WO2004072049A1

WO2004072049A1 - Polymorph of {6,7-bis(2-methoxy-ethoxy)-quinazolin-4-yl}-(3e)

Info

Publication number: WO2004072049A1
Application number: PCT/EP2004/001244
Authority: WO
Inventors: André Gerard BUBENDORF; Michael Hennig; Pirmin Hidber; Goesta Rimmler; Franziska Rohrer
Original assignee: F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ag
Priority date: 2003-02-17
Filing date: 2004-02-11
Publication date: 2004-08-26
Also published as: CA2514977A1; RU2005128774A; US7148231B2; DK1597239T3; US20040162300A1; EP1597239B1; ZA200506339B; EP1597239A1; CN1751032A; DE602004016628D1; ATE408605T1; PL225428B1; KR100797430B1; AU2004212067C1; SI1597239T2; CA2514977C; NO330781B1; NZ541500A; IL169975A; PT1597239E

Abstract

The invention is concerned with a novel polymorph of [6,7-Bis(2-methoxy-ethoxy)-quinazolin-4-yl]-(3-ethynyl-phenyl)amine hydrochloride. This polymorph exhibits superior properties compared to the previously known forms of [6,7-Bis(2-methoxy-ethoxy)-quinazolin-4-yl]-(3-ethynyl-phenyl)amine hydrochloride and can be used as medicament for the treatment of hyperproliferative disorders.

Description

Case 21643

Polymorph of {6,7-Bis(2-me1_hoxy-etho-^)-quinazolin-4-yl}-(3e)

The compound [6,7-Bis(2-methoxy-ethoxy)-quinazolin-4-yl]-(3-ethynyl- phenyl)amine hydrochloride of the formula (I) is useful in the treatment of hyperproliferative disorders, such as cancers, in mammals.

In WO 96/30347, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, the preparation of [6,7-Bis(2-methoxy-ethoxy)-quinazolin-4-yl] -(3-ethynyl-phenyl)amine hydrochloride as well as the uses of this compound have been disclosed. In particular, this compound is an inhibitor of tyrosine kinase enzymes such as epidermal growth factor receptors and can be used for the treatment and/ or prevention of diseases which are associated with tyrosine kinase enzymes such as epidermal growth factor receptors, such as cancer, particularly non small cell lung cancer, colorectal cancer, refractory non small cell lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer, breast cancer, glioma, head cancer or neck cancer.

Recently, two different polymorphs of [6,7-bis(2-methoxy-ethoxy)-qumazolin-4- yl] -(3-ethynyl-phenyl)amine hydrochloride, designated as polymorph A and polymorph B, have been disclosed in WO 01/34574, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Polymorphism is defined as the ability of a substance to crystallize in more than one crystal lattice arrangement. Polymorphism can influence many aspects of solid state properties of a drug. Different crystal modifications of a substance may differ considerably from one another in many respects such as their solubility, dissolution rate and finally bioavailability. An exhaustive treatment of polymorphism in pharmaceutical and molecular crystals is given e.g. by Byrn (Byrn, S.R., Pfeiffer, R.R., Stowell, J.G., --Solid-State Chemistry of Drugs", SSCI Inc., West Lafayette, Indiana, 1999), Brittain, H.G., -polymorphism in Pharmaceutical Solids", Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, Basel, 1999) or Bernstein (Bernstein, J., „Polymorphism in Molecular Crystals", Oxford University Press, 2002).

CS / 17.12.2003 Of the two polymorphs described in WO 01/34574, polymorph B is thermodynamicaUy more stable than polymorph A, while polymorph A exhibits a better solubility and dissolution rate than polymorph B. However, based on the known polymorphs A and B of [6,7-Bis(2-methoxy-ethoxy)-quinazolin-4-yl]-(3-ethynyl- phenyl)amine hydrochloride, it was still considered desirable to have a form of this compound which, while being thermodynamicaUy more stable than polymorph A, also exhibits a better solubility and dissolution rate than polymorph B.

Surprisingly, it has now been found that [6-7-Bis(2-methoxy-ethoxy)-quinazolin-4- yl]-(3-efhynyl-ρhenyl)amine hydrochloride can exist in a third polymorphic form, designated as polymorph E, which is thermodynamicaUy more stable than the known polymorph A and exhibits a better solubUity and dissolution rate than the known polymorph B.

