Roflumilast and Syk Inhibitor Combination and Methods of Use Thereof
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the combination of roflumilast with syk inhibitors, in particular to pharmaceuti¬ cal formulations containing combinations of roflumilast and syk inhibitors, or the combined administra¬ tion of roflumilast and syk inhibitors, in particular in the prophylaxis and treatment of respiratory dis¬ ease.
Background
Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors (specifically inhibitors of type 4 PDE) are cur¬ rently of special interest as a new generation of active ingredients for treating inflammatory disorders, especially disorders of the airways such as asthma or airway obstructions (such as, for example, COPD = chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). A number of PDE 4 inhibitors are currently undergo¬ ing advanced clinical testing, including the compound N-(3,5-dichloropyrid-4-yl)-3- cyclopropylmethoxy-4-difluoromethoxybenzamide (INN: roflumilast). This and other compounds with a benzamide structure and their use as cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors are de¬ scribed in U.S. Patent 5,712,298.
U.S. Patent No. 6,432,963 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US2004/0029902 A1 both dis¬ close selective syk inhibitors and their use in methods for the treatment of inflammatory and allergic conditions associated with Fc receptor signalling in which the syk kinase takes part.
Summary of the invention
It is now surprisingly found that by combined administration of a syk inhibitor and roflumilast a signifi¬ cant unexpected therapeutic benefit in the treatment of inflammatory or obstructive airways diseases is obtained.
Furthermore, using the compositions of the invention, pharmaceutical compositions which have a rapid onset and a long duration of action may be prepared. In particular the combination therapy ac¬ cording to the inventions permits the establishment of a twice daily, in particular once daily dosing regimen with consequent substantial benefits in, for example the treatment of obstructive or inflamma¬ tory airways diseases (e.g. higher patient compliance, less side effects).
Thus in one aspect the present invention relates to a syk inhibitor in combination with an active phar¬ maceutical ingredient being a compound selected from the group consisting of roflumilast, pharma-
ceutically acceptable salts of roflumilast, solvates or physiologically functional derivative thereof and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and/or one or more excipients, and optionally one or more other therapeutic ingredients.
Syk inhibitors, as employed in the present invention, include those compounds disclosed in U.S. Pat¬ ent No. 6,432,963, which patent is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety; emphasized may be those compounds encompassed by the definition set out between column 3, line 45 to column 6, line 22, and in particular a compound selected from the group consisting of 2-(2-aminoethylamino)-4- (3-methylanilino)pyrimidine-5-carboxamide, 2-(2-aminoethylamino)-4-(3- trifluoromethylanilino)pyrimidine-5-carboxamide, 2-(4-aminobutylamino)-4-(3- trifluoromethylanilino)pyrimidine-5-carboxamide , 2-(2-aminoethylamino)-4-(3- bromoanilino)pyrimidine-5-carboxamide, 2-(2-aminoethylamino)-4-(3-nitroanilino)pyrimidine-5- carboxamide, 2-(2-aminoethylamino)-4-(3,5-dimethylanilino)pyrimidine-5-carboxamide, 2-(2- aminoethylamino)-4-(2-naphthylamino)pyrimidine-5-carboxamide, 2-(cis-2-aminocyclohexylamino)-4- (3-methylanilino)pyrimidine-5-carboxamide, 2-(cis-2-aminocyclohexylamino)-4-(3-bro- moanilino)pyrimidine-5-carboxamide, 2-(cis-2-aminocyclohexylamino)-4-(3,5- dichloroanilino)pyrimidine-5-carboxamide and 2-(cis-2-aminocyclohexylamino)-4-(3,4,5- trimethoxyanilino)pyrimidine-5-carboxamide or a salt thereof. Methods for the synthesis of such com¬ pounds are set forth between column 6, line 43 to column 13, line 17.
Syk inhibitors, as employed in the present invention, also include those compounds disclosed in U.S.
Patent Application Publication No. US2004/0029902 A1 , published on February 12, 2004, inventors R.
