Title of Invention

A PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOSITION

Abstract Crystal forms of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride, hydrates and solvates and processes for their preparation are provided. These crystal forms are either intermediates for the preparation of stable polymorphic form B or are suitable for solid formulations.
Full Text Crystalline forms of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride
The present invention relates to crystal forms of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydro-
chloride and hydrates and solvates thereof. This invention also relates to processes for pre-
paring the crystal forms of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride and hydrates
and solvates thereof. This invention also relates to compositions comprising selected and
stable crystal forms of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride or a hydrate there-
of and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
It is known that the biosynthesis of the neurotransmitting catecholamines from phenylalanine
requires tetrahydrobiopterin cofactor, (6R)-2-amino-4-oxo-6-[(1R,2S)-1,2-dihydroxypropyl]-
5,6,7,8-tetrahydropteridine according to formula (I),

at the monooxygenation step of phenylalanine and tyrosine. It is supposed that the catechol-
amine biosynthesis is regulated in a great extent by tetrahydrobiopterin cofactor, and that a
decrease of the cofactor in central nerve systems causes several neurological disorders
such as parkinsonism and atypical phenylketonuria. Thelcompound of formula I is therefore
an effective therapeutic agent for treatment of said disorders in mammals in need thereof.
The compound of formula I is difficult to handle and it is therefore produced and offered as
its dihydrochloride salt (Schircks Laboratories, CH-8645 Jona, Switzerland) even in ampou-
les sealed under nitrogen to prevent degradation of the substance due to its hygroscopic na-
ture and sensitivity to oxidation. US-A-4 649 197 discloses that separation of (6R)- and 6(S)-
L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride into its diastereomers is difficult due to the poor
crystallinity of 6(R,S)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride. In EP-A1-0 079 574 is
described the preparation of tetrahydrobiopterin, where a solid tetrahydrobiopterin dihydro-

chloride is obtained as an intermediate. S. Matsuura et al. describes in Chemistry Letters
1984, pages 735-738 and Heterocycles, Vol. 23, No. 12, 1985 pages 3115-3120 6(R)-tetra-
hydrobiopterin dihydrochloride as a crystalline solid in form of colourless needles, which are
characterized by X-ray analysis disclosed in J. Biochem. 98, 1341-1348 (1985). An optical
rotation of 6.81° was found the crystalline product, which is quite similar to the optical rota-
tion of 6.51 ° reported for a crystalline solid in form of white crystals in example 6 of EP-A2-0
191 335.
Results obtained during investigation and development of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin
dihydrochloride development revealed that the known crystallinesolids can be designated
as form B, for which was found a characteristic X-ray powder diffraction pattern with charac-
teristic peaks expressed in d-values (A):
8.7 (vs), 6.9 (w), 5.90 (vw), 5.63 (m), 5.07 (m), 4.76 (m), 4.40 (m), 4.15 (w), 4.00 (s), 3.95
(m), 3.52 (m), 3.44 (w), 3.32 (m), 3.23 (s), 3.17 (w), 3.11 (vs), 3.06 (w), 2.99 (w), 2.96 (w),
2.94 (m), 2.87 (w), 2.84 (s), 2.82 (m), 2.69 (w), 2.59 (w), 2.44 (w). A characteristic X-ray
powder diffraction pattern is exhibited in Figure 2.
Here and in the following the abbreviations in brackets mean: (vs) = very strong intensity; (s)
= strong intensity; (m) = medium intensity; (w) = weak intensity; and (vw) = very weak inten-
sity.
Polymorph B is a slightly hygroscopic anhydrate with the highest thermodynamic stability
above about 20 °C. Furthermore, form B can be easily processed and handled due to its
thermal stability, possibility for preparation by targeted conditions, its suitable morphology
and particle size. Melting point is near 260 °C (ΔHf > 140 J/g), but no clear melting point can
be detected due to decomposition prior and during melting. These outstanding properties
renders polymorph form B especially feasible for pharmaceutical application, which are
prepared at elevated temperatures. Polymorph B can be obtained as a fine powder with a
particle size that may range from 0.2 µm to 500 µm.
Hovever, there is a need for other stable forms of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihy-
drochloride with satisfactory chemical and physical stability for a safe handling during ma-
nufacture and formulation as well as providing a high 6torage stability in its pure form or in
formulations. In addition, there is a strong need for processes to produce polymorph B and

chloride is obtained as an intermediate. S. Matsuura et al. describes in Chemistry Letters
1984, pages 735-738 and Heterocycles, Vol. 23, No. 12,1985 pages 3115-3120 6(R)-tetra-
hydrobiopterin dihydrochloride as a crystalline solid in form of colourless needles, which are
characterized by X-ray analysis disclosed in J. Biochem. 98,1341-1348 (1985). An optical
rotation of 6.81° was found the crystalline product, which is quite similar to the optical rota-
tion of 6.51° reported for a crystalline solid in form of white crystals in example 6 of EP-A2-0
191 335.
Results obtained during investigation and development of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin
dihydrochloride development revealed that the known crystalline solids can be designated
as form B, for which was found a characteristic X-ray powder diffraction pattern with charac-
teristic peaks expressed in d-values (A):
8.7 (vs), 6.9 (w), 5.90 (vw), 5.63 (m), 5.07 (m), 4.76 (m). 4.40 (m), 4.15 (w), 4.00 (s), 3.95
(m), 3.52 (m), 3.44 (w), 3.32 (m), 3.23 (s), 3.17 (w), 3.11 (vs), 3.06 (w), 2.99 (w), 2.96 (w),
2.94 (m), 2.87 (w), 2.84 (s), 2.82 (m), 2.69 (w), 2.59 (w), 2.44 (w). A characteristic X-ray
powder diffraction pattern is exhibited in Figure 2.
Here and in the following the abbreviations in brackets mean: (vs) = very strong intensity; (s)
= strong intensity; (m) = medium intensity; (w) = weak intensity; and (vw) = very weak inten-
sity.
Polymorph B is a slightly hygroscopic anhydrate with the highest thermodynamic stability
above about 20 °C. Furthermore, form B can be easily processed and handled due to its
thermal stability, possibility for preparation by targeted conditions, its suitable morphology
and particle size. Melting point is near 260 oC (ΔHf > 140 J/g), but no clear melting point can
be detected due to decomposition prior and during melting. These outstanding properties
renders polymorph form B especially feasible for pharmaceutical application, which are
prepared at elevated temperatures. Polymorph B can be obtained as a fine powder with a
particle size that may range from 0.2 µm to 500 µm.
However, there is a need for other stable forms of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihy-
drochloride with satisfactory chemical and physical stability for a safe handling during ma-
nufacture and formulation as well as providing a high storage stability in its pure form or in
formulations. In addition, there is a strong need for processes to produce polymorph B and

other crystalline forms of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride on a large scale
in a controlled manner
Results obtained during development of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride
indicated that the compound may exist in different crystalline forms, including polymorphic
forms and solvates. The continued interest in this area requires an efficient and reliable me-
thod for the preparation of the individual crystal forms of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin
dihydrochloride and controlled crystallization conditions to provide crystal forms, that are
preferably stable and easy to handle and to process in the manufacture and preparation of
formulations, and that provide a high storage stability in substance form or as formulated
product, or which provide less stable forms suitable as intermediates for controlled crystalli-
sation for the manufacture of stable forms.
1. Polymorphic forms of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride
Polymorphic forms A, B, F, J and K are anhydrates, which absorb up to about 3% by weight
of water when exposed to open air humidity at ambient temperature.
A first object of the invention is crystalline polymorph of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin
dihydrochloride, which exhibits a characteristic X-ray powder diffraction pattern with
characteristic peaks expressed in d-values (A):
15.5 (vs), 12.0 (m), 4.89 (m), 3.70 (s), 3.33 (s), 3.26 (s), and 3.18 (m);
hereinafter designated as form A.
1
In a more preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a crystalline polymorph of
(6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride, which exhibits a characteristic X-ray pow-
der diffraction pattern with characteristic peaks expressed in d-values (A):
15.5 (vs), 12.0 (m), 6.7 (m), 6.5 (m), 6.3 (w), 6.1 (w), 5.96 (w), 5.49 (m), 4.89 (m), 3.79 (m),
3.70 (s), 3.48 (m), 3.45 (m), 3.33 (s), 3.26 (s), 3.22 (m), 3.18 (m), 3.08 (m), 3.02 (w), 2.95
(w), 2.87 (m), 2.79 (w), 2.70 (w);
hereinafter designated as form A.
In another preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a crystalline polymorph of
(6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride, which exhibits characteristic Raman
bands, expressed in wave numbers (cm-1) at:

2934 (w), 2880 (w), 1692 (s), 1683 (m), 1577 (w), 1462 (m), 1360 (w), 1237 (w), 1108 (w),
1005 (vw), 881 (vw), 813 (vw), 717 (m), 687 (m), 673 (m), 659 (m), 550 (w), 530 (w), 492
(m), 371 (m), 258 (w), 207 (w), 101 (s), 87 (s) cm1,
hereinafter designated as form A.
In still another preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a crystalline poly-
morph A of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride, which exhibits a characteristic
X-ray powder diffraction pattern as exhibited in Figure 1.
The polymorph A is slightly hygroscopic and adsorbs water to a content of about 3 percent
by weight, which is continuously released between 50 °C and 200 °C, when heated at a rate
of 10 °C/minute. The polymorph A is a hygroscopic anhydrate which is a meta-stable form
with respect to form B; however, it is stable over several months at ambient conditions if kept
in a tightly sealed container. Form A is especially suitable as intermediate and starting
material to produce stable polymorph forms. Polymorph form A can be prepared as a solid
powder with desired medium particle size range which is typically ranging from 1 µm to
about 500 µm.
Still another object of the invention is crystalline polymorph of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobio-
pterin dihydrochloride, which exhibits a characteristic X-ray powder diffraction pattern with
characteristic peaks expressed in d-values (A):
17.1 (vs), 4.92 (m), 4.68 (m), 3.49 (s), 3.46 (vs), 3.39 (s), 3.21 (m), and 3.19 (m),
hereinafter designated as form F.
In a more preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a crystalline polymorph of
(6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride, which exhibits a characteristic X-ray pow-
der diffraction pattern with characteristic peaks expressed in d-values (A):
17.1 (vs), 12.1 (w), 8.6 (w), 7.0 (w), 6.5 (w), 6.4 (w), 5.92 (w), 5.72 (w), 5.11 (w), 4.92 (m),
4.86 (w), 4.68 (m), 4.41 (w), 4.12 (w), 3.88 (w), 3.83 (w), 3.70 (m), 3.64 (w), 3.55 (m), 3.49
(s), 3.46 (vs), 3.39 (s), 3.33 (m), 3.31 (m), 3.27 (m), 3.21 (m), 3.19 (m), 3.09 (m), 3.02 (m),
and 2.96 (m),
hereinafter designated as form F.

In still another preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a crystalline poly-
morph F of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride, which exhibits a characteristic
X-ray powder diffraction pattern as exhibited in Figure 6.
The polymorph F is slightly hygroscopic and adsorbs water to a content of about 3 percent
by weight, which is continuously released between 50 °C and 200 °C, when heated at a rate
of 10 °C/minute. The polymorph F is a meta-stable form and a hygroscopic anhydrate, which
is more stable than form A at ambient lower temperatures and less stable than form B at
higher temperatures and form F is especially suitable as intermediate and starting material
to produce stable polymorph forms. Polymorph form F can be prepared as a solid powder
with desired medium particle size range which is typically ranging from 1 µm to about 500
µm.
Still another object of the invention is a crystalline polymorph of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobio-
pterin dihydrochloride, which exhibits a characteristic X-ray powder diffraction pattern with
characteristic peaks expressed in d-values (A):
14.6 (m), 3.29 (vs), and 3.21 (vs), hereinafter designated as form J.
In a more preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a crystalline polymorph of
(6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride, which exhibits a characteristic X-ray pow-
der diffraction pattern with characteristic peaks expressed in d-values (A):
14.6 (m), 6.6 (w), 6.4 (w), 5.47 (w), 4.84 (w), 3.29 (vs), and 3.21 (vs),
hereinafter designated as form J.
In still another preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a crystalline poly-
morph J of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride, which exhibits a characteristic
X-ray powder diffraction pattern as exhibited in Figure 10.
The polymorph J is slightly hygroscopic and adsorbs water when handled at air humidity.
The polymorph J is a meta-stable form and a hygroscopic anhydrate, and it can be trans-
formed back into form E from which it is obtained upon exposure to high relative humidity
conditions such as above 75% relative humidity. Form J is especially suitable as intermedi-
ate and starting material to produce stable polymorph forms. Polymorph form J can be pre-
pared as a solid powder with desired medium particle size range which is typically ranging
from 1 µm to about 500 µm.