Thus, the present invention provides a novel crystaUine polymorph of [6,7-Bis(2- memoxy-ethoxy)-qύinazolin-4~yl] -(3-ethynyl-phenyl)amine hydrochloride which unexpectedly exhibit the desired increased solubility and dissolution rate with respect to polymorph B and an increased thermodynamic stabflity compared to polymorph A. The polymorph of the present invention will consequently have improved pharmacological properties when compared to the known polymorphs A and B.

Unless otherwise indicated, the foUowing definitions are set forth to Ulustrate and define the meaning and scope of the various terms used to describe the invention herein.

The term „crystaUine polymorph" refers to a crystal modification which can be characterized by analytical methods such as e.g. X-ray powder diffraction, IR-spectroscopy or by its melting point.

The term „polymorph E" relates to the crystaUine polymorph of [6,7-Bis(2- methoxy-ethoxy)-quinazolin-4-yl]-(3-ethynyl-phenyl)amine hydrochloride of the present invention. The terms „polymorph A" and „polymorph B" relate to different crystaUine polymorphs of [6,7-Bis(2-memoxy-ethox7)-quinazolin-4-yl]-(3-ethynyl-phenyl)amine hydrochloride as described in WO 01/34574.

The term „IR" means infrared.

Description of Figures:

Figure 1: X-ray diffraction pattern of polymorph E

Figure 2: IR-spectrum of polymorph E

Figure 3: X-ray diffraction pattern of polymorph A

Figure 4: IR-spectrum of polymorph A

Figure 5: X-ray diffraction pattern of polymorph B

Figure 6: IR-spectrum of polymorph B

In detafl, the present invention relates to a crystaUine polymorph of [6,7-Bis(2- methoxy-ethoxy)-quinazolin-4-yl]-(3-ethynyl-phenyl)amine hydrochloride which is characterized by an X-ray powder diffraction pattern having characteristic peaks expressed in degrees 2-theta at approximately degree 2theta

5.7

9.7

10.1

11.3

17.0

17.4

18.9

19.6

21.3

22.8

23.6

24.2

24.7

25.4

26.2

26.7

29.3

The term -approximately" means in this context that there is an uncertainty in the measurements of the degrees 2-theta of + 0.2 (expressed in degrees 2-theta ).

Preferably, the crystaUine polymorph as described above is characterized by the X- ray powder diffraction pattern having characteristic peaks expressed in degrees 2-theta as described above, which have relative intensities of approximately

The term „approximately" means in this context that there is an uncertainty in the measurements of the relative intensities. It is known to the person skilled in the art that the uncertainty of the relative intensities depends strongly on the measurement conditions. The relative intensity values can e.g. vary by ± 30% or preferably by ± 10%.

Preferred is a crystaUine polymorph as described above, which is characterized by the x-ray powder diffraction pattern shown in Figure 1.

The crystaUine polymorph described above can furthermore be characterized by its IR spectrum. In a further preferred embodiment the invention consequently relates to a crystaUine polymorph of [6,7-Bis(2-methoxy-ethoxy)-quinazolin-4-yl] -(3-ethynyl- ρhenyl)amine hydrochloride which is characterized by an IR absorption spectrum having characteristic peaks expressed in cm^"1 at approximately 3277 cm^"1, 3057 cm^"1, 1627 cm^"1, 1070 cm^"1, 1022 cm^"1, 892 cm^"1, 873 cm^"1, 850 cm^"1, 780 cm^"1, 745 cm ¹, 725 cm^"1, 652 cm^"1. The term -approximately" means in this context that the cm^" values can vary by ± 2 cm^" , preferably by ± 1 cm^"1. The crystalline polymorph as described above, characterized by the IR absorption spectrum shown in Figure 2, constitutes a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

In addition, the crystaUine polymorph described above can be characterized by its melting point. Therefore, the invention also embraces a crystaUine polymorph of [6,7- Bis(2-methox7-ethoxy)-quinazolin-4-yl] -(3-ethynyl-phenyl)amine hydrochloride which is characterized by a melting point of 211 °C to 214 °C.

