in the United States and throughout the world, and is expected to worsen as the population ages. Currently, about 33 percent of Americans are overweight enough to be unhealthy. The proportion of obese adults among the well-fed populations of the world is expected to rise to more than 50% within 20 years.

Lowering body weight dramatically reduces risk for chronic diseases, such as, diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, coronary heart disease, cancer, and muscularoskeletal diseases. Unfortunately, an estimated 33 billion dollars ($US) are spent each year on such weight- loss measures, such as reducing caloric intake and increasing exercise, that are largely futile, with failure rates reaching 95%. Failure may be due to genetic factors that predispose people to becoming obese regardless of their efforts to combat the condition. Therefore, a pharmaceutical agent that can correct this adiposity handicap and allow the physician to successfully treat obese patients in spite of their genetic inheritance is needed. Obesity protein, which is encoded by the ob gene, has demonstrated an ability to effectively regulate adiposity in mice [Pelleymounter, et al . , Science 269:540- 543 (1995)]. Unfortunately, obesity proteins tend to aggregate under conditions typically preferred for protein formulations. It is well-known that parenteral formulations containing aggregated, insoluble protein cause problems relating to inconsistency in the dose-response and are unpredictable. The unpredictability is believed to be due to greater variability in the pharmacokinetics in suspension formulations. Insoluble formulations must first dissolve prior to adsorption. It is hypothesized that this step has significant variability in a subcutaneous depot. Aggregation makes the preparation of a soluble, pharmaceutically-acceptable parenteral formulation exceedingly difficult. Without a solution to the problem of aggregation of obesity protein, a soluble formulation of that protein to treat obesity may not be possible.

Certain analogs of native obesity proteins demonstrate activity, a reduced tendency to aggregate, and a significant improvement in physical stability in solution compared with native obesity proteins . Such analogs are disclosed, for example, in Basinski, M. B., et al . , [European Patent Organization (EPO) publications 725,078 and 725,079, 7 August 1996]. Despite increased physical stability when subjected to typical formulation conditions compared with native obesity proteins, analogs of native obesity proteins retain some tendency to aggregate in solution, a tendency that is aggravated by certain commonly- used, pharmaceutically-acceptable preservatives, such as, phenol, cresol, and alkylparabens . Because it is envisioned that a obesity protein pharmaceutical product for treating obesity will be a multi-use product, preservatives will be required to inhibit microbial growth. Therefore, a solution to the aggregation problem is urgently needed in order to produce a multi-use obesity protein formulation that remains free of protein aggregation.

Thus, the present invention provides conditions that increase the physical stability of obesity protein in the presence of preservative, and makes possible a commercially-viable, multi-use pharmaceutical product comprising obesity protein to treat obesity. When nicotinamide is included in the formulation, the obesity protein remains soluble at much higher protein concentrations, and there are less constraints on the other variables of the formulation, such as, ionic strength, temperature, pH, and protein concentration.

Nicotinamide is not a widely-recognized excipient in pharmaceutical formulations. For example, it is not mentioned as an excipient in the Handbook of Pharmaceutical Excipients, 2nd ed., A. Wade & P. Weller, Eds. (1994). However, nicotinamide is known to increase the solubility of sparingly-soluble, non-protein, low molecular weight compounds, such as, certain piperazido and piperazino compounds [Fawzi, et al . , J. Pharmaceut . Sci . 69:104-106 (1980)], anti-cancer nucleoside analogs [Truelove, et al . , Int . J. Pharmaceutics 19:17-25 (1984)], paracetamol [Hamza, et al . , Drug Dev. Industr. Pharmacy 11:1577-1596 (1985)], diazepam, griseofulvin, progesterone, 17β-estradiol, and testosterone [Rasool, et al . , J. Pharmaceut . Sci . 80:387-393 (1991)], the phenothiazine derivative, moricizine [Hussain, et al . , J. Pharmaceut . Sci . 82:77-79 (1993)], and riboflavin [Coffman, et al . , J. Pharmaceut . Sci . 85:951-954 (1996)]. In the instances listed above, nicotinamide is apparently operating as a hydrotropic agent - that is, it increases the solubility of another solute when it is added at a high concentration. The hydrotropic phenomenon is in direct opposition to "normal" solution behavior, wherein, addition of a second solute to a solution of a sparingly soluble solute will cause precipitation of the less soluble solute. Nicotinamide, sodium salicylate, caffeine, urea, and sodium glycinate are examples of known or suspected hydrotropic agents .

A combination of insulin and nicotinamide, optionally containing a preservative, was previously described by Jorgensen in U.S. Patent No. 5,382,574, issued January 17, 1995. The combination was asserted to promote faster absorption of insulin from an injection site. Jorgensen did not report any effect of nicotinamide on formulation stability, and it is likely that he did not observe such an effect of nicotinamide because he specifically recommends that "known stabilizing agents" such as phospholipids, be added to stabilize the formulations, and fails to mention any effect on stability produced by nicotinamide alone.

The molecular interactions in a formulation between obesity protein, preservative, buffer, ionic strength, pH, temperature, and other excipients, are complex, and the role that each factor contributes to aggregation is highly unpredictable in view of the complexity of the obesity protein molecule, and the propensity for obesity protein to aggregate and precipitate from formulations in the presence of preservatives. In view of this complexity and tendency to aggregate, the effect of nicotinamide on the stability of obesity protein formulations containing a hydrophobic preservative could not have been predicted from the art describing nicotinamide ' s effect as a hydrotropic agent for relatively small molecules, nor from its apparent ability to facilitate absorption of insulin from a subcutaneous injection.

