Title of Invention

"PHARMACEUTICAL ACTIVE PRINCIPLE BASED COATED PARTICLES AND METHOD OF PREPARATION THEREOF"

Abstract Active principle-based coated particle in which both the core and the coating contain active principle, wherein the core contains a first active principle while the coating contains a second active principle, which is different in nature.
Full Text The present invention relates to coated particles
comprising two active principles, to the method of
preparation thereof and to the multiparticulate tablets
comprising said particles.
Pharmaceutical forms comprising two active principles
already exist, in unit forms such as gelatin capsules
or tablets.
In these pharmaceutical forms, a first alternative
consists in formulating each active principle
individually.
The two populations are then either compressed without
a prior mixing step, in the form of bilayer tablets,
technically complex to set up and requiring a specific
material for the compression, or mixed, before being
compressed, placed in gelatin capsules or in sachets.
A second alternative consists in simultaneously
formulating the two active principles, for example by
mixing, followed by a granulation step, the resulting
product possibly then being compressed, placed in
gelatin capsules or in sachets.
These mixtures are often complicated to control since
they bring together several populations of active
principles and of excipients of heterogeneous
respective size, mass and form. There ensues therefrom
an increased risk of segregation, leading to a gradual
demixing of the two populations of active particles
during the mixing itself or the pharmaceutical
operations following the mixing, for example the
compression or the placing in gelatin capsules. The
final unit form contains a highly variable consent of
each of the two active principles.
Choosing the populations of active principles and of
excipients needs great care but is not, however,
sufficient to completely eliminate this risk.
In the case of a mixture of active principles, the risk
of segregation, already high due to the presence of an
additional population, becomes even more unfavorable
when the dose ratio between the active principle
present at the highest dose and that present at the
lowest dose is high, in particular when it . becomes
equal to or greater than 5, preferably equal to or
greater than 10.
To compensate for this unfavorable dose ratio, and to
maintain a ratio of the respective masses of each
fraction close to 1, a diluent is usually added to the
fraction present at the lowest dose with which said
active principle is granulated.
The addition of the diluent to the particle formulation
leads to an increase in the unit size and weight of the
pharmaceutical form to be administered to the patient,
which creates an additional obstacle to be overcome in
formulating the medicinal product, and makes it more
difficult to administer to patients who have difficulty
in swallowing.
A second problem appears in the case of combinations of
active principles in which at least one of the active
principles, or even both, require its (their) unpleasant taste.
In this case, the size of the particles is increased by
the polymeric coating layer masking the taste.
It would therefore be advantageous to have a
composition which is such that the risks of
heterogeneity in terms of mass and of size and, where
appropriate, of content, set out above, would be
avoided, and which is suitable for any subsequent
formulating, for example compression, placing in
gelatin capsules or coating.
To solve this problem, the Applicant has developed
coated particles combining two active principles
different in nature, respectively a first active
principle which is a constituent of all or part of the
core and a second active principle which is a
constituent of all or part of the coating.
In the remainder of the description, the expression
"coating" denotes a coating comprising at least one
coating layer. Should the coating consist of several
layers, each layer would have the same composition,
applied in practice by spraying onto the core. However,
it should be noted that, since one of the aims is to
obtain coated particles as small as possible in size,
the particle will advantageously be coated with a
single layer. The coating applied around the core is to
be distinguished from the additional functional layer
to which reference will subsequently be made, and which
denotes an additional layer applied to the basic
coating.
In other words, and according to the invention, the
same particle combines two different active principles
making it possible to solve the problems mentioned
above relating to the population heterogeneity of the
particles used, in terms of size and shape.
The invention therefore relates to an active principlebased
coated particle in which both the core and the
coating contain active principle, wherein the core
contains a first active principle while the coating
contains a second active principle, which is different
in nature.
The Applicant has presented, in patent application
WO 02/39981, a substantially spherical microgranule
consisting of a core coated with at least one coating
layer, the core and said coating layer each containing
between 80 and 95% by weight of active principle, the
rest up to 100% consisting^ of at least one binding
agent. According to that document, the,active principle
constituting the core is the same as that contained in
the coating layer. In addition, the set of examples
describes only embodiments based on a single active
principle.
To solve the problem of the heterogeneity of content of
active principle in cases, therefore, where the two
active principles have a different concentration in the
coated particle, the core contains the active principle
present at the highest dose, while the coating contains
the active principle present at the lowest dose.
In an advantageous embodiment, the dose ratio between
the active principle present at the highest dose (first
active principle) and that present at the lowest dose
(second active principle) is equal to or greater than
5, preferably equal to or greater than 10.
The coated particle comprises two active principles
