WO2011154013A1

WO2011154013A1 - Pharmaceutical composition comprising fenofibric acid

Info

Publication number: WO2011154013A1
Application number: PCT/DK2011/050208
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nikolaj Skak
Original assignee: Lifecycle Pharma A/S
Priority date: 2010-06-10
Filing date: 2011-06-10
Publication date: 2011-12-15

Abstract

A stable composition or tablet comprising fenofibric acid and a porous,adsorbent carrier material.

Description

PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOSITION COMPRISING FENOFIBRIC ACID

The present invention relates to a composition comprising a porous adsorbent material and fenofibric acid and a method for preparation the composition. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fenofibrate is a conventional active pharmaceutical ingredient used for treatment of endogenous hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia and

hypertriglyceridemia in adult patients. Usually fenofibrate is orally administered, typically as capsules or as tablets. Fenofibric acid is the active metabolite of fenofibrate: after oral administration of fenofibrate, merely fenofibric acid is found in plasma. Fenofibrate has an extremely low aqueous solubility, which limits the absorption thereof in the Gl tract. Many attempts have been made to improve the bioavailability of fenofibrate including size reduction (micronization) of crystalline fenofibrate from the micron range to the nano range and combinations of fenofibrate with solubilizers or other substances such as diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, vitamin E (tocopherol) and polyglycolized glycerides. A commercial pharmaceutical product containing the choline salt of fenofibric acid has also been launched.

WO2006/000229A2 discloses the preparation of a tablet solely containing inert pharmaceutically acceptable excipients (although in some cases it may be suitable also to incorporate an active substance therein). When this tablet is immersed in or contacted with a pharmaceutically acceptable liquid formulation e.g. containing the active pharmaceutically ingredient (substance), the tablet will due to its porosity - absorb the liquid formulation (adsorbed to the walls of the inert tablet pores). This loading of an inert tablet takes place within a relatively short period of time and is reproducible, i.e. the same amount of liquid formulation is sorbed when the same type and size of tablet and liquid formulation is used. Typically, the pharmaceutically acceptable liquid formulation containing the active substance is described as an oil or an oily-like material, and it is intended that the oil or oily-like material containing the active substance remains in the tablet until administration to a mammal or human subject, and hereafter release occurs.

There remains a need for providing improved and stable compositions of fenofibric acid for improved bioavailability, when administered orally. It is an object of the present invention to provide compositions or formulations making fenofibric acid sufficiently bioavailable and prevent re-crystallization thereof prior to absorption. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The inventors of the present invention have succeeded in providing a stable pharmaceutical composition comprising, as the active pharmaceutical ingredient either alone or, optionally, in combination with other useful pharmaceutical ingredients, fenofibric acid and a porous or microporous adsorbent carrier material.

The loadable composition, especially an inert tablet without any active pharmaceutical ingredient, may be prepared as described in WO2006/000229A2 using the porous adsorbent material as described herein. Such loadable composition or tablet may, after preparation, be loaded with fenofibrate dissolved in an organic solvent, followed by removal of the solvent as described herein, thus providing the composition of the present invention. The composition of the present invention may also be provided by other methods, such methods being disclosed herein. Two main aspects of removing solvent in order to providing the amorphous ingredient preparation are contemplated, that is, 1 ) heating of composition, granulate or granules to a temperature above the boiling point of the solvent to evaporate solvent and to form amorphous active ingredient and 2) evaporation of solvent, e.g. under reduced pressure or by freeze drying, followed by heating the composition or granules at a temperature above the boiling point of the solvent to form the amorphous active ingredient, i.e. the fenofibric acid.

Another aspect of the present invention is a method of preparing a dry formulation of fenofibrate with the porous adsorbent material and heating to provide the fenofibric acid composition of the invention.

DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a DSC chromatogram of a physical mixture of fenofibric acid, Neusilin US2 and magnesium stearate showing a melting peak for fenofibric acid at 179-184°C.

Figure 2 is a DSC chromatogram of a physical mixture of fenofibrate, Neusilin US2 and magnesium stearate showing a melting peak for fenofibrate at 81 -82°C.

Figure 3 is a DSC chromatogram of tablets loaded with fenofibrate solution showing no melting peak, neither for fenofibric acid nor for fenofibrate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a composition comprising a porous adsorbent carrier material and stable fenofibric acid, more specifically stable fenofibric acid in amorphous or crystalline form, most notably in amorphous form. Although a complete (i.e. 100%) conversion of fenofibrate into fenofibric acid is desirable, it will often not be technically possible or feasible to obtain a complete transformation. Accordingly, the terms "essentially" and "essentially all", as used herein in connection with the content of active pharmaceutical ingredient(s) in the composition of the invention or the composition prepared by the method(s) of the invention, denote compositions of the invention having at least 80% w/w of the pharmaceutically active ingredient as fenofibric acid. Typically, at least 95% w/w of the pharmaceutically active ingredient is in amorphous form, such as at least 96% w/w, at least 97% w/w, at least 98% w/w, at least 99% w/w or at least 99.5% w/w.

It is important that the compositions of the present invention when in form of a tablet, such as compressed or molded tablet, are sufficiently robust to withstand the normal handling of tablets, i.e. they have a hardness of at least 15N, typically, the tablet has a hardness of about 20 N or more, about 25N or more, about 30 N or more, about 35 N or more, about 40 N or more, about 45 N or more, about 50 N or more, about 60 N or more, about 70 N or more, about 90 N or more, about 100 N or more, about 150 N or more or about 200 N, typically from about 30 N to about 150 N, such as 30 N to 100 N.

The loaded tablets are sufficiently robust to withstand the normal handling of tablets during further processing (e.g. coating), packaging, storage etc., i.e. they fulfill the pharmacopoeial requirements with respect to hardness and friability. Furthermore, the tablets according to the invention have a friability of about 5% or less such as, e.g., about 4% or less, about 3% or less, about 2% or less such as about 1 % or less.

The composition of the present invention preferably has a porosity, which is sufficient to provide the amorphous active ingredient, and typically such composition has a porosity of 30 % v/v or more, such as 40 % v/v or more, 50 % v/v or more, 60 % v/v or more, 70 % v/v or more, 80 % v/v or more, or 90 % v/v or more. In order to obtain such porosity the porous adsorbent material is present in a concentration of about 20% w/w or more, about 25% w/w or more, about 30% w/w or more, about 35% w/w or more, about 40% w/w or more, about 45% w/w or more, about 50 w/w or more, about 60% w/w or more, about 70% or more, about 80% or more, about 90% or more, about 95% or more, or about 98% or more in the unloaded composition.

The composition of the present invention releases fenofibric acid from the composition upon contact with an aqueous environment, such as administration to a mammal. Typically, the composition of the present invention is weighing from 1 mg to 2000 mg, such as from 1 mg to 10 mg, or from 200 mg to 1000 mg, or 60 mg to 1500 mg in dried form (unit dosage form).

