IP Library Granted Patent US 12,466,783
Granted Patent B2
US 12,466,783 · App. 18/168,950 · Granted Nov 11, 2025

Neuro-attenuating ketamine and norketamine compounds, derivatives thereof, and methods

Inventors: Alex Nivorozhkin (West Roxbury, MA); Nelson Landrau (Marlborough, MA)
Assignee: ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc.
C07C225/20A61K9/2009A61K9/2013A61K9/2018A61K9/2027A61K9/2031A61K9/2054A61K9/2059A61K31/135A61K45/06C07B59/001C07B2200/05C07C2601/14
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,466,783
App. No.
18/168,950
Granted
Nov 11, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present invention is directed to novel neuro-attenuating norketamine (NANKET) compounds according to any one of formulas (I—shown below), (I-A) and (I-B), or any of the compounds described in Tables A-D, or in any of the Examples provided herein, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, novel pharmaceutical formulations and novel methods of uses thereof. The present invention also features novel oral neuro-attenuating ketamine (NAKET) and neuro-attenuating norketamine (NANKET) modified-release pharmaceutical formulations, and novel methods of administration thereof, which ensure the steady release of a therapeutically effective amount of ketamine, norketamine, or derivatives thereof from the oral modified-release pharmaceutical formulations without neurologically toxic spikes in plasma concentration of the ketamine, norketamine, or derivatives during the release periods.

Claims (29)

1 . A pharmaceutical composition formulated for oral administration comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient and a compound of formula (I):

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof,

wherein

X 1 , X 2 , X 3 , X 4 , X 5 , X 6 , X 7 , X 8 , X 9 , X 10 , X 11 , X 12 , X 13 , and X 14 are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and deuterium,

and wherein

at least one of X 1 , X 2 , X 3 , X 4 , X 5 , X 6 , X 7 , X 8 , X 9 , X 10 , X 11 , X 12 , X 13 , and X 14 is deuterium.

2 . The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1 , wherein any position in the compound of formula (I) selected as having deuterium independently has a minimum deuterium incorporation of at least 45%,

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

3 . The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1 comprising the pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the compound of formula (I).

4 . The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition is a tablet composition formulated for oral administration.

5 . The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition is an oral, modified-release pharmaceutical composition for oral administration to a subject, whereby, upon oral administration of the modified-release pharmaceutical composition to the subject, a steady release of said compound, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, from the modified-release pharmaceutical composition is maintained so that no neurologically toxic spike in the subject's plasma occurs during the release period of said compound, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, from said pharmaceutical composition.

6 . The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition is an oral, modified-release pharmaceutical composition for oral administration to a subject, said oral, modified-release pharmaceutical composition comprising:

(a) the compound of claim 1 , or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in an amount in the range of from about 0.01 to about 10 mg/kg body weight of the subject; and

(b) a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient;

whereby, upon oral administration of the oral, modified-release pharmaceutical composition to the subject, a steady release of said compound, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof from the oral, modified-release pharmaceutical composition is maintained so that no neurologically toxic spike in the subject's plasma occurs during the release period of said compound or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof from said oral, modified-release pharmaceutical composition.

7 . The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1 formulated for modified release.

8 . The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1 , wherein the compound is

9 . The pharmaceutical composition of claim 4 , wherein the tablet composition is single-layer.

10 . The pharmaceutical composition of claim 4 , wherein the tablet composition is a modified-release tablet.

11 . The pharmaceutical composition of claim 4 , wherein the composition comprises a combination of (i) a water-insoluble neutrally charged non-ionic matrix; and (ii) a polymer carrying one or more negatively charged groups.

12 . A method of inhibiting N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor activity, said method comprising: contacting the NMDA receptor with an effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition of claim 1 , or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

13 . A method of treating a disease or condition in a subject comprising the step of administering to said subject the pharmaceutical composition of claim 4 .

14 . A method of treating a disease or condition in a subject comprising the step of administering said subject an effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition of claim 1 .

15 . The method of claim 13 , wherein said disease or condition is levodopa-induced dyskinesia; dementia, tinnitus, depression, pain, agitation resulting from or associated with Alzheimer's disease, pseudobulbar effect, autism, Bulbar function, anxiety, Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, diabetic neuropathy, suicidality, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

16 . The method of claim 13 , wherein said disease or condition is a psychiatric or mental disorder.

17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein said disease or condition is schizophrenia, a mood disorder, substance induced psychosis, major depressive disorder (MDD), bipolar disorder, bipolar depression (BDep), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), suicidal ideation, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), or treatment-resistant depression (TRD).

18 . A method for treating a subject diagnosed with, suffering from or susceptible to a disease, disorder or condition, for which ketamine treatment is indicated, wherein the subject is in need of the treatment, said method comprising:

administering to the subject the pharmaceutical composition of claim 1 , in an effective amount for treating, preventing and/or managing the disease, disorder, or condition.