Moreover, the invention relates especiaUy to the compound [6,7-Bis(2-methoxy- ethoxy)-quinazolin-4-yl]-(3-ethynyl-phenyl)amine hydrochloride, wherein at least 70% are a crystaUine polymorph as defined above, particularly wherein at least 90% are a crystalline polymorph as defined above, more particularly wherein at least 95% are a crystaUine polymorph as defined above and even more particularly wherein at least 99% are a crystaUine polymorph as defined above. The invention further relates to a process for the manufacture of a crystaUine polymorph as described above, which process comprises reacting a compound of formula (ID

with a compound of formula (III)

in (α,α,α)-trifluorotoluene. The compound of formula (II) is 3-ethynylanUine- also referred to as 3-ethynyl-aminobenzene, and the compound of formula (III) is 4-chloro-6,7- bis(2-methoxyefhoxy)quinazoline. The starting products of formula (II) and (III) can be obtained according to methods known in the art, e.g. from WO 01/34574. The reaction described above can be carried out under conditions known to a person skilled in the art. For example, an appropriate temperature would be 30 to 100 °C, preferably 50 to 80 °C, more preferably 70 to 80°C. In a preferred embodiment, the reaction is carried out in the presence of HC1. When the reaction is performed, the crystalline polymorph of [6,7-Bis(2- methoxy--ethoxy)-quinazolin-4-yl]-(3-ethynyl-phenyl)amine hydrochloride as described above, precipitates from the (α,α,α)-trifluorotoluene and can be isolated by methods known to the person skilled in the art, e.g. by filtration or centrifugation. The molar ratio of compound of formula (II) to compound of formula (III) can be varied, e.g. in the range of 0.5 to 1.5. Preferably, the molar ratio is in the range of 0.9 to 1.1. More preferably, the molar ratio is about 1, most preferably 1.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a crystaUine polymorph as defined above, when manufactured by a process as described above. As described above, the polymorph of the present invention is a pharmaceutically active compound and inhibits tyrosine kinase enzymes, particularly epidermal growth factor receptors. This polymorph can be used for the treatment and/or prevention of diseases which are associated with tyrosine kinase enzymes, particularly epidermal growth factor repeptors, such as cancer, particularly non smaU cell lung cancer, colorectal cancer, refractory non small cell lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer, breast cancer, glioma, head cancer or neck cancer. Prevention and/or treatment of non smaU cell lung cancer is the preferred indication.

The invention therefore also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising a crystalline polymorph as defined above and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and/or adjuvant.

The invention likewise embraces a crystaUine polymorph as described above for use as therapeutically active substances, especiaUy as therapeuticaUy active substances for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases which are associated with tyrosine kinase enzymes, particlularly epidermal growth factor receptors, particularly as therapeutically active substances for the treatment and/ or prophylaxis of cancer, particularly non small ceU lung cancer, colorectal cancer, refractory non smaU ceU lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer, breast cancer, glioma, head cancer or neck cancer, more particularly non small ceU lung cancer.

In another preferred embodiment, the invention relates to a method for the therapeutic and/or prophylactic treatment of diseases which are associated with tyrosine kinase enzymes, particularly epidermal growth factor receptors, particularly for the therapeutic and/or prophylactic treatment of cancer, particularly non smaU cell lung cancer, colorectal cancer, refractory non smaU cell lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer, breast cancer, glioma, head cancer or neck cancer, more particularly non smaU ceU lung cancer, which method comprises administering a crystalline polymorph as defined above to a human being or animal.

The invention also embraces the use of a crystalline polymorph as defined above for the therapeutic and/or prophylactic treatment of diseases which are associated with tyrosine kinase enzymes, particularly epidermal growth factor receptors, particularly for the therapeutic and/or prophylactic treatment of cancer, particularly non smaU ceU lung cancer, colorectal cancer, refractory non smaU ceU lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer, breast cancer, glioma, head cancer or neck cancer, more particularly non smaU ceU lung cancer. The invention also relates to the use of a crystaUine polymorph as described above for the preparation of medicaments for the therapeutic and/or prophylactic treatment of diseases which are associated with tyrosine kinase enzymes, particularly epidermal growth factor receptors, particularly for the therapeutic and/or prophylactic treatment of cancer, particularly non smaU ceU lung cancer, colorectal cancer, refractory non smaU ceU lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer, breast cancer, glioma, heac cancer, neck cancer, more particularly non small cell lung cancer. Such medicaments comprise a compound as described above.

