Anti-inflammatory androstane derivative compositions
There is provided a crystalline chemical composition comprising a compound of formula (I) in which the crystal lattice is stabilized by the presence of a guest molecule, characterized in the crystalline composition is of space group P2 1 2 1 2 1 having unit cell dimensions of about 7.6±0.6 Å, 12.7±0.7 Å, and 33±3 Å when determined at 120 K.
1. A crystalline chemical composition comprising a compound of formula (I)
in which the crystal lattice is stabilised by the presence of a guest molecule, characterised in the crystalline composition is of space group P2 1 2 1 2 1 having unit cell dimensions of about 7.6±0.6 Å, 12.7±0.7 Å, and 33±3 Å when determined at 120 K.
2. A composition according to claim 1 wherein the guest molecule preferably has a relative molecular weight in the range 16 to 150.
3. A composition according to claim 1 wherein the guest molecule conains a moiety capable of acting as a hydrogen bond acceptor.
4. A composition according to claim 1 wherein the guest molecule is diethylamine.
5. A composition according to claim 1 wherein the guest molecule is triethylamine.
6. A composition according to claim 1 wherein the guest molecule is dipropylamine.
7. A composition according to claim 1 wherein the ratio of compound of formula (I) to guest molecule is 1:2.0-0.3.
8. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a composition according to claim 1 together with a physiologically acceptable diluent or carrier.
9. A method for the treatment of a human or animal subject with an inflammatory and/or allergic condition, which method comprises administering to said human or animal subject an effective amount of the composition according to claim 1 .
10. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a composition according to claim 1 in combination with another therapeutically active agent.
11. A composition according to claim 10 wherein the other therapeutically active ingredient is a long acting β 2 -adrenoreceptor agonist.
12. A process for preparing a composition according to claim 1 which comprises
(a) crystallising the composition from a solution containing a compound of formula (I) and the guest molecule; or
(b) contacting the compound of formula (I) or another composition according claim 1 in solid form with a liquid containing the guest molecule and obtaining the composition therefrom; or
(c) contacting a compound of formula (I) or another composition according to claim 1 in solid form with a vapour containing the guest molecule.