Singh et al, which patent application publication is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety; emphasized may be those compounds encompassed by the definition set out between paragraphs
0109 and 0218, and in particular a compound selected from the group consisting of
N2,N4-[(2,2-Dimethyl-4H-benzo[1 ,4]oxazin-3-one)-6-yl]-5-fluoro-2,4-pyrimidinediamine,
N4-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-5-fluoro-N2-(indazoline-6-yl)-2,4-pyrimidinediamine,
N4-(3,4-Ethylenedioxyphenyl)-5-fluoro-N2-(1-methyl-indazoline-5-yl)-2,4-pyrimidinediamine,
N2,N4-Bis(3-hydroxyphenyl)-5-fluoro-2,4-pyrimidinediamine,
N2,N4-Bis(3,4-ethylenedioxyphenyl)-5-fluoro-2,4-pyrimidinediamine,
N4-(1 ,4-Benzoxazin-6-yl)-5-fluoro-N2-[3-(N-methylamino)carbonylmethyleneoxyphenyl ]-2,4-pyrimi- dinediamine,
N2,N4-Bis(3-aminophenyl)-5-fluoro-2,4-pyrimidinediamine,
N4-(3,4-Ethylenedioxyphenyl)-5-fluoro-N2-[3-(N-methylamino)-carbonylmethyleneoxyphenyl]-2,4-pyri- midinediamine,
5-Fluoro-N4-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-N2-[3-(N-methylamino)carbonylmethyleneoxyphenyl]-2,4-pyrimidine- diamine,
N4-(3-Hydroxyphenyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-N2-[3-(N-methylamino)carbonylmethyleneoxyphenyl]-2,4-pyri- midinediamine,
5-Fluoro-N4-[(1 H)-indol-6-yl]-N2-[3-(N-methylamino)carbonylmethyleneoxyphenyl]-2,4-pyrimidine- diamine,
5-Fluoro-N4-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-N2-[3-(N-methylamino)carbonylmethyleneoxyphenyl]-2,4-pyrimidine- diamine,
5-Fluoro-N2-(3-methylaminocarbonylmethyleneoxyphenyl)-N4-[2-H-pyrido[3,2-b]-1 ,4-oxazin-3(4H)- one-6-yl]-2,4-pyrimidinediamine,
N4-(3,4-Ethylenedioxyphenyl)-5-fluoro-N2-[3-(2-hydroxyethyl-amino)carbonylmethyleneoxyphenyl]-
2,4-pyrimidinediamine,
5-Fluoro-N4-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-N2-[3-(N-methylamino)carbonylmethyleneoxyphenyl]-2,4-pyrimidine- diamine,
N2,N4-Bis(indol-6-yl)-5-fluoro-2,4-pyrimidinediamine,
5-Fluoro-N2-[2-(2-hydroxy-1 ,1-dimethylethylamino)carbonylbenzofuran-5-yl]-N4-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-
2,4-pyrimidinediamine,
N2-[3-(N2,3-Dihydroxypropylamino)carbonylmethyleneoxyphenyl]-N4-(3,4-ethylenedioxyphenyl)-5- fluoro-2,4-pyrimidinediamine,
N2-(3,5-Dimethoxyphenyl)-N4-(3,4-ethylenedioxyphenyl)-5-fluoro-2,4-pyrimidinediamine,
N4-(3,4-Ethylenedioxyphenyl)-5-fluoro-N2-[3-(1 ,3-oxazol-5-yl)phenyl]-2,4-pyrimidinediamine,
N4-(3,4-Ethylenedioxyphenyl)-5-fluoro-N2-[3-(N-methylamino)-carbonylmethyleneoxyphenyl]-2,4- pyrimidinediamine,
5-Fluoro-N2-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-N4-[4-(3-phenyl-1 ,2-4-oxadiazol-5-yl)methyleneoxyphenyl]-2,4-pyrimi- dinediamine,
N4-(3,4-Ethylenedioxyphenyl)-5-fluoro-N2-(indazolin-6-yl)-2,4-pyrimidinediamine,
5-Fluoro-N4-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-N2-(indazolin-6-yl)-2,4-pyrimidinediamine,
N4-(3,4-Ethylenedioxyphenyl)-5-fluoro-N2-(1-methyl-indazoline-5-yl)-2,4-pyrimidinediamine,
5-Fluoro-N4-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-N2-(1-methy-indazoline-5-yl)-2,4-pyrimidinediamine,
N4-(3,4-Ethylenedioxyphenyl)-5-fluoro-N2-[4-(3-phenyl-1 ,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)methyleneoxyphenyl]-2,4- pyrimidinediamine,
N4-(3,5-Dimethyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-fluoro-N2-[3-[2-(N-morpholino)ethyleneoxy]phenyl]-2,4-pyrimidi- nediamine,
N4-(3,5-Dimethyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-fluoro-N2-[3-[2-(N-morpholino)ethyloxy]phenyl]-2,4-pyrimidine- diamine,
