FI95770B - Process for the preparation of topical pharmaceutical product - Google Patents

Abstract

The pharmaceutical preparations are for topical use, contain one or more stabilised therapeutically active proteins and, where appropriate, customary auxiliaries, vehicles and additives, and are prepared as described using physiologically tolerated hydrophobic substances for stabilising proteins.

Description

- 95770

The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a pharmaceutical preparation for topical use which contains one or more stabilized therapeutically active proteins and customary excipients, carriers and additives.

10

One of the most essential requirements for the topical use of therapeutically active proteins is their stability in pharmaceutical formulation. Stability must be guaranteed to last long enough when stored at cold and room temperature as well as body temperature, in addition to several hours "in situ". To date, no fully satisfactory solutions have been found to these requirements. Various agents have been proposed for stabilizing interferons, using 20 e.g. hydroxyethylcellulose as a carrier for the preparation of gels and creams containing interferon.

However, there was a loss of interferon activity under the conditions of use, which could only be reduced by the addition of a protease inhibitor (EP-A-142345).

Various sugar alcohols have also been described for stabilizing interferons in gels, creams, etc., possibly in combination with sugar acids or their salts, mild reducing agents, non-ionic surfactants or combinations of these substances (EP-A-80879).

It has been proposed to use physically and chemically modified gelatin to stabilize proteins and polypeptides, such as interferons, especially IFN-gamma, in extraintestinal uses, in particular for the replacement of human serum albumin (EP-A-162332).

- 95770 2

Japanese Published Patent Application (JP-A-61-277633) discloses the stabilization of interferons in solution with certain surfactants.

EP-A-135171 proposes human serum albumin as a suitable stabilizer for oil and water microemulsions.

Albumin, dextrose and buffer compounds are proposed as stabilizers for the active combination according to US-PS-4606917, IFN-beta [9- (1,3-dihydroxy-2-propoxymethyl) quanine (DHPG), when applied topically in the form of an ointment.

15 The stabilizing effect is not achieved to the extent necessary with substances which have hitherto been proposed for the stabilization of therapeutically active proteins, in particular in hydrogels.

The invention was based on the object of preparing a stabilizer for therapeutically active proteins for use in topical pharmaceutical preparations, in particular hydrogels, which, in addition to its physiological tolerability, satisfies all the requirements for such formulations, taking into account, above all, optimal use and preservation of activity. a method of preparation that takes into account the sensitivity of proteins to shear forces.

30 From that task onwards, the various categories of substances were examined for their usefulness in order to solve that task. In this case, it was surprisingly found that hydrophobic substances, in particular paraffin oil, have a stabilizing effect on various therapeutically active proteins, even in small amounts as very fine additives, with a better effect than the previously proposed substances. This result is surprising, above all, because 3 95770 topical pharmaceutical preparations, such as ointments, in which hydrophobic substances are used as a carrier in a suitably high proportion, require a special addition of a stabilizer.

5

The invention solves the object by preparing a hydrogel containing one or more physiologically tolerable hydrophobic substances, in particular paraffin oil (s), in a finely divided protein stabilizing amount, first preparing a pre-emulsion by adding to a hydrophobic substance, preferably paraffin oil, 1 to 3.0% and any finely divided emulsifier which may be present in an amount of up to about 1%, 20 to 40% aqueous phase to obtain a coarse water-in-oil emulsion with stirring, stirring is stopped until the emulsion sediments, followed by repeated stirring and by addition to about 50% of the phase change, a fine oil-in-water emulsion is formed, this pre-emulsion 20 is finely mixed with the rest of the aqueous phase, a hydrogel former is added and allowed to swell, and the protein is added to the solution. in the form of a to the total amount of the aqueous phase, preferably as a final method step, the amounts being calculated from the total weight of the hydrogel.