The concentration of fenofibric acid in the composition will depend on the use as a medicine, whether in immediate release form or modified release form, and is typically about 1 % w/w or more, for instance, about 5% w/w or more such as, e.g., about 10% w/w or more, about 15% w/w or more, about 20% w/w or more, about 25% w/w or more, about 30% w/w or more, about 35% w/w or more, about 40% w/w or more, about 45% w/w or more, about 50 w/w or more, about 60% w/w or more or about 70% or more.

The composition of the present invention can be obtained by the methods as described herein after. Accordingly, a certain aspect of the present invention is such a composition obtainable by any one of the described methods.

Furthermore, any one of the herein described compositions either described as aspects or embodiments are to be seen as aspects or embodiments of the methods as described herein.

In a further aspect, the present invention relates to a method for preparing a stable fenofibric acid composition as disclosed herein, the method comprising the steps of:

i) preparing a granulate of the porous adsorbent material,

ii) dissolving fenofibrate or fenofibric acid or a salt thereof in an organic solvent or a mixture thereof,

iii) loading the fenofibrate/fenofibric acid solution into the granules, until about 95 % of the loading capacity, such as about 90 %, about 80 %, or at least about 70 %;

preferably the solution is loaded into the granules in an amount of from about 80 % to 100% of the maximum loading capacity of the granules,

iv) heating the loaded granules at a temperature and for a sufficient time to a constant weight, to convert essentially all fenofibrate into fenofibric acid,

v) optionally compacting, compressing or molding the granulate.

In a further embodiment the heating of the granules in step iv) is done at a temperature from 80 to 200°C, such as 80°C to 1 10°C, until constant weight is obtained. Such heating is carried out for as long as necessary, and typically for a time period of from 30 min to 24 hours, such as 3 to 20 hours. However, constant weight will typically be achieved within less than a few hours of heating, and additional heating time will neither reduce the granule weight nor do any harm to the granules. Accordingly, the heating time may be applied as appropriate for the manufacturing process.

In a further aspect the present invention relates to a method for preparing a stable fenofibric acid composition as disclosed herein, the method comprising the steps of:

i) preparing a granulate of the porous adsorbent material,

ii) dissolving fenofibrate in an organic solvent or a mixture thereof,

iii) loading the fenofibrate solution into the granules, until about 95 % of the loading capacity, such as about 90 %, about 80 %, about 70 %, preferably the solution is loaded from about 80 % of the loading capacity to 100 %,

iv) removing the solvent form the granules by evaporation for a sufficient time, optionally, to a constant weight,

v) heating the granules at a temperature and for a sufficient time to a constant weight, to convert essentially all fenofibrate into fenofibric acid,

vi) optionally compacting or molding the granulate to form the composition.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the temperature in step v) may exceed about 78-79°C, which is the melting point of fenofibrate.

In a still further embodiment of the invention, the solvent in step iv) may be removed under reduced pressure or by freeze drying for a time period of from 30 min to 24 hours, such as 3 to 20 hours.

In yet a further embodiment of the invention, the heating of the granules in step v) is carried out at a temperature from 80 °C to 200°C, preferably between 80°C and 1 10°C, in order to obtain a constant weight. Such heating is carried out for as long as necessary, and typically for a time period of from 30 min to 24 hours, such as from 3 hours to 20 hours.

In yet a further aspect the present invention relates to a method comprising the steps of:

i) preparing a granulate of the porous adsorbent material,

ii) compacting or molding the granulate into a loadable composition,

iii) dissolving fenofibrate in an organic solvent or a mixture thereof,

iv) loading the fenofibrate solution into the composition, until about 95 % of the loading capacity, such as about 90 %, about 80 %, about 70 %, preferably the solution is loaded from about 80 % of the loading capacity to 100 %,

v) heating the composition at a temperature and for a sufficient time to a constant weight, to convert essentially all fenofibrate into fenofibric acid, to provide the composition. In a further embodiment the temperature in step v) exceeds about 78-79°C.

In a further embodiment the heating of the composition in step v) is done at a temperature from 80 to 200°C, such as 80°C to 1 10°C, to a constant weight. Such heating is carried out for as long as necessary, and typically for a time period of from 30 min to 24 hours, such as 3 to 20 hours.

In yet another aspect, the present invention relates to a method for preparing a stable fenofibric acid composition as disclosed herein, the method comprising the steps of:

i) preparing a granulate of the porous adsorbent material,

ii) compacting, such as compressing or molding, the granulate into a loadable composition,

iii) dissolving fenofibrate in an organic solvent or a mixture thereof,

v) removing the solvent from the composition by evaporation for a sufficient time, optionally, to a constant weight,

vi) heating the composition at a temperature and for a sufficient time to a constant weight, to convert essentially all fenofibrate into fenofibric acid, to provide the composition.

This method may involve optionally treating a composition of the porous adsorbent material, by heating the empty composition before loading with a solvent. These comments also apply to any one of the further aspects and embodiments described hereunder.

In a further embodiment the temperature in step vi) exceeds about 78-79°C.

In a still further embodiment the solvent in step v) is removed under reduced pressure or by freeze drying for a time period of from 30 min to 24 hours, such as 3 to 20 hours.

In a further embodiment the heating of the composition in step vi) is done at a temperature from 80 to 200°C, such as 80°C to 1 10°C, until constant weight is obtained. Such heating is carried out for as long as necessary, and typically for a time period of from 30 min to 24 hours, such as 3 to 20 hours.

i) preparing a granulate of the porous adsorbent material, ii) mixing fenofibrate with the granulate,

iii) compacting, such as compressing or molding, the granulate into a composition, iv) heating the composition at a temperature and for a sufficient time to a constant weight, to convert essentially all fenofibrate into fenofibric acid, to provide the composition.

In a further embodiment the temperature in step iv) exceeds about 78-79°C.

In a further embodiment the heating of the composition in step iv) is carried out at a temperature from 80 to 200°C, such as 80°C to 1 10°C, until constant weight is obtained. Such heating is carried out for as long as necessary, and typically for a time period of from 30 min to 24 hours, such as 3 to 20 hours.

i) preparing a granulate of the porous adsorbent material,

ii) mixing fenofibrate with the granulate,

iii) compacting, such as compressing or molding, the granulate into a composition, iv) loading an organic solvent or mixture thereof into the composition,

v) optionally, loading additional pharmaceutically active ingredient in solution into the composition,

vi) heating the composition at a temperature and for a sufficient time to a constant weight, to bring essentially all fenofibrate in amorphous form as fenofibric acid, to provide the composition.

In a further embodiment the temperature in step vi) exceeds about 78-79°C.

In a further embodiment, the heating of the composition in step vi) is carried out at a temperature from 80 to 200°C, such as 80°C to 1 10°C, to a constant weight. Such heating is done for as long as necessary, and typically for a time period of from 30 min to 24 hours, such as 3 to 20 hours.

In a further embodiment, the formulation may be re-loaded with a fenofibrate solution to increase tablet dose, i.e. the method of the invention may be iterated one or more times in order to increase the amount of fenofibric acid in the composition, e.g. the tablet.

