Process for lowering the viscosity of highly concentrated protein solutions
A process of lowering the viscosity of a solution includes preparing a solution comprising a compound of formula I, at a concentration in the final formulation of between 10 and 250 mM, and a protein having at least one antibody fragment whose concentration is between 50 and 350 mg/mL and whose pH is between 5 and 8. The compound lowers the viscosity of the solution, which is difficult to inject, by a value of at least 15% relative to the viscosity of a solution of at least one protein having at least one antibody fragment of the same concentration and of the same pH not containing the compound.
1. A process of lowering the viscosity of an initial solution of at least one protein comprising at least one antibody fragment whose concentration is between 50 and 350 mg/mL and whose pH is between 5 and 8, comprising
introducing to the initial solution a compound of formula I at a concentration in the final formulation of between 10 and 250 mM:
in which:
G is a C6 to C10 phenyl or alkylphenyl group, the phenyl group optionally being substituted with one or more hydroxyl groups,
L is either a bond or a function chosen from the group consisting of the ether function, the carbamate function and the amide function,
m and n are identical or different integers between 0 and 2 such that 0<m+n≦3,
R 1 , R 2 and R 3 , which may be identical or different, are either a hydrogen atom or a chain comprising 1 to 4 carbon atoms, said chain optionally comprising one or more N or O heteroatoms,
R 4 , R 5 , R 6 and R 7 , which may be identical or different, are either a hydrogen atom or a chain comprising 1 to 6 carbon atoms, but does not bear any carboxylic acid functions,
X − is an anion chosen from the group consisting of halides, carboxylates, sulfates, phosphates and sulfonates,
the asymmetric carbon atoms have an R or S configuration,
the compound having a solubility in water of ≧20 mM at a pH of between 5 and 8,
wherein the process lowers the viscosity of the initial solution by a value of at least 15% relative to the viscosity of a solution of at least one protein comprising at least one antibody fragment of the same concentration and of the same pH not containing the compound.
2. The process as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the viscosity reduction is between 20% and 95% relative to the viscosity of the initial solution.
3. The process as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the viscosity reduction is between 30% and 70% relative to the viscosity of the initial solution.
4. The process as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the protein comprising at least one antibody fragment is a protein selected from the group consisting of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), polyclonal antibodies, fusion proteins, nanobodies, bispecific antibodies and antibodies coupled to cytotoxic active principles (ADC).
5. The process as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the protein comprising at least one antibody fragment is a monoclonal antibody.
6. The process as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the compound is chosen from the compounds of formula I in which the groups R 1 , R 2 and R 3 , which may be identical or different, are not a hydrogen atom.
7. The process as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the compound is chosen from the compounds of formula I in which at least one group R 4 , R 5 , R 6 or R 7 is not a hydrogen atom, and comprises an amine N-oxide function.
8. The process as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the compound is chosen from the compounds of formula II:
in which:
G is a C6 to C10 phenyl or alkylphenyl group, the phenyl group optionally being substituted with one or more hydroxyl groups,
m is an integer equal to 0 or 1,
R 1 , R 2 and R 3 , which may be identical or different, are either a hydrogen atom or a chain comprising 1 to 4 carbon atoms, said chain optionally comprising one or more heteroatoms N or O,
R 4 is a chain comprising from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, said chain optionally comprising one or more heteroatoms N or O, but does not bear any carboxylic acid functions,
R 5 is either a hydrogen atom or a chain comprising 1 to 6 carbon atoms, said chain optionally comprising one or more heteroatoms N or O, but does not bear any carboxylic acid functions,
X − is an anion chosen from the group consisting of halides, carboxylates, sulfates, phosphates and sulfonates,
the asymmetric carbon atoms have an R or S configuration.