Summary of the Invention

This invention provides a soluble formulation comprising an obesity protein, a hydrophobic preservative, and nicotinamide.

The invention further provides a process for preparing said soluble formulation which comprises combining an obesity protein, a hydrophobic preservative, and nicotinamide to produce said soluble formulation.

Additionally, the invention provides a method of treating obesity in a mammal in need thereof, which comprises administering to said mammal a soluble formulation comprising an obesity protein, a hydrophobic preservative, and nicotinamide. Detailed Description and Preferred Embodiments

For purposes of the present invention, as disclosed and claimed herein, the following terms and abbreviations are defined as follows: Administering -- an act whose effect is to transfer a formulation of the present invention into the body of a mammal in need thereof . Administration may be via any route known to be effective by the physician of ordinary skill . Parenteral administration is commonly understood in the medical literature as the introduction of a dosage form into the body by other than an enteric route. Thus, the present formulations are administered by means that cause them to be absorbed, for example, subcutaneously, percutaneosly, intramuscularly, intravenously, or from the lung or respiratory tract. Often, a sterile syringe or some other mechanical device, such as an infusion pump or an inhalation device, serves to transfer the formulation to the site of absorption. Peripheral parenteral routes of administration include, without limitation, intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, pulmonary, and intraperitoneal routes of administration.

Alkylparaben -- refers to a C_ to C₄ alkyl paraben, or mixtures thereof. Preferably, alkylparaben is methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, or butylparaben. Cresol - refers to meta-cresol, ortho-cresol, para-cresol, chloro-cresol, or mixtures thereof.

Hydrophobic preservative -- refers to a hydrophobic compound that is added to a pharmaceutical formulation to act as an anti-microbial agent. A parenteral formulation must meet guidelines for preservative effectiveness to be a commercially viable multi-use product. Among hydrophobic preservatives known in the art as being effective and acceptable in parenteral formulations are the alkylparabens, the phenolic preservatives, benzyl alcohol, and various mixtures thereof. See, e.g., WALLHAUSER, K.DH., DEVELOP . BIOL . STANDARD . 24 , pp . 9 - 28 (Basel , S . Krager ,

1974 ) .

Isotonicity agent -- refers to a compound that is tolerated physiologically and imparts a suitable tonicity to the formulation to prevent the net flow of water across cell membranes. Compounds, such as glycerin, are commonly used for such purposes at known concentrations. Other possible isotonicity agents include salts, e.g., NaCl, and sugars, e.g., dextrose, mannitol, and sucrose. Nicotinamide -- refers to a compound of the formula:

Obesity protein -- refers to naturally-occurring obesity protein and to obesity protein analog. Obesity protein also includes naturally-occurring obesity proteins and obesity protein analogs having a leader sequence at their N-terminus. A leader sequence is one or more amino acids on the N-terminus to aid in production or purification of the protein. A preferred leader sequence is Met-Rl- wherein Rl is absent or any amino acid except Pro.

Naturally-occurring obesity protein -- refers to obesity protein produced from a mammalian obesity gene following transcription and deletion of introns, translation to a protein, and processing to the mature protein with secretory signal peptide removed, e . g. , from the N-terminal valine-proline to the C-terminal cysteine of the mature protein. The sequences of the following naturally-occurring obesity proteins are known: mouse and human [Zhang, et al . Nature 372:425-432 (1994)]; rat [Murakami, et al . , Biochem. Biophys . Res . Comm. 209:944-952 (1995)]; porcine and bovine [EPO publication 743,321, November 20, 1996]; and various primates [EPO publication 764,722, 25 March 1997].

Obesity protein analog -- refers to obesity- protein analogs having enhanced biological activity or physical stability compared with naturally-occurring obesity proteins . An analog of obesity protein is a naturally- occurring obesity protein having one or more amino acid substitutions or deletions , preferably less than five , and most preferably less than three substitutions or deletions . Obesity protein analog includes a protein of the Formula (I) :

5 10 15

Val Pro lie Gin Lys Val Gin Asp Asp Thr Lys Thr Leu lie Lys Thr

20 25 30 lie Val Thr Arg lie Asn Asp lie Ser His Thr Xaa Ser Val Ser Ser

35 40 45 Lys Gin Lys Val Thr Gly Leu Asp Phe lie Pro Gly Leu His Pro lie

50 55 60

Leu Thr Leu Ser Lys Met Asp Gin Thr Leu Ala Val Tyr Gin Gin lie 65 70 75 80

Leu Thr Ser Met Pro Ser Arg Asn Val lie Gin lie Ser Asn Asp Leu

85 90 95

Glu Asn Leu Arg Asp Leu Leu His Val Leu Ala Phe Ser Lys Ser Cys

100 105 110

His Leu Pro Trp Ala Ser Gly Leu Glu Thr Leu Asp Ser Leu Gly Gly

115 120 125 Val Leu Glu Ala Ser Gly Tyr Ser Thr Glu Val Val Ala Leu Ser Arg

130 135 140

Leu Gin Gly Ser Leu Gin Asp Met Leu Trp Gin Leu Asp Leu Ser Pro 145

Gly Cys (SEQ ID NO : l ) ( I ) wherein :

Xaa at position 28 is Gin or absent ; said protein having at least one of the following substitutions :

Gin at position 4 is replaced with Glu;

Gin at position 7 is replaced with Glu;

Asn at position 22 is replaced with Gin or Asp ;

Thr at position 27 is replaced with Ala; Xaa at position 28 is replaced with Glu;

Gin at position 34 is replaced with Glu;

Met at position 54 is replaced with methionine sulf oxide , Leu, lie , Val , Ala, or Gly;