In the compositions, uses and methods as described above, the compound [6,7- Bis(2-methoxy-ethoxy)-quinazolin-4-yl]-(3-ethynyl-phenyl)amine hydrochloride, wherein at least 70% are a crystalline polymorph as defined above, particularly wherein at least 90% are a crystaUine polymorph as defined above, more particularly wherein at least 95% are a crystalline polymorph as defined above and even more particularly wherein at least 99% are a crystalline polymorph as defined above, can be used instead of the polymorph as defined above.

The polymorph of the present invention can be used as medicament, e.g. in the form of pharmaceutical preparations for enteral, parenteral or topical administration. It can be administered, for example, peroraUy, e.g. in the form of tablets, coated tablets, dragees, hard and soft gelatine capsules, solutions, emulsions or suspensions, rectaUy, e.g. in the form of suppositories, parenteraUy, e.g. in the form of injection solutions or suspensions or infusion solutions, or topically, e.g. in the form of ointments, creams or oUs.

The production of the pharmaceutical preparations can be effected in a manner which wiU be famUiar to any person skilled in the art by bringing the described polymorph, optionaUy in combination with other therapeuticaUy valuable substances, into a galenical administration form together with suitable, non-toxic, inert, therapeutically compatible solid or liquid carrier materials and, if desired, usual pharmaceutical adjuvants.

Suitable carrier materials are not only inorganic carrier materials, but also organic carrier materials. Thus, for example, lactose, corn starch or derivatives thereof, talc, stearic acid or its salts can be used as carrier materials for tablets, coated tablets, dragees and hard gelatine capsules. Suitable carrier materials for soft gelatine capsules are, for example, vegetable oils, waxes, fats and semi-solid and liquid polyols (depending on the nature of the active ingredient no carriers might, however, be required in the case of soft gelatine capsules). Suitable carrier materials for the production of solutions and syrups are, for example, water, polyols, sucrose, invert sugar and the like. Suitable carrier materials for injection solutions are, for example, water, alcohols, polyols, glycerol and vegetable oUs. Suitable carrier materials for suppositories are, for example, natural or hardened oUs, waxes, fats and semi-liquid or liquid polyols. Suitable carrier materials for topical preparations are glycerides, semi-synthetic and synthetic glycerides, hydrogenated oUs, liquid waxes, liquid paraffins, liquid fatty alcohols, sterols, polyethylene glycols and ceUulose derivatives.

Usual stabUizers, preservatives, wetting and emulsifying agents, consistency- improving agents, flavour-improving agents, salts for varying the osmotic pressure, buffer substances, solubUizers, colorants and masking agents and antioxidants come into consideration as pharmaceutical adjuvants.

The dosage of the compounds of formula I can vary within wide limits depending on the disease to be controUed, the age and the individual condition of the patient and the mode of administration, and wiU, of course, be fitted to the individual requirements in each particular case. For adult patients a daUy dosage of about 1 to 7000 mg, especiaUy about 5 to 2500 mg, preferably 5 to 200 mg comes into consideration. Depending on severity of the disease and the precise pharmacokinetic profile the compound could be administered with one or several daUy dosage units, e.g. in 1 to 3 dosage units.

The pharmaceutical preparations conveniently contain about 1-1000 mg, preferably 5-200 mg of a compound of formula I.

The foUowing examples serve to iUustrate the present invention in more detaU. They are, however, not intended to limit its scope in any manner. The crystaUine polymorphs A and B of [6,7-Bis(2-methoxy-ethoxy)-quinazolin-4-yl]-(3-efhynyl-phenyl)amine hydrochloride can be obtained according to the methods disclosed in WO 01/34574.

Examples

Example 1

A 500 mL jacketed reactor is purged at room temperature with nitrogen and charged with 30 g of 4-chloro-6,7-bis(2-methoxyethoxy)quinazoline and 130 g of (α,α,α)-trifluorotoluene. To the white suspension 12.55 g 3-ethynylanUine dissolved in 180 g (α,α,α)-trifluorotoluene are added. After adding 0.18 g HCl (37%), the reaction mixture is stirred for another 15 min at room temperature and then heated to reflux temperature. After completion of the reaction, the suspension is cooled to room temperature and filtered. The isolated crystals of [6,7-Bis(2-methoxy-ethoxy)-quinazolin- 4-yl] -(3-ethynyl-phenyl)amine hydrochloride are washed with ethanol and dried at 60 °C / 10 mbar overnight. The dry final product is characterized by means of X-ray powder diffraction and IR-spectroscopy as modification E. The crystals melt around 213 °C (T_oπset, measured by differential scanning calorimetry).