9. The process as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the compound is chosen from the compounds of formula IX:
in which:
G is a C6 to C10 phenyl or alkylphenyl group, the phenyl group optionally being substituted with one or more hydroxyl groups,
n is an integer equal to 1,
R 1 , R 2 and R 3 , which may be identical or different, are either a hydrogen atom or a chain comprising 1 to 4 carbon atoms, said chain optionally comprising one or more heteroatoms N or O,
R 6 is a chain comprising 1 to 6 carbon atoms, said chain optionally comprising one or more heteroatoms N or O, but does not bear any carboxylic acid functions,
R 7 is either a hydrogen atom or a chain comprising 1 to 6 carbon atoms, said chain optionally comprising one or more heteroatoms N or O, but does not bear any carboxylic acid functions,
X − is an anion chosen from the group consisting of halides, carboxylates, sulfates, phosphates and sulfonates,
the asymmetric carbon atoms have an R or S configuration.
10. The process as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the compound is chosen from the compounds of formula III:
in which:
G is a C6 to C10 phenyl or alkylphenyl group, the phenyl group optionally being substituted with one or more hydroxyl groups,
m and n are integers, which may be identical or different, between 0 and 2 such that 0<m+n≦3,
R 1 , R 2 and R 3 , which may be identical or different, are either a hydrogen atom or a chain comprising 1 to 4 carbon atoms, said chain optionally comprising one or more heteroatoms N or O,
R 5 is either a hydrogen atom or an alkyl chain of 1 to 2 carbon atoms,
X − is an anion chosen from the group consisting of halides, carboxylates, sulfates, phosphates and sulfonates,
the asymmetric carbon atoms have an R or S configuration.
11. The process as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the compound is chosen from the compounds of formula IV:
in which:
G is a C6 to C10 phenyl or alkylphenyl group, the phenyl group being substituted with one or more hydroxyl groups,
m is an integer equal to 0 or 1,
R 1 , R 2 and R 3 , which may be identical or different, are either a hydrogen atom or a chain comprising 1 to 4 carbon atoms, said chain optionally comprising one or more heteroatoms N or O,
R 4 is a chain comprising 1 to 6 carbon atoms, said chain optionally comprising one or more heteroatoms N or O, but does not bear any carboxylic acid functions,
R 5 is either a hydrogen atom or a chain comprising 1 to 6 carbon atoms, said chain optionally comprising one or more heteroatoms N or O, but does not bear any carboxylic acid functions,
X − is an anion chosen from the group consisting of halides, carboxylates, sulfates, phosphates and sulfonates,
the asymmetric carbon atoms have an R or S configuration.
12. The process as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the compound is chosen from the compounds of formula V:
in which:
G is a C6 to C10 phenyl or alkylphenyl group,
m is an integer equal to 0 or 1,
R 1 , R 2 and R 3 , which may be identical or different, are either a hydrogen atom or a chain comprising 1 to 4 carbon atoms, said chain optionally comprising one or more heteroatoms N or O,
R 4 is a chain comprising 1 to 6 carbon atoms, said chain optionally comprising one or more heteroatoms N or O, but does not bear any carboxylic acid functions,
R 5 is either a hydrogen atom or a chain comprising 1 to 6 carbon atoms, said chain optionally comprising one or more heteroatoms N or O, but does not bear any carboxylic acid functions,
X − is an anion chosen from the group consisting of halides, acetates, sulfates, phosphates and sulfonates,
the asymmetric carbon atoms have an R or S configuration.
13. The process as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the compound is chosen from the compounds of formula XII:
in which:
G is a C6 to C10 phenyl or alkylphenyl group, the phenyl group optionally being substituted with one or more hydroxyl groups,
R 1 , R 2 and R 3 , which may be identical or different, are either a hydrogen atom or a chain comprising 1 to 4 carbon atoms, said chain optionally comprising one or more heteroatoms N or O,
R 4 is a chain comprising 1 to 6 carbon atoms, said chain optionally comprising one or more heteroatoms N or O, but does not bear any carboxylic acid functions,
X − is at least one anion chosen from the group consisting of halides, carboxylates, sulfates, phosphates and sulfonates,
the asymmetric carbon atoms have an R or S configuration.
