IP Library Granted Patent US 11,534,404
Granted Patent B2
US 11,534,404 · App. 16/338,948 · Granted Dec 27, 2022

Multilayer beads for pharmaceutical use

Inventors: Deepak Tiwari (Rockville, MD); Yasuhiro Harada (Chiyada-ku, JP); Ryu Hirata (Hyogo, JP)
Assignee: Sucampo AG
A61K9/1676A61K9/1611A61K9/1635A61K9/1652A61K9/5026A61K31/558A61K9/0053
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,534,404
App. No.
16/338,948
Granted
Dec 27, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

Multilayer beads for pharmaceutical use having a drug-in-polymer layer are disclosed. The disclosed multilayer beads for pharmaceutical use have (a) a core particle; (b) an optional barrier layer coated on the surface of the core particle; (c) a drug-in-polymer layer coated on the surface of the core or the barrier layer, (d) an optional sealant layer coated on the surface of the drug-in-polymer layer; and (e) optionally one or more outer layers external to the drug-in-polymer layer or the sealant layer. The drug-in-polymer layer consists essentially of (i) a drug selected from the group consisting of a 15-keto prostaglandin drug, a 13,14-dihydro prostaglandin drug, and a 13,14-dihydro-15-keto prostaglandin drug; and (ii) a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyvinylpyrrolidone, vinylpyrrolidone-vinylacetate copolymer or a mixture thereof. The drug-in-polymer layer may be solid dispersion of the drug in the polymer. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising a plurality of multilayer beads and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient and methods of treating a gastrointestinal disorder are also disclosed.

Claims (49)

1. A multilayer bead comprising:

(a) a core particle, wherein the core particle is drug-free;

(b) an optional barrier layer coated on the surface of the core particle;

(c) a drug-in-polymer layer coated on the surface of the core particle or, when present, the barrier layer, wherein the drug-in-polymer layer comprises:

(i) a drug selected from the group consisting of a 15-keto prostaglandin drug, a 13,14-dihydro prostaglandin drug, and a 13,14-dihydro-15-keto prostaglandin drug; and

(ii) a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyvinylpyrrolidone, vinylpyrrolidone-vinylacetate copolymer, and a mixture thereof;

(d) an optional sealant layer coated on the surface of the drug-in-polymer layer; and

(e) optionally one or more outer layers external to the drug-in-polymer layer or, when present, the sealant layer.

2. The multilayer bead of claim 1 , wherein the core particle is selected from the group consisting of microcrystalline cellulose particles, silica particles, and sugar particles.

3. The multilayer bead of claim 1 , wherein the drug is selected from the group consisting of:

(−)-7-[(2R,4aR,5R,7aR)-2-(1,1-difluoropentyl)-2-hydroxy-6-oxooctahydrocyclopenta[b]pyran-5-yl]heptanoic acid, (lubiprostone);

(−)-7-{(2R,4aR,5R,7aR)-2-[(3S)-1,1-difluoro-3-methylpentyl]-2-hydroxy-6-oxooctahydrocyclopenta[b]pyran-5-yl}heptanoic acid, (cobiprostone);

(+)-isopropyl (Z)-7-[(IR,2R,3R,5S)-3,5-dihydroxy-2-(3-oxodecyl)cyclopentyl]hept-5-enoate, (isopropyl unoprostone);

(Z)-7-[(IR,2R,3R,5S)-3,5-dihydroxy-2-(3-oxodecyl)cyclopentyl]hept-5-enoic acid;

(−)-7-[(1R,2R)-2-(4,4-difluoro-3-oxooctyl)-5-oxocyclopentyl]heptanoic acid; and

(E)-7-[(1R,2R)-2-(4,4-difluoro-3-oxooctyl)-5-oxocyclopentyl]hept-2-enoic acid.

4. The multilayer bead of claim 1 , wherein the drug is present in an amount from about 0.01 μg to about 0.2 μg.

5. The multilayer bead of claim 1 , wherein the drug and the polymer are present in a relative amount from about 1 part drug per about 0.2 part polymer to about 1 part drug per about 10,000 parts polymer.