Example 2

The X-ray powder diffraction patterns of the individual crystalline polymorphs E, A and B of [6,7-Bis(2-methoxy-ethoxy)-quinazolin-4-yl] -(3-ethynyl-phenyl)amine hydrochloride were recorded with a Bruker D8 diffractometer (geometry: Bragg-Brentano; radiation: CuKα 1.54184 A; graphite secondary monochromator; detector: scintillation counter, 2δ step scan with a step size of 0.02° and a measuring time of 1.0 s per step). The samples (approximately 200 mg) were prepared and analyzed without further processing (e.g. grinding or sieving) of the substance. The X-ray powder diffraction patterns of the individual crystaUine polymorphs E, A and B of [6,7-Bis(2-methoxy-ethoxy)-quinazolin-4- yl]-(3-ethynyl-phenyl)amine hydrochloride are shown in Figure 1, 3 and 5 respectively.

Example 3

The IR-spectra of the individual crystalline polymorphs E, A and B of [6,7-Bis(2-methoxy- ethoxy)-quinazolin-4-yl]-(3-ethynyl-phenyl)amine hydrochloride were recorded as film of a suspension in Nujol consisting of approximately 15 mg of sample and approximately 15 mg of Nujol between two sodium chloride plates, with a FT-IR spectrometer (Nicolet 20SXB or equivalent) in transmittance mode (resolution 2 cm^"1, 200 or more coadded scans, MCT detector). The IR-spectra of the individual crystaUine polymorphs E, A and B of [6,7-Bis(2-methoxy-ethoxy)-quinazolin-4-yl]-(3-ethynyl-phenyl)amine hydrochloride are shown in Figure 2, 4 and 6 respectively. Example 4

The melting points of the individual crystaUine polymorphs E, A and B of [6,7-Bis(2- methoxy-ethoxy)-quinazolin-4-yl]-(3-ethynyl-phenyl)amine hydrochloride were obtained by differential scanning calorimetry as described e.g. by P.J. Haines, ed., "Principles of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry", Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge, UK, 2002):

Example 5

The thermodynamic stabUity of the individual crystalline polymorphs E, A and B of [6,7- Bis(2-methoxy-ethoxy)-quinazolin-4-yl] -(3-ethynyl-phenyl)amine hydrochloride were measured according to methods known in the art, e.g. from Byrn (Byrn, S.R., Pfeiffer, R.R., Stowell, J.G., „Solid-State Chemistry of Drugs", SSCI Inc., West Lafayette, Indiana, 1999). Measurements of melting point, heat of solution, as weU as equilibration experiments in suspension show that polymorph E is thermodynamicaUy more stable than polymorph A and that polymorph B is more stable than polymorphs E and A.

Example 6

The solubUity of polymorphs A, B, and E measured after 20 min equUibration at 20 °C in either water or aqueous buffer solution (pH 1) are compUed the foUo ing table.:

Example A

Film coated tablets containing the foUowing ingredients can be manufactured in a conventional manner:

Ingredients Per tablet

Kernel:

Compound of formula (I) 10.0 mg 200.0 mg

MicrocrystaUine cellulose 23.5 mg 43.5 mg

Lactose hydrous 60.0 mg 70.0 mg

Povidone K30 12.5 mg 15.0 mg

Sodium starch glycolate 12.5 mg 17.0 mg

Magnesium stearate 1.5 mg 4.5 mg

(Kernel Weight) 120.0 mg 350.0 mg

Film Coat:

Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose 3.5 mg 7.0 mg

Polyethylene glycol 6000 0.8 mg 1.6 mg

Talc 1.3 mg 2.6 mg

Iron oxyde (yeUow) 0.8 mg 1.6 mg

Titan dioxide 0.8 mg 1.6 mg

The active ingredient is sieved and mixed with microcrystalline ceUulose and the mixture is granulated with a solution of polyvinylpyrrolidon in water. The granulate is mixed with sodium starch glycolate and magesiumstearate and compressed to yield kernels of 120 or 350 mg respectively. The kernels are lacquered with an aqueous solution / suspension of the above mentioned film coat.

