WO2021091511A2 - Conjugation of protein drugs with biopolymers by an enzymatic method - Google Patents

Conjugation of protein drugs with biopolymers by an enzymatic method Download PDF

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WO2021091511A2
WO2021091511A2 PCT/TR2020/051004 TR2020051004W WO2021091511A2 WO 2021091511 A2 WO2021091511 A2 WO 2021091511A2 TR 2020051004 W TR2020051004 W TR 2020051004W WO 2021091511 A2 WO2021091511 A2 WO 2021091511A2
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approximately
conjugate
polymer
chitosan
derivatives
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PCT/TR2020/051004
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French (fr)
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WO2021091511A3 (en
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Ayşe Filiz ÖNER
Ayşe Göksu KAYA ÖZSAN
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Hacettepe Üni̇versi̇tesi̇
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Publication of WO2021091511A2 publication Critical patent/WO2021091511A2/en
Publication of WO2021091511A3 publication Critical patent/WO2021091511A3/en

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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K47/00—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient
    • A61K47/50—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient the non-active ingredient being chemically bound to the active ingredient, e.g. polymer-drug conjugates
    • A61K47/51—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient the non-active ingredient being chemically bound to the active ingredient, e.g. polymer-drug conjugates the non-active ingredient being a modifying agent
    • A61K47/56—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient the non-active ingredient being chemically bound to the active ingredient, e.g. polymer-drug conjugates the non-active ingredient being a modifying agent the modifying agent being an organic macromolecular compound, e.g. an oligomeric, polymeric or dendrimeric molecule
    • A61K47/61—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient the non-active ingredient being chemically bound to the active ingredient, e.g. polymer-drug conjugates the non-active ingredient being a modifying agent the modifying agent being an organic macromolecular compound, e.g. an oligomeric, polymeric or dendrimeric molecule the organic macromolecular compound being a polysaccharide or a derivative thereof
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K38/00—Medicinal preparations containing peptides
    • A61K38/16—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof
    • A61K38/17—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans
    • A61K38/19—Cytokines; Lymphokines; Interferons
    • A61K38/193—Colony stimulating factors [CSF]
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K38/00—Medicinal preparations containing peptides
    • A61K38/16—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof
    • A61K38/43—Enzymes; Proenzymes; Derivatives thereof
    • A61K38/45—Transferases (2)
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K47/00—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient
    • A61K47/50—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient the non-active ingredient being chemically bound to the active ingredient, e.g. polymer-drug conjugates
    • A61K47/69—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient the non-active ingredient being chemically bound to the active ingredient, e.g. polymer-drug conjugates the conjugate being characterised by physical or galenical forms, e.g. emulsion, particle, inclusion complex, stent or kit
    • A61K47/6955—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient the non-active ingredient being chemically bound to the active ingredient, e.g. polymer-drug conjugates the conjugate being characterised by physical or galenical forms, e.g. emulsion, particle, inclusion complex, stent or kit the form being a plaster, a bandage, a dressing or a patch
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12Y—ENZYMES
    • C12Y203/00—Acyltransferases (2.3)
    • C12Y203/02—Aminoacyltransferases (2.3.2)
    • C12Y203/02013—Protein-glutamine gamma-glutamyltransferase (2.3.2.13), i.e. transglutaminase or factor XIII
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K9/00—Medicinal preparations characterised by special physical form
    • A61K9/70—Web, sheet or filament bases ; Films; Fibres of the matrix type containing drug
    • A61K9/7023—Transdermal patches and similar drug-containing composite devices, e.g. cataplasms
    • A61K9/703—Transdermal patches and similar drug-containing composite devices, e.g. cataplasms characterised by shape or structure; Details concerning release liner or backing; Refillable patches; User-activated patches

Definitions

  • the invention is related to a conjugate that comprises chitin, chitosan, chito-oligosaccharide or a derivative thereof and recombinant GCSF or a derivative thereof; and a pharmaceutical composition comprising said conjugate together with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and/or one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients; and a pharmaceutical patch.
  • Peptide-protein drugs or biopharmaceuticals were introduced for human health in 1982 following the approval of the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of recombinant human insulin, and today hundreds of recombinant protein drugs are used in the treatment of diseases that were previously very difficult or impossible to treat.
  • FDA American Food and Drug Administration
  • biotechnological drugs, vaccines and diagnostic products which are continued on trial in clinical studies, are presented to the health sector with continuous innovations and a rapid and significant transformation is taking place from chemical drugs to biotechnological drugs in the pharmaceutical field.
  • Peptide-protein drugs produced with recombinant DNA technology are now called first generation biotechnology products and these drugs have many problems such as, in vivo-in vitro instability, undesirable administration route resulting from an almost completely parenteral administration route, and antigenic and toxic side effects.
  • studies have been conducted on second generation protein drugs for solving problems of protein drugs, moreover products are being developed and presented for treatment.
  • Second generation protein drugs are developed by applying methods such as mutagenesis specific to region, fusion protein, chemical or enzymatic modification. Proteins modified by means of chemical methods are available in the market. In the recent years enzymatic modification has been used in the pharmaceutical biotechnology field as an option that is more environmentally friendly and less toxic than chemical modifications.
  • Transglutaminase, sortase and tyrosinases stand out among the enzymes that are used. Transglutaminases (TGase) are of great interest in scientific and industrial fields because of their cross-linking properties of protein substrates. The applications of transglutaminases, which are widely used in the food industry and also known as "meat glue", are very limited and new in the field of pharmaceutical biotechnology.
  • Transglutaminases which have a wide variety of plant, animal and bacterial origin, have an important application potential due to their different substrate specificity. Applications are carried out in the health sector such as in haemorrhages, diagnosis of celiac disease and wound healing. As transglutaminase is an enzyme resilient against high temperatures and its substrate specifity is high, it is one of the enzymes that are most frequently used in nutrient biotechnology.
  • the recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor (rh G-CSF) is used in neutropenia treatment that occurs in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.
  • Filgrastim which is a parenterally administered protein, whose primary structure differs from granulocyte colony stimulating factor by a methionine amino acid that is attached to the N- terminus, is a protein that is rapidly removed from the blood and administered in high doses.
  • a form having long term effect that is conjugated with a polyethylene glycol (PEG) is available in order to prolong the half time of the drug in the body. Additionally studies are being carried out for protein preparations in nanoparticle and microparticle form that have been prepared with different polymers.
  • G-CSF is a growth factor that has a polypeptide structure which generally regulates the production of neutrophilic granulocytes.
  • the defence mechanism of the body can increase granulocyte production up to 10 times under stress conditions.
  • G-CSF is an element that has a primary role in the production of neutrophils, and it controls the distribution of neutrophils and progenitor cells in the body.
  • G-CSF is produced and released by endothelium, monocytes and other immune cells.
  • rh G-CSF O-glycosylated protein recombinant granulocyte colony stimulating factor
  • rh G-CSF O-glycosylated protein recombinant granulocyte colony stimulating factor
  • G-CSF is a polypeptide formed of 174 amino acids, containing four cysteines at two disulfide bonds, a free cysteine at the 17th position and an O-glycosylation site through threonine at the 133rd position. It is not mandatory for G-CSF to be glycolized in order to show biological activity.
  • Filgrastim (rh metG-CSF), whose primary structure differs from granulocyte colony stimulating factor by a methionine amino acid that is attached to the N-terminus is not glycolized. They are produced in bacteria cells by means of a recombinant DNA (rDNA) technology. 104 of the 175 amino acids that it contained are folded to have a-helical form. Filgrastim is stabilized with two disulphide bonds. Although it is stabilized at high rates in acidic pH values, it can also continue to be stabilized in high pH rates. However it is not advised to be stored at a pH that is above 7.00.
  • Filgrastim is applied once a day via subcutaneous, intramuscular or intravascular route.
  • Several studies are being conducted thereon for the development of second generation forms due to the very short half-life in the blood, the formation of aggregates that cause immunogenicity during storage, and the high doses applied for efficacy.
  • Chitosan is a natural aminopolysaccharide polymer that can be obtained via semi-synthetic methods from chitin, is one of the most common polymers found in nature. Chitosan, which enables new properties, functions and applications with chemical and mechanical modifications, is widely used in the industry, especially in the biomedical field. Besides its antimicrobial effect and low immunogenicity, it is used basically for pharmaceutical purposes as it is biocompatible/biodegradable and non toxic.
  • the powder material obtained by grinding and sieving the shrimp shells, which are the basic residues of seafood in the food industry, and the raw material obtained from other crustaceans, insects and fungi, is primarily deproteinized. After the powder is de-mineralized and de-colored, chitin is obtained. Chitosan is then obtained by the deacetylation of chitin.
  • Chitosan is formed as a long polymer chain following the copolymerization of N-acetyl-d-glucosamine and d-glucosamine molecules that are bonded with P-(l-4)-bonds.
  • the word chitosan describes a series of polymers having different molecular weights (50 kDa - 2000 kDa), viscosity (1% chitosan ⁇ 2000mPaS in 1% acetic acid) and acetylation degree (40% - 98%).
  • Chitosan is obtained by the hydrolysis of acetyl groups of chitin at high alkali conditions and high temperatures. Approximately 70% deacetylized chitosan is obtained from chitin that has been treated at 120 °C for 1-3 hours in a solution comprising 40% sodium hydroxide. The applied conditions are effective in determining the molecular weight of the obtained polymer and its deacetylation degree. As chitosan that has high molecular weight has low solubility in a neutral pH and high viscosity, its usage in the food, cosmetics, agriculture and pharmaceutical industry is limited.
  • the ratio of the N-acetyl-d-glucosamines and d-glucosamines relative to each other leads to certain differences in the structure of chitosan. These structural differences form different chitosan types that have different deacetylation degrees and molecular weight. The chemical and biological characteristics of these types are different from each other.
  • Chitosan is a natural biopolymer that has low immunogenicity, which is biocompatible, biodegradable and non toxic. Chito-oligosaccharides obtained by the hydrolysis of chitosan and chitosan are used due to their antimicrobial, hypocholesterolemic, antidiabetic, antitumor, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory effects and many other biological effects. It has been shown in various studies that chitosan is non toxic. Any side effects were not observed in humans with an application of 6,75 g chitosan daily. It’s usage as wound dressing has been approved by the FDA. It has been noted that the formulation and its application route is effective on the biocompatibility of chitosan.
  • the molecular weight of the chitosan that is desired to penetrate into a cell needs to be lower than 5 kDA.
  • the degradation paths of chitosan are not known clearly, the predicted pathways after chitosan oligomers, are thought to be the conversion of homo and heteropolymers into Acetyl CoA by glycolysis.
  • Chito-oligosaccharides are degraded products that are obtained from chitin or chitosan by means of enzymatic or acid hydrolysis. Enzymes such as cellulase, lipase and protease are used for enzymatic degradation. Generally, the molecular weight of the obtained chitosan oligosaccharides is 10 kDa or less.
  • Chitosan and its derivatives are used therapeutically in gel, hydrogel, porous disc, porous membrane, sponge, foam, film, fiber, scaffold, granule, implant, graft and other similar forms.
  • These composite structures are made use of, in the treatment of different cell types such as skin, bone, cartilage and nerve cells.
  • the transglutaminase enzyme is one of the oxidative g-glutamyl transferase enzymes that can crosslink covalently in protein structured substrates.
  • Transglutaminases (EC 2.3.2.13) catalyze the formation of bonds with amines in the g-carboxamide group of glutamines by ammonium release from primary amines.
  • lysines or primary amines that are connected to peptides form (g-glutamyl) lysine or polyamine cross bonds.
  • Covalent, stable and proteolysis resistant bonds form tissues that are resistant to chemical, enzymatic and physical degradation.
  • the g-carboxamide group of peptide-bonded glutamine amino acids acts as an acyl donor (amine acceptor), the e-amino group of lysine amino acids acts as acyl acceptor (amine donor), and form e-(y-glutamyl) lysine cross bonds and therefore an acyl group is added to the primary amine group.
  • amine acceptor acyl donor
  • amine donor acyl acceptor
  • amine donor acyl acceptor
  • Transglutaminase can be isolated from eukaryotic creatures such as fish, chicken, plants, mammals, as well as from various Streptomyces and Bacillus bacteria species. While transglutaminases obtained from mammals require calcium ion for activity, transglutaminases obtained from various microorganisms can exhibit activity without requiring calcium.
  • Transglutaminases catalyze three different reactions.
  • the first reaction is the (a) acyl transfer
  • the second is (b) the cross bonding between glutamine and lysine residues
  • the third is (c) the deamidation reaction.
  • transglutaminases are used for various aims.
  • positive results are obtained such as gelling, stability increase, improving appearance by the cross bonding of proteins.
  • Gels that are formed with gelatine by chitosan through the mediation of transglutaminase have been prepared as artificial tissue materials.
  • recombinant human G-CSF produced by biotechnological methods is modified by conjugating chitosan and derivatives thereof, which are natural polymers having a polysaccharide structure, through the mediation of microbial transglutaminase.
  • a novel, durable and prolonged effect having conjugate structure has been formed by the aid of enzymes and polymers that are non toxic and are being prevalently used in the food industry, by taking into consideration patient compliance, and toxic and unwanted effects.
  • rh metG-CSF filgrastim
  • microbial transglutaminase as the enzyme
  • chitosan and derivatives thereof that have a polysaccharide structure as the polymer have been used.
  • conjugations instead of a synthesis method carried out that is harmful to the environment due to synthetic chemical materials used, conjugations have been carried out that is not harmful to the environment by using renewable enzyme and natural polymers that do not have any side effects when consumed and that are prevalently used in the food industry, and furthermore formulations have been developed that comprise these conjugations.
  • patches having different structures such as sponge, adhesive, membrane, fiber, cross bonded gel, and fiber patches have been prepared.
  • formulations suitable to obtain different purposes have been developed.
  • the adhesive membrane is suitable to the mucosal region
  • structures such as sponge and fibers are more compatible with the bone structure.
  • Figure 5 Determination of the Iso-electric Point of the Conjugate: M: BioRad 161-0310 Marker (pi 4,45-9,6), F: filgrastim, E: microbial trasglutaminase, FEP: filgrastim, microbial transglutaminase and chitosan hydrolysate, Kl: conjugate 1, K2: conjugate 2, K3: conjugate.
  • Figure 6 Determination of the Bioefficiency of Filgrastim and Conjugate in Cell Cultures.
  • Figure 7 Stability of the protein within the conjugate: Ml: Novex LC5800 Marker (3.5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 110, 160, 260 kDa), FUK: Long term stability sample of a lyophilized filgrastim, KUK: Long term stability sample of a lyophilized filgrastim, FUS: Long term stability sample of a filgrastim solution, KUS: Long term stability sample of a conjugate solution, FHK: Accelerated stability sample of a lyophilized filgrastim, KHK: Accelerated stability sample of a lyophilized conjugate, FHS: Accelerated stability sample of a filgrastim solution, KHS: Accelerated stability sample of a conjugate solution, M2: BioRad 161-0377 Marker (2, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 37, 50, 75, 100, 150, 250 kDa).
  • Figure 8 FTIR spectrum of filgrastim (straight line) and conjugate (dotted line) within the range of 1750-1000 cm 1 .
  • Figure 9 MS Spectrums of Filgrastim (A), Chito-oligosaccharides (B) and Conjugates (C).
  • Figure 10 The patch that is homogenously available in the contact layer of the conjugate.
  • Figure 11 The patch that is added later on physically to the contact layer of the conjugate.
  • Figure 12 Patch comprising an envelope layer.
  • FIG. 13 Patch comprising all layers.
  • the invention is related to patches containing a peptide-protein drug conjugates, which is formed by an enzymatic method with a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer and a therapeutic agent.
  • filgrastim having a protein structure, which is the therapeutic agent
  • chitosan and chitosan hydrolizates which are natural and biodegradable polymers having polysaccharide structure
  • protein-polymer conjugates have been formed with the aid of a microbial transglutaminase enzyme.
  • the most suitable conjugate structures were formed by optimizing the most suitable pH and temperatures and the usage rates of all three substances. Following this, formulations in solution, lyophilized powder and patch form have been developed with the most suitable conjugate structures.
  • stock solutions of filgrastim having a concentration of 0.56 mg/mL and 0.62 mg/mL have been used.
