WO2011147025A1

WO2011147025A1 - Controlled release dosage form comprising quetiapine

Info

Publication number: WO2011147025A1
Application number: PCT/CA2011/000620
Authority: WO
Inventors: David Wai Fung Ma; Prashant Manohar Mandaogade; Naresh Talwar
Original assignee: Pharmascience Inc.
Priority date: 2010-05-27
Filing date: 2011-05-27
Publication date: 2011-12-01
Also published as: EP2575820A4; SG187172A1; EP2575820A1; CA2800910A1; CA2705685A1

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a novel stable controlled release pharmaceutical dosage form comprising quetiapine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The dosage form comprises granules including the active ingredient at least one hydrophobic controlled release agent and at least one pH dependent polymer. The remainder of the dosage form comprises at lest one pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.

Description

PHARMACEUTICAL DOSAGE FORM

CONTAINING AN ANTIPSYCHOTIC AGENT

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a novel dosage form and a process for the manufacturing the same. More specincally, the present invention relates to a controlled release oral dosage form comprising an antipsychotic agent.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Quetiapine, chemically designated as 2-[2-(4^benzo[¾ I[1 ]-hiazepin-ll-yl-l- piperazinyl) ethoxy]ethanol (also known as ll-[ -[2-(2-hydro yethoxy)ethyl]-l- piperazmyl]dibenzo-[b,f][l,4] thiazepine), is a compound of formula (I):

Quetiapine has been employed as an antipsychotic or neuroleptic agent in the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar mania, due to its antidopaminergic activity, as well as depressive episodes associated with bipolar disorder. As a combined serotonin (5HTz) and dopamine (Di) receptor antagonist, quetiapine, including its fumarate salt, is also known for the effective treatment of psychiatric conditions. Quetiapine is a drug of the dibenzothiazepirie class and belongs to a group of drugs known as '"atypical" or second generation antipsychotics which have become increasingly popular alternatives to "typical" antipsychotics.

When administered orally, quetiapine is rapidly absorbed and generally reaches a peak plasma level within about 1.5 hours. Quetiapine is highly metabolized, with elimination occurring mainly through hepatic metabolism in the liver. The plasma half-life of quetiapine is typically about 5 to about 7 hours. Quetiapine is currently marketed as a hemifumarate salt in the form of tablets of several doses, mduding 25 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg and 300 mg, 400 mg for adrrinistration two or three times per day.

One of the first preparations of quetiapine is described in United States Patent No. 4,879,288 (corresponds to European Patent No. 0 240228), which issued November 7, 1989. Since then, many references have been published describing various formulations of quetiapine in which certain drawbacks exist in light of the poor dissolution properties of this medicament and the uncontrolled release profile provided by said formulations. For example, International Patent Application WO2005/041935 describes quetiapine formulations which do not provide a constant or substantially constant level of quetiapine, such that the patient can, at certain time intervals, receive therapeutic amounts of quetiapine exceeding the recommended doses, whereas at other times the amount may be below the therapeutically effective limits.

International Patent Apphcations W01997/45124 and WO2005/ 041935 describe modified-release pharmaceutical compositions containing quetiapine. More specifically, International Patent Application WO2005/041935 (corresponds to Canadian Patent Application No. 2,542,836) describes a solid dosage pharmaceutical composition comprising a matrix formed by means of melted waxes, whereas International Patent Application W01997/45124 (corresponds to Canadian Patent No. 2,251,944) describes the use of matrices with a gelling agent. However, in the latter application, the use of water-soluble active ingredients, such as quetiapine or its pharmaceutically acceptable salts, combined with gelling agents such as hydroxypropyl-methylcelluloses, can give rise to a phenomenon known as dumping in which the release of the active ingredient is delayed, but once initiated the release occurs at very high rates.

European Patent No. 1 218009 describes the preparation of granules containing quetiapine and a freely or very water-soluble binder for t eir use in suspensions or solutions. International Patent Application WO2003/ 039516 describes methods for improving the dissolution of poorly dispersible medicaments, including, for example, quetiapine. The dissolution is improved by means of preparing granules in which a floating agent is added to the medicament. Unfortunately, there is no indication about the release profile of these medicaments in the granulate formulations.