Gin at position 56 is replaced with Glu; Gin at position 62 is replaced with Glu; Gin at position 63 is replaced with Glu; Met at position 68 is replaced with methionine sulfoxide, Leu, lie, Val, Ala, or Gly; Asn at position 72 is replaced with Gin, Glu, or

Asp;

Gin at position 75 is replaced with Glu; Ser at position 77 is replaced with Ala; Asn at position 78 is replaced with Gin or Asp; Asn at position 82 is replaced with Gin or Asp;

His at position 97 is replaced with Gin, Asn, Ala, Gly, Ser, or Pro;

Trp at position 100 is replaced with Ala, Glu, Asp, Asn, Met, lie, Phe, Tyr, Ser, Thr, Gly, Gin, Val or Leu;

Ala at position 101 is replaced with Ser, Asn, Gly, His, Pro, Thr, or Val;

Ser at position 102 is replaced with Arg;

Gly at position 103 is replaced with Ala; Glu at position 105 is replaced with Gin;

Thr at position 106 is replaced with Lys or Ser; Leu at position 107 is replaced with Pro; Asp at position 108 is replaced with Glu; Gly at position 111 is replaced with Asp; Gly at position 118 is replaced with Leu;

Gin at position 130 is replaced with Glu; Gin at position 134 is replaced with Glu; Met at position 136 is replaced with methionine sulfoxide, Leu, lie, Val, Ala, or Gly; Trp at position 138 is replaced with Ala, Glu,

Asp, Asn, Met, lie, Phe, Tyr, Ser, Thr, Gly, Gin, Val or Leu; or

Gin at position 139 is replaced with Glu; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and also a protein of the Formula (II) : 5 10 15

Xaa Xaa lie Gin Lys Val Gin Asp Asp Thr Lys Thr Leu lie Lys Thr

20 25 30 lie Val Thr Arg lie Xaa Asp lie Ser His Thr Xaa Ser Val Ser Ser

35 40 45

Lys Gin Lys Val Thr Gly Leu Asp Phe lie Pro Gly Leu His Pro lie 50 55 60

Leu Thr Leu Ser Lys Met Asp Gin Thr Leu Ala Val Tyr Gin Gin lie

65 70 75 80

Leu Thr Ser Met Pro Ser Arg Xaa Xaa lie Gin lie Ser Asn Asp Leu

85 90 95

Glu Asn Leu Arg Asp Leu Leu His Val Leu Ala Phe Ser Lys Ser Cys

100 105 110 His Leu Pro Xaa Ala Ser Gly Leu Glu Thr Leu Asp Ser Leu Gly Gly

115 120 125

Val Leu Glu Ala Ser Gly Tyr Ser Thr Glu Val Val Ala Leu Ser Arg 130 135 140

Leu Gin Gly Ser Leu Gin Asp Met Leu Xaa Gin Leu Asp Leu Ser Pro

145

Gly Cys (SEQ ID NO: 2) (II) wherein:

Xaa at position 1 is Val or absent;

Xaa at position 2 is Pro or absent;

Xaa at position 22 is Asn or Ser;

Xaa at position 28 is Gin or absent; Xaa at position 72 is Asn, Gin, Glu or Asp;

Xaa at position 73 is Val or Met;

Xaa at position 100 is Trp, Gin, Glu, Asp, Ser, Thr, Lys, His, or Arg;

Xaa at position 138 is Trp, Gin, Glu, Asp, Ser, Thr, Lys, His, or Arg; said protein having at least one of the following substitutions :

Xaa at position 1 is replaced with Glu, Asp, Ser, Thr, Lys, His, or Arg; Xaa at position 2 is replaced with Glu, Asp, Ser,

Thr, Lys, His, or Arg; lie at position 3 is replaced with Glu, Asp, Arg, Lys, or His; Val at position 30 is replaced with Glu, Asp, Arg, Lys, or His;

Val at position 36 is replaced with Glu, Asp, Arg, Lys, or His; Phe at position 41 is replaced with Glu, Asp, Arg,

Lys, or His; lie at position 42 is replaced with Glu, Asp, Arg, Lys, or His;

Pro at position 43 is replaced with Glu, Asp, Arg, Lys, or His;

Leu at position 45 is replaced with Glu, Asp, Arg, Lys, or His;

His at position 46 is replaced with Glu, Asp, Arg, or Lys ; Pro at position 47 is replaced with Glu, Asp, Arg,

Lys, or His; lie at position 48 is replaced with Glu, Asp, Arg, Lys, or His;

Leu at position 49 is replaced with Glu, Asp, Arg, Lys, or His;

Thr at position 50 is replaced with Glu, Asp, Arg, Lys, or His; lie at position 74 is replaced with Gin, Glu, Asp, Arg, Lys, His, Thr or Ser; Val at position 89 is replaced with Gin, Glu, Asp,

Arg, Lys, His, Thr or Ser;

Phe at position 92 is replaced with Gin, Glu, Asp, Arg, Lys, His, Thr or Ser;

Pro at position 99 is replaced with Gin, Glu, Asp, Arg, Lys, His, Thr or Ser; or

Leu at position 142 is replaced with Glu, Asp, Arg, Lys, or His; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and also a protein of the Formula (III) :

5 10 15

Val Pro lie Gin Lys Val Gin Asp Asp Thr Lys Thr Leu lie Lys Thr 20 25 30 lie Val Thr Arg lie Asn Asp lie Ser His Thr Xaa Ser Val Ser Ser