  • the solution contains 5% sorbitol and 0.004 polysorbate 80 in a 10 mM pH 4.0 sodium acetate buffer. Dilutions have been made by using a 10 mM pH 4.0 sodium acetate buffer in order to prepare the solutions.
  • Chitosan dissolved in pH’s below pH 6.0 Chitosan stock solutions have been prepared with a 10 mM pH 4.0 sodium acetate buffer in order to conduct studies on a pH value of 4.0 at which filgrastim is resistant. Stock solutions have been prepared at a concentration of 2.24 mg/mL and they have been diluted with a buffer to have the desired ratio. In the preliminary studies, “chitosan obtained from shrimp shells” and “low molecular weight chitosan” have been compared.
  • chitosan hydrolysates have also been prepared in order to prepare conjugates.
  • Chito- oligosaccharides have been obtained through the depolymerization of chitosan with acid hydrolysis.
  • lg chitosan is dissolved in 100 mL 2M HC1, it has been boiled in a distillation device for 3.5 hours and then cooled and 300 mL ethanol was added and the mixture was precipitated. The precipitation was washed 3 times with ethanol and has been gradually lyophilized under vacuum for 24 hours.
  • Microbial Transglutaminase exhibits optimum activity within the range of pH 5-8. However it is known to exhibit activity also within the range of pH 4-9. Preliminary tests were carried out with transglutaminase and microbial transglutaminase obtained as lyophilized powder from the livers of guinea pig. After 1U transglutaminase from the livers of guinea pig is dissolved in 1 mL distilled water, it is frozen and stored and is thawed before usage.
  • the microbial transglutaminase obtained from Streptomyces mobaraensis has been obtained as a powder mixture that comprises 99% maltodextrin (Ajinomoto-Activa WM). Studies have initially been conducted with the water dispersion of this powder mixture. Following this centrifugation was carried out for 10.000 G in room temperature for 15 minutes, for 10.000 G at 4 °C, for 15 minutes, for 10.000 G, at 4 °C for 2 minutes and for 6.000 G, at 4 °C, for 15 minutes.
  • composition of conjugates with an enzymatic method consists of the following process steps:
  • the studies have been carried out using a water bath and an incubator at 5 °C, 25 °C and 40 °C. 25 °C has been selected as the suitable working temperature.
  • the molar ratio of the polypeptide to the polymer can vary from about 5:1 to about 100:1, e.g., from about 5:1 to about 7:1, from about 7:1 to about 10:1, from about 10:1 to about 12:1, from about 12:1 to about 15:1, from about 15:1 to about 20:1, from about 20:1 to about 25:1, from about 25:1 to about 30:1, from about 30:1 to about 35:1, from about 35:1 to about 40:1, from about 40:1 to about 45:1, from about 45:1 to about 50:1, from about 50:1 to about 60:1, from about 60:1 to about 70:1, from about 70:1 to about 80:1, from about 80:1 to about 90:1, or from about 90:1 to about 100:1.
  • peptide-protein drug recombinant granulocyte colony stimulant factor rh metG-CSF, filgrastim
  • microbial transglutaminase an enzyme microbial transglutaminase
  • polymer chitosan and derivatives thereof that having a polysaccharide structure have been used for establishing the conjugates of the protein-polymers of the invention. After the conjugate formation was proven by different analysis methods, the protein stability and in vitro bioactivity of the conjugates formed were compared with the unconjugated proteins.
  • conjugate has been formulized such as to comprise one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and/or one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.
  • the present invention is related to compositions including pharmaceutical compositions comprising polypeptide-polymer conjugates.
  • the composition comprises the polypeptide-polymer conjugate; wherein said polypeptide-polymer conjugate is homogeneous, for example, all of the polypeptides of the polypeptide-polymer conjugate comprises the same amino acid sequence.
  • a composition comprises several (for example more than one) polypeptide-polymer conjugates and it includes each polypeptide-polymer conjugate with polypeptides that has the same amino acid sequence.
  • the composition includes two or more types of polypeptide-polymer conjugates; for example, in an exemplary composition, it comprises the first polypeptide- polymer conjugate; wherein the first polypeptide-polymer conjugate herein, comprises polypeptides of a first amino acid sequence; and the at least a second polypeptide-polymer conjugate comprises polypeptides of a second amino acid sequence that is different from the first amino acid sequence.
  • the composition comprises third or additional polypeptide-polymer conjugates.
  • a first polypeptide-polymer conjugate comprising the first polypeptide that enables bonding to an integrin and a second polypeptide-polymer comprising a second polypeptide that activates a cell signalling pathway can be given.
  • Various other combinations of polypeptides such as the first, second, etc., can be used.
  • the ratio of the first polypeptide-polymer conjugate to the second polypeptide-polymer conjugate within the composition of a subject can vary for example between approximately 0.001 : 103 to 103:0.001.
  • the ratios of the first, second and third polypeptide-polymer conjugates may vary.
  • the composition may contain, in addition to the polypeptide-polymer conjugate, one or more of the following: at least one salt, for example NaCl, MgCl, KC1 and/or MgS04, etc .; at least one buffering agent, for example, a Tris buffer, N- (2-Hydroxyethyl) piperazine-N'- (2- ethanesulfonic acid) (HEPES), 2- (N-Morpholino) ethanesulfonic acid (MES), 2-(N- Morpholino) ethanesulfonic acid sodium salt (MES), 3 -(N-Morpholino) propanesulfonic acid (MOPS) and/or N-tris [Hydroxymethyl]methyl-3-aminopropanesulfonic acid (TAPS), etc.; at least one solvent; at least one detergent, for example a non ionic detergent such as Tween-20, etc. and/or at least a proteas
  • Suitable excipient mediums are for example water, saline, dextrose, glycerol, ethanol or the like, or combinations thereof. Additionally, if desired, the medium can contain wetting agents or emulsifiers or pH buffer agents and small amounts of excipients.
  • the actual methods of preparing such dosage forms are well known by those skilled in the art. For example, please see, Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mack Publishing Company, Easton, Pa., 17th edition, 1985.
  • the composition or formulation to be administered will in any case contain sufficient amount of an agent to achieve the desired state of the subject.
  • compositions such as adjuvants, carriers or diluents can be easily obtained. Also, pharmaceutically acceptable excipients such as pH adjusting and buffering agents, tonicity adjusting agents, stabilizers, wetting agents and the like are readily available.
  • the terms "pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” and “pharmaceutically acceptable excipient” are used interchangeably and when combined with the subject polypeptide-polymer conjugate, it comprises any kind of material that substantially does not affect the biological activity of the conjugate. There is no immune response in a host and no significant adverse physiological effect on the host. Examples include, but are not limited to, any of the standard pharmaceutical carriers such as phosphate buffered saline solution, water, emulsions such as oil / water emulsion, and various wetting agents. Other carriers may also include tablets containing sterile solutions, coated tablets and capsules.
  • such carriers include excipients such as starch, milk, sugar, some types of clay, gelatine, stearic acid or salts thereof, magnesium or calcium stearate, talc, vegetable oils or oils, gums, glycols or other known excipients. These kind of excipients may also contain aroma and dyeing additives and other components. Compositions comprising such carriers are formulized with well known traditional methods.
  • the pharmaceutical compositions can be formulated for a selected mode of administration, comprising, for example, topical, oral, nasal, intravenous, intracranial, intraperitoneal, intratumoral, peritumoral, subcutaneous or intramuscular administration.
  • the carrier may comprise water, saline, alcohol, an oil, a wax, or a buffer.
  • any of the above mentioned carriers can be used or a solid carrier such as mannitol, lactose, starch, magnesium stearate, sodium saccharide, talc, cellulose, glucose, sucrose and magnesium carbonate can be used.
  • Biodegradable microspheres for example polylactate polyglicolate
  • compositions for parenteral administration comprising a conjugate that is dissolved or suspended in an acceptable carrier (preferably an aqueous carrier such as water, buffered water, saline, phosphate buffered saline, etc).
  • an acceptable carrier preferably an aqueous carrier such as water, buffered water, saline, phosphate buffered saline, etc.
  • Compositions may comprise excipients such as pH regulating and buffering agents, tonicity adjusting agents, wetting agents, detergents and the like.
  • Compositions can be sterilized by traditional sterilization techniques or can be filtered as sterile.
  • the aqueous solutions obtained can be packaged as is or with a sterile aqueous carrier to be combined with the lyophilized preparation before administration, or in lyophilized form.
  • the pH of the preparations can be 3 to 11, for example approximately pH 5 to approximately pH 9 or approximately pH 7 to approximately pH 8.
  • said polypeptide-polymer conjugate can be implanted into an implantable tissue or device, for example into an artificial tissue (for example, an implant into a tissue; an implantable device (a stent, an artificial joint, a scaffold, a graft, an artificial tissue, a shunt, an electrode, etc.), an implantable drug delivery system, etc).
  • the stents can be self expanding stents, stents that are expanded via balloons or stent grafts.
  • Biomaterials can be films, gels, sponges, gauzes, non-woven fabrics, membranes, microspheres, microcapsules, threads, guide channels, etc.
  • said polypeptide-polymer conjugate is layered or covered over a matrix in order to form a device that can be implanted.
  • a matrix also known as a "biocompatible substrate” is a material suitable for implantation into an individual and a material onto which a polypeptide-polymer conjugate is layered, coated or otherwise attached.
  • the biocompatible substrate is a polymer that has a surface that can be formed to the desired structure that needs to be repaired, or changed.
  • the biocompatible substrate can be formed as a part of a structure that needs to be repaired or changed.
  • the biocompatible substrate provides a supporting frame onto which said polypeptide-polymer conjugate can be layered or coated or added in any other way.
  • a matrix or a scaffold that has been attached to said polypeptide- polymer conjugate additionally comprises one or more cell types that are attached to a matrix or scaffold that comprise one or more cell and/or polypeptide-polymer conjugates.
  • These matrices or scaffolds are beneficial in terms of tissue engineering, cell culture, cell transplant etc.
  • a drug carrier system comprises a polypeptide-polymer conjugate.
  • the drug carrier system can be based on a diffusion system, a convective system or an erodable system (for example a system that is based on erosion).
  • the drug delivery system may be an electrochemical pump, an osmotic pump, an electroosmotic pump, a vapor pressure pump, or an osmotic burst matrix (for example, a polymeric material impregnated into the drug (for example, biodegradable, degradation of a polymeric material that is impregnated into the drug) where the drug is incorporated into a polymer and the polymer allows the drug formulation to be released together.
  • the drug carrier system is based on an electro diffusion system, an electrolytic pump, an effervescent pump, a pieso-electric pump, an hydrolytic system, etc.
  • the implantable drug carrier system can be programmed to ensure the application of an active agent.
  • the exemplary programmable, implantable systems comprise implantable infusion pumps.
  • An implantable drug delivery system can be used as a carrier to carry any kind of active agents such as various immunizing modifiers, anti-apoptotic agents, anti-mitotic agents, anti platelet agents, platinum coordination complexes, hormones, anticoagulants, fibrinolytic agents, antisecretory agents, anti-migratory agents, immunosuppressives, angiogenic agents, angiotensin receptor blockers, nitric oxide donors, antisense oligonucleotides, cell cycle inhibitors, corticosteroids, angiostatic steroids, anti-parasitic drugs, anti-glaucoma drugs, anti parasite drugs, differentiation modulators, antiviral drugs, anticancer drugs and antinflammatory drugs.
  • active agents such as various immunizing modifiers, anti-apoptotic agents, anti-mitotic agents, anti platelet agents, platinum coordination complexes, hormones, anticoagulants, fibrinolytic agents, antisecretory agents, anti-migratory agents, immunosuppressives, angiogenic agents, angio
  • Said polypeptide-polymer conjugate can be used in various applications including therapeutic (for example drug delivery, implantable devices, tissue engineering, regenerative medicine), diagnosis, drug discovery and research applications.
  • therapeutic for example drug delivery, implantable devices, tissue engineering, regenerative medicine
  • diagnosis for example drug discovery and research applications.
  • Said polypeptide-polymer conjugate can be used various therapeutic applications.
  • a polypeptide-polymer conjugate can be a part of a drug carrier system where the biologically active polypeptide component provides functionality, and the drug carrier system provides therapeutic effects.
  • a biologically active polypeptide can provide targeting to a certain type of cell or tissue that requires treatment with a therapeutic agent and the drug carrier system can provide a localized effect.
  • said polypeptide-polymer conjugate can be added to an implantable medical device (for example a stent, a shunt, an artificial tissue, a lead, a graft, an electrode) in cases where the biologically active polypeptide component of said polypeptide-polymer conjugate provides the desired activity.
  • said polypeptide-polymer conjugate can be added to a polypeptide-polymer conjugate, a matrix or a scaffold.
  • the matrix or scaffold that comprises a polypeptide-polymer conjugate that has cells or a polypeptide-polymer conjugate that does not have cells can be delivered to an individual via cell transplant, tissue engineering etc.
  • compositions have been stored as solution after being lyophilized and the stability of the protein in the conjugate has been tested in long terms studies.
  • pharmaceutical compositions In order for said pharmaceutical compositions to be applied transdermally, or transmusocally, locally applicable preparations have been prepared.
  • patches such as sponge structures, adhesive membranes, gels, cross linked gels and fiber that comprise said conjugates have been obtained.
  • Table 2 Relative Potency ratios of the conjugates according to filgrastim and filgrastim- polymer mixture.
  • Table 3 EC50 values of the conjugate, according to filgrastim and filgrastim-polymer mixture.
  • the biocompatible and biodegradable polymer that is used to form protein-polymer conjugates can be chitin, chitosan, chito-oligosaccharide or derivatives thereof.
  • the biocompatible and biodegradable polymer that is used to form protein-polymer conjugates can be a polymer that has been obtained by the depolymerization of chitin or chitosan.
  • the biocompatible and biodegradable polymer that is used to form protein-polymer conjugates can be a polymer that has been obtained by an enzymatic or acid hydrolysis depolymerization of chitin or chitosan.
  • the drug used in the protein-polymer conjugates can be recombinant GCSF or derivatives thereof.
  • the protein-polymer conjugates comprise chitosan or derivatives thereof and recombinant GCSF or derivatives thereof.
  • the protein-polymer conjugates comprise chito- oligosaccharide or derivatives thereof and recombinant GCSF or derivatives thereof.
  • the bonding of e peptide-protein drug with a biopolymer is performed enzymatically.
  • the enzyme used in the protein-polymer conjugate formation can be transglutaminase or microbial transglutaminase.
  • the formation of the protein-polymer conjugates comprises the process steps of the production of the recombinant peptide-protein drug, production of the biodegradable polymer, and conjugation of the peptide-protein drug and the biodegradable polymer.
  • the recombinant peptide-protein drug is enzymatically conjugated with chitin, chito-oligosaccharide or derivatives thereof.
  • the recombinant peptide-protein drug is enzymatically conjugated with a polymer that has been obtained by an enzymatic or acid hydrolysis depolymerization of chitin or chitosan.
  • the recombinant peptide-protein drug is conjugated via transglutaminase enzyme, with a polymer that has been obtained by an enzymatic or acid hydrolysis depolymerization of chitin or chitosan.
  • recombinant GCSF is treated with microbial transglutaminase at 5-40 °C in a solution having a pH of 4.0-7.0 in which chito- oligosaccharides are present.
  • recombinant GCSF is treated with microbial transglutaminase at 25 °C in a solution having a pH of 5.5 in which chito-oligosaccharides are present.
  • the production of biodegradable polymer chito- oligosaccharide consists of the process steps of dissolving lg chitosan in 100 mL 2M HC1, boiling in a distillation device for 3.5 hours and then cooling, adding 300 mL ethanol and precipitating the mixture, washing the precipitation with ethanol 3 times, and lyophilizing gradually under vacuum for 24 hours.
  • the protein-polymer conjugates have been formulized such as to comprise one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and/or one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.
  • the pharmaceutical composition is in solution or lyophilized form.
  • a pharmaceutical patch which comprises a conjugate that is formed with an enzymatic method from at least one biocompatible and biodegradable polymer and at least a peptide-protein drug which is a therapeutic agent.
  • the biocompatible and biodegradable polymer in the patch can be chitin, chitosan, chito-oligosaccharide or derivatives thereof.
  • the biocompatible and biodegradable polymer in the patch can be a polymer that has been obtained by the depolymerization of chitin or chitosan.