By adding an estimated amount of hydrophobic substances in finely divided form, pharmaceutical preparations are obtained in which the active ingredient remains in active form for a long time under practical conditions thanks to the hydrophobic substances. The pharmaceutical preparations obtained according to the invention keep the activity of the proteins essentially unchanged when stored at a temperature of 4 to 8 ° C for at least 12 months. An additional advantage is that such formulations can be subject to less stringent requirements for a well-maintained pH, as the stabilizing addition of hydrophobic substances reduces the sensitivity of the proteins to pH fluctuations.

4 95770 This advantage arises above all when the intended application requires low pH values, e.g. the vaginal area.

The pharmaceutical preparation obtained according to the invention as a hydrogel 5 offers the advantage that its use feels extremely pleasant.

Namely, the presence of a hydrophobic substance ensures that the elasticity of the brushed layer is maintained even after the gel has dried, which is particularly advantageous when applied to the lip area.

The beneficial stabilizing effect of hydrophobic substances on proteins is possibly due to hydrophobic interactions, which have so far received little or no consideration. The stabilization of proteins according to the prior art has apparently been based on the following two principles of operation: a) Stabilization of the substance by means of a complex bond to the protein and thus steric attachment of the protein molecule; b) Binding of free bulk water by polar substances and thus stabilization of the protein by the hydrate layer.

In contrast, the hydrophobic interactions supposedly contemplated by the present invention, as also seen in the micelle structures of the subfloor, stabilize the effects such that the hydrophobic subregions of the protein, thus formed by the three-dimensional distribution of hydrophobic and hydrophilic amino acid residues, bind to oil and water. that the 35 hydrophobic regions rise to oil droplets and the hydrophilic regions to the polar phase.

5,95770

Suitable hydrophobic substances are, in addition to the preferred paraffin oils, higher fatty acids, such as linoleic acid and palmitic acid, or higher alcohols, such as myristyl alcohol, or fatty acid esters, such as triglycerides, or modified, e.g., polyoxyethylated and glycosylated Suitable paraffin oils are flowable paraffin oil, easy-flowing paraffin oil or thick-run paraffin oil Ph. Eur. und USP or mixtures thereof. Hydrophobic substances are preferably present in the preparation in an amount of 0.1 to 3.0%.

Provision may be made for the addition of emulsifiers 15 to ensure that the stabilizer is finely divided and to ensure this distribution. The amount is determined above all by the nature and amount of the stabilizer, in the case of the viscosity of the carrier and the hydrogels, generally a maximum of 1%. Suitable emulsifiers are, in particular, non-ionic substances, such as polysorbate (polyoxy-20 ethylene (n) sorbitan monolaurate, e.g. Tween 20), nonoxynol (polyoxyethylene (n) nonoylphenyl ether, e.g. Triton® N101, Triton® Neryl (poly) -propylene glycol, Pluronic® F68). When the drug is a hydrogen, the emulsifiers provide not only the finesse of the stabilizer-25 but also a better spread of the gels.

The pharmaceutical preparations obtained according to the invention are suitable for use in human and animal proteins, such as the following proteins, including their structurally similar bioactive equivalents (such equivalents refer to proteins having substantially similar biological activity at different amino acid sequences): cytokines, e.g. interferons, e.g. alpha, huIFN-beta, huiFN-gamma, huIFN-omega, hybrid interferons, animal interferons such as eqIFN-6 95770 beta, eqIFN-gamma, or lurafokines such as inter-leukin-2, TNF-beta, or in monokines such as interleukin-1, TFN-alpha; growth factors, e.g., epidermal growth factor (EGF); coagulation-5 inhibitors, e.g., anti-coagulant proteins (e.g., VAC-alpha, VAC-beta), antithrombins; in fibrinolytic agents, e.g. tPA, urokinase; in anti-allergic proteins, e.g. as an IgE binder, and in therapeutically active enzymes, e.g. lysozyme and superoxide dismutases.

