WO2000015217A1

WO2000015217A1 - A new composition

Info

Publication number: WO2000015217A1
Application number: PCT/SE1999/001596
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Evenden; Seth-Olov Thorberg
Original assignee: Astrazeneca Ab
Priority date: 1998-09-16
Filing date: 1999-09-13
Publication date: 2000-03-23
Also published as: AU6377999A; CA2342223A1; EP1113792A1; JP2002524507A; SE9803155D0

Abstract

The invention relates to a composition comprising a first component (a) which is (R)-3-N,N-dicyclobutylamino-8-fluoro-3,4-dihydro-2H-1-benzopyran-5-carboxamide hydrogen (2R,3R)-tartrate monohydrate and a second component (b) which is a 5-HT reuptake inhibitor excluding citalopram and paroxetine, the preparation thereof, pharmaceutical formulations containing said composition, use of and a method of treatment of affective disorders such as mood disorders and anxiety disorders with said composition as well as a kit containing said composition.

Description

A NEW COMPOSITION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a composition which comprises a first component (a) which is (7^-3-NN-dicyclobutylamino-8-fluoro-3,4-dihydro-2H-l-benzopyran-5- carboxamide hydrogen (2i?,3i?)-tartrate monohydrate and a second component (b) which is a 5-ΗT reuptake inhibitor excluding citalopram and paroxetine. The present invention also relates to a process for the preparation of the inventive composition, pharmaceutical formulations containing said composition and to the use of said composition either by concomitant administration or by separate administration as an improvement of the treatment of affective disorders such as depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), etc.

Background of the Invention

Today, it is generally considered that antidepressants take 2-4 weeks to reach full clinical effect. In contrast, the side effects occur immediately. Thus, slow onset of action of antidepressants leads to a vulnerable period for patients in which they experience the side effects, but not the therapeutic effects of drugs. There is often a heavy burden on the treating physician to persuade the patient to continue with the treatment during this period. Furthermore, in suicidal patients, as the onset of action is gradual, initiative may be regained without the experiencing of full reversal of symptoms, leaving a window of risk for suicide and a frequent requirement for hospitalization. An antidepressant with fast onset of action would not only be beneficial due to the faster symptom reduction, but would also be more acceptable to patients and physicians and reduce the need for and duration of hospitalization. The same long period to reach full clinical effect has been shown in the treatment of other affective disorders such as anxiety and OCD. Prior art

In WO 96/33710 is disclosed the combination of the compound (7?)-5-carbamoyl-8-fluoro- 3-NN-dicyclobutylamino-3,4-dihydro-2H-l-benzopyran which has high affinity to 5-ΗT receptors and antagonizes 5-HTj_A mediated responses, with a serotonin reuptake inhibitor.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention is directed to a new composition comprising of a first component (a) which is the specific 5-HT ^antagonist t ^-3-NN-dicyclobutylamino-8-fluoro-3,4- dihydro-2H-l-benzopyran-5-carboxamide hydrogen (2i?,3i?)-tartrate monohydrate and a second component (b) which is a 5-ΗT reuptake inhibitor excluding citalopram and paroxetine. Said composition attains a faster onset of action and consequently, provides a more efficacious treatment of the patients suffering from affective disorders, particularly depression.

It has been shown in animal studies that acute administration of selective 5-HT reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) decreases the electrical impulse propagation in 5-HT neurones via a negative feedback reaction probably mediated by collateral 5-HT axons releasing 5-HT in raphe nuclei: By inhibiting the somatodendritic 5-HT_1A autoreceptors in the raphe nuclei the selective antagonists counteract the decrease in propagation caused by 5-HT reuptake inhibitors. This indicates that a selective blockade of somatodendritic autoreceptor i.e. 5- HT_IA antagonist may have a clinical potential to improve the efficacy of 5-HT reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and offer a new rationale for rapid onset of effect in the treatment of affective disorders, for instance the antidepressant actions.