35 40 45 Lys Gin Lys Val Thr Gly Leu Asp Phe lie Pro Gly Leu His Pro lie

50 55 60

Leu Thr Leu Ser Lys Met Asp Gin Thr Leu Ala Val Tyr Gin Gin lie 65 70 75 80

Leu Thr Ser Met Pro Ser Arg Asn Val lie Gin lie Ser Asn Asp Leu

85 90 95

Glu Asn Leu Arg Asp Leu Leu His Val Leu Ala Phe Ser Lys Ser Cys

100 105 110

His Leu Pro Trp Ala Ser Gly Leu Glu Thr Leu Asp Ser Leu Gly Gly

115 120 125 Val Leu Glu Ala Ser Gly Tyr Ser Thr Glu Val Val Ala Leu Ser Arg

130 135 140

Leu Gin Gly Ser Leu Gin Asp Met Leu Trp Gin Leu Asp Leu Ser Pro 145

Gly Cys (SEQ ID NO: 3) (III) wherein:

Xaa at position 22 is Asn or Ser;

Xaa at position 28 is Gin or absent; Xaa at position 72 in Asn, Gin, Glu, or Asp;

Xaa at position 73 is Val or Met; said protein having at least one of the following substitutions :

Trp at position 100 is replaced with Glu, Asp, His, Lys, or Arg;

Trp at position 138 is replaced with Glu, Asp, His, Lys, or Arg, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof .

Pharmaceutically acceptable buffer -- The pH of the formulation may be buffered with a pharmaceutically acceptable buffer, such as, without limitation, sodium acetate, sodium phosphate, sodium citrate, TRIS or a basic amino acid, such as, lysine or arginine. Other pharmaceutically acceptable buffers are known in the art. The selection and concentration of buffer is known in the art. Phenolic preservative-- refers to phenol and cresol .

Soluble -- refers to the relative absence of aggregated protein that is visually perceivable. The degree of aggregation of proteins in a formulation may be inferred by measuring the turbidity of the formulation. The greater the turbidity of the formulation, the greater the extent of aggregation of the protein in the formulation. Turbidity is commonly determined by nephelometry, and measured in Nephalometric Turbidity Units (NTU) .

Stable -- A "stable" formulation is one in which the obesity protein remains soluble for an extended period of time under the conditions of storage .

Treating -- as used herein, describes the management and care of a patient for the purpose of combating a disease, condition, or disorder and includes the administration of a formulation of the present invention to prevent the onset of the symptoms or complications, alleviating the symptoms or complications, or eliminating the disease, condition, or disorder. Treating, as used herein, includes the administration of the protein for cosmetic purposes . A cosmetic purpose seeks to control the weight of a mammal to improve bodily appearance .

The nucleotide and amino acid abbreviations are accepted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office as set forth in 37 C.F.R. § 1.822 (b)(2) (1993). Unless otherwise indicated the amino acids are in the L configuration.

The unexpected effect of nicotinamide on formulation stability was demonstrated by preparing formulations of the present invention, and comparing their turbidity with the turbidity of controls lacking nicotinamide. The formulation used to generate the data of Table 1 were prepared according to Example 1.

Table 1: Effect of nicotinamide on the turbidity of formulations comprising the protein having the sequence SEQ ID NO:4 (10 mg/mL) , arginine buffer (5 mM, pH 8.5), m-cresol (0.3%), and nicotinamide (500 mM) . The formulations were stored at the temperatures indicated for 1, 4, 8, and 14 days. Turbidity was measured by nephelometry using a Hach

Ratio Turbidimeter (Model 18900) calibrated with Hach Formazin Turbidity Standard, 4000 NTU (Hach 2461-11, or equivalent) . Values are Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU) which are sample reading minus diluent blank reading. Controls had no nicotinamide added.

Day Control Test Control Test ontrol Test

1 3.6 1.3 11.7 3.2 60.3 58.3

4 5.5 1.7 41.5 7.0 64.0 72.9

8 7.3 2.2 72.1 14.3 72.0 87.5

14 8.9 2.6 89.6 24.5 71.3 93.5

The data in Table 1 clearly show that formulations of obesity protein analog that contain nicotinamide (Test) are much less turbid at 5°C and at 25°C than are formulations that do not contain nicotinamide (Control) . Significantly, at 25°C, nicotinamide keeps the turbidity acceptably low for between 8 and 14 days, whereas, without nicotinamide, the turbidity remains acceptable for only between 1 and 4 days at 25°C.

Parenteral formulations of the present invention can be prepared using conventional dissolution and mixing procedures. One ordinarily skilled in the formulation sciences will recognize that the order of addition of obesity protein, hydrophobic preservative, and nicotinamide could be varied without compromising the stability of the resulting formulations. To prepare a stable formulation of the present invention, for example, a measured mass of lyophilized obesity protein could be first dissolved in water, and then measured volumes of nicotinamide and hydrophobic preservative solutions could be added in quantities sufficient to provide the desired concentrations. Optional compounds may also be added, such as an isotonicity agent or a pharmaceutically-acceptable buffer. The pH of the formulation may be adjusted using, for example, hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide solutions. Once prepared, the formulations of the present invention are generally sterile-filtered prior to administration. That formulations of the present invention could be prepared effectively by many other processes would be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the manner and conditions under which the components are combined, the type of acid or base used to adjust pH, and the method for sterilizing the formulations may be optimized by one of ordinary skill .