In certain situations, such as to prevent re-crystallization of the dissolved amorphous active ingredient in vivo, e.g., in the mammalian body, e.g., human body, it may be beneficial to add a surfactant to the composition. Such a surfactant may be mixed with granulate before compacting the solid porous granulate in order to form the composition, or a surfactant may be dissolved in the solvent and loaded into the granules, or both.

In other situations, such as when an immediate release of the active ingredient is desired, then a disintegrant may be added to the granules or granulate before compacting the solid porous granulate into the composition.

The present inventors have demonstrated that essentially all fenofibrate, when treated as described according to the above methods, and as illustrated by the examples given herein, will be converted and be present as fenofibric acid in the composition of the present invention. Thus, in a further aspect the present invention relates to a composition comprising a porous adsorbent material and fenofibric acid, wherein essentially all the pharmaceutically active ingredient selected from fenofibrate, fenofibric acid and any mixture thereof is present amorphous form, this physical state being obtainable by any one of the methods described above as either aspects or embodiments thereof.

In a further embodiment the composition is selected from any one of the

compositions as defined herein.

Various methods of loading fenofibrate in a solvent into the composition are available, such as loading by placing the granulate or tablet in an excess amount of the pharmaceutically active ingredient in solution for a sufficient amount of time, or by loading under pressure, such as under reduced pressure or vacuum, or loading by spraying the pharmaceutically active ingredient in solution onto the granulate or tablet.

The composition, such as tablet, according to the invention comprises one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients. It is, however, of crucial importance that a least one pharmaceutically acceptable excipient are present in sufficient amounts and being capable of providing a tablet with a porosity of 30% v/v or more, such as 50% v/v or more, typically 70% v/v or more. Such pharmaceutically acceptable excipients are herein denoted "porous adsorbent material". Such excipients may also be denoted "microporous adsorbents" or "porous adsorbent carrier material" or "porous carrier material".

Below is provided a list of porous adsorbent materials having suitable properties for providing a loadable composition, e.g. tablet, according to the invention. The porous adsorbent materials may be used alone or in combination provided that the desired porosity of the composition or tablet is obtained.

To this end, it should be noted that the tablets are compressed into tablets by use of a certain compression force. However, the compression force may not be so low that the requirements with respect to hardness and friability of the tablets are compromised, i.e. these requirements ensure that the tablets are sufficiently robust.

Suitable pharmaceutically acceptable excipients that can be used to obtain tablets having a porosity of 30% v/v or more are selected from the group consisting of metal oxides, metal silicates, metal carbonates, metal phosphates, metal sulfates, sugar alcohols, sugars and cellulose and cellulose derivatives. The metal is typically selected from the group consisting of sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, zinc, aluminium, titanium and silicon.

A suitable metal oxide for use according to the invention may be selected from the group consisting of magnesium oxide, calcium oxide, zinc oxide, aluminium oxide, titanium dioxide including Tronox A-HP-328 and Tronox A-HP-100, silicon dioxides including Aerosil, Cab-O-Sil, Syloid, Aeroperl, Sunsil (silicon beads), Zeofree, Sipernat, and mixtures thereof.

In a specific embodiment, the metal oxide is a titanium dioxide or a silicon dioxide or mixtures thereof.

The silicates can be divided in the following groups:

• Hydrous aluminium silicates or alkaline earths. Neusilin belongs to this group and is based on synthetic polymerisation (magnesium aluminium metasilicate).

• Silicon dioxides are subdivided into porous and nonporous silicas

o Nonporous colloidal silicas e.g. Aerosil (fumed silicas)

o Porous silicas gels e.g. Syloid, Porasil, Lichrosorp

o Others e.g. Zeopharm S170, Zeopharm 6000, Aeroperl 300 Accordingly, a loadable tablet according to the invention may contain a metal oxide that is a non-porous silicate including fumed silicas of the Aerosil type, and/or a porous silicate including e.g. Syloid, Porasil and Lichrosorp.

In other embodiments, the pharmaceutically acceptable excipient for use according to the invention is a metal silicate selected from the group consisting of sodium silicate, potassium silicate, magnesium silicate, calcium silicate including synthetic calcium silicate such as, e.g., Hubersorp, microporous calcium silicate, such as Florite, zinc silicate, aluminum silicate, sodium aluminosilicate such as, e.g., Zeolex, magnesium aluminum silicate, magnesium aluminum metasilicate, aluminium metasilicate, Neusilin SG2 and Neusilin US2 and mixtures thereof.

The aluminum silicate is a highly porous material having a typical average pore size of 30 to 80, such as 50-60 angstrom and a surface area of from 250 to 400 m²/g, such as about 300 m²/g. The composition of the present invention typically has a porosity of 30 % v/v or more, which is necessary for absorption of a suitable amount of a pharmaceutically active ingredient. In further embodiments the porosity is 40 % v/v or more, 50 % v/v or more, 60 % v/v or more, 70 % v/v or more, 80 % v/v or more, or 90 % v/v or more. The porosity is measured on the aluminum silicate, such as Neusilin, and then it is calculated how much aluminum silicate and an optional pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, utilize of the porosity.

The porosity of the granules or tablets before loading is calculated on basis of the density of the granule or tablet p_t and the "true density" p_s of the ingredients. The porosity ε of the granule or tablet is calculated according to the Equation 1 : ε = 1 -— Equation 1

The density of the granule or tablet is based on the ratio between weight and volume of the granule or tablet. The "true density" of the ingredients is based on the gas pycnometric density determined in helium using Micromeritics Accupyc 1330.

In a further embodiment the composition of the present invention the aluminum silicate is typically present in a concentration of about 20% w/w or more. It is apparent that the higher porosity desired the higher the concentration of the aluminum silicate, thus in further embodiments of the composition of the present invention the aluminum silicate is present in a concentration of about 25% w/w or more, about 30% w/w or more, about 35% w/w or more, about 40% w/w or more, about 45% w/w or more, about 50 w/w or more, about 60% w/w or more, about 70% or more, about 80% or more, about 90% or more, about 95% or more, or about 98% or more, in the unloaded composition.

The aluminum silicate typically, has an average pore size of 30 to 80, such as 50- 60 angstrom and a surface area of from 250 to 400 m²/g, such as about 300 m²/g. In an embodiment the aluminum silicate is selected from magnesium aluminum metasilicate, magnesium aluminum silicate, and aluminium metasilicate, and mixtures thereof. Typical examples of aluminum silicates are Neusilin SG2, and Neusilin US2, and mixtures thereof, in particular A^Os.MgO.ySiC^. xH₂0, wherein y is from 1.5-2, and x is 1 -10, preferred is magnesium aluminum metasilicate, e.g. Al₂0_3-Mg0.2Si0₂. 5H₂0.

