IP Library Granted Patent US 8,759,368
Granted Patent B2
US 8,759,368 · App. 13/378,800 · Granted Jun 24, 2014

Benzoic acid, benzoic acid derivatives and heteroaryl carboxylic acid conjugates of hydrocodone, prodrugs, methods of making and use thereof

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,759,368
App. No.
13/378,800
Granted
Jun 24, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

The presently described technology provides compositions comprising aryl carboxylic acids chemically conjugated to hydrocodone (morphinan-6-one, 4,5-alpha-epoxy-3-methoxy-17-methyl) to form novel prodrugs/compositions of hydrocodone, including benzoates and heteroaryl carboxylic acids, which have a decreased potential for abuse of hydrocodone. The present technology also provides methods of treating patients, pharmaceutical kits and methods of synthesizing conjugates of the present technology.

Claims (13)

1. A method for treating pain in an individual comprising the step of orally administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of a composition comprising a conjugate, wherein the conjugate is benzoate-hydrocodone (Bz-HC) having the following structure:

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the conjugate exhibits an improved AUC and rate of release over time when compared to unconjugated hydrocodone over the same time period; exhibits less variability in the oral PK profile when compared to unconjugated hydrocodone; or has reduced side effects when compared with unconjugated hydrocodone.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the composition is provided in a dosage form selected from the group consisting of: a tablet, a capsule, a caplet, a suppository, a troche, a lozenge, an oral powder, a solution, an oral film, a thin strip, a slurry, and a suspension.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the conjugate is provided in an amount sufficient to provide a therapeutically bioequivalent AUC when compared to unconjugated hydrocodone.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the conjugate is provided in an amount sufficient to provide a therapeutically bioequivalent AUC and C max when compared to an equivalent molar amount of unconjugated hydrocodone.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the conjugate is provided in an amount sufficient to provide a therapeutically bioequivalent AUC and a lower C max when compared to an equivalent molar amount of unconjugated hydrocodone.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the composition is used for treating pain mediated by binding of an opioid primarily to μ opioid receptors of the patient.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the conjugate binds reversibly to the μ opioid receptors of the patient.

9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the conjugate binds reversibly to the μ opioid receptors of the patient without a CNS depressive effect.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the composition also reduces narcotic or opioid abuse.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the composition also reduces narcotic or opioid withdrawal.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the composition also reduces oral, intranasal or intravenous narcotic or opioid abuse.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the composition also provides oral, intranasal or parenteral narcotic or opioid abuse resistance.

Assignments (7)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 13, 2026
From: ALTER DOMUS (US) LLC
To: ZEVRA THERAPEUTICS, INC.
Reel/Frame 075080/0907 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 8, 2024
From: ZEVRA THERAPEUTICS, INC.
To: ALTER DOMUS (US) LLC
Reel/Frame 067040/0637 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 23, 2024
From: KEMPHARM, INC.
To: ZEVRA THERAPEUTICS, INC.
Reel/Frame 066664/0108 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 9, 2021
From: DEERFIELD PRIVATE DESIGN FUND III, L.P.
To: KEMPHARM, INC.
Reel/Frame 056803/0133 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 28, 2020
From: KEMPHARM, INC.
To: DEERFIELD PRIVATE DESIGN FUND III, L.P.
Reel/Frame 051968/0714 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 3, 2014
From: KEMPHARM, INC.
To: DEERFIELD PRIVATE DESIGN FUND III, L.P.
Reel/Frame 033079/0927 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 23, 2012
From: MICKLE, TRAVIS; GUENTHER, SVEN; MICKLE, CHRISTAL; CHI, GUOCHEN; KANSKI, JAROSLAW; MARTIN, ANDREA K.; BERA, BINDU
To: KEMPHARM, INC.
Reel/Frame 027753/0751 →