The obesity protein used in the formulations of the present invention can be prepared by any of a variety of recognized peptide synthesis techniques including classical (solution) methods, solid phase methods, semi-synthetic methods, and more recent recombinant DNA methods . Recombinant methods are preferred if a large mass of obesity protein is required. Obesity protein is preferably prepared by techniques taught in WO 96/23515, WO 96/23517, EP 0743321, published November 20, 1996, and U.S. Serial number 60/000451, filed June 22, 1996. The entire teaching of each of the four aforementioned documents relating to biosynthesis and purification of obesity protein using recombinant DNA methods is incorporated expressly herein by reference. The obesity protein used in the formulations of the present invention is properly folded.

The hydrophobic preservative and nicotinamide used in the formulations of the present invention are readily available from commercial suppliers in sufficient quality to meet regulatory requirements for administration to humans .

The formulations of the present invention optionally may contain other compounds in addition to obesity protein, hydrophobic preservative, and nicotinamide. For example, pharmaceutically acceptable solubilizers like Tween 20 (polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate) , Tween 40 (polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monopalmitate) , Tween 80 (polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate) , Pluronic F68 (polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene block copolymers) , and PEG (polyethylene glycol) may optionally be added to the formulation to reduce aggregation. These additives are particularly useful if a pump or plastic container is used to administer the formulation. A pharmaceutically acceptable surfactant may further reduce protein aggregation. An isotonicity agent, preferably glycerin, may be optionally added to the soluble, parenteral formulation. The concentration of the isotonicity agent is in the range known in the art for parenteral formulations, preferably about 1 to 25 mg/mL, more preferably about 8 to 16 mg/mL or about 16 mg/mL to about 25 mg/mL., and still more preferably about 16 mg/mL. A pharmaceutically acceptable buffer may optionally be added to control pH.

As noted above, the invention provides a soluble formulation comprising an obesity protein, a hydrophobic preservative, and nicotinamide. Preferably the nicotinamide concentration is between 0.05 and 2 molar. Other preferred ranges of nicotinamide concentration are: between 0.05 molar and 1.5 molar; between 0.05 molar and 1.0 molar; between 0.25 molar and 1.8 molar; between 0.3 molar and 1.5 molar; between 0.25 molar and 1.0 molar; and between 0.3 molar and 1.0 molar. With nicotinamide added to the formulation, obesity protein analogs remain in solution in the presence of certain preservatives, making possible a multi-use parenteral formulation that is relatively free of protein aggregation.

The phenolic preservatives, used singly or in combination, are preferred preservatives for use in the formulations of the present invention. Another group of preferred preservatives are the alkylparaben preservatives. Benzyl alcohol is another preferred preservative. More highly preferred preservatives are phenol and m-cresol, used singly or in combination. When used in combination, the molar ratio of phenol to m-cresol in the formulations is preferably between 3-to-l and l-to-3, whereas, the total concentration of preservative is preferably between about 1 mg/mL and 10 mg/mL. The concentration of preservative is that required to maintain preservative effectiveness, which, in turn, may depend on the preservative, its solubility, and the temperature and the pH of the formulation, among other variables. Generally, the amount of preservative necessary can be found in See, e.g., WALLHAUSER, K.DH., DEVELOP. BIOL. STANDARD. 24, pp. 9-28 (Basel, S. Krager, 1974) .

Preferred obesity proteins for use in the present formulations are those having naturally-occurring sequences and the obesity protein analogs of the Formula (I) , (II) or (III) . More preferred proteins used in the present invention include the proteins of Formula (II) or (III) , and the murine, porcine, bovine, and human naturally-occurring obesity proteins. The human obesity protein is the most preferred naturally-occurring species. Further preferred formulations comprise obesity protein species of SEQ ID NO: 4 through 14:

5 10 15

Val Pro lie Gin Lys Val Gin Asp Asp Thr Lys Thr Leu lie Lys Thr 20 25 30 lie Val Thr Arg lie Asn Asp lie Ser His Thr Gin Ser Val Ser Ser

35 40 45

Lys Gin Lys Val Thr Gly Leu Asp Phe lie Pro Gly Leu His Pro He

50 55 60

Leu Thr Leu Ser Lys Met Asp Gin Thr Leu Ala Val Tyr Gin Gin He

65 70 75 80 Leu Thr Ser Met Pro Ser Arg Asn Val He Gin He Ser Asn Asp Leu

85 90 95

Glu Asn Leu Arg Asp Leu Leu His Val Leu Ala Phe Ser Lys Ser Cys 100 105 110

His Leu Pro Ala Ala Ser Gly Leu Glu Thr Leu Asp Ser Leu Gly Gly

115 120 125

Val Leu Glu Ala Ser Gly Tyr Ser Thr Glu Val Val Ala Leu Ser Arg

130 135 140

Leu Gin Gly Ser Leu Gin Asp Met Leu Trp Gin Leu Asp Leu Ser Pro 145

Gly Cys (SEQ ID NO : 4 )