As mentioned above a suitable pharmaceutically acceptable excipient may be a metal carbonate such as a carbonate selected from the group consisting of sodium carbonate, sodium hydrogen carbonate, potassium carbonate, potassium hydrogen carbonate, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, zinc carbonate and aluminum carbonate, and mixtures thereof. Other metal salt suitable for use according to the invention are metal phosphates selected from the group consisting of sodium phosphate, disodium hydrogen phosphate, sodium dihydrogen phosphate, potassium phosphate, dipotassium hydrogen phosphate, potassium dihydrogen phosphate, calcium phosphate, magnesium phosphate, zinc phosphate and aluminum phosphate.

More specifically, the pharmaceutically acceptable excipient may be a calcium phosphate selected from the group consisting of dibasic anhydrous calcium phosphate, dibasic dihydrate calcium phosphate, and tribasic calcium phosphate.

The dibasic anhydrous calcium phosphate is typically selected from the group consisting of A-Tab, calcium monohydrogen phosphate, calcium orthophosphate, Di- Cafos AN, dicalcium orthophosphate, E341 , Anhydrous Emcompress, Fujicalin, phosphoric acid calcium salt (1 :1 ), and secondary calcium phosphate, and mixtures thereof. The dibasic dihydrate calcium phosphate may be selected from the group consisting of Cafos, calcium hydrogen orthophosphate dihydrate, calcium

monohydrogen phosphate dihydrate, Calipharm, Calstar, Di-Cafos, dicalcium orthophosphate, DI-TAB, Emcompress, phosphoric acid calcium salt (1 :1 ) dihydrate, secondary calcium phosphate, Fujiclin SG.

Examples of tribasic calcium phosphates are e.g. hydroxyapatite, phosphoric acid calcium salt (2:3), precipitated calcium phosphate, tertiary calcium phosphate, Tri- Cafos, tricalcium diorthophosphate, tricalcium orthophosphate, tricalcium phosphate, TRI-CAL, WG, TRI-TAB.

Other suitable metal salts are metal sulfates such as, e.g, sodium sulfate, sodium hydrogen sulfate, potassium sulfate, potassium hydrogen sulfate, calcium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, zinc sulfate and/or aluminum sulfate.

Examples of suitable calcium sulfates are e.g. calcium sulfate anhydrous including anhydrite, anhydrous gypsum, anhydrous sulfate of lime, Destab, Drierte, E516, karstenite, muriacite, and Snow White or calcium sulfate dihydrate including alabaster, Cal-Tab, Compactrol, Destab, E516, gypsum, light spar, mineral white, native calcium sulfate, precipitated calcium sulfate, satinite, satin spar, selenite, terra alba and USG Terra Alba.

Any one of the above porous adsorbent materials are intended to be embodiments of the invention as long as they alone or in mixture provides a suitable porosity as described above. The below specified embodiments are not to be construed as limiting the invention in any way but are merely to highlight certain preferred embodiments.

In a further embodiment, the porous adsorbent material is selected from porous silicon dioxide, such as sodium silicate, potassium silicate, magnesium silicate, calcium silicate, including synthetic calcium silicate, microporous calcium silicate, zinc silicate, aluminum silicate, sodium aluminosilicate, hydrous aluminium silicates or alkaline earths, magnesium aluminum metasilicate, magnesium aluminum silicate, aluminium metasilicate, nonporous colloidal silicas, porous silicas gels, precipitated silicate, and mixtures thereof. In a further embodiment the porous adsorbent material is selected from metal carbonates and metal phosphates. Typically, the porous adsorbent material is selected from magnesium aluminum metasilicate, precipitated silicate, and microporous calcium silicate.

According to one aspect of the invention, fenofibrate may be dissolved in an organic solvent (essentially water free) or mixtures thereof, and loaded into the composition of the invention. Although water is not suitable as a solvent it may be used as a co-solvent, and in an embodiment the organic solvent is mixed with water as co- solvent.

The organic solvent may in principle be any organic solvent which can dissolve fenofibrate, however, many organic solvents are not suitable for pharmaceutical formulations, in particular for veterinary or humane medicines, and in this respect certain classes of solvent are preferred.

The European Medicine Agency's guidelines (EMA) for classification of solvents has been published in VICH Topic GL18 (Impurities Solvents),

(http://www.ema.europa.eu/docs/en_GB/document_library/Scientific_guideline/2009/10 /WC500004299.pdf). In accordance with these guidelines, solvents with low toxic potential are preferred. Such organic solvents are referred to herein as Class 3 solvents according to the EMA guidelines. Although Class 3 solvents are preferred it may also be beneficial to use Class 2 solvents in some instances.

The organic solvent to be used in the composition of the invention is typically, selected from solvents classified as Class 3 solvents according to the EMA guidelines and such compounds are selected from formic acid, tetrahydrofuran, acetid acid, acetone, anisole, 1 -butanol, 2-butanol, butyl acetate, tert-butylmethyl ether, cumene, dimethylsulfoxide, ethanol, ethyl acetate, ethyl ether, ethyl formate, heptane, isobutyl acetate, isopropyl acetate, methyl acetate, 3-methyl-1 -butanol, methylethyl ketone, methylisobutyl ketone, 2-methyl-1 -propanol, pentane, 1 -pentanol, 1 -propanol, 2- propanol, propyl acetate and mixtures thereof. It is also important to understand that new organic solvents which can be classified according to the EMA guidelines as belonging to Class 3 solvents is intended to be included in the term "a Class 3 solvent according to the EMA guidelines". Any one of the above organic solvents classified according to the EMA guidelines as belonging to Class 3 solvent are intended to be embodiments of the invention. It should be understood that organic solvents that are un-classified, may later change classification into Class 3 solvent according to the EMA guidelines, and are intended to be included in the term "a Class 3 solvent according to the EMA

guidelines". The below specified embodiments are not to be construed as limiting the invention in any way but are merely to highlight certain preferred embodiments.

In a further embodiment the organic solvent is classified as a Class 3 solvent according to the EMA guidelines

In a further embodiment the organic solvent is selected from formic acid, tetrahydrofuran, acetid acid, acetone, anisole, 1 -butanol, 2-butanol, butyl acetate, tert- butylmethyl ether, cumene, dimethylsulfoxide, ethanol, ethyl acetate, ethyl ether, ethyl formate, heptane, isobutyl acetate, isopropyl acetate, methyl acetate, 3-methyl-1 - butanol, methylethyl ketone, methylisobutyl ketone, 2-methyl-1 -propanol, pentane, 1 - pentanol, 1 -propanol, 2-propanol, propyl acetate or mixtures thereof. Typically, the organic solvent is selected from ethanol or 2-propanol.