which can be chosen from any family of compounds, for
example from gastrointestinal sedatives, antacids,
analgesics, anti-inflammatories, coronary vasodilators,
peripheral and cerebral vasodilators, anti-infectious
agents, antibiotics, antiviral agents, antiparasitic
agents, anticancer agents, anxiolytics, neuroleptics,
central nervous system stimulants, antidepressants,
antihistamines, antidiarrheal agents, laxatives,
nutrient supplements, immUnosuppressants, blood
cholesterol-reducing agents, hormones, enzymes,
antispasmodics, anti-angina agents, medicinal products
affecting cardiac rhythm, medicinal products used in
the treatment of arterial hypertension, antimigraine
agents, medicinal products affecting blood
coagulability, antiepileptics, muscle relaxants,
medicinal products used in the treatment of diabetes,
medicinal products used in the treatment of thyroid
dysfunctions, diuretics, anorectic agents, antiasthmatics,
expectorants, antitussives, mucoregulators,
decongestants, hypnotics, antinausea agents,
hematopoietic agents, uricosuric agents, plant extracts
and contrast agents, or any other family of compounds,
the active principles combined in the tablet possibly
being chosen from the same family or from different
families.
Combinations, which concern medicinal products of the
same family or of different families, are particularly
studied by the pharmaceutical industry for treating
serious pathological conditions requiring the
prescription of several specialty products in
conjunction, since they make it possible to improve
adherence to treatments by decreasing the number of
units to be taken by the patient, and sometimes make' it
possible to obtain a synergy of effects.
Combinations of active principles are of particular use
in the field of analgesia, when a synergistic effect on
the treatment of pain is sought by combining two
reasonably powerful analgesics, such as, for example,
oxycodone and paracetamol, hydrocodone and paracetamol,
paracetamol and tramadol, or combinations combining an
opioid analgesic, for example oxycodone, with an opioid
receptor antagonist, such as naloxone or naltrexone, so
as to avoid incorrect use of medicinal products by drug
addicts.
In the field of antiulcer agents, preferred
combinations combine an antacid with an antiulcer
agent, for example antacids and omeprazole or
lansoprazole, antacids and famotidine or ranitidine.
In the field of blood cholesterol-reducing agents and
antidiabetic agents, preferred combinations combine
fenofibrate with metformin ' or fenofibrate with
simvastatin.
Other domains are particularly studied, such as those
of medicinal products effective against the AIDS virus
or anticancer agents.
According to the invention, the composition of the
coated particles will vary as a function of the size of
the particles of the active principles used and of the
content of each active principle in the final coated
particle.
In a first embodiment, the core contains 100% by weight
of the first active principle, while the coating
contains from 60 to 99% by weight of the second active
principle, advantageously from 80 to 99% by weight, the
rest up to 100% consisting of at least one binding
agent and optionally an antistatic agent.
In this first embodiment, the rest up to 100% of the
coating can also consist exclusively of binding agent.
In a second embodiment, the core contains from 60 to
99% by weight of the first active principle,
advantageously from 80 to 99% by weight, while the
coating contains from 60 to 99% by weight of the second
active principle, advantageously from 80 to 95% by
weight, the rest up to 100% of the core and of the
coating consisting of at least one binding agent and
optionally an antistatic agent.
In this second embodiment, the rest up to 100% by
weight of the core and of the coating can consist
exclusively of a binding agent, which may be identical
or different.
As already mentioned, in all cases, the addition of an
antistatic agent to the suspension or the solution used
for the coating may be envisaged.
The choice of the binding agent will be determined as a
function not only of its ability to bind the particles
of active principle to one another within the coated
core, but also of the functional characteristics of the
desired coated core, whether in the presence or absence
of subsequent functional coating. The expression
"functional characteristic" denotes in particular, but
in a nonlimiting manner, the properties of taste
masking and of modified or unmodified release of the
active principle.
In practice, the binding agent is chosen from the group
comprising in particular cellulosic polymers, acrylic
polymers, povidones, copovidones, polyvinyl alcohols,
alginic acid, sodium alginate, starch, pregelatinized
starch, sucroses and derivatives thereof, guar gum,
polyethylene glycols, and mixtures thereof.
At the time of production of the core or of the
coating, the binding agent is sprayed in a solvent
chosen from the group comprising water and organic
solvents, such as ethanol, isopropanol or acetone,
alone or as a mixture.
As already mentioned, the core and the coating comprise
an antistatic agent which is present, in principle, in
proportions possibly ranging up to 10% by weight,
preferably up to 3% by weight, relative to the weight
of the core and up to 10% by weight, preferably up to
3% by weight, relative to the, weight of the coating,
and which can be chosen from the group comprising
micronized or nonmicronized talc, colloidal silica
(Aerosil®200) , treated silica (Aerosil®R972) or
precipitated silica (Syloid®FP244), and mixtures
thereof.
By virtue of their structure consisting of a core which
is itself coated with a layer which gives it a
substantially spherical shape, the particles of the
invention may advantageously then be coated with an
additional functional layer, the composition of which
is chosen as a function of the desired characteristics
of taste masking and/or of release of the active
principles.
The composition of the additional functional layer is
chosen as a function of the physicochemical
characteristics of each active principle, and consists
of at least one coating polymer.