N4-(3-Chloro-4-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl)-5-fluoro-N2-[3-[2-(N-morpholino)ethyloxy]phenyl]-2,4-pyrimi- dinediamine,
N2-(3-tert-Butylcarbonylaminophenyl)-N4-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-5-fluoro-2,4-pyrimidinediamine,
N4-(3-tert-Butylphenyl)-N2-[3-(N-methylamino)carbonylmethyleneoxyphenyl]-5-fluoro-2,4-pyrimidine- diamine,
N4-(3-tert-Butylphenyl)-N2-[3-(N2,3-dihydroxypropylamino)carbonylmethyleneoxyphenyl]-5-fluoro-2,4- pyrimidinediamine,
N2-[3-(N2,3-Dihydroxypropylamino)carbonylmethyleneoxyphenyl]-5-fluoro-N4-(3-isopropylphenyl)-2,4- pyrimidinediamine,
N4-[4-(Cyanomethyleneoxy)phenyl]-5-fluoro-N2-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-2,4-pyrimidinediamine,
N4-(3,5-Dimethyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-fluoro-N2-[3-(N-piperazino)carbonylmethyleneoxyphenyl]-2,4- pyrimidinediamine,
N4-(3,5-Dimethyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-fluoro-N2-[3-[2-(N-piperazino)ethoxy]phenyl]-2,4-pyrimidine- diamine bis hydrogenchloride salt,
N4-(3,4-Ethylenedioxyphenyl)-5-fluoro-N2-[4-(2-hydroxyethyloxy)phenyl]-2,4-pyrimidinediamine,
N4-(1 ,4-Benzoxazine-3-on-6-yl)-5-fluoro-N2-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-2,4-pyrimidinediamine,
(+/-)-5-Fluoro-N2-[(N-methylacetamido-2)-3-phenoxy]-N4-(2-methyl-1 ,4-benzoxazin-6-yl)-2,4-pyrimi- dinediamine,
N2-(1 ,4-Benzoxazin-3-on-6-yl)-5-fluoro-N4-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-2,4-pyrimidinediamine,
N4-(3-Chloro-4-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-5-fluoro-N2-[3-(N-methylamino)carbonylmethyleneoxyphenyl]-
2,4-pyrimidinediamine,
5-Fluoro-N4-(3-hydroxy-4-methylphenyl)-N2-[3-[(N-methylamino)carbonylmethyleneoxy]phenyl]-2,4- pyrimidinediamine,
5-Fluoro-N4-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-N2-[4-methyl-3-[(N-methylamino)carbonylmethyleneoxy]phenyl]-2,4- pyrimidinediamine,
5-Fluoro-N4-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-N2-[3-(N-methylamino)carbonylmethyleneoxyphenyl]-2,4- pyrimidinediamine,
N4-(3-Chloro-4-methylphenyl)-5-fluoro-N2-[3-(N-methylamino)-carbonylmethyleneoxyphenyl]-2,4- pyrimidinediamine,
N4-(3-Chloro-4-methoxyphenyl)-5-fluoro-N2-[3-[(N-methylamino)carbonylmethyleneoxy]phenyl]-2,4- pyrimidinediamine,
5-Fluoro-N4-1(1 H)-indol-5-yl]-N2-[3-[(N-methylamino)carbonylmethyleneoxy]phenyl]-2,4-pyrimidine- diamine,
5-Fluoro-N4-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-N2-[1-(methoxycarbonyl)methyl-indazoline-5-yl]-2,4- pyrimidinediamine,
5-Fluoro-N4-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-N2-[1-(3-hydroxypropyl)indazoline-6-yl]-2,4-pyrimidinediamine,
N4-(3,4-Ethylenedioxyphenyl)-5-fluoro-N2-[1-(3-hydroxypropyl)indazoline-5-yl]-2,4-pyrimidinediamine,
5-Fluoro-N4-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-N2-[1-(3-hydroxypropyl)indazoline-5-yl]-2,4-pyrimidinediamine,
5-Fluoro-N2-[1-(3-hydroxypropyl)indazoline-5-yl]-N4-(4-isopropoxyphenyl)-2,4-pyrimidinediamine,
N4-(3,4-Ethylenedioxyphenyl)-5-fluoro-N2-[1-[2(N-methylaminocarbonyl)ethyl]-indazoline-5-yl]-2,4- pyrimidinediamine,
5-Fluoro-N4-(4-isopropoxyphenyl)-N2-[1-[2(N-methylaminocarbonyl)ethyl]-indazoline-5-yl]-2,4-pyri- midinediamine,
N4-[(2,2-dimethyl-4H-benzo[1 ,4]oxazin-3-one)-6-yl]-5-fluoro-N2-[3-(methylaminocarbonylmethylene- oxy)phenyl]-2,4-pyrimidinediamine,
N4-[(2,2-Dimethyl-4H-benzo[1 ,4]oxazin-3-one)-6-yl]-5-fluoro-N2-(1-methylindazolin-5-yl)-2,4-pyrimi- dinediamine,
N4-[(2,2-Difluoro-4H-benzo[1 ,4]oxazin-3-one)-6-yl]-5-fluoro-N2-[3-(methylaminocarbonylmethylene- oxy)phenyl]-2,4-pyrimidinediamine,