Still another object of the invention is a crystalline polymorph of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobio-
pterin dihydrochloride, which exhibits a characteristic X-ray powder diffraction pattern with
characteristic peaks expressed in d-values (A):
14.0 (s), 6.6 (w), 4.73 (m), 4.64 (m), 3.54 (m), 3.49 (vs), 3.39 (m), 3.33 (vs), 3.13 (s), 3.10
(m), 3.05 (m), 3.01 (m), 2.99 (m), and 2.90 (m),
hereinafter designated as form K.
In a more preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a crystalline polymorph of
(6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride, which exhibits a characteristic X-ray pow-
der diffraction pattern with characteristic peaks expressed in d-values (A):
14.0 (s), 9.4 (w), 6.6 (w), 6.4 (w), 6.3 (w), 6.1 (w), 6.0 (w), 5.66 (w), 5.33 (w), 5.13 (vw), 4.73
(m), 4.64 (m), 4.48 (w), 4.32 (vw), 4.22 (w), 4.08 (w), 3.88 (w). 3.79 (w), 3.54 (m), 3.49 (vs),
3.39 (m), 3.33 (vs), 3.13 (s), 3.10 (m), 3.05 (m). 3.01 (m), 2.99 (m), and 2.90 (m),
hereinafter designated as form K.
In still another preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a crystalline poly-
morph K of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride, which exhibits a characteristic
X-ray powder diffraction pattern as exhibited in Figure 11.
The polymorph K is slightly hygroscopic and adsorbs water to a content of about 2.0 percent
by weight, which is continuously released between 50 °C and 100 °C, when heated at a rate
of 10 °C/minute. The polymorph K is a meta-stable form and a hygroscopic anhydrate, which
is less stable than form B at higher temperatures and form K is especially suitable as inter-
mediate and starting material to produce stable polymorph forms, in particular form B. Poly-
morph form K can be prepared as a solid powder with desired medium particle size range
which is typically ranging from 1 µm to about 500 µm.
2. Hydrate forms of (6R)-L-ervthro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride
(6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride forms crystalline hydrate forms C, D, E, H
and O, depending from the preparation method.
Still another object of the invention is a crystalline hydrate of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobio-
pterin dihydrochloride, which exhibits a characteristic X-ray powder diffraction pattern with
characteristic peaks expressed in d-values (A):

13.9 (vs), 8.8 (m), 6.8 (m), 6.05 (m), 4.25 (m), 4.00 (m), 3.88 (m), 3.80 (m), 3.59 (s), 3.50
(m), 3.44 (m), 3.26 (s), 3.19 (vs), 3.17 (s), 3.11 (m), 2.97 (m), and 2.93 (vs),
hereinafter designated as form C.
In a more preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a crystalline hydrate of
(6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride, which exhibits a characteristic X-ray pow-
der diffraction pattern with characteristic peaks expressed in d-values (A):
18.2 (m), 15.4 (w), 13.9 (vs), 10.4 (w), 9.6 (w), 9.1 (w), 8.8 (m), 8.2 (w), 8.0 (w), 6.8 (m), 6.5
(w), 6.05 (m), 5.77 (w), 5.64 (w), 5.44 (w), 5.19 (w), 4.89 (w), 4.76 (w), 4.70 (w), 4.41 (w),
4.25 (m), 4.00 (m), 3.88 (m), 3.80 (m), 3.59 (s), 3.50 (m), 3.44 (m), 3.37 (m), 3.26 (s), 3.19
(vs), 3.17 (s), 3.11 (m), 3.06 (m), 3.02 (m), 2.97 (vs), 2.93 (m), 2.89 (m), 2.83 (m), and 2.43
(m),
hereinafter designated as form C.
In still another preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a crystalline hydrate
C of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride, which exhibits a characteristic X-ray
powder diffraction pattern as exhibited in Figure 3.
The hydrate form C is slightly hygroscopic and has a water content of approximately 5.5
percent by weight, which indicates that form C is a monohydrate. The hydrate C has a
melting point near 94 °C (ΔHf is about 31 J/g) and hydrate form C is especially suitable as
intermediate and starting material to produce stable polymorphic forms. Polymorph form C
can be prepared as a solid powder with desired medium particle size range which is typically
ranging from 1 µm to about 500 µm.
Still another object of the invention is a crystalline hydrate of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobio-
pterin dihydrochloride, which exhibits a characteristic X-ray powder diffraction pattern with
characteristic peaks expressed in d-values (A):
8.6 (3), 5.56 (m), 4.99 (m), 4.67 (s), 4.32 (m), 3.93 (vs), 3.17 (m), 3.05 (s), 2.88 (m), and
2.79 (m),
hereinafter designated as form D.
In a more preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a crystalline hydrate of
(6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride, which exhibits a characteristic X-ray pow-
der diffraction pattern with characteristic peaks expressed in d-values (A):

8.6 (s), 6.8 (w), 5.56 (m), 4.99 (m), 4.67 (s), 4.32 (m), 3.93 (vs), 3.88 (w), 3.64 (w), 3.41 (w),
3.25 (w), 3.17 (m), 3.05 (s), 2.94 (w), 2.92 (w), 2.88 (m), 2.85 (w), 2.80 (w), 2.79 (m), 2.68
(w), 2.65 (w), 2.52 (vw), 2.35 (w), 2.34 (w), 2.30 (w), and 2.29 (w),
hereinafter designated as form D.
In still another preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a crystalline hydrate
D of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride, which exhibits a characteristic X-ray
powder diffraction pattern as exhibited in Figure 4.
The hydrate form D is slightly hygroscopic and may have a water content of approximately
5.0 to 7.0 percent by weight, which suggests that form D is a monohydrate. The hydrate D
has a melting point near 153 °C (ΔHf is about 111 J/g) and is of much higher stability than
form C and is even stable when exposed to air humidity at ambient temperature. Hydrate
form D can therefore either be used to prepare formulations or as intermediate and starting
material to produce stable polymorph forms. Polymorph form D can be prepared as a solid
powder with desired medium particle size range which is typically ranging from 1 µm to
about 500 µm.
Still another object of the invention is a crystalline hydrate of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobio-
pterin dihydrochloride, which exhibits a characteristic X-ray powder diffraction pattern with
characteristic peaks expressed in d-values (A):
15.4 (s), 4.87 (w), 3.69 (m), 3.33 (s), 3.26 (vs), 3.08 (m), 2.95 (m), and 2.87 (m),
hereinafter designated as form E.
In a more preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a crystalline hydrate of
(6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride, which exhibits a characteristic X-ray pow-
der diffraction pattern with characteristic peaks expressed in d-values (A):
15.4 (s), 6.6 (w), 6.5 (w), 5.95 (vw), 5.61 (vw), 5.48 (w), 5.24 (w), 4.87 (w), 4.50 (vw), 4.27
(w), 3.94 (w), 3.78 (w), 3.69 (m), 3.60 (w), 3.33 (s), 3.26 (vs), 3.16 (w), 3.08 (m), 2.98 (w),
2.95 (m), 2.91 (w), 2.87 (m), 2.79 (w), 2.74 (w), 2.69 (w), and 2.62 (w),
hereinafter designated as form E.
In still another preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a crystalline hydrate
E of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride, which exhibits a characteristic X-ray
powder diffraction pattern as exhibited in Figure 5.

The hydrate form E has a water content of approximately 10 to 14 percent by weight, which
suggests that form E is a dihydrate. The hydrate E is formed at temperatures below room
temperature. Hydrate form E is especially suitable as intermediate and starting material to
produce stable polymorph forms. It is especially suitable to produce the waterfree form J
upon drying under nitrogen or optionally under vacuum. Form E is non-hygroscopic and
stable under rather high relative humidities, i.e., at relative humidities above about 60% and
up to about 85%. Polymorph form E can be prepared as a solid powder with desired medium
particle size range which is typically ranging from 1 µm to about 500 µm.
Still another object of the invention is a crystalline hydrate of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobio-
pterin dihydrochloride, which exhibits a characteristic X-ray powder diffraction pattern with
characteristic peaks expressed in d-values (A):
15.8 (vs), 3.87 (m), 3.60 (m), 3.27 (m), 3.21 (m), 2.96 (m), 2.89 (m), and 2.67 (m),
hereinafter designated as form H.
In a more preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a crystalline hydrate of
(6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride, which exhibits a characteristic X-ray pow-
der diffraction pattern with characteristic peaks expressed in d-values (A):
15.8 (vs), 10.3 (w), 8.0 (w), 6.6 (w), 6.07 (w), 4.81 (w), 4.30 (w), 3.87 (m), 3.60 (m), 3.27 (m),
3.21 (m), 3.13 (w), 3.05 (w), 2.96 (m), 2.89 (m), 2.82 (w), and 2.67 (m),
hereinafter designated as form H.
In still another preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a crystalline hydrate
H of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride, which exhibits a characteristic X-ray
powder diffraction pattern as exhibited in Figure 8.
The hydrate form H has a water content of approximately 5.0 to 7.0 percent by weight, which
suggests that form H is a hygroscopic monohydrate. The hydrate form H is formed at tem-
peratures below room temperature. Hydrate form H is especially suitable as intermediate
and starting material to produce stable polymorph forms. Polymorph form H can be prepared
as a solid powder with desired medium particle size range which is typically ranging from 1
µm to about 500 µm.

Still another object of the invention is a crystalline hydrate of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobio-
pterin dihydrochloride, which exhibits a characteristic X-ray powder diffraction pattern with
characteristic peaks expressed in d-values (A):
8.8 (m), 6.3 (m), 5.65 (m), 5.06 (m), 4.00 (m), 3.88 (m),3.69 (s), 3.64 (s), 3.52 (vs), 3.49 (s),
3.46 (s), 3.42 (s), 3.32 (m), 3.27 (m), 3.23 (s), 3.18 (s), 3.15 (vs), 3.12 (m), and 3.04 (vs),
hereinafter designated as form O.
In a more preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a crystalline hydrate of
(6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride, which exhibits a characteristic X-ray pow-
der diffraction pattern with characteristic peaks expressed in d-values (A):
15.9 (w), 14.0 (w), 12.0 (w), 8.8 (m), 7.0 (w), 6.5 (w), 6.3 (m), 6.00 (w), 5.75 (w), 5.65 (m),
5.06 (m), 4.98 (m), 4.92 (m), 4.84 (w), 4.77 (w), 4.42 (w), 4.33 (w), 4.00 (m), 3.88 (m), 3.78
(w), 3.69 (s), 3.64 (s), 3.52 (vs), 3.49 (s), 3.46 (s), 3.42 (s), 3.32 (m), 3.27 (m), 3.23 (s), 3.18
(s), 3.15 (vs), 3.12 (m), 3.04 (vs), 2.95 (m), 2.81 (s), 2.72 (m), 2.67 (m), and 2.61 (m),
hereinafter designated as form O.
In still another preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a crystalline hydrate
O of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride, which exhibits a characteristic X-ray
powder diffraction pattern as exhibited in Figure 15.
The hydrate form O is formed at temperatures near room temperature. Hydrate form O is
especially suitable as intermediate and starting material to produce stable polymorph forms.
Polymorph form O can be prepared as a solid powder with desired medium particle size ran-
ge which is typically ranging from 1 µm to about 500 µm.
2. Solvate forms of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride
(6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride forms crystalline solvate forms G, I, L, M
and N, depending from the solvent used in the preparation method.
Still another object of the invention is a crystalline ethanol solvate of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahy-
df obiopterin dihydrochloride, which exhibits a characteristic X-ray powder diffraction pattern
wi.h characteristic peaks expressed in d-values (A):
14.5 (vs), 7.0 (w), 4.41 (w), 3.63 (m), 3.57 (m), 3.49 (w), 3.41 (m), 3.26 (m), 3.17 (m), 3.07
(m), 2.97 (m), 2.95 (m), 2.87 (w), and 2.61 (w),
hereinafter designated as form G.

