Pharmaceutical formulations for intranasal administration of protein comprising a chitosan or a derivative thereof

1. A powder formulation for intranasal delivery consisting essentially of a protein having a molecular weight of 10 kDa or greater; chitosan glutamate in an amount of 30 to 65% by weight based on the total weight of the formulation; and optionally one or more additional water-soluble, non-gel forming ingredients, wherein the protein is in the form of a protein powder having a mean particle size, expressed as the volume mean diameter (D 50 % ), of about 25 to 200 μm, and the chitosan glutamate is in the form of a powder having a mean particle size, expressed as the volume mean diameter (D 50% ), of about 25 to 200 μm and has a solubility in water of at least 10 mg/ml at room temperature and atmospheric pressure.

2. The formulation according to claim 1 , comprising about 15 to 65% by weight of the protein based on the total weight of the formulation.

3. The formulation according to claim 1 , further comprising mannitol.

4. The formulation according to claim 3 , comprising up to 10% by weight mannitol based on the total weight of the formulation.

5. The formulation according to claim 1 , wherein the protein is one that is absorbed into systemic circulation through nasal mucosa and that has a direct and/or systemic biological effect following absorption.

6. A powder formulation for intranasal delivery consisting essentially of human growth hormone; chitosan or a derivative thereof or a salt of chitosan or a salt of a derivative of chitosan; and optionally one or more additional water-soluble, non-gel forming ingredients, wherein the chitosan, the derivative thereof, the salt of chitosan or the salt of a derivative of chitosan is water soluble, having a solubility in water of at least 10 mg/ml at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, and is in the form of a powder having a mean particle size, expressed as the volume mean diameter (D 50% ), of about 25 to 200 μm, and the human growth hormone is in the form of a protein powder having a mean particle size, expressed as the volume mean diameter (D 50% ), of about 25 to 200 μm.

7. The formulation according to claim 6 , comprising chitosan glutamate.

8. The formulation according to claim 7 , comprising about 30 to 65% by weight chitosan glutamate based on the total weight of the formulation.

9. The formulation according to claim 6 , comprising about 15 to 65% by weight of human growth hormone based on the total weight of the formulation.

10. The formulation according to claim 6 , further comprising mannitol.

11. The formulation according to claim 10 , comprising up to 10% by weight mannitol based on the total weight of the formulation.

12. The formulation according to claim 6 , comprising about 30 to 65% by weight of human growth hormone based on the total weight of the formulation.

13. A process for preparing a formulation according to claim 1 , which process comprises mixing the protein powder, the powder of chitosan glutamate and optionally a powder of the one or more additional water-soluble, non-gel forming ingredients to produce a uniform blend.

14. The process according to claim 13 , wherein the protein powder comprises at least 60% by weight of protein based on the total weight of the protein powder.

15. The process according to claim 14 , wherein the protein powder comprises at least 70% by weight of human growth hormone based on the total weight of the protein powder.

16. The process according to claim 13 , wherein the protein powder is prepared by freeze-drying a buffered solution comprising the protein and optionally an additive, and the freeze-dried powder is optionally subjected to a milling and/or sieving step prior to being mixed with the other powders.

17. A method of enhancing intranasal absorption of a protein having a molecular weight of at least 10 kDa, comprising administering the protein intranasally with chitosan glutamate in a powder formulation, wherein the powder formulation consists essentially of the protein; about 30 to 65% by weight chitosan glutamate based on the total weight of the formulation; and optionally one or more additional water-soluble, non-gel forming ingredients, wherein the protein is in the form of a protein powder having a mean particle size, expressed as the volume mean diameter (D 50% ), of about 25 to 200 μm, and the chitosan glutamate is in the form of a powder having a mean particle size, expressed as the volume mean diameter (D 50% ), of about 25 to 200 μm and has a solubility in water of at least 10 mg/ml at room temperature and atmospheric pressure.

18. A method of enhancing intranasal absorption of human growth hormone, comprising administering the human growth hormone intranasally with chitosan or a derivative thereof or a salt of chitosan or a salt of a derivative of chitosan in a powder formulation, wherein the powder formulation consists essentially of the human growth hormone; chitosan or a derivative thereof or a salt of chitosan or a salt of a derivative of chitosan; and optionally one or more additional water-soluble, non-gel forming ingredients, wherein the chitosan, the derivative thereof, the salt of chitosan or the salt of a derivative of chitosan is water soluble, having a solubility in water of at least 10 mg/ml at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, and is in the form of a powder having a mean particle size, expressed as the volume mean diameter (D 50% ), of about 25 to 200 μm, and the human growth hormone is in the form of a protein powder having a mean particle size, expressed as the volume mean diameter (D 50% ), of about 25 to 200 μm.

19. A method for treatment or prevention of growth retardation, growth hormone deficiency or for the control of HI V-related wasting and cachexia, comprising intranasally administering a human growth hormone containing powder formulation, wherein the powder formulation consists essentially of the human growth hormone; chitosan or a derivative thereof or a salt of chitosan or a salt of a derivative of chitosan; and optionally one or more additional water-soluble, non-gel forming ingredients, wherein the chitosan, the derivative thereof, the salt of chitosan or the salt of a derivative of chitosan is water soluble, having a solubility in water of at least 10 mg/mi at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, and is in the form of a powder having a mean particle size, expressed as the volume mean diameter (D 50% ), of about 25 to 200 μm, and the human growth hormone is in the form of a protein powder having a mean particle size, expressed as the volume mean diameter (D 50% ), of about 25 to 200 μm.

20. The method according to claim 19 , wherein the growth retardation is caused by insufficient growth hormone secretion, Turner's syndrome or chronic renal insufficiency.

21. A method of administering a protein to a patient, the method comprising intranasally administering the formulation according to claim 1 .

22. A nasal delivery device or a dose cartridge for use in a nasal delivery device comprising a formulation according to claim 1 .

23. The nasal delivery device or the dose cartridge according to claim 22 , comprising about 5 to 20 mg of the formulation.