PIMOBENDAN FORMULATION AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF

1 . A single dose, chewable oral formulation comprising:

a) pimobendan or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof; and

b) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier,

wherein the pimobendan is in a granular form and coated with a polyvinyl alcohol-polyethylene glycol graft copolymer.

2 . The formulation of claim 1 , wherein 1.25 mg, 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, or 15 mg of pimobendan is present in the formulation.

3 . The formulation of claim 1 , wherein granules of the granular particulate have a dimension of an average size between about 100 and 1500 μm.

4 . The formulation of claim 1 , wherein the formulation is stable for at least 6, 12, 24 or 36 months at 25° C. or 40° C.

5 . The formulation of claim 1 , wherein the pimobendan is granulated with lactose and/or dicalcium phosphate and then coated.

6 . The formulation of claim 5 , wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is a homogeneous mixture comprising:

i) starch;

ii) croscarmellose sodium;

iii) sodium lauryl sulfate;

iv) magnesium stearate;

v) dicalcium phosphate;

vi) polyethylene glycol;

vii) glycerin; and

viii) soybean oil.

7 . The formulation of claim 5 , wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is a homogeneous mixture comprising:

i) starch;

ii) croscarmellose sodium;

iii) polyvinylpyrrolidone;

iv) magnesium stearate;

v) dicalcium phosphate;

vi) polyethylene glycol;

vii) glycerin; and

viii) soybean oil.

8 . The formulation of claim 7 , wherein the starch is selected from the group consisting of native starch, gelatinized starch, partly gelatinized starch, starch powder, starch granules, chemically modified starch, swellable physically modified starch and mixtures thereof.

9 . The formulation of claim 8 , wherein the starch is gelatinized starch.

10 . The formulation of claim 7 , further comprising flavoring.

11 . The formulation of claim 7 , further comprising an antioxidant.

12 . The formulation of claim 7 , further comprising polyvinylpyrrolidone.

13 . The formulation of claim 7 , wherein the formulation is a tablet or capsule.

14 . A method of treating a cardiac disorder in a subject comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a formulation claim 1 to a subject.

15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the subject is a mammal.

16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the subject is a canine.

17 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the subject is a feline.

18 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the cardiac disorder is congestive heart failure.

19 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the cardiac disorder is cardiomyopathy.

20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the cardiac disorder is dilated or restrictive cardiomyopathy.

21 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the cardiac disorder is atrioventricular valvular insufficiency.