N4-1(2,2-Dimethyl-4H-5-pyridol-1 ,4]oxazin-3-one)-6-yl]-5-fluoro-N2-[3-(methylaminocarbonylmeth- yleneoxy)phenyl]-2,4-pyrimidinediamine,
5-Fluoro-N2-(3-methylaminocarbonylmethyleneoxyphenyl)-N4-[2H-pyrido[3,2-b]-1 ,4-oxazin-3(4H)-one-
6-yl]-2,4-pyrimidinediamine,
N4-(4-Amino-3,4-dihydro-2H-1-benzopyran-6-yl)-5-fluoro-N2-[3-(N-methylamino)carbonylmethylene oxyphenyl]-2,4-pyrimidinediamine,
N4-(3-Chloro-4-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl)-5-fluoro-N2-[3-[2-(N-piperazino)ethoxy]phenyl]-2,4- pyrimidinediamine, and
N4-(3-Methylcarbonyloximephenyl)-5-fluoro-N2-[3-(N-methylamino)carbonylmethyleneoxyphenyl]-2,4- pyrimidinediamine or a salt thereof.
Such compounds can be synthesized, e.g., by methods set out between paragraphs 0218 and 0260 of U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US2004/0029902.
Roflumilast (hereinafter also referred to as active ingredient) is the INN for a compound of the formula I
in which
R1 is difluoromethoxy,
R2 is cyclopropylmethoxy and
R3 is 3,5-dichloropyrid-4-yl.
This compound has the chemical name N-β.S-dichloropyrid^-yO-S-cyclopropylmethoxy^-difluoro- methoxybenzamide (INN: roflumilast). By the term "physiologically functional derivative" is meant a chemical derivative of roflumilast having the same physiological function as roflumilast, for example, by being convertible in the body thereto or by being an active metabolite of roflumilast. Physiological functional derivatives of roflumilast, which may be mentioned in connection with the invention are for example the N-oxide of roflumilast, and its salts and solvates. The N-oxide of roflumilast has the chemical name 3-cyclopropylmethoxy-4-difluoromethoxy-N-(3,5-dichloropyrid-4-yl 1 -oxide)benzamide. This compound of the formula I, its salts, the N-oxide, its salts and the use of these compounds as
phosphodiesterase (PDE) 4 inhibitors are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,712,298.
Salts suitable for compounds of the formula I - depending on the substitution - can be acid or base addition salts. Particular mention may be made of the pharmacologically acceptable salts of the inorganic and organic acids and bases normally used in pharmaceutical technology. Pharmacologically unacceptable salts, which, for example, may be the initial products of the process for preparing the compounds of the invention on the industrial scale are converted into pharmacologically acceptable salts by processes known to the skilled worker. Those suitable on the one hand are water-soluble and water-insoluble acid addition salts with acids such as, for example, hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, phosphoric acid, nitric acid, sulfuric acid, acetic acid, citric acid, D-gluconic acid, benzoic acid, 2-(4-hydroxybenzoyl)benzoic acid, butyric acid, sulphosalicylic acid, maleic acid, lauric acid, malic acid, fumaric acid, succinic acid, oxalic acid, tartaric acid, embonic acid, stearic acid, toluenesulphonic acid, methanesulphonic acid, or 3-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid, the acids being employed to prepare the salts in the equimolar ratio of amounts, or one differing therefrom - depending on whether the acid is monobasic or polybasic and depending on which salt is desired.
On the other hand, salts with bases are also particularly suitable. Examples of basic salts which may be mentioned are lithium, sodium, potassium, calcium, aluminium, magnesium, titanium, ammonium, meglumine or guanidinium salts, once again the bases being employed to prepare the salts in the equimolar ratio of amounts or one differing therefrom.