The proteins used may be of natural origin or may be prepared using recombination. The range of indications depends on the biological activity of the protein used; within the specific spectrum of the protein in question, all uses which require topical application of the active ingredient are possible. The concentration of a therapeutically active protein in a medicinal product is, of course, determined by the effect of the protein, the requirements of the indication in question and the mode of use. Quantities can vary greatly.

Hydrogels, stern- * are particularly suitable for use. needles and forms of use intended for the vaginal area.

The use of excipients, carriers and additives depends on the 30 uses selected in each case, taking into account that they do not limit the type and amount of protein | stability.

As additives, the new pharmaceutical preparations may contain preservatives such as p-hydroxybenzoic acid esters (Nipa-Ester, Methylparaben), sorbic acid, chlorhexide digluconate, benzalkonium chloride and hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromine.

A permeation enhancer such as dimethyl sulfoxide or tauroglycolic acid may be added to the drug product to accelerate the uptake of the active ingredient through the skin.

Suitable hydrogel formers are e.g. gelatin and cellulose derivatives such as methylcellulose, hydroxy-10-propylcellulose and particularly preferably hydroxyethylcellulose, as well as synthetic polymers such as polyvinyl alcohol. The nature and amount of the hydrogel former or mixture thereof to be used depends in each case on the desired viscosity. In this connection, the fineness of the stabilizer must be taken into account, so that when the viscosity of the gel is high, sufficient emulsion resistance is obtained with the aid of the hydrogel former, and thus the addition of the emulsifier can be unnecessary.

The buffer systems used are selected, depending on the pH optimum of the protein in question, in accordance with the particular use, suitable organic and inorganic buffers, e.g. succinate, acetate and phosphate buffers.

25 *. The carriers to be used depend on the mode of use, the carrier being water, the medicinal product being a hydrogel. Possible additives also include humectants such as glycerin, sorbitol, 1,2-propylene glycol, butylene glycol and polyols.

Due to the small proportion of oil, the new preparations in the form of a hydrogel are so-called "little-filled" emulsions, which are known to tend to break easily.

35 In the hope of the durability of such an emulsion, their preparation is therefore of particular importance.

β 95770

In the preparation of new preparations, in particular hydrogels, a two-step process is primarily used to ensure the most careful preparation of a stable emulsion with relatively low technical operating costs, whereby the fineness of the stabilizer in the emulsion is permanent and thus lasts for a long time. In this first step, a phase change of the water / stabilizer / - possibly emulsifier water-in-oil emulsion to an oil-in-water emulsion is effected in the system and the fine pre-emulsion thus obtained is combined with most of the aqueous phase.

Particularly preferably, the procedure is as follows: First, a pre-emulsion is prepared according to the so-called "continental" method: The emulsifier is divided into paraffin oil and water is slowly added to the mixture until a very coarse water-in-oil emulsion is formed. In this step, which is achieved according to the invention with a water content of about 20 to 40%, the mixing is stopped and the emulsion is allowed to sediment for a short time.

Subsequent mixing and addition of water to a concentration of about 50% results in a fine oil-in-water emulsion. The pre-emulsion obtained during the second process step is mixed and dispersed in a buffer solution, after which a hydrogel former is added and the slurry 25 is allowed to swell. The timing of the addition of the protein solution is not critical, preferably it is the last step in the method. in accordance with the invention, a preferred method provides extremely stable emulsions that do not show creaming after half an effort to 30 years of storage at room temperature.

In the case of small batches or when technically useful homogenizers, such as nebulizer homogenizers, are available, the preparation of the oil-in-water emulsion can also take place in a single step without the preparation of a pre-emulsion; However, the preferred method according to the invention makes it possible, in addition to the stability of the emulsion, to simplify

Il lit: »Bill 1: 111 ..: - 95770 9 low energy and technical cost and at the same time careful manufacturing.

The following examples are intended to illustrate the invention by hydro-gel manipulations with IFN-alpha, IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha as therapeutically active proteins.

