MXPA01008059A - Solid state form of celecoxib having enhanced bioavailability - Google Patents

Abstract

The selective cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitory drug celecoxib is provided in amorphous form. Also provided is a celecoxib drug substance wherein the celecoxib is present, in at least a detectable amount, as amorphous celecoxib. Also provided is a celecoxib crystallization inhibitor composite comprising particles of amorphous celecoxib or a celecoxib drug substance of the invention in intimate association with one or more crystallization inhibitors, for example polymers. Also provided is a pharmaceutical composition comprising such a celecoxib crystallization inhibitor composite and one or more excipients. Also provided are processes for preparing amorphous celecoxib, a celecoxib drug substance of the invention, a celecoxib crystallization inhibitor composite of the invention, and a pharmaceutical composition of the invention. Also provided is a method of treating a medical condition or disorder in a subject where treatment with a cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitor is indicated, comprising administering, for example orally, a composition of the invention in a therapeutically effective amount.

Description

* - STABLE FORM OF STATE OF CELECOXIB HAVING INTENSIFIED BIODISPONI BILITY FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the inhibitory drug cyclooxygenase-2 selective celecoxib and, in particular, to solid state forms of that drug, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such solid state forms and to processes for preparing them. The invention further relates to methods of treating disorders mediated by cyclooxygenase-2, comprising administering such stable state forms or compositions thereof to a subject, and to the use of # such forms of solid state in the manufacture of medicines.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Celecoxib, also known as 4- [5- (4-methylphenyl) -3- (trifluoromethyl) -1 H -pyrazol-1-yl] benzenesulfonamide (I), the active ingredient of Celebrex® marketed by Pharmacia Corp., has a selective inhibitory effect of cyclooxygenase-2, therapeutically and prophylactically • useful, and has a utility in the treatment and prevention of disorders mediated by specific cyclooxygenase-2 and such disorders in general Celecoxib has the structure: The processes for preparing celecoxib are disclosed in patent no. 5,466, 823 for Talley et al. and in the US patent no. 5,892,053 5 for Zhi & Newaz, both incorporated herein by reference, discloses that celecoxib has a crystalline morphology that tends to # Form long cohesive needles. The co-transferred international patent publication no. WO 00/42021, incorporated herein by reference, discloses a solvated crystalline form of celecoxib and a method for desolvation of that crystalline form. There is a need for new forms of celecoxib, in particular suitable forms for preparing quick-start compositions. Rapid onset drug delivery systems can provide significant benefits over conventional dosage forms. In In general, quick-start preparations provide a short period for therapeutic or prophylactic response compared to conventional immediate release or sustained release dosage forms. For example, in the treatment of acute pain, a rapid-onset dosage form of celecoxib would be useful in providing rapid relief to the patient. pain.

However, celecoxib presents certain challenges for formulation as a rapid-onset dosage form, particularly as a rapid-onset oral dosage form. For example, celecoxib has a very low solubility in aqueous medium and therefore, does not readily dissolve or disperse for rapid absorption in the gastrointestinal tract when administered orally, for example, in the form of a tablet or capsule. In addition, celecoxib has a relatively high dose requirement, further increasing difficulties in providing a therapeutically effective dose sufficient for rapid absorption. Celecoxib crystals also present formulation difficulties as a result of unique physical and chemical characteristics, such as electrostatic and cohesive properties, low bulk density, low compressibility and poor flow properties. Due at least in part to these properties, celecoxib crystals tend to segregate and agglomerate together during mixing, resulting in a non-uniformly mixed composition containing undesirably large and insoluble celecoxib aggregates. Consequently, for these and other reasons, it is difficult to prepare a quick-start, orally deliverable composition, containing celecoxib, which has the desired uniformity of mixing. The bioavailability of an orally administered drug, as measured by its entry into the systemic circulation in the bloodstream, depends on at least two fundamental processes: dissolution of drug in gastrointestinal fluids (release of drug in vivo) and subsequent absorption of the drug dissolved Various I - í.?, AgMt, -A - _. «A -; ¡.ab, mjf. k ?? Jk _ I ??? Factors influence the dissolution of a drug from its carrier, including the surface area of the drug presented to the solution solvent medium, solubility of the drug substance in the specific solvent medium, and conductive forces of the saturation concentration of dissolved materials. in the solvent medium. Notwithstanding these factors, a strong correlation has been established between the in vitro dissolution time determined by standard assay procedures for an oral dosage form and the rate of drug release in vivo. This correlation is so firmly established in the art, that the dissolution time has generally become descriptive of the drug release potential for the active component of the particular unit dosage composition. When the in vivo drug release process is slower than the absorption process, absorption is said to be limited by the rate of dissolution. Because the solution precedes absorption in the overall process, any change in the drug release or dissolution process will subsequently influence drug absorption. See, for example, Lieberman et al. , (1989), Pharmaceutical Dosaqe Forms: Tablets, vol. 1, pp. 34-36. Marcel Dekker, New York. Therefore, it is clear that the dissolution time determined by a composition is one of the fundamental characteristics important for consideration when evaluating intended compositions for rapid onset delivery, in particular where drug absorption is limited by the rate of dissolution. ut? . Ji? Jí * m * i »* .. ** ui < . ~. -. ^ -.-- ^ - ^ i i ^ -i ?? n ^ > --...... ^ »»? - i¿o »á --- ¿. t. i j Crystalline solids, due to their highly organized structures, normally require a significant amount of energy for dissolution. The energy required by a drug molecule to escape from a crystal, for example, is greater than that required by the same drug molecule to escape from an amorphous, non-crystalline form. However, importantly, crystalline drug forms, which have been transformed into amorphous forms, tend to revert to a stable state of low energy, namely, the crystalline form, over time and thus may not have an adequate shelf life. An amorphous form of celecoxib has not been known in the art thus far. As indicated in the following, treatment with celecoxib is indicated in a very wide array of conditions and disorders mediated by cyclo-oxygenase-2. Therefore, if an amorphous form of celecoxib could be prepared, and in particular, if a stable composition in storage comprising such an amorphous form of celecoxib could develop, exhibiting enhanced bioavailability, for example through rapid dissolution of the drug, it would be would make significant progress in the treatment of conditions and disorders mediated by cyclo-oxygenase-2, particularly in the treatment of acute disorders, where early relief of pain or other symptoms is desired.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE NONDION Celecoxib provides a more rapid onset of the therapeutic effect if, upon oral administration of a composition comprising celecoxib, pharmacokinetic properties leading to a greater maximum concentration in blood serum (Cmax) and / or a shorter time ff following the administration to achieve that maximum (Tmax). It is contemplated that a higher Cmax and / or a shorter Tmax may result from a faster dissolution of celecoxib when provided in an amorphous form than in a crystalline form. Accordingly, the present invention provides amorphous celecoxib. A drug substance of celecoxib is also provided, where celecoxib is present, in at least one detectable amount, such as amorphous celecoxib. The term "celecoxib drug substance", as used herein, means celecoxib per se as is qualified by context, in which term 15 is used, and may refer to an unformulated celecoxib or celecoxib present as an ingredient of a pharmaceutical composition. As a further embodiment of the invention, there is provided a celecoxib-crystallization inhibitor compound comprising amorphous celecoxib particles or a celecoxib drug substance of the invention in intimate association with one or more crystallization inhibitors. The crystallization inhibitors are selected and are present in an amount sufficient to substantially reduce the conversion of amorphous celecoxib to crystalline celecoxib. Preferred crystallization inhibitors are polymers which form a celecoxib-polymer compound with celecoxib.

Also provided is a composition comprising a celecoxib-crystallization inhibitor compound, for example, a celecoxib-polymer compound, as defined herein. The composition comprises dosage units that may be in the form • 5 discrete solid items, such as tablets, capsule-shaped tablets, pills, hard or soft capsules, diamond-shaped pills, pouches or pills; alternatively, the composition may be in the form of a mass capable of flowing substantially homogeneous, such as a particulate or granular solid or a liquid suspension, eg, a drinkable dispersion, from which the dose units simple are removable in a measurable way. Processes for preparing amorphous celecoxib are also provided for preparing a celecoxib drug substance of the invention and for preparing a celecoxib-crystallization inhibitor com pound, for example, a celecoxib-polymer compound of the invention. A preferred process for preparing a celecoxib drug substance of the invention comprises (a) a step for melting celecoxib, for example, crystalline celecoxib; and (b) a step for rapidly cooling the molten celecoxib to form a drug substance of celecoxib, wherein the celecoxib is present, in at least a detectable amount, in an amorphous form. Optionally, this process may further comprise (c) a step to grind the drug substance of celecoxib to form a celecoxib powder. A celecoxib crystallization inhibiting compound of the invention can be prepared by a process comprising (a) a step to dissolve celecoxib and one or more crystallization inhibitors in a solvent liquid to form a solution; and (b) a step for drying the solution, to form a celecoxib-crystallization inhibitor compound, wherein the celecoxib and the crystallization inhibitor are in intimate association, and where a substantial portion of celecoxib is present in an amorphous form. Optionally, this process may comprise (c) a step for grinding the celecoxib-crystallization inhibitor compound to provide a powder of celecoxib-crystallization inhibitor compound. A celecoxib drug substance or powder thereof, or a crystallization inhibiting compound of celecoxib or powder thereof, prepared in accordance with such processes, can be further formulated to provide a pharmaceutical dosage form. A method to treat a medical condition is also provided or disorder in a subject, where treatment with a cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor is indicated, comprising administering, for example, orally, a composition of the invention in a therapeutically effective amount. Such a method is particularly useful, where the medical condition or disorder is accompanied by acute pain. Other features of this invention will be partly evident and partly pointed out hereinafter.