The coating polymer is advantageously chosen from the
group comprising cellulosic polymers, acrylic polymers
and mixtures thereof.
Among cellulosic polymers, ethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose
(HPC) and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose
(HPMC), alone or as a mixture, will advantageously be
chosen.
Among acrylic polymers, ammonio methacrylate copolymer
(Eudragit® RL and RS) , polyacrylate (Eudragit® NE) and
polymethacrylate (Eudragit® E) will advantageously be
chosen, Eudragit® being a trademark registered by ROHM.
The additional functional layer is applied by spraying
a solution, or a suspension, or else a colloidal
dispersion, of the coating polymer in a solvent or a
mixture of solvents, so as to form a continuous film
covering the entire surface of each particle, whatever
its surface finish, in an amount sufficient to obtain,
for example, a masking of taste which is effective at
the time the medicinal product is taken and throughout
the time the coated particles remain in the buccal
cavity.
The thickness of the film, which is generally between 5
and 75 Jim, most commonly depends on the solubility of
the active principle contained in the coating (second
active principle) at the pH of saliva and on the more
or less pronounced nature of the bitterness thereof.
The polymer of the additional functional layer is
applied to the surface of the coated particles of the
invention in proportions possibly ranging up to-40%,
preferably up to 20%, calculated as weight gain
relative to the mass to be coated.
The solvent chosen for spraying the coating polymer
contained in the additional functional layer may be
water, an organic solvent, such as ethanol, isopropanol
or acetone, or a mixture of solvents.
The additional functional layer also optionally
comprises a plasticizer, a surfactant, an antistatic
agent, a lubricant.
The plasticizer is used in a proportion of at most 40%,
preferably between 15 and 30%, expressed by weight
relative to the dry weight of polymer, and chosen from
the group comprising triethyl citrate, acetyltributyl
citrate, triacetine, tributyl citrate, diethyl
phthalate, polyethylene glycols, polysorbates, monoand
diacetylated glycerides, and mixtures thereof.
The surfactant is chosen from anionic, cationic,
nonionic and amphoteric surfactants.
The antistatic agent is used in a proportion of at most
10% by weight, preferably between 0 and 3%, preferably
less than 1%, by weight, calculated relative to the dry
weight of the polymer, and chosen from the group
comprising micronized or nonmicronized talc, colloidal
silica (Aerosil®200) , treated silica (Aerosil®R972) or
precipitated silica ..(.Syloi^®FP244), and mixtures
.
thereof.
The lubricant is used in a proportion of at most 10% by
weight, preferably between 0 and -3%, preferably less
than 1%, by weight, calculated relative to the dry
weight of the polymer and is chosen from the group
comprising magnesium stearate, stearic acid, sodium
stearyl fumarate, poly(oxyethylene glycols), sodium
benzoate and mixtures thereof.
The size of the coated particles is conventionally
between 50 Urn and 2 mm, preferably between 100 and
800 put, even more preferably between 200 and 500 urn,
and is determined by conventional methods, for example
using a set of sieves of calibrated mesh size, or by
laser diffraction.
A subject of the present invention is also a
pharmaceutical or cosmetic composition containing said
coated particles.
The coated particles, possibly covered with an
additional functional layer, may be used in any type of
formulation intended for oral administration, but are
particularly suitable when the pharmaceutical form
chosen involves bringing the coated particles into
contact with saliva.
Particularly preferred pharmaceutical forms are powders
intended for oral administration, packaged in the form
of sachets, or of drinkable suspensions in liquid form
or to be reconstituted by extemporaneous addition of a
certain volume of water, or else tablets, in particular
multiparticulate tablets which are orodispersible or
dispersible-in a small volume of water.
Orodispersible tablets define tablets intended to
disintegrate or to solubilize in the mouth without
chewing, upon contact with saliva, in less than 60
seconds, preferably less than 40 seconds, forming a
suspension of particles, which may or may not be
coated, which is easy to swallow.
The disintegration time corresponds to the amount of
time between the moment at which the tablet is placed
in the mouth in contact with saliva and the moment at
which the suspension resulting from the disintegration
or the dissolving without chewing of the tablet in
contact with saliva is swallowed.
This type of tablet is, for example, described in
documents EP 548356, EP 636364, EP 1003484, EP 1058538,
WO 98/46215, WO 00/06126, WO 00/27357 and WO 00/51568,
but the particle of the invention can also be used in
any other formulation equivalent to those described in
the documents mentioned.
Initially, the coated particles are released into the
buccal cavity after the tablet has disintegrated or
dissolved by the action of the saliva, then they
release the active principle rapidly in the gastrointestinal
tract, in the stomach or in the duodenum.
The oro.dispersible tablet consists of the particles of
the invention and of a mixture of excipients comprising
at least one disintegration agent, a soluble diluent, a
lubricant and, optionally, a swelling agent, a
permeabilizing agent, sweeteners and flavorings.
The proportion of excipient mixture relative to the
coated particles is conventionally between 0.4 and 10,
preferably between 1 and 5, parts by weight.
The disintegration agent is chosen from the group
comprising in particular crosslinked sodium carboxymethylcellulose
denoted in the trade by the term
croscarmellose, crospovidone and mixtures thereof.
The disintegration agent is used in a proportion of
between 1 and 20% by weight, preferably between 5 and
15% by weight, in the . case of a mixture, each
disintegrating agent being between 0.5 and 15% by
weight, preferably between 5 and 10% by weight,
calculated relative to the weight of the tablet.