In a more preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a crystalline ethanol sol-
vate of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride, which exhibits a characteristic X-
ray powder diffraction pattern with characteristic peaks expressed in d-values (A):
14.5 (vs), 10.9 (w), 9.8 (w), 7.0 (w), 6.3 (w), 5.74 (w), 5.24 (vw), 5.04 (vw), 4.79 (w), 4.41 (w),
4.02 (w), 3.86 (w), 3.77 (w), 3.69 (w), 3.63 (m), 3.57 (m), 3.49 (m), 3.41 (m), 3.26 (m), 3.17
(m), 3.07 (m), 2.97 (m), 2.95 (m), 2.87 (w), and 2.61 (w),
hereinafter designated as form G.
In still another preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a crystalline solvate
G of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride, which exhibits a characteristic X-ray
powder diffraction pattern as exhibited in Figure 7.
The ethanol solvate form G has an ethanol content of approximately 8.0 to 12.5 percent by
weight, which suggests that form G is a hygroscopic mono ethanol solvate. The solvate form
G is formed at temperatures below room temperature. Form G is especially suitable as inter-
mediate and starting material to produce stable polymorph forms. Polymorph form G can be
prepared as a solid powder with a desired medium particle size range which is typically ran-
ging from 1 µm to about 500 µm.
Still another object of the invention is a crystalline acetic acid solvate of (6R)-L-erythro-
tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride, which exhibits a characteristic X-ray powder diffraction
pattern with characteristic peaks expressed in d-values (A):
14.5 (m), 3.67 (vs), 3.61 (m), 3.44 (m), 3.11(s), and 3.00 (m),
hereinafter designated as form I.
In a more preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a crystalline acetic acid
solvate of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride, which exhibits a characteristic
X-ray powder diffraction pattern with characteristic peaks expressed in d-values (A):
14.5 (m), 14.0 (w), 11.0 (w), 7.0 (vw), 6.9 (vw), 6.2 (vw), 5.30 (w), 4.79 (w), 4.44 (w),4.29
(w), 4.20 (vw), 4.02 (w), 3.84 (w), 3.80 (w), 3.67 (vs), 3.61 (m), 3.56 (w), 3.44 (m), 3.27 (w),
3.19 (w), 3.11(s), 3.00 (m), 2.94 (w), 2.87 (w), and 2.80 (w),
hereinafter designated as form I.

In still another preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a crystalline acetic
acid solvate I of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride, which exhibits a charac-
teristic X-ray powder diffraction pattern as exhibited in Figure 9.
The acetic acid solvate form I has an acetic acid content of approximately 12.7 percent by
weight, which suggests that form I is a hygroscopic acetic acid mono solvate. The solvate
form I is formed at temperatures below room temperature. Acetic acid solvate form I is
especially suitable as intermediate and starting material to produce stable polymorph forms.
Polymorph form I can be prepared as a solid powder with desired medium particle size
range which is typically ranging from 1 µm to about 500 nm.
Still another object of the invention is a crystalline mixed ethanoi solvate / hydrate of (6R)-L-
erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride, which exhibits a characteristic X-ray powder dif-
fraction pattern with characteristic peaks expressed in d-values (A):
14.1 (vs), 10.4 (w), 6.9 (w), 6.5 (w), 6.1 (w), 4.71 (w),3.46 (m), 3.36 (m), and 2.82 (w),
hereinafter designated as form L.
In a more preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a crystalline mixed etha-
noi solvate / hydrate of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride, which exhibits a
characteristic X-ray powder diffraction pattern with characteristic peaks expressed in d-va-
lues (A):
14.1 (vs), 10.4 (w), 9.5 (w), 9.0 (vw), 6.9 (w), 6.5 (w), 6.1 (w), 5.75 (w), 5.61 (w), 5.08 (w),
4.71 (w), 3.86 (w), 3.78 (w), 3.46 (m), 3.36 (m), 3.06 (w), 2.90 (w), and 2.82 (w),
hereinafter designated as form L.
In still another preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a crystalline mixed
ethanoi solvate / hydrate L of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride, which ex-
hibits a characteristic X-ray powder diffraction pattern as exhibited in Figure 12.
Form L may contain 4% but up to 13% ethanoi and 0% to about 6% of water. Form L may be
transformed into form G when treated in ethanoi at temperatures from about 0°C to 20°C. In
addition form L may be transformed into form B when treated in an organic solvent at ambi-
ent temperatures (10°C to 60°C). Polymorph form L can be prepared as a solid powder with
desired medium particle size range which is typically ranging from 1 µm to about 500 µm.

Still another object of the invention is a crystalline ethanol solvate of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahy-
drobiopterin dihydrochloride, which exhibits a characteristic X-ray powder diffraction pattern
with characteristic peaks expressed in d-values (Å):
18.9 (s), 6.4 (m), and 3.22 (vs),
hereinafter designated as form M.
In a more preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a crystalline ethanol sol-
vate of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride, which exhibits a characteristic X-
ray powder diffraction pattern with characteristic peaks expressed in d-values (A):
18.9 (s), 6.4 (m), 6.06 (w), 5.66 (w), 5.28 (w), 4.50 (w), 4.23 (w), and 3.22 (vs),
hereinafter designated as form M.
In still another preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a crystalline ethanol
solvate M of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride, which exhibits a characteris-
tic X-ray powder diffraction pattern as exhibited in Figure 13.
Form M may contain 4% but up to 13% ethanol and 0% to about 6% of water, which sug-
gests that form M is a slightly hygroscopic ethanol solvate. The solvate form M is formed at
room temperature. Form M is especially suitable as intermediate and starting material to pro-
duce stable polymorph forms, since form M can be transformed into form G when treated in
ethanol at temperatures between about -10° to 15°C, and into form B when treated in orga-
nic solvents such as ethanol, C3 and C4 alcohols, or cyclic ethers such as THF and dioxane.
Polymorph form M can be prepared as a solid powder with desired medium particle size ran-
ge which is typically ranging from 1 µm to about 500 µm.
Still another object of the invention is a crystalline polymorph of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobio-
pterin dihydrochloride, which exhibits a characteristic X-ray powder diffraction pattern with
characteristic peaks expressed in d-values (Å):
19.5 (m), 6.7 (w), 3.56 (m), and 3.33 (vs), 3.15 (w),
hereinafter designated as form N.
In a more preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a crystalline polymorph of
(6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride, which exhibits a characteristic X-ray pow-
der diffraction pattern with characteristic peaks expressed in d-values (A):

19.5 (m), 9.9 (w), 6.7 (w), 5.15 (w), 4.83(w)r 3.91 (w), 3.56 (m), 3.33 (vs), 3.15 (w), 2.89 (w),
2.81 (w), 2.56 (w), and 2.36 (w),
hereinafter designated as form N.
In still another preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a crystalline poly-
morph N of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride, which exhibits a character-
ristic X-ray powder diffraction pattern as exhibited in Figure 14.
Form N may contain in total up to 10% of isopropanol and water, which suggests that form N
is a slightly hygroscopic isopropanol solvate. Form N may be obtained through washing of
form D with isopropanol and subsequent drying in vacuum at about 30 °C. Form N is espe-
cially suitable as intermediate and starting material to produce stable polymorph forms. Po-
lymorph form N can be prepared as a solid powder with desired medium particle size range
which is typically ranging from 1 µm to about 500 µm.
For the preparation of the polymorph forms, there may be used crystallisation techniques
well known in the art, such as stirring of a suspension (phase equilibration in), preci pitation,
re-crystallisation, evaporation, solvent like water sorption methods or decomposition of sol-
vates. Diluted, saturated or super-saturated solutions may be used for crystallisation, with or
without seeding with suitable nucleating agents. Temperatures up to 100 °C may be applied
to form solutions. Cooling to initiate crystallisation and precipitation down to -100 °C and
preferably down to -30 °C may be applied. Meta-stable polymorphs or pseudo-polymorphic
forms can be used to prepare solutions or suspensions for the preparation of more stable
forms and to achieve higher concentrations in the solutions.
4. Preparation of polymorph forms of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride
Polymorph form A
Polymorph form A may be obtained by freeze drying or water removal of solutions of (6R)-L-
erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride in water. A further object of the invention is a
process for the preparation of polymorph form A of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihy-
drochloride, comprising dissolving (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride at am-
bient temperatures in water, (1) cooling the solution to low temperatures for solidifying the
solution, and removing water under reduced pressure, or (2) removing water from said aque-
ous solution.

The crystalline form A can be isolated by filtration and then dried to evaporate absorbed wa-
ter from the product. Drying conditions and methods are known and drying of the isolated
product or water removal pursuant to variant (2) according to the invention may be carried
out in applying elevated temperatures, for example up to 80 °C, preferably in the range from
30 °C to 80 °C, under vacuum or elevated temperatures and vacuum. Prior to isolation of a
precipitate obtained in variant (2), the suspension may be stirred for a certain time for phase
equilibration. The concentration of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride in the
aqueous solution may be from 5 to 40 percent by weight, referred to the solution.
Ambient temperatures may mean a range from 30 to 120 °C. Low temperatures may mean
temperatures below -40 °C and preferably below -60 °C and to -180 °C. A fast cooling is
preferred to obtain solid solutions as starting material. A reduced pressure is applied until
the solvent is completely removed. Freeze drying is a technology well known in the art. The
time to complete solvent removal is dependent on the applied vacuum, which may be from
0.01 to 1 mbar, the solvent used and the freezing temperature.
Polymorph form A is stable at room temperature or below room temperature under substan-
tially water free conditions, which is demonstrated with phase equilibration tests of suspen-
sions in tetrahydrofuran or tertiary-butyl methyl ether stirred for five days and 18 hours re-
spectively under nitrogen at room temperature. Filtration and air drying at room temperature
yields unchanged polymorph form A.
Polymorph B
All crystal forms (polymorphs, hydrates and solvates), inclusive crystal form B, can be used
for the preparation of the most stable polymorph B.
Polymorph B may be obtained by phase equilibration of suspensions of amorphous or other
forms than polymorph form B, such as polymorph A, in suitable polar and non aqueous sol-
vents. The present invention also refers to a process for the preparation of polymorph form B
of (6R)-L-erythrotetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride, comprising dispersion of particles of a
solid form, preferably other than form B, of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochlori-
de in a solvent at room temperature, stirring the suspension at ambient temperatures for a

time sufficient to produce polymorph form B, thereafter isolating crystalline form B and re-
moving the solvent from the isolated form B.
Ambient temperatures may mean temperatures in a range from 0 °C to 60 °C, preferably 20
°C to 40 °C. The applied temperature may be changed during treatment and stirring by de-
creasing the temperature stepwise or continuously. Suitable solvents are for example me-
thanol, ethanol, isopropanol, other C3- and C4-alcohols, acetic acid, acetonitrile, tetrahydro-
furane, methyl-t-butyl ether, 1,4-dioxane, ethyl acetate, isopropyl acetate, other C3-C6-ace-
tates, methyl ethyl ketone and other methyl-C3-C5alkyl-ketones. The time to complete phase
equilibration may be up to 30 hours and preferably up to 20 hours or less than 20 hours.
Polymorph B may also be obtained by crystallisation from solvent mixtures containing up to
about 5% water, especially from mixtures of ethanol, acetic acid and water. The present in-
vention also refers to a process for the preparation of polymorph form B of (6R)-L-erythro-
tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride, comprising dissolution, optionally at elevated tempera-
tures, preferably of a solid lower energy form than form B or of form B of (6R)-L-erythro-tet-
rahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride in a solvent mixture comprising ethanol, acetic acid and
water, addition of seeds to the solution, cooling the obtained suspension and isolation of the
formed crystals.
Dissolution may be carried out at room temperature or up to 70 °C, preferably up to 50 °C.
There may be used the final solvent mixture for dissolution or the starting material may be
first dissolved in water and the other solvents may than be added both or one after the other
solvent. The composition of the solvent mixture may comprise a volume ratio of water: ace-
tic acid : tetrahydrofurane of 1 : 3: 2 to 1: 9:4 and preferably 1 : 5:4. The solution is prefe-
rably stirred. Cooling may mean temperatures down to -40 °C to 0 °C, preferably down to 10
°C to 30 °C. Suitable seeds are polymorph form B from another batch or crystals having a
similar or identical morphology. After isolation, the crystalline form B can be washed with a
non-solvent such as acetone or tetrahydrofurane and dried in usual manner.
Polymorph B may also be obtained by crystallisation from aqueous solutions through the ad-
dition of non-solvents such as methanol, ethanol and acetic acid. The crystallisation and iso-
lation procedure can be advantageously carried out at room temperature without cooling the
solution. This process is therefore very suitable to be carried out at an industrial scale.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention refers to a process for the preparation of
polymorph form B of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride, comprising disso-
lution of a solid form other than form B or of form B of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin
dihydrochloride in water at ambient temperatures, adding a non-solvent in an amount
sufficient to form a suspension, optionally stirring the suspension for a certain time, and
thereafter isolation of the formed crystals.
A crystallization experiment from solution can be followed by a subsequent suspension equi-
libration under ambient conditions.
Ambient temperatures may mean a temperature in the range of 10 to 40 °C, and most prefe-
rably room temperature. The concentration of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydro-
chloride in the aqueous solution may be from 10 to 80 percent by weight, more preferably
from 20 to 60 percent by weight, referred to the solution. Preferred non-solvents are metha-
nol, ethanol and acetic acid. The non-solvent may be added to the aqueous solution. More
preferably, the aqueous solution is added to the non-solvent. The stirring time after formation
of the suspension may be up to 30 hours and preferably up to 20 hours or less than 20
hours. Isolation by filtration and drying is carried out in known manner as described before.
Polymorph form B is a very stable crystalline form, that can be easily filtered off, dried and
ground to particle sizes desired for pharmaceutical formulations. These outstanding proper-
ties renders polymorph form B especially feasible for pharmaceutical application.
Polymorph F
Polymorph F may be obtained by phase equilibration of suspensions of polymorph form A in
suitable polar and non-aqueous solvents, which scarcely dissolve said lower energy forms,
especially alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, propanol and isopropanol. The present in-
vention also refers to a process for the preparation of polymorph form F of (6R)-L-erythro-
tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride, comprising dispersion of particles of solid form A of
(6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride in a non-aqueous solvent that scarcely
dissolves said (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride below room temperature,
stirring the suspension at said temperatures for a time sufficient to produce polymorph form
F, thereafter isolating crystalline form F and removing the solvent from the isolated form F.
Removing of solvent and drying may be carried out under air, dry air or a dry protection gas
such as nitrogen or noble gases and at or below room temperature, for example down to 0