The organic solvent to be used in the composition of the invention may be selected from solvents classified as Class 2 solvents according to the EMA guidelines and such compounds are selected from acetonitrile, chlorobenzene, chloroform, cyclohexane, 1 ,2-dichloroethene, dichloromethane, 1 ,2-dimethoxyethane, N,N- dimethylacetamide, Ν,Ν-dimethylformamide, 1 ,4-dioxane, 2-ethoxyethanol, ethylene glycol, formamide, hexane, methanol, 2-methoxyethanol, methylbutylketone, methylcyclohexane, N-methylpyrrolidone, nitromethane, pyridine, sulfolane, tetraline, toluene, 1 ,1 ,2-thrchloroethene, or xylene, and mixtures thereof. It is also important to understand that new organic solvents which can be classified according to the EMA guidelines as belonging to Class 2 solvents is intended to be included in the term "a Class 2 solvent according to the EMA guidelines".

Any one of the above organic solvents classified according to the EMA guidelines as belonging to Class 2 solvent are intended to be embodiments of the invention. It should be understood that organic solvents that are un-classified, may later change classification into Class 2 solvent according to the EMA guidelines, and are intended to be included in the term "a Class 2 solvent according to the EMA

In a further embodiment the organic solvent is classified as a Class 2 solvent according to the EMA guidelines. In a further embodiment the organic solvent is selected from acetonitrile, chlorobenzene, chloroform, cyclohexane, 1 ,2-dichloroethene, dichloromethane, 1 ,2- dimethoxyethane, N,N-dimethylacetamide, Ν,Ν-dimethylformamide, 1 ,4-dioxane, 2- ethoxyethanol, ethylene glycol, formamide, hexane, methanol, 2-methoxyethanol, methylbutylketone, methylcyclohexane, N-methylpyrrolidone, nitromethane, pyridine, sulfolane, tetraline, toluene, 1 ,1 ,2-thrchloroethene, or xylene or mixtures thereof.

Since it is intended to provide compositions which are dry, it is important that all, or essentially all, organic solvent can be removed from the composition; typically, the organic solvent has a boiling point of from 50°C to 140°C.

The composition, such as tablet, may of course also comprise or contain other and/or additional pharmaceutically acceptable excipients such as those normally employed in the manufacturing of tablets.

In the present context, the term "pharmaceutically acceptable excipient" is intended to denote any material, which is inert in the sense that it substantially does not have any therapeutic and/or prophylactic effect per se. Such an excipient may be added with the purpose of making it possible to obtain a pharmaceutical, cosmetic and/or foodstuff composition, which have acceptable technical properties.

Examples of suitable excipients for use in a composition according to the invention include fillers, diluents, disintegrants, binders, lubricants etc. or mixture thereof. As the composition or solid dosage form according to the invention may be used for different purposes, the choice of excipients is normally made taken such different uses into considerations. Other pharmaceutically acceptable excipients for suitable use are e.g. acidifying agents, alkalizing agents, preservatives, antioxidants, buffering agents, chelating agents, coloring agents, complexing agents, emulsifying and/or solubilizing agents, flavors and perfumes, humectants, sweetening agents, wetting agents etc.

Examples of suitable fillers, diluents and/or binders include lactose (e.g. spray- dried lactose, a-lactose, β-lactose, Tabletose®, various grades of Pharmatose®, Microtose® or Fast-Floe®), microcrystalline cellulose (various grades of Avicel®, Elcema®, Vivacel®, Ming Tai® or Solka-Floc®), hydroxypropylcellulose, L- hydroxypropylcellulose (low substituted), hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) (e.g. Methocel E, F and K, Metolose SH of Shin-Etsu, Ltd, such as, e.g. the 4,000 cps grades of Methocel E and Metolose 60 SH, the 4,000 cps grades of Methocel F and Metolose 65 SH, the 4,000, 15,000 and 100,000 cps grades of Methocel K; and the 4,000, 15,000, 39,000 and 100,000 grades of Metolose 90 SH), methylcellulose polymers (such as, e.g., Methocel A, Methocel A4C, Methocel A15C, Methocel A4M), hydroxyethylcellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, carboxymethylene,

carboxymethylhydroxyethylcellulose and other cellulose derivatives, sucrose, agarose, sorbitol, mannitol, dextrins, maltodextrins, starches or modified starches (including potato starch, maize starch and rice starch), calcium phosphate (e.g. basic calcium phosphate, calcium hydrogen phosphate, dicalcium phosphate hydrate), calcium sulfate, calcium carbonate, sodium alginate, collagen etc.

Specific examples of diluents are e.g. calcium carbonate, dibasic calcium phosphate, tribasic calcium phosphate, calcium sulfate, microcrystalline cellulose, powdered cellulose, dextrans, dextrin, dextrose, fructose, kaolin, lactose, mannitol, sorbitol, starch, pregelatinized starch, sucrose, sugar etc.

Specific examples of useful binders are e.g. acacia, alginic acid, agar, calcium carrageenan, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, dextrin, ethylcellulose, gelatin, liquid glucose, guar gum, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, methylcellulose, pectin, PEG, povidone, pregelatinized starch etc.

Glidants and lubricants may also be included in the tablet. Examples include stearic acid, magnesium stearate, calcium stearate or other metallic stearate, colloidal silicondioxide (Aerosil) talc, waxes and glycerides, light mineral oil, PEG, glyceryl behenate, colloidal silica, hydrogenated vegetable oils, corn starch, sodium stearyl fumarate, polyethylene glycols, alkyl sulfates, sodium benzoate, sodium acetate etc.

Other excipients which may be included in a loadable tablet of the invention are e.g. flavoring agents, coloring agents, taste-masking agents, pH-adjusting agents, buffering agents, preservatives, stabilizing agents, anti-oxidants, wetting agents, humidity-adjusting agents, surface-active agents, suspending agents, absorption enhancing agents, agents for modified release etc.

Other additives in a composition or a solid dosage form according to the invention may be antioxidants like e.g. ascorbic acid, ascorbyl palmitate, butylated hydroxyanisole, butylated hydroxytoluene, hypophosphorous acid, monothioglycerol, potassium metabisulfite, propyl gallate, sodium formaldehylde sulfoxylate, sodium metabisulfite, sodium thiosulfate, sulfur dioxide, tocopherol, tocopherol acetate, tocopherol hemisuccinate, TPGS or other tocopherol derivatives, etc. The carrier composition may also contain e.g. stabilising agents. The concentration of an antioxidant and/or a stabilizing agent in the carrier composition is normally from about 0.1 % w/w to about 5% w/w.

The composition or solid dosage form according to the invention may also include one or more surfactants or substances having surface-active properties. It is contemplated that such substances are involved in the solubilization of the slightly soluble active substance and thus, contributes to improved solubility characteristics of the active substance. As used herein the term "surfactant" is intended to include one surfactant or a mixture of surfactants. In certain situations, such as to prevent recrystallization of the dissolved amorphous active ingredient in vivo, such as in the mammalian body, e.g. human body, it may be beneficial to add a surfactant to the composition and such surfactant is then mixed with the granulate before compacting the solid porous granulate into the composition.

