Title of Invention	A PROCESS FOR PREPARATION OF PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOSITION
Abstract	A process for the production of a composition comprising a water-insoluble sartan which comprises the steps of: a) providing a mixture comprising: i) a water-insoluble sartan, ii) a water soluble carrier, iii) a solvent for each of the sartan and the carrier, and b) spray-drying the mixture to remove the or each solvent and obtain a substantially solvent-free nano-dispersion of the sartan in the carrier.

Title of Invention

A PROCESS FOR PREPARATION OF PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOSITION

Abstract

A process for the production of a composition comprising a water-insoluble sartan which comprises the steps of: a) providing a mixture comprising: i) a water-insoluble sartan, ii) a water soluble carrier, iii) a solvent for each of the sartan and the carrier, and b) spray-drying the mixture to remove the or each solvent and obtain a substantially solvent-free nano-dispersion of the sartan in the carrier.

Full Text	FORM2 THE PATENTS ACT, 1970 (39 of 1970) & The Patents Rules, 2003 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (See section 10; rule 13) l. Title of the invention:. - "IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOSITIONS" 2. Applicant(s) (a) NAME : UNILEVER PLC (b) NATIONALITY : A British Company (c) ADDRESS : Unilever House, Blackfriars, London EC4P 4BQ,United Kingdom 3. PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed: WO 2008/006716 PCT/EP2007/056564 - 1 -IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOSITIONS Field of the Invention: 5 The present invention relates improvements relating to pharmaceutical compositions. In particular it relates to pharmaceutically active compositions and precursors therefor which contain a so-called "sartan" 10 Background of the Invention Angiotensin II is formed from Angiotensin I by angiotensin 15 converting enzyme (ACE). Angiotensin II is a component of the renin-angiotensin system. Angiotensin II receptor antagonists block the action of Angiotensin II. The present invention is believed to be generally applicable to hydrophobic Angiotensin II receptor antagonists (sartans) 20 but will be described with particular reference to Valsartan. Valsartan and other Angiotensin II receptor antagonists (including Candesartan, Eprosartan, Ibresartan, Losartan, 25 Olmesartan and Telmesartan) are primarily used for the treatment of hypertension, and are effective where the patient is intolerant of ACE inhibitor therapy. They do not inhibit the breakdown of kinins and therefore are less frequently associated with the persistent dry cough and/or 30 other side effects that limit ACE inhibitor therapy. More recently, they have been used for the treatment of heart WO 2008/006736 PCT/EP2007/056564 ~ 2 - failure in patients intolerant of ACE inhibitor therapy, (particularly candesartan, Irbesartan and losartan). Many Sartans exhibit low water solubility and are practically insoluble in water. This hinders their effective use. 5 Our co-pending international patent application PCT/GB03/03226 describes the formation of solid, porous beads comprising a three dimensional open-cell lattice of a water-soluble polymeric material. These are typically 10 'templated' materials formed by the removal of both water and a non-aqueous dispersed phase from a high internal phase emulsion (HIPE) which has a polymer dissolved in the aqueous phase. The beads are formed by dropping the HIPE emulsion into a low temperature fluid such as liquid nitrogen, then 15 freeze-drying the particles formed to remove the bulk of the aqueous phase and the dispersed phase. This leaves- behind the polymer in the form of a 'skeletal' structure. The beads dissolve rapidly in water and have the remarkable property that a water-insoluble component dispersed in the dispersed 20 phase of the emulsion prior to freezing and drying can also be dispersed in water on solution of the polymer skeleton of the beads. WO 2005/011636 discloses a non-emulsion based spray drying 25 process for forming 'solid amorphous dispersions' of drugs in polymers. In this method a polymer and a low-solubility drug are dissolved in a solvent and spray-dried to form dispersions in which the drug is mostly present in an amorphous form rather than in a crystalline form. 30 WO 2008/006716 PCT/EP2007/056564 - 3 - Our co-pending applications GB 0501835 and GB 0613925 (filed 13th July 2006) describe how materials which will form a nano-dispersion in water can be prepared, preferably by a spray-drying process. In the first of these applications the 5 water insoluble materials is dissolved in the solvent-phase of an emulsion. In the second, the water-insoluble materials are dissolved in a mixed solvent system and co-exist in the same phase as a water-soluble structuring agent. In both cases the liquid is dried above ambient temperature (above 10 20 Celsius), such as by spray drying, to produce particles of the structuring agent, as a carrier, with the water-insoluble materials dispersed therein. When these particles are placed in water they dissolve, forming a nano-dispersion of the water-insoluble material with particles typically 15 below 300nm. This scale is similar to that of virus particles, and the water-insoluble material behaves as though it were in solution. WO 2006/074218 (Elan Pharma International Ltd) discloses 20 nanoparticulate forms of candesartan (particularly candisartan cilexitil). Particle sizes are disclosed from 2000nm down to 50nm. Methods for the production of these nanoparticles include grinding, milling, homogenisation, precipitation and supercritical gas methods. 