It will be appreciated that the compounds of the combination may be administered simultaneously, either in the same pharmaceutical formulation (hereinafter also referred to as fixed combination) or in different pharmaceutical formulations (hereinafter also referred to as free combination) simultaneously or sequentially in any order. If there is sequential administration, the delay in administering the second compound should not be such as to lose the beneficial therapeutic effect of the combination. As an example, both drugs may be provided separately as oral formulations, or one may be an oral prepara¬ tion and the other an inhalant, or both may be provided in a form suitable for inhalation. Administration may be at the same time. Or they may be administered either close in time or remotely, such as where one drug is administered in the morning and the second drug is administered in the evening.
As mentioned above, both syk inhibitors and roflumilast and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, and physiologically functional derivatives have been described for use in the treatment of respiratory diseases. Therefore, formulations of syk inhibitors and roflumilast pharmaceutically ac¬ ceptable salts, solvates, and physiologically functional derivatives have use in the prophylaxis and treatment of clinical conditions for which a PDE 4 inhibitor and/or a syk inhibitor is indicated. Such conditions include diseases associated with reversible airways obstruction such as asthma, nocturnal asthma, exercise-induced asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) (e. g. chronic and wheezy bronchitis, emphysema), respiratory tract infection and upper respiratory tract disease (e. g.
rhinitis, such as allergic and seasonal rhinitis). The combination may be administered prophylactically or after onset of symptoms.
Accordingly, the present invention also provides a method for the prophylaxis or treatment of a clinical condition in a mammal, such as a human, for which a PDE 4 inhibitor and/or syk inhibitor is indicated, which comprises administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical formulation comprising roflumilast or a pharmaceutical acceptable salt, solvate, or physiologically functional de¬ rivative thereof and a syk inhibitor, and a pharmaceutical acceptable carrier and/or one or more ex- cipients. In a preferred aspect, there is provided such a method, which comprises administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a combination comprising roflumilast and a syk inhibitor, and a pharmaceutical acceptable carrier and/or one or more excipients. In particular, the present invention provides such a method for the prophylaxis or treatment of a disease associated with reversible air¬ ways obstruction such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), respiratory tract infection or upper respiratory tract disease.
The amount of roflumilast or a pharmaceutical acceptable salt, solvate or physiologically functional derivative thereof and a syk inhibitor which is required to achieve a therapeutic effect will, of course, vary with the particular compound, the route of administration, the subject under treatment, and the particular disorder or disease being treated.
The dosage of roflumilast is of the order of magnitude customary for PDE4 inhibitors, it being possible to administer the daily dose in one or more dosage units. The normal dose on systemic therapy (oral) is between 0.001 mg and 3mg per kilogram and day. Oral dosage forms according to the invention contain from 0.01 mg to 5mg of roflumilast, preferably from 0.05mg to 2.5mg, particularly preferably 0.1 mg to 0.5mg of roflumilast per dosage unit. Examples of oral dosage forms (tablets) contain 0.1 mg, 0.125mg, 0.25mg and 0.5mg of roflumilast per dosage unit. Normally, one or more than one dosage unit of the invention is administered once a day. If desired, it is also possible for one or more dosage units of the invention to be administered more than once a day. Dosage forms for inhalation according to the invention contain from 0.01 mg to 5mg of roflumilast, preferably from 0.05mg to 2.5mg, particu¬ larly preferably 0.1 mg to 0.5mg of roflumilast per dosage unit. Examples of inhalative dosage units (e.g. inhalation capsules) contain Roflumilast in a dose range of 0.01 mg up to 2.0 mg, preferably 0.05mg, 0.1 mg, 0.125mg, 0.25mg or 0.5mg of roflumilast per dosage unit.
The dosage of the pharmaceutically acceptable salt of a syk inhibitor is in the order of magnitude cus¬ tomary for a syk inhibitor for the treatment of respiratory diseases for example in doses between about 0.0001 and 100 mg/kg per day, e.g., 0.0001 mg/kg/day, 0.001 mg/kg/day, 0.01 mg/kg/day, 0.1 mg/kg/day, 1 mg/kg/day, 10 mg/kg/day and 100 mg/kg/day. Doses of syk inhibitor can of course be higher or lower depending on the age of the patient, condition, bioavailability of the inhibitor, and mode of administration.
It is preferred in connection with the present invention to have a twice daily and particularly preferred to have a once daily dosing regimen.