The compound ? 3-NN-dicyclobutylamino-8-fluoro-3,4-dihydro-2H- 1 -benzopyran-5- carboxamide hydrogen (2i?,3 ?)-tartrate monohydrate (NAD 299) disclosed herein is described in J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther., 283, 216-225, (1997), as a selective 5-HTι_A receptor antagonist. ( ? 3-NN-dicyclobutylamino-8-fluoro-3,4-dihydro-2H-l-benzopyran-5-carboxamide hydrogen (2i?,3R)-tartrate monohydrate possesses a high affinity to the specific subgroup of 5-ΗT_IA receptor in the CΝS and acts as an antagonist on that 5-HTι_A receptor, and also shows favourable bioavailability after oral administration.

Known 5-HT reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) which may be used are norzimeldine, fluoxetine, clomipramine, sertraline, fluvoxamine and alaproclate, preferably suitable are fluoxetine, clomipramine, sertraline, and fluvoxamine. However, component (b) in the combination according to the invention is not limited only to those SSRIs.

The definitions and chemical names of the above-mentioned compounds (SSRIs) can be found in the Merck Index, 12th Edition, S Budavari et al (ed.) and are incorporated herein by reference.

The composition according to the present invention may exist in one pharmaceutical formulation comprising the component (a) and component (b), or in two different pharmaceutical formulations, one for component (a) and one for component (b). The pharmaceutical formulation may be in the form of tablets or capsules, powders, mixtures, solutions or other suitable pharmaceutical formulation forms such as patches and nasal formulations.

The composition of the present invention can be prepared such that component (a) is incorporated into the same pharmaceutical formulation as component (b) by e.g. mixing in a conventional way.

The present invention also includes a method of improving the onset of therapeutic action by concomitant administration of a composition comprising of (R)-3-N,N- dicyclobutylamino-8-fluoro-3 ,4-dihydro-2H- 1 -benzopyran-5-carboxamide hydrogen (2#,3#)-tartrate monohydrate and a 5-HT reuptake inbibitor excluding citalopram and paroxetine.

A further embodiment of the present invention is a kit containing a dosage unit of of (R)-3- NN-dicyclobutylamino-8-fluoro-3,4-dihydro-2H- l-benzopyran-5-carboxamide hydrogen (2i?,3i?)-tartrate monohydrate and a dosage unit of a 5-HT reuptake inbibitor excluding citalopram and paroxetine, optionally with instructions for use.

Pharmaceutical formulations

According to the present invention the compounds in the composition will normally be administered orally, rectally, transdermally, nasally or by injection, in the form of pharmaceutical formulations comprising the active ingredients in a pharmaceutically acceptable dosage form . The dosage form may be a solid, semisolid or liquid formulation. Usually the active substances will constitute between 0.1 and 99% by weight of the formulation, more specifically between 0.5 and 20% by weight for formulations intended for injection and between 0.2 and 50% by weight for formulations suitable for oral administration.

The pharmaceutical formulation comprises the active ingredients, optionally in association with adjuvants, excipients e.g. diluents, and/or inert carriers.

To produce pharmaceutical formulations of the composition of the invention in the form of dosage units for oral application, the selected compounds may be mixed with a solid excipient, e.g. lactose, saccharose, sorbitol, mannitol, starches such as potato starch, corn starch or amylopectin, cellulose derivatives, a binder such as gelatin or poly- vinylpyrrolidone, disintegrants e.g. sodium starch glycolate, cross-linked PVP and cross- caramellose sodium; a lubricant such as magnesium stearate, calcium stearate, polyethylene glycol, waxes, paraffin, and the like, and an antisticking agent such as talc or colloidal silicon dioxide, and then compressed into tablets. If coated tablets are required, the cores, prepared as described above, may be coated with a polymer known to the man skilled in the art e.g. HPMC, HC or other cellulose derivatives or PVP, wherein the polymer is dissolved in water or a readily volatile organic solvent or mixture of organic solvents. Alternatively, the tablets can be coated with a concentrated sugar solution which may contain e.g. gum arabic, gelatine, talcum, titanium dioxide, and the like. Dyestuffs may be added to these coatings for instance in order to readily distinguish between tablets containing different active substances or different amounts of the active compounds.