25 In the present application the term 'ambient temperature' means 20 degrees Celsius and all percentages are percentages by weight unless otherwise specified. 30 T3183 (C) CPL - 4 - 5 We have now determined that both the emulsion-based and the single-phase method can be used to produce a water-soluble, nano-disperse form of a sartan. Accordingly, the present invention provides a process for the production of a composition comprising a water-insoluble sartan which comprises the steps of:' 10 a) providing a mixture comprising: i) a water-insoluble sartan ii) a water soluble carrier, 15 iii) a solvent for each of the sartan and the carrier , and 20 b) spray-drying the mixture to remove the or each solvent and obtain a substantially solvent-free nano-dispersion of the sartan in the carrier. The preferred method of particle sizing for the dispersed 25 products of the present invention employs a dynamic light scattering instrument (Nano S, manufactured by Malvern Instruments UK). Specifically, the Malvern Instruments Nano S uses a red (633nm) 4mW Helium-Neon laser to illuminate a standard optical quality UV curvette containing a suspension 30 of material. The particle sizes quoted in this application are those obtained with that apparatus using the standard AMENDED SHEET 13/02/2008 Printed 04/03/2008 DESCPAMD EP20007056564 T3183 (C) CPL - 6 - less than 5g/L preferably of less than lg/L, especially preferably less than 150mg/L, even more preferably less than l00mg/L. This solubility level provides the intended interpretation of what is meant by water-insoluble in the 5 present specification. For example,'valsartan has a solubility of 0.18g/L and irbesartan has a solubility of Preferred water-insoluble sartans include Valsartan, 10 Candesartan, Eprosartan, Irbesartan, Losartan, Olmesartan, Telmesartan and water insoluble derivatives thereof. Preferred carrier materials are selected from the group consisting of:water-soluble inorganic materials, 15 surfactants, polymers and mixtures thereof. A further aspect.of the present invention provides a process for preparing a sartan composition comprising a water-insoluble sartan and a water-soluble carrier, which. 20 comprises the steps of: a) forming an emulsion comprising: i) a solution of the sartan in a water-immiscible 25 solvent for the same, and ii) an aqueous solution of the carrier, and, b) drying the solution to remove water and the water- 30 immiscible solvent to obtain a substantially solvent-free nano-dispersion of thelsartan in the carrier AMENDED SHEET 13/02/2008 T31B3 (C) CPL - 7 - For convenience, this class of method is referred to herein as the "emulsion" method. 5 A further aspect of the present invention provides a process for preparing a sartan composition comprising a water insoluble sartan and a water-soluble carrier which comprises the steps of: 10 a) providing a single phase mixture comprising: i) at least one non-aqueous solvent ii) optionally, water 15 iii) a water-soluble carrier material soluble in the mixture of (i) and (ii) and iv) a water-insoluble sartan which is soluble in the 20 mixture of (i) and (ii), and, b) drying the solution to remove water and the water miscible solvent to obtain a substantially solvent-free nano-dispersion of the Water Insoluble sartan in the carrier. 25 For convenience, this class of method is referred to herein as the "single-phase" method. In the context of the present invention substantially 30 solvent free means that the free solvent content of the AMENDED SHEET 13/02/2008 WO 2008/006716 PCT/EP2007/056564 - 8 - product is less than 15%wt, preferably below 10%wt, more preferably below 5%wt and most preferably below 2%wt. In the context of the present invention it is essential that 5 both the carrier material and the sartan are essentially fully dissolved in their respective solvents prior to the drying step. It is not within the ambit of the present specification to teach the drying of slurries. For the avoidance of any doubt, it is therefore the case that the 10 solids content of the emulsion or the mixture is such that over 90%wt, preferably over 95%, and more preferably over 98% of the soluble materials present is in solution prior to the drying step. 15 In relation to the methods mentioned above, the preferred sartan and the preferred carrier materials are as described above and as elaborated on in further detail below. Similarly the preferred physical characteristics of the material are as described above. 20 The 'single phase' method where both the sartan and the carrier material are dissolved in a phase comprising at least one other non-aqueous solvent (and optional water) is preferred. This is believed to be more efficacious in 25 obtaining a smaller particle size for the nano-disperse sartan. Preferably, the drying step simultaneously removes both the water and other solvents and, more preferably, drying is accomplished by spray drying at above ambient temperature. 30 Printed 04/03/2008 DESCPAMED EP2007056564 T3183 (C) CPL - 9 - The products obtainable by the process aspects of the present invention are suitable for use in the preparation of medicaments for treatment or prophylaxis of hypertensive diseases. A further aspect of the present invention provides a method for the preparation of a medicament for use in the treatment hypertensive disease of which comprises the step of preparing a composition according to the present invention. 