Suitably, the pharmaceutical formulations for inhalation according to the invention comprise the active ingredients in amounts such that in case of administration by inhalation from inhalers each actuation provides a therapeutically effective dose, for example, a dose of roflumilast in a range of 0.01 mg up to 2.0 mg , preferably of 10μg to 500μg, 50μg to 350μg or 100μg to 250μg and a dose of a syk inhibitor or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in a range between about 0.0001 and 100 mg/kg per day. It is particularly preferred that each actuation provide a dose therapeutically effective for a twice daily dosing regimen or more particularly preferred for a once daily dosing regimen.
Suitably, the pharmaceutical formulations for inhalation according to the invention provide therapeuti¬ cally effective doses that permit the establishment of a twice daily (bis in diem - b. i. d) dosing regi¬ men and in particular a once daily dosing regimen.
The formulations include those suitable for oral, parenteral (including subcutaneous, intradermal, in¬ tramuscular, intravenous and intraarticular, intranasal, inhalation (including fine particle dusts or mists which may be generated by means of various types of metered dose pressurised aerosols, nebulisers, liquid-based inhalers equipped with appropriate aerolization technologies/apparatus or insufflators), rectal and topical (including dermal, buccal, sublingual and intraocular administration) although the most suitable route may depend upon for example the condition and disorder of the recipient. The formulations may conveniently be presented in unit dosage form and may be prepared by any of the methods well known in the art of pharmacy. All methods include the step of bringing the active ingredients into association with the carrier, which constitutes one or more accessory ingredi- ents/excipients. In general the formulations are prepared by uniformly and intimately bringing into association the active ingredients with liquid carriers or finely divided solid carriers or both and then, if necessary, shaping the product into the desired formulation.
In one embodiment of the invention roflumilast is provided as oral administration form and the syk inhibitor is provided as either an intranasal administration form or an inhalation administration form. Preferably roflumilast is provided in tablet form when given as oral administration form.
In another embodiment of the invention the syk inhibitor and roflumilast are provided in form suitable for inhalation. Both active ingredients may be provided in separate dosage forms (free combination) and preferably in a fixed combination.
Formulations for inhalation include powder compositions, which will preferably contain lactose, and spray compositions which may be formulated, for example, as aqueous solutions or suspensions or as
aerosols delivered from pressurised packs, with the use of a suitable propellant, e. g. 1 , 1 , 1 , 2-tera- fluorethane, 1 , 1 , 1 , 2, 3, 3, 3-heptafluoropropane, carbon dioxide or other suitable gas. A class of propellants, which are believed to have minimal ozone-depleting effects in comparison to conventional chlorofluorocarbons comprise hydrofluorocarbons and a number of medicinal aerosol formulations using such propellant systems are disclosed in, for example, EP 0372777, W091/04011 , W091/11173, W091/11495, W091/14422, W093/11743, and EP-0553298. These applications are all concerned with the preparation of pressurised aerosols for the administration of medicaments and seek to overcome problems associated with the use of this new class of propellants, in particular the problems of stability associated with the pharmaceutical formulations prepared. The applications propose, for example, the addition of one or more of excipients such as polar cosolvents or wetting agents (e.g. alcohols such as ethanol), alkanes, dimethyl ether, surfactants (including fluorinated and non-fluorinated surfactants, carboxylic acids such as oleic acid, polyethoxylates etc.) or bulking agents such as a sugar (see for example WO02/30394) and amino acids and vehicles such as cromoglicic acid and/or nedocromil which are contained at concentrations, which are not therapeutically and prophylactically active (see WO00/07567). For suspension aerosols, the active ingredients should be micronised so as to permit inhalation of substantially all of the active ingredients into the lungs upon administration of the aerosol formulation, thus the active ingredients will have a mean particle size of less than 100 microns, de¬ sirably less than 20 microns, and preferably in the range 0.7 to 10 microns, for example, 1 to 5 mi¬ crons.
Canisters generally comprise a container capable of withstanding the vapour pressure of the propel¬ lant, such as plastic or plastic-coated glass bottle or a metal can, for example an aluminium can which may optionally be anodised, lacquer-coated and/or plastic-coated, which container is closed with a metering valve. Canisters may be coated with a fluorocarbon polymer as described in WO 96/32150, for example, a co-polymer of polyethersulphone (PES) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Another polymer for coating that may be contemplated is FEP (fluorinated ethylene propylene).
