PIPERAQUINE MICROCAPSULES AND COMPOSITIONS CONTAINING THEM

1 . A taste-masked microcapsule pharmaceutical composition of a bisquinoline drug, wherein the microcapsule comprises a drug core of a pharmaceutically effective amount of a bisquinoline drug and a coating over the core of a polymeric material, and having an average weight of the coating of said microcapsule of from about 2 to about 40% weight of the total weight of the microcapsule composition.

2 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the bisquinoline is selected from the group consisting of hydroxypiperaquine, dichlorquinazine, 1,4-bis(7-chloro-4-quinolylamino) piperazine, and piperaquine, or a salt, solvate, or prodrug thereof.

3 . The composition of claim 2 , wherein the bisquinoline is piperaquine tetraphosphate tetrahydrate.

4 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the polymeric material is selected from the group consisting of ethylcellulose, polyvinyl acetate, cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate butyrate, ammonium-methacrylate copolymers, cellulose acetate phthalate, cellulose acetate butyrate, polymethacrylates, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phthalate, carboxymethyl ethylcellulose, polylactic acid and mixtures thereof.

5 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the polymeric material is water insoluble.

6 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the coating is deposited by coacervation.

7 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the polymeric material is ethylcellulose.

8 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the average weight of the coating of said microcapsule is from about 5 to about 30% weight of the total weight of the microcapsule composition.

9 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the average weight of the coating of said microcapsule is from about 10 to about 20% weight of the total weight of the microcapsule composition.

10 . The composition of claim 1 , in combination with another active agent.

11 . The composition of claim 10 , wherein the other active agent is chemically sensitive.

12 . The composition of claim 1 , is in a form of a free-flowing material, of a powder, tablet, capsule or sachet.

13 . The composition of claim 12 , wherein the tablet is chewable or orally dispersible tablet.

14 . A process for preparing composition of claim 1 , comprising: (a) forming a mixture comprising a drug core of a pharmaceutically effective amount of a bisquinoline drug, a polymeric material, and an organic solvent, (b) inducing the phase separation of the polymeric material from the solvent onto the drug, and (c) separating the composition from the organic solvent.

15 . The process of claim 14 , wherein step (a) further comprises a material for promoting phase separation of the polymeric material.

16 . The process of claim 14 , wherein the polymeric material is selected from the group consisting of ethylcellulose, polyvinyl acetate, cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate butyrate, ammonium-methacrylate copolymers, cellulose acetate phthalate, cellulose acetate butyrate, polymethacrylates, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phthalate, carboxymethyl ethylcellulose, polylactic acid and mixtures thereof.

17 . The process of claim 14 , wherein the polymeric material is ethylcellulose.

18 . The process of claim 15 , wherein material for promoting phase separation is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polyisobutylene, butyl rubber, polybutadiene, organosilicon polymer, and paraffin.

19 . The process of claim 18 , wherein the material is polyethylene.

20 . The process of claim 14 , wherein the bisquinoline drug is piperaquine tetraphosphate tetrahydrate.

21 . The process of claim 14 , further comprising steps: (d) mixing the separated composition and at least one other excipient to prepare a compressible blend and (e) compressing said compressible blend into tablets.

22 . The process of claim 21 , wherein the polymeric material is ethylcellulose.

23 . The process of claim 21 further comprising adding in step (d) at least one other chemically sensitive active agent.