The diluent may be chosen from the group comprising in
particular soluble agents with binding properties,
preferentially polyols of less than 13 carbon atoms,
lactose, cellulose derivatives and preferentially
microcrystalline cellulose.
The preferred polyol of less than 13 carbon atoms is
chosen from mannitol, xylitol, sorbitol and maltitol.
The diluent is used in a proportion of between 20 and
90% by weight, preferably between 30 and 50% by weight,
calculated relative to the weight of the tablet.
The soluble diluent is in the form of a directly
compressible product the mean diameter of the particles
of which is from 100 to 500 \m, or ~ in the form of a
powder the mean diameter of the particles of which is
less than 100 |4m, said powder being used alone or as a
mixture with the directly compressible product.
In a preferred embodiment, the polyol is used in the
form of the directly compressible product.
In a second preferred embodiment, a directly
compressible polyol and a polyol in the form of a
powder are mixed, the polyol in this case being
identical or different, the respective proportions of
directly compressible polyol and of powdered polyol
being from 99/1 to 20/80, preferably from 80/20 to
20/80.
The lubricant is chosen from the group comprising
magnesium stearate, stearic acid, sodium stearyl
fumarate, poly(oxyethylene glycols), sodium benzoate
and mixtures thereof.
The lubricant is used in a proportion between 0.02 and
2% by weight, preferably between 0.5 and 1% by weight,
calculated relative to the weight of the tablet.
The lubricant is dispersed in the mixture of
compression excipients sprayed at the surface of the
tablet at the time of compression, completely or
partially.
The swelling agent is chosen from the group comprising
microcrystalline cellulose, starches and modified
starches.
The swelling agent is used in a proportion of between
1.0 and 15% by weight, calculated relative to the
weight of the tablet.
The permeabilizing agent is chosen from the group
comprising in particular silicas having great affinity
for aqueous solvents, such as precipitated silica, more
well-known under the trademark Syloid®, maltodextrins,
p-cyclodextrins and mixtures thereof.
The permeabilizing agent is used in a proportion of
between 0.5 and 5.0% by weight, calculated relative to
the weight of the tablet.
The antistatic agent may be chosen from the group
comprising micronized or nonmicronized talc, colloidal
silica (Aerosil®200), treated silica (Aerosil®R972) or
precipitated silica (Syloid® FP244), and mixtures
thereof.
The antistatic agent is used in a proportion of between
0.5 and 5.0% by weight, calculated relative to the
weight of the tablet.
The sweetener may be chosen from the group comprising
in particular aspartame, potassium acesulfame, sodium
saccharinate, neohesperidine dihydrochalcone,
sucralose, monoammonium glycyrrhizinate, and mixtures
thereof.
The flavorings and dyes are those conventionally used
in pharmacy for preparing tablets.
The invention also relates to the method for preparing
the coated particles described above.
The method in accordance with the invention comprises
the following steps:
preparing a core comprising the first active
principle,
coating the core thus obtained by spraying a
solution or suspension comprising the second
active principle and at least one binding agent,
drying.
In a first .preferred embodiment, the particles are
prepared according to the following steps:
granulation of the first active principle in the
form of a powder, using a binding agent in the
form of. an aqueous or organic solution or a
solvent mixture, and then drying,
coating of the core thus obtained by spraying the
solution or the suspension comprising the second
active principle and at least one binding agent,
drying.
In a second preferred embodiment, the particles are
prepared according to the following steps:
granulometric selection of microcrystals of
between- 50 (ira and 400 uro in size constituting the
first active principle,
coating of the microcrystals by spraying the
solution or the suspension comprising the second
active principle and at least one binding agent,
drying.
According to this embodiment, the steps may be carried
out in different devices or in the same device.
For the granulation, a high energy granulator, a
planetary mixer or a fluidized air bed are
advantageously used.
In the case of granulation in a fluidized air bed, the
mixture of powder containing the active principle, and
optionally the diluent and the antistatic agent/ is
introduced into the device, before being granulated, by
spraying onto said mixture of powder a solution or
suspension of excipients comprising at least one
binding agent.
When the two active principles are incompatible with
one another, such that accelerated degradation of one
of them is observed, it is possible to apply, between
the core comprising the first active principle and the
coating comprising the second active principle, an
optional polymer layer separating the two active
principles. Said layer then consists of a polymer which
can be used as a binding agent, ideally the same
polymer as that used as binding agent in one or other
of the steps for preparing the particle, the amount of
polymer applied not exceeding 15%, preferably not
exceeding 5%, calculated as weight gain relative to the
mass to be coated.
*
If the organoleptic characteristics of the particle
make it necessary, an additional step of coating the
coated cores thus obtained is carried out by spraying
an additional functional layer which masks the taste/
followed by drying.
All the steps of the method in accordance with the
invention can be carried out in a sugar-coating pan or
a perforated pan or in a fluidized air bed.
In a preferred embodiment of the method in accordance
with the invention, all the steps for preparing the
coated core and for coating with the additional layer
are carried out in a fluidized air bed.
The fluid!zed air bed is equipped with a spray nozzle,
the spray direction and position of which can be
chosen.
This choice makes it possible to control the kinetics
of growth of the particles and to avoid phenomena of
sticking, related to the nature of the active