Examples of useful surfactants are:

iSLS iSodium lauryl sulphate

iCremophor RH40 iPolyoxyl 40 hydrogenated castor oil

iCremophore ELP iPolyoxyl 35 castor oil

iPolysorbate 20, Tween 20, Polyoxyethylene Sorbitan iMontanox 20 PHA iFatty Acid Ester based on Laurie acid

iPolysorbate 80, Tween 80, Polyoxyethylene Sorbitan iMontanox 80 VG PHA iFatty Acid Ester based on Oleic acid

Labrafil M 1944 CS iOleoyl macrogol-6-glyceride

Labrafil M 2125 CS iLauroyI Macrogol-6 glyceride

iLabrasol iCaprylocaproyl macrogolglycerides

Lutrol F127 iPoloxamer 407

iLutrol F68 iPoloxamer 188

iMontane 20 PHA iSorbitan monolaurate, Span 20

iSpan 60 pharma iSorbitan monostearate

iMontane 80 VG PHA iSorbitan monooleate, Span 80

iSoluplus i'Polyvinyl-caprolactam-polyvinyl acetate'

jSolutol HS 15 iPolyoxyl 15 Hydroxystearate

iSpeziol TPGS Pharma iVitamin E TPGS

iTranscutol HP iDiethylene glycol monoethyl ether Any one of these surfactants is intended to be specific embodiments and may be combined with any one of the aspects and/or embodiments of the present invention.

The composition of the present invention may further comprise a disintegrant. Specific examples of disintegrants are e.g. croscarmellose sodium, alginic acid or alginates, microcrystalline cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose and other cellulose derivatives, crospovidone, polacrillin potassium, sodium starch glycolate, starch, pregelatinized starch, carboxymethyl stare and mixtures thereof (e.g. Primogel® and Explotab®) etc. Any one of these disintegrants is intended to be specific embodiments and may be combined with any one of the aspects and/or embodiments of the present invention.

Typically, the concentration of disintegrant is from 1 % w/w to 20% w/w, such as 1 % w/w to 10% w/w, such as 2% w/w to 15% w/w, such as 2.5% w/w to 8% w/w (based on the total weight of the composition before loading).

The composition of the present invention may be formulated so as to provide immediate release, delayed or sustained release of the active ingredient. When immediate release is desired the composition of the present invention is formed as a tablet further comprising a disintegrant. To optimize disintegration the composition of the present invention comprising an aluminum silicate, and compressed into a tablet, is mixed with a disintegrant before making the tablet. Thus, in an embodiment the loadable solid porous composition of the present invention, such as the tablet, comprises an aluminum silicate and a disintegrant. Such a disintegrant may be selected from croscarmellose sodium, alginic acid or alginates, microcrystalline cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose and other cellulose derivatives, crospovidone, polacrillin potassium, sodium starch glycolate, starch, pregelatinized starch, and carboxymethyl starch, typically croscarmellose sodium.

In order to provide a reliable pharmaceutical composition to be given to mammals, such has human subjects; the pharmaceutically active ingredient must be released, at least partly, from the loaded composition, and in particular must be released in a consistent and preferably high manner to ensure a therapeutically effective amount. The pharmaceutically active ingredient is released from the composition upon contact with an aqueous environment, such as administration to a mammal. Such release may be delayed or sustained and will depend on the tested active ingredient and the disease or disorder to be treated. The active ingredient contained in the porous composition, e.g. tablet, may be released by erosion of the tablet depending on the additional excipients contained in the composition or may diffuse out of the composition into the aqueous environment, such as human bodily fluids. As explained above an immediate release is obtainable when a disintegrant is mixed together with the aluminum silicate to form a tablet of the present invention.

In a further aspect of the present invention, any of the above described compositions, such as tablets, capsules, granules or granulate, are for use as a medicine. List of embodiments 1 . A stable pharmaceutical composition comprising a porous adsorbent carrier material and fenofibric acid.

2. The composition of embodiment 1 comprising an active pharmaceutical ingredient selected from fenofibric acid and a mixture of fenofibric acid and fenofibrate, wherein at least 80 w/w%, preferably at least 95 w/w%, even more preferably at least 96 w/w% , most preferably at least 99 w/w%, of the active pharmaceutical ingredient is fenofibric acid.

3. The composition of any of embodiments 1 and 2, which is essentially free of organic solvent and/or water-free.

4. The composition of any of embodiments 1 -3, wherein the composition is dry.

5. The composition of any one of embodiments 1 -4, wherein the porous adsorbent material is selected from metal carbonates, metal phosphates, or porous silicon dioxide, such as sodium silicate, potassium silicate, magnesium silicate, calcium silicate, including synthetic calcium silicate, microporous calcium silicate, zinc silicate, aluminum silicate, sodium aluminosilicate, hydrous aluminium silicates or alkaline earths, magnesium aluminum metasilicate, magnesium aluminum silicate, aluminium metasilicate, nonporous colloidal silicas, porous silicas gels, precipitated silicate, and mixtures thereof.

6. The composition of any one of embodiments 1 -5, wherein the composition is a tablet.

7. The composition of any one of the preceding embodiments further comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, such as a surfactant.

8. The composition of any one of the preceding embodiments further comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, for example a filler or a disintegrant.

9. A method for preparing the composition of any of the embodiments 1 -8, the method comprising the steps of:

i) preparing a granulate of the porous adsorbent material,

ii) dissolving fenofibrate in an organic solvent or a mixture thereof, iii) loading the fenofibrate solution into the granules, until about 95 % of the loading capacity, such as about 90 %, about 80 %, about 70 %, preferably the solution is loaded from about 80 % of the loading capacity to 100 %,

iv) heating the granules at a temperature and for a sufficient time to obtain constant weight, to convert essentially all fenofibrate to fenofibric acid (in amorphous form), v) compacting, such as compressing or molding, the granulate into the composition. 10. The method of embodiment 9, comprising heating the granules in step iv) at a temperature from 80 to 200°C, such as 80°C to 1 10°C, to a constant weight. 1 1 . The method of any one of embodiments 9-10, comprising heating the granules in step iv) for a time period of at least 30 minutes, preferably from 30 min to 24 hours, more preferably from 30 min to 20 hours, especially from 30 minutes to 3 hours.

12. A method for preparing the composition of any of the embodiments 1 -8, the method comprising the steps of:

i) preparing a granulate of the porous adsorbent material,

ii) dissolving fenofibrate in an organic solvent or a mixture thereof,

iii) loading fenofibrate solution into the granules, until about 95 % of the loading capacity, such as about 90 %, about 80 %, about 70 %, preferably the solution is loaded from about 80 % of the loading capacity to 100 %,

vi) compacting, such as compressing or molding, the granulate into the composition.

13. The method of embodiment 12, comprising removing the solvent in step iv) under reduced pressure or by freeze drying for a time period of at least 30 minutes, preferably from 30 min to 24 hours, more preferably from 30 min to 20 hours, especially from 30 minutes to 3 hours.