For the formulation of soft gelatin capsules, the active substances may be admixed with e.g. a vegetable oil or polyethylene glycol. Hard gelatin capsules may contain granules of the active substances using any of the above mentioned excipients for tablets e.g. lactose, saccharose, sorbitol, mannitol, starches (e.g. potato starch, corn starch or amylopectin), cellulose derivatives, plasticizers, polyetheneglycol, waxes, lipids or gelatin. Also liquids or semisolids of the drug can be filled into hard gelatin capsules.

Dosage units for rectal application can be solutions or suspensions or can be prepared in the form of suppositories comprising the active substances in a mixture with a neutral fatty base, or gelatin rectal capsules comprising the active substances in admixture with vegetable oil or paraffin oil. Liquid formulations for oral application may be in the form of solutions, syrups or suspensions, for example solutions containing from about 0.2% to about 20% by weight of the active substances herein described, the balance being sugar and a mixture of ethanol, water, glycerol and propylene glycol. Optionally such liquid formulations may contain colouring agents, flavouring agents, saccharin and carboxymethyl-cellulose as a thickening agent or other excipients known to a person skilled in the art.

Solutions for parenteral applications by injection can be prepared in an aqueous solution of a water-soluble pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the active substances, preferably in a concentration of from about 0.5% to about 10% by weight. These solutions may also contain stabilizing agents and/or buffering agents and may conveniently be provided in various dosage unit ampoules.

Suitable daily doses of the active compounds in the composition of the invention in therapeutic treatment of humans are about 0.01 - 100 mg/kg bodyweight for peroral administration and 0.001-100 mg/kg bodyweight for parenteral administration. The daily doses of the active ingredient 7?)-3-NN-dicyclobutylamino-8-fluoro-3,4-dihydro-2H-l- benzopyran-5-carboxamide hydrogen (2i?,3./?)-taιtrate monohydrate may very well differ from the daily doses of the active ingredient 5-ΗT reuptake inhibitor but the doses can also be the same for both of the active ingredients.

Medical and Pharmaceutical Use

In a further aspect the present invention provides the use of the composition comprising a first component (a) which is ^)-3-N,N-dicyclobutylamino-8-fluoro-3,4-dihydro-2H-l- benzopyran-5-carboxamide hydrogen (2J?,3R)-tartrate monohydrate and a second component (b) which is a 5-HT reuptake inhibitor excluding citalopram and paroxetine, in the treatment of 5-hydroxytryptamine mediated disorders, such as affective disorders. Examples of affective disorders are disorders in the CΝS such as mood disorders (depression/ major depressive episodes, dysthymia, seasonal affective disorder, depressive phases of bipolar disorder), anxiety disorders (obsessive compulsive disorder, panic disorder with/without agoraphobia, social phobia, specific phobia, generalized anxiety disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder), personality disorders (disorders of impulse control, trichotellomania) and sleep disorders. Other disorders in the CΝS such as eating disorders (obesity, anorexia, bulimia), premenstrual syndrome, sexual disturbances, alcoholism, tobacco abuse, autism, attention deficit, hyperactivity disorder, migraine, memory disorders (age associated memory impairment, presenile and senile dementia such as Alzheimer's disease), pathological aggression, schizophrenia, endocrine disorders (e g hyperprolactinaemia), stroke, dyskinesia, Parkinson's disease, thermoregulatory disorders, pain and hypertension may also be treated with the combination described herein. Examples of other hydroxytryptamine mediated disorders are urinary incontinence, vasospasm and growth control of tumors (e g lung carcinoma) and it may be possible to treat those with the combination described herein as well.