  • the biocompatible and biodegradable polymer in the patch can be a polymer that has been obtained by the enzymatic or acid hydrolysis depolymerization of chitin or chitosan.
  • the peptide-protein drug in the patch can be recombinant GCSF or derivatives thereof.
  • the pharmaceutical patch comprises chitosan or derivatives thereof and recombinant GCSF or derivatives thereof.
  • the pharmaceutical patch comprises chito-oligosaccharide or derivatives thereof and recombinant GCSF or derivatives thereof.
  • the patch (1) having at least one layer comprises a conjugate that is formed from at least one contact layer (11) comprising at least one biocompatible and biodegradable polymer and at least one peptide-protein drug, and preferably a support layer (12), a top layer (13) and an envelope layer (14).
  • the patch comprises a contact layer (11) comprising at least a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer, and preferably a support layer (12), a top layer (13) and an envelope layer (14).
  • the patch comprises a contact layer (11) comprising one or more active agents, a support layer (12) having a similar structure without comprising an active agent, a top layer (13) and an envelope layer (14).
  • the contact layer (11) can be perforated, fragmented, integrated or in different shapes.
  • the contact layer (11) comprises at least a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer.
  • the contact layer (11) comprises chitin, chitosan, chito- oligosaccharides or derivatives thereof.
  • the contact layer (11) comprises a polymer that has been obtained by the depolymerization of chitin or chitosan.
  • the contact layer (11) comprises a polymer that has been obtained by the enzymatic or acid hydrolysis depolymerization of chitin or chitosan.
  • the production of the pharmaceutical patch comprises the process steps of obtaining a contact layer via the enzymatic or acid hydrolysis of chitin or chitosan, perforation of the contact layer by physical methods, pouring the pharmaceutical composition comprising the conjugate formed from chito-oligosaccharide or derivatives thereof and recombinant GCSF or derivatives thereof into the holes of the contact layer.
  • the production of the pharmaceutical patch comprises the process steps of obtaining a contact layer via the enzymatic or acid hydrolysis of chitin or chitosan, perforation of the contact layer by physical methods, lyophilizing the pharmaceutical composition comprising the conjugate formed from chito-oligosaccharide or derivatives thereof and recombinant GCSF or derivatives thereof gradually for 24 hours under vacuum and pouring the lyophilized powder into the holes of the contact layer.
  • the invention can be used as therapeutically; it can be administered transdermally, transmucosally or via other local routes, and intravenously, intramuscularly or via other parenteral routes.
  • the invention can be sterilized by methods such as ethylene oxide, gamma radiation and filtration.
  • the pharmaceutical composition obtained by the invention comprises a pharmaceutical patch, which comprises a conjugate that is enzymatically formed from at least a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer and at least a peptide-protein drug.
  • Chitin, chitosan, chito-oligosaccharide or a derivative thereof is dissolved in a solution comprising 0.1-5% acid (acetic acid, lactic acid, hydrochloric acid, etc.).
  • a solution comprising 0.1-5% acid (acetic acid, lactic acid, hydrochloric acid, etc.).
  • the solution is heated to 45-55°C.
  • the air bubbles inside the solution are removed by a vacuum pump.
  • the solution is poured into Teflon, aluminium, polystyrene or glass petri dishes or tubes. After freezing at -20°C, the solution is lyophilized. As a result the contact layer is obtained.
  • Chitin, chitosan, chito-oligosaccharide or a derivative thereof is dissolved in a solution comprising 0.1-5% acid (acetic acid, lactic acid, hydrochloric acid, etc.).
  • a solution comprising 0.1-5% acid (acetic acid, lactic acid, hydrochloric acid, etc.).
  • the solution is heated to 45-55°C.
  • the air bubbles inside the solution are removed by a vacuum pump.
  • the solution is poured into Teflon, aluminium, polystyrene or glass petri containers or tubes. The container is slowly immersed into a liquid nitrogen tank or dry ice. As a result the contact layer is obtained.
  • Chitin, chitosan, chito-oligosaccharide or a derivative thereof is dissolved in a solution comprising 0.1-5% acid (acetic acid, lactic acid, hydrochloric acid, etc.).
  • a solution comprising 0.1-5% acid (acetic acid, lactic acid, hydrochloric acid, etc.).
  • the solution is heated to 45-55°C.
  • the air bubbles inside the solution are removed by a vacuum pump.
  • a plasticizer (glycerol, tween, etc.) is added.
  • the mixture is neutralized (pH 5-8) with alcohol (ethanol, methanol etc.) or basic solutions (sodium bicarbonate, potassium carbonate etc.).
  • a conjugates solution is added.
  • the solution is poured into Teflon, aluminium, polystyrene or glass petri dishes or tubes. After freezing at -20°C, the solution is lyophilized. As a result the contact layer is obtained.
  • Chitin, chitosan, chito-oligosaccharide or a derivative thereof is dissolved in a solution comprising 0.1-5% acid (acetic acid, lactic acid, hydrochloric acid, etc.).
  • the solution is heated to 45-55°C.
  • the air bubbles inside the solution are removed by a vacuum pump.
  • a plasticizer (glycerol, tween, etc.) is added.
  • the mixture is neutralized (pH 5-8) with alcohol (ethanol, methanol etc.) or basic solutions (sodium bicarbonate, potassium carbonate etc.).
  • a conjugates solution is added.
  • the solution is poured into Teflon, aluminium, polystyrene or glass petri containers or tubes.
  • the container is slowly immersed into a liquid nitrogen tank or dry ice. As a result the contact layer is obtained.
  • Chitin, chitosan, chito-oligosaccharide or a derivative thereof is dissolved in a solution comprising 0.1-5% acid (acetic acid, lactic acid, hydrochloric acid, etc.).
  • a solution comprising 0.1-5% acid (acetic acid, lactic acid, hydrochloric acid, etc.).
  • the solution is heated to 45-55°C.
  • the air bubbles inside the solution are removed by a vacuum pump.
  • a plasticizer glycerol, tween, etc.
  • the obtained viscose solution is poured into Teflon, aluminium, polystyrene or glass petri containers or tubes. Gels are obtained by controlled drying in an oven at 40-60°C. As a result the contact layer is obtained.
  • Chitin, chitosan, chito-oligosaccharide or a derivative thereof is dissolved in a solution comprising 0.1-5% acid (acetic acid, lactic acid, hydrochloric acid, etc.).
  • a solution comprising 0.1-5% acid (acetic acid, lactic acid, hydrochloric acid, etc.).
  • the solution is heated to 45-55°C.
  • the air bubbles inside the solution are removed by a vacuum pump.
  • Cross bonds are formed as a result of mixing with cross linking agents (lauric, myristic, palmitic, stearic, acid derivatives, sodium triphosphate, hemicellulose etc.).
  • the solution is poured into Teflon, aluminium, polystyrene or glass petri containers or tubes. Gels are obtained by controlled drying in an oven at 40-60°C. As a result the contact layer is obtained.
  • Example-7 fiber
  • Chitin, chitosan, chito-oligosaccharide or a derivative thereof is dissolved in a solution comprising 0.1-5% acid (acetic acid, lactic acid, hydrochloric acid, etc.).
  • a solution comprising 0.1-5% acid (acetic acid, lactic acid, hydrochloric acid, etc.).
  • the solution is heated to 45-55°C.
  • the air bubbles inside the solution are removed by a vacuum pump.
  • the solution is subjected to current with an injector from an electrospinning device.
  • the obtained fibers are dried in an oven at 40-60°C. As a result the contact layer is obtained.
  • the contact layers obtained by the methods mentioned in Examples 1-7 do not comprise conjugates, they are perforated physically, the pharmaceutical composition (solution or in lyophilized powder form) comprising a conjugate is poured into the holes of the contact layer, and following this, if the pharmaceutical composition has been added as a solution, the resulting product is lyophilized. As a result the contact layer containing the active agent is obtained.
  • the contact layer comprising the active agent at the base of the patch, according to its application area (skin, mucosa, bone, cartilage or nerve cells) if a patch is required in order to provide ease of use, additional layers such as additional support layer that does not comprise the active agent, a top layer to prevent the loss of the active agent, an envelope layer similar to a fiber fabric are added.
  • Table 4 The mobile phase ratios used in the RP-HPLC method.
  • the size exclusion chromatography (SEC) column suggested in the European Pharmacopea 6.3 has been used.
  • SEC size exclusion chromatography
  • a hydrophilic silica gel column used in the separation of globular proteins has been suggested which has a length of 300 mm, a diameter of 7.8 mm, a particle size of 5 m and a molecular weight at the range of 10,000 to 500,000.
  • TSKgel® G3000SW XL HPLC column has been provided. This method that is used for determining impurities that have a molecular weight higher than filgrastim in the European Pharmacopea 6.3, is also used to determine aggregates, filgrastim oligomers (2 distinct types), filgrastim dimers and filgrastim monomers.
  • the filgrastim-chitosan conjugates obtained by the invention have been determined with this method.
  • the column has been heated to 30 °C in accordance with the European Pharmacopea 6.3. 50 mM Ammonium Bicorbonate buffer has been used as the mobile phase at a pH of 7.0 at a rate of 0,5 mL/minute.
  • the conjugate samples comprising filgrastim, chitosan and enzymes that were diluted in 10 mM pH 4.0 sodium acetate buffer, whose pH was adjusted with 20 mM NaOH, were applied to the column. Measurements were taken at 215 nm.
  • TSKgel® G3000SW XL HPLC column used in the separation of globular proteins which have a length of 300 mm, a diameter of 7.8 mm, a particle size of 5 m and a molecular weight at the range of 10,000 to 500,000.
  • TSKgel® G2000SW XL column would be more suitable for the separation of low molecular weighted proteins
  • studies have been carried out with the TSKgel® G2000SW XL HPLC column that is used in separating globular proteins having a molecular weight range of 5.000 to 150.000. Any other change was not made in the method and the column was heated to 30 °C in accordance with the European Pharmacopea 6.3. 50 mM Ammonium Bicorbonate buffer has been used as the mobile phase at a pH of 7.0 at a rate of 0,5 mL/minute.
  • conjugate mixtures comprising filgrastim, chitosan and enzymes that were diluted in 10 mM pH 4.0 sodium acetate buffer, whose pH was adjusted with 20 mM NaOH, were applied to the column and their measurements at 215 nm were taken. 4. SDS-PAGE Analysis (Reduced)
  • SDS sodium dodecyl sulphate
  • PAGE polyacrylamide gel electroforesis
  • 10 % (w/v) SDS Solution 10 g SDS is prepared as solution by the addition of distilled water to add up to 100 mL. This is kept at room temperature.
  • Tris-HCl, pH 8.8 buffer 18.15 g Tris base, is dissolved in 50 mL distilled water, it is adjusted to 8.8 pH with 6 N HC1, and is completed to 100 mL with the addition of distilled water. This is stored at 5 °C.
  • Tris-HCl, pH 6.8 buffer 6 g Tris base, is dissolved in 60 mL distilled water, it is adjusted to 6.8 pH with 6 N HC1, and is completed to 100 mL with the addition of distilled water. This is stored at 5 °C.
  • Sample Buffer SDS Reducton Buffer: 3.55 mL distilled water, 1.25 mL 0.5 M Tris- HCl buffer, pH 6.8, 2.5 mL glycerol, 2.0 mL 10 % (w/v) SDS Solution, 0.2 mL 0.5 % (w/v) bromphenol blu are mixed to prepare a total 9.5 mL solution. The solution kept at room temperature. Right before use, 50 pL b-mercaptoethanol (2-mercaptoethanol) is added to the 950 pL sample buffer. The samples are diluted with this solution before being filled into the wells.
  • SDS Reducton Buffer 3.55 mL distilled water, 1.25 mL 0.5 M Tris- HCl buffer, pH 6.8, 2.5 mL glycerol, 2.0 mL 10 % (w/v) SDS Solution, 0.2 mL 0.5 % (w/v) bromphenol blu are mixed to prepare a total 9.5 mL solution. The solution kept
  • a 10 mL monomer solution is prepared by taking respectively 6.1 mL, 1.3 mL, 2.5 mL and 0.1 mL from the distilled water, Acrylamide/Bisacrylamide Solution, 0.5 M Tris-HCl pH 6.8 buffer and 10% (w/v) SDS solution.
  • a 10 mL monomer solution is prepared by taking respectively 4.7 mL, 2.7 mL, 2.5 mL and 0.1 mL from the distilled water, Acrylamide/Bisacrylamide Solution, 0.5 M Tris-HCl pH 6.8 buffer and 10% (w/v) SDS solution.
  • the catalyzer portion is mixed with 50 pL, 10 % APS solution and 10 pL TEMED right before the monomer solutions being poured into the gel and a polymerization reaction is started.
  • a 10 mL monomer solution is prepared by taking respectively 3.4 mL, 4.0 mL, 2.5 mL and 0.1 mL from the distilled water, Acrylamide/Bisacrylamide solution, 1.5 M Tris-HCl pH 8.8 buffer and 10% (w/v) SDS solution.
  • a 10 mL monomer solution is prepared by taking respectively 2.4 mL, 5.0 mL, 2.5 mL and 0.1 mL from the distilled water, Acrylamide/Bisacrylamide Solution, 1.5 M Tris-HCl pH 8.8 buffer and 10% (w/v) SDS solution.
  • the separation portion is mixed with 50 pL, 10 % APS solution and 5 pL TEMED right before the monomer solutions being poured into the gel and a polymerization reaction is started.
  • the polymerized solution is poured into a container with a pipette and it is covered with isopropanol. After the separation portion is polymerized in the gel container, the excess isopropanol is removed with drying towels and the solution whose catalyzer portion has been polymerized is poured into the container with a pipette. The comb that shall form the wells is placed and it is waited for the polymerization to take place.
  • sample buffer stock solution is mixed with b-mercaptoethanol at a ratio of 95:5 right before usage. This solution is used to dilute the samples at a ratio of 1:1 and they are heated for 4 minutes at 95 °C. They are ready to be applied into wells.
  • the gels that have been polymerized between glass plates are placed into the electrophoresis device the combs are taken out, the container of the device is filled with the running buffer and the samples are added into the obtained wells.
  • the samples are run at 50V for 20 minutes and the catalyzer is passed, and following this it is run for 1 hour, by applying 120 V electricity.
  • Dyeing Solution 0,1 g Coomassie Brilliant Blue R-250, 40 mL distilled water, 50 mL methanol and 10 mL glacial acetic acid is mixed.
  • Washing Solution 500 mL distilled water, 400 mL methanol and 100 mL glacial acetic acid is mixed. At the end of the analysis, the gels are removed from between the glass plates, after washing with distilled water they are immersed in the dyeing solution, dyeing is carried out on the orbital agitator at low speed for 20 minutes, and after washing with the washing solution several times on the agitator it is enabled for the protein bands to become visible.
  • the method applied for the non-reduced SDS-PAGE studies is the same as for reduced SDS- PAGE.
  • b-mercaptoethanol that is present in the sample buffer used in the reduced SDS-PAGE studies enables to open the disulphide bonds between the molecules and protein molecules.
  • the sample buffer used in the non-reduced SDS-PAGE does not contain b-mercaptoethanol and the proteins are applied to the gel without being reduced.
  • Sample Buffer 3.55 mL distilled water, 1.25 mL 0.5 M Tris-HCl buffer, pH 6.8, 2.5 mL glycerol, 2.0 mL 10 % (w/v) SDS Solution, 0.2 mL 0.5 % (w/v) bromphenol blue are mixed and 9.5 mL solution is obtained. Is kept at room temperature. The samples are diluted with this solution before being filled into the wells.
  • Dyeing Solution 0,04 g Coomassie Brilliant Blue R-250, 0,05g Crocein Scarlet, 27 mL isopropanol, 63 mL distilled water, and 10 mL glacial acetic acid is mixed.
  • Dye Thinning Solution 500 mL distilled water, 400 mL methanol and 100 mL glacial acetic acid is mixed. At the end of the analysis the gels are taken out from the plastic plates and after being washed with distilled water, they have been immersed in a dye solution. After it was waited for 45 minutes for the gels to be dyed on the agitator, the gels are washed for a few times on the agitator with a washing solution, in order to reveal the bands.
  • This method is a method that is based on transferring the proteins run on gels to a nitrocellulose membrane and imaging the protein by boning it to an antibody.