SHORT DESCRIBE OF THE BUSHINGS .L - á.M.Í * A ftAi¿ t ^ t-M? ? a ****, LA Fig. 1 shows a powder X-ray diffraction profile of a drug substance of celecoxib C 1 prepared in Example 1, by comparison with crystalline celecoxib C2. Fig. 2 shows powder X-ray diffraction profiles of a • Celecoxib C3 polymer compound of the invention immediately after preparation (T1) and following storage for 2 weeks at 40 ° C and 75% relative humidity (T2). Fig. 3 shows powder X-ray diffraction profiles of a celecoxib C4 polymer compound of the invention immediately after preparation (T1) and following storage for 2 weeks at 40 ° C and 75% relative humidity (T2) . Fig. 4 shows a thermogram of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) of a drug substance of celecoxib C1, which does not comprise polymer. 15 Fig. 5 shows a DSC thermogram of a C3 celecoxib polymer compound of the invention, wherein the polymer is hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose. Fig. 6 shows a DSC thermogram of a C4 celecoxib-polymer compound of the invention, wherein the polymer is polyvinylpyrrolidone.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Amorphous Celecoxib The invention provides a novel amorphous form of celecoxib. The term "amorphous", as used herein, refers to particles of μg- > ^ - i --.L J. A ... * ,. *. : j - - "- s. ** .. c ^ y * S: &t? .. ^ -J ^^ - ,, ^ -? ^ 7ití -. ^ -:, ^ - ^ X ^ If the solid state lacks a regular crystal structure, it is believed that amorphous celecoxib particles require less energy for dissolution than crystalline celecoxib particles of similar dimensions, and that This reduced dissolution energy requirement contributes, at least in part, to an increased dissolving rate and / or decreased therapeutic onset time, exogenous to amorphous celecoxib and compositions thereof.

Substance of celecoxib medicament of the invention In addition to amorphous celecoxib per se, the invention provides a drug substance of celecoxib comprising amorphous celecoxib. At least a detectable amount of amorphous celecoxib is present. Preferably, about 10% up to about 1 00%, more preferably, about 25% up to about 1 00%, still more preferably about 60% up to about 1 00%, and even more preferably about 80% up to about 1 00%, in The weight of celecoxib in a celecoxib drug substance of the invention is amorphous. In a particular embodiment, substantially all of the celecoxib is amorphous, that is, the drug substance of celecoxib is substantially pure phase amorphous celecoxib. A preferred drug substance of celecoxib is a substance that is completely solid state, wherein the fraction, if any, of celecoxib that is not amorphous, is crystalline. For example, a medicament substance of microparticulate celecoxib or > a.fcji.-3 - '. i - jj. «.- i. , j ^ -t -,:. , ..s fc., - ,. ^,., ^ .... .. -; .., - ^ -, - ^ .... ^ -jÉI -a-É il nanoparticulate of this modality can, in addition to a fraction of celecoxib amorphous, comprises a fraction of microcrystalline or nanocrystalline celecoxib, although this crystalline fraction is preferably small, for example, less than about 50%, more preferably less # 5 of about 25%, and even more preferably less than about 10%, by weight of the total celecoxib present. In one embodiment, the amount of amorphous celecoxib in a drug substance of celecoxib is sufficient to provide an increased dissolution rate as measured in a standard in vitro dissolution test and / or improved bioavailability (e.g., shorter time) to reach a therapeutic threshold concentration • in blood plasma, greater Cmax and / or shorter Tmax), as measured in a standard in vivo pharmacokinetic study, compared to a celecoxib drug substance similar in another way, where all or a substantial portion of , celecoxib is crystalline. The amorphous celecoxib or a drug substance of celecoxib of the invention can be prepared by any suitable process, without being limited to processes described herein. An illustrative process comprises (a) a step for melting celecoxib 20 in the solid state, for example, crystalline celecoxib; and (b) a step for rapidly cooling the resulting molten celecoxib to form a drug substance of celecoxib, wherein the celecoxib is present, in at least a detectable amount, in an amorphous form. This process also includes, optionally, (c) a step to grind the drug substance of celecoxib resulting from step (b) to form a medicament powder. The step of melting (a) can be carried out by any technique known in the art, for example, by heating celecoxib in an oven at about 50 ° C to about 180 ° C. The cooling step (b) can be carried out by any suitable method, for example, by floating a vessel holding the molten celecoxib in liquid nitrogen. The optional grinding step (c) can be carried out by any suitable method, for example, when grinding in a mortar or when grinding in a mill, for example, a mill of medium. A drug substance of celecoxib or drug powder prepared according to the above process or any other process can be administered orally, rectally or parenterally without additional formulation, or in simple suspension in water or other liquid pharmaceutically acceptable. Alternatively, the drug substance of celecoxib or drug powder can be filled directly into capsules for oral administration. However, preferably, the drug substance of celecoxib or drug powder is subjected to further processing, usually with one or more excipients, for preparing a pharmaceutical composition, for example, an oral dosage form, as described hereinbelow.

Celecoxib-Crystallization Inhibitor Compounds In a presently preferred embodiment of the invention, there is provided a crystallization celecoxib-inhibitor compound comprising amorphous celecoxib particles or a drug substance of celecoxib having at least a detectable amount of amorphous celecoxib, in association intimate with one or more crystallization inhibitors. An "intimate association" in the present context includes, for example, celecoxib in admixture with the crystallization inhibitor, celecoxib embedded or incorporated in the crystallization inhibitor, celecoxib which forms a particulate coating of the crystallization inhibitor or vice versa, and a dispersion. substantially homogeneous of celecoxib along the crystallization inhibitor. The term "substantially homogeneous" herein with reference to a compound or pharmaceutical composition comprising multiple components, means that the components are sufficiently mixed, so that the individual components are not present as discrete layers and do not form concentration gradients within the composition . A celecoxib-crystallization inhibitor compound of this embodiment, preferably comprises from about 1% to about 95%, preferably about 10% to about 90%, more preferably about 25% to about 85%, and still more preferably about 30%. % up to about 80%, by weight, of celecoxib. As indicated above, celecoxib in such a compound exists, at least in a detectable amount, in an amorphous form. Preferably, approximately 10% up about 1 00%, more preferably about 50% to about 1 00%, and still more preferably about 75% to about 100%, by weight of the total celecoxib in the compound is amorphous celecoxib. In compounds of this modality, a fraction of celecoxib may be present as microcrystalline or nanocrystalline celecoxib, although this fraction is preferably small, for example, less than about 50%, more preferably less than about 25%, and still more preferably less than about 10% by weight of the total celecoxib in the compound. Crystallization inhibitors include any material, which substantially reduces the conversion of amorphous celecoxib to crystalline celecoxib, for example, polymers, carbohydrates, lipids, etc. The term "substantially" with respect to reducing such conversion includes inhibiting, preventing, retarding, delaying, decreasing or restricting the crystallization of celecoxib to a measurable degree. It will be understood that both the selection of crystallization inhibitor (s) and the amount of crystallization inhibitor (s) used in a compound of the invention influence the stability of the amorphous celecoxib therein. The crystallization inhibitors are preferably polymers, more preferably polymers of low water solubility. Still more preferably, such polymers are substantially non-crosslinked. Nonlimiting examples of suitable polymers that can be used as crystallization inhibitors include, either alone or in combination, polyvinylpyrrole dona (PVP or povidone, for example, Kollidon ™ IdLl-ii.-í? -i .t ..it ----- i -t-A.?jt»fltia* »< . . .j &Jaa, * MR CLM from BASF), hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC, eg, Methocel E5 Premium), HPMC phthalate, ethylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose (sodium carmellose), calcium carboxymethylcellulose, dextran, gum arabic, starches, such as sodium starch glycolate (SSG, for example, Explotab RR from Mendell), ß-cyclodextrin (for example, KleptoseM R 4PC from Roquette), block copolymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide (by example, Pluronic R F-68 and F-1 08), polyvinyl alcohol and polyethylene glycol (PEG). Povidone and HPMC are preferred polymers for use as crystallization inhibitors and form celecoxib-polymer compounds of the invention. H PMCs vary in the chain length of their cellulosic backbone and consequently, in their viscosity as measured, for example, at a concentration of 2% by weight in water. HPMC used in celecoxib-polymer compounds of the invention should have a viscosity, 2% in water, of about 1 00 to about 1 00,000 cP, preferably about 1000 to about 1 5,000 cP, eg, about 4000 cP. The molecular weight of HPMC used in celecoxib-polymer compounds of the invention is preferably greater than about 1,000, but preferably not more than about 1,500,000, more preferably not greater than about 1,000,000, still more preferably not greater than about 500,000, and even more preferably not greater than about 150,000. HPMCs also vary in the relative degree of substitution of hydroxyl groups available in the cellulosic backbone by methoxy groups. hydroxypropoxy. With increasing hydroxypropoxy substitution, the resulting HPMC becomes more hydrophilic in nature. Preferred in celecoxib-HPMC compounds of the present invention, use HPMC having about 15% to about 35%, preferably about 19% to about 32% and more preferably about 22% to about 30%, methoxy substitution and taking about 3% to about 15%, preferably about 4% to about 12%, and more preferably about 7% to about 12%, substitution of hydroxypropoxy. The HPMCs that can be used in the present invention are available illustratively under the trade names Methocel ™ from Dow Chemical Co. and Metolose ™ from Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. Examples of particularly suitable HPMCs having average viscosity include Methocel ™ E4M and Methocel ™ K4M, both having a viscosity, 2% in water, of approximately 4000 cP. Examples of HPMCs having higher viscosity include Methocel ™ E10M, Methocel ™ K15M and Methocel ™ K100M, which have viscosities, 2% in water, of 10,000 cP, 15,000 cP and 100,000 cP, respectively. The preferred povidones used in the celecoxib-polymer compounds of the invention have a molecular weight of from about 2,500 to about 3,000,000, preferably about 8,000 to about 1,000,000 and more preferably about 10,000 to about 400,000, for example, about 50,000. Preferably, the povidone used in Íá-i¿.á-ÍsjL-b «htt.n," tA., H ^ .. ^ - A ^ hj- celecoxib-polymer compounds have a dynamic viscosity, 10% in water at 20 ° C, from about 1.3 to about 700, preferably about 1-5 to about 300, and more preferably about 3.5 to about 8.5 mPa s.