Example 1 100 g of gel contained: IFN gamma 0.1 g

Methylparaben 0.2 g

Sodium dihydrogen phosphate monohydrate 0.05 g 15 Dipotassium hydrogen phosphate trihydrate 0.04 g

Natrosol 250 HX (hydroxyethylcellulose) 1.75 g

Polysorbate 20 0.1 g

Paraffin oil, free-flowing 1.0 g

Deionized water ad 100 g 96.76 g 20 \

The hydrogel was prepared by a preferred two-step method: a) Preparation of a pre-emulsion 25 Hot water at 80 ° C was dissolved by mixing phosphates and Methylparaben preservative and the solution was next cooled to room temperature. The Polysorbat 20 emulsifier was mixed into the paraffin oil using a rapidly rotating homogenizer. Water was added hi-30 again with stirring until a coarse water-in-oil emulsion of about 30% was obtained. This emulsion was left to stand for a short time during separation.

The mixer was restarted, after which a phase change took place in the emulsion to give a very fine oil-in-water emulsion.

10 95770 b) Preparation of hydrogel

The paraffin oil emulsion was finely mixed with the sterile filtered buffer solution. Next, the emulsion was sprinkled with microbiologically pure hydroxyethylcellulose and mixed. The gel was allowed to swell for 10-15 hours under laminar flow to achieve complete swelling. Finally, 4 mg / ml IFN-gamma solution was stirred slowly. This mixture was filled into sterile tubes under laminar air flow conditions.

The course of the storage experiments is shown in Figure 1. As can be seen from the diagram, the addition of paraffin oil ensures that IFN-gamma activity is maintained, as measured by ELISA (antibodies used in the ELISA bind the biologically active protein to which they are specific); the negligible decrease in activity shown in the diagram is not significant given the scatter of the experiment.

Figure 2 shows a comparative experiment using gelatin as an ingredient in the hydrogel formulation without the separate addition of a stabilizer and showing the clearly destabilizing effect of gelatin on IFN-gamma. When gelatin is used as a hydrogel former, the addition of an active stabilizer is thus absolutely necessary.

• I

Figure 3 shows the course of stability over 15 months (in this presentation, as in Figures 4, 5, 6, the concentration of the therapeutically active protein in ordinate is shown as a natural logarithm).

»I. m t nm i.i im. ,, 11 95770

Example 2 100 g of gel contained: 5 IFN-gamma 0.1 g

Methylparaben 0.2 g

Sodium dihydrogen phosphate monohydrate 0.05 g

Dipotassium hydrogen phosphate trihydrate 0.04 g

Natrosol 250 HX 1.75 g 10 Pluronic F68 0.1 g

Paraffin oil, free-flowing 1.0 g

Deionized water ad 100 g 96.76 g.

The phosphates, Methylparaben preservative and Pluronic F68 emulsifier were dissolved in water at 80 ° C by mixing and the solution was then cooled to room temperature and sterile filtered. The paraffin oil was mixed with a homogenizer. Hydroxyethylcellulose was then added under vacuum with stirring. Finally, 4 mg / ml IFN-gamma solution was added. The product was filled into tubes as in Example 1.

Example 3 100 g of gel contained: TNF-alpha 0.1 g

Methylparaben 0.213 g

Sodium dihydrogen phosphate monohydrate 0.053 g 30 Dipotassium hydrogen phosphate trihydrate 0.0427 g

Natrosol 250 HX 1.87 g ”Polysorbate 20 0.107 g

Paraffin oil, easily flowable 1.07 g 'Deionized water ad 100 g 96.5443 g.

35

The hydrogel was prepared as described in Example 1.

12 95770

Example 4 100 g of gel contained: 5 INF-alpha 0.0005 g

Methylparaben 0.2 g

Sodium dihydrogen phosphate monohydrate 0.05 g

Dipotassium hydrogen phosphate trihydrate 0.04 g

Natrosol 250 HX 1.75 g 10 Polysorbate 20 0.1 g

Paraffin oil, free-flowing 1.0 g

Deionized water ad 100 g 96.8595 g.