The metering valves are designed to deliver a metered amount of the formulation per actuation and incorporate a gasket to prevent leakage of propellant through the valve. The gasket may comprise any suitable elastomeric material such as for example low density polyethylene, chlorobutyl, black and white butadiene-acrylonitrile rubbers, butyl rubber and neoprene. Thermoplastic elastomer valves as described in W092/11190 and valves containing EPDM rubber as described in W095/02650 may be suitable. Suitable valves are commercially available from manufacturers well known in the aerosol industry, for example, from Valois, France (eg. DF10, DF30, DF60), Bespak pic, UK (eg. BK300, BK356, BK357) and 3M-Neotechnic Ltd, UK (eg. Spraymiser).
Valve seals, especially the gasket seal and also the seals around the metering chamber, can be manufactured of a material, which is inert to and resists extraction into the contents of the formulation, especially when the contents include ethanol.
Valve materials, especially the material of manufacture of the metering chamber, can be manufac¬ tured of a material which is inert to and resists distortion by contents of the formulation, especially when the contents include ethanol. Particularly suitable materials for use in manufacture of the meter¬ ing chamber include polyesters eg polybutyleneterephthalate (PBT) and acetals, especially PBT.
Materials of manufacture of the metering chamber and/or the valve stem may desirably be fluorinated, partially fluorinated or impregnated with fluorine containing substances in order to resist drug deposi¬ tion.
Valves, which are entirely or substantially composed of metal components (eg Spraymiser, 3M-Neo- technic), are especially preferred for use according to the invention.
Intranasal sprays or nasal drops may be formulated with aqueous or non-aqueous vehicles with or without the addition of agents such as thickening agents, buffer salts or acid or alkali to adjust the pH, isotonicity adjusting agents, preservatives or anti-oxidants.
In another embodiment of the invention the pharmaceutical formulation comprising the syk inhibitor in combination with roflumilast is a dry powder, i.e. roflumilast and the syk inhibitor are present in a dry powder comprising finely divided pharmaceutical acceptable salt of a syk inhibitor and roflumilast op¬ tionally together with a finely divided pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, which is preferably present and may be one or more materials known as carriers in dry powder inhalation compositions, for exam¬ ple saccharides, including monosaccharides, disaccharides, polysaccharides and sugar alcohols such as arabinose, glucose, fructose, ribose, mannose, sucrose, trehalose, lactose, maltose, starches, dex- tran or mannitol. An especially preferred carrier is lactose, particularly in the form of the monohydrate. The dry powder may be in capsules of gelatine or plastic, or in blisters, for use in a dry powder inhala¬ tion device, preferably in dosage units of the mixture of a syk inhibitor and roflumilast together with the carrier in amounts to bring the total weight of powder in each capsule to from 5mg to 50mg. Alterna¬ tively the dry powder may be contained in a reservoir of a multi-dose dry powder inhalation device. Capsules and cartridges of for example gelatin, or blisters of for example laminated aluminium foil, for use in an inhaler or insulator may be formulated containing a powder mix of the active ingredients and a suitable powder base such as lactose or starch, preferably lactose. In this aspect, the active ingredi¬ ents are suitably micronised so as to permit inhalation of substantially all of the active ingredients into the lungs upon administration of the dry powder formulation, thus the active ingredients will have a particle size of less than 100μm, desirably less than 20μm, and preferably in the range 1 to 10μm. The solid carrier, where present, generally has a maximum particle diameter of 300μm, preferably 200μm, and conveniently has a mean particle diameter of 40 to 100μm, preferably 50 to 75μm. The particle size of the active ingredients and that of a solid carrier where present in dry powder compositions, can be reduced to the desired level by conventional methods, for example by grinding in an air-jet mill,
ball mill or vibrator mill, microprecipitation, spray drying, lyophilisation or recrystallisation from super¬ critical media.
Where the inhalable form of the composition of the invention is the finely divided particulate form, the inhalation device may be, for example a dry powder inhalation device adapted to deliver dry powder from a capsule or blister containing a dosage unit of the dry powder or a multi-dose dry powder inhala¬ tion device. Such dry powder inhalation devices are known in the art. Examples which may be men¬ tioned are Cyclohaler®, Diskhaler® Rotadisk®, Turbohaler®, Novolizer® or the dry powder inhalation devices disclosed EP 0 505 321 , EP 407028, EP 650410, EP 691865 or EP 725725 (Ultrahaler®).