Pharmacology

Potentiation of the 5 HTj A autoreceptor blocking effekt of 5-HT of a 5-HT reuptake inhibitor by using of (7? -3-NN-dicyclobutylamino-8-fluoro-3,4-dihydro-2H-l-benzopyran- 5-carboxamide hydrogen (2R,3i?)-tartrate monohydrate (NAD 299).

Materials and methods Animals

The studies were carried out in male Sprague-Dawley rats (290-450g; B&K Universal, Sollentuna, Sweden). The animals were housed for at least 3 weeks after arrival until used in the experiments.

Methods

The studies were carried out by means of intra-cerebral microdialysis in awake rats. To assess any putative regional differences between dorsal and median rapheinnervated 5-ΗT projection areas, dialysis probes were simultaneously implanted both into the frontal cortex (FCx) and dorsal hippocampus (DH).

Microdialysis

The rats were anaesthetised with a mixture of ketamine HCl (67 mg/kg intraperitoneal (IP); Ketalar , Park-Davis) and xylazine HCl (13 mg/kg LP; Rompun , Bayer-Leverkusen). U- shaped microdialysis probes (total dialysis fibre length 4 mm, OD 220μm) were stereotaxically implanted in the frontal cortex (FCx) and dorsal hippocampus (DH); probe tips at AP +3.5, ML -3.0, DV -4.2 and -4.3, ML +2.5, DV -4.2, respectively, vs. bregma and dura surface (Paxinos, et al, in The Rat Brain in Stereotaxic Coordinates, 2nd Ed., Academic Press, San Diego (1996)). The microdialysis studies were performed in conscious animals after a 40-48 h recovery period, during which they were kept individually. Food and water were allowed ad libitum in the plastic cages subsequently used in the experimental sessions. On the day of the experiment, the probe inlets were connected to a syringe perfusion pump (CMA/100; CMA Microdialysis AB, Sweden), delivering artificial CSF (Hjorth, S., J. Neurochem. 60:776-779 (1993)) at a speed of 1.3μl/min. Twenty-min dialysate fractions were collected from the probe outlet tubing, and immediately analysed for 5-HT and 5-HIAA by standard HPLC-EC methods. After the perfusion was commenced, a period of 2-3 h was allowed to establish stable baseline dialysate levels of 5-HT, prior to drug treatment(s).

The following non-limiting Example serves to illustrate the present invention.

Example

A suitable pharmaceutical composition comprising a first component (a) and a second component (b) in a single dosage form include the following:

Composition mg/tablet

Active drug component (a) 5

Active drug component (b) 20

Microcrystalline cellulose 100

Corn starch 40

Povidone 4

Water 50

Sodium starch glycolate 8

Magnesium stearate 1

Claims

1. A composition comprising a first component (a) which is (R)-3-N,N- dicyclobutylamino-8-fluoro-3,4-dihydro-2H-l-benzopyran-5-carboxamide hydrogen (2#,3/?)-tartrate monohydrate and a second component (b) which is a 5-ΗT reuptake inhibitor excluding citalopram and paroxetine.

2. A composition according to claim 1 wherein the 5-HT reuptake inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of fluoxetine, clomipramine, sertraline and fluvoxamin.

3. Use of the composition according to any one of claims 1-2 for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of 5-HT mediated disorders.

4. The use of the composition according to claim 3 for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of affective disorders.

5. The use according to claim 4 for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of mood disorders.

6. The use'according to claim 5 for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of depression.

7. A method for the treatment of 5-HT mediated disorders by administering to a patient suffering therefrom the composition defined in any one of claims 1-2.

8. The method according to claim 7 for the treatment of affective disorders.

9. The method according to claim 8 for the treatment of mood disorders.

10. The method according to claim 9 for the treatment of depression.

11. A method of improving the onset of therapeutic action by concomitant administration of a composition defined in any one of claims 1-2.

12. A pharmaceutical formulation wherein the active ingredients are those in the composition defined in any one of claims 1-2, optionally in association with adjuvants, excipients and/or inert carriers.