  • a wet method has been applied by using 25 mM Tris, 190 mM glycine and 20% methanol comprising pH 8.3 transfer buffer, in order to transfer the protein from the gel to the membrane.
  • the gel in which the proteins were run by gel electrophoresis, was removed from between the plates and then it was agitated in the transfer buffer for 10-15 minutes and a transfer sandwich was prepared. In order to achieve this gel has been placed on the blotting paper of the transfer cassette and on top of this, a nitrocellulose membrane has been placed that has been wetted with the transfer buffer.
  • the membrane is again covered with a blotting paper and sponge and the cassette is closed and it is placed into a tank. In these procedures, air bubbles should not be present inside the sandwich.
  • the tank is run on the magnetic mixer for 1 hour at 5 °C, 100 V. At the end of the process, the proteins are transferred from the gel to the membrane.
  • the membrane removed from the sandwich was washed with tris buffered saline (TBST) comprising 20 mM Tris adjusted to pH 7.5 with HC1, 150 mM NaCl and 0.1% Tween 20.
  • TBST tris buffered saline
  • the filgrastim and conjugate solutions have been lyophilized and their Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrums have been examined. Separate scanning has been carried out for each sample within the frequency range of 4000-600 cm 1 to achieve this.
  • FTIR Fourier transform infrared
  • Solution of filgrastim, chitosan hydrolysate and Kl, K2, K3 conjugates were prepared in 50% methanol.
  • the samples were injected at a volume of 5 pL into the Q-TOF MS device without using an analytic column and their spectrums were taken for 2 minutes.
  • As the mobile phase 0.3% formic acid solution and acetonitrile 50:50 isocratic were used, and the solution was passed through the device at a rate of 0.15 mL/min. The measurements were taken within the range of 50-2500 amu.
  • the drying gas temperature has been selected to be 200 °C.
  • Mus Musculus mouse myeloid leukemia cell lines M-NFS-60 cells (ATCC) mentioned in the European Pharmacopea monograph were used.
  • the frozen cell tube removed from the liquid nitrogen tank (-180 °C) was gently shaken and kept in a cell bath for 1-2 minutes at 37 °C and it was enabled to be dissolved.
  • the contents of the dissolved tube that was decontaminated with 70% ethanol was transferred onto the RPMI- 1640 medium comprising 2 mM L-glutamine under the vertical laminar air circulated container, 0.05 mM 2-mercaptoethanol, 62 ng/mL human recombinant macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) and 10% fetal bovine serum.
  • the medium has been kept in the incubator for 15 minutes before this process and the pH thereof has been balanced (pH 7.0- 7.6).
  • the tube is centrifuged at a rate of 125 G for 5-7 minutes and the supernatant is removed and the pellet has been suspended with pipetting with 5 mL medium. After the cell medium mixture in the tube was added into 25 cm 2 flasks, it was incubated at 37 °C in an incubator comprising 5% CO 2 .
  • a portion of the cells were suspended in a medium containing 5% (v/v) DMSO in order for them to be used again in following studies, and then they have been placed into freezing tubes, and were kept for 4 hours at -20 °C, and then they were kept for 1 night at -80 °C in a liquid nitrogen tank.
  • the studies have been carried out for 48 and 72 hours.
  • the studies have been conducted with 3 plates having the placement illustrated in Table 5.
  • the study was repeated with conjugate, filgrastim-polymer and filgrastim solutions for 72 hours at a concentration between 3,125-100 IU/mL, where the cell increase is better observed.
  • the potency value and the parallel line test mentioned in the European Pharmacopea have been compared.
  • the studies have been conducted with 3 plates having the placement illustrated in Table 6.
  • the suspension was prepared such that 7xl0 5 cells are available per millilitre. 50 pL was added from the cell suspension which is homogenous, into the control and active agent wells in the plates.
  • Table 5 The plate layout that is used to compare the filgrastim and conjugate solutions.
  • the plates were kept in a humidified incubator containing 5% CO2 and for 48 hours or 72 hours at a temperature between 36-38 °C. Following incubation, the potency was determined with a colorimetric MTS-PMS or MTT-PMS proliferation test. Following incubation, 20 pi MTS-PMS ve MTT-PMS proliferation test solution has been added to the cells. MTS transforms into colored formation that can dissolve in MTS medium, depending on NAD(P)H dependant cellular oxydoreductase enzymes in living cells. For the formation, the cells have been kept in the incubator for 4 hours. At the end of this period of time, the absorption values at 490nm have been measured.
  • a conjugate solution has been injected into the column, which is used in the separation of globular proteins having 10-500 kDA molecular weight. It has been noted that the conjugate was retained for a period of time that is close to the retaining time of filgrastim. Filgrastim solution has been added to the conjugate solution during measurement. As the added filgrastim needs to be retained for a longer period of time in comparison to the conjugate, an elbow image that supports the formation of the conjugate has been determined in the chromatogram ( Figure 2). 3. Assays with Size Exclusion HPLC (SE-HPLQ-2.
  • the conjugate samples and filgrastim solution have been loaded onto the ready IEF gel that was worked at the range of pH 4.6-8.0. As the conjugate samples are low in amount, IEF gel was not observed with dyeing and due to this reason images were clarified using Western Blot on gels.
  • the isoelectric point of proteins is determined according to the loaded amino acids, chain number and terminal amino acids they have, and the filgrastim’s isoelectric point is 5.65.
  • the gel has provided a band at the range of 5.1 - 6.0 and it has been noted that the conjugate solution had a value less than this ( Figure 5).
  • the enzyme that is used to form conjugates allows two amine groups to combine with an ammonia output.

Abstract

The invention is related to conjugation of protein drugs with biopolymers by an enzymatic method and obtaining conjugates thereof and forming patch structures that comprises these conjugates.

Description

CONJUGATION OF PROTEIN DRUGS WITH BIOPOUYMERS BY AN
ENZYMATIC METHOD
Technical Field of the Invention
The invention is related to a conjugate that comprises chitin, chitosan, chito-oligosaccharide or a derivative thereof and recombinant GCSF or a derivative thereof; and a pharmaceutical composition comprising said conjugate together with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and/or one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients; and a pharmaceutical patch.
Known State of the Art (Prior Art)
Peptide-protein drugs or biopharmaceuticals were introduced for human health in 1982 following the approval of the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of recombinant human insulin, and today hundreds of recombinant protein drugs are used in the treatment of diseases that were previously very difficult or impossible to treat. Hundreds of biotechnological drugs, vaccines and diagnostic products, which are continued on trial in clinical studies, are presented to the health sector with continuous innovations and a rapid and significant transformation is taking place from chemical drugs to biotechnological drugs in the pharmaceutical field. Peptide-protein drugs produced with recombinant DNA technology are now called first generation biotechnology products and these drugs have many problems such as, in vivo-in vitro instability, undesirable administration route resulting from an almost completely parenteral administration route, and antigenic and toxic side effects. In the recent years, studies have been conducted on second generation protein drugs for solving problems of protein drugs, moreover products are being developed and presented for treatment.
Second generation protein drugs, are developed by applying methods such as mutagenesis specific to region, fusion protein, chemical or enzymatic modification. Proteins modified by means of chemical methods are available in the market. In the recent years enzymatic modification has been used in the pharmaceutical biotechnology field as an option that is more environmentally friendly and less toxic than chemical modifications. Transglutaminase, sortase and tyrosinases stand out among the enzymes that are used. Transglutaminases (TGase) are of great interest in scientific and industrial fields because of their cross-linking properties of protein substrates. The applications of transglutaminases, which are widely used in the food industry and also known as "meat glue", are very limited and new in the field of pharmaceutical biotechnology. Transglutaminases, which have a wide variety of plant, animal and bacterial origin, have an important application potential due to their different substrate specificity. Applications are carried out in the health sector such as in haemorrhages, diagnosis of celiac disease and wound healing. As transglutaminase is an enzyme resilient against high temperatures and its substrate specifity is high, it is one of the enzymes that are most frequently used in nutrient biotechnology.
In the prior art, the recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor (rh G-CSF) is used in neutropenia treatment that occurs in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Filgrastim, which is a parenterally administered protein, whose primary structure differs from granulocyte colony stimulating factor by a methionine amino acid that is attached to the N- terminus, is a protein that is rapidly removed from the blood and administered in high doses. A form having long term effect that is conjugated with a polyethylene glycol (PEG) is available in order to prolong the half time of the drug in the body. Additionally studies are being carried out for protein preparations in nanoparticle and microparticle form that have been prepared with different polymers.
Recombinant Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor (rh G-CSF)
G-CSF is a growth factor that has a polypeptide structure which generally regulates the production of neutrophilic granulocytes. The defence mechanism of the body can increase granulocyte production up to 10 times under stress conditions. G-CSF is an element that has a primary role in the production of neutrophils, and it controls the distribution of neutrophils and progenitor cells in the body. G-CSF is produced and released by endothelium, monocytes and other immune cells.
In the prior art, O-glycosylated protein recombinant granulocyte colony stimulating factor (rh G-CSF) having a molecular weight of 19.6 kDa has been produced by isolating human hematopoietic colony stimulating factor genes with pluripotent activity and cloning them into Escherichia coli. It has been noted that it supports neutrophil proliferation, early erythroid colony and mixed colony formation, macrophage and granulocytes differentiation. Following this it was understood that G-CSF plays a role in the resistance of patients to certain infections, in the development of neutrophil response in the presence of low numbers of or defective granulocytes, and in preventing granulocyte reduction in chemotherapy, radiation therapy or bone marrow transplantation. G-CSF is a polypeptide formed of 174 amino acids, containing four cysteines at two disulfide bonds, a free cysteine at the 17th position and an O-glycosylation site through threonine at the 133rd position. It is not mandatory for G-CSF to be glycolized in order to show biological activity.
Filgrastim (rh metG-CSF)
Filgrastim (rh metG-CSF), whose primary structure differs from granulocyte colony stimulating factor by a methionine amino acid that is attached to the N-terminus is not glycolized. They are produced in bacteria cells by means of a recombinant DNA (rDNA) technology. 104 of the 175 amino acids that it contained are folded to have a-helical form. Filgrastim is stabilized with two disulphide bonds. Although it is stabilized at high rates in acidic pH values, it can also continue to be stabilized in high pH rates. However it is not advised to be stored at a pH that is above 7.00.
It was introduced to the market in 1991 for the treatment of neutropenia and other related infections that arise in cancer chemotherapy, and nowadays it is used in cancer patients undergoing myelosuppressive chemotherapy, acute myeloid leukemia patients undergoing induction or consolidation chemotherapy, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, cancer patients with bone marrow transplantation and in severe chronic neutropenia cases. It is also approved under orphan drug status to be used in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (motor neuron disease, ALS) and spinal cord injuries. It is one of the most frequently used drugs among protein drugs that are biotechnology products.
Filgrastim is applied once a day via subcutaneous, intramuscular or intravascular route. Several studies are being conducted thereon for the development of second generation forms due to the very short half-life in the blood, the formation of aggregates that cause immunogenicity during storage, and the high doses applied for efficacy.
Studies have been conducted not only on the prevalent usage of filgrastim in clinical parenteral applications but also on its local usage. It has been shown that filgrastim administered subcutaneously in osteomyelitis and long-term skin ulcers, improves response to the treatment. In the topical study carried out with a mouthwash having a viscose structure comprising filgrastim, it has been determined that it shortens the treatment time of oral mucositis. Chitosan
Chitosan is a natural aminopolysaccharide polymer that can be obtained via semi-synthetic methods from chitin, is one of the most common polymers found in nature. Chitosan, which enables new properties, functions and applications with chemical and mechanical modifications, is widely used in the industry, especially in the biomedical field. Besides its antimicrobial effect and low immunogenicity, it is used basically for pharmaceutical purposes as it is biocompatible/biodegradable and non toxic.
The powder material obtained by grinding and sieving the shrimp shells, which are the basic residues of seafood in the food industry, and the raw material obtained from other crustaceans, insects and fungi, is primarily deproteinized. After the powder is de-mineralized and de-colored, chitin is obtained. Chitosan is then obtained by the deacetylation of chitin.
By means of the partial deacetylation of chitin, N-acetyl-d-glucosamines are converted into d- glucosamines. Chitosan is formed as a long polymer chain following the copolymerization of N-acetyl-d-glucosamine and d-glucosamine molecules that are bonded with P-(l-4)-bonds. The word chitosan describes a series of polymers having different molecular weights (50 kDa - 2000 kDa), viscosity (1% chitosan <2000mPaS in 1% acetic acid) and acetylation degree (40% - 98%).
Chitosan is obtained by the hydrolysis of acetyl groups of chitin at high alkali conditions and high temperatures. Approximately 70% deacetylized chitosan is obtained from chitin that has been treated at 120 °C for 1-3 hours in a solution comprising 40% sodium hydroxide. The applied conditions are effective in determining the molecular weight of the obtained polymer and its deacetylation degree. As chitosan that has high molecular weight has low solubility in a neutral pH and high viscosity, its usage in the food, cosmetics, agriculture and pharmaceutical industry is limited.
The ratio of the N-acetyl-d-glucosamines and d-glucosamines relative to each other leads to certain differences in the structure of chitosan. These structural differences form different chitosan types that have different deacetylation degrees and molecular weight. The chemical and biological characteristics of these types are different from each other.
Chitosan is a natural biopolymer that has low immunogenicity, which is biocompatible, biodegradable and non toxic. Chito-oligosaccharides obtained by the hydrolysis of chitosan and chitosan are used due to their antimicrobial, hypocholesterolemic, antidiabetic, antitumor, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory effects and many other biological effects. It has been shown in various studies that chitosan is non toxic. Any side effects were not observed in humans with an application of 6,75 g chitosan daily. It’s usage as wound dressing has been approved by the FDA. It has been noted that the formulation and its application route is effective on the biocompatibility of chitosan. The molecular weight of the chitosan that is desired to penetrate into a cell needs to be lower than 5 kDA. Although the degradation paths of chitosan are not known clearly, the predicted pathways after chitosan oligomers, are thought to be the conversion of homo and heteropolymers into Acetyl CoA by glycolysis.
As chitosan has low solubility, various chemical modifications have been tried and as a result its application field has been tried to be increased. In the recent years studies are being conducted on the oligosaccharides of chitosan. The water solubility of the products obtained via the depolymerization of chitosan is better.
Chito-oligosaccharides (chitooligosaccharides (COS)) are degraded products that are obtained from chitin or chitosan by means of enzymatic or acid hydrolysis. Enzymes such as cellulase, lipase and protease are used for enzymatic degradation. Generally, the molecular weight of the obtained chitosan oligosaccharides is 10 kDa or less.
Chitosan and its derivatives are used therapeutically in gel, hydrogel, porous disc, porous membrane, sponge, foam, film, fiber, scaffold, granule, implant, graft and other similar forms. These composite structures are made use of, in the treatment of different cell types such as skin, bone, cartilage and nerve cells.
T ransglutaminase
The transglutaminase enzyme is one of the oxidative g-glutamyl transferase enzymes that can crosslink covalently in protein structured substrates. Transglutaminases (EC 2.3.2.13) catalyze the formation of bonds with amines in the g-carboxamide group of glutamines by ammonium release from primary amines. As a result lysines or primary amines that are connected to peptides form (g-glutamyl) lysine or polyamine cross bonds. Covalent, stable and proteolysis resistant bonds form tissues that are resistant to chemical, enzymatic and physical degradation.
The g-carboxamide group of peptide-bonded glutamine amino acids acts as an acyl donor (amine acceptor), the e-amino group of lysine amino acids acts as acyl acceptor (amine donor), and form e-(y-glutamyl) lysine cross bonds and therefore an acyl group is added to the primary amine group. If an amine primer does not present in the medium, water acts as the acyl acceptor and it transforms glutamine amino acids into glutamic acid by deamination. Transglutaminases, recognizes other molecules that comprise a primer amine group besides lysine as an amine donor and creates a cross bond with glutamines and glutamine exhibits sequence based selectivity.
Transglutaminase can be isolated from eukaryotic creatures such as fish, chicken, plants, mammals, as well as from various Streptomyces and Bacillus bacteria species. While transglutaminases obtained from mammals require calcium ion for activity, transglutaminases obtained from various microorganisms can exhibit activity without requiring calcium.