United States Patent Apphcation 2007/0244093 describes a controlled release dosage form comprising quetiapine and at least one excipient, exhibiting a dissolution profile such that at 4 hours after combining the dosage form with a dissolution media 50 to 95% of the quetiapine, or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, is released. Examples 10, 12 and 13 are formulations of quetiapine where stearic acid is used as a lubricant and wherein the tablets may further be coated with ethylcellulose.

International Patent Application WO2008/152434 relates to a novel process for the synthesis of quetipaine.

United States Patent Application 2008/0287418 describes a formulation comprising quetiapine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof wherein the quetiapine content is about 9.6% to about 10.4% by weight and wherein the formulation comprises about 30% hydroxypropyl methy .cellulose by weight and about 7.2% sodium citrate dehydrate by weight. The formulation further comprises 25.1% lactose monohydrate by weight, about 25.1% microcrystallme cellulose and about 1% magnesium stearate by weight.

United States Patent Application 2009/0035370 describes an orally deliverable pharmaceutical dosage form comprising quetiapine and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, wherein quetiapine is in a form of free base and/or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and comprising a major component in immediate release form and one or more minor components in delayed extended release or delayed pulsed-release form.

International Patent Application WO2007/058593 relates to the a method of treating a patient suffering from or susceptible to a mood disorder or an anxiety disorder comprising acuximistering a sustained release pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically effective amount ofquetiapine, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, to the patient in need thereof. The compositions claimed display a particular mean Cmax characteristics. The proposed method to obtain controlled release of the active ingredient uses the conventional Methocel® excipients.

International Patent Application WO2008/098969 describes a granule for the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions comprising a core that contains quetiapine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as active ingredient and a binder, and a coating layer comprising a lubricant. It is said that the presence of a lubricant in an amount ranging from 5 to 10 % would be sufficient to achieve me goal of the invention. The application suggests the use of lubricants from the glyceryl behenate, glyceryl palmitostearate and macrogol groups.

For the reasons set out above, there is still a need to develop pharmaceutical compositions which incorporate quetiapine, or one of its pharmaceutically acceptable salts, and which provide desired release rates of the pharmaceutically active agent and a robust manufacturing process, The formulations according to the present invention overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by providing a novel approach by the using at least one hydrophobic controlled release agent in achieving an extended release dosage form.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Thus, the present invention provides a novel controlled release pharmaceutical dosage form comprising:

- intragranular excipients comprising:

- quetiapine or a ph^maceutically acceptable salt thereof;

- at least one hydrophobic controlled release agent,

- at least one pH dependent polymer; and

- extragranular excipients comprising at least one pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.

In a more preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a novel controlled release pharmaceutical dosage form wherein the content (in % by weight) of the at least one hydrophobic controlled release agent is in the range of about 4.5 to about 35% and the content of the at least one pH dependent polymer is in the range from about 15 to about 35%.

In a further embodiment of the present invention there is provided a novel controlled release pharmaceutical dosage form, wherein the ratio of the % by weight content between the at least one hydrophobic controlled release agent and the at least one pH dependent polymer ranges from about 1:3 to about 1:7. Preferably, the ratio of the % by weight content between the at least one hydrophobic controlled release agent and the at least one pH dependent polymer ranges from about 1:4 to about 1:6. More preferably, the ratio of the % by weight content between the at least one hydrophobic controlled release agent and the at least one pH dependent polymer ranges from about 1:4.5 to about 1:5.5.

The novel controlled release pharmaceutical dosage form can be optionally coated with a water insoluble/non gelling polymer,

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a controlled release pharmaceutical dosage form that allows a single daily administration with a prolonged effect, simplified production and is cost effective,

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a novel stable controlled release pharmaceutical dosage form comprising quetiapine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein said dosage form provides a dissolution of quetiapine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof between about 30% and about 45% within 1 hour between about 45 and about 70 % within 6 hours and between about 75 and about 95 % within 16 hours as measured by Apparatus I USP (baskets) at 100 rpm, in lOOOmL of 0.1N HQ (1.2 pH) for the first hour, in lOOOmL of 4.5 pH acetate buffer for the 2 hour and subsequently in lOOOmL of 6.8 pH phosphate buffer.