• In celecoxib-crystallization inhibitor compounds, for example, celecoxib-polymer compounds of the invention, the amount of crystallization inhibitor is preferably sufficient, so that when kept in an open dish at ambient temperature over a period of 7 days, the transformation of amorphous celecoxib to celecoxib crystalline is not greater than about 50%, preferably not greater than about 25% and more preferably not greater than * 5 P about 10% by weight of all celecoxib in the compound. Normally, depending on the particular polymer (s) used, one or more polymers are present in a celecoxib-15 polymer compound contemplated in a total amount of from about 10% to about 80%, preferably about 15% to about 75% , and more preferably about 25% to about 65%, by weight. Preferably, the weight ratio of celecoxib to polymer is approximately 1: 1000 up to about 1 0: 1, more preferably about 1. 10 to about 5: 1, and still more preferably about 1: 2 to about 2.5.1. A celecoxib-crystallization inhibitor compound of the invention can be prepared by any suitable process, not limited to processes described herein.

An illustrative process comprises (a) a step for dissolving celecoxib and one or more crystallization inhibitors in a solvent liquid to form a solution; and (b) a step for drying the solution to form a celecoxib-crystallization inhibitor compound, wherein the celecoxib and the crystallization inhibitor are in intimate association and wherein at least one detectable fraction of celecoxib is in amorphous form. Optionally, this process may further comprise a step (c) for grinding the celecoxib-crystallization inhibitor compound to form a powder of celecoxib-crystallization inhibitor compound. Suitable solvent liquids that can be used to prepare a celecoxib-crystallization inhibitor compound, for example, a celecoxib-polymer compound, can comprise any pharmaceutically acceptable solvent, in which celecoxib can be dissolved. The heat and agitation can be used to facilitate the dissolution of medicament in the solvent liquid. The solvent liquid may also comprise a non-solvent fraction, for example, water. Non-limiting examples of suitable solvents that can be used in solvent liquids of the invention include, for example, mixtures of water-alcohol, methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, higher alcohols, propylene glycol, ethyl caprylate, propylene glycol laurate, PEG, diethyl glycol. monoethyl ether (DGME), tetraethylene glycol dimethyl ether, tpetylene glycol monoethyl ether, pol isorbate 80, etc. Ethanol and isopropanol are the preferred solvents. Surprisingly, it has been found that the use of isopropanol as a solvent allows a charge to dry at-AÉ. jfaÉ «-fc» IO ??, LA & ^, S M ^ relatively high celecoxib and polymer in the solution; Accordingly, isopropanol is currently an especially preferred solvent. The drying step (b) can be carried out by any suitable means 5, for example, by evaporation, lyophilization, conventional heating (for example, in an oven), spray drying, etc. Spray drying is a preferred method of drying. Any suitable spray drying method known in the art can be employed. In general, spray drying is a process whereby a solution comprising dissolved drug and crystallization inhibitor is rapidly atomized over a stream of hot air, resulting in the formation of dry powder. The optional grinding step (c) can be carried out by any suitable method, for example, when grinding in a mortar or grinding in a mill, for example, a mill of medium. A celecoxib-crystallization inhibitor compound, for example, a celecoxib-polymer compound, or a powder thereof, prepared according to the above process or any other process, can be administered orally, rectally or parenterally without additional formulation, 20 or in simple suspension in water or other pharmaceutically acceptable liquid. Alternatively, the compound or powder thereof can be filled directly into capsules for oral administration. However, preferably, the compound or powder thereof is subjected to further processing, usually with one or more additional excipients, to prepare a pharmaceutical composition, for example, an oral dosage form, as described hereinbelow. .