14. The method of any one of embodiments 12-13, comprising heating the granules in step v) at a temperature from 80 to 200°C, such as 80°C to 1 10°C, to a constant weight. 15. The method of any one of embodiments 12-14, comprising heating the granules in step v) for a time period of at least 30 minutes, preferably from 30 min to 24 hours, more preferably from 30 min to 20 hours, especially from 30 minutes to 3 hours. 16. A method for preparing the composition of any of the embodiments 1 -8, the method comprising the steps of:

i) preparing a granulate of the porous adsorbent material,

iii) dissolving fenofibrate in an organic solvent or a mixture thereof,

v) heating the composition at a temperature and for a sufficient time to a constant weight, to convert essentially all fenofibrate into fenofibric acid, to provide the composition.

17. The method of embodiment 16, comprising heating the composition in step v) at a temperature from 80 to 200°C, such as 80°C to 1 10°C, to a constant weight.

18. The method of any one of embodiments 16-17, comprising heating the composition in step v) for a time period of at least 30 minutes, preferably from 30 min to 24 hours, more preferably from 30 min to 20 hours, especially from 30 minutes to 3 hours. 19. A method for preparing the composition of any of the embodiments 1 -8, the method comprising the steps of:

i) preparing a granulate of the porous adsorbent material,

iii) dissolving fenofibrate in an organic solvent or a mixture thereof,

iv) loading fenofibrate solution into the composition, until about 95 % of the loading capacity, such as about 90 %, about 80 %, about 70 %, preferably the solution is loaded from about 80 % of the loading capacity to 100 %,

v) removing the solvent form the composition by evaporation for a sufficient time, optionally, to a constant weight, vi) heating the composition at a temperature and for a sufficient time to a constant weight, to convert essentially all fenofibrate into fenofibric acid, to provide the composition. 20. The method of embodiment 19, comprising removing the solvent in step v) under reduced pressure or by freeze drying for a time period of at least 30 minutes, preferably from 30 min to 24 hours, more preferably from 30 min to 20 hours, especially from 30 minutes to 3 hours. 21 . The method of any one of embodiments 19-20, comprising heating the composition in step vi) at a temperature from 80 to 200°C, such as 80°C to 1 10°C, to a constant weight.

22. The method of any one of embodiments 19-21 , comprising heating the composition in step vi) for a time period of at least 30 minutes, preferably from 30 min to 24 hours, more preferably from 30 min to 20 hours, especially from 30 minutes to 3 hours.

23. A method for preparing the composition of any of the embodiments 1 -8, the method comprising the steps of:

i) preparing a granulate of the porous adsorbent material,

ii) mixing fenofibrate with the granulate,

24. The method of embodiment 23, comprising heating the composition in step iv) at a temperature from 80 to 200°C, such as 80°C to 1 10°C, to a constant weight. 25. The method of any one of embodiments 23-24, comprising heating the composition in step iv) for a time period of at least 30 minutes, preferably from 30 min to 24 hours, more preferably from 30 min to 20 hours, especially from 30 minutes to 3 hours.

26. A method for preparing the composition of any of the embodiments 1 -8, the method comprising the steps of:

v) optionally, loading additional fenofibrate solution into the composition,

27. The method of embodiment 26, comprising heating the composition in step vi) at a temperature from 80 to 200°C, such as 80°C to 1 10°C, to obtain constant weight.

28. The method of any one of embodiments 26-27, comprising heating the composition in step vi) for a time period of at least 30 minutes, preferably from 30 min to 24 hours, more preferably from 30 min to 20 hours, especially from 30 minutes to 3 hours.

29. The method of any one of embodiments 9-28, comprising adding a surfactant to the granules or granulate before compacting the solid porous granulate into the

composition. 30. The method of any one of embodiments 9-28, comprising adding a disintegrant to the granules or granulate before compacting the solid porous granulate into the composition.

31 . The method of embodiment 9-30 wherein the loading is performed by placing the granules, granulate or tablet in an excess amount of the pharmaceutically active ingredient in solution for a sufficient amount of time.

32. The method of embodiment 9-31 wherein the loading is performed under pressure, such as under reduced pressure or vacuum or by freeze drying.

33. The method of embodiment 9-31 wherein the loading is performed by spraying the pharmaceutically active ingredient in solution onto the granules, granulate or tablet.

34. The composition of any one of embodiments 1-8 for use as a medicine. 35. The method, composition, or use of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the composition is weighing from 1 mg to 2000 mg, such as from 1 mg to 10 mg, 10 mg to 100 mg, 100 mg to 1000 mg, or 60 mg to 1500 mg in dried form (unit dosage form).

The following non-limiting examples illustrate the invention. The loadable tablet or granule may be prepared as described in WO2006/000229A2.

Materials:

Fenofibrate (ChemAgis ltd., lot 3FNFTN0G726),

Neusilin US2 (Fuji Chemical Industry, lot 81 1025),

Magnesium stearate (Mallinckrodt Chemicals Ltd., lot J001 19),

Ethanol (Kemetyl A/S),

Isopropyl alcohol (Ceasar & Loretz, lot 40412). EXAMPLE 1

Loading of a solution of fenofibrate in isopropyl alcohol (IPA) into loadable granules and tablets

A solution of fenofibrate in isopropyl alcohol (IPA) was loaded into a loadable tablet or granule, and subsequently the IPA was evaporated by heating the loaded tablet above the boiling point of IPA (82.4°C). The melting point of fenofibrate is 79-82 (79.8) °C.

Loading of Fenofibrate/IPA solution into granules

3.000 g of fenofibrate was dissolved in 60 g IPA. 21 .70mL of the solution was added to a vessel containing 10.00 g of Neusilin US2, which had been dried to constant weight at 1 10°C immediately prior to use. The loaded granules are heated over-night at 1 10°C in an incubator (Memmert, model 100-800) to constant mass. Loading of Fenofibrate/IPA solution to tablets

Empty, i.e. un-loaded, tablets were prepared as described in WO 2006/000229A2. A mixture of 99% w/w of Neusilin US2 and 1 % w/w of magnesium stearate were compressed into 14 mm round tablets with a tablet weight of 335 mg and a tablet height of 7.58 mm on a single punch tablet press (Diaf, Denmark). The tablet loading capacity is 0.764 mL as calculated based on the actual the tablet volume of 0.991 cm³ and the tablet porosity of 84.1 % (pycnometric density of tablet excipients: 2.13 g/cm³). The tablet was designed to load 0.727 mL corresponding to a loading capacity of 95%.

The un-loaded tablets were heated to constant mass in an incubator (Memmert, model 100-800) at 1 10°C. 3.000 g fenofibrate were dissolved in 60 g of I PA. 25 g of dried tablets were transferred to the loading chamber with 54.3 mL IPA fenofibrate solution.

The tablets were heated over-night at 1 10°C to constant mass in an incubator

(Memmert, model 100-800). The tablet mass of the unloaded and the loaded tablets are listed in Table 1 :

Results

The loaded granules and tablets were subjected to Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) investigation (Perkin Elmer Diamond DSC, Pyris software) as were a physical mixture of the excipients with the same composition. The physical mixtures showed a melting peak at the melting point of fenofibrate as shown in Figure 2. The loaded granules and tablets showed no melting peak for fenofibrate, as shown for the tablets in Figure 3, demonstrating the presence of fenofibrate in amorphous form. Notably, no fenofibric acid melting peak were recorded for the loaded granules and tablets (Fig. 3); for comparison, Figure 1 shows the fenofibric acid melting peak at 179-184°C for a physical mixture of of fenofibric acid, Neusilin US2 and magnesium stearate.