One can also measure the in vitro dissolution rate of the dosage form, according to the present invention, by the following USP Basket (Apparatus I) Method: at 200 rpm at 1000 ml aqueous buffer (pH 1.2 from 0 to 2 hours and 6.8 from 4 to 20 hours) at 37^eC. Preferably, the dissolution rates for dosage forms of the present invention, obtained by using the above method is between about 50% and about 60% (by t) of quetiapine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof released after 2 hours; between about 60% and about 70% (by wt) after 4 hours; between about 65% and about 80% (by wt) of quetiapine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof released after 8 hours; between about 70% and about 80% (by wt) of quetiapine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof released after 12 hours; and over about 75% (by wt) of quetiapine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof released after 16 hours.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a process for manufacturing the novel dosage form.

Other embodiments and further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description and examples given hereinafter. It should be understood, however, that this detailed description and examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Before the present formulations and methods of use are disclosed and described, it is to be understood by a person skilled in the art that unless otherwise indicated this invention is not limited to specific pharmaceutical carriers, or to particular administration regimens, as such may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.

It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "an active agent" includes mixtures of active agents, reference to "a pharmaceutical carrier" includes combinations of two or more carriers, and the like.

"Optional" or "optionally" means that the subsequently described rircumstance may or may not occur, so that the description includes instances where the circumstance occurs and instances where it does not

The terms or expressions "active agent", "active ingredient", "active pharmaceutical ingredient", "drug", "pharmacologically active agent", "pharmaceutically acceptable active agent" and/ or "pharmaceutically acceptable active substance" are used interchangeably herein to refer to a chemical material or compound which, when administered to an organism (human or animal, generally human) induces a desired pharmacologic effect In the context of the present invention, the terms or expressions refer to a compound that is capable of being delivered orally.

According to the present invention, the pharmaceutically active substance is quetiapine (marketed as Seroquel®) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt ester or solvate thereof. The term "quetiapine" as used herein includes all optical isomers, racemic mixtures and the like of the compound and all pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters, amides, prodrugs and analogs thereof.

Similarly, a "pharmaceuticEilly acceptable salt" or a "pharmaceutically acceptable ester" of the compound as provided herein is a salt or ester which is not biologically or otherwise undesirable.

By the terms "effective amount" or "pharmaceutically effective amou t of an agent as provided herein are meant a nontoxic but sufficient amount of the agent to provide the desired therapeutic effect The exact amount required will vary from subject to subject depending on age, general condition of the subject, the severity of the condition being treated, and the particular active agent administered, and the like. Thus, it is not W

possible to specify an exact "effective amount" However, an appropriate "effective" amount in any individual case may be determined by a person of ordinary skill in the art using routine experimentation.

The term ''excipient" refers to a generally pharmaceutically inactive or inert substance used as a diluent or vehicle for a drug. Different forms of drug admirdstration may require a different excipient and a "pharmaceutically acceptable excipient" includes a "pharmaceutically acceptable carrier," For example, tablets_/ troches, pills, capsules, and the like_/ may contain excipients including binders, such as gum tragacanth, acacia, corn starch or gelatin; a disintegrating agent such as corn starch, potato starch, alginic acid; a lubricant such as magnesium stearate. Capsules may contain additional excipients such as a liquid carrier.

By "pharmaceutically acceptable carrier" is meant a carrier comprised of a material that is not biologically or otherwise undesirable, .e., the material may be administered to an individual along with the selected active agent without causing any undesirable biological effects or interacting in a deleterious manner with any of the other components of the pharmaceutical composition in which it is contained. The term "carrier" is used generically herein to refer to any components present in the pharmaceutical formulations other than the active agent or agents, and thus includes diluents, binders, lubricants, disintegrants, fillers, colouring agents, wetting or emulsifying agents, pH buffering agents, preservatives, and the like.

According to the present invention, the expression "dosage form" may consist of granules, spheroids, beads, pellets, capsules, tablets or any other suitable unit. In the present invention, the dosage form is preferably a tablet.

The novel delayed release dosage form comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable active substance is characterized in the following way. Individual units, for example granules, containing a pharmaceutically acceptable active substance are mixed with other pharmaceutically acceptable excipients and compressed into a final dosage form, preferably a tablet. By the expression "mdividual units" is meant small beads, particles, granules or pellets. In the present invention, the preferred individual units are granules.