Transglutaminases catalyze three different reactions. The first reaction is the (a) acyl transfer, the second is (b) the cross bonding between glutamine and lysine residues and the third is (c) the deamidation reaction.
In order to bond to a biopolymer having a protein that has a polysachharide structure at least one of the molecules that needs to go into reaction must comprise an amine group. In studies carried out with PEG, the PEG molecule bonds to amine groups that are available in proteins.
Several studies are available in the food industry where transglutaminases are used for various aims. In studies conducted with foodstuff, positive results are obtained such as gelling, stability increase, improving appearance by the cross bonding of proteins. Gels that are formed with gelatine by chitosan through the mediation of transglutaminase have been prepared as artificial tissue materials.
Brief Description of the Invention and its Aims
By means of the invention, recombinant human G-CSF produced by biotechnological methods is modified by conjugating chitosan and derivatives thereof, which are natural polymers having a polysaccharide structure, through the mediation of microbial transglutaminase. A novel, durable and prolonged effect having conjugate structure has been formed by the aid of enzymes and polymers that are non toxic and are being prevalently used in the food industry, by taking into consideration patient compliance, and toxic and unwanted effects.
In the invention rh metG-CSF (filgrastim) as the active agent, microbial transglutaminase as the enzyme, and chitosan and derivatives thereof that have a polysaccharide structure as the polymer have been used.
By means of the invention, instead of a synthesis method carried out that is harmful to the environment due to synthetic chemical materials used, conjugations have been carried out that is not harmful to the environment by using renewable enzyme and natural polymers that do not have any side effects when consumed and that are prevalently used in the food industry, and furthermore formulations have been developed that comprise these conjugations.
By means of the protein-polymer conjugates that were established by the invention, the in vitro and in vivo properties of filgrastim have been changed. Through the hydrodynamic volume increase, as a result of the reduced renal filtration, improvement in bioavailability is the primary feature of protein-polymer conjugates. Moreover, it is believed that conjugation has a protective effect against protein degradation. Conjugates have exhibited approximately 2 times more potency in comparison to filgrastim in in vitro studies.
By means of the patches created by the invention, ease of usage is provided. It is known that filgrastim is beneficial when applied locally to treat diseases such as osteomyelitis, and mucositis. By the invention, conjugates having higher potency in comparison to filgrastim have been developed and application feasibility have been provided. While mouthwashes that comprise filgrastim were present in the literature, with said formulations dose controlled structures have been obtained.
Through the invention, patches having different structures such as sponge, adhesive, membrane, fiber, cross bonded gel, and fiber patches have been prepared. As a result, formulations suitable to obtain different purposes have been developed. For example, while the adhesive membrane is suitable to the mucosal region, structures such as sponge and fibers are more compatible with the bone structure.
Definition of the Figures of the Invention
Figure 1: Determination of Conjugate Formation through Reverse-Phase HPLC Figure 2: Determination of Conjugate Formation through Size Exclusion HPLC (SE-HPLC) - 1
Figure 3: Determination of Conjugate Formation through Size Exclusion HPLC (SE-HPLC) - 2
Figure 4: Determination of Conjugate Formation through Size Exclusion HPLC (SE-HPLC) - 2
Figure 5: Determination of the Iso-electric Point of the Conjugate: M: BioRad 161-0310 Marker (pi 4,45-9,6), F: filgrastim, E: microbial trasglutaminase, FEP: filgrastim, microbial transglutaminase and chitosan hydrolysate, Kl: conjugate 1, K2: conjugate 2, K3: conjugate. Figure 6: Determination of the Bioefficiency of Filgrastim and Conjugate in Cell Cultures. Figure 7: Stability of the protein within the conjugate: Ml: Novex LC5800 Marker (3.5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 110, 160, 260 kDa), FUK: Long term stability sample of a lyophilized filgrastim, KUK: Long term stability sample of a lyophilized filgrastim, FUS: Long term stability sample of a filgrastim solution, KUS: Long term stability sample of a conjugate solution, FHK: Accelerated stability sample of a lyophilized filgrastim, KHK: Accelerated stability sample of a lyophilized conjugate, FHS: Accelerated stability sample of a filgrastim solution, KHS: Accelerated stability sample of a conjugate solution, M2: BioRad 161-0377 Marker (2, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 37, 50, 75, 100, 150, 250 kDa).
Figure 8: FTIR spectrum of filgrastim (straight line) and conjugate (dotted line) within the range of 1750-1000 cm 1.
Figure 9: MS Spectrums of Filgrastim (A), Chito-oligosaccharides (B) and Conjugates (C). Figure 10: The patch that is homogenously available in the contact layer of the conjugate. Figure 11: The patch that is added later on physically to the contact layer of the conjugate. Figure 12: Patch comprising an envelope layer.
Figure 13: Patch comprising all layers.
Description of the References in the Figures
1. Patch
11. Contact Layer
12. Support Layer
13. Top Layer
14. Envelope Layer
2. Application Surface
Detailed Description of the Invention
The invention is related to patches containing a peptide-protein drug conjugates, which is formed by an enzymatic method with a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer and a therapeutic agent.
Within the scope of the invention filgrastim (rh GCSF) having a protein structure, which is the therapeutic agent, and chitosan and chitosan hydrolizates, which are natural and biodegradable polymers having polysaccharide structure has been formed, following this, protein-polymer conjugates have been formed with the aid of a microbial transglutaminase enzyme. For this purpose, the most suitable conjugate structures were formed by optimizing the most suitable pH and temperatures and the usage rates of all three substances. Following this, formulations in solution, lyophilized powder and patch form have been developed with the most suitable conjugate structures.
Preparation of Filgrastim Solution
In the invention, stock solutions of filgrastim having a concentration of 0.56 mg/mL and 0.62 mg/mL have been used. The solution contains 5% sorbitol and 0.004 polysorbate 80 in a 10 mM pH 4.0 sodium acetate buffer. Dilutions have been made by using a 10 mM pH 4.0 sodium acetate buffer in order to prepare the solutions.
Preparation of Chitosan Solution
Chitosan dissolved in pH’s below pH 6.0. Chitosan stock solutions have been prepared with a 10 mM pH 4.0 sodium acetate buffer in order to conduct studies on a pH value of 4.0 at which filgrastim is resistant. Stock solutions have been prepared at a concentration of 2.24 mg/mL and they have been diluted with a buffer to have the desired ratio. In the preliminary studies, “chitosan obtained from shrimp shells” and “low molecular weight chitosan” have been compared.
Obtaining Chitosan Hydrolizates
As the molecular weight of chitosan has a wide range and has a large size, low molecular weight chitosan hydrolysates have also been prepared in order to prepare conjugates. Chito- oligosaccharides have been obtained through the depolymerization of chitosan with acid hydrolysis. For this purpose after lg chitosan is dissolved in 100 mL 2M HC1, it has been boiled in a distillation device for 3.5 hours and then cooled and 300 mL ethanol was added and the mixture was precipitated. The precipitation was washed 3 times with ethanol and has been gradually lyophilized under vacuum for 24 hours. Stock solutions at a concentration of 2.24 mg/mL were prepared in a 10 mM pH 4.0 sodium acetate buffer from lyophilized chitosan hydrolysates. Hydrolysate solutions obtained from “low molecular weighted chitosan” have also been used in the invention as a polymer.
Preparation of Transglutaminase Solution
Microbial Transglutaminase exhibits optimum activity within the range of pH 5-8. However it is known to exhibit activity also within the range of pH 4-9. Preliminary tests were carried out with transglutaminase and microbial transglutaminase obtained as lyophilized powder from the livers of guinea pig. After 1U transglutaminase from the livers of guinea pig is dissolved in 1 mL distilled water, it is frozen and stored and is thawed before usage. The microbial transglutaminase obtained from Streptomyces mobaraensis (Streptoverticillium mobaraense) has been obtained as a powder mixture that comprises 99% maltodextrin (Ajinomoto-Activa WM). Studies have initially been conducted with the water dispersion of this powder mixture. Following this centrifugation was carried out for 10.000 G in room temperature for 15 minutes, for 10.000 G at 4 °C, for 15 minutes, for 10.000 G, at 4 °C for 2 minutes and for 6.000 G, at 4 °C, for 15 minutes. Since no difference was observed in comparisons of supernatant liquid enzyme solutions against SDS-PAGE, in subsequent studies, the enzyme solution that has been separated from maltodextrin by centrifugation at 10,000 G at 4 °C for 15 minutes was used. The enzyme solution that was frozen and stored was thawed before usage. The samples that were kept in the refrigerator were observed to be instable during SDS-PAGE analyses after 2-3 days and as a result a new stock solution was taken from the freezer in every study and they were used after being thawed. Composition of Conjugates with an Enzymatic Method
The composition of conjugates with an enzymatic method consists of the following process steps:
• Addition of a polymer solution to the filgrastrim solution,
• Adjustment of the pH of the solution, · Carrying out conjugation reaction via a transglutaminase enzyme.
The studies have been carried out using a water bath and an incubator at 5 °C, 25 °C and 40 °C. 25 °C has been selected as the suitable working temperature.
Conjugation studies have been carried out for 24-168 hours and 24 hours have been found to be sufficient. Studies have been carried out at different pH’s (4-7) and 5.5 has been selected where the enzyme activity is the highest. For pH adjustment Table 1 has been used: to Table 1: Buffer amounts used in polymer-filgrastim solutions at different pH’s.
Figure imgf000012_0001
In the applications of the invention, 1:1 to 5:1 (w/w) enzyme :figrastim, 4:1 to 20:1 (w/w) polymenfilgrastim and 5:1 to 5:2 (w/w) enzyme+polymer: filgrastim ratios have been studied, 20:1:1 polymenpeptide-protein drug:enzyme (w/w/w) ratio has been selected. The molar ratio of the polypeptide to the polymer can vary from about 5:1 to about 100:1, e.g., from about 5:1 to about 7:1, from about 7:1 to about 10:1, from about 10:1 to about 12:1, from about 12:1 to about 15:1, from about 15:1 to about 20:1, from about 20:1 to about 25:1, from about 25:1 to about 30:1, from about 30:1 to about 35:1, from about 35:1 to about 40:1, from about 40:1 to about 45:1, from about 45:1 to about 50:1, from about 50:1 to about 60:1, from about 60:1 to about 70:1, from about 70:1 to about 80:1, from about 80:1 to about 90:1, or from about 90:1 to about 100:1.
As an active agent peptide-protein drug recombinant granulocyte colony stimulant factor (rh metG-CSF, filgrastim), as an enzyme microbial transglutaminase, and as a polymer, chitosan and derivatives thereof that having a polysaccharide structure have been used for establishing the conjugates of the protein-polymers of the invention. After the conjugate formation was proven by different analysis methods, the protein stability and in vitro bioactivity of the conjugates formed were compared with the unconjugated proteins.
Following this the conjugate has been formulized such as to comprise one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and/or one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.
The present invention is related to compositions including pharmaceutical compositions comprising polypeptide-polymer conjugates.
In some embodiments, the composition comprises the polypeptide-polymer conjugate; wherein said polypeptide-polymer conjugate is homogeneous, for example, all of the polypeptides of the polypeptide-polymer conjugate comprises the same amino acid sequence. For example in some embodiments, a composition comprises several (for example more than one) polypeptide-polymer conjugates and it includes each polypeptide-polymer conjugate with polypeptides that has the same amino acid sequence.
In other embodiments, the composition includes two or more types of polypeptide-polymer conjugates; for example, in an exemplary composition, it comprises the first polypeptide- polymer conjugate; wherein the first polypeptide-polymer conjugate herein, comprises polypeptides of a first amino acid sequence; and the at least a second polypeptide-polymer conjugate comprises polypeptides of a second amino acid sequence that is different from the first amino acid sequence.
In some embodiments the composition comprises third or additional polypeptide-polymer conjugates. As a non limiting example, a first polypeptide-polymer conjugate comprising the first polypeptide that enables bonding to an integrin and a second polypeptide-polymer comprising a second polypeptide that activates a cell signalling pathway can be given. Various other combinations of polypeptides such as the first, second, etc., can be used. The ratio of the first polypeptide-polymer conjugate to the second polypeptide-polymer conjugate within the composition of a subject can vary for example between approximately 0.001 : 103 to 103:0.001. Similarly, in cases where a composition comprises a first, a second and a third polypeptide-polymer conjugate, the ratios of the first, second and third polypeptide-polymer conjugates may vary.
The composition may contain, in addition to the polypeptide-polymer conjugate, one or more of the following: at least one salt, for example NaCl, MgCl, KC1 and/or MgS04, etc .; at least one buffering agent, for example, a Tris buffer, N- (2-Hydroxyethyl) piperazine-N'- (2- ethanesulfonic acid) (HEPES), 2- (N-Morpholino) ethanesulfonic acid (MES), 2-(N- Morpholino) ethanesulfonic acid sodium salt (MES), 3 -(N-Morpholino) propanesulfonic acid (MOPS) and/or N-tris [Hydroxymethyl]methyl-3-aminopropanesulfonic acid (TAPS), etc.; at least one solvent; at least one detergent, for example a non ionic detergent such as Tween-20, etc. and/or at least a protease inhibitor; etc.
Present invention, provides the polypeptide-polymer subject to the invention and compositions comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. Suitable excipient mediums are for example water, saline, dextrose, glycerol, ethanol or the like, or combinations thereof. Additionally, if desired, the medium can contain wetting agents or emulsifiers or pH buffer agents and small amounts of excipients. The actual methods of preparing such dosage forms are well known by those skilled in the art. For example, please see, Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mack Publishing Company, Easton, Pa., 17th edition, 1985. The composition or formulation to be administered will in any case contain sufficient amount of an agent to achieve the desired state of the subject. Pharmaceutically acceptable excipients such as adjuvants, carriers or diluents can be easily obtained. Also, pharmaceutically acceptable excipients such as pH adjusting and buffering agents, tonicity adjusting agents, stabilizers, wetting agents and the like are readily available.
As used herein, the terms "pharmaceutically acceptable carrier" and "pharmaceutically acceptable excipient" are used interchangeably and when combined with the subject polypeptide-polymer conjugate, it comprises any kind of material that substantially does not affect the biological activity of the conjugate. There is no immune response in a host and no significant adverse physiological effect on the host. Examples include, but are not limited to, any of the standard pharmaceutical carriers such as phosphate buffered saline solution, water, emulsions such as oil / water emulsion, and various wetting agents. Other carriers may also include tablets containing sterile solutions, coated tablets and capsules. Typically, such carriers include excipients such as starch, milk, sugar, some types of clay, gelatine, stearic acid or salts thereof, magnesium or calcium stearate, talc, vegetable oils or oils, gums, glycols or other known excipients. These kind of excipients may also contain aroma and dyeing additives and other components. Compositions comprising such carriers are formulized with well known traditional methods.
The pharmaceutical compositions can be formulated for a selected mode of administration, comprising, for example, topical, oral, nasal, intravenous, intracranial, intraperitoneal, intratumoral, peritumoral, subcutaneous or intramuscular administration. For parenteral administration such as subcutaneous injection, the carrier may comprise water, saline, alcohol, an oil, a wax, or a buffer. For oral application any of the above mentioned carriers can be used or a solid carrier such as mannitol, lactose, starch, magnesium stearate, sodium saccharide, talc, cellulose, glucose, sucrose and magnesium carbonate can be used. Biodegradable microspheres (for example polylactate polyglicolate) can be used also as carriers of a pharmaceutical composition.
In some embodiments, said pharmaceutical composition can be applied parenterally, for example intravenously. For this reason, the invention provides compositions for parenteral administration comprising a conjugate that is dissolved or suspended in an acceptable carrier (preferably an aqueous carrier such as water, buffered water, saline, phosphate buffered saline, etc). Compositions may comprise excipients such as pH regulating and buffering agents, tonicity adjusting agents, wetting agents, detergents and the like. Compositions can be sterilized by traditional sterilization techniques or can be filtered as sterile. The aqueous solutions obtained can be packaged as is or with a sterile aqueous carrier to be combined with the lyophilized preparation before administration, or in lyophilized form. The pH of the preparations can be 3 to 11, for example approximately pH 5 to approximately pH 9 or approximately pH 7 to approximately pH 8.