EXAMPLE 2

Solvent free preparation of high dose fenofibric acid tablets This example illustrates a method for converting fenofibrate to fenofibric acid in high dosed tablets involving heating heat treatment above the melting point of the active pharamaceutical ingredient and optionally addition of a basic catalyst.

34.6 g of Neusilin US2 and 14.85 g fenofibrate were mixed 3 minutes in a turbula mixer. 0.50 g magnesium stearate was added and the blend was mixed for another 0.5 minute. The blend was compacted into tablets on a single punch press (Diaf TM20).Average tablet weight was 551 mg and tablet hardness was 19N. A.

The tablets were submerged into solutions of different sodium hydroxide

concentrations. Each tablet was able to absorb approximately 366 mg water.

The tablets were then heated over-night at 1 10°C.

Results

The conversion ratio of fenofibrate to fenofibric acid was determined in each of the tablets treated with different concentrations of sodium hydroxide solutions and is shown in the following table:

B.

Tablets treated with 4M NaOH were crushed in a mortar. 1 g was dispersed in 50 mL water and the pH was determined. Subsequently either acetic acid or 2 M HCI was added to the solution. The change in pH is listed below:

EXAMPLE 3

Solvent free preparation of high dose fenofibric acid granules

This example illustrates a method for converting fenofibrate to fenofibric acid high dosed granules involving heating heat treatment above the melting point of the active pharamaceutical ingredient and optionally addition of a basic catalyst.

86 g of fenofibrate was heated to 90°C to prepare a liquid. The liquid was sprayed onto 200 g neusilin US2 fluidized in a bed in 2 minutes to give granules (Granules 1 ) for further processing.

98 g of 4M NaOH was slowly added to 50 g Granules 1 and gently stirred by spatula until the liquid was adsorbed into the granules. The granules were sieved through a sieve size 710μη"ΐ. The granules were then heated over-night at 1 10°C.

20 g of the heated granules were subject to addition of acetic acid. 4x700 μΙ_ acetic acid was added stepwise to the granules while stirring with a spatula. The granules were stirred until completely dry.

The granules can optionally be compacted into a tablet formulation. Results

The heated granules were tested to quantify the conversion ratio from fenofibrate to fenofibric acid in the heated granules. The result was that >99% of the fenofibrate was converted into fenofibric acid.

1 g of the heated granules was dispersed into 50 mL of water. The pH was 1 1.9.

The subsequent addition of acetic acid to the granules resulted in a pH of 9.3 after stirring 50 mL water in 60 minutes, with 1 g granules dispersed in the medium.

Claims

1 . A stable pharmaceutical composition comprising a porous adsorbent carrier material and fenofibric acid.

2. The composition of claim 1 comprising an active pharmaceutical ingredient selected from fenofibric acid and a mixture of fenofibric acid and fenofibrate, wherein at least 80 w/w%, preferably at least 95 w/w%, even more preferably at least 96 w/w% , most preferably at least 99 w/w%, of the active pharmaceutical ingredient is fenofibric acid.

3. The composition of any of claims 1 and 2, which is essentially free of organic solvent and/or water-free.

4. The composition of any of claims 1 -3, wherein the composition is dry.

5. The composition of any one of claims 1 -4, wherein the porous adsorbent material is selected from metal carbonates, metal phosphates, or porous silicon dioxide, such as sodium silicate, potassium silicate, magnesium silicate, calcium silicate, including synthetic calcium silicate, microporous calcium silicate, zinc silicate, aluminum silicate, sodium aluminosilicate, hydrous aluminium silicates or alkaline earths, magnesium aluminum metasilicate, magnesium aluminum silicate, aluminium metasilicate, nonporous colloidal silicas, porous silicas gels, precipitated silicate, and mixtures thereof.

6. The composition of any one of claims 1 -5, wherein the composition is a tablet.

7. A method for preparing the composition of any of the embodiments 1 -6, the method comprising the steps of:

i) preparing a granulate of the porous adsorbent material,

ii) dissolving fenofibrate in an organic solvent or a mixture thereof,

iii) loading theresulting solution into the granules, until about 95 % of the loading capacity, such as about 90 %, about 80 %, about 70 %, preferably the solution is loaded from about 80 % of the loading capacity to 100 %,

iv) heating the granules at a temperature and for a sufficient time to obtain constant weight, to convert essentially all fenofibrate to fenofibric acid,

v) compacting, such as compressing or molding, the granulate into the composition.

8. The method of claim 7, comprising heating the granules in step iv) at a temperature from 76°C to 200°C, such as from 76°C to 1 10°C, to a constant weight.

9. The method of any one of claims 7-8, comprising heating the granules in step iv) for a time period of of at least 30 minutes, preferably from 30 min to 24 hours, more preferably from 30 min to 20 hours, especially from 30 minutes to 3 hours.

10. A method for preparing the composition of any of the embodiments 1 -6, the method comprising the steps of:

i) preparing a granulate of the porous adsorbent material,

iii) loading the resulting solution into the granules, until about 95 % of the loading capacity, such as about 90 %, about 80 %, about 70 %, preferably the solution is loaded from about 80 % of the loading capacity to 100 %,

1 1. A method for preparing the composition of any of the embodiments 1 -6, the method comprising the steps of:

i) preparing a granulate of the porous adsorbent material,

iii) dissolving fenofibrate or fenofibric acid or a salt thereof in an organic solvent or a mixture thereof,

iv) loading the resulting solution into the composition, until about 95 % of the loading capacity, such as about 90 %, about 80 %, about 70 %, preferably the solution is loaded from about 80 % of the loading capacity to 100 %,

v) removing the solvent form the composition by evaporation for a sufficient time, optionally, to a constant weight, vi) heating the composition at a temperature and for a sufficient time to a constant weight, to convert essentially all fenofibrate into fenofibric acid, to provide the composition.

12. The method of any of claims 7-1 1 , wherein the loading is performed by placing the granules, granulate or tablet in an excess amount of the pharmaceutically active ingredient in solution for a sufficient amount of time.

13. The method of any of claims 7-1 1 , wherein the loading is performed under pressure, such as under reduced pressure or vacuum or by freeze drying.

14. The method of any of claims 7-1 1 wherein the loading is performed by spraying the pharmaceutically active ingredient in solution onto the granules, granulate or tablet.

15. The composition of any of claims 1 -6 for use as a medicine.

16. The method, composition, or use of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition is weighing from 1 mg to 2000 mg, such as from 1 mg to 10 mg, 10 mg to 100 mg, 100 mg to 1000 mg, or 60 mg to 1500 mg in dried form (unit dosage form).