The compaction process (or compression process) must not significanrly affect the chemical, i.e. degradation and/ or mechanical properties of the individual unit or the final dosage form, even if it were to be further layered with a coating layer.

Of course, other components, such as fillers, binders, disintegrants, and other pharmaceutically acceptable additives can be envisaged, and compressed into tablets. The compressed tablet is optionally covered with one or more coating layers to obtain a smooth surface of the tablet and further enhances the stability of the tablet during packaging and transport.

i

Furthermore, the granules or tablets may be covered with one or more coating layer (s). The coating layer(s) can be applied onto the tablets by coating or layering procedures in suitable equipments such as coating pan, ¹ coating granulator or in a fluidized bed apparatus using water and/ or organic solvents for the coating or layering process, The materials for coating layers are chosen among pharmaceutically acceptable compounds such as, for instance methacrylic acid copolymer, ethylcellulose, used alone or in rnixtures. Additives such as plasticizexs, colorants, pigments, fillers, anti-tacking and anti-static agents, such as for instance magnesium stearate, titanium dioxide, talc and other additives may also be included into the coating layer (s). The coating layer may further protect the tablet from environmental conditions.

According to the present invention, the coating layer is preferably made up of an aqueous dispersion of, for example, Eudragrt® (ie. methacrylic acid copolymer) or OPadry®, a plasticizer (i.e. triethyl citrate) and a diluent (i.e. colloidal silicon dioxide), which can be applied onto the final dosage form.

The novel drug dosage forms are to be achninistered orally to a mammal and can be used to administer the pharmaceutically acceptable active substance (ie. quetiapine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof) to treat or prevent a variety of disorders_/ conditions and diseases, In accordance with the present inventiorv, administration, of quetiapine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof may be carried out in order to treat any disorder, condition or disease for which quetiapine is generally indicated. Such disorders, conditions and diseases include, for example:

• treat the symptoms of sdiizophienia, such as hallucinations (hearing or seeing things which are not there), fixed false beliefs, unusual suspiciousness, ot emotional withdrawal. Patients may also feel depressed, anxious or tense.

• treat the symptoms of mania associated with bipolar disorder, such as racing thoughts, irritability, aggressiveness, agitation, impulsive behaviour or excessively elevated mood; and

• treat the symptoms of depression associated with bipolar disorder, such as sadness, feeling guilty, lack of energy, loss of appetite and/or sleep disturbance.

The novel controlled release pharmaceutical dosage form of the present invention provide a controlled release pharmaceutical dosage form that allows a single daily administration with a prolonged effect, simplified production, and is cost effective. The dosage forms of the present invention comprise a matrix comprising:

o intragranular excipients, comprising:

- quetiapine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof;

- at least one hydrophobic controlled release agent,

- at least one pH dependent polymer; and

o extragranular excipients comprising:

- at least one pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.

The content (in % by weight) of the hydrophobic controlled release agent is in the range of about 4.5 to about 35 % and the content of the pH dependent polymer is in the range from about 15 to about 35 %. Preferably, the ratio of the % by weight content between the at least one hydrophobic controlled release agent and the at least one pH dependent polymer ranges from about 1:3 to about 1:7. More preferably, the ratio of the % by weight content between the at least one hydrophobic controlled release agent and the at least one pH dependent polymer ranges from about 1:4 to about 1:6. More preferably/ the ratio of the % by weight content between the at least one hydrophobic controlled release agent and the at least one pH dependent polymer ranges from about 1:4.5 to about 1:5.5.

The dosage forms, for example a tablet, of the present invention were subjected to dissolution studies, using either Method 1 where the conditions are as follows:

Apparatus 1 (USP baskets)

Speed: 100 rpm

1" hour in lOOOmL of 0«1N HCl (1.2 pH)

2"* hour in lOOOmL of 4.5 pH acetate buffer

Then in lOOOmL of 6.8 pH phosphate buffer

or by using Method 2 where the conditions are as follows:

Apparatus 1 (USP baskets)

Speed: 200 rpm

Initial 2 hours in lOOOmL of 0.1N HCl (1.2 pH)

Then in lOOOmL of 6.8 pH phosphate buffer (for 4 to 20 hours)

Preferably, the dosage forms of the present invention provide a dissolution of quetiapine, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, when determined via Method 1, between about 30% and about 45% within 1 hour, between about 45% and about 70% within 6 hours and between about 75% and about 95% within 16 hours.