Implantable Tissues and Devices
In some embodiments, said polypeptide-polymer conjugate can be implanted into an implantable tissue or device, for example into an artificial tissue (for example, an implant into a tissue; an implantable device (a stent, an artificial joint, a scaffold, a graft, an artificial tissue, a shunt, an electrode, etc.), an implantable drug delivery system, etc). The stents can be self expanding stents, stents that are expanded via balloons or stent grafts. Biomaterials can be films, gels, sponges, gauzes, non-woven fabrics, membranes, microspheres, microcapsules, threads, guide channels, etc.
For example in some embodiments, said polypeptide-polymer conjugate is layered or covered over a matrix in order to form a device that can be implanted. For example, a matrix (also known as a "biocompatible substrate") is a material suitable for implantation into an individual and a material onto which a polypeptide-polymer conjugate is layered, coated or otherwise attached. When a biocompatible substrate is implanted into a subject, it will not lead to toxic or harmful effects. In an embodiment, the biocompatible substrate, is a polymer that has a surface that can be formed to the desired structure that needs to be repaired, or changed. The biocompatible substrate, can be formed as a part of a structure that needs to be repaired or changed. The biocompatible substrate provides a supporting frame onto which said polypeptide-polymer conjugate can be layered or coated or added in any other way.
In some embodiments, a matrix or a scaffold that has been attached to said polypeptide- polymer conjugate, additionally comprises one or more cell types that are attached to a matrix or scaffold that comprise one or more cell and/or polypeptide-polymer conjugates. These matrices or scaffolds are beneficial in terms of tissue engineering, cell culture, cell transplant etc.
In some embodiments, a drug carrier system comprises a polypeptide-polymer conjugate. For example, the drug carrier system can be based on a diffusion system, a convective system or an erodable system (for example a system that is based on erosion). For example, the drug delivery system may be an electrochemical pump, an osmotic pump, an electroosmotic pump, a vapor pressure pump, or an osmotic burst matrix (for example, a polymeric material impregnated into the drug (for example, biodegradable, degradation of a polymeric material that is impregnated into the drug) where the drug is incorporated into a polymer and the polymer allows the drug formulation to be released together. In other embodiments, the drug carrier system is based on an electro diffusion system, an electrolytic pump, an effervescent pump, a pieso-electric pump, an hydrolytic system, etc.
In some embodiments the implantable drug carrier system can be programmed to ensure the application of an active agent. The exemplary programmable, implantable systems comprise implantable infusion pumps.
An implantable drug delivery system can be used as a carrier to carry any kind of active agents such as various immunizing modifiers, anti-apoptotic agents, anti-mitotic agents, anti platelet agents, platinum coordination complexes, hormones, anticoagulants, fibrinolytic agents, antisecretory agents, anti-migratory agents, immunosuppressives, angiogenic agents, angiotensin receptor blockers, nitric oxide donors, antisense oligonucleotides, cell cycle inhibitors, corticosteroids, angiostatic steroids, anti-parasitic drugs, anti-glaucoma drugs, anti parasite drugs, differentiation modulators, antiviral drugs, anticancer drugs and antinflammatory drugs.
Therapeutic Applications
Said polypeptide-polymer conjugate, can be used in various applications including therapeutic (for example drug delivery, implantable devices, tissue engineering, regenerative medicine), diagnosis, drug discovery and research applications.
Said polypeptide-polymer conjugate, can be used various therapeutic applications.
For example, as discussed above, a polypeptide-polymer conjugate can be a part of a drug carrier system where the biologically active polypeptide component provides functionality, and the drug carrier system provides therapeutic effects. For example a biologically active polypeptide, can provide targeting to a certain type of cell or tissue that requires treatment with a therapeutic agent and the drug carrier system can provide a localized effect.
As another example, said polypeptide-polymer conjugate, can be added to an implantable medical device (for example a stent, a shunt, an artificial tissue, a lead, a graft, an electrode) in cases where the biologically active polypeptide component of said polypeptide-polymer conjugate provides the desired activity. According to another example, said polypeptide-polymer conjugate can be added to a polypeptide-polymer conjugate, a matrix or a scaffold. The matrix or scaffold that comprises a polypeptide-polymer conjugate that has cells or a polypeptide-polymer conjugate that does not have cells can be delivered to an individual via cell transplant, tissue engineering etc.
The formulations have been stored as solution after being lyophilized and the stability of the protein in the conjugate has been tested in long terms studies. In order for said pharmaceutical compositions to be applied transdermally, or transmusocally, locally applicable preparations have been prepared. For transdermal, transmucosal applicability of conjugates, patches such as sponge structures, adhesive membranes, gels, cross linked gels and fiber that comprise said conjugates have been obtained.
It has been proved by cell culture tests that the preparations comprising conjugates show a greater effect, or in other words, provide a more synergic effect, than the mixture of chitooligosaccharide and filgrastim. In the tables below, parallel line assay results and estimated EC50 values of the conjugate according to filgrastim and filgrastim-polymer mixture are given. The EC50 value is defined as half of the concentration where the used agent is most effective. It has been observed that the conjugates reach the same effect at lower concentrations.
Table 2: Relative Potency ratios of the conjugates according to filgrastim and filgrastim- polymer mixture.
Figure imgf000017_0001
Table 3: EC50 values of the conjugate, according to filgrastim and filgrastim-polymer mixture.
Figure imgf000017_0002
In an application of the invention, the biocompatible and biodegradable polymer that is used to form protein-polymer conjugates can be chitin, chitosan, chito-oligosaccharide or derivatives thereof. In an application of the invention, the biocompatible and biodegradable polymer that is used to form protein-polymer conjugates can be a polymer that has been obtained by the depolymerization of chitin or chitosan.
In an application of the invention, the biocompatible and biodegradable polymer that is used to form protein-polymer conjugates can be a polymer that has been obtained by an enzymatic or acid hydrolysis depolymerization of chitin or chitosan.
In an application of the invention, the drug used in the protein-polymer conjugates can be recombinant GCSF or derivatives thereof.
In an application of the invention, the protein-polymer conjugates comprise chitosan or derivatives thereof and recombinant GCSF or derivatives thereof.
In an application of the invention, the protein-polymer conjugates comprise chito- oligosaccharide or derivatives thereof and recombinant GCSF or derivatives thereof.
In an application of the invention, the bonding of e peptide-protein drug with a biopolymer is performed enzymatically.
In an application of the invention, the enzyme used in the protein-polymer conjugate formation can be transglutaminase or microbial transglutaminase.
In an application of the invention, the formation of the protein-polymer conjugates comprises the process steps of the production of the recombinant peptide-protein drug, production of the biodegradable polymer, and conjugation of the peptide-protein drug and the biodegradable polymer.
In an application of the invention, the recombinant peptide-protein drug is enzymatically conjugated with chitin, chito-oligosaccharide or derivatives thereof.
In an application of the invention, the recombinant peptide-protein drug is enzymatically conjugated with a polymer that has been obtained by an enzymatic or acid hydrolysis depolymerization of chitin or chitosan.
In an application of the invention, the recombinant peptide-protein drug is conjugated via transglutaminase enzyme, with a polymer that has been obtained by an enzymatic or acid hydrolysis depolymerization of chitin or chitosan.
In an application of the invention, recombinant GCSF, is treated with microbial transglutaminase at 5-40 °C in a solution having a pH of 4.0-7.0 in which chito- oligosaccharides are present. In an application of the invention, recombinant GCSF, is treated with microbial transglutaminase at 25 °C in a solution having a pH of 5.5 in which chito-oligosaccharides are present.
In an application of the invention, the production of biodegradable polymer chito- oligosaccharide consists of the process steps of dissolving lg chitosan in 100 mL 2M HC1, boiling in a distillation device for 3.5 hours and then cooling, adding 300 mL ethanol and precipitating the mixture, washing the precipitation with ethanol 3 times, and lyophilizing gradually under vacuum for 24 hours.
In an application of the invention, the protein-polymer conjugates have been formulized such as to comprise one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and/or one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.
In an application of the invention, the pharmaceutical composition is in solution or lyophilized form.
In an application of the invention, a pharmaceutical patch has been obtained which comprises a conjugate that is formed with an enzymatic method from at least one biocompatible and biodegradable polymer and at least a peptide-protein drug which is a therapeutic agent.
In an application of the invention, the biocompatible and biodegradable polymer in the patch can be chitin, chitosan, chito-oligosaccharide or derivatives thereof.
In an application of the invention, the biocompatible and biodegradable polymer in the patch can be a polymer that has been obtained by the depolymerization of chitin or chitosan.
In an application of the invention, the biocompatible and biodegradable polymer in the patch can be a polymer that has been obtained by the enzymatic or acid hydrolysis depolymerization of chitin or chitosan.
In an application of the invention, the peptide-protein drug in the patch can be recombinant GCSF or derivatives thereof.
In an application of the invention, the pharmaceutical patch comprises chitosan or derivatives thereof and recombinant GCSF or derivatives thereof.
In an application of the invention, the pharmaceutical patch comprises chito-oligosaccharide or derivatives thereof and recombinant GCSF or derivatives thereof.
In an application of the invention, the patch (1) having at least one layer comprises a conjugate that is formed from at least one contact layer (11) comprising at least one biocompatible and biodegradable polymer and at least one peptide-protein drug, and preferably a support layer (12), a top layer (13) and an envelope layer (14).
In an application of the invention, the patch comprises a contact layer (11) comprising at least a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer, and preferably a support layer (12), a top layer (13) and an envelope layer (14).
In an application of the invention, the patch comprises a contact layer (11) comprising one or more active agents, a support layer (12) having a similar structure without comprising an active agent, a top layer (13) and an envelope layer (14).
In an application of the invention, the contact layer (11) can be perforated, fragmented, integrated or in different shapes.
In an application of the invention, the contact layer (11) comprises at least a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer.
In an application of the invention, the contact layer (11) comprises chitin, chitosan, chito- oligosaccharides or derivatives thereof.
In an application of the invention, the contact layer (11) comprises a polymer that has been obtained by the depolymerization of chitin or chitosan.
In an application of the invention, the contact layer (11) comprises a polymer that has been obtained by the enzymatic or acid hydrolysis depolymerization of chitin or chitosan.
In an application of the invention, the production of the pharmaceutical patch comprises the process steps of obtaining a contact layer via the enzymatic or acid hydrolysis of chitin or chitosan, perforation of the contact layer by physical methods, pouring the pharmaceutical composition comprising the conjugate formed from chito-oligosaccharide or derivatives thereof and recombinant GCSF or derivatives thereof into the holes of the contact layer.
In an application of the invention, the production of the pharmaceutical patch comprises the process steps of obtaining a contact layer via the enzymatic or acid hydrolysis of chitin or chitosan, perforation of the contact layer by physical methods, lyophilizing the pharmaceutical composition comprising the conjugate formed from chito-oligosaccharide or derivatives thereof and recombinant GCSF or derivatives thereof gradually for 24 hours under vacuum and pouring the lyophilized powder into the holes of the contact layer.
The invention can be used as therapeutically; it can be administered transdermally, transmucosally or via other local routes, and intravenously, intramuscularly or via other parenteral routes.
The invention can be sterilized by methods such as ethylene oxide, gamma radiation and filtration.
The pharmaceutical composition obtained by the invention comprises a pharmaceutical patch, which comprises a conjugate that is enzymatically formed from at least a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer and at least a peptide-protein drug.
Example- 1 (sponge structure)
Chitin, chitosan, chito-oligosaccharide or a derivative thereof is dissolved in a solution comprising 0.1-5% acid (acetic acid, lactic acid, hydrochloric acid, etc.). Preferably in order to increase solubility, the solution is heated to 45-55°C. Preferably the air bubbles inside the solution are removed by a vacuum pump. The solution is poured into Teflon, aluminium, polystyrene or glass petri dishes or tubes. After freezing at -20°C, the solution is lyophilized. As a result the contact layer is obtained.
Example-2 (sponge structure)
Chitin, chitosan, chito-oligosaccharide or a derivative thereof is dissolved in a solution comprising 0.1-5% acid (acetic acid, lactic acid, hydrochloric acid, etc.). Preferably in order to increase solubility, the solution is heated to 45-55°C. Preferably the air bubbles inside the solution are removed by a vacuum pump. The solution is poured into Teflon, aluminium, polystyrene or glass petri containers or tubes. The container is slowly immersed into a liquid nitrogen tank or dry ice. As a result the contact layer is obtained.
Example-3 (adhesive membrane)
Chitin, chitosan, chito-oligosaccharide or a derivative thereof is dissolved in a solution comprising 0.1-5% acid (acetic acid, lactic acid, hydrochloric acid, etc.). Preferably in order to increase solubility, the solution is heated to 45-55°C. Preferably the air bubbles inside the solution are removed by a vacuum pump. A plasticizer (glycerol, tween, etc.) is added. The mixture is neutralized (pH 5-8) with alcohol (ethanol, methanol etc.) or basic solutions (sodium bicarbonate, potassium carbonate etc.). Preferably a conjugates solution is added. The solution is poured into Teflon, aluminium, polystyrene or glass petri dishes or tubes. After freezing at -20°C, the solution is lyophilized. As a result the contact layer is obtained.
Example-4 (adhesive membrane)
Chitin, chitosan, chito-oligosaccharide or a derivative thereof is dissolved in a solution comprising 0.1-5% acid (acetic acid, lactic acid, hydrochloric acid, etc.). Preferably in order to increase solubility, the solution is heated to 45-55°C. Preferably the air bubbles inside the solution are removed by a vacuum pump. A plasticizer (glycerol, tween, etc.) is added. The mixture is neutralized (pH 5-8) with alcohol (ethanol, methanol etc.) or basic solutions (sodium bicarbonate, potassium carbonate etc.). Preferably a conjugates solution is added. The solution is poured into Teflon, aluminium, polystyrene or glass petri containers or tubes. The container is slowly immersed into a liquid nitrogen tank or dry ice. As a result the contact layer is obtained.
Example-5 (gel)
Chitin, chitosan, chito-oligosaccharide or a derivative thereof is dissolved in a solution comprising 0.1-5% acid (acetic acid, lactic acid, hydrochloric acid, etc.). Preferably in order to increase solubility, the solution is heated to 45-55°C. Preferably the air bubbles inside the solution are removed by a vacuum pump. Preferably a plasticizer (glycerol, tween, etc.) is added. The obtained viscose solution is poured into Teflon, aluminium, polystyrene or glass petri containers or tubes. Gels are obtained by controlled drying in an oven at 40-60°C. As a result the contact layer is obtained.
Example-6 (cross bonded gel)
Chitin, chitosan, chito-oligosaccharide or a derivative thereof is dissolved in a solution comprising 0.1-5% acid (acetic acid, lactic acid, hydrochloric acid, etc.). Preferably in order to increase solubility, the solution is heated to 45-55°C. Preferably the air bubbles inside the solution are removed by a vacuum pump. Cross bonds are formed as a result of mixing with cross linking agents (lauric, myristic, palmitic, stearic, acid derivatives, sodium triphosphate, hemicellulose etc.). The solution is poured into Teflon, aluminium, polystyrene or glass petri containers or tubes. Gels are obtained by controlled drying in an oven at 40-60°C. As a result the contact layer is obtained. Example-7 (fiber)
Chitin, chitosan, chito-oligosaccharide or a derivative thereof is dissolved in a solution comprising 0.1-5% acid (acetic acid, lactic acid, hydrochloric acid, etc.). Preferably in order to increase solubility, the solution is heated to 45-55°C. Preferably the air bubbles inside the solution are removed by a vacuum pump. The solution is subjected to current with an injector from an electrospinning device. The obtained fibers are dried in an oven at 40-60°C. As a result the contact layer is obtained.
Example- 8 (conjugate addition if required)
If the contact layers obtained by the methods mentioned in Examples 1-7 do not comprise conjugates, they are perforated physically, the pharmaceutical composition (solution or in lyophilized powder form) comprising a conjugate is poured into the holes of the contact layer, and following this, if the pharmaceutical composition has been added as a solution, the resulting product is lyophilized. As a result the contact layer containing the active agent is obtained.
Example- 9 (Final preparation)
Besides the contact layer comprising the active agent at the base of the patch, according to its application area (skin, mucosa, bone, cartilage or nerve cells) if a patch is required in order to provide ease of use, additional layers such as additional support layer that does not comprise the active agent, a top layer to prevent the loss of the active agent, an envelope layer similar to a fiber fabric are added.