°C. The temperature during phase equilibration is preferably from 5 to 15 °C and most pre-
ferably about 10 °C.
Polymorph J
Polymorph J may be obtained by dehydration of form E at moderate temperatures under va-
cuum. The present invention also refers to a process for the preparation of polymorph form J
of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride, comprising preparation of form E and
removing the water from form E by treating form E in a vacuum drier to obtain form J at mo-
derate temperatures which may mean a temperature in the range of 25 to 70 °C, and most
preferably 30 to 50 °C.
Polymorph K
Polymorph K may be obtained by crystallization from mixtures of polar solvents containing
small amounts of water and in the presence of small amounts of ascorbic acid. Solvents for
the solvent mixture may be selected from acetic acid and an alcohol such as methanol, etha-
nol, n- or isopropanol. The present invention also refers to a process for the preparation of
polymorph form K of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride, comprising dissol-
ving (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride in a mixture of acetic acid and an al-
cohol or tetrahydrofurane containing small amounts of water and a small amount of ascorbic
acid at elevated temperatures, lowering temperature below room temperature to crystallise
said dihydrochloride, isolating the precipitate and drying the isolated precipitate at elevated
temperature optionally under vacuum. Suitable alcohols are for example methanol, ethanol,
propanol and isopropanol, whereby ethanol is preferred. The ratio of acetic acid to alcohol or
tetrahydrofurane may be from 2:1 to 1:2 and preferably about 1:1. Dissolution of (6R)-L-ery-
thro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride can be carried out in presence of a higher water
content and more of the antisolvent mixture can be added to obtain complete precipitation.
The amount of water in the final composition may be from 0.5 to 5 percent by weight and the
amount of ascorbic acid may be from 0.01 to 0.5 percent by weight, both referred to the
solvent mixture. The temperature for dissolution may be in the range from 30 to 100 and
preferably 35 to 70 °C and the drying temperature may be in the range from 30 to 50 °C.
The precipitate may be washed with an alcohol such as ethanol after isolation, e.g. filtration.
The polymorph K can easily be converted in the most stable form B by phase equilibration in
e.g. isopropanol and optionally seeding with form B crystals at above room temperature
such as temperatures from 30 to 40 °C.

5. Preparation of hydrate forms of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride
Form C
Hydrate form C may be obtained by phase equilibration at ambient temperatures of a poly-
morph form such as polymorph B suspension in a non-solvent which contains water in an
amount of preferably about 5 percent by weight, referred to the solvent. The present invent-
tion also refers to a process for the preparation of hydrate form C of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahy-
drobiopterin dihydrochloride, comprising suspending (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihy-
drochloride in a non-solvent such as heptane, C1-C4-alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, 1-
or 2-propanol, acetates, such as ethyl acetate, acetonitrile, acetic acid or ethers such as
terahydrofuran, dioxane, tertiary-butyl methyl ether, or binary or ternary mixtures of such
non-solvents, to which sufficient water is added to form a monohydrate, and stirring the sus-
pension at or below ambient temperatures (e.g. 0 to 30 °C) for a time sufficient to form a mo-
nohydrate. Sufficient water may mean from 1 to 10 and preferably from 3 to 8 percent by
weight of water, referred to the amount of solvent. The solids may be filtered off and dried in
air at about room temperature. The solid can absorb some water and therefore possess a
higher water content than the theoretical value of 5.5 percent by weight. Hydrate form C is
unstable with respect to forms D and B, and easily converted to polymorph form B at tempe-
ratures of about 40 °C in air and lower relative humidity. Form C can be transformed into the
more stable hydrate D by suspension equilibration at room temperature.
Form D
Hydrate form D may be obtained by adding at about room temperature concentrated aque-
ous solutions of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride to an excess of a non-sol-
vent such as hexane, heptane, dichloromethane, 1- or 2-propanol, acetone, ethyl acetate,
acetonitril, acetic acid or ethers such as terahydrofuran, dioxane, tertiary-butyl methyl ether,
or mixtures of such non-solvents, and stirring the suspension at ambient temperatures. The
crystalline solid can be filtered off and then dried under dry nitrogen at ambient temperatu-
res. A preferred non-solvent is isopropanol. The addition of the aqueous solution may car-
ried out drop-wise to avoid a sudden precipitation. The present invention also refers to a pro-
cess for the preparation of hydrate form D of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochlo-
ride, comprising adding at about room temperature a concentrated aqueous solutions of
(6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride to an excess of a non-solvent and stirring
the suspension at ambient temperatures. Excess of non-solvent may mean a ratio of aque-
ous to the non solvent from 1:10 to 1:1000. Form D contains a small excess of water, related

to the monohydrate, and it is believed that it is absorbed water due to the slightly hygrosco-
pic nature of this crystalline hydrate. Hydrate form D is deemed to be the most stable one
under the known hydrates at ambient temperatures and a relative humidity of less than 70%.
Hydrate form D may be used for formulations prepared under conditions, where this hydrate
is stable. Ambient temperature may mean 20 to 30 °C.
Hydrate form E
Hydrate form E may be obtained by adding concentrated aqueous solutions of (6R)-L-ery-
thro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride to an excess of a non-solvent cooled to temperatu-
res from about 10 to -10 °C and preferably between 0 to 10 °C and stirring the suspension at
said temperatures. The crystalline solid can be filtered off and then dried under dry nitrogen
at ambient temperatures. Non-solvents are for example such as hexane, heptane, dichloro-
methane, 1- or 2-propanol, acetone, ethyl acetate, acetonitrile, acetic acid or ethers such as
terahydrofuran, dioxane, tertiary-butyl methyl ether, or mixtures of such non-solvents. A pre-
ferred non-solvent is isopropanol. The addition of the aqueous solution may carried out drop-
wise to avoid a sudden precipitation. The present invention also refers to a process for the
preparation of hydrate form E of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride, compri-
sing adding a concentrated aqueous solutions of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydro-
chloride to an excess of a non-solvent which is cooled to temperatures from about 10 to -10
°C, and stirring the suspension at ambient temperatures. Excess of non-solvent may mean a
ratio of aqueous to the non solvent from 1:10 to 1:1000. A preferred non-solvent is tetrahy-
drofuran. Another preparation process comprises exposing polymorph form B to an air atmo-
sphere with a relative humidity of 70 to 90%, preferably about 80%. Hydrate form E is dee-
med to be a dihydrate, whereby some additional water may be absorbed. Polymorph form E
can be transformed into polymorph J upon drying under vacuum at moderate temperatures,
which may mean between 20°C and 50°C at pressures between 0 and 100 mbar. Form E is
especially suitable for formulations in semi solid forms because of its stability at high relative
humidities.
Form H
Hydrate form H may be obtained by dissolving at ambient temperatures (6R)-L-erythro-tetra-
hydrobiopterin dihydrochloride in a mixture of acetic acid and water, adding then a non-sol-
vent to precipitate a crystalline solid, cooling the obtained suspension and stirring the cooled
suspension for a certain time. The crystalline solid is filtered off and then dried under vacu-
um at ambient temperatures. Non-solvents are for example such as hexane, heptane, di-

chloromethane, 1- or 2-propanol, acetone, ethyl acetate, acetonitrile, acetic acid or ethers
such as terahydrofuran, dioxane, tertiary-butyl methyl ether, or mixtures of such non-sol-
vents. A preferred non-solvent is tetrahydrofuran. The present invention also refers to a pro-
cess for the preparation of hydrate form H of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochlo-
ride, comprising dissolving at ambient temperatures (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihy-
drochloride in a mixture of acetic acid and a less amount than that of acetic acid of water,
adding a non-solvent and cooling the obtained suspension to temperatures in the range of -
10 to 10 X, and preferably -5 to 5 °C, and stirring the suspension at said temperature for a
certain time. Certain time may mean 1 to 20 hours. The weight ratio of acetic acid to water
may be from 2:1 to 25:1 and preferably 5:1 to 15:1. The weight ratio of acetic acid/water to
the non-solvent may be from 1:2 to 1:5. Hydrate form H seems to be a monohydrate with a
slight excess of water absorbed due to the hygroscopic nature.
Form O
Hydrate form O can be prepared by exposure of polymorphic form F to a nitrogen atmosphe-
re containing water vapour with a resulting relative humidity of about 52% for about 24
hours. The fact that form F, which is a slightly hygroscopic anhydrate, can be used to prepa-
re form O under 52% relative humidity suggests that form O is a hydrate, which is more
stable than form F under ambient temperature and humidity conditions.
6. Preparation of solvate forms of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride
Form G
Ethanol solvate form G may be obtained by crystallisation of L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin
dihydrochloride dissolved in water and adding a large excess of ethanol, stirring the obtained
suspension at or below ambient temperatures and drying the isolated solid under air or nitro-
gen at about room temperature. Here, a large excess of ethanol means a resulting mixture
of ethanol and water with less than 10% water, preferably about 3 to 6%. The present in-
vention also refers to a process for the preparation of ethanolate form G of (6R)-L-erythro-
tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride, comprising dissolving at about room temperature to
temperatures of 75 °C (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride in water or in a
mixture of water and ethanol, cooling a heated solution to room temperature and down to 5
to 10 °C, adding optionally ethanol to complete precipitation, stirring the obtained suspen-
sion at temperatures of 20 to 5 °C, filtering off the white, crystalline solid and drying the solid
under air or a protection gas such as nitrogen at temperatures about room temperature. The

process may be carried out in a first variant in dissolving (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin
dihydrochloride at about room temperature in a lower amount of water and then adding an
excess of ethanol and then stirring the obtained suspension for a time sufficient for phase
equilibration. In a second variant, (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride may be
suspended in ethanol, optionally adding a lower amount of water, and heating the suspen-
sion and dissolute (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride, cooling down the so-
lution to temperatures of about 5 to 15 °C, adding additional ethanol to the suspension and
then stirring the obtained suspension for a time sufficient for phase equilibration.
Form I
Acetic acid solvate form I may be obtained by dissolution of L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin
dihydrochloride in a mixture of acetic acid and water at elevated temperature, adding further
acetic acid to the solution, cooling down to a temperature of about 10 °C, then warming up
the formed suspension to about 15 °C, and then stirring the obtained suspension for a time
sufficient for phase equilibration, which may last up to 3 days. The crystalline solid is then
filtered off and dried under air or a protection gas such as nitrogen at temperatures about
room temperature.
Form L
Form L may be obtained by suspending hydrate form E at room temperature in ethanol and
stirring the suspension at temperatures from 0 to 10 °C, preferably about 5 °C, for a time
sufficient for phase equilibration, which may be 10 to 20 hours. The crystalline solid is then
filtered off and dried preferably under reduced pressure at 30°C or under nitrogen. Analysis
by TG-FTIR suggests that form L may contain variable amounts of ethanol and water, i.e. it
can exist as an polymorph (anhydrate), as a mixed ethanol solvate / hydrate, or even as a
hydrate.
Form M
Ethanol solvate form M may be obtained by dissolution of L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin di-
hydrochloride in ethanol and evaporation of the solution under nitrogen at ambient tempe-
rature, i.e., between 10°C and 40°C. Form M may also be obtained by drying of form G un-
der a slight flow of dry nitrogen at a rate of about 20 to 100 ml/min. Depending on the extent
of drying under nitrogen, the remaining amount of ethanol may be variable, i.e. from about
3% to 13%.