13. A pharmaceutical formulation according to claim 12 wherein the first component (a) is concomitantly administered with the second component (b).

14. A pharmaceutical formulation according to any one of claims 12-13 for use in the treatment of 5-HT mediated disorders.

15. A pharmaceutical formulation according to any one of claims 12-13 for use in the treatment of affective disorders.

16. A pharmaceutical formulation according to any one of claims 12-13 for use in the treatment of mood disorders.

17. A pharmaceutical formulation according to any one of claims 12-13 for use in the treatment of depression.

18. A process for the preparation of the composition according to any one of claims 1-2 whereby the first.component (a) is incorporated into the same pharmaceutical formulation as the second component (b).

19. A process for the preparation of the composition according to any one of claims 1-2 whereby the first component (a) is in a one pharmaceutical formulation and is combined with the second component (b) is in a different pharmaceutical formulation.

20. A kit containing a dosage unit of a first component (a) which is (R)-3-N,N- dicyclobutylamino-8-fluoro-3 ,4-dihydro-2H- 1 -benzopyran-5-carboxamide hydrogen (2i?,3i?)-tartrate monohydrate and a dosage unit of a second component (b) which is a 5-ΗT reuptake inhibitor excluding citalopram and paroxetine, optionally with instructions for use.

AMENDED CLAIMS

[received by the International Bureau on 15 February 2000 (15.02.00); original claims 7,12 and 20 amended; remaining claims unchanged (3 pages)]

1. A composition comprising a first component (a) which is (R)-3-N,N- dicyclobutylamino-8-fluoro-3,4-dihydro-2H-l-benzopyran-5-carboxamide hydrogen (2Λ,3i?)-tartrate monohydrate and a second component (b) which is a 5-ΗT reuptake inhibitor excluding citalopram and paroxetine.

6. The use according to claim 5 for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of depression.

7. The use according to claim 3 in the manufacture of a medicament in the prevention or in the treatment of urinary incontinence.

8. A method for the treatment of 5-HT mediated disorders by administering to a patient suffering therefrom the composition defined in any one of claims 1-2.

9. The method according to claim 8 for the treatment of affective disorders.

10. The method according to claim 9 for the treatment of mood disorders.

11. The method according to claim 10 for the treatment of depression.

12. A method according to claim 8 for the prevention or the treatment of urinary incontinence.

13. A method of improving the onset of therapeutic action by concomitant administration of a composition defined in any one of claims 1-2.

14. A pharmaceutical formulation wherein the active ingredients are those in the composition defined in any one of claims 1-2, optionally in association with adjuvants, excipients and/or inert carriers.

15. A pharmaceutical formulation according to claim 14 wherein the first component (a) is concomitantly administered with the second component (b).

16. A pharmaceutical formulation according to any one of claims 14-15 for use in the treatment of 5-HT mediated disorders.

17. A pharmaceutical formulation according to any one of claims 14-15 for use in the treatment of affective disorders.

18. A pharmaceutical formulation according to any one of claims 14-15 for use in the treatment of mood disorders.

19. A pharmaceutical formulation according to any one of claims 14-15 for use in the treatment of depression.

20. A pharmaceutical formulation according to any one of claims 14-15 for use in the treatment of urinary incontinence.

21. A process for the preparation of the composition according to any one of claims 1-2 whereby the first component (a) is incorporated into the same pharmaceutical formulation as the second component (b).

22. A process for the preparation of the composition according to any one of claims 1-2 whereby the first component (a) is in a one pharmaceutical formulation and is combined with the second component (b) is in a different pharmaceutical formulation.

23. A kit containing a dosage unit of a first component (a) which is (R)-3-N,N- dicyclobutylamino-8-fluoro-3 ,4-dihydro-2H- 1 -benzopyran-5-carboxamide hydrogen (2 ?,3/?)-tartrate monohydrate and a dosage unit of a second component (b) which is a 5-ΗT reuptake inhibitor excluding citalopram and paroxetine, optionally with instructions for use.