Pharmaceutical Compositions Amorphous celecoxib, a drug substance of celecoxib or a celecoxib-inhibitor of crystallization, as provided herein, can be further formulated together with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients, to produce a pharmaceutical composition. The term "excipient" in the present means any substance, not by itself a therapeutic agent, used as a carrier or vehicle for delivery of a therapeutic agent • to a subject, or added to a pharmaceutical composition to improve its handling or storage properties, or to allow or facilitate the formation of a dosage unit of the composition in an article discrete, such as a capsule or tablet suitable for oral administration. The excipients include, by way of illustration and not limitation, diluents, disintegrants, binding agents, adhesives, wetting agents, lubricants, glidants, crystallization inhibitors, surface modifying agents, substances added for Masking or counteracting an unpleasant taste or odor, flavors, colorants, fragrances and substances added to improve the appearance of the composition. The excipients used in the compositions of the invention may be solid or liquid or both. The compositions of the invention containing excipients can be prepared by any technique known pharmacy which comprises mixing an excipient with a medicament or therapeutic agent. A composition of the invention contains a desired amount of celecoxib per unit dose and, if it is intended for oral administration, it can be in the form, for example, of a tablet, a tablet in the form of a capsule, a pill, a hard capsule. or soft, a diamond-shaped tablet, a cachet-type capsule, a dispensable powder, granules, a suspension, a syrup, a liquid or any other form reasonably adapted for such an administration. If it is intended for parenteral administration, it may be in the form, for example, of a suspension. If it is intended for rectal administration, it may be in the form, for example, of a suppository. Currently, dosage forms that are discrete dose units containing each, a predetermined amount of the drug, such as tablets or capsules are preferred. Non-limiting examples follow excipients that can be used to prepare pharmaceutical compositions of the invention. The compositions of the invention optionally comprise one or more pharmaceutically acceptable diluents as excipients. Suitable diluents include, illustratively, either individually or in combination, lactose, including lactose anhydrous and lactose monohydrate; starches, including directly compressible starch and hydrolyzed starches (eg, Celutab ™ and Emdex ™); mannitol, sorbitol; xylitol; dextrose (e.g., Cerelose ™ 2000) and dextrose monohydrate; dibasic calcium phosphate dihydrate; diluents based on sucrose, confectioner's sugar; monohydrate calcium sulphate monobasic; calcium sulfate dihydrate; granular calcium lactate trihydrate; dextrations; inositol; hydrolyzed cereal solids; am ilosa; cellulose including microcrystalline cellulose, food grade sources of cellulose α and amorphous (eg Rexcel) and powdered cellulose; calcium carbonate; glycine; bentonite; polyvinyl pyrrolidone; and similar. Such diluents, if present, in total constitute about 5% to about 99%, preferably about 10% to about 85%, and more preferably about 20% to about 80%, of the total weight of the composition. The diluent or diluents selected preferably exhibit suitable flow properties and, where tablets are desired, compressibility. Lactose and microcrystalline cellulose, either individually or in combination, are preferred diluents. Both diluents are only compatible with celecoxib. The use of extragranular microcrystalline cellulose (i.e., microcrystalline cellulose added to a wet granulated composition after a drying step) can be used to improve the hardness (for tablets) and / or disintegration time. Lactose, especially lactose monohydrate, is particularly preferred. Lactose normally provides compositions having suitable release rates of celecoxib, stability, ability to flow pre-compression, and / or drying properties at a relatively low diluent cost. Provides a high density substrate that helps densification during the granulation (where the wet granulation is used) and consequently, improves the flow properties of the mixture. The compositions of the invention optionally comprise one or more pharmaceutically acceptable disintegrants as excipients, in • 5 particular for tablet formulations. Suitable disintegrants include, either individually or in combination, starches, including sodium starch glycolate (e.g., Explotab ™ from Pen West) and pregelatinized maize seeds (e.g., NationalMR 1 551, NationalMR 1550 and ColocornM R 1). 500), clays (/ for example, VeegumMR HV), l? cellulose such as purified cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, methylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose and sodium carboxymethylcellulose, croscarmellose sodium (for example, Ac-Di-Sol ™ of FMC), alginates, crospovidone and gums, such as agar, guar, carob, karaya, pectin and tragacanth. The disintegrants can be added at any suitable step during the preparation of the composition, in particular before granulation or during a lubrication step prior to compression. Such disintegrants, if present, constitute in total about 0.2% up to about 30%, preferably ^ 20 about 0.2% to about 10%, and more preferably about 0.2% to about 5%, of the total weight of the composition. Croscarmellose sodium is a preferred disintegrant for disintegration of tablets or capsules and, if present, constitutes preferably about 0.2% up to about 10%, more preferably about 0.25 to about 7%, and still more preferably about 0.2% to about 5%, of the total weight of the composition. Croscarmellose sodium confers intragranular disintegration capacities superior to Ff 5 granulated compositions of the present invention. The compositions of the invention optionally comprise one or more pharmaceutically acceptable binding agents or adhesives as excipients, in particular for tablet formulations. Such bonding agents and adhesives preferably impart sufficient cohesion to the powder which is being tabletted, to allow normal processing operations, such as sizing, lubrication, compression and packing, but still allowing the tablet to disintegrate and the composition to be absorbed upon ingestion. Suitable binders and adhesives include, either individually or in combination, gum arabic; tragacanth; saccharose; gelatin, glucose; starches, such as, but not limited to, pregelatinized starches (e.g., Nat? onal ™ 1 51 1 and National ™ R 1500); cellulose, such as, but not limited to, methylcellulose and sodium carmellose (e.g., Tylose ™); algic acid and alginic acid salts; magnesium aluminum silicate; PEG; guar gum; polysaccharide acids; Bentonite; povidone, for example, povidone K-1 5, K-30 and K-29/32; polymethacrylates; HPMC; hydroxypropylcellulose (e.g., Klucel R); and ethylcellulose (for example, Ethocel ™). Such binders and / or adhesives, if present, in total constitute about 0.5% up to about 25%, preferably about 0.75% up to about 1 5%, and IÍ, d - t - k__i_AiÉ-i- | i? % A more preferably about 1% to about 10%, of the total weight of the composition. The compositions of the invention optionally comprise one or more pharmaceutically acceptable wetting agents as excipients. Such wetting agents are preferably selected to maintain celecoxib in close association with water, a condition that is believed to improve the bioavailability of the composition. Non-limiting examples of surfactants that can be used as Wetting agents in compositions of the present invention include quaternary ammonium compounds, for example, benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride and cetylpyridinium chloride, dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate, polyoxyethylene alkylphenyl ethers, for example, nonoxynol 9, nonoxynol 1 0 and octoxinol 9, poloxamers (block copolymers of Polyoxyethylene and polyoxypropylene), polyoxyethylene fatty acid glycerides and oils, for example, polyoxyethylene caprylic / capric mono- and diglycerides (8) (for example, Labrasol ™ of Gattegfosé), pohoxyethylene castor oil (35) and polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil (40); pohoxyethylene alkyl ethers, for example, polyoxyethylene (20) ketoestearyl ether, esters of polyoxyethylene fatty acids, for example, polyoxyethylene stearate (40), polyoxyethylene sorbitan esters, for example, polysorbate 20 and polysorbate 80 (for example, TweenM R 80 of ICI), esters of propylene glycol fatty acids, for example, propylene glycol laurate (for example, Lauroglycol M from Gattefgosé), sodium lauryl sulfate, acids fatty acids and salts thereof, for example, oleic acid, sodium oleate and Triethanolamine oleate, esters of glyceryl fatty acids, for example, glyceryl monostearate, sorbitan esters, for example, sorbitan monolaurate, sorbitan monooleate, sorbitan monopalmitate and sorbitan monostearate, tyloxapol and mixtures thereof. Such wetting agents, if present, in total constitute about 0.25% to about 15%, preferably about 0.4% to about 10%, and more preferably about 0.5% to about 5%, of the total weight of the composition. Wetting agents which are anionic surfactants are preferred. Sodium lauryl sulfate is a particularly preferred wetting agent. Sodium lauryl sulfate, if present, constitutes about 0.25% to about 7%, more preferably about 0.4% to about 4%, and still more preferably about 0.5% to about 2%, of the total weight of the composition. The compositions of the invention optionally comprise one or more pharmaceutically acceptable lubricants (including anti-adherents and / or glidants) as excipients. Suitable lubricants include, either individually or in combination, glyceryl behapate (e.g., Compritol ™ R 888); stearic acid and salts thereof, including magnesium, calcium and sodium stearates; hydrogenated vegetable oils (e.g., SterotexM R); colloidal silica; talcum powder; waxes, boric acid; sodium benzoate; sodium acetate; sodium fumarate; sodium chloride, DL-leucine; PEG (for example, Carbowax R 4000 and Carbowax MR 6000); sodium oleate; sodium lauryl sulfate; and magnesium lauryl sulfate. Lubricating taps, if present, in total constitute about 0.1% to about 10%, preferably about 0.2% to about 8%, and more preferably about 0.25% to about 5%, of the total weight of the composition. Magnesium stearate is a preferred lubricant used, for example, to reduce friction between the equipment and granulated mixture during compression of tablet formulations. Suitable anti-adherents include talc, corn starch, DL-leucine, sodium lauryl sulfate and metal stearates. Talc is a preferred non-stick or glidant used, for example, to reduce the formulation sticking to equipment surfaces and also to reduce static in the mixture. Talc, if present, constitutes about 0.1% to about 10%, more preferably about 0.25% to about 5%, and still more preferably about 0.5% to about 2%, of the total weight of the composition. Other excipients, such as colorants, flavors and sweeteners are known in the pharmaceutical art and can be used in compositions of the present invention. The tablets may be coated, for example, with an enteric coating or they may be uncoated. The compositions of the invention may further comprise, for example, buffers.