Preferably, the dosage forms of the present invention also have an in vitro dissolution rate, when determined by Method 2, of between about 50% and about 60% (by wt) of quetiapine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof released after 2 hours; between about 60% and about 70% (by wt) after 4 hours; between about 65% and about 80% (by wt) of quetiapine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt mereof released after 8 hours; between about 70% and about 80% (by wt) of quetiapine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof released after 12 hours; and over about 75% (by wt) of quetiapine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof released after 16 hours. The process for manufacturing the novel dosage form according to the present invention generally comprises the following steps:

(a) providing quetiapine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof,

(b) adding to the quetiapine or to the mixture obtained in step (a) a hydrophobic controlled release agent or sodium starch glycolate, and at least one diluent and a pH dependent polymer; and

(c) adding a solvent mixture, comprising a binder to the mixture obtained step ( );

(d) wet granulating the mixture obtained in step (c);

(e) drying the granules in step (d); and

(f) sieving the dried granules with a lubricant; and

(g) blending the granules of step (f) with extragranular excipients in a suitable non shear blender;

(h) compressing the blend of step (g) into a tableted dosage form; and

(h) optionally coating the granules/ tablets with an aqueous dispersion.

Preferably, the at least one hydrophobic controlled release agent is stearic acid or Cutina® HR FH (Le. hydrogenated castor oil). Preferably, the pH dependent polymer is Eudragit® (Le. a methacrylic acid copolymer), and more preferably, the pH dependent polymer is selected from Eudragit L 30 D-55, Eudragit L100-55, and mixtures thereof.

It is to be understood that while the invention has been described in conjunction with the preferred specific embodiments thereof, that the description above as well as the examples which follow are intended to illustrate and not limit the scope of the invention. Other aspects, advantages and modifications within the scope of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. Although any method and material whether similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice for testing the present invention, the preferred methods and materials as described. EXAMPLES

All of the percentages given hereinabove and below are percentages by weight. Examples of various formulations and/ or dosage forms, i.e. tablets, containing quetiapine as choice of pharmaceutically active ingredient, are provided herein below.

For the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention, the preferred manufacturing technique is direct compression. Tablets are the preferred dosage form of the present invention, however, other dosage forms can be envisaged. The dosage strength in the dosage forms can be any desired strength, for example, 50, 150, 200, 300, or 400 mg per tablet..

Examples 1 to 5

Table 1 List of ingredients for the formulation of quetiapine tablets (Example 1)

* 230.26 mg Quetiapine Fumarate is equivalent to 200 mg Quetiapine

Manufacturing Process:

. Sif t Quetiapine fumarate, lactose monohydrate 200M, sodium citrate and cuttna HR PH and mix in a high shear granulator.

2. Dissolve Povidone K 90 to get the binder solution.

3. Granulate the mixture of step 1 using binder solution of step 2.

4. Dry the granules and size. 5. Blend the granules of step 4 and extragranular ingredients in suitable non shear blender.

6. Compress the blend to tablets using suitable tooling.

Dissolution Profile of Example 1 and Seroquel XR fLot No. TM0047)

Conditions: Apparatus 1 (USP baskets)

Speed: 200 rpm

Time 2 hours in lOOOmL of 0.1N HC1 (12 pH)

Time 4-16 hours in lOOOmL of 6.8 pH phosphate buffer

Innovator Lot#: TM0047

Table 2 List of ingredients for the formulation of quetiapine tablets (Example 2)

Manufacturing Process:

1 Sift Quetiapine fumarate, lactose monohydrate 200M, sodium citrate and cutina HR PH and mix in a high shear granulator. 2 Granulate the mix of step 1 using the Eudragit L 30 D-55 dispersion in high shear granulator.

3 Dry the granules and size.

4 Blend the granules of step 3 and extragranular ingredients in suitable non shear blender.

5 Compress the blend to tablets using suitable tooling.

Table 3 List of ingredients for the formulation of quetiapine tablets (Example 3)

Manufacturing Process:

1 Sift Quetiapine fumarate, lactose monohydrate 200M, citric acid, cutina HR PH, Eudragit L100-55 and mix in a high shear granulator.