A. ANALYSIS METHODS
1. Analysis with Reverse-Phase HPLC chromatography
System and Conditions
In the drug studies octadecyl silica (Cl 8) gel columns that are frequently used and given in the European Pharmacopea 6.3 are used. In the invention the XBridge model column having a length of 100mm, a diameter of 4.6 mm and 130 A pore size and 3.5 m particle size has been used. In the preliminary studies, as it has been observed that the results obtain at 65 °C are more repeatable in comparison to the results obtained at room temperature, the tests have been carried out with a column heated to 65 °C.
Measurements have been carried out at 215 nm, where filgrastim exhibits significant peak.
In the tests, for Mobile phase A: 0.1% TFA, Water (v/v) and for Mobile Phase B: 0.1% TFA, ACN (v/v) has been used. In the studies gradiant and isocratic ratios have been used at 1 mL/minute different rates according to the method mentioned in the European Pharmacopea 6.3, and the ratios given in Table 4 have been found to be suitable.
Table 4: The mobile phase ratios used in the RP-HPLC method.
Figure imgf000024_0001
As a result of the preliminary studies, it has been determined that at the conditions where the octadecylsilyl silica (C18) gel column having a length of 100 mm, a diameter of 4.6, a pore size of 130 A, and particle size of 3.5 m is used by heating to 65 °C, and where measurements are carried out at 215 nm, with gradiant mobile phase [Mobile phase A: 0.1 % TFA, water (v/v) and Mobile phase B: 0.1% TFA, ACN (v/v), 50% % 70] having a 1 mL/min flow rate were the most suitable conditions. The retention time of filgrastim was observed to be 6.4 min, and the analysis time to be 15 minutes.
Stock and Standard Solutions
The analysis of the samples have been carried out by comparison with reference standard. The filgrastim stock solution, has been accepted as the reference standard. Analysis has been carried out with samples having concentrations of 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 70, 140 and 280 pg/mL. 2. Assays with Size Exclusion HPLC (SE-HPLC)-l.
Chromatography Conditions and System
The size exclusion chromatography (SEC) column suggested in the European Pharmacopea 6.3 has been used. In the monograph, a hydrophilic silica gel column used in the separation of globular proteins has been suggested which has a length of 300 mm, a diameter of 7.8 mm, a particle size of 5 m and a molecular weight at the range of 10,000 to 500,000. To reach this aim, TSKgel® G3000SWXL HPLC column has been provided. This method that is used for determining impurities that have a molecular weight higher than filgrastim in the European Pharmacopea 6.3, is also used to determine aggregates, filgrastim oligomers (2 distinct types), filgrastim dimers and filgrastim monomers. The filgrastim-chitosan conjugates obtained by the invention have been determined with this method. The column has been heated to 30 °C in accordance with the European Pharmacopea 6.3. 50 mM Ammonium Bicorbonate buffer has been used as the mobile phase at a pH of 7.0 at a rate of 0,5 mL/minute. The conjugate samples comprising filgrastim, chitosan and enzymes that were diluted in 10 mM pH 4.0 sodium acetate buffer, whose pH was adjusted with 20 mM NaOH, were applied to the column. Measurements were taken at 215 nm.
3. Assays with Size Exclusion HPLC (SE-HPLQ-2.
Chromatography Conditions and System
In the studies, TSKgel® G3000SWXL HPLC column used in the separation of globular proteins has been used which have a length of 300 mm, a diameter of 7.8 mm, a particle size of 5 m and a molecular weight at the range of 10,000 to 500,000. However as TSKgel® G2000SWXL column would be more suitable for the separation of low molecular weighted proteins, studies have been carried out with the TSKgel® G2000SWXL HPLC column that is used in separating globular proteins having a molecular weight range of 5.000 to 150.000. Any other change was not made in the method and the column was heated to 30 °C in accordance with the European Pharmacopea 6.3. 50 mM Ammonium Bicorbonate buffer has been used as the mobile phase at a pH of 7.0 at a rate of 0,5 mL/minute.
The conjugate mixtures comprising filgrastim, chitosan and enzymes that were diluted in 10 mM pH 4.0 sodium acetate buffer, whose pH was adjusted with 20 mM NaOH, were applied to the column and their measurements at 215 nm were taken. 4. SDS-PAGE Analysis (Reduced)
Sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) polyacrylamide gel electroforesis (PAGE) method is one of the most frequently used methods in protein analysis.
Gel has been prepared in the invention, having three different concentrations and SDS-PAGE analysis was carried out.
1. The catalyzer part 8%- Separation part 12%
2. The catalyzer part 4%- Separation part 15%
3. The catalyzer part 4%- Separation part 12%
The gel solutions prepared as described below, have been formed into gels.
The required stock solutions for the preparations of gels:
1. Acrylamide/Bisacrylamide Solution: 29.2 g acrylamide and 0,8 g N’N’-bis-methylene- acrylamide is completed to 100 mL by the addition of distilled water. The solution can be stored up to at most 30 days at 5 °C.
2. 10 % (w/v) SDS Solution: 10 g SDS is prepared as solution by the addition of distilled water to add up to 100 mL. This is kept at room temperature.
3. 1.5 M Tris-HCl, pH 8.8 buffer: 18.15 g Tris base, is dissolved in 50 mL distilled water, it is adjusted to 8.8 pH with 6 N HC1, and is completed to 100 mL with the addition of distilled water. This is stored at 5 °C.
4. 0.5 M Tris-HCl, pH 6.8 buffer: 6 g Tris base, is dissolved in 60 mL distilled water, it is adjusted to 6.8 pH with 6 N HC1, and is completed to 100 mL with the addition of distilled water. This is stored at 5 °C.
5. Sample Buffer (SDS Reducton Buffer): 3.55 mL distilled water, 1.25 mL 0.5 M Tris- HCl buffer, pH 6.8, 2.5 mL glycerol, 2.0 mL 10 % (w/v) SDS Solution, 0.2 mL 0.5 % (w/v) bromphenol blu are mixed to prepare a total 9.5 mL solution. The solution kept at room temperature. Right before use, 50 pL b-mercaptoethanol (2-mercaptoethanol) is added to the 950 pL sample buffer. The samples are diluted with this solution before being filled into the wells.
6. lOx Electrode (running) Buffer, pH 8.3: 30.3 g Tris base, is completed to 100 mL with 144.0 glycine and 10.0 g SDS and distilled water. pH does not need to be adjusted. The solution is stored at 5 °C. Before use, the 50 mL lOx stock solution is diluted with 450 mL distilled water.
7. 10 % (w/v) APS Solution: 100 mg ammonium persulphate is completed to 1 mL with distilled water. It is prepared right before use.
Solutions used for the preparations of gels:
1. While preparing the gels with 4% catalyzer portion, a 10 mL monomer solution is prepared by taking respectively 6.1 mL, 1.3 mL, 2.5 mL and 0.1 mL from the distilled water, Acrylamide/Bisacrylamide Solution, 0.5 M Tris-HCl pH 6.8 buffer and 10% (w/v) SDS solution.
2. While preparing the gels with 8% catalyzer portion, a 10 mL monomer solution is prepared by taking respectively 4.7 mL, 2.7 mL, 2.5 mL and 0.1 mL from the distilled water, Acrylamide/Bisacrylamide Solution, 0.5 M Tris-HCl pH 6.8 buffer and 10% (w/v) SDS solution.
The catalyzer portion is mixed with 50 pL, 10 % APS solution and 10 pL TEMED right before the monomer solutions being poured into the gel and a polymerization reaction is started.
3. While preparing the gels with 12% separation portion, a 10 mL monomer solution is prepared by taking respectively 3.4 mL, 4.0 mL, 2.5 mL and 0.1 mL from the distilled water, Acrylamide/Bisacrylamide solution, 1.5 M Tris-HCl pH 8.8 buffer and 10% (w/v) SDS solution.
4. While preparing the gels with 15% separation portion, a 10 mL monomer solution is prepared by taking respectively 2.4 mL, 5.0 mL, 2.5 mL and 0.1 mL from the distilled water, Acrylamide/Bisacrylamide Solution, 1.5 M Tris-HCl pH 8.8 buffer and 10% (w/v) SDS solution.
The separation portion is mixed with 50 pL, 10 % APS solution and 5 pL TEMED right before the monomer solutions being poured into the gel and a polymerization reaction is started.
As mentioned above, the polymerized solution is poured into a container with a pipette and it is covered with isopropanol. After the separation portion is polymerized in the gel container, the excess isopropanol is removed with drying towels and the solution whose catalyzer portion has been polymerized is poured into the container with a pipette. The comb that shall form the wells is placed and it is waited for the polymerization to take place.
Preparation of Examples
The sample buffer stock solution is mixed with b-mercaptoethanol at a ratio of 95:5 right before usage. This solution is used to dilute the samples at a ratio of 1:1 and they are heated for 4 minutes at 95 °C. They are ready to be applied into wells.
Carrying out Electrophoresis
The gels that have been polymerized between glass plates are placed into the electrophoresis device the combs are taken out, the container of the device is filled with the running buffer and the samples are added into the obtained wells. The samples are run at 50V for 20 minutes and the catalyzer is passed, and following this it is run for 1 hour, by applying 120 V electricity.
The below mentioned solutions have been prepared for dyeing the gels and washing the dye that has not bonded to the proteins:
1. Dyeing Solution: 0,1 g Coomassie Brilliant Blue R-250, 40 mL distilled water, 50 mL methanol and 10 mL glacial acetic acid is mixed.
2. Washing Solution: 500 mL distilled water, 400 mL methanol and 100 mL glacial acetic acid is mixed. At the end of the analysis, the gels are removed from between the glass plates, after washing with distilled water they are immersed in the dyeing solution, dyeing is carried out on the orbital agitator at low speed for 20 minutes, and after washing with the washing solution several times on the agitator it is enabled for the protein bands to become visible.
5. SDS-PAGE Analysis (Non-Reduced)
The method applied for the non-reduced SDS-PAGE studies is the same as for reduced SDS- PAGE. b-mercaptoethanol that is present in the sample buffer used in the reduced SDS-PAGE studies, enables to open the disulphide bonds between the molecules and protein molecules. The sample buffer used in the non-reduced SDS-PAGE does not contain b-mercaptoethanol and the proteins are applied to the gel without being reduced.
Sample Buffer: 3.55 mL distilled water, 1.25 mL 0.5 M Tris-HCl buffer, pH 6.8, 2.5 mL glycerol, 2.0 mL 10 % (w/v) SDS Solution, 0.2 mL 0.5 % (w/v) bromphenol blue are mixed and 9.5 mL solution is obtained. Is kept at room temperature. The samples are diluted with this solution before being filled into the wells.
6. Isoelectric Focusing (IEF)
In the isoelectric focusing method, ready gels having a range of 5-8 pH have been used. After the gels were placed in the electrophoresis tank, the upper chamber was filled with a volume of about 150 mL of cathode buffer (20 mM lysine, 20 mM arginine) to the half-level of the gels, and the lower chamber of the electrophoresis tank was filled with approximately 500 mL of anode buffer (7 mM phosphoric acid). The samples were diluted with the sample buffer (50% glycerol) and they were filled into the wells, and they are run by applying 100 V for 1 hour, then 250 V for 1 hour.
The below mentioned solutions have been prepared for dyeing the gels and removing the dye from the gel that has not bonded to the proteins:
1. Dyeing Solution: 0,04 g Coomassie Brilliant Blue R-250, 0,05g Crocein Scarlet, 27 mL isopropanol, 63 mL distilled water, and 10 mL glacial acetic acid is mixed.
2. Dye Thinning Solution: 500 mL distilled water, 400 mL methanol and 100 mL glacial acetic acid is mixed. At the end of the analysis the gels are taken out from the plastic plates and after being washed with distilled water, they have been immersed in a dye solution. After it was waited for 45 minutes for the gels to be dyed on the agitator, the gels are washed for a few times on the agitator with a washing solution, in order to reveal the bands.
7. Western Blot
This method is a method that is based on transferring the proteins run on gels to a nitrocellulose membrane and imaging the protein by boning it to an antibody. A wet method has been applied by using 25 mM Tris, 190 mM glycine and 20% methanol comprising pH 8.3 transfer buffer, in order to transfer the protein from the gel to the membrane. The gel, in which the proteins were run by gel electrophoresis, was removed from between the plates and then it was agitated in the transfer buffer for 10-15 minutes and a transfer sandwich was prepared. In order to achieve this gel has been placed on the blotting paper of the transfer cassette and on top of this, a nitrocellulose membrane has been placed that has been wetted with the transfer buffer. The membrane is again covered with a blotting paper and sponge and the cassette is closed and it is placed into a tank. In these procedures, air bubbles should not be present inside the sandwich. After filling with a transfer buffer, the tank is run on the magnetic mixer for 1 hour at 5 °C, 100 V. At the end of the process, the proteins are transferred from the gel to the membrane.
The membrane removed from the sandwich was washed with tris buffered saline (TBST) comprising 20 mM Tris adjusted to pH 7.5 with HC1, 150 mM NaCl and 0.1% Tween 20. The membrane that was kept at room temperature for 1 hour with TBST comprising 5% BSA, has been incubated overnight at 5 °C in a solution comprising 5 pg rabbit polyclonal anti G-CSF primer antibody within 20 mL TBST containing 5% BSA. Following incubation, the membrane has been washed 3 times for 10 minutes with membrane TBST. After this, it has been kept at room temperature for 3 hours with anti-rabbit goat IgG secondary antibody that is conjugated with 1 pg HRP (horse radish peroxidase) in 15 mL TBST comprising 5% BSA. The membrane has been washed 3 times for 10 minutes and the antibody residues were removed.
Color change has been observed on the membrane that is treated with the CN/DAB (4-chloro- l-naphtholol/3,3'-diaminobenzidine, tetra hydrochloride) substrate kit used for chromogenic determination of HRP. The X-ray film of the membrane that was treated with the ECL (improved luminol based chemiluminescence) substrate kit for chemiluminescence of HRP, has been taken in the dark.
8. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR)
The filgrastim and conjugate solutions have been lyophilized and their Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrums have been examined. Separate scanning has been carried out for each sample within the frequency range of 4000-600 cm 1 to achieve this.
9. Mass Spectroscopy
Solution of filgrastim, chitosan hydrolysate and Kl, K2, K3 conjugates were prepared in 50% methanol. The samples were injected at a volume of 5 pL into the Q-TOF MS device without using an analytic column and their spectrums were taken for 2 minutes. As the mobile phase 0.3% formic acid solution and acetonitrile 50:50 isocratic were used, and the solution was passed through the device at a rate of 0.15 mL/min. The measurements were taken within the range of 50-2500 amu. The drying gas temperature has been selected to be 200 °C.
10. The Determination of the Bioefficiency of Filgrastim and Conjugate in Cell Cultures.
Cell Line and Cell Culture
In the cell culture studies, Mus Musculus, mouse myeloid leukemia cell lines M-NFS-60 cells (ATCC) mentioned in the European Pharmacopea monograph were used.
Dissolving of Cells
The frozen cell tube removed from the liquid nitrogen tank (-180 °C) was gently shaken and kept in a cell bath for 1-2 minutes at 37 °C and it was enabled to be dissolved. The contents of the dissolved tube that was decontaminated with 70% ethanol was transferred onto the RPMI- 1640 medium comprising 2 mM L-glutamine under the vertical laminar air circulated container, 0.05 mM 2-mercaptoethanol, 62 ng/mL human recombinant macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) and 10% fetal bovine serum. The medium has been kept in the incubator for 15 minutes before this process and the pH thereof has been balanced (pH 7.0- 7.6). The tube is centrifuged at a rate of 125 G for 5-7 minutes and the supernatant is removed and the pellet has been suspended with pipetting with 5 mL medium. After the cell medium mixture in the tube was added into 25 cm2 flasks, it was incubated at 37 °C in an incubator comprising 5% CO2.
A portion of the cells, were suspended in a medium containing 5% (v/v) DMSO in order for them to be used again in following studies, and then they have been placed into freezing tubes, and were kept for 4 hours at -20 °C, and then they were kept for 1 night at -80 °C in a liquid nitrogen tank.