principle, to the composition of the sprayed binding or
coating composition, and to the various parameters of
the method (temperature, air pressure for example,
solution flow rate).
According to an advantageous embodiment, the binding
agent used to prepare the particle and the polymer used
to mask the taste of said particle are identical.
The invention also relates to the method for preparing
the multiparticulate tablets comprising the coated
particles.
The method in accordance with the invention comprises
the following steps:
dry mixing of the particles, obtained according to
the method described above, with the compression
excipients,
compressing of the mixture to obtain a unit form.
The compression of the mixture may be carried out on an
alternating or rotary compression machine.
The constraints exerted during the compression step may
range from 5 kN to 50 kN, preferably from 5 kN to
15 kN.
The hardness of these tablets is preferably between 1
and 10 kp, more preferentially between 1 and 5 kp,
measured according to the method of the European
Pharmacopoeia (2.9.8), 1 kp being equal to 9.8 N.
Preferably, the hardness of the multiparticulate tablet
is suitable for obtaining a friability, measured
according to the method of the European Pharmacopoeia,
of less than 2%, while at the same time conserving a
dissolution profile identical to that of the coated
particles alone and for the multiparticulate tablets,
and permitting a disintegration time for the tablet in
the mouth of less than or equal to 60 seconds,
preferably less than or equal to 40 seconds.
The tablets may have a diameter of between 6 mm and
11 mm. They may be round, oval or oblong in shape, have
a flat or concave surface, and optionally have grooves.
In the case of orodispersible tablets, tt$olo"-shaped
punches may also be used.
The tablets have -a mass of between 0.1 gram and
2 .0 grams.
The invention will be understood more clearly by means
of the examples of preparation of the coated particles
and of the multiparticulate tablets in accordance with
the invention. These examples are given only by way of
illustrations and of advantageous embodiments of the
invention and in no way constitute a limitation
thereof.
MATERIALS AND ANALYTICAL METHODS
Excipients used
mannitol: Pearlitol®200SD marketed by ROQOETTE.
microcrystalline cellulose: Avicel® PH102 marketed by
FMC
colloidal silica: Syloid® 244FP marketed by BASF
HPMC: Pharmacoat® 603 marketed by SHIN-ETSU
methacrylate copolymer: Eudragit®E100 marketed by ROHM
aspartame: marketed by Nutrasweet.
Method for dissolving pH 1.2
- device: USP type II
-4 blade speed: 50 rpm
—> volume: 900 ml *
- temperature: 37.0°C±0.5°C
- detection: DV spectrophotometry at 210 nm for
hydrocodone bitartrate, 280 nm for oxycodone
hydrochloride, 298 nm for paracetamol.
—> dissolving medium: 0.1N HCl
EXAMPLE 1: Coated particles combining oxycodone hydrochloride
and paracetamol
An aqueous solution containing 30.8 grams of oxycodone
HCl ("oxycodone") and 8.0 grams of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose
("HPMC") as binding agent (25% by weight
relative to oxycodone) is sprayed onto 1000 grams of
paracetamol crystals having a mean size of 350 |im, in a
fluidized air bed of the GPCG-3 type, equipped with a
Wlirster nozzle ("bottom spray") .
1038 grams of the particles obtained after the assembly
step described above are coated, in a GLATT GPCG-3
fluidized air bed equipped with a Wlirster insert, by
spraying an alcohol solution of Eudragit®E100,
comprising 10% by weight of colloidal silica,
calculated relative to the dry weight of polymer.
A total amount of Eudragit®E100 corresponding to 20%
calculated in weight gain relative to the starting
particle mass is applied to the particles.
The final formulation of the coated particles appears
in table 1:
EXAMPLE 2: Orodispersible tablets containing 325 mg of
paracetamol and 10 mg of oxycodone hydrochloride
The coated particles obtained in Example 1 are mixed
with excipients, according to table 2, the mixture thus
obtained is then compressed on an SVIAC PR6 press
equipped with 6 round, flat punches 15 mm in diameter,
so as to obtain an average unit dose of 325 mg of
paracetamol and 10 mg of oxycodone.
The final formulation of the tablets thus obtained
appears in table 2;
A dissolution test in medium with a pH of 1.2 is
carried out according to the method previously
described, in order to determine the in vitro release
kinetics of each of the two active principles (table
4):
particles combining hydrocodone
bitartrate and paracetamol
An aqueous solution containing 30.8 grams of
hydrocodone bitartrate ("hydrocodone") and 9.2 grams of
hydroxypropylmethylcellulose rHPMC") as binder (30% by
weight relative to hydrocodone) is sprayed onto
1000 grams of paracetamol crystals having a mean size
of 350 M-m, in a fluidized air bed of the GPCG-3 type,
equipped with a Wiirster nozzle pbottom spray") .
1039 grams of the particles obtained after the assembly
step described above are coated, in a GLATT GPCG-3
fluidized air bed equipped with a Wiirster insert, by
spraying an alcoholic solution of Eudragit®E100,
comprising 10% by weight of colloidal silica,
calculated relative to the dry weight of polymer.
A total amount of Eudragit®ElOO corresponding to 20%
calculated as weight gain relative to the starting
particle mass is applied to the particles.
The final formulation of the coated particles appears
in table 5:
EXAMPLE 4; Orodispersible tablets containing 325 mg of
paracetamol and 10 mq of hydrocodone bitartrate
The coated particles obtained in Example 3 are mixed
with excipients according to table 5, the mixture thus
obtained is then compressed on an SVIAC PR6 press
equipped with 6 round, flat punches 15 mm in diameter,
so as to obtain a mean unit dose of 325 mg of
paracetamol and 10 mg of hydrocodone.
The final formulation of the tablets thus obtained
appears in table 6:
These tablets have the following characteristics (table
7):
A dissolution test in medium with a pH of 1.2 is
carried out according to the method previously
described, in order to determine the in vitro release
kinetics of each of the two active principles (table
8):