19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the disease, disorder, or condition is selected from a group consisting of pain, depression, anxiety, traumatic brain injury, stroke, migraines, epilepsy, schizophrenia, asthma, post traumatic disorder, bipolar disorder, alcohol dependence, Alzheimer disease, suicidality, autism, diabetic neuropathy, tinnitus, levodopa-induced dyskinesia, speudobulbar effect, Bulbar function and the like.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 17, 2024
From: NIVOROZHKIN, ALEX; LANDRAU, NELSON
To: AMORSA THERAPEUTICS, INC.
Reel/Frame 067452/0807 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 17, 2024
From: AMORSA THERAPEUTICS, INC.
To: ACADIA PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
Reel/Frame 067452/0855 →
Continuity (6)
Continuation 17882046 · Aug 5, 2022
Continuation 17196986 · Mar 9, 2021
Continuation 16271767 · Feb 8, 2019
Continuation 15524224
Provisional Application 62074645 · Nov 4, 2014
Related Publication 20230192593A1 · Jun 22, 2023
References Cited (59)
US 5384331A · Kogan et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 6194000B1 · Smith et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 7638651B2 · Gant et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 9913803B2 · Nivorozhkin et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 10252982B2 · Nivorozhkin et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 10981859B2 · Nivorozhkin et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 11603348B2 · Nivorozhkin et al. · 2023 [cited by applicant]
US 11613515B2 · Nivorozhkin · 2023 [cited by examiner]
US 20040248964A1 · Crooks et al. · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 20080020039A1 · Parikh et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080268071A1 · Gant et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20170355663A1 · Nivorozhkin et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 20180153813A1 · Nivorozhkin et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 20190263749A1 · Nivorozhkin et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 20220106258A1 · Nivorozhkin et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 20220402863A1 · Nivorozhkin et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
CN 101765582A · 2010 [cited by applicant]
RU 2463049C2 · 2012 [cited by applicant]
WO 2004045601A1 · 2004 [cited by applicant]
WO 2009131794A1 · 2009 [cited by applicant]
WO 2010120797A2 · 2010 [cited by applicant]
WO 2016073653A1 · 2016 [cited by applicant]
Berge et al., “Pharmaceutical Salts”, 1977, Journal of Pharmaceutical Salts, vol. 66, No. 1, pp. 1-19. [cited by applicant]
Biermann et al., “(S)-2-Amino-2-(2-chlorophenyl)cyclohexanone”, Acta Crystallographica, 2011, Section E, E67, 1 pages. [cited by applicant]
Blonk et al., “Use of Oral Ketamine in Chronic Pain Management: A Review”, European Journal of Pain, 2010, vol. 14, No. 5, pp. 466-472. [cited by applicant]
Chong et al., “Development of a Sublingual/Oral Formulation of Ketamine for use in Neuropathic Pain”, 2009, vol. 29, No. 5, pp. 317-324. [cited by applicant]
Correll et al., “Subanesthetic Ketamine Infusion Therapy: A Retrospective Analysis of a Novel Therapeutic Approach to Complex Regional Pain Syndrome”, Pain Medicine, 2004, vol. 5, No. 3, pp. 263-275. [cited by applicant]
Gannes et al., “Natural Abundance Variations in Stable Isotopes and Their Potential Uses in Animal Physiological Ecology”, Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A, 1998, vol. 119, No. 3, pp. 725-737. [cited by applicant]
Hertle et al., “Effect of Analgesics and Sedatives on the Occurrence of Spreading Depolarizations Accompanying Acute Brain Injury”, Brain, 2012, vol. 135, Pt. 8, pp. 2390-2398. [cited by applicant]
Kolb et al., “Catalytic Asymmetric Dihydroxylation”, Chemical Reviews, 1994, vol. 94, No. 8, pp. 2483-2547. [cited by applicant]
Netto et al., “Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry for the Simultaneous Quantitative Anaylsis of Ketamine and Medetomidine in Ovine Plasma”, Biomedical Chromatography, 2011, vol. 25, No. 12, pp. 1374-1380. [cited by applicant]
Parcell et al., “Synthesis of Ketamine Metabolites I and II and Some Anomalous Reactions of 6-bromoketamine”, The Journal of Organic Chemistry, 1981, vol. 46, No. 25, pp. 5055-5060. [cited by applicant]
Senanayake et al., “Asymmetric Synthesis of Conformationally Constrainted Cis-1-amino-1-phenylcyclohexan-2-ol”, Tetrahedron: Asymmetry, 1996, vol. 7, No. 5, pp. 1501-1506. [cited by applicant]