5 10 15

Val Pro He Gin Lys Val Gin Asp Asp Thr Lys Thr Leu He Lys Thr

20 25 30

He Val Thr Arg He Asn Asp He Ser His Thr Gin Ser Val Ser Ser

35 40 45

Lys Gin Lys Val Thr Gly Leu Asp Phe He Pro Gly Leu His Pro He

50 55 60 Leu Thr Leu Ser Lys Met Asp Gin Thr Leu Ala Val Tyr Gin Gin He

65 70 75 80

Leu Thr Ser Met Pro Ser Arg Asn Val He Gin He Ser Asn Asp Leu 85 90 95

Glu Asn Leu Arg Asp Leu Leu His Val Leu Ala Phe Ser Lys Ser Cys

100 105 110

His Leu Pro Gin Ala Ser Gly Leu Glu Thr Leu Asp Ser Leu Gly Gly

115 120 125

Val Leu Glu Ala Ser Gly Tyr Ser Thr Glu Val Val Ala Leu Ser Arg

130 135 140 Leu Gin Gly Ser Leu Gin Asp Met Leu Trp Gin Leu Asp Leu Ser Pro

145 Gly Cys (SEQ ID NO: 5)

5 10 15

Val Pro He Gin Lys Val Gin Asp Asp Thr Lys Thr Leu He Lys Thr

20 25 30

He Val Thr Arg He Asn Asp He Ser His Thr Gin Ser Val Ser Ser

35 40 45

Lys Gin Lys Val Thr Gly Leu Asp Phe He Pro Gly Leu His Pro He

50 55 60 Leu Thr Leu Ser Lys Met Asp Gin Thr Leu Ala Val Tyr Gin Gin He

65 70 75 80

Leu Thr Ser Met Pro Ser Arg Asn Val He Gin He Ser Asn Asp Leu 85 90 95

Glu Asn Leu Arg Asp Leu Leu His Val Leu Ala Phe Ser Lys Ser Cys

100 105 110

His Leu Pro Asp Ala Ser Gly Leu Glu Thr Leu Asp Ser Leu Gly Gly

115 120 125

Val Leu Glu Ala Ser Gly Tyr Ser Thr Glu Val Val Ala Leu Ser Arg

130 135 140 Leu Gin Gly Ser Leu Gin Asp Met Leu Trp Gin Leu Asp Leu Ser Pro

145 Gly Cys ( SEQ ID NO : 6 )

5 10 15 Val Pro He Gin Lys Val Gin Asp Asp Thr Lys Thr Leu He Lys Thr

20 25 30

He Val Thr Arg He Asn Asp He Ser His Thr Gin Ser Val Ser Ser 35 40 45

Lys Gin Lys Val Thr Gly Leu Asp Phe He Pro Gly Leu His Pro He

50 55 60

Leu Thr Leu Ser Lys Met Asp Gin Thr Leu Ala Val Tyr Gin Gin He

65 70 75 80

Leu Thr Ser Met Pro Ser Arg Asn Val He Gin He Ser Asn Asp Leu

85 90 95 Glu Asn Leu Arg Asp Leu Leu His Val Leu Ala Phe Ser Lys Ser Cys

100 105 110

His Leu Pro Glu Ala Ser Gly Leu Glu Thr Leu Asp Ser Leu Gly Gly 115 120 125

Val Leu Glu Ala Ser Gly Tyr Ser Thr Glu Val Val Ala Leu Ser Arg

130 135 140

Leu Gin Gly Ser Leu Gin Asp Met Leu Trp Gin Leu Asp Leu Ser Pro

145

Gly Cys (SEQ ID NO: 7)

5 10 15 Val Pro He Gin Lys Val Gin Asp Asp Thr Lys Thr Leu He Lys Thr

20 25 30

He Val Thr Arg He Asn Asp He Ser His Thr Gin Ser Val Ser Ser 35 40 45

Lys Gin Lys Val Thr Gly Leu Asp Phe He Pro Gly Leu His Pro Asp

50 55 60

Leu Thr Leu Ser Lys Met Asp Gin Thr Leu Ala Val Tyr Gin Gin He

65 70 75 80

Leu Thr Ser Met Pro Ser Arg Asn Val He Gin He Ser Asn Asp Leu

85 90 95 Glu Asn Leu Arg Asp Leu Leu His Val Leu Ala Phe Ser Lys Ser Cys

100 105 110

His Leu Pro Asp Ala Ser Gly Leu Glu Thr Leu Asp Ser Leu Gly Gly 115 120 125

Val Leu Glu Ala Ser Gly Tyr Ser Thr Glu Val Val Ala Leu Ser Arg

130 135 140

Leu Gin Gly Ser Leu Gin Asp Met Leu Trp Gin Leu Asp Leu Ser Pro

145 Gly Cys (SEQ ID NO : 8 )

5 10 15

Val Pro He Gin Lys Val Gin Asp Asp Thr Lys Thr Leu He Lys Thr

20 25 30

He Val Thr Arg He Asp Asp He Ser His Thr Gin Ser Val Ser Ser

35 40 45 Lys Gin Lys Val Thr Gly Leu Asp Phe He Pro Gly Leu His Pro He

50 55 60

Leu Thr Leu Ser Lys Met Asp Gin Thr Leu Ala Val Tyr Gin Gin He 65 70 75 80

Leu Thr Ser Met Pro Ser Arg Asn Val He Gin He Ser Asn Asp Leu

85 90 95

Glu Asn Leu Arg Asp Leu Leu His Val Leu Ala Phe Ser Lys Ser Cys

100 105 110

His Leu Pro Trp Ala Ser Gly Leu Glu Thr Leu Asp Ser Leu Gly Gly

115 120 125 Val Leu Glu Ala Ser Gly Tyr Ser Thr Glu Val Val Ala Leu Ser Arg

130 135 140

Leu Gin Gly Ser Leu Gin Asp Met Leu Trp Gin Leu Asp Leu Ser Pro 145

Gly Cys (SEQ ID NO: 9)