2 Granulate the mix of step 1 using the Eudragit L 30 D-55 dispersion in high shear granulator.

3 Dry the granules and size.

5 Compress the blend to tablets using suitable tooling.

6 Prepare aqueous dispersion of Opadry Yellow.

7 Coat the tablets of step 5 using the dispersion of step 6. Table 4 List of ingredients for the formulation of quetiapine tablets (Example 4)

Manufacturing Process:

1. Sift Quetiapine fumarate, microcrystal-jne cellulose PH 101, citric acid, cutina HR PH, Eudragit L100-55 and mix in a high shear granulator.

2. Granulate the mix of step 1 using the Eudragit L 30 D-55 dispersion in high shear granulator.

3. Dry the granules and size.

4. Blend the grantdes of step 3 and extragrantdar ingredients in suitable non shear blender.

5. Compress the blend to tablets using suitable tooling,

Table 5 List of ingredients for the formulation of quetiapine tablets according to a preferred embodiment (Example 5)

Manuf cturing Process:

1 Sift Quetiapine fumarate, lactose monohydrate, cutina HR PH, Eudragit LI 00-55 and mix in a high shear granulator.

3 Dry the granules and size.

5 Compress the blend to tablets using suitable tooling.

6 Prepare aqueous dispersion of Opadry Yellow.

7 Coat the tablets of step 5 using the dispersion of step 6.

Dissolution Profiles of Examples 1 to 5

Conditions:

Apparatus 1 (USP baskets)

Speed: 100 rpm

Time 1 hour in lOOOmL of 0.1N HQ (1.2 pH)

Time 2 hour in lOOOmL of 4.5 pH acetate buffer

Time 4-20 hours in lOOOmL of 6,8 pH phosphate buffer

Examples 6 to 12

Table 6 List of ingredients for the formulation of quetiapine tablets according to a preferred embodiment (Example 6)

Manufacturing Process:

1. Sift Quetiapine fumarate, lactose monohydrate, cutina HR PH, eudragit L100-55 and mix in a high shear granulator.

2. Granulate the mix of step 1 using the Eudragit L 30 D-55 dispersion in high shear granulator,

3. Dry the granules and size.

4. Blend the granules of step 3 and extragranular ingredients in suitable non shear blender.

5. Compress the blend to tablets using suitable tooling.

6. Prepare aqueous dispersion of Opadry Yellow.

7. Coat the tablets of step 5 using the dispersion of step 6

Table 7 List of ingredients for the formulation of quetiapine tablets (Example 7)

EXTRAG RANUL AR

6 Lactose Monohydrate (Flowlac 100) 132.74 22.12

7 Magnesium Stearate 6.00 1.00

Core Tablet Total 600.00 100.000

Manufacturing Process:

1 Sift Quetiapine fumarate, lactose monohydrate, cutina HR PH, Eudragit L100-55 and mix in a high shear granulator.

3 Dry the granules and size.

5 Compress the blend to tablets using suitable tooling.

Table 8 List of ingredients for the formulation of quetiapine tablets according to a preferred embodiment (Example 8)

Manu cturing Process:

1 Sift Quetiapine fumarate, lactose monohydrate, cutina HR PH, Eudragit L 00-55 and mix in a high shear granulator.

3 Dry the granules and size.

5 Compress the blend to tablets using suitable tooling. Table 9 List of ingredients for the formulation of quetiapine tablets according to a pre erred embodiment (Example 9)

Manufacturing Process:

1 Sift Quetiapine furnarate, lactose monohydrate_/ cutina HR PH, Eudragit L100-55 and mix in a high shear granulator.

3 Dry the granules and size.

5 Compress the blend to tablets using suitable tooling.

List of ingredients for the formulation of quetiapine tablets according to a preferred embodiment (Example 10)

Manuf cturing Process:

1 Sift Quetiapine fumarate, lactose monohydrate, cutina HR PH, Eudragit L100-55 and rnix in a high shear granulator.

3 Dry the granules and size.

5 Compress the blend to tablets using suitable tooling.

Table 11 List of ingredients or the formulation of quetiapine tablets according to a preferred embodiment (Example 11)

Manufacturing Process:

3 Dry the granules and size.

5 Compress the blend to tablets using suitable tooling. List of ingredients for the formulation of quetiapine tablets according to a preferred embodiment (Example 12)