Optionally, one or more effervescent agents can be used as disintegrators and / or to enhance the organoleptic properties of compositions of the invention. When present in compositions of the invention for promoting the disintegration of the dosage form, one or more effervescent agents are preferably present in a total amount of from about 30% to about 75%, and preferably about 45% to about 70%, for example, approximately 60%, by weight of the composition. In accordance with a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, an effervescent agent, present in a solid dosage form, in an amount less than that effective to promote disintegration of the dosage form, provides an improved dispersion of celecoxib in a medium aqueous. Without being a gone to a theory, It is believed that the effervescent agent is effective in accelerating the dispersion of celecoxib from the dosage form in the gastrointestinal tract, thereby intensifying the absorption and rapid onset of the therapeutic effect. When presented in a pharmaceutical composition of the invention to promote intragastrointestinal dispersion, but not To intensify the disintegration, one or more effervescent agents are preferably present in an amount of about 2.5% to about 15%, more preferably about 55 to about 10%, by weight of the composition. Suitable effervescent agents include, for example, either alone or in combination, sodium bicarbonate, anhydrous citric acid, acid tartaric and dibasic sodium phosphate. Sodium bicarbonate and anhydrous citric acid are preferred effervescent agents. The solid dosage forms of the invention can be prepared by any suitable process, not limited to processes described herein. An illustrative process comprises (a) a step for mixing amorphous celecoxib, a drug substance of celecoxib, or a celecoxib-crystallization inhibitor compound of the invention, with one or more excipients to form a mixture, and (b) a step to tablet or encapsulate the mixture to form tablets or capsules, respectively. In a preferred process, the solid dosage forms are prepared by a process comprising (a) a step for mixing amorphous celecoxib, a drug substance of celecoxib, or a celecoxib-crystallization inhibitor compound of the invention with one or more excipients for forming a mixture, (b) a step for granulating the mixture to form a granulate, and (c) a step for tabletting or encapsulating the mixture to form tablets or capsules, respectively. Step (b) can be achieved by any wet or dry granulation technique known in the art, but a wet granulation step is preferred, followed by a step to dry the resulting granulate before tabletting or encapsulating. One or more diluents, one or more disintegrants and one or more binding agents are added, preferably, for example, in the mixing step, a wetting agent may optionally be added, for example, in the step of Í i? .i X.? ^ X.-. ^ ÁÜ ..: l .- ^. ^ átÍ.: íí ... .. ^. ^. ¿¿íi =, S.-, - .S.k.i.J A :. granulate, and one or more disintegrants are preferably added , after the granulation, but before tabletting or encapsulation. Preferably a lubricant is added before tabletting. Mixing and granulation can be performed independently under low or high cut. A process is preferably selected so as to form a granulate which is an acid in drug content, which disintegrates easily, which flows easily enough, so that the variation in weight can be controlled reliably during the capsule or tablet filling, and that it is sufficiently dense to bulk, so that a batch can be processed in the selected equipment and the individual doses are adjusted in the capsules • specified or given tablets. In an alternative embodiment, the solid dosage forms are prepared by a process that includes a drying step by spray, wherein the amorphous celecoxib, celecoxib drug substance or celecoxib-crystallization inhibitor compound, is suspended with one or more excipients in one or more atomizable liquids, preferably a nonaqueous, atomisable liquid, and is then dried by • Spray rapidly on a hot air stream. This process spray drying to prepare a pharmaceutical composition can be carried out in addition to a spray drying step used in the preparation of a celecoxib-crystallization inhibitor compound as described hereinabove, but the formation of the celecoxib-inhibitor compound of crystallization is preferably combined with a t *, - * «, -?" 4, l¿ - Wt- -i- í.? t - * ..., - - • »? íMtt? spray drying step for the preparation of the composition *? pharmaceutical A spray dried granulate or powder resulting from any of the above illustrative processes can be compressed or molded to prepare tablets or be encapsulated to prepare capsules. Conventional tableting and encapsulation techniques known in the art can be employed. Where coated tablets are desired, conventional coating techniques are suitable. The excipients for tablet compositions of the invention are selected, preferably, to provide a disinfection time of less than about 30 minutes, preferably F about 25 m inutes or less, more preferably about 20 minutes or less, and still more preferably about 1 5 minutes or less, in a disintegration test standard. Any convenient tablet hardness can be employed with respect to handling, manufacturing, storage and ingestion. For example, for celecoxib tablets of 100 mg, the hardness of preference is at least about 4 kP, more preferably at least ^ 9K 20 about 5 kP, and still more preferably at least about 6 kP. For celecoxib 200 mg tablets, the hardness is preferably at least about 7 kP, more preferably at least about 9 kP, and still more preferably at least about 1 1 kP. However, the material to be tabletted does not ji Aí? ..! ? - .í: ± SiUi - .. i:, -------- -.- - ---. aae:., a. . .. «afee * At i-¡- > , .fcs¡ »i !. ..a- .A »¿Í í: i.? it should be compressed to such an extent that there is a subsequent difficulty in achieving hydration when exposed to gastric fluid. The friability of the tablet is preferably less than about 1.0%, more preferably less than 0.8%, and still more preferably less than about 0.5% in a standard test.

Dosage of celecoxib The dosage forms of celecoxib of the invention preferably comprise celecoxib in a daily dosage amount of from about 10 mg to about 1000 mg, more preferably about 25 mg to about 400 mg, and most preferably about 50 mg. mg to approximately 200 mg. The compositions of the invention comprise one or more orally deliverable dose units. Each dose unit comprises celecoxib in a therapeutically effective amount which is preferably about 10 mg to about 1000 mg. The term "unit dose" herein means a portion of a pharmaceutical composition containing an amount of therapeutic or prophylactic agent, in the present case celecoxib, suitable for simple oral administration, to provide a therapeutic effect. Usually a unit dose, or a small plurality (up to about 4) of dose units, in a simple administration, provides a dose comprising a sufficient amount of the agent to result in the desired effect. The administration of such doses may be repeated as required, usually at a dosing frequency of 1 to about 4 times a day. It will be understood that a therapeutically effective amount of celecoxib for a subject is dependent inter alia on the subject's body weight. A "subject" herein, to which a therapeutic agent or composition thereof may be administered, includes a human patient of either sex and of any age, and also includes any non-human animal, in particular a warm-blooded animal, more particularly a domestic or companion animal, illustratively, a cat, dog or horse. When the subject is a child or a small animal (e.g., a dog), for example, a relatively low amount of celecoxib in the preferred range of about 10 mg to about 1000 mg is likely to provide blood serum concentrations consistent with therapeutic effectiveness. Where the subject is an adductor human or a large animal (eg, a horse), the achievement of such concentrations of celecoxib blood serum is likely to require dose units containing a relatively greater amount of celecoxib. The normal dosage units in a composition of the invention contain about 10, 20, 25, 37.5, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 250, 300, 350 or 400 mg of celecoxib. For an adult human, a therapeutically effective amount of celecoxib per unit dose in a composition of the present invention is usually about 50 mg to about 400 mg. Amounts i jí -J.-i-ai ------: - i «. , t _ ,. " .--. Particularly preferred celecoxib doses per unit dose are about 1000 mg to about 200 mg, for example about 1000 mg or about 200 mg. A dose unit containing a particular amount of • 5 Celecoxib can be selected to accommodate any desired frequency of administration used to achieve a desired daily dosage. The daily dosage and frequency of administration, and therefore, the selection of appropriate dosage unit, depends on a variety of factors, including the subject's age, weight, sex and medical condition. and the nature and severity of the condition or disorder and in this way, can vary widely. • When administered orally to a fasting adult human, a dose unit of 1000 mg preferably exhibits a Tmax of less than about 90 minutes, more preferably less than about 60 minutes and most preferably less than about 45 minutes, and one Cm ax of at least about 100 ng / ml, more preferably at least about 200 ng / ml. Usually a composition of the invention provides a blood serum concentration of celecoxib of at least approximately 50 ng / ml within 30 minutes of oral administration; the preferred positions reach such a concentration as soon as in 15 minutes. It is believed that this rapid rise in blood serum concentration is associated with the rapid onset of the therapeutic effect achieved by compositions of the present invention. i ,. - -i--J. ^ Itáí -. - .-- - * ^ - - ^ - --- - -..- faith-. -i .. -M- ..-. - .: - -. • -i ... -: - ..,: ii.?-.:..-- < A: -.- s ..- ji-ugly-. j .- «J-v« ..A, i tí- ...

The term "oral administration" herein includes any form of delivery of a therapeutic agent or composition thereof to a subject, wherein the agent or composition is placed in the mouth of the subject, whether or not the agent or composition be swallowed immediately. In this way, "oral composition" includes buccal and sublingual administration, as well as esophageal. The absorption of the agent can occur in any part or parts of the gastrointestinal tract including the mouth, esophagus, stomach, duodenum, ileus and colon. The term "orally deliverable" herein means that it is suitable for oral administration.

