Controlled release system and method for manufacturing the same

1. A pharmaceutical controlled release system for administration of active substances with pH-dependent solubilities, comprising:

a) a core material comprising one or more pharmaceutically acceptable pH modifiers, wherein at least one pharmaceutically acceptable pH modifier is an organic acid;

b) a first insulating layer, provided on the core material, comprising one or more pharmaceutically acceptable water soluble polymers;

c) a second layer comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable water-insoluble (poly(ethyl acrylate/methyl methacrylate/trimethylammonioethyl methacrylate chloride)polymer having either a 1:2:0.1 or 1:2:0.2 ratio of ethyl acrylate to methyl methacrylate to trimethylammonioethyl methacrylate chloride monomers;

d) a third layer comprising at least one active substance having a pH-dependent solubility;

e) a fourth layer comprising one or more pharmaceutically acceptable polymers having anionic or no ionic groups; and

f) optionally a fifth layer.

2. The pharmaceutical controlled release system according to claim 1 , wherein the system is for oral administration.

3. The pharmaceutical controlled release system according to claim 1 , wherein the core material further comprises one or more binders and optionally one or more other excipients.

4. The pharmaceutical controlled release system according to claim 1 , wherein the core material further includes one or more additional pH modifier(s) which comprises one or more pharmaceutically acceptable buffers.

5. The pharmaceutical controlled release system according to claim 1 , wherein the pH modifier(s) is in solid or liquid form.

6. The pharmaceutical controlled release system according claim 1 , wherein the one or more pharmaceutically acceptable organic acids selected from the group consisting of acetic acid, ascorbic acid, tartaric acid, glutaric acid, malic acid, fumaric acid, citric acid, lactic acid, adipic acid and succinic acid or combinations thereof.

7. The pharmaceutical controlled release system according to claim 1 , wherein the core material has an average particle size of 0.4 to 1.5 mm.

8. The pharmaceutical controlled release system according to claim 1 , wherein the second layer comprises one or more water-insoluble polymers, optionally one or more plasticizers, optionally one or more separating agents, optionally one or more pigments, and optionally other excipients.

9. The pharmaceutical controlled release system according to claim 1 , wherein the fourth layer comprises one or more polymers having anionic or no ionic groups, one or more plasticizers, optionally one or more separating agents, and optionally other excipients.

10. The pharmaceutical controlled release system according to claim 9 , wherein the polymer having anionic or no ionic groups contained in the fourth layer comprises ethylcellulose; hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phthalate; a poly(methacrylic acid/ethylacrylate) polymer having a 1:1 ratio of methacrylic acid to ethylacrylate monomers; or mixtures thereof.

11. The pharmaceutical controlled release system according to claim 1 , wherein the fourth layer further comprises a pore former.

12. The pharmaceutical controlled release system according to claim 11 , wherein the pore former comprises methylcellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcelluloses, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, povidone, or a poly(butyl methacrylate/ (2-dimethylaminoethyl) methacrylate/methyl methacrylate) polymer having a 1:2:1 ratio of butyl methacrylate to (2-dimethylaminoethyl) methacrylate to methyl methacrylate monomers.

13. The pharmaceutical controlled release system according to claim 1 , wherein the third layer comprises one or more active substances having pH-dependent solubility, one or more binders, and optionally one or more other excipients.

14. The pharmaceutical controlled release system according to claim 1 , wherein the first insulating layer comprises one or more water-soluble polymers, optionally one or more plasticizers, optionally one or more separating agents, optionally one or more pigments, and optionally other excipients.

15. The pharmaceutical controlled release system according to claim 1 , wherein another insulating layer is provided on the third layer.

16. The pharmaceutical controlled release system according to claim 1 , wherein the controlled release system further comprises the optional fifth layer.

17. The pharmaceutical controlled release system according to claim 16 , wherein the optional fifth layer comprises one or more polymers having anionic or no ionic groups, one or more plasticizers, optionally one or more separating agents, and optionally other excipients.

18. The pharmaceutical controlled release system according to claim 17 , wherein the polymer contained in the optional fifth layer comprises hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phthalate; a poly(methacrylic acid/ethylacrylate) having a 1:1 ratio of methacrylic acid to ethylacrylate monomers; or mixtures thereof.

19. The pharmaceutical controlled release system according to claim 1 , wherein the optional fifth layer further comprises a pore former.

20. The pharmaceutical controlled release system according to claim 1 , wherein the application quantities for the layers present, based on the specific surface area of the starting core, are as follows:

first insulating layer:

in the range from 0.05 to 5 mg/cm 2 ;

second layer:

in the range from 0.1 to 15 mg/cm 2 ;

third layer:

in the range from 0.1 to 20 mg/cm 2 ;

fourth layer:

in the range from 0.1 to 15 mg/cm 2 , and

optional fifth layer:

if present in the range from 0.1 to 15 mg/cm 2 .

21. The pharmaceutical controlled release system according to claim 1 , wherein the active substance is flibanserin.

22. A process for preparing a pharmaceutical controlled release system according to claim 1 containing an active substance with pH-dependent solubility characteristics comprising the steps of:

step a) producing the core material from one or more pharmaceutically acceptable pH modifiers wherein at least one pharmaceutically acceptable pH modifier is an organic acid, optionally with the addition of one or more binders and/or other excipients, by pan methods, on pelleting plates or by extrusion/spheronisation;

step b) optionally applying an a first insulating layer comprising one or more water-soluble pharmaceutically acceptable polymers, optionally with the addition of one or more plasticizers, one or more separating agents and/or one or more pigments, and/or other excipients;

step c) applying a first second layer comprising one or more water-insoluble pharmaceutically acceptable polymers a water-insoluble (poly(ethyl acrylate/methyl methacrylate/trimethylammonioethyl methacrylate chloride)polymer having either a 1:2:0.1 or 1:2:0.2 ratio of ethyl acrylate to methyl methacrylate to trimethylammonioethyl methacrylate chloride monomers, optionally with the addition of one or more plasticizers and/or one or more separating agents and/or one or more pigments and/or other excipients;

step d) applying a second third layer comprising at least one active substance having a pH-dependent solubility from a solution or dispersion optionally containing one or more binders and/or one or more separating agents and/or other excipients, and simultaneously or subsequently drying to eliminate the solvent or dispersing agent;

step e) optionally applying an insulating layer comprising one or more water-soluble pharmaceutically acceptable polymers, optionally with the addition of one or more plasticizers and/or one or more separating agents and/or one or more pigments and/or other excipients;

step f) applying a third fourth layer comprising one or more pharmaceutically acceptable polymers having anionic or no ionic groups optionally with the addition of one or more plasticizers, one or more separating agents and/or one or more pigments and/or other excipients;

step g) optionally applying a fourth fifth layer, optionally with addition of one or more plasticizers and/or one or more pigments and/or other excipients; and

step h) optionally packing the controlled release system containing active substance thus obtained into capsules.

23. The process for preparing a pharmaceutical controlled release system according to claim 22 , wherein the active substance is flibanserin.

24. A method of treating a condition in a mammal treatable by flibanserin comprising the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of the pharmaceutical controlled release system according to claim 21 to the mammal.

25. The method according to claim 24 , wherein flibanserin is administered in a dosage range between 0.1 to 400 mg per day.

26. The pharmaceutical controlled release system according to claim 1 , wherein the second layer is directly on the first insulating layer.