The hydrogel was prepared as described in Example 1.

Example 5 100 g of gel contained: 20 INF-gamma 0.100 g

Methylparaben 0.2 g

Sodium dihydrogen phosphate monohydrate 0.05 g

Dipotassium hydrogen phosphate trihydrate 0.04 g Tauroglycolic acid 0.01 g

Natrosol 250 HX 1.75 g

Polysorbate 20 0.1 g

Paraffin oil, free-flowing 1.0 g

Deionized water ad 100 g 96.75 g.

30

The hydrogel was prepared as in Example 1, where the tauroglycolic acid permeation accelerator was mixed with the buffer solution.

il I lll: t joined i 11 »95770

Example 6 100 g of gel contained: 5 INF-gamma 0.05 g

Methylparaben 0.2 g

Sodium dihydrogen phosphate monohydrate 0.05 g

Dipotassium hydrogen phosphate trihydrate 0.04 g

Natrosol 250 HX 1.75 g 10 Polysorbate 20 0.1 g

Paraffin oil, free-flowing 0.6 g

Paraffin oil, thick 0.4 g

Deionized water ad 100 g 96.81 g.

The hydrogel was prepared as described in Example 1.

Example 7 100 g of gel contained: INF-gamma 0.05 g

Methylparaben 0.2 g

Sodium dihydrogen phosphate monohydrate 0.05 g 25 Dipotassium hydrogen phosphate trihydrate 0.04 g

Natrosol 250 HX 1.75 g

Myristyl alcohol 1.0 g

Deionized water ad 100 g 96.91 g.

The hydrogel was prepared as in Example 2. The myristyl alcohol was mixed with a sterile filtered buffer solution heated to about 60 ° C. After cooling, the buffer was continued according to Example 2.

35 14 95770

Example 8 100 g of gel material contains: 5 INF-gamma 0.005 g

Methylparaben 0.20 g

Succinate buffer, pH 6.00 0.0191 M

Sodium chloride 0.1435 M

Natrosol 250 HX 1.75 g 10 Polysorbate 20 0.0952 g

Paraffin oil, free-flowing 0.052 g

Deionized water ad 100 g.

The hydrogel was prepared as described in Example 1. The course of stability is shown in Figure 4. Figure 5 shows the course of a comparative experiment in which the same formulation was used without the addition of paraffin oil. The result of the comparative test shows a decrease in stability soon after manufacture.

20

Example 9 100 g of gel material contains: 25 INF-gamma 0.025 g v Methylparaben 0.20 g

Succinate (buffer, pH 6.2) 0.2362g

Sodium chloride 0.8766 g

Natrosol 250 HX 1.75 g 30 Polysorbate 20 0.1 g

Labrafil 1944 CS 1.0 g

Deionized water ad 100 g.

. · ·.

The hydrogel was prepared as described in Example 1.

il. ‘MH Hill lii i at 15 95770

Example 10 100 g of gel material contains: 5 INF-gamma 0.025 g

Methylparaben 0.20 g

Succinate (buffer, pH 6.2) 0.2362 g

Sodium chloride 0.8766 g

Natrosol 250 HX 1.75 g 10 Polysorbate 20 0.1 g

Labrafil 2735 CS 1.0 g

Deionized water ad 100 g.

The hydrogel was prepared as described in Example 1.

Example 11 100 g of gel material contains: 20 INF-gamma 0.025 g

Methylparaben 0.20 g

Succinate (buffer, pH 6.2) 0.2362 g

Sodium chloride 0.90 g Natrosol 250 HX 1.75 g

Polysorbate 20 0.1 g

Myristyl alcohol 1.0 g

Deionized water ad 100 g.