14. The process as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the compound is chosen from the compounds of formula XIII:
in which:
G is a C6 to C10 phenyl or alkylphenyl group, the phenyl group optionally being substituted with one or more hydroxyl groups,
R 1 , R 2 and R 3 , which may be identical or different, are either a hydrogen atom or a chain comprising 1 to 4 carbon atoms, said chain optionally comprising one or more heteroatoms N or O,
R 4 is a chain comprising 1 to 6 carbon atoms, said chain comprising one or more heteroatoms N or O, an amine N-oxide function, but does not bear any carboxylic acid functions,
X − is at least one anion chosen from the group consisting of halides, carboxylates, sulfates, phosphates and sulfonates,
the asymmetric carbon atoms have an R or S configuration.
15. The process as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the compound is chosen from the compounds of formula XIV:
in which:
G is a C6 to C10 phenyl or alkylphenyl group, the phenyl group optionally being substituted with one or more hydroxyl groups,
R 1 , R 2 and R 3 , which may be identical or different, are either a hydrogen atom or a chain comprising 1 to 4 carbon atoms, said chain optionally comprising one or more heteroatoms N or O,
X − is at least one anion chosen from the group consisting of halides, carboxylates, sulfates, phosphates and sulfonates,
the asymmetric carbon atoms have an R or S configuration.
16. The process as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the compound is chosen from the compounds of formula XV:
in which:
the asymmetric carbon atoms have an R or S configuration.
17. The process as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the compound is chosen from the compounds of formula X:
in which:
G is a C6 to C10 phenyl or alkylphenyl group, the phenyl group being substituted with one or more hydroxyl groups,
n is an integer equal to 1,
R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , which may be identical or different, are either a hydrogen atom or a chain comprising 1 to 4 carbon atoms, said chain optionally comprising one or more heteroatoms N or O,
R 6 is a chain comprising 1 to 6 carbon atoms, said chain optionally comprising one or more heteroatoms N or O, but does not bear any carboxylic acid functions,
R 7 is either a hydrogen atom or a chain comprising 1 to 6 carbon atoms, said chain optionally comprising one or more heteroatoms N or O, but does not bear any carboxylic acid functions,
X − is an anion chosen from the group consisting of halides, carboxylates, sulfates, phosphates and sulfonates,
the asymmetric carbon atoms have an R or S configuration.
18. The process as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the compound is chosen from the compounds of formula XI:
in which:
G is a C6 to C10 phenyl or alkylphenyl group,
n is an integer equal to 1,
R 1 , R 2 and R 3 , which may be identical or different, are either a hydrogen atom or a chain comprising 1 to 4 carbon atoms, said chain optionally comprising one or more heteroatoms N or O,
R 6 is a chain comprising 1 to 6 carbon atoms, said chain optionally comprising one or more heteroatoms N or O, but does not bear any carboxylic acid functions,
R 7 is either a hydrogen atom or a chain comprising 1 to 6 carbon atoms, said chain optionally comprising one or more heteroatoms N or O, but does not bear any carboxylic acid functions,
X − is an anion chosen from the group consisting of halides, carboxylates, sulfates, phosphates and sulfonates,
the asymmetric carbon atoms are of R or S configuration.
19. The process as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the compound is chosen from the compounds of formula VII:
in which:
G is a C6 to C10 phenyl or alkylphenyl group, the phenyl group optionally being substituted with one or more hydroxyl groups,
m and n are integers, which may be identical or different, between 0 and 2 such that 0<m+n≦3,
R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , which may be identical or different, are either a hydrogen atom or a chain comprising 1 to 4 carbon atoms, said chain optionally comprising one or more heteroatoms N or O,
X − is an anion chosen from the group consisting of halides, carboxylates, sulfates, phosphates and sulfonates,
the asymmetric carbon atoms have an R or S configuration.