UTILITY OF THE COMPOSITIONS OF THE INVENTION The compositions of the invention are useful in the treatment and prevention of a very wide range of disorders mediated by COX-2, including but not restricted to disorders characterized by inflammation, pain and / or fever. Such compositions are especially useful as anti-inflammatory agents, such as, in arthritis treatment, with the additional benefit of having significantly less damaging side effects than conventional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug compositions (NSAIs Ds), which lack selectivity for COX-2 on COX-1. In particular, the compositions of the invention have reduced potential for gastrointestinal toxicity and gastrointestinal irritation, including upper gastrointestinal ulceration and bleeding, reduced potential for renal side effects, such as reduction in renal function, which lead to fluid retention and exacerbation of hypertension, reduced effect on bleeding times including inhibition of platelet function, and possibly a decreased ability to induce asthma attacks in asthmatic subjects sensitive to aspirin, by comparison with compositions of conventional NSAIDs. In this way, the compositions of the invention are particularly useful as an alternative to conventional NSAIs, where such N SAIs are counter-indicated, for example, in patients with peptic ulcers, gastritis, regional enteritis, ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis or a recurrent history of gastrointestinal injuries; gastrointestinal bleeding, coagulation disorders including anemia, such as hypoprothrombinemia, hemophilia, or other bleeding problems; kidney disease; or in patients before surgery or patients taking anticoagulants. The compositions contemplated are useful for treating a variety of arthritic disorders, including but not limited to rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthropathies, gout arthritis, osteoarthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and juvenile arthritis. Such compositions are useful in the treatment of asthma, bronchitis, menstrual cramps, preterm labor, tendonitis, bursitis, allergic neuritis, cytomegalovirus infectivity, apoptosis including H IV-induced apoptosis, lumbago, liver diseases including hepatitis, conditions related to the skin, such as psoriasis, eczema, acne, burns, dermatitis and ultraviolet radiation damage, including sunburn, and post-operative inflammation including those following an ophthalmic surgery, such as cataract surgery or refractory surgery. Such compositions are useful for treating gastrointestinal conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease, • 5 Crohn's disease, gastritis, irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis. Such compositions are useful for treating inflammation in such diseases as migraine headaches, periatheritis nodosa, thyroiditis, aplastic anemia, Hodgkin's disease, sclerodoma, rheumatic fever, type I diabetes, neuromuscular joint disease including, myasthenia gravis, Behcet, polymyositis, gingivitis, nephritis, hypersensitivity, swelling that occurs after injury including cerebral edema, myocardial ischemia and the like. Such compositions are useful in the treatment of ophthalmic diseases, such as retinitis, conjunctivitis, retinopathies, uveitis, ocular photophobia and acute injury to eye tissue. Such compositions are useful in the treatment of pulmonary inflammation, such as aqella associated with viral infections and cystic fibrosis and in bone resorption, such as that associated with osteoporosis. Such compositions are useful for the treatment of certain central nervous system disorders, such as cortical dementias including Alzheimer's disease, neurodegeneration and central nervous system damage resulting from stroke, ischemia and trauma. The term "treatment" in the present context includes partial or total inhibition of dementias, including Alzheimer's disease, dementia vascular, dementia of multiple infarcts, pre-senile dementia, alcoholic dementia and senile dementia. Such compositions are useful in the treatment of allergic rhinitis, respiratory distress syndrome, endotoxin shock syndrome and liver disease. Such compositions are useful in the treatment of pain, including but not limited to post-operative pain, dental pain, muscle pain and pain resulting from cancer. For example, such compositions are useful for the relief of pain, fever and inflammation in a variety of conditions including rheumatic fever, influenza and other viral infections including the common cold, neck and lower back pain, dysmenorrhea, headache, pain. teeth, dislocations and sprains, myositis, neuralgia, synovitis, arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis, diseases of degenerative joints (osteoarthritis), gout and ankylosing spondylitis, bursitis, burns and trauma following surgical and dental procedures. Such compositions are useful for treating and preventing cardiovascular disorders related to inflammation, including vascular diseases, coronary artery disease, aneurysm, vascular rejection, arteriosclerosis, atherosclerosis, including transplant atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, embolism, apoplexy, thrombosis including venous thrombosis, angina including unstable angina, inflammation of coronary plaque, bacterial-induced inflammation including Chlamydia-induced inflammation, virus-induced inflammation and inflammation associated with surgical procedures, such as vascular graft including coronary artery bypass surgery, revascularization including angioplasty, stenting, endarterectomy or other invasive procedures involving arteries, veins and capillaries. Such compositions are useful in the treatment of disorders related to angiogenesis in a subject, for example, to inhibit tumor angiogenesis. Such compositions are useful in the treatment of neoplasia, including metastasis; ophthalmological conditions, such as corneal graft rejection, ocular neovascularization, retinal neovascularization including neovascularization following injury or infection, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, retrolental fibroplasia and neovascular glaucoma; ulcerative diseases, such as gastric ulcer, pathological conditions, but not malignant, such as hemangiomas, including infantile hemangiomas, angiofibroma of the nasopharynx and avascular bone necrosis; and disorders of the female reproductive system, such as endometriosis. Such compositions are useful in the prevention and treatment of benign and malignant tumors and neoplasia including cancer, such as colorectal cancer, brain cancer, bone cancer, neoplasia derived from epithelial cells (epithelial carcinoma), such as basal cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, cancer Gastrointestinal, such as lip cancer, mouth cancer, esophageal cancer, small bowel cancer, stomach cancer, colon cancer, liver cancer, bladder cancer, pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, lung cancer , breast cancer, skin cancer, such as squamous cell cancers ÍJLí'- t Á .. i .-. A3 --it: - ife. ** fc * jfcajia --- H? í-¡-...., jÉaijj -. í! j, .- i¿ .. ',. t & TO . a-Ü-i i L. and basal cells, prostate cancer, renal cell carcinoma and other known cancers that affect epithelial cells throughout the body. Neoplasms for which the compositions of the invention are contemplated as being particularly useful are gastrointestinal cancer, Barrett's esophagus, liver cancer, bladder cancer, pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, cervical cancer, lung cancer, cancer. breast and skin cancer. Such compositions can also be used to treat fibrosis that occurs with radiation therapy. Such compositions can be used to treat subjects having adenomatous polyps, including those with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). Additionally, such compositions can be used to prevent polyps from forming in patients at risk of FAP. Such compositions inhibit the contraction of prostanoid-induced soft muscle by inhibiting the synthesis of contractile prostanoids and hence, may be of use in the treatment of dysmenorrhea, premature labor, asthma and eosinophil-related disorders. They may also be of use to decrease bone loss, particularly in post-menopausal women (ie, osteoporosis treatment) and for glaucoma treatment. Preferred uses for compositions of the invention are for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, for pain management in general (particularly post-operative pain, general post-surgery pain, post-orthopedic pain and acute osteoarthritis reflexes), for treatment of Alzheimer's disease, and for the prevention of colon cancer.

In addition to being useful for human treatment, the compositions of the invention are useful for the veterinary treatment of companion animals, exotic animals, farm animals and similar animals, in particular mammals. More particularly, the compositions of the invention are useful for the treatment of disorders mediated by COX-2 in horses, dogs and cats.