The hydrogel was prepared as follows: Myristyl alcohol was melted at 50-60 ° C and then a pre-emulsion was prepared as in Example 1, but at 50-60 ° C. The other procedures followed the procedures of Example 1. The flow of stability is shown in Figure 6.

Example 12 100 g of gel material contains: 1 6 95770 5 TNF-gamma 0.05 g

Methylparaben 0.2 g

Sodium dihydrogen phosphate monohydrate 0.05 g

Dipotassium hydrogen phosphate trihydrate 0.04 g

Natrosol 250 HX 1.75 g 10 Polysorbate 20 0.2 g

Paraffin oil, easily flowable 2.0 g

Deionized water ad 100 g.

The hydrogel was prepared as described in Example 1.

Example 13 100 g of gel material contains:

Lysozyme 2.4 million points

Methylparaben 0.2 g

Sodium dihydrogen phosphate monohydrate 0.05 g

Dipotassium hydrogen phosphate trihydrate 0.04 g 25 Natrosol 250 HX 1.75 g «* Polysorbate 20 0.2 g

Paraffin oil, easily flowable 2.0 g

Deionized water ad 100 g.

The hydrogel was prepared as described in Example 1.

• «

Example 14 100 g of gel material contains: 17 95770 5 VAC-alpha 0.03 g

Methylparaben 0.2 g

Sodium dihydrogen phosphate monohydrate 0.05 g

Dipotassium hydrogen phosphate trihydrate 0.04 g

Natrosol 250 HX 1.75 g 10 Polysorbate 20 0.1 g

Paraffin oil, free-flowing 1.0 g

Deionized water ad 100 g.

The hydrogel was prepared as described in Example 1. 1 \.

Claims (8)

A process for the preparation of the topical pharmaceutical product containing one or more stabilized therapeutically acting proteins and the usual adjuvants, carriers and additives, characterized in that a hydrogel is prepared containing one or more several physiologically acceptable hydrophobic substances, especially paraffin oil (paraffin oils) in a protein stabilizing amount of finely divided, wherein first a pre-emulsion is prepared by adding to the hydrophobic substance, preferably paraffin oil (paraffin oils), in an amount of 0.1-3. , 0% and optionally in this containing finely divided emulsifier is added in an amount of not more than about 1%, 20 - 40% an aqueous phase to effect a coarse water-in-oil emulsion during mixing, mixing is interrupted until the emulsion settles, then with repeated mixing and addition of aqueous phase to a proportion of about 50% by phase change, a fine oil-in-water emulsion is formed, this Ear emulsion is mixed finely with the rest of the aqueous phase, the hydrogel former is added and allowed to swell, and the protein is added in dissolved form to the total amount of the aqueous phase, preferably as the final process step, the amounts being calculated on the total weight of the hydrogel. 25 2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that protein is added, which is a natural or decombined human or animal protein selected by the group of interferon, TNF-α, TNF-β, t-PA, including their structural similar, bioactive equivalent separately or as a therapeutically meaningful mixture in a therapeutically effective amount. 3. A process according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that protein is added as an aqueous solution in a final process step. 95770 4. A process according to claim 1, characterized in that a nonionic emulsifier is added. 5. A process according to claim 1, characterized in that as a hydrogel former a cellulose derivative such as hydroxyethyl cellulose, gelatin or a synthetic polymer such as polyvinyl alcohol is added separately or as a mixture. 10 6. A process according to claim 5, characterized in that hydroxyethyl cellulose is added as a hydrogel former. 7. A process according to claim 1, characterized in that the aqueous phase contains physiologically acceptable preservatives such as b-hydroxybenzoic acid ester, sorbic acid, chlorhexide glyconate, benzalkonium chloride and hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide separately or as a mixture. 20 8. A process according to claim 1, characterized in that the aqueous phase contains as an additive a penetration of accelerating substance and / or moisture retardant and / or a buffer system. 25 • · i · «i