20. The process as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the compound is chosen from the compounds of formula VIII:
in which:
G is a C6 to C10 phenyl or alkylphenyl group, the phenyl group optionally being substituted with one or more hydroxyl groups,
m and n are integers, which may be identical or different, between 0 and 2 such that 0<m+n≦3,
R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , which may be identical or different, are either a hydrogen atom or a chain comprising 1 to 4 carbon atoms, said chain optionally comprising one or more heteroatoms N or O,
R 4 , R 5 , R 6 and R 7 , which may be identical or different, are either a hydrogen atom or a chain comprising 1 to 6 carbon atoms, said chain optionally comprising one or more heteroatoms N or O, but does not bear any carboxylic acid functions,
X − is an anion chosen from the group consisting of halides, carboxylates, sulfates, phosphates and sulfonates,
the asymmetric carbon atoms have an R or S configuration.
21. A process for lowering the viscosity, comprising preparing a solution comprising a compound of formula I
in which:
G is a C6 to C10 phenyl or alkylphenyl group, the phenyl group optionally being substituted with one or more hydroxyl groups,
L is either a bond or a function chosen from the group consisting of the ether function, the carbamate function and the amide function,
m and n are identical or different integers between 0 and 2 such that 0<m+n≦3,
R 1 , R 2 and R 3 , which may be identical or different, are either a hydrogen atom or a chain comprising 1 to 4 carbon atoms, said chain optionally comprising one or more N or O heteroatoms,
R 4 , R 5 , R 6 and R 7 , which may be identical or different, are either a hydrogen atom or a chain comprising 1 to 6 carbon atoms, but does not bear any carboxylic acid functions,
X − is an anion chosen from the group consisting of halides, carboxylates, sulfates, phosphates and sulfonates,
the asymmetric carbon atoms have an R or S configuration,
and a protein comprising at least one antibody fragment whose concentration is between 50 and 350 mg/mL and whose pH is between 5 and 8.
22. The process as claimed in claim 21 , wherein the compound of formula I and the protein comprising at least one antibody fragment whose concentration is between 50 and 350 mg/mL and whose pH is between 5 and 8 are added to a solution which is difficult to inject, this addition lowering the viscosity of the solution by a value of at least 15% relative to the viscosity of a solution of at least one protein comprising at least one antibody fragment of the same concentration and of the same pH not containing said compound.
23. The process as claimed in claim 21 , wherein the concentration of the compound of formula I in the final formulation is between 10 and 250 mM.
24. The process as claimed in claim 21 , wherein the concentration of the compound of formula I in the final formulation is between 100 and 200 mM.
25. A viscosity-reducing compound of formula XIV:
in which:
G is a C6 to C10 phenyl or alkylphenyl group, the phenyl group optionally being substituted with one or more hydroxyl groups,
R 1 , R 2 and R 3 , which may be identical or different, are either a hydrogen atom or a chain comprising 1 to 4 carbon atoms, said chain optionally comprising one or more heteroatoms N or O,
X − is at least one anion chosen from the group consisting of halides, carboxylates, sulfates, phosphates and sulfonates, and
the asymmetric carbon atoms have an R or S configuration.
26. A viscosity-reducing compound of formula XV:
in which:
the asymmetric carbon atoms have an R or S configuration.
27. An aqueous (reduced-viscosity) composition, containing a compound of formula XIV
in which:
G is a C6 to C10 phenyl or alkylphenyl group, the phenyl group optionally being substituted with one or more hydroxyl groups,
R 1 , R 2 and R 3 , which may be identical or different, are either a hydrogen atom or a chain comprising 1 to 4 carbon atoms, said chain optionally comprising one or more heteroatoms N or O,
X − is at least one anion chosen from the group consisting of halides, carboxylates, sulfates, phosphates and sulfonates, and
the asymmetric carbon atoms have an R or S configuration,
and a protein comprising at least one antibody fragment whose concentration is between 50 and 350 mg/mL and whose pH is between 5 and 8.
28. The composition as claimed in claim 27 , wherein the concentration of the compound of formula XIV is between 10 and 200 mM.
29. An aqueous (reduced-viscosity) composition, containing a compound of formula XV
in which:
the asymmetric carbon atoms have an R or S configuration,
and a protein comprising at least one antibody fragment whose concentration is between 50 and 350 mg/mL and whose pH is between 5 and 8.
30. The composition as claimed in claim 29 , wherein the concentration of the compound of formula XV is between 10 and 200 mM.