Manufacturing Process:

1 Sift Quetiapine fumarate, lactose monohydiate, cutina HR PH, Eudragit L100-55 and mix in a high shear granulator.

2 Granulate the irUx of step 1 using the Eudragit L 30 D-55 dispersion in high shear granulator.

3 Dry the granules and size.

5 Compress the blend to tablets using suitable tooling.

P T/CA2011/000620

Dissolution Profiles of Examples 6 to 2 and Seroquel XR (Lot No. TM0047^

Conditions:

Apparatus 1 (USP baskets)

Speed: 100 rpm

Time 1 hours in lOOOmL of 0.1N HCl (1.2 pH)

Time 2 hours in lOOOmL of 4.5 pH acetate buffer

Time 4-20 hours in lOOOmL of 6,8 pH phosphate buffer

Examples 5, 6 and 8 to 12 are examples of the preferred emrxjdiments of the present invention, wherein the at least one hydrophobic controlled release agent and at least on pH dependent polymer are present at a weight % ratio of about 1:3 to about 1:7, and the dosage forms provide a dissolution of quetiapine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, mat is within the preferred dissolution profile as discussed above.

Claims

1. A novel stable controlled release pharmaceutical dosage form comprising:

- intragranular excipients comprising:

- quetiapine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof;

- at least one hydrophobic controlled release agent

- at least one pH dependent polymer; and

2. The novel controlled release pharmaceutical dosage form according to claim 1, wherein the content (in % by weight) of the at least one hydrophobic controlled release agent is in the range of about 4.5% to about 35% and the content of the at least one pH dependent polymer is in the range of about 15% to about 35%.

3. The novel controlled release pharmaceutical dosage form according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the ratio of the % by weight content between the at least one hydrophobic controlled release agent and the at least one pH dependent polymer ranges from about 1:3 to about 1:7.

4. The novel controlled release pharmaceutical dosage form according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the ratio of the % by weight content between the at least one hydrophobic controlled release agent and the at least one pH dependent polymer ranges from about 1:4 to about 1:6.

5. The novel controlled release pharmaceutical dosage form according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the ratio of the % by weight content between the at least one hydrophobic controlled release agent and the at least one pH dependent polymer ranges from about 1:4.5 to about 1:5.5.

6. The novel controlled release pharmaceutical dosage form according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the at least one hydrophobic controlled release agent is stearic acid.

7. The novel controlled release pharmaceutical dosage form according to any one of clairns 1 to 5, wherein the at least one hydrophobic controEed release agent is an hydrogenated castor oil.

8. The novel controlled release pharmaceutical dosage form according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the pH dependent polymer is a methacrylic acid copolymer.

9. The novel controlled release pharmaceutical dosage form according to claim 8, wherein the pH dependent polymer is Eudragit.

10. The novel controlled release pharmaceutical dosage form according to claim 9, wherein the pH dependent polymer is selected from Eudragit L 30 D-55, Eudragit L100- 55 and mixtures thereof.

11. The novel stable controlled release pharmaceutical dosage form according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein said dosage form provides a dissolution of quetiapine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof between about 30 and about 45 % within 1 hour, between about 45 and about 70 % within 6 hours and between about 75 % and about 95 % within 16 hours as measured by Apparatus I USP (baskets) at 100 rpm, in lOOOmL of 0.1N HC1 (1.2 pH) for the first hour, in lOOOmL of 4.5 pH acetate buffer for the 2 hour and subsequently in lOOOmL of 6,8 pH phosphate buffer.

12. The novel stable controlled release pharmaceutical dosage form according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein said dosage form provides a dissolution of quetiapine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof between about 50% and about 60% (by wt) of quetiapine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof released after 2 hours; between about 60% and about 70% (by wt) after 4 hours; between about 65% and about 80% (by wt) of quetiapine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof released after 8 hours; between about 70% and between 80% (by wt) of quetiapine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof released after 12 hours; and over about 75% (by wt) of quetiapine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof released after 16 hours, as measured by USP Basket (Apparatus I) Method at 200 rpm at 1000 ml aqueous buffer pH 1.2 from 0 to 2 hours and pH 6.8 from 4 to 20 hours at 37°C.