Form N
The isopropanol form N may be obtained by dissolution of L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin di-
hydrochloride in 4.0 ml of a mixture of isopropanol and water (mixing volume ratio for ex-
ample 4:1). To this solution is slowly added isopropanol (IPA, for example about4.0 ml) and
the resulting suspension is cooled to 0°C and stirred for several hours (e.g. about 10 to 18
hours) at this temperature. The suspension is filtered and the solid residue washed with iso-
propanol at room temperature. The obtained crystalline material is then dried at ambient
temperature (e.g. about 20 to 30°C) and reduced pressure (about 2 to 10 mbar) for several
hours (e.g. about 5 to 20 hours). TG-FTIR shows a weight loss of 9.0% between 25 to 200
°C, which is attributed to both isopropanol and water. This result suggests that form N can
exist either in form of an isopropanol solvate, or in form of mixed isopropanol solvate /
hydrate, or as an non-solvated form containing a small amount of water.
A further object of the invention is a pharmaceutical composition comprising solid crystal
forms of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride selected from the group consis-
ting of forms A, B, D, E, F, J, K, L and O or a combination thereof, and a pharmaceutically
acceptable carrier or diluent.
As mentioned above, it was found that crystal form B is the most stable form of all found
crystal forms. Crystal form B is especially suitable for various types and a broad range of
formulations, even in presence of humid components without formation of hydrates.
Accordingly, this invention is also directed to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a
pure polymorph form B of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride and a phar-
maceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.
In principle, also forms A, D, E, F, J, K, L and O are suitable for use in pharmaceutical for-
mulations and accordingly, this invention is also directed to a pharmaceutical composition
comprising forms A, D, E, F, J, K, L and O of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydro-
chloride and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent. For forms A, F, J, K and L are
preferably used dry formulation components and products may be kept in sealed containers,
mainly to avoid formation of hydrates. Hydrate forms D, E and O can be used directly in pre-
sence of humid components for the formulation and air humidity must not be excluded.

It was surprisingly found that hydrate form D is the most stable form under the hydrates and
forms B and D are especially suitable to be used in pharmaceutical formulations. Forms B
and D presents some advantages like an aimed manufacture, good handling due to conveni-
ent crystal size and morphology, very good stability under production conditions of various
types of formulation, storage stability, higher solubility, and high bio-availability.
Accordingly, this invention is particularly directed to a pharmaceutical composition compri-
sing polymorph form B or hydrate form D of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochlori-
de and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent
In the following, crystal form is meaning A, B, D, E, F, J, K, L and O.
The amount of crystal forms of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride substanti-
ally depends on type of formulation and desired dosages during administration time periods.
The amount in an oral formulation may be from 0.1 to 50 mg, preferably from 0.5 to 30 mg,
and more preferably from 1 to 15 mg.
The crystal forms of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride may be used toge-
ther with folates such as, folic acid, or tetrahydrofolates. Examples of tetrahydrofolates are
tetrahydrofolic acid, 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolic acid, 10-formyltetrahydrofolic acid, 5-
formyltetrahydrofolic acid or preferably 5-methyltetrahydrofoIic acid, their polyglutamates,
their optically pure diastereoisomers, but also mixtures of diastereoisomers, especially the
racemic mixture, pharmaceutically acceptable salts such as sodium, potassium, calcium or
ammonium salts, each alone, in combination with an other folate or additionally with
arginine. The weight ratio of crystal forms: folic acids or salts thereof: arginine may be from
1:10:10 to 10:1:1.
Oral formulations may be solid formulations such as capsules, tablets, pills and troches, or
liquid formulations such as aqueous suspensions, elixirs and syrups. Solid and liquid formu-
lations encompass also incorporation of crystal forms of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin
dihydrochloride according to the invention into liquid or solid food. Liquids also encompass
solutions of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride for parenteral applications
such as infusion or injection.

The crystal form according to the invention may be directly used as powder (micronized
particles), granules, suspensions or solutions, or it may be combined together with other
pharmaceutically acceptable ingredients in admixing the components and optionally finely
divide them, and then filling capsules, composed for example from hard or soft gelatine,
compressing tablets, pills or troches, or suspend or dissolve them in carriers for suspen-
sions, elixirs and syrups. Coatings may be applied after compression to form pills.
Pharmaceutically acceptable ingredients are well known for the various types of formulation
and may be for example binders such as natural or synthetic polymers, excipients, lubri-
cants, surfactants, sweetening and flavouring agents, coating materials, preservatives, dyes,
thickeners, adjuvants, antimicrobial agents, antioxidants and carriers for the various formu-
lation types.
Examples for binders are gum tragacanth, acacia, starch, gelatine, and biological degradab-
le polymers such as homo- or co-polyesters of dicarboxylic acids, alkylene glycols, polyalky-
lene glycols and/or aliphatic hydroxyl carboxylic acids; homo- or co-polyamides of dicarboxy-
lic acids, alkylene diamines, and/or aliphatic amino carboxylic acids; corresponding poly-
ester-polyamide-co-polymers, polyanhydrides, polyorthoesters, polyphosphazene and poly-
carbonates. The biological degradable polymers may be linear, branched or crosslinked.
Specific examples are poly-glycolic acid, poly-lactic acid, and poly-d.l-lactide/glycolide. Other
examples for polymers are water-soluble polymers such as polyoxaalkylenes (polyoxaethy-
lene, polyoxapropylene and mixed polymers thereof, poly-acrylamides and hydroxylalkylated
polyacrylamides, poly-maleic acid and esters or -amides thereof, poly-acrylic acid and esters
or -amides thereof, poly-vinylalcohol und esters or -ethers thereof, poly-vinylimidazole, poly-
vinylpyrrolidon, und natural polymers like chitosan.
Examples for excipients are phosphates such as dicalcium phosphate.
Examples for lubricants are natural or synthetic oils, fats, waxes, or fatty acid salts like mag-
nesium stearate.
Surfactants may be anionic, anionic, amphoteric or neutral. Examples for surfactants are le-
cithin, phospholipids, octyl sulfate, decyl sulfate, dodecyl sulfate, tetradecyl sulfate, hexade-
cyl sulfate and octadecyl sulfate, Na oleate or Na caprate, 1-acylaminoethane-2-sulfonic
acids, such as 1-octanoylaminoethane-2-sulfonic acid, 1-decanoylaminoethane-2-sulfonic

acid, 1-dodecanoylaminoethane-2-sulfonic acid, 1-tetradecanoylaminoethane-2-sulfonic
acid, 1-hexadecanoylaminoethane-2-sulfonic acid, and 1-octadecanoylaminoethane-2-sul-
fonic acid, and taurocholic acid and taurodeoxycholic acid, bile acids and their salts, such as
cholic acid, deoxycholic acid and sodium glycocholates, sodium caprate or sodium laurate,
sodium oleate, sodium lauryl sulphate, sodium cetyl sulphate, sulfated castor oil and sodium
dioctylsulfosuccinate, cocamidopropylbetaine and laurylbetaine, fatty alcohols, cholesterols,
glycerol mono- or -distearate, glycerol mono- or -dioleate and glycerol mono- or -dipalmitate,
and polyoxyethylene stearate.
Examples for sweetening agents are sucrose, fructose, lactose or aspartam.
Examples for flavouring agents are peppermint, oil of wintergreen or fruit flavours like cherry
or orange flavour.
Examples for coating materials are gelatine, wax, shellac, sugar or biological degradable po-
lymers.
Examples for preservatives are methyl or propylparabens, sorbic acid, chlorobutanol, phenol
and thimerosal.
Examples for adjuvants are fragrances.
Examples for thickeners are synthetic polymers, fatty acids and fatty acid salts and esters
and fatty alcohols.
Examples for antioxidants are vitamins, such as vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D or vitamin E,
vegetable extracts or fish oils.
Examples for liquid carriers are water, alcohols such as ethanol, glycerol, propylene glycol,
liquid polyethylene glycols, triacetin and oils. Examples for solid carriers are talc, clay, micro-
crystalline cellulose, silica, alumina and the like.
The formulation according to the invention may also contain isotonic agents, such as sugars,
buffers or sodium chloride.

The hydrate form D according to the invention may also be formulated as effervescent tablet
or powder, which disintegrate in an aqueous environment to provide a drinking solution.
A syrup or elixir may contain the polymorph of the invention, sucrose or fructose as sweete-
ning agent a preservative like methylparaben, a dye and a flavouring agent.
Slow release formulations may also be prepared from the polymorph according to the inven-
tion in order to achieve a controlled release of the active agent in contact with the body fluids
in the gastro intestinal tract, and to provide a substantial constant and effective level of the
active agent in the blood plasma. The crystal form may be embedded for this purpose in a
polymer matrix of a biological degradable polymer, a water-soluble polymer or a mixture of
both, and optionally suitable surfactants. Embedding can mean in this context the incorpora-
tion of micro-particles in a matrix of polymers. Controlled release formulations are also ob-
tained through encapsulation of dispersed micro-particles or emulsified micro-droplets via
known dispersion or emulsion coating technologies.
The crystal form of this invention is also useful for administering a combination of therapeutic
effective agents to an animal. Such a combination therapy can be carried out in using at
least one further therapeutic agent which can be additionally dispersed or dissolved in a
formulation.
The crystal form of this invention and its formulations respectively can be also administered
in combination with other therapeutic agents that are effective to treat a given condition to
provide a combination therapy.
The crystal form and the pharmaceutical composition according to the invention are highly
suitable for effective treatment of neurological disorders.
Another object of the invention is a method of delivering crystal forms of (6R)-L-erythro-tet-
rahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride according to the invention to a host, comprising administe-
ring to a host an effective amount of a polymorph according to the invention.
A further object of the invention is the use of crystal forms of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobio-
pterin dihydrochloride for the manufacture of a medicament useful in the treatment of neuro-
logical disorders.

The following examples illustrate the invention without limiting the scope.
A) Preparation of polymorph forms
Within the Examples A1, A5, A6 and A7 (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride
from Schircks Laboratories, CH-8645 Jona, Switzerland was used as starting material.
Example A1: Preparation of polymorph form A of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydro-
chloride
1.05 gram of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride are dissolved in 4.0 ml of bi-
distilled water at 23 ±2 °C. The solution is filtrated through a 0.22 µm millipore filtration unit
and the filtrate is transferred into a 250 ml round flask. The solution in this flask is frozen by
placing the flask into a bed with solid carbon dioxide at -78°C. The flask with the frozen
content is then connected to a laboratory freeze dryer operating at a starting pressure of
about 0.05 mbar. After about 20 hours the freeze drying is complete and the vacuum flask is
disconnected from the freeze dryer and about 1.0 g of white, crystalline solid material is
obtained. Investigation of the obtained solid by powder X-ray diffraction reveals form A,
which shows the powder X-ray diffraction pattern as exhibited in table 1 and figure 1. Further
investigation of the obtained solid by thermogravimetry coupled with infrared spectroscopy at
a heating rate of 10°C/minute reveals a water content of about 3% with a nearly continuous
release of the water between 50°C and 200°C. The sample begins to decompose above 200
°C.