Example B

Capsules containing the foUowing ingredients can be manufactured in a conventional manner:

Ingredients Per capsule

Compound of formula (I) 25.0 mg

Lactose 150.0 mg

Maize starch 20.0 mg

Talc 5.0 mg

The components are sieved and mixed and filled into capsules of size 2.

Example C

Sachets containing the following ingredients can be manufactured in a conventional manner:

Compound of formula (I) 50.0 mg

Lactose, fine powder 1015.0 mg

MicrocrystaUine ceUulose (AVICEL PH 102) 1400.0 mg

Sodium carboxymethyl ceUulose 14.0 mg

Polyvinylpyrrolidon K 30 10.0 mg

Magnesiumstearate 10.0 mg

Flavoring additives 1.0 mg

The active ingredient is mixed with lactose, microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl ceUulose and granulated with a mixture of polyvinylpyrrolidon in water. The granulate is mixed with magnesiumstearate and the flavouring additives and filled into sachets.

Claims

Claims:

1. A crystaUine polymorph of [6,7-Bis(2-methoxy-ethoxy)-quinazolin-4-yl] -

(3-ethynyl-phenyl)amine hydrochloride which is characterized by an X-ray powder diffraction pattern having characteristic peaks expressed in degrees 2-theta at approximately degree 2-theta

5.7

9.7

10.1

11.3

17.0

17.4

18.9

19.6

21.3

22.8

23.6

24.2

24.7

25.4

26.2

26.7

29.3

2. The crystaUine polymorph of claim 1, characterized by the x-ray powder diffraction pattern shown in Figure 1.

3. ' A crystaUine polymorph of [6,7-Bis(2-methoxy-ethoxy)-quinazolin-4-yl] - (3-ethynyl-phenyl)amine hydrochloride which is characterized by an IR absorption spectrum having characteristic peaks expressed in cm^"1 at approximately 3277 cm^"1, 3057 cm^"1, 1627 cm^"1, 1070 cm^"1, 1022 cm^"1, 892 cm^""1, 873 cm^"1, 850 cm^"1, 780 cm^"1, 745 cm^"1, 725 cm^"1, 652 cm^"1.

4. The crystaUine polymorph of claim 3, characterized by the IR absorption sp ectrum shown in Figure 2.

5. A crystaUine polymorph of [6,7-Bis(2-methoxy-ethoxy)-quinazolin-4-yl]- (3-efhynyl-phenyl)amine hydrochloride which is characterized by a melting point of 211 °C to 214 °C.

6. The compound [6,7-Bis(2-methoxy-ethoxy)-quinazolin-4-yl]-(3-ethynyl- phenyl)amine hydrochloride, wherein at least 70% are a crystaUine polymorph according to any of claims 1 to 5.

7. A process for the manufacture of a crystaUine polymorph as defined in any of claims 1 to 5, which process comprises reacting a compound of formula (II)

with a compound of formula (III)

in (α, ,α)-trifluorotoluene.

8. A crystaUine polymorphs according to any of claims 1 to 5, when manufactured by a process according to claim 7.

9. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising a crystalline polymorph according to any of claims 1 to 5 and a pharmaceuticaUy acceptable carrier and/ or adjuvant.

10. A crystalline polymorphs according to any of claims 1 to 5 for use as therapeutic active substances.

11. A crystaUine polymorph according to any of claims 1 to 5 for use as therapeutic active substances for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases which are associated with epidermal growth factor receptors.

12. A method for the therapeutic and/or prophylactic treatment of diseases which are associated with epidermal growth factor receptors, particularly for the therapeutic and/or prophylactic treatment of cancer, which method comprises administering a crystaUine polymorph according to any of claims 1 to 5 to a human being or animal.

.

13. The use of a crystaUine polymorph according to any of claims 1 to 5 for the therapeutic and/or prophylactic treatment of diseases which are associated with epidermal growth factor receptors.

14. The use of a crystaUine polymorph according to any of claims 1 to 5 for the therapeutic and/or prophylactic treatment of cancer.

15. The use of a crystaUine polymorph according to any of claims 1 to 5 for the preparation of medicaments for the therapeutic and/or prophylactic treatment of diseases which are associated with epidermal growth factor receptors.

16. The use of a crystaUine polymorph according to any of claims 1 to 5 for the preparation of medicaments for the therapeutic and/or prophylactic treatment of cancer.

17. The invention as herein before defined.

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