6. The multilayer bead of claim 1 , wherein the barrier layer is present and comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyvinylpyrrolidone, vinylpyrrolidone-vinylacetate copolymer, and a mixture thereof.

7. The multilayer bead of claim 1 , wherein the sealant layer is present and comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyvinylpyrrolidone, vinylpyrrolidone-vinylacetate copolymer, and a mixture thereof.

8. The multilayer bead of claim 1 , wherein at least one outer layer is present and comprises a polymer that insoluble at a pH ranging from 5 to 8 and is soluble at pH ranging from 1 to 4, or a polymer that is insoluble at a pH ranging from 6 to 8 and is soluble at pH ranging from 1 to 5.

9. The multilayer bead of claim 1 , wherein at least one outer layer is present and comprises a methacrylate-based polymer.

10. The multilayer bead of claim 1 , wherein the barrier layer is present and comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyvinylpyrrolidone, vinylpyrrolidone-vinylacetate copolymer, and a mixture thereof, and the sealant layer is present and comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyvinylpyrrolidone, vinylpyrrolidone-vinylacetate copolymer, and a mixture thereof.

11. The multilayer bead of claim 10 , wherein:

(a) the core particle comprises microcrystalline cellulose;

(b) the barrier layer comprises a vinylpyrrolidone-vinyl acetate copolymer;

(c) the drug-in-polymer layer comprises a therapeutically effective amount of lubiprostone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or isomer thereof and a vinylpyrrolidone-vinyl acetate copolymer; and

(d) the sealant layer comprises a vinylpyrrolidone-vinyl acetate copolymer.

12. The multilayer bead of claim 1 , wherein:

(a) the core particle comprises microcrystalline cellulose;

(b) the barrier layer is present and comprises a vinylpyrrolidone-vinyl acetate copolymer;

(c) the drug-in-polymer layer comprises a therapeutically effective amount of lubiprostone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or isomer thereof and a vinylpyrrolidone-vinyl acetate copolymer;

(d) the sealant layer is present and comprises a vinylpyrrolidone-vinyl acetate copolymer; and

(e) one outer layer is present and comprises a copolymer comprising butyl methacrylate.

13. The multilayer bead of claim 12 , wherein the barrier layer, drug-in-polymer layer, sealant layer, outer layer, or any combination thereof comprises one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients.

14. The multilayer bead of claim 13 , wherein the one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients is talc, polyethylene glycol, or a combination thereof.

15. The multilayer bead of claim 12 , wherein lubiprostone is present in an amount from about 0.01 μg to about 0.2 μg.

16. The multilayer bead of claim 15 , wherein the amount of lubiprostone is from about 0.04 μg to about 0.08 μg.

17. The multilayer bead of claim 12 , wherein lubiprostone and the vinylpyrrolidone-vinyl acetate copolymer are present in a relative amount from about 1 part lubiprostone per about 0.2 part vinylpyrrolidone-vinyl acetate copolymer to about 1 part lubiprostone per about 10,000 parts vinylpyrrolidone-vinyl acetate copolymer.

18. The multilayer bead of claim 17 , wherein the relative amount of lubiprostone and the vinylpyrrolidone-vinyl acetate copolymer is from about 1 part lubiprostone per about 200 parts vinylpyrrolidone-vinyl acetate copolymer to about 1 part lubiprostone per about 1,000 parts vinylpyrrolidone-vinyl acetate copolymer.

19. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a plurality of multilayer beads according to claim 1 and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.

20. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 19 , wherein the plurality of multilayer beads is contained in a capsule, a sachet, or a pouch.

21. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 20 , wherein the capsule is a sprinkle capsule.

22. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 19 , wherein the plurality of multilayer beads provides from about 1 pg to about 75 pg of the drug.

23. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 22 , wherein the drug is lubiprostone.

24. A method for treating a gastrointestinal disorder, the method comprising orally administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of the multilayer beads in the pharmaceutical composition of claim 19 .

25. The method of claim 24 , further comprising sprinkling the multilayer beads in pharmaceutical composition into water or onto a soft food substance prior to orally administering to the patient.