Example A2: Stability of polymorph form A
105 mg of polymorph A according to example A1 are suspended in 1.0 ml tertiary butyl me-
thyl ether (TBME). The suspension is stirred under nitrogen atmosphere for about 18 hours
at room temperature, filtrated and the white solid residue is then dried under air. Yield: 103
mg of crystalline white solid, which essentially still corresponds to form A according to FT
Raman spectrum and X-ray diffraction pattern.
Example A3: Stability of polymorph form A
90 mg of polymorph A according to example A1 are suspended in 2.0 ml tetrahydrofuran
(THF) and the resulting suspension is stirred in air for five days at room temperature, filtrated
and the white solid residue is then dried under air. Yield: 85 mg of crystalline white solid,
which still corresponds to form A according to FT Raman spectrum and X-ray diffraction pat-
tern.
Example A4: Preparation of polymorph form B of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydro-
chloride from polymorph form A
94 mg o1 (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride as polymorph form A according
to example A1 are suspended in 1.0 ml of ethanol in a 4.0 ml glass vial under nitrogen. The
obtained suspension is stirred at a temperature of 23 °C for about 18 hours. After that time
the white suspension is filtrated and the obtained crystalline solid is dried at 23°C under ni-
trogen atmosphere for about 1 hour. Investigation of the obtained solid by powder X-ray dif-
fraction reveals a crystalline form B, which shows the powder X-ray diffraction pattern as ex-
hibited in table 2 and in figure 2.
Table 2: D-Spacing for form B


Example A5: Preparation of polymorph form B of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydro-
chloride
337 mg of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride are dissolved in 0.5 ml of bi-
distilled water. 300 µl of this aqueous solution are added drop wise into a 22 ml glass vial
containing 10.0 ml of ethanol. Upon addition of the aqueous solution to the ethanol, a white
suspension is formed that is further stirred at 23 °C for about 15 hours. Thereafter a white,
crystalline material is obtained by filtration and drying under nitrogen at 23 °C for about 1
hour. Yield is 74 mg. Investigation of the obtained solid reveals a powder X-ray diffraction
pattern and Raman spectrum, which are identical to those described in example A4.
Example A6: Preparation of polymorph form B of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydro-
chloride
337 mg of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride are dissolved in 0.5 ml of bi
distilled water. 300 µl of this aqueous solution are added drop-wise into a 22 ml glass vial

containing 10.0 ml of acetic acid. Upon addition of the aqueous solution to the acetic acid, a
white suspension is formed that is further stirred at 23 °C for about 15 hours. Thereafter a
white crystalline material is obtained by filtration and drying under nitrogen for about 2 hours
and 23 °C. Yield is 118 mg. Investigation of the obtained solid by Raman spectroscopy
reveals an identical spectrum as described in example A4.
Example A7: Preparation of polymorph form B of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydro-
chloride
1.0 g of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride are added to 4 ml bi-distilled
water in a test-tube. This aqueous solution is added to 20 ml 100% acetic acid in a glass vial
at room temperature. A gelatine-like precipitate is formed that dissolves within several
minutes. Then 16 ml tetrahydrofurane are added and the solution is seeded with polymorph
B crystals. A suspension is formed during stirring for 10 minutes at room temperature. This
suspension is cooled to 0 °C and stands then for 1 hour at this temperature. The precipitate
is filtered off, washed with tetrahydrofurane and then dried under vacuum for 17 hours at 20
°C and 10 mbar. There are obtained 0.74 g of beige crystals in the polymorph form B, that
reveals a powder X-ray diffraction pattern and Raman spectrum, which are identical to those
described in example A4.
Example A8: Preparation of polymorph form B of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydro-
chloride from a mixture of hydrate form C and ethanol solvate form G
60.5 mg hydrate form C according to example B1 and 60.6 mg ethanol solvate form G ac-
cording to example C1 are suspended in 1.0 ml ethanol (EtOH) under nitrogen. The slurry is
stirred over night at room temperature, filtrated and dried in air. Yield: 96.4 mg white crystal-
line solid, which corresponds to form B according to FT Raman spectrum and X-ray diffrac-
tion pattern.
Example A9: Preparation of polymorph form B of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydro-
chloride from a mixture of polymorph form B and ethanol solvate form G
60.4 mg ethanol solvate form G according to example C1 and 60.3 mg polymorph form B
according to example A4 are suspended under nitrogen atmosphere in 1.0 ml ethanol, stir-
red over night at room temperature, filtrated and then dried in air. Yield: 86.4 mg white cry-
stalline solid, which corresponds to form B according to FT Raman spectrum and X-ray dif-
fraction pattern.

Example A10: Preparation of polymorph form B of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihy-
drochloride from a mixture of hydrate form C and polymorph form B
60.7 mg polymorph form B according to example A4 and 60.5 mg hydrate form C according
to example B1 are suspended under nitrogen in 1.0 ml EtOH. The resulting suspension is
stirred over night at room temperature, filtrated and dried in air. Yield: 86.6 mg white, crystal-
line solid, which corresponds to form B according to FT Raman spectrum and X-ray diffrac-
tion pattern.
Example A11: Preparation of polymorph form B of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihy-
drochloride from polymorph form A according to example A1
105 mg of polymorph form A according to example A1 are suspended in 2.0 ml THF contain-
ing 2.5% by weight of water. The suspension is stirred at room temperature under nitrogen
atmosphere for about 48 hours, filtrated and dried under nitrogen for 20 hours at room tem-
perature. Yield: 91 mg of white, crystalline solid, which corresponds to form B according to
FT Raman spectrum and X-ray diffraction pattern.
Example A12: Preparation of polymorph form B of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihy-
drochloride from hydrate form E according to example B8
115 mg of hydrate form E according to example B8 are suspended in 1.5 ml EtOH. The sus-
pension is stirred at room temperature under nitrogen atmosphere for about 22 hours, filtra-
ted and dried under nitrogen. Yield: 75 mg of white, crystalline solid, which corresponds to
form B according to FT Raman spectrum and X-ray diffraction pattern.
Example A13: Preparation of polymorph form B of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihy-
drochloride from polymorph form B according to example A4
205 mg of polymorph form B according to example A4 are suspended in 2.0 ml isopropanol
(IPA) containing 5% by weight of water. The suspension is stirred for 24 hours at room tem-
perature, and then filtered and dried under 53% relative humidity in air. Yield: 116 mg of whi-
te, crystalline solid, which corresponds to form B according to FT Raman spectrum and X-
ray diffraction pattern.
Example A14: Preparation of polymorph form B of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihy-
drochloride from polymorph form B according to example A4
205 mg of polymorph form B according to example A4 are suspended in 2.0 ml IPA contai-
ning 5% by weight of water. The suspension is stirred for 24 hours at 3°C, then filtered and

dried under 53% relative humidity in air. Yield: 145 mg of white, crystalline solid, which cor-
responds to form B according to FT Raman spectrum and X-ray diffraction pattern.
Example A15: Preparation of polymorph form B of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihy-
drochloride from polymorph form A according to example A1
203 mg polymorph form A according to example A1 are suspended in 2.0 ml IPA and the
suspension is stirred at 40°C for 18 hours, filtered and then dried in air at room temperature.
Yield: 192 mg of white, crystalline solid, which corresponds to form B according to FT
Raman spectrum and X-ray diffraction pattern.
Example A16: Preparation of polymorph form B of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihy-
drochloride from polymorph form B according to example A4
200 mg polymorph form B according to example A4 are dissolved in 800 µI water. 4.0 ml
acetic acid and then 3.0 ml THF added and the resulting suspension is stirred at room tem-
perature for 19 hours. The solid is filtered off and dried in air at room temperature. Yield: 133
mg of white, crystalline solid, which corresponds to form B according to FT Raman spectrum
and X-ray diffraction pattern.
Example A17: Preparation of polymorph form B of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihy-
drochloride from polymorph form B according to example A4
256 mg polymorph form B according to example A4 are dissolved in 4.0 ml acetic acid / H20
(4:1) and 4.0 ml acetic acid are added then. The formed suspension is stirred at 20°C for
about 20 hours, filtered and then dried in air for 4 hours. Yield: 173 mg of white, crystalline
solid, which corresponds to form B according to FT Raman spectrum and X-ray diffraction
pattern.
Example A18: Preparation of polymorph form B of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihy-
drochloride from acetic acid solvate form I according to example C7
51 mg of acetic acid solvate form I according to example C7 is suspended in 1.0 ml EtOH
and seeded with 7 mg of form B. The suspension is stirred for 20 hours at room
temperature, filtered and dried in air at room temperature. Yield: 52 mg of white, crystalline
solid, which corresponds to form B according to FT Raman spectrum and X-ray diffraction
pattern.

Example A19: Preparation of polymorph form B of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihy-
drochloride from polymorph form B according to example A4
304 mg of polymorph form B according to example A4 are suspended in 10.0 ml acetic acid
and 100 µl water are added. The suspension is cooled to 13°C, seeded with 5 mg form B,
stirred at 13°C for 16 hours, filtered and then dried under nitrogen at room temperature.
Yield: 276 mg of white, crystalline solid, which corresponds to form B according to FT Ra-
man spectrum and X-ray diffraction pattern.
Example A20: Preparation of polymorph form B of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihy-
drochloride from polymorph form B according to example A4
304 mg of polymorph form B according to example A4 are suspended in 5.0 ml IPA and 100
µl water are added. The suspension is cooled to 3°C, stirred at 3°C for 16 hours, filtered and
dried in air at room temperature. Yield: 272 mg of white, crystalline solid, which corresponds
to form B according to FT Raman spectrum and X-ray diffraction pattern.
Example A21: Preparation of polymorph form B of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihy-
drochloride from polymorph form B according to example A4
296 mg polymorph form B according to example A4 are dissolved in 15 ml methanol at 50°
C. The solution is cooled to 5°C and about 9 ml solvent are evaporated. Stirring of the ob-
tained suspension is then continued at 10 °C for 30 minutes. The suspension is filtered and
the solid residue is then dried under nitrogen at room temperature. Yield: 122 mg of white,
crystalline solid, which corresponds to form B according to FT Raman spectrum and X-ray
diffraction pattern.
Example A22: Preparation of polymorph form B of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihy-
drochloride from polymorph form K according to example A28
116 mg of polymorph form K according to example A28 and 7 mg of polymorph form B are
suspended in 2.0 ml IPA. The suspension is stirred at 35°C for about 20 hours, filtered and
then dried in air at 40 °C for about 1 hour. Yield: 98 mg of white, crystalline solid, which cor-
responds to form B according to FT Raman spectrum and X-ray diffraction pattern.
Example A23: Preparation of polymorph form B of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihy-
drochloride from hydrate form E according to example B8
120 mg hydrate form E according to example B8 are suspended in 10 ml EtOH. The obtai-
ned suspension is stirred at room temperature for 15 hours, filtered and then dried under ni-

trogen at room temperature. Yield: 98 mg of white, crystalline solid, which corresponds to
form B according to FT Raman spectrum and X-ray diffraction pattern.
Example A24: Stability test of polymorph form B of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihy-
drochloride
a) Storage stability
Polymorph form B of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride is stored during 8
months in a minigrip bag at 40 °C and 75% relative humidity. Purity of the product is deter-
mined in different intervals by HPLC. The result is given in table 3.

The result demonstrates the unusual and unexpected high storage stability of polymorph
form B, which makes it especially suitable for preparation of a stable active substance and
processing in the manufacture of formulations and storage stable medicaments.
b) Treatment of polymorph form B under the following various conditions does not effect the
polymorph form B, which is recovered after the test:
128.2 mg polymorph form B are suspended under nitrogen in 1.0 ml methanol (MeOH). Thje
white suspension is stirred for 5 hours at room temperature, filtrated and dried under nitro-
gen at room temperature. Yield: 123.4 mg white crystalline solid, polymorph form B.
123.2 mg polymorph form B are suspended under nitrogen in 2.0 ml EtOH. The white sus-
pension is stirred over night at room temperature, filtrated and then dried under nitrogen at
room temperature. Yield: 118.6 mg white crystalline solid, polymorph form B.
117.5 mg polymorph form B are suspended under nitrogen in 2.0 ml acetone. The white sus-
pension is stirred over night at room temperature, filtrated and dried under nitrogen room
temperature. Yield: 100.3 mg white crystalline solid, polymorph form B.
124.4 mg polymorph form B are suspended under nitrogen in 2.0 ml 2-Propanol. The white
suspension is stirred over night at room temperature, filtrated and dried under nitrogen room
temperature. Yield: 116.1 mg white crystalline solid, polymorph form B.

100.2 mg polymorph form B are suspended in 2.0 ml EtOH in air. The white suspension is
stirred in air over a weekend at room temperature, filtrated and then dried in air at room tem-
perature. Yield: 94.2 mg of slightly yellow crystalline solid, polymorph form B. 119.1 mg of
this slightly yellow crystalline solid, polymorph form B are suspended under nitrogen in 1.0
ml THF. The white suspension is stirred for about 20 hours at room temperature, filtrated
and dried in air at room temperature. Yield: 114.5 mg of slightly yellow crystalline solid, poly-
morph form B.
126 mg of polymorph form B are suspended in 2.0 ml acetonitrile containing 2% by weight of
water. The suspension is stirred for about 20 hours at room temperature under nitrogen at-
mosphere, filtrated and then drying under nitrogen. Yield: 116 mg of crystalline white solid,
polymorph form B.
122 mg of polymorph form B are suspended in 2.0 ml ethyl acetate containing 2% by weight
of water. The suspension is stirred at room temperature under nitrogen atmosphere for
about 23 hours, filtrated and dried in air. Yield: 92 mg of crystalline white solid, polymorph
form B.
366 mg of polymorph form B are stored in an open container under air at 75% relative humi-
dity at 40°C for 5 days. The solid is after this storage time at elevated temperature still poly-
morph form B.
Example A25: Preparation of polymorph form F of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihy-
drochloride from polymorph form A according to example A1
102 mg of polymorph form A according to example A1 are suspended in 1.0 ml IPA. The
suspension is stirred at room temperature under nitrogen atmosphere for about 19 hours, fil-
trated and dried in air. Yield: 102 mg of a crystalline white solid. Investigation of the obtained
solid by powder X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy reveals a crystalline form F. TG-
FTIR: weight loss between 25-200 °C of 1.3% is attributed to water.
Example A26: Preparation of polymorph form F of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihy-
drochloride from polymorph form A according to example A1
97 mg of polymorph form A according to example A1 are suspended in 2.0 ml IPA. The sus-
pension is stirred at 10°C for 22 hours, filtered and then dried under nitrogen at room tempe-

rature. Yield: 58 mg. The crystalline, white solid is polymorph form F, which shows the pow-
der X-ray diffraction pattern as exhibited in table 4 and in figure 6.