We Claim:
1. A pharmaceutical, active principle-based coated particle in which both the core and the coating contain active principle, wherein the core contains 100% by weight, either 80 to 99% by weight of a first active principle such as herein described while the coating contains from 60 to 99% by weight of a second active principle such as herein described, which is different in nature, the rest up to 100% consisting of at least one binding agent and optionally an antistatic agent and wherein the coated particle has a size between 100 to 500 um.
2. The coated particle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the core contains the active principle present at the highest dose while the coating contains the active principle present at the lowest dose.
3. The coated particle as claimed in claim 2, wherein the ratio between the first active principle and the second active principle is equal to or greater than 5, preferably equal to or greater than 10.
4. The coated particle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the core contains 100% by weight of the first active principle, while the coating contains from 80 to 99% by weight of the second active principle, the rest up to 100% consisting of at least one binding agent and optionally an antistatic agent.
5. The coated particle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said coating contains from 80 to 95% by weight of the second active principle.
6. The coated particle as claimed in either of claims 4 or 5, wherein the rest to 100% of the coating and, where appropriate, of the core consists exclusively of a binding agent, which may be identical or different.
7. The particle as claimed in one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the binding agent is chosen from the group comprising cellulosic polymers, acrylic polymers, povidones, copovidones, polyvinyl alcohols, alginic acid, sodium alginate, starch, pregelatinized starch, sucroses and derivatives thereof, guar gum and polyethylene glycols, alone or as a mixture.
8. The coated particle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the core and/or the coating also contain at least one antistatic agent in proportions ranging respectively up to 10% by weight, preferably up to 3% by weight,