5 10 15

Val Pro He Gin Lys Val Gin Asp Asp Thr Lys Thr Leu He Lys Thr 20 25 30

He Val Thr Arg He Asn Asp He Ser His Ala Gin Ser Val Ser Ser

35 40 45

Lys Gin Lys Val Thr Gly Leu Asp Phe He Pro Gly Leu His Pro He

50 55 60

Leu Thr Leu Ser Lys Met Asp Gin Thr Leu Ala Val Tyr Gin Gin He

65 70 75 80 Leu Thr Ser Met Pro Ser Arg Asn Val He Gin He Ser Asn Asp Leu

85 90 95

Glu Asn Leu Arg Asp Leu Leu His Val Leu Ala Phe Ser Lys Ser Cys 100 105 110

His Leu Pro Trp Ala Ser Gly Leu Glu Thr Leu Asp Ser Leu Gly Gly

115 120 125

Val Leu Glu Ala Ser Gly Tyr Ser Thr Glu Val Val Ala Leu Ser Arg

130 135 140

Leu Gin Gly Ser Leu Gin Asp Met Leu Trp Gin Leu Asp Leu Ser Pro

145 Gly Cys (SEQ ID NO: 10)

5 10 15

Val Pro He Gin Lys Val Gin Asp Asp Thr Lys Thr Leu He Lys Thr 20 25 30

He Val Thr Arg He Asn Asp He Ser His Thr Gin Ser Val Ser Ser

35 40 45

Lys Gin Lys Val Thr Gly Leu Asp Phe He Pro Gly Leu His Pro He

50 55 60

Leu Thr Leu Ser Lys Met Asp Gin Thr Leu Ala Val Tyr Gin Gin He

65 70 75 80

Leu Thr Ser Met Pro Ser Arg Asn Val He Gin He Ser Asn Asp Leu

85 90 95 Glu Asn Leu Arg Asp Leu Leu His Val Leu Ala Phe Ser Lys Ser Cys

100 105 110

His Leu Pro Trp Ala Ser Gly Leu Glu Thr Leu Asp Ser Leu Gly Gly 115 120 125

Val Leu Glu Ala Ser Gly Tyr Ser Thr Glu Val Val Ala Leu Ser Arg

130 135 140

Leu Gin Gly Ser Leu Gin Asp Met Leu Gin Gin Leu Asp Leu Ser Pro

145

Gly Cys (SEQ ID NO: 11)

5 10 15 Val Pro He Gin Lys Val Gin Asp Asp Thr Lys Thr Leu He Lys Thr

20 25 30

He Val Thr Arg He Asn Asp He Ser His Thr Gin Ser Val Ser Ser 35 40 45

Lys Gin Lys Val Thr Gly Leu Asp Phe He Pro Gly Leu His Pro He

50 55 60

Leu Thr Leu Ser Lys Met Asp Gin Thr Leu Ala Val Tyr Gin Gin He

65 70 75 80

Leu Thr Ser Met Pro Ser Arg Asn Val He Gin He Ser Asn Asp Leu

85 90 95 Glu Asn Leu Arg Asp Leu Leu His Val Leu Ala Phe Ser Lys Ser Cys

100 105 110

His Leu Pro Gin Ala Ser Gly Leu Glu Thr Leu Asp Ser Leu Gly Gly 115 120 125

Val Leu Glu Ala Ser Gly Tyr Ser Thr Glu Val Val Ala Leu Ser Arg

130 135 140

Leu Gin Gly Ser Leu Gin Asp Met Leu Gin Gin Leu Asp Leu Ser Pro

145

Gly Cys (SEQ ID NO: 12)

5 10 15 Val Pro He Gin Lys Val Gin Asp Asp Thr Lys Thr Leu He Lys Thr

20 25 30 He Val Thr Arg He Asn Asp He Ser His Thr Gin Ser Val Ser Ser

35 40 45

Lys Gin Lys Val Thr Gly Leu Asp Phe He Pro Gly Leu His Pro He

50 55 60

Leu Thr Leu Ser Lys Met Asp Gin Thr Leu Ala Val Tyr Gin Gin He

65 70 75 80 Leu Thr Ser Met Pro Ser Arg Asn Val He Gin He Ser Asn Asp Leu

85 90 95

Glu Asn Leu Arg Asp Leu Leu His Val Leu Ala Phe Ser Lys Ser Cys 100 105 110

His Leu Pro Ala Ala Ser Gly Leu Glu Thr Leu Asp Ser Leu Gly Gly

115 120 125

Val Leu Glu Ala Ser Gly Tyr Ser Thr Glu Val Val Ala Leu Ser Arg

130 135 140

Leu Gin Gly Ser Leu Gin Asp Met Leu Gin Gin Leu Asp Leu Ser Pro

145 Gly Cys (SEQ ID NO: 13)

5 10 15

Val Pro He Gin Lys Val Gin Asp Asp Thr Lys Thr Leu He Lys Thr

20 25 30 He Val Thr Arg He Asn Asp He Ser His Thr Gin Ser Val Ser Ser

35 40 45

Lys Gin Lys Val Thr Gly Leu Asp Phe He Pro Gly Leu His Pro He 50 55 60

Leu Thr Leu Ser Lys Met Asp Gin Thr Leu Ala Val Tyr Gin Gin He

65 70 75 80

Leu Thr Ser Met Pro Ser Arg Asp Val He Gin He Ser Asn Asp Leu

85 90 95

Glu Asn Leu Arg Asp Leu Leu His Val Leu Ala Phe Ser Lys Ser Cys

100 105 110 His Leu Pro Asp Ala Ser Gly Leu Glu Thr Leu Asp Ser Leu Gly Gly

115 120 125

Val Leu Glu Ala Ser Gly Tyr Ser Thr Glu Val Val Ala Leu Ser Arg 130 135 140

Leu Gin Gly Ser Leu Gin Asp Met Leu Trp Gin Leu Asp Leu Ser Pro

145

Gly Cys (SEQ ID NO: 14)