METHOD OF TREATMENT The present invention is further directed to a therapeutic method for treating a condition or disorder, wherein treatment with an inhibitory COX-2 medicament is indicated, the method comprising oral administration of a composition of the invention to a subject. in need of it. The dosage regimen to prevent giving relief to, or improving the condition or disorder, preferably corresponds to a treatment once a day or twice a day, but may be modified according to a variety of factors. These include the type, age, weight, sex, diet and medical condition of the subject and the nature and severity of the disorder. In this way, the dosage regimen currently employed can vary widely and may therefore deviate from the preferred dosage regimens set forth above. The initial treatment may start with a dosing regimen as indicated above. The treatment is continued in a general way as is necessary over a period of several weeks to several months or years, until the condition or disorder has been controlled or eliminated. Subjects who undergo treatment with a composition of the Ííi-Átá ..- í AA-JuáS-j i? ^ T '-ali - i »tfc,» .. .. ...... -s ..-, .- 9 »i¿- ii-, *. '.i * -,. 3, .-- 33M- & -t.fe-4 -.!. - invention can be monitored routinely by any of the methods well known in the art to determine the effectiveness of the therapy. The continuous analysis of data from such monitoring allows the modification of the treatment regimen during therapy, so that it is administered in optimally effective doses at any time and so that the duration of treatment can be determined. In this manner, the treatment regimen and dosage schedule can be rationally modified over the course of therapy, so that the lowest amount of the composition exhibiting satisfactory effectiveness is administered and so that the administration is continued only as far as possible. time is necessary to successfully treat the condition or disorder. The present compositions can be used in combination therapies with opioids and other analgesics, including narcotic analgesics, Mu receptor antagonists, Kappa receptor antagonists, non-narcotic (ie, non-addictive) analgesics, monoamine uptake inhibitors, regulatory agents. of adenosine, cannabinoid derivatives, Substance P antagonists, neurokinin-1 receptor antagonists and sodium channel blockers, among others. Preferred combination therapies comprise the use of a composition of the invention with one or more compounds selected from aceclofenac, acemetacin, e-acetamidocaproic acid, acetaminophen, acetaminosalol, acetanilide, acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin), S-adenosylmethionine, alclofenac, alfentanil, alilprodine, alminoprofen, aloxiprine, alphaprodine, aluminum bis (acetylsalicylate), amfenac, aminoclorteoxazine, 3- KrJß amino-4-hydroxybutyric acid, 2-amino-4-picoline, aminopropyl, aminopyrine, amixetrine, ammonium salicylate, ampyroxicam, amtolmetin guacillus, anilepdine, antipyrine, antipyrine salicylate, anthrafenin, apazone, bendazac, benorilate, benoxaprofen, bencipiperilon, benzamine, 5-benzylmorphine, bermoprofen, bezitramide, a-bisabolol, bromfenac, p-bromoacetanilide, 5-bromosalicylic acid acetate, bromosaligenin, bucetma, bucilloxic acid, bucoloma, bufexamac, bumadizon, buprenorphine, butacetin, butybufen, butofanol, calcium acetylsalicylate , carbamazepine, barbifen, carprofen, carsalam, chlorobutanol, clortenoxazine, salicylate choline, cinchofen, cinmetacin, ciramadol, clidanac, clometacin, clonitazene, clonixin, clopirin, clove, codeine, codeine methyl bromide, codeine phosphate, codeine sulfate, cropropamide, crotetamide, desomorphine, dexoxadrol, dextromoramide, dezocin, diampromide, diclofenac sodium, diphenamizole, dipheniramide, diflunisal, dihydrocodeine, enol dihydrocodeinone acetate, dihydromorphine, dihydroxyaluminium acetylsalicylate, dimenoxadol, dimetheptanol, dimethylthiambutene, dioxafethylbutyrate, dipinanone, diprocetyl, dipyrone, ditazole, droxicam, emorfazone, enfenamic acid, epirizol, eptazocine, etersalate, etenzamide, ethoheptazine, ethoxazene, ethylmethylthiambutone , ethylmorphine, etodolac, etofenamate, etonitazene, eugenol, felbinac, febufen, fecclous acid, fendosai, fenoprofen, fentanyl, fentiazac, fepradinol, feprazone, floctafenin, flufenamic acid, flunoxaprofen, fluoresone, flupirtine, fluproquazone, flurbiprofen, phosfosal, gentisic acid, glafenin, glucametacin, glycol salicylate, guaiazulene, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, hydroxypetidine, ibufenac, ibuprofen, buproxam, salicylate of im idazole, indomethacin, indoprofen, isofezolac, isoladol, isomethadone, isonixin, isoxepac, isoxicam, ketobemidone, ketoprofen, ketorolac, p-lactofenetide, lefetamine, levorphanol, lofentanil, lonazolac, lornoxicam, loxoprofen, acetylsalicylate lysine, magnesium acetylsalicylate , meclofenamic acid, mefenamic acid, meperidine, meptazinol, mesalamine, metazocine, methadone hydrochloride, methotrimeprazine, metyazinic acid, metofoline, metopon, mofebutazone, mofezolac, morazone, morphine, morphine hydrochloride, morphine sulfate, morpholine salicylate, nirofin, nabumetone, nalbuphine, 1-naphthyl salicylate, naproxen, narcein, nefopam, nicomorphine, nifenazone, niflumic acid, nimesulide, 5'-nitro-2'-propoxyacetanilide, norlevorphanol, normetadone, normorphine, norpipanone, olsalazine, opium, oxaceprol, oxametacin , oxaprozin, oxycodone, oxymorphone, oxyfenbutazone, papaveretum, paraniline, parsalmide, pentazocine, perisoxal, phenacetin phenate xona, phenazocine, phenazopyridine hydrochloride, phenochlor, phenoperidine, fenopyrazone, phenyl acetylsalicylate, phenylbutazone, phenyl salicylate, femramidol, picetoprofen, pim inodine, pipebuzone, piperilone, piprofen, pyrazolac, piritramide, piroxicam, pranoprofen, proglumetacin, proheptazine, promedol , propacetamol, propiram, propoxyphene, propifenazone, proquazone, protizinic acid, ramifenazone, remifentanil, rimazolium methylisulfate, salacetam ida, salicin, salicylamide, salicylamide o-acetic acid, salicylsulfuric acid, salty, salverine, symmetry, sodium salicylate, sufentanil , sulfasalazine, sulindac, superoxide dismutase, suprofen, suxibuzone, talniflumate, ten idap, tenoxicam, terophenamate, tetrandrine, thiazolinobutazone, thiaprofenic acid, thiaramide, Tilidine, tinoridine, tolfenamic acid, tolmetin, tramadol, tropesin, viminol, xenbucin, ximoprofen, zaltoprofen and zomepirac (see The Merck Index, 1st edition, Therapeutic Category and Biological Activity Index (index of therapeutic categories and biological activity), ed. S. Budavari (1 996), pp. Ther-2 to Ther-3 and Ther-12 (analgesic (dental), analgesic (narcotic), analgesic (non-narcotic), anti-inflammatory (non-steroidal)). Particularly preferred combination compositions comprise the use of a composition of the invention with an opioid compound, more particularly where the opioid compound is codeine, meperidine, morphine or a derivative thereof A celecoxib 'composition of the invention can also be administered in combination with a second selective COX-2 inhibitory drug, eg, celecoxib, rofecoxib, etc. The compound to be administered in combination with celecoxib can be formulated by separated from celecoxib or co-formulated with celecoxib in a composition of the invention. Where celecoxib is co-formulated with a second drug, for example, an opioid drug, the second drug can be formulated in the form of immediate release, rapid onset, sustained release or dual release.

EXAMPLES The following examples illustrate aspects of the present invention, but will not be construed as limitations.

Example 1 A drug substance of celecoxib C 1 and celecoxib-polymer compounds C3 and C4 were prepared by the following spray-drying process. The celecoxib in crystalline form (a drug substance of celecoxib C2 of the prior art) was added to a solvent, with stirring at a temperature of 70-75 ° C, to prepare solutions S 1, S 3 and S 4 having the composition shown in Table 1 Solutions S 1 and S 4 were prepared in 95% ethanol. Solution S3 was prepared in 70% isopropanol.

Table 1 . Composition (mg / ml) of solids S1, S3 and S4.

Each of the solutions S 1, S3 and S4 were spray-dried individually at room temperature using a Yamato GB-21 spray dryer to form C 1, C 3 and C 4 powders, respectively, under the following conditions: (a) speed fluid flow of 10 mL / min; (b) inlet air temperature of 1 15 ° C; (c) outlet air temperature of 75 ° C, and (d) drying air flow of 3.75 TMF. The powders C3 and C4 are celecoxib-polymer compounds of the invention, each comprising 67% celecoxib and 33% polymer.

Example 2 A celecoxib C 1 0 drug substance was prepared by the following melting / quenching cooling process. Approximately 5 g of crystalline celecoxib (the celecoxib C2 drug substance of the prior art) was weighed in a metal foil patent. and placed in an oven at 1 80 ° C for 5 minutes to melt the celecoxib. It was then cooled by quenching by flooding the sheet tray containing the molten celecoxib in liquid nitrogen, resulting in the formation of C 1 0 celecoxibic drug substance of the present invention. This substance of medication • it could be gently moistened by mortar to produce a powder of celecoxib drug substance.

Example 3 A powder X-ray diffraction analysis (PXRD) was used to determine the relative amorphous crystalline celecoxib content of celecoxib C 1 drug substance and celecoxib- - F ^ polymer C3 and C4 compounds, as was prepared in Example 1, by Comparison with crystalline celecoxib drug substance C2. The data was collected using an Xcmtag Advanced Diffraction System that operates under the Scintag DMS / NT computer program. This system uses a solid-state peltier-cooled detector and a copper X-ray source maintained at 45 kV and 40 mA to provide emission from C U KO-T to 1 .5406 Á. The beam aperture was controlled using divergence of tube and anti-dispersion slits of 2 and 4 mm respectively, while the anti-dispersion and reception slits of the detector were set at 0.5 and 0.3 mm, respectively. Data were collected from 2 ° to 35 ° two-theta (2T) using a scanning step of 0.037 point and an integration time of one second / point. Samples were prepared using Scintag round top stainless steel sample cups, and fitted with 1 2 mm diameter aluminum inserts to accommodate small sample volumes. The results of the PXRD analyzes are shown as bands in Figs. 1 -3. The appearance of spiky, larger peaks in a band indicates crystallinity, while compressed peaks are indicative of amorphous material. Fig. 1 shows that celecoxib (without polymer) spray-dried from a solution of ethanol (C 1) produced a strong crystalline signal, similar to that of a control of crystalline celecoxib (C2). If there is an amorphous component in the celecoxib drug substance C 1 is a minor component. Fig. 2 shows that when celecoxib was spray dried with H PMC (ratio 2: 1 by weight), the resulting celecoxib-polymer compound C3 was initially non-crystalline, that is, celecoxib in this compound was substantially pure phase amorphous celecoxib . When an analysis was conducted on a sample that had been stored for two weeks at 40 ° C and 75% relative humidity (at time T2), some recrystallization had occurred, as indicated by the presence of crystalline peaks. l-iÍ «-i- tfi #, F ^^ '! rft? -a ^, r Fig. 3 shows that when celecoxib was spray-dried with povidone (2: 1 weight ratio), the resulting C4 celecoxib-polymer compound was initially non-crystalline (at time T1), that is, celecoxib in this compound was celecoxib amorphous substantially • pure phase. When an analysis was conducted on a sample that had been stored for two weeks at 40 ° C and 75% relative humidity (at time T2), essentially no recrystallization had occurred, as indicated by the absence of crystalline peaks.