Synowiec et al., “Ketamine Use in the Treatment of Refractory Status Epilepticus”, Epilepsy Research, 2013, vol. 105, No. 1-2, pp. 183-188. [cited by applicant]
Wada et al., “Natural Abundance of Carbon, Nitrogen, and Hydrogen Isotope Ratios in Biogenic Substances: Present and Future”, Seikagaku, 1994, vol. 66, No. 1, pp. 15-29. [cited by applicant]
Yanagihara et al., “Plasma Concentration Profiles of Ketamine and Norketamine after Administration of Various Ketamine Preparations to Healthy Japanese Volunteers”, Biopharmaceutics & Drug Disposition, 2003, vol. 24, No… [cited by applicant]
Yanagihara et al., “Preparation of Ketamine Tablets for Treatment of Patients with Neuropathic Pain”, Yakugaku Zasshi, 1999, vol. 119, No. 12, pp. 980-987. [cited by applicant]
Zarate et al., “Replication of Ketamine's Antidepressant Efficacy in Bipolar Depression: A Randomized Controlled Add-on Trial”, Biological Psychiatry, 2012, vol. 71, No. 11, pp. 939-946. [cited by applicant]
Lai et al., “Ketamine Metabolism: Identification and Synthesis of a Deaminated Product”, Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1985, vol. 74, No. 4, pp. 486-488. [cited by applicant]
International Search Report and Written Opinion for Application No. PCT/US15/59113 dated Feb. 4, 2016. [cited by applicant]
European Patent Office Supplementary Search Report for Application No. 15856205 dated Mar. 5, 2018. [cited by applicant]
Sulake et al., “Synthesis of deuterium labeled ketamine metabolite dehydromorketamine”, Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 2011, vol. 21, No. 19, pp. 5719-5721. [cited by applicant]
Database Registry, Chemical Abstracts Services, Database Accession No. 1435934-57-8, Jun. 7, 2013, abstract. [cited by applicant]
Ebert et al., “Norketamine, the main metabolite of ketamine is a non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist in the rat cortex and spinal cord”, European Journal of Pharmacology, 1997, vol. 333, No. 1, pp. 99-104. [cited by applicant]
Leung et al., “Comparative pharmacology in the rat of ketamine and its two principle metabolites, norketamine and (Z)-6-hydroxynorketamine”, Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 1986, vol. 29, No. 11, pp. 2396-2399. [cited by applicant]
Foster, “Deuterium isotope effects in the metabolism of drugs and xenobiotics: implications for drug design”, Advances in Drug Research, 1985, vol. 14, pp. 1-40. [cited by applicant]
Dumont et al., “Prospects in the use of deuterated molecules as therapeutic agents”, Revue, 1982, vol. 6, No. 4, pp. 2-10. [cited by applicant]
Yarnell, “Heavy-Hydrogen Drugs Turn Heads, Again”, Chemical and Engineering News, 2009, vol. 87, No. 25, <http://pubs.acs.org/cen/science/87/8725sci1.html>, pp. 36-39. [cited by applicant]
Morlida Harun et al., “Validation of an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay Screening Method and a Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry Confirmation Method for the Identification and Quantification of Ketamine a… [cited by applicant]
Zhao et al., “Simultaneous population pharmacokinetic modelling of ketamine and three major metabolites in patients with treatment-resistant bipolar depression”, British Journal of Clinical Pharmacol., 2012, vol. 74, No… [cited by applicant]
Applicants Response dated Dec. 3, 2018 to EPO Communication pursuant to Rule 70(2) and 70(a)(2) E/C dated May 23, 2018. [cited by applicant]
Communication Pursuant to Rules 70(2) and 70a(2) EPC dated May 3, 2018 issued in European Application No. 15856205.8. [cited by applicant]
Carlstedt et al., “Biosynthesis of Deuterated Benzylpenicllins III: A Relative Antibiotic Potency of Highly Deuterated Benzylpenicill”, Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1973, vol. 62, No. 5, pp. 856-857. [cited by applicant]
Database Registry, “2-Cyclohexen-1-One, 6-Amino-6-(6-Chlorophenyl-2,3,4,5,-d4)-” Accession No. 1246816-68-1. [cited by applicant]
Database Registry, “The Synthesis of Deuterated Cyclohexanone, 2-Amino-2-(6-Chlorophenyl-2,3,4,5-d4)-”, Accession No. 1286586-83-1. [cited by applicant]
May et al., “May's Chemistry of Synthetic Drugs”, 1940, London: Longmans, Green and Co., pp. 12-19. [cited by applicant]
Shao et al., “The Kinetic Isotope Effect in the Search for Deuterated Drugs”, Drug News & Perspectives, 2010, vol. 23, No. 6, pp. 398-404. [cited by applicant]
Co-pending U.S. Appl. No. 17/882,046, filed Aug. 3, 2022 (146 pages including cover page and preliminary amendment). [cited by applicant]
Response to United States Patent Office Restriction Requirement filed Oct. 26, 2022 in U.S. Appl. No. 17/882,046 (5 pages). [cited by applicant]