Example A27: Preparation of polymorph form J of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihy-
drochloride from polymorph form E according to example B8
250 mg of form E of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride are dissolved in 5.0
ml acetic acid and 1.0 ml water. To this solution 4.0 ml THF are added and the resulting sus-

pension is slowly cooled to 5°C. Stirring is continued for about 16 hours before the sus-
pension is filtered and obtained crystalline solid is dried under vacuum at ambient tempera-
ture. Yield: 179 mg mg of a crystalline white solid. Investigation of the obtained solid by pow-
der X-ray diffraction reveals a crystalline form J, which shows the powder X-ray diffraction
pattern as exhibited in table 5 and in figure 10. TG-FTIR: weight loss between 25-200 °C of
0.6% is attributed to water.

Example A28: Preparation of polymorph form K of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihy-
drochloride from polymorph form B according to example A4
2.00 g of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride form B and 0.2 g of ascorbic
acid are dissolved in 8.0 ml water. Subsequently, 40 ml acetic acid are added to this solution
and then 30 ml of THF are slowly added to induce the crystallization. The resulting suspen-
sion is cooled to 0°C and stirring is continued at 0°C for about one hour before the solid is
separated by filtration and washed with about 5 ml of ethanol of 0°C. The obtained crystal-
line solid is then again suspended in 30 ml ethanol at 0°C resulting suspension is stirred at
0°C for about 2 hours before the suspension is filtered and the obtained crystals are washed
with 5 ml of ethanol of 0°C. The obtained crystals are dried at 30°C under reduced pressure
(8 mbar) for about 16 hours. Yield: 1.36 g of white crystalline solid. Investigation of the ob-
tained solid by powder X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy reveals a crystalline form
K, which shows the powder X-ray diffraction pattern as exhibited in table 6 and in figure 11.
TG-FTIR: weight loss between 25-200 °C of 0.6% which % is attributed to water.


B) Preparation of hydrate forms of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride
Example B1: Preparation of hydrate form C of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydro-
chloride from polymorph form B according to example A4
116 mg of polymorph form B are suspended in 1.0 ml acetonitrile containing 50 µl water.
This suspension is stirred at room temperature for about 22 hours, filtrated and then dried in
air at room temperature. Yield: 140 mg of a crystalline white solid, designated as form C.
TG-FTIR shows a weight loss of 5.3% between 25 to 200 °C, attributed to water and indica-
ting a monohydrate. DSC: melting point near 94°C, ΔH ~ 31 J/g. Investigation of the obtain-

ed solid by powder X-ray diffraction reveals a crystalline form C, which shows the powder X-
ray diffraction pattern as exhibited in table 7 and in figure 3.



Example B2: Stability of hydrate form C of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride
71 mg of hydrate form C according to example B1 are stored under 52% relative humidity
and at room temperature for 17 days. Hydrate form C is retained.
Example B3: Preparation of hydrate form D of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydro-
chloride from polymorph form B according to example A4
A solution of 330 mg polymorph form B according to example A4 in 1.0 ml water is prepared.
600 )il of this solution are added drop-wise to 10.0 ml 2-propanol at room temperature and
stirred for about 2 hours. The precipitated solid is filtered off and dried at room temperature
in air. Yield: 180 mg of a crystalline, white solid, designated as form D. TG-FTIR shows a
weight loss of 4.8% between 25 to 200 °C, attributed to water. Karl Fischer titration results in
a water content of 6 %. DSC: melting point near 153 °C, ΔH~ 111 J/g. Investigation of the
obtained solid by powder X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy reveals a crystalline
form D, which shows the powder X-ray diffraction pattern as exhibited in table 8 and in figure
4.



Example B4: Preparation of hydrate form D of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydro-
chloride from polymorph form B according to example A4
246 mg of polymorph form B according to example A4 are dissolved in 4.0 ml IPA / H2O
(4:1) at 40°C. 4.0 ml IPA are then added and the solution is cooled to 20°C. The formed
suspension is stirred for about 20 hours at 20°C. The solid is filtered off and dried in air at
room temperature for about 4hours. A comparison with the crystalline solid of example B3
reveals formation of hydrate form D.
Example B5: Preparation of hydrate form D of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydro-
chloride from polymorph form B according to example A4
252 mg of polymorph form B according to example A4 are dissolved in 4.0 ml IPA / H2O
(4:1) at 40°C. 4.0 ml IPA are added and the solution is slowly cooled to 5°C. At 25°C 5 mg
of seed crystals of form D are added. The temperature is changed to room temperature. The
suspension is stirred for 40 hours, filtered and then dried in air for 5 hours at room
temperature. A comparison with the crystalline solid of example B3 reveals formation of
hydrate form D.
Example B6: Preparation of hydrate form D of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydro-
chloride from hydrate form C according to example B1
700 mg of from hydrate form C according to example B1 are suspended in IPA/H2O (9:1).
The suspension is stirred for 5 hours at room temperature, filtered and the solid dried in air

at room temperature. Yield: 470 mg of white, crystalline solid, corresponding to hydrate form
D.
Example B7: Treatment of hydrate form D of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochlo-
ride in isopropanol
105 mg of hydrate form D according to example B3 are suspended in 2.0 ml IPA. The sus-
pension is stirred at room temperature for about 18 hours, filtered and the solid then dried in
air at room temperature for about 4 hours. The obtained solid is the unchanged hydrate form
D.
Example B8: Preparation of hydrate form E of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydro-
chloride from polymorph form B according to example A4
489 mg of polymorph form B according to example A4 are dissolved in 1.0 ml water. The
aqueous solution is added at 5°C to 20 ml THF. The formed suspension is stirred for about
20 hours at 5°C, filtrated and dried under nitrogen at room temperature. Yield: 486 mg of a
crystalline, pale yellow solid, designated as form E. TG-FTIR shows a weight loss of 10.8%
between 25 to 200 °C, attributed to water. Karl Fischer titration results in a water content of
11.0 %, which suggests a dihydrate. Investigation of the obtained solid by powder X-ray dif-
fraction reveals a crystalline form E, which shows the powder X-ray diffraction pattern as ex-
hibited in table 9 and in figure 5.



Example B9: Preparation of hydrate form E of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydro-
chloride from polymorph form B according to example A4
10 ml THF are cooled to 5°C and then 400 µl of a concentrated aqueous solution containing
about 160 mg polymorph form B according to example A4 is added drop-wise under stirring.
The resulting suspension is stirred at 5°C for about 2 hours at 5°C, then the precipitated
solid is filtered off and dried in air at room temperature. Yield: 123.2 mg pale yellow crystalli-
ne solid, corresponding to hydrate form E.
Example B10: Preparation of hydrate form E of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydro-
chloride from polymorph form B according to example A4
306 mg of polymorph form B according to example A4 are dissolved in 1.5 ml water. The
water is evaporated from the aqueous solution under nitrogen at room temperature to
dryness. The pale yellow crystalline residue corresponds to hydrate form E.
Example B1.1: Preparation of hydrate form E of (6R)-l-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydro-
chloride from polymorph form A according to example A1
71 mg of polymorph form A according to example A1 are stored in air under 52% relative hu-
midity at room temperature for 17 days. The obtained pale yellow crystalline solid corres-
ponds to hydrate form E. Hydrate form E is retained, when this solid is are stored in air un-
der 52% relative humidity at room temperature for 17 days.
Example B12: Preparation of hydrate form E of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydro-
chloride from polymorph form B according to example A4
200 mg of polymorph form B according to example A4 are dissolved in 800 µl water. 4.0 ml
acetic acid and then 3.0 ml THF are added the solution. The suspension is stirred at 0°C for

19 hours, the solid filtered off and dried in air at room temperature. Yield: 159 mg pale yellow
crystalline solid corresponding to hydrate form E.
Example B13: Preparation of hydrate form H of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydro-
chloride from polymorph form B according to example A4
250 mg of polymorph form B according to example A4 are dissolved in a mixture of 5.0 ml
acetic acid and 1.0 ml water. To this solution are added 10 ml of THF as non-solvent. The
obtained suspension is cooled to 0°C and then stirred for 18 hours at 0°C. After addition of
THF the void volume of the glass vial is purged with nitrogen and the cap is closed. The so-
lid is filtered off and dried 24 hours room temperature under vacuum. Yield: 231 mg of a cry-
stalline, pale yellow solid, designated as form H. TG-FTIR shows a weight loss of 6.5% bet-
ween 25 to 200 °C, attributed to water. Karl Fischer titration results in a water content of
6.34 %.. Investigation of the obtained solid by powder X-ray diffraction reveals a crystalline
form H, which shows the powder X-ray diffraction pattern as exhibited in table 10 and in
figure 8.

Example B14: Preparation of hydrate form O of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydro-
chloride from polymorph form F according to example A26.
About 50 mg of polymorph form F according to example A26 are placed on an powder X-ray
diffraction sample holder of 0.8 mm thickness (TTK type, obtained form Anton Paar GmbH,

Graz, Austria). The prepared sample holder is placed in the closed sample chamber of a
Philips X'Pert powder X-ray diffractometer and the sample chamber is purged with nitrogen
and partially saturated with water vapour to a resulting relative humidity of about 52%. After
an exposure time of about 24 hour a powder X-ray diffraction pattern is recorded. Investiga-
tion of the obtained solid sample by powder X-ray diffraction reveals a crystalline form O,
which shows the powder X-ray diffraction pattern as exhibited in table 11 and in figure 15.



C) Preparation of solvate forms of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride
Example C1: Preparation of form G of(6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride
from polymorph form B according to example A4
245 mg of polymorph form B according to example A4 are suspended in 4.0 ml ethanol. 0.5
ml water are added and the mixture is heated to 70°C to dissolve form B. The solution is
cooled to 10 °C. 2 ml of ethanol are added and the formed suspension is stirred for about 4
hours at 10°C. The solid is filtered off and dried for about 30 minutes under a slight flow of
nitrogen at room temperature. Yield: 190 mg of crystalline white solid designated as form G.
TG-FTIR shows a weight loss of 11.5% between 25 to 200 °C, which is attributed to loss of
ethanol and suggests an ethanol solvate. Investigation of the obtained solid by powder X-ray
diffraction reveals a crystalline form G, which shows the powder X-ray diffraction pattern as
exhibited in table 12 and in figure 7.



Example C2: Preparation of form G of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride
from polymorph form B according to example A4
200 mg of polymorph form B according to example A4 are dissolved in 400 nl water then
precipitated with the addition of 10 ml ethanol. A precipitate is formed and the suspension is
stirred for 17 hours at 0°C. The solid is filtered off and dried in air at room temperature for
about 1 hour. Yield: 161 mg of crystalline white solid corresponding to ethanol solvate G
according to example C1.
Example C3: Preparation of form L of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride
from hydrate form E according to example B8
104 mg of hydrate form E according to example B8 are suspended in ethanol and the sus-
pension is stirred at 4°C for about 16 hours. The solid is filtered off and dried under nitrogen
at room temperature. Yield: 100 mg of crystalline white solid designated as form L. TG-FTIR
shows a weight loss of 9.1% between 25 to 200 °C, which is attributed to ethanol and water.
This weight loss suggests a mixed water / ethanol solvate. Investigation of the obtained solid
by powder X-ray diffraction reveals a crystalline form L, which shows the powder X-ray dif-
fraction pattern as exhibited in table 13 and in figure 12.