Example 4 Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used for • Determine the relative amorphous crystalline celecoxib content of celecoxib C 1 drug substance and celecoxibpolmer C3 and C4 compounds, as prepared in Example 1. DSC was performed using a TA Instruments DSC 2920 differential scanning calorimeter with parameters set as follows: (a) temperature range of 50-200 ° C; (b) heating rate of 2 ° C / min, modulating ± 0.5 ° C every 30 s; (c) sample size of 3 mg; (d) hermetically sealed aluminum trays. 20 Figs. 4-6 show DSC thermograms for the spray dried powders of Example 1 Fig. 4 exhibits a thermogram for the celecoxib C 1 drug product, which exhibits a large melting endotherm at 1 59.4 ° C (start) with an area of 96.42 J / g. No other transition is evident. The The magnitude of the endotherm suggests that a substantial portion of C 1 was crystalline Any amorphous cefecoxib present in the sample was not detectable by this technique. Fig. 5 shows a thermogram for the celecoxibpolmer C3 compound (2: 1 ratio of celecoxib: H PMC). This material exhibits an apparent glass transition at 1 22.9 ° C (start), followed by a small melting endotherm at 1 50. 1 ° C with an area of 4,379 J / g. The endotherm indicates that the majority of celecoxib in C3 is amorphous, but that a small amount of crystalline celecoxib is present. Fig. 6 exhibits a thermogram for the celecoxib- pol C4 compound (proportion of celecoxib: povidone 2: 1). This material exhibits an apparent glass transition at 1 1 1 .4 ° C (start). No other transition is evident, indicating that the material is substantially amorphous, pure phase celecoxib.

Example 5 DSC was also used to determine the drug substance content of crystalline and amorphous relative celecoxib C 1 0, prepared as in Example 2. DSC was performed using a differential scanning calorimeter TA I nstruments MDSC at a scanning rate of 5 ° C / min. A first significant thermal event was observed at approximately 54 ° C, representing a glass transition temperature indicative of amorphous celecoxib. An exothermic peak observed at 1 00-150 ° C was consistent with a case of crystallization and represents the conversion of amorphous celecoxib to a crystalline state. As shown by the presence of an endothermic peak, the resulting crystalline celecoxib melted at 165 ° C.

Example 6 Tablets were prepared having the composition shown in Table 2 from the celecoxib-C4 polymer compound by the following procedure. Compound C4, sodium lauryl sulfate and effervescent agents (citric acid and sodium bicarbonate) were mixed and ground for 10 min in a McCrone mill to form a powder mixture. The powder mixture was milled together with lactose, microcrystalline cellulose and sodium starch glycolate using a mortar to form a ground powder mixture. The ground powder mixture was then compressed using a Carver press to form tablets, which are illustrative of a pharmaceutical composition of the invention.

Table 2. Composition of tablets prepared from celecoxib-polymer C4 compound Example 7 Tablets prepared as described in Example 6 were compared to a crystalline celecoxib capsule in an in vivo bioavailability test in dogs. In a cross design, each of six beagle dogs received a 200 mg dose of celecoxib in the form of the tablet composition of Example 6 and then, after the elimination period, the dogs each received a 200 mg dose of celecoxib in the form of a 200 mg capsule of commercial Celebrex®, which contains celecoxib completely in crystalline form. Blood plasma was collected before the dose and at 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 5, 8 and 24 hours after the dose. Concentrations of celecoxib in plasma were measured using liquid chromatography / mass spectrometry. Cmax, Tmax and AUC were calculated (low area the curve, a measure of the total bioavailability) from the data according to the standard procedure in the art. The average results for all dogs are shown in Table 3. The tablet of Example 6 prepared from amorphous celecoxib exhibited a significantly higher C max (maximum blood plasma concentration), a comparable T max, and a significantly higher AUC than the capsule formulated from crystalline celecoxib. As a measure of the relative start time, the time taken for the tablet of the invention to reach a plasma concentration equal to the C max of the crystalline celecoxib capsule was only 0.5 hour, compared to 1.2 hours (the T max for the crystalline celecoxib capsule).

Table 3. Bioavailability of the amorphous celecoxib tablet of Example 6 by comparison with a crystalline celecoxib capsule i -.;. i: -ja .- ^ 't-V..i¿ > .¡ ...... ..-; - ... ^ -. -. ^ A > it. ^ j ^ t-? sj ^ - »tA -.- ^ feaw« 8Éiia- & á-S ^ ... "« a »- & ^ --- I

Claims (9)

REIVIN DI CACIONES

1 . Amorphous Celecoxib

2. A drug substance of celecoxib, wherein celecoxib 5 is present, at least in a detectable amount, as amorphous celecoxib.

3. The drug substance of claim 2, wherein the amorphous celecoxib is present in an amount of about 1 00% to about 1 00% by weight of celecoxib.

4. The drug substance of claim 2, comprising substantially pure phase amorphous celecoxib. FF

5. A celecoxib-crystallization inhibitor compound comprising amorphous celecoxib particles or a celecoxib drug substance of any of claims 2 to 4, in intimate association 15 with one or more crystallization inhibitors, in an amount effective to reduce the transformation of amorphous celecoxib to crystalline celecoxib.

6. The compound of claim 5, wherein the crystallization inhibitor is a polymer.

7. The compound of claim 6, wherein the polymer is selected from polyvinylpyrrolidone and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose.

8. The compound of claim 6, wherein the polymer is polyvinylpyrrolidone. 9. The compound of any of claims 5 to 8, wherein the crystallization inhibitor (s) is present in a total amount of about 10% to about 80% by weight of the compound. 1 0. A pharmaceutical composition comprising (a) amorphous celecoxib, a drug substance of celecoxib of any of the • 5 claims 2 to 4, or a celecoxib-crystallization inhibitor compound of any of claims 5 to 9, in a total celecoxib dosage amount of about 10 mg to about 1000 mg, and (b) one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients. A process for preparing a drug substance of celecoxib, the process comprising (a) melting celecoxib; (b) rapidly cooling the resulting molten celecoxib to form a drug substance of celecoxib, wherein the celecoxib is 15 present, at least in a detectable amount, in an amorphous form; and optionally (c) grinding the drug substance of celecoxib to form a drug substance powder of celecoxib. ? 'F 12. A process for preparing a celecoxib-inhibitor compound Crystallization, the process comprising (a) dissolving the celecoxib and one or more crystallization inhibitors in a solvent liquid to form a solution; (b) drying the solution to form a celecoxib-crystallization inhibitor compound, wherein celecoxib is present, at least 25 in a detectable amount, in an amorphous form; and optionally Í? ^ L iMSk ^ Me &? L-toMS- JÉÉ-táta-te-fe-t --- M & ,. (c) grinding the drug substance of celecoxib to form a powder of celecoxib-crystallization inhibitor compound. The process of claim 12, wherein the drying step (b) is performed by spray drying. 14. The process of claim 12 or claim 1, wherein the solvent liquid comprises isopropanol. 5. A process for preparing a pharmaceutical composition, the process comprising (a) mixing amorphous celecoxib, a celecoxib drug substance of any of claims 2 to 4, or a celecoxib-crystallization inhibitor compound of any of claims 5 • to 9, with one or more excipients to form a mixture; and (b) tabletting or encapsulating the mixture to form celecoxib tablets or capsules, respectively. The process of claim 1, further comprising granulating the mixture to form a granulate before tabletting or encapsulation. The process of claim 1, wherein the granulation is carried out by wet granulation to form a wet granulate and wherein the wet granulate is dried before tabletting or encapsulation. ^ 1 ^ 20 18. A method for treating a medical condition or disorder in a subject, wherein treatment with a cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor is indicated, comprising orally administering one or more dose units of a composition of claim 1 0 once or twice a day. ijt-, ¿¿.? M? D? ^ - ^ fí - - ...... .- .-- < -. * X.

9. A method for using amorphous celecoxib, a drug substance of celecoxib of any of claims 2 to 4, or a celecoxib-crystallization inhibitor compound of any of claims 5 to 9, in the manufacture of a medicament for treating a medical condition or disorder in a subject where treatment with a cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor is indicated.