The concentration of obesity protein in a formulation comprising obesity protein is preferably about from about 0.5 mg/mL to about 100 mg/mL. More preferably, the concentration of obesity protein in the formulation is from about 0.5 mg/mL to about 50 mg/mL. Still more preferably, the concentration of obesity protein in the formulation is from about 1 mg/mL to about 25 mg/mL. Most preferably, the concentration of obesity protein in the formulation is from about 1 mg/mL to about 10 mg/mL. Other preferred ranges of concentration of obesity protein in the formulation are from about 0.5 mg/mL to about 20 mg/mL, from 0.5 mg/mL to about 5 mg/mL, and from about 2 mg/mL to about 20 mg/mL. Preferably, the solubility of the obesity protein in the present formulations is such that the turbidity of the formulation is lower than 50 NTU. More preferably, the turbidity is lower than 20 NTU. Most preferably, the turbidity is lower than 10 NTU. Peripheral, parenteral administration is preferred. The formulations prepared in accordance with the present invention may be administered using a syringe, nebulizer, inhaler, injector, pump, or any other device recognized in the art for parenteral administration. The amount of a formulation of the present invention that would be administered to treat obesity will depend on a number of factors, among which are included, without limitation, the patient's sex, weight and age, the underlying causes of obesity, the route of administration and bioavailability, the persistence of administered obesity protein in the body, the formulation, and the potency of the obesity protein. Where administration is intermittent, the amount per administration should also take into account the interval between doses, and the bioavailability of the obesity protein from the formulation. Administration of the formulation of the present invention could be continuous. It is within the skill of the ordinary physician to titrate the dose and rate or frequency of administration of the formulation of the present invention to achieve the desired clinical result. An example is provided merely to further illustrate the preparation of the formulations of the invention. The scope of the invention is not construed as merely consisting of the following example.

Example 1 Obesity Protein Formulation Obesity protein of SEQ ID NO: 4 (hereinafter Protein NO: ) was biosynthesized in recombinant E. coli and purified using essentially the techniques taught in EPO publications 725,078 and 725,079, August 7, 1996, EPO publication 743,321, November 20, 1996, EPO publication 833,835, April 8, 1998. The entire teaching of each of the four aforementioned documents relating to biosynthesis and purification of an obesity protein by recombinant DNA methods is incorporated expressly herein by reference. Lyophilized Protein NO: 4 was dissolved in arginine buffer (11.1 mM, pH 8.5) to form a Protein NO: 4 solution, having a concentration of Protein NO: 4 of 22.2 mg/mL. A stock solution (1%) of m-cresol was prepared by dissolving the preservative in water. Enough solid nicotinamide was added to and was dissolved in 4.5 volumes of the Protein NO: 4 solution so that the concentration of nicotinamide was 1.11 molar. Then, 3 volumes of m-cresol stock solution was added and thoroughly mixed. Finally, the total volume was brought to 10 volumes by adding purified water. Control formulations were prepared as described above, except that no nicotinamide was added.

The principles, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of the present invention have been described in the foregoing specification. The invention which is intended to be protected herein, however, is not to be construed as limited to the particular forms disclosed, since they are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.

Claims

I claim :

1. A pharmaceutical composition comprising an obesity protein, a hydrophobic preservative, and nicotinamide .

2. The pharmaceutical composition of Claim 1, wherein the obesity protein is a naturally-occurring obesity protein.

3. The pharmaceutical composition of Claim 1, wherein the obesity protein is an obesity protein analog, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of an obesity protein analog .

4. The pharmaceutical composition of Claim 3 , wherein the obesity protein analog has a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 2 and SEQ ID NO: 3.

5. The pharmaceutical composition of Claim 4, wherein the obesity protein analog has a sequence given by SEQ ID NO: 2.

6. The pharmaceutical composition of Claim 5, wherein the obesity protein analog has the sequence SEQ ID NO: 8.

7. The pharmaceutical composition of Claim 4, wherein the obesity protein analog has a sequence given by SEQ ID NO: 3.

8. The pharmaceutical composition of Claim 7, wherein the obesity protein analog is selected from the group consisting of obesity protein analogs having sequences given by SEQ ID NO: 6, SEQ ID NO: 7, and SEQ ID NO: 14.

9. The pharmaceutical composition of Claim 1, wherein the concentration of obesity protein is between 0.5 mg/mL and 100 mg/mL.

10. The pharmaceutical composition of Claim 9, wherein the concentration of obesity protein is between 0.5 mg/mL and 20 mg/mL.

11. The pharmaceutical composition of Claim 1, wherein the preservative is selected from the group consisting of phenol, cresol, alkylparaben, benzyl alcohol, and mixtures thereof.

12. The pharmaceutical composition of Claim 11, wherein the preservative is selected from the group consisting of phenol, m-cresol, methylparaben, propylparaben, chlorocresol, benzyl alcohol, and mixtures thereof .

13. The pharmaceutical composition of Claim 1, wherein the nicotinamide concentration is greater than 0.05 molar and less than 2.0 molar.

14. The pharmaceutical composition of Claim 13 , wherein the nicotinamide concentration is greater than 0.25 molar and less than 1.8 molar.

15. The pharmaceutical composition of Claim 1, which further comprises an isotonicity agent.

16. The pharmaceutical composition of Claim 1, which further comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable buffer.

17. A process for preparing the pharmaceutical composition of Claim 1 which comprises combining an obesity protein, a hydrophobic preservative, and nicotinamide to form the soluble formulation of Claim 1.

18. A method of treating obesity in a mammal in need thereof, which comprises administering to said mammal the pharmaceutical composition of Claim 1.