26. The method of claim 24 , wherein the gastrointestinal disorder is selected from the group consisting of chronic idiopathic constipation, opioid-induced constipation, and irritable bowel syndrome with constipation.

27. The method of claim 24 , wherein the patient is a pediatric patient or a geriatric patient.

Assignments (9)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 28, 2025
From: STRATATECH CORPORATION; SUCAMPO PHARMA AMERICAS LLC; VTESSE LLC
To: GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 072700/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 14, 2025
From: ACQUIOM AGENCY SERVICES LLC
To: MALLINCKRODT ENTERPRISES LLC; MALLINCKRODT LLC; MALLINCKRODT PHARMA IP TRADING UNLIMITED COMPANY; MALLINCKRODT PHARMACEUTICALS IRELAND LIMITED; OCERA THERAPEUTICS LLC; SPECGX LLC; STRATATECH CORPORATION; SUCAMPO PHARMA AMERICAS LLC; VTESSE LLC
Reel/Frame 072324/0740 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 1, 2025
From: STRATATECH CORPORATION; SUCAMPO PHARMA AMERICAS LLC; VTESSE LLC
To: COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 071913/0691 →
RELEASE OF PATENT SECURITY INTERESTS RECORDED AT REEL 060434, FRAME 0536 Recorded Nov 16, 2023
From: DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: MALLINCKRODT ENTERPRISES LLC; MALLINCKRODT LLC; SPECGX LLC; OCERA THERAPEUTICS, INC.; STRATATECH CORPORATION; VTESSE LLC; MALLINCKRODT PHARMA IP TRADING UNLIMITED COMPANY; MALLINCKRODT PHARMACEUTICALS IRELAND LIMITED; SUCAMPO PHARMA AMERICAS LLC
Reel/Frame 065601/0347 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 15, 2023
From: MALLINCKRODT ENTERPRISES LLC; MALLINCKRODT LLC; MALLINCKRODT PHARMA IP TRADING UNLIMITED COMPANY; MALLINCKRODT PHARMACEUTICALS IRELAND LIMITED; OCERA THERAPEUTICS LLC; SPECGX LLC; STRATATECH CORPORATION; SUCAMPO PHARMA AMERICAS LLC; VTESSE LLC
To: ACQUIOM AGENCY SERVICES LLC
Reel/Frame 065595/0376 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTERESTS IN PATENTS AT REEL 060389/FRAME 0913 Recorded Nov 15, 2023
From: WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, AS SECOND LIEN COLLATERAL AGENT
To: OCERA THERAPEUTICS LLC (F/K/A OCERA THERAPEUTICS, INC.); MALLINCKRODT LLC; MALLINCKRODT ENTERPRISES LLC; MALLINCKRODT PHARMA IP TRADING UNLIMITED COMPANY; SPECGX LLC; STRATATECH CORPORATION; SUCAMPO PHARMA AMERICAS LLC; VTESSE LLC; MALLINCKRODT PHARMACEUTICALS IRELAND LIMITED
Reel/Frame 065583/0465 →
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY Recorded Jun 22, 2022
From: MALLINCKRODT ENTERPRISES LLC; MALLINCKRODT LLC; SPECGX LLC; OCERA THERAPEUTICS, INC.; STRATATECH CORPORATION; SUCAMPO PHARMA AMERICAS LLC; VTESSE LLC; MALLINCKRODT PHARMACEUTICALS IRELAND LIMITED; MALLINCKRODT PHARMA IP TRADING UNLIMITED COMPANY
To: DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH
Reel/Frame 060434/0536 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 17, 2022
From: MALLINCKRODT ENTERPRISES LLC; MALLINCKRODT LLC; SPECGX LLC; OCERA THERAPEUTICS, INC.; STRATATECH CORPORATION; SUCAMPO PHARMA AMERICAS LLC; VTESSE LLC; MALLINCKRODT PHARMACEUTICALS IRELAND LIMITED
To: WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, AS SECOND LIEN COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 060389/0913 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 16, 2021
From: TIWARI, DEEPAK; HARADA, YASUHIRO; HIRATA, RYU
To: SUCAMPO AG
Reel/Frame 055609/0441 →