Formulations for inhalation by nebulization may be formulated with an aqueous vehicle with the addi¬ tion of agents such as acid or alkali, buffer salts, isotonicity adjusting agents or antimicrobials. They may be sterilised by filtration or heating in an autoclave. Suitable technologies for this type of admini¬ stration are known in the art. As an example the Mystic® technology is to be mentioned (see for ex¬ ample US6397838, US6454193 and US6302331) as well as the Respimat® technology or e-flow tech¬ nology by Pari.
Preferred unit dosage formulations are those containing a pharmaceutical effective dose, as hereinbe¬ fore recited, or an appropriate fraction thereof, of the active ingredient. Thus, in the case of formula¬ tions designed for delivery by metered dose pressurised aerosols, one actuation of the aerosol may deliver half of the therapeutical effective amount such that two actuations are necessary to deliver the therapeutically effective dose.
It should be understood that in addition to the ingredients particularly mentioned above, the formula¬ tions of this invention may include other agents conventional in the art having regard to the type of formulation in question. Furthermore, the claimed formulations include bioequivalents as defined by the US Food and Drug Administration.
All patents, patent applications, patent application publications, and other publications disclosed are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.
The invention will now be illustrated by the following examples without restricting it.
Examples
Example 1 : Combination of Roflumilast Tablet and Nasal or Inhalation Formulation of Svk Inhibitor
The following intranasal and inhalation formulations of syk inhibitors can be administered in combina¬ tion with tablets containing roflumilast with the compositions set out below.
Svk Inhibitor Suspension Formulation Suitable for Nasal Administration
0.5 - 20 mg/ml syk inhibitor
0.1 - 0.2 mg/ml benzalkonium chloride
0.5 - 5 mg/ml polysorbate 80
1 - 15 mg/ml microcrystalline cellulose or carboxymethylcellulose sodium
1 - 4 mg/ml phenylethanol
20 - 50 mg/ml dextrose pH adjusted to pH 5.5
Svk Inhibitor Suspension Formulation Suitable for Inhalation Administration
1 - 20 mg/ml syk inhibitor
0.1 - 1% polysorbate 80
50 mm citrate and/or 0.9% sodium chloride
Roflumilast Tablet
Tablet containing 0.1 mg of roflumilast
1. Roflumilast (micronized) 0.100 mg
2. Lactose monohydrate 49.660 mg
3. Corn starch 13.390 mg
4. Polyvidone K90 1.300 mg
5. Magnesium stearate (vegetable) 0.650 mg
Total 65.100 mg
Production: (1) is mixed with part of (3), and a tr iturj
is put together with (2) and the remaining amount of (3) in the product container of a fluidized bed granulation system, and a 5% granulation solution of (4) in purified water is sprayed on and dried un-
der suitable conditions. (5) is added to the granules, and the mixture obtained after mixing is com¬ pressed in a tablet press to tablets having an average weight of 65.1 mg.
Tablet containing 0.125 mg of roflumilast
1. Roflumilast 0.125 mg
2. Lactose monohydrate 49.660 mg
3. Corn starch 13.390 mg
4. Polyvidone K90 1.300 mg
5. Magnesium stearate (vegetable) 0.650 mg
Total 65.125 mg
Production: (1) is mixed with part of (3), and a tr iturj is put together with (2) and the remaining amount of (3) in the product container of a fluidized bed granulation system, and a 5% granulation solution of (4) in purified water is sprayed on and dried un¬ der suitable conditions. (5) is added to the granules, and the mixture obtained after mixing is com¬ pressed in a tablet press to tablets having an average weight of 65.125 mg.
Tablet containing 0.25 mg of roflumilast
1. Roflumilast 0.250 mg
2. Microcrystalline cellulose 33.900 mg
3. Corn starch 2.500 mg
4. Polyvidone K90 2.250 mg
5. Sodium carboxymethylstarch (type A)20.000 mg
6. Magnesium stearate (vegetable) 0.600 mg Total 59.500 mg
Production: (1) is mixed with part of (3), and a trituration is produced in a planetary mill. The trituration is put together with (2), (5) and the remaining amount of (3) in the product container of a fluidized bed granulation system, and a 5% granulation solution of (4) in purified water is sprayed on and dried un¬ der suitable conditions. (6) is added to the granules, and the mixture obtained after mixing is com¬ pressed in a tablet press to tablets having an average weight of 59.5 mg.
Although the invention has been described in terms of preferred formulations and ingredients, it will be understood that these are not intended to be limiting. To the contrary, those skilled in the art will un¬ derstand that various optional ingredients may be included, such as flavouring agents, preservatives,
additional active ingredients, and the like, while still embodying the present invention.