Example C4: Preparation of form L of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride
from form B according to example A4
2.0 g of form B according to example A4 are dissolved in 3.0 ml of water. This solution is
slowly added to 70 ml absolute ethanol (not denaturated) at room temperature. Approxima-
tely 300 mg of ascorbic acid are added to the aqueous solution and the void volume of the
suspension is purged with nitrogen to prevent oxidation. The resulting suspension is cooled
to 0°C and stirred at this temperature for about three hours. Thereafter the suspension is fil-
tered and the solid residue is washed with 6.0 g ethanol and dried for 18 hours at 35°C un-
der reduced pressure (8 mbar). Yield: 1.41 g. TG-FTIR shows a weight loss of 3.0% bet-
ween 25 to 200 °C, attributed to water. This results suggests that form L can exist either in
form of an ethanol solvate, or in form of mixed ethanol solvate / hydrate, or as an non-sol-
vated form containing as small amount of water. The solid residue comprises form L as
shown by a comparison of powder X-ray diffraction pattern with that in example.
Example C5: Preparation of form M of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride
from polymorph form B according to example A4
120 mg of form B of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride according to example
A4 are dissolved in 100 ml of absolute ethanol at 40°C. This solution is evaporated to dry-
ness under a slight flow of nitrogen. The obtained crystalline white solid is designated as
form M. TG-FTIR shows a weight loss of 9.1% between 25 to 200 °C, attributed to ethanol
and water, suggesting a mixed water/ethanol solvate. Investigation of the obtained solid by
powder X-ray diffraction reveals a crystalline form M, which shows the powder X-ray dif-
fraction pattern as exhibited in table 14 and in figure 13.


Example C6: Preparation of form N of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride
from ethanol solvate form B according to example A4
250 mg of form B according to example A4 are dissolved in 4.0 ml of a mixture of isopropa-
nol and water (4:1). To this solution 4.0 ml of IPA are slowly added and the resulting sus-
pension is cooled to 0°C and stirred for about 18 hours at this temperature. The suspension
is filtered and the solid residue washed with 4 ml of isopropanol at room temperature. The
obtained crystalline material is then dried at 30°C and reduced pressure (8 mbar) for about
18 hours. Yield: 150 mg. TG-FTIR shows a weight loss of 9.0% between 25 to 200 °C, which
is attributed to both isopropanol and water. This result suggests that form N can exist either
in form of an isopropanol solvate, or in form of mixed isopropanol solvate / hydrate, or as an
non-solvated form containing a small amount of water. Investigation by powder X-ray diffrac-
tion shows that the solid residue comprises form N, which shows the powder X-ray diffrac-
tion pattern as exhibited in table 15 and in figure 14.

Example C7: Preparation of acetic acid solvate form I of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin
dihydrochloride from polymorph form B according to example A4
252 mg of polymorph form B according to example A4 are dissolved at 40°C in 4.0 ml acetic
acid /water (4:1). 4.0 ml acetic are then added acid and the solution is cooled to 5° C. The
resulting suspension is stirred for 66 hours. The solid is filtered off and dried in air for 5
hours at room temperature. Yield: 190 mg of crystalline white solid designated as form I. TG-
FTIR reveals that form I contains about 12.7% by weight of acetic acid, which suggests an
acetic acid solvate. Investigation of the obtained solid by powder X-ray diffraction reveals a

crystalline form I, which shows the powder X-ray diffraction pattern as exhibited in table 16
and in figure 9.

Experimental:
Powder X-ray Diffraction (PXRD): PXRD is performed either on a Philips 1710 or on a
Philips X'Pert powder X-ray diffractometer using CUKΑ radiation. D-spacings are calculated
from the 28 using the wavelength of the Cukα1 radiation of 1.54060 A. The X-ray tube was
operated at a Voltage of 45kV (or 40 kV with X'Pert Instrument), and a current of 45 mA (or
40 mA with X'Pert Instrument). A step size of 0.02°, and a counting time of 2.4 s per step is
applied. Generally, 2θ values are within an error of ±0.1-0.2°. The experimental error on the
d-spacing values is therefore dependent on the peak location.

TG-FTIR: Thermogravimetric measurements are carried out with a Netzsch Thermo-Micro-
balance TG 209 coupled to a Bruker FT1R Spectrometer Vector 22 (sample pans with a
pinhole, N2 atmosphere, heating rate 10 K/min).
Raman spectroscopy: FT-Raman spectra are recorded on a Bruker RFS 100 FT-Raman
system with a near infrared Nd:YAG laser operating at 1064 nm and a liquid nitrogen-cooled
germanium detector. For each sample, 64 scans with a resolution of 2 cm-1 are accumula-
ted. Generally, 300 mW laser power is used.
Brief description of the drawings
Figure 1 is a characteristic X-ray powder diffraction pattern for form A
Figure 2 is a characteristic X-ray powder diffraction pattern for form B
Figure 3 is a characteristic X-ray powder diffraction pattern for form C
Figure 4 is a characteristic X-ray powder diffraction pattern for form D
Figure 5 is a characteristic X-ray powder diffraction pattern for form E
Figure 6 is a characteristic X-ray powder diffraction pattern for form F
Figure 7 is a characteristic X-ray powder diffraction pattern for form G
Figure 8 is a characteristic X-ray powder diffraction pattern for form H
Figure 9 is a characteristic X-ray powder diffraction pattern for form I
Figure 10 is a characteristic X-ray powder diffraction pattern for form J
Figure 11 is a characteristic X-ray powder diffraction pattern for form K
Figure 12 is a characteristic X-ray powder diffraction pattern for form L
Figure 13 is a characteristic X-ray powder diffraction pattern for form M
Figure 14 is a characteristic X-ray powder diffraction pattern for form N
Figure 15 is a characteristic X-ray powder diffraction pattern for form O

WE CLAIM:
1. A process for preparing a crystalline polymorph of (6R)-L-erythro-
tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride, which exhibits a characteristic X-ray powder
diffraction pattern with characteristic peaks expressed in d-values (A):
8.7 (vs),5.63 (m),4.76 (m),4.40 (m), 4.00 (s), 3.23 (s),3.11 (vs), preferably 8.7
(vs),6.9 (w), 5.90 (vw), 5.63 (m),5.07 (m),4.76 (m),4.40 (m), 4.15 (w), 4.00 (s),
3.95 (m),3.52 (m),3.44 (w), 3.32 (m),3.23 (s), 3.17 (w),3.11 (vs), 3.06 (w),2.99
(w),2.96 (w),2.94 (m), 2.87 (w),2.84 (s), 2.82 (m),2.69 (w),2.59 (w),2.44 (w); or
which exhibits a characteristic X-ray powder diffraction pattern as exhibited in
Figure 2; hereinafter form B,
the process comprising
A) dispersing a solid form of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride
in a solvent that scarcely dissolves said solid form of (6R)- L-erythro-
tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride, and stirring the obtained suspension;
or
B) dissolving a solid form of (6R)- L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride
in a solvent, cooling the solution, and optionally seeding to the solution;
or
C) dissolving a solid form of (6R)- L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride
in a solvent, combining the obtained solution with a sufficient amount of a non-
solvent to form a suspension, and optionally stirring and/or cooling and/or
seeding the solution;
and thereafter optionally isolating the formed crystalline form B and removing the
solvent from the isolated form B.

2. A process according to claim 1, wherein in C), the solvent in water.
3. A process according to claim 1, wherein the solid form of (6R)- L-erythro-
tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride is amorphous.
4. A process according to claim 1, wherein
in A),
the solvent is selected from methanol, ethanol, C3 and C4 alcohols, acetic acid,
acetonitrile, tetrahydrofuran, methyl-t-butyl ether, 1,4-dioxane, C3-C6 acetates,
methyl ethyl ketone,methyl
C3-C5 alkyl ketones, and combinations thereof;
In B),
the dissolving step is performed at a temperature in of about 20° Celsius to about
70° Celsius; and/or
the cooling step is performed at a temperature of about -40° Celsius to about 0°
Celsius; and/or the suspension contains less than about 5% of water by weight
based on the total weight of the suspension; and/or
the solvent comprises a mixture of water, acetic acid, and tetrahydrofuran; and/or
the solvent is a mixture by volume of water to acetic acid to tetrahydrofuran at a
ratio of between 1:3:2 to 1:9:4;
in C),
the cooling step is performed at a temperature of about -40° Celsius to about 0°
Celsius; and/or
the dissolving step is performed at a temperature of about 10° Celsius to about
40° Celsius;
and/or

the non-solvent is selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol,acetic
acid, and combinations thereof; and/or
the concentration of (6R)- L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride in the
solvent is about 10% to about 80% by weight.
5. A process according to claim 4, wherein
in B) the solvent is a mixture by volume of water to acetic acid to tetrahydrofuran
of about 1:5:4;
in C) the dissolving step is performed at a temperature of about 23° Celsius;
and/or
the concentration of (6R)- L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride in the
solvent is about 20% to about 60% by weight.


Crystal forms of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride, hydrates and
solvates and processes for their preparation are provided. These crystal forms
are either intermediates for the preparation of stable polymorphic form B or are
suitable for solid formulations.

Documents:

01661-kolnp-2006 correpondence-1.2.pdf

01661-kolnp-2006 correspondence other-1.1.pdf

01661-kolnp-2006 form-18.pdf

01661-kolnp-2006 form-26.pdf

01661-kolnp-2006-abstract.pdf

01661-kolnp-2006-claims.pdf

01661-kolnp-2006-correspondence other.pdf

01661-kolnp-2006-description (complete).pdf

01661-kolnp-2006-drawings.pdf

01661-kolnp-2006-form-1.pdf

01661-kolnp-2006-form-2.pdf

01661-kolnp-2006-form-3.pdf

01661-kolnp-2006-form-5.pdf

01661-kolnp-2006-international publication.pdf

01661-kolnp-2006-international search authority report.pdf

01661-kolnp-2006-pct form.pdf

1661-KOLNP-2006-(03-10-2011)-AMANDED CLAIMS.pdf

1661-KOLNP-2006-(03-10-2011)-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

1661-KOLNP-2006-(27-09-2011)-AMANDED CLAIMS.pdf

1661-KOLNP-2006-(27-09-2011)-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

1661-kolnp-2006-abstract.pdf

1661-KOLNP-2006-CLAIMS-1.1.pdf

1661-kolnp-2006-claims.pdf

1661-kolnp-2006-correspondence 1.1.pdf

1661-KOLNP-2006-CORRESPONDENCE-1.2.pdf

1661-KOLNP-2006-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

1661-kolnp-2006-description (complete).pdf

1661-kolnp-2006-drawings.pdf

1661-kolnp-2006-examination report reply recieved.pdf

1661-KOLNP-2006-EXAMINATION REPORT.pdf

1661-kolnp-2006-form 1.pdf

1661-KOLNP-2006-FORM 18.pdf

1661-kolnp-2006-form 2.pdf

1661-KOLNP-2006-FORM 26.pdf

1661-KOLNP-2006-FORM 3.1.pdf

1661-kolnp-2006-form 3.pdf

1661-KOLNP-2006-FORM 5.pdf

1661-KOLNP-2006-GRANTED-ABSTRACT.pdf

1661-KOLNP-2006-GRANTED-CLAIMS.pdf

1661-KOLNP-2006-GRANTED-DESCRIPTION (COMPLETE).pdf

1661-KOLNP-2006-GRANTED-DRAWINGS.pdf

1661-KOLNP-2006-GRANTED-FORM 1.pdf

1661-KOLNP-2006-GRANTED-FORM 2.pdf

1661-KOLNP-2006-GRANTED-SPECIFICATION.pdf

1661-kolnp-2006-others.pdf

1661-KOLNP-2006-OTHERS1.1.pdf

1661-kolnp-2006-petition under rule 137 1.1.pdf

1661-kolnp-2006-petition under rule 137.pdf

1661-KOLNP-2006-REPLY TO EXAMINATION REPORT-1.1.pdf

1661-KOLNP-2006-REPLY TO EXAMINATION REPORT.pdf


Patent Number 252305
Indian Patent Application Number 1661/KOLNP/2006
PG Journal Number 19/2012
Publication Date 11-May-2012
Grant Date 08-May-2012
Date of Filing 15-Jun-2006
Name of Patentee MERCK EPROVA AG
Applicant Address IM LATERNENACKER 5, CH-8200 SCHAFFHAUSEN
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 MOSER, RUDOLF LAHNHALDE 11, CH-8200 SCHAFFHAUSEN
2 EGGER, THOMAS DORFSTRASSE 43, CH-8310 KEMPTHAL
3 BLATTER, FRITZ OERINSTRASSE 67, CH-4153 REINACH,
4 GROEHN, VIOLA BAHNHOFSTRASSE 2, CH-8447 DACHSEN
PCT International Classification Number C07D 475/04
PCT International Application Number PCT/IB2004/004447
PCT International Filing date 2004-11-17
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 60/520,377 2003-11-17 U.S.A.