relative to the weight of the core and up to 10% by weight, preferably up to 3% by weight, relative to the weight of the coating.
9. The coated particle as claimed in claim 1, which comprises, in addition to the coating, an additional functional layer, the composition of which is chosen as a function of the desired characteristics of taste masking and/or of release of active principle.
10. The particle as claimed in claim 9, wherein the additional functional layer consists of at least one coating polymer chosen from the group comprising cellulosic polymers and acrylic polymers, alone or as a mixture.
11. The particle as claimed in claim 1, which comprises, between the core and the coating, an intermediate layer based on a polymer chosen from the group comprising cellulosic polymers, acrylic polymers, povidones, copovidones, polyvinyl alcohols, alginic acid, sodium alginate, starch, pregelatinized starch, sucroses and derivatives thereof, guar gum and polyethylene glycols, alone or as a mixture.
12. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the coated particles which is the subject of one of claims 1 to 11.
13. The composition as claimed in claim 12, which is in the form of tablets, in particular multi- particulate tablets which are orodispersible or dispersible.
14. A method for producing a particle coated with active principle having a size between 100 to 500 urn, the core of which contains a first active principle such as herein described while the coating contains a second active principle such as herein described, comprising the following steps:

- preparing the core containing 100% by weight, either 80 to 99% by weight of the first of the first active principle,
- coating the core thus obtained by spraying a solution or suspension comprising from 60 to 99% by weight of a second active principle which is different in nature the rest up to 100% consisting of at least one binding agent and optionally an antistatic agent,
- drying.
15. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the step for preparing the
core consists of granulation of the first active principle in the form of a
powder, using a binding agent in the form of an aqueous or organic
solution or a solvent mixture, and then drying.

16. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the preparation of the core consists of granulometric selection of microcrystals of between 50 urn and 400 µm in size, constituting the first active principle.
17. The method as claimed in claim 14, which contains an additional step of coating with an additional functional layer, the composition of which is chosen as a function of the desired characteristics of taste masking and/or of release of an active principle.
18. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the binding agent is chosen from the group comprising cellulosic polymers, acrylic polymers, povidones, copovidones, polyvinyl alcohols, alginic acid, sodium alginate, starch, pregelatinized starch, sucroses and derivatives thereof, guar gum and polyethylene glycols, alone or as a mixture.



Documents:

3312-DELNP-2005-Abstract-(28-01-2009).pdf

3312-DELNP-2005-Abstract-(30-12-2008).pdf

3312-delnp-2005-abstract.pdf

3312-DELNP-2005-Claims-(14-01-2009).pdf

3312-DELNP-2005-Claims-(28-01-2009).pdf

3312-DELNP-2005-Claims-(30-12-2008).pdf

3312-delnp-2005-claims.pdf

3312-delnp-2005-complete specification (granted).pdf

3312-DELNP-2005-Correspondence-Others-(14-01-2009).pdf

3312-DELNP-2005-Correspondence-Others-(30-12-2008).pdf

3312-delnp-2005-correspondence-others.pdf

3312-DELNP-2005-Description (Complete)-(28-01-2009).pdf

3312-delnp-2005-description (complete).pdf

3312-DELNP-2005-Form-1-(28-01-2009).pdf

3312-delnp-2005-form-1.pdf

3312-delnp-2005-form-18.pdf

3312-DELNP-2005-Form-2-(28-01-2009).pdf

3312-DELNP-2005-Form-2-(30-12-2008).pdf

3312-delnp-2005-form-2.pdf

3312-DELNP-2005-Form-3-(30-12-2008).pdf

3312-delnp-2005-form-3.pdf

3312-delnp-2005-form-5.pdf

3312-delnp-2005-gpa.pdf

3312-delnp-2005-pct-210.pdf

3312-delnp-2005-pct-220.pdf

3312-delnp-2005-pct-237.pdf

3312-delnp-2005-pct-304.pdf

3312-delnp-2005-pct-311.pdf

3312-delnp-2005-pct-332.pdf

3312-delnp-2005-pct-409.pdf

3312-delnp-2005-pct-416.pdf

3312-DELNP-2005-Petition-137-(30-12-2008).pdf


Patent Number 233435
Indian Patent Application Number 3312/DELNP/2005
PG Journal Number 13/2009
Publication Date 27-Mar-2009
Grant Date 30-Mar-2009
Date of Filing 26-Jul-2005
Name of Patentee ETHYPHARM.
Applicant Address 21, RUE SAINT MATHIEU, F-78550 HOUDAN FRANCE.
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 CHENEVIER PHILIPPE 5864 RUE JEANNE MANCE, MONTREAL QUIBEE H2V 4K8 CANADA.
2 MARECHAL DONINIQUE 5970 RUE PAMY, LAVAL, QUEBEE H7H 2W8 CANADA.
PCT International Classification Number A61K
PCT International Application Number PCT/EP2004/050035
PCT International Filing date 2004-01-21
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 0301308 2003-02-05 France