Reproduction of Cells and their Sustainability
An RPMI-1640 medium containing 2 mM L-glutamine, 0.05 mM 2-mercaptoethanol, 62 ng/mL human recombinant macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) and 10% fetal bovine serum was used for the cell lines. At the end of the two days, the samples taken from the flask were dyed with 1:1 ratio of trypan blue and the cells were counted. The cells are separated into more number of flasks in comparison to the obtained cell numbers and medium is added, and the cells were enabled to be reproduced such that the number of live cells shall be 2,5xl04 per millilitre. The passing processes are continued by the addition of the medium every 2 days. When the sufficient amount of cells are obtained for the study, the cells are seeded into 96 well plates.
Cell Proliferation Test
100 pL PBS is added to the outer wells that remain at the edges of the 96 well micro test plates and the inner wells have been enabled to stay humid. 50 pL medium has been added to all of the remaining wells. The solutions of the conjugate inside the pH 5.5 solution, solutions diluted inside the filgrastim-polymer and filgrastim solution mediums has been placed into the first wells having 50 pL volume in order to obtain a calibration curve and half ratio serial dilutions have been carried out according to the European Pharmacopea 6.3 monograph. The initial studies have been carried out with solutions up to the 3,125 IU/mL level with 50% dilutions, starting from the filgrastim and conjugate solutions and the concentration (800 IU/mL) mentioned in the monograph. The studies have been carried out for 48 and 72 hours. The studies have been conducted with 3 plates having the placement illustrated in Table 5. According to the results obtained from the preliminary studies, the study was repeated with conjugate, filgrastim-polymer and filgrastim solutions for 72 hours at a concentration between 3,125-100 IU/mL, where the cell increase is better observed. The potency value and the parallel line test mentioned in the European Pharmacopea, have been compared. The studies have been conducted with 3 plates having the placement illustrated in Table 6. The suspension was prepared such that 7xl05 cells are available per millilitre. 50 pL was added from the cell suspension which is homogenous, into the control and active agent wells in the plates.
Table 5: The plate layout that is used to compare the filgrastim and conjugate solutions.
F: Filgrastim, K: Conjugate.
Figure imgf000033_0002
Table 6. The plate layout that is used to compare the filgrastim, filgrastim-polymer and conjugate solutions. F: Filgrastim, K: Conjugate, FP: Filgrastim-Polymer.
Figure imgf000033_0001
Figure imgf000033_0003
The plates were kept in a humidified incubator containing 5% CO2 and for 48 hours or 72 hours at a temperature between 36-38 °C. Following incubation, the potency was determined with a colorimetric MTS-PMS or MTT-PMS proliferation test. Following incubation, 20 pi MTS-PMS ve MTT-PMS proliferation test solution has been added to the cells. MTS transforms into colored formation that can dissolve in MTS medium, depending on NAD(P)H dependant cellular oxydoreductase enzymes in living cells. For the formation, the cells have been kept in the incubator for 4 hours. At the end of this period of time, the absorption values at 490nm have been measured. When the study was carried out with MTT, following the 4 hour incubation, 80pL of the 23% SDS pH 4.7 solution, was added, and after waiting for one night, the absorption values at 570nm were measured. A linear regression analysis was carried out for the parallel line test. To reach this aim PLA 3.0 Software was used.
11. Stability of the Protein within the Conjugate
In order to evaluate the stability of the conjugate that has been formed, stability studies have been carried out as long term at 5 °C ± 3 °C and as accelerated at 25 °C ± 2 °C. For this purpose, a part of the samples prepared in 10 mM pH 4.0 sodium acetate buffer were lyophilized and the other part was left as a solution. Similarly, a reference filgrastim solution has been prepared and lyophilized. At the end of the four month period, comparison was made with the reference filgrastim in order to determine if the samples exhibited disintegration and aggregation with SDS-PAGE.
B: ANALYSIS RESULTS
1. Reverse-Phase HPLC Analysis
With the developed and validated reverse phase HPLC analytic method, it was observed that while the filgrastim and filgrastim polymer mixtures were retained in the column for an equal period of time, the conjugate solution injected was retained in the column for a longer period of time, thereby it was observed that the conjugate was formed. It was noted that conjugation with the chitosan hydrolysate, changed the polarity of filgrastim (Figure 1).
2. Assays with Size Exclusion HPLC (SE-HPLC) Chromatography- 1
A conjugate solution has been injected into the column, which is used in the separation of globular proteins having 10-500 kDA molecular weight. It has been noted that the conjugate was retained for a period of time that is close to the retaining time of filgrastim. Filgrastim solution has been added to the conjugate solution during measurement. As the added filgrastim needs to be retained for a longer period of time in comparison to the conjugate, an elbow image that supports the formation of the conjugate has been determined in the chromatogram (Figure 2). 3. Assays with Size Exclusion HPLC (SE-HPLQ-2.
The size exclusion chromatography studies have been continued for the second time with another column. A conjugate solution has been injected into the HPLC column, which is used in the separation of globular proteins having 5-150 kDA molecular weight. A dual peak that is retained for a shorter period of time in comparison to filgrastim was obtained. Moreover, the binary solutions of filgrastim with polymer and enzyme were injected into the column for comparison. These dual mixtures have exhibited a peak at the same area with filgrastim. The different locations of the peaks obtained by the injection of the conjugate solution does not indicate the electrostatic interaction of filgrastim and polymer or the crosslinking of the enzyme with filgrastim, but it indicates that new molecules are formed (Figure 3, Figure 4).
4. Isoelectric Focusing (IEF)
The conjugate samples and filgrastim solution have been loaded onto the ready IEF gel that was worked at the range of pH 4.6-8.0. As the conjugate samples are low in amount, IEF gel was not observed with dyeing and due to this reason images were clarified using Western Blot on gels.
The isoelectric point of proteins is determined according to the loaded amino acids, chain number and terminal amino acids they have, and the filgrastim’s isoelectric point is 5.65. The gel has provided a band at the range of 5.1 - 6.0 and it has been noted that the conjugate solution had a value less than this (Figure 5).
5. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR)
The amide I and amide II bands specific to proteins, seen around 1650 cm-1 and 1550 cm-1 have been observed in both samples. However, unlike the conjugate filgrastim, it gave a sharp peak around 1150 cm-1 representing C-0 ether bonds. Although proteins have various bonds in their structures, they do no comprise an ether bond. The chitosan and hydrolysate obtained by conjugation with protein, is the conjugated polymer that is conjugated with the ether bond of the tetrahydropyrane molecules comprising hydroxyl, hydroxymethyl, amine and acetylamine groups. The enzyme that is used to form conjugates allows two amine groups to combine with an ammonia output. When these conditions are taken into consideration, a peak is expected to be observed that represents the ether bond of the polymer in the spectra obtained from the conjugates. Peak is not observed in filgrastim in this frequency. When these findings are interpreted together, the formation of conjugate is clearly observed (Figure 8).
6. Mass Spectroscopy
First of all the mass spectrum of the reference filgrastim solution has been taken. When deconvolution was applied in proportion to the peak loads in the spectrum, the mass value of 18798 has been reached. The mass/load distribution of chitosan hydrolysates have been observed to be multiple due to their heterogeneous structure. Similar multiple distribution has been observed also in spectrums obtained from the conjugate sample (Figure 9).
7. The Determination of the Bioefficiency of Filgrastim and Conjugate in Cell Cultures
The analysis time for bioanalysis of filgrastim in the European Pharmacopea has been determined as 44-48 hours. However, in a study aimed at optimizing the in vitro potency test conditions of G-CSF, it was stated that 72 hours gave better results. For this reason, the studies were carried out twice as 48 and 72 hours, it was noted that the cells were more proliferated at 72 hours, the separation of activities was clearer, and the studies were continued for 72 hours. The obtained results have been statistically compared with the parallel line test (p<0,05).
Filgrastim and conjugate solutions containing equal amounts of the filgrastim active agent and the mixed filgrastim-polymer solutions having low molecular weight chitosan hydrolyzate comprised in the conjugate were compared and it was observed that the bioefficiency of the conjugate was statistically significantly higher. In bioefficiency studies carried out with NFS-60 cells, it has been shown statistically that the conjugate had high potency in comparison to filgrastim and filgrastim-polymer solutions (Figure 6).
8. Stability of the Protein within the Conjugate
In order to investigate the stability of the protein in the conjugate, the accelerated and long term stability conditions recommended in the guidelines were applied in the stability studies of proteins. For this purpose, a part of the samples dissolved in 10 mM pH 4.0 sodium acetate buffer were lyophilized and were kept in powder form and the other part was kept as a solution. At the end of the four-month waiting period, the conjugate solutions compared with an equal amount of reference filgrastim were analyzed by SDS-PAGE. Bands belonging to the conjugate were detected in both the wells and above the filgrastim band with molecular weights greater than filgrastim. It has been observed that degradation products were formed in both the reference filgrastim and the conjugate under accelerated stability conditions. Moreover aggregates have been formed in lyophilized filgrastim samples and these aggregates were not formed in liquid samples. Under prolonged waiting conditions it was observed that the filgrastim in the conjugate behaved the same as the reference filgrastim for four months (Figure 7).

Claims

1. A pharmaceutical patch characterized in that; it comprises a conjugate that is obtained enzymatically from at least one biocompatible and biodegradable polymer and at least one peptide-protein drug.
2. A pharmaceutical patch according to claim 1, characterized in that recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulant factor (rh metG-CSF, filgrastim) as the active agent, microbial transglutaminase as the enzyme, and chitosan and derivatives thereof having polysaccharide structure as the polymer have been used for establishing the peptide- protein drug conjugates therein.
3. A pharmaceutical patch according to claim 2, characterized in that; the polymer: peptide -protein drug: enzyme (w/w/w) ratio that is used to obtain the conjugate therein, is 20:1:1 by weight.
4. A pharmaceutical patch according to claim 2, characterized in that; the ratios of enzyme+polymenpeptide-protein drug (w/w) used in order to obtain the conjugate therein, are approximately 5:1 to approximately 100:1, approximately 5:1 to approximately 7:1, approximately 7:1 to approximately 10:1, approximately 10:1 to approximately 12:1, approximately 12:1 to approximately 15:1, approximately 15:1 to approximately 20:1, approximately 20:1 to approximately 25:1, approximately 25:1 to approximately 30:1 approximately 30:1 to approximately 35:1, approximately 35:1 to approximately 40:1, approximately 40:1 to approximately 45:1, approximately 45:1 to approximately 50:1, approximately 50:1 approximately 60:1, approximately 60:1 to approximately 70:1, approximately 70:1 to approximately 80:1, approximately 80:1 to approximately 90:1 or approximately 90:1 to approximately 100:1.
5. A pharmaceutical patch according to claim 2, characterized in that; the ratios of enzyme:peptide -protein drug (w/w) used in order to obtain the conjugate therein are approximately 5:1 to approximately 100:1, approximately 5:1 to approximately 7:1, approximately 7:1 to approximately 10:1, approximately 10:1 to approximately 12:1, approximately 12:1 to approximately 15:1, approximately 15:1 to approximately 20:1, approximately 20:1 to approximately 25:1, approximately 25:1 to approximately 30:1 approximately 30:1 to approximately 35:1, approximately 35:1 to approximately 40:1, approximately 40:1 to approximately 45:1, approximately 45:1 to approximately 50:1, approximately 50:1 approximately 60:1, approximately 60:1 to approximately 70:1, approximately 70:1 to approximately 80:1, approximately 80:1 to approximately 90:1 or approximately 90:1 to approximately 100:1.
6. A pharmaceutical patch according to claim 2, characterized in that, the ratios of polymenpeptide-protein drug (w/w) used in order to obtain the conjugate therein, are approximately 5:1 to approximately 100:1, approximately 5:1 to approximately 7:1, approximately 7:1 to approximately 10:1, approximately 10:1 to approximately 12:1, approximately 12:1 to approximately 15:1, approximately 15:1 to approximately 20:1, approximately 20:1 to approximately 25:1, approximately 25:1 to approximately 30:1 approximately 30:1 to approximately 35:1, approximately 35:1 to approximately 40:1, approximately 40:1 to approximately 45:1, approximately 45:1 to approximately 50:1, approximately 50:1 approximately 60:1, approximately 60:1 to approximately 70:1, approximately 70:1 to approximately 80:1, approximately 80:1 to approximately 90:1 or approximately 90:1 to approximately 100:1.
7. A pharmaceutical patch according to claim 1, characterized in that the biocompatible and biodegradable polymer is chitin, chitosan, chito-oligosaccharide or derivatives thereof.
8. A pharmaceutical patch according to claim 1, characterized in that the biocompatible and biodegradable polymer is a polymer obtained by the depolymerization of chitin or chitosan.
9. A pharmaceutical patch according to claim 1, characterized in that the biocompatible and biodegradable polymer is a polymer obtained by the enzymatic or acid hydrolysis depolymerization of chitin or chitosan.
10. A pharmaceutical patch according to claim 1, characterized in that the peptide-protein drug is recombinant GCSF or derivatives thereof.
11. A pharmaceutical patch according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises chitosan or derivatives thereof and recombinant GCSF or derivatives thereof.
12. A pharmaceutical patch according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises chito- oligosaccharide or derivatives thereof and recombinant GCSF or derivatives thereof.
13. A pharmaceutical patch according to claim 1, characterized in that; in addition to the polypeptide-polymer conjugate it comprises at least a salt, at least a buffering agent, at least a solvent, at least a detergent and/or at least a protease inhibitor.
14. A pharmaceutical patch according to claim 13, characterized in that; said salt is NaCl, MgCl, KC1 and/or MgS04.
15. A pharmaceutical patch according to claim 13, characterized in that, said buffering agent is a Tris buffer, N- (2-Hydroxy ethyl) piperazine-N'- (2-ethanesulfonic acid) (HEPES), 2- (N-Morpholino) ethanesulfonic acid (MES), 2-(N-Morpholino) ethanesulfonic acid sodium salt (MES), 3 -(N-Morpholino) propanesulfonic acid (MOPS) and/or N-tris [Hydroxymethyl]methyl-3-aminopropanesulfonic acid (TAPS).
16. A pharmaceutical patch (1) formed of at least one layer, characterized in that it comprises a contact layer (11) formed of at least one peptide-protein drug and at least one biocompatible and biodegradable polymer and preferably at least a layer that is selected from a support layer (12), a top layer (13) and an envelope layer (14).
17. A pharmaceutical patch according to claim 16, characterized in that the contact layer (11) comprises at least a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer.
18. A pharmaceutical patch according to claim 16, characterized in that the contact layer (11) comprises chitin, chitosan, chito-oligosaccharides or derivatives thereof.
19. A pharmaceutical patch according to claim 16, characterized in that the contact layer (11) comprises a polymer that has been obtained by the depolymerization of chitin or chitosan.
20. A pharmaceutical patch according to claim 16, characterized in that the contact layer (11) comprises a polymer that has been obtained by the enzymatic or acid hydrolysis depolymerization of chitin or chitosan.
21. A pharmaceutical patch (1) according any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a contact layer (11) comprising one or more active agents, a support layer (12) having a similar structure without comprising an active agent, a top layer (13) and an envelope layer (14).
22. A pharmaceutical composition characterized by comprising the pharmaceutical patch according to claim 1.
23. A pharmaceutical patch production method; characterized by comprising the process steps of;
Obtaining polymer by the enzymatic or acid hydrolysis depolymerization of chitin or chitosan, • Obtaning a conjugate formed of chito-oligosaccharide or derivatives thereof and recombinant GCSF or derivatives thereof,
• Obtaining the contact layer including the pharmaceutical composition comprising the conjugate.
24. A pharmaceutical patch production method; characterized by comprising the process steps of;
• Obtaining polymer by the enzymatic or acid hydrolysis depolymerization of chitin or chitosan,
• Obtaning a conjugate formed of chito-oligosaccharide or derivatives thereof and recombinant GCSF or derivatives thereof,
• Obtaining the contact layer including the pharmaceutical composition comprising the conjugate,
• Perforating the contact layer by means of physical methods,
• Lyophilizing the pharmaceutical composition comprising the conjugate formed of chito-oligosaccharide or derivatives thereof and recombinant GCSF or derivatives thereof, under vacuum gradually for 24 hours,
• Pouring the lyophilized powder into the holes of the contact layer.
PCT/TR2020/051004 2019-11-05 2020-10-27 Conjugation of protein drugs with biopolymers by an enzymatic method WO2021091511A2 (en)

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