10 15 20 Detailed Description of the Invention: Various preferred features and embodiments of the present invention are described in further detail below. Sartans: As noted above the preferred water-insoluble Sartans are drugc otu watcM. iiiouluble. anti malaria-l drugs selected from the group consisting of Valsartan, Candesartan, Eprosartan, Irbesartan, Losartan, Olmesartan, Telmesartan and 25 derivatives and mixtures thereof. These can be present as the sole pharmaceutically active ingredient in compositions according to the present invention or be together with other drugs to provide a so-called ^combination therapy'. 30 As an illustrative example, Irbesartan is also available in a combination formulation with a low dose thiazide diuretic, AMENDED SHEET 13/02/2008 WO 2008/006716 PCT/EP2007/056564 - 10 - invariably hydrochlorothiazide, to achieve an additive antihypertensive effect. Irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide combination preparations are marketed under similar trade names to irbesartan preparations, including CoAprovel, 5 Karvezide, Avalide and Avapro HCT. Water-Dispersible Product Form: The present invention provides a method for obtaining a 10 water-dispersible form of an otherwise water-insoluble material. This is prepared by forming a not wholly aqueous intermediate emulsion or solution in which both a water-soluble carrier material and the water insoluble sartan are dissolved. On removal of solvents the insoluble sartan is 15 left dispersed through the water-soluble carrier material. Suitable carrier materials are described in further details -below. The structure of the material obtained after the drying step 20 is not well understood. It is believed that the resulting dry materials are not encapsulates, as discrete macroscopic bodies of the water-insoluble materials are not present in the dry product. Neither are the dry materials dry emulsions' as little or none of the volatile solvent 25 comprising the 'oil' phase of the emulsion remains after the drying step. On addition of water to the dry product the emulsion is not reformed, as it would be with a Mry emulsion'. It is also believed that the compositions are not so-called solid solutions, as with the present invention the 30 ratios of components present can be varied without loss of the benefits. Also from X-ray and DSC studies, it is WO 2008/006716 PCT/EP2007/056564 - 11 - believed that the compositions of the invention are not solid solutions, but comprise nano-scale, phase-separated mixtures. 5 Preferably, the compositions produced after the drying step will comprise the sartan and the carrier in a weight ratio of from 1:500 to 1:1 (as sartan:carrier), 1:100 to 1:1 being preferred. Typical levels of around 10-30%wt water-insoluble sartan and 90-70%wt carrier can be obtained by spray drying. 10 By the method of the present invention the particle size of the sartan materials can be reduced to below 100nm and may be reduced to around 15nm. Preferred particle sizes are in the range 40-15nm. 15 'Emulsion' Preparation Method: In one preferred method according to the invention the solvent for the water-insoluble sartanis not miscible with 20 water. On admixture with water it therefore can form an emulsion. Preferably, the non-aqueous phase comprises from about 10 % to about 95 % v/v of the emulsion, more preferably from 25 about 20 % to about 68 % v/v. The emulsions are typically prepared- under conditions which are well known to those skilled in the art, for example, by using a magnetic stirring bar, a homogeniser, or a 30 rotational mechanical stirrer. The emulsions need not be WO 2008/006716 PCT/EP2007/056564 - 12 - particularly stable, provided that they do not undergo extensive phase separation prior to drying. Homogenisation using a high-shear mixing device is a 5 particularly preferred way to make an emulsion in which the aqueous phase is the continuous phase. It is believed that this avoidance of coarse emulsion and reduction of the droplet si2e of the dispersed phase of the emulsion, results in an improved dispersion of the 'payload' material in the 10 dry product. In a preferred method according to the invention a water-continuous emulsion is prepared with an average dispersed-phase droplet size (using the Malvern peak intensity) of 15 between 500nm and 5000nm. We have found that an 'Ultra-Turrux' T25 type laboratory homogenizer (or equivalent) gives a suitable emulsion when operated for more than a minute at above 10,000 rpm. 20 There is a directional relation between the emulsion droplet size and the size of the particles of the 'payload' material, which can be detected after dispersion of the materials of the invention in aqueous solution. We have determined that an increase in the speed of homogenization 25 for precursor emulsions can decrease final particle size after re-dissolution. It is believed that the re-dissolved particle size can be reduced by nearly one half when the homogenization speed 30 increased from 13,500 rpm to 21,500 rpm. The homogenization time is also believed to play a role in controlling re- WO 2008/006716 PCT/EP2007/056564 - 13 - dissolved particle size. The particle size again decreases with increase in the homogenization time, and the particle size distribution become broader at the same time. 5 Sonication is also a particularly preferred way of reducing the droplet size for emulsion systems. We have found that a Hert Systems Sonicator XL operated at level 10 for two minutes is suitable. 10 It is believed that ratios of components which decrease the relative concentration of the anti-parasitic to the solvents and/or the carrier give a smaller particle size. 'Single Phase' Preparation Method: 15 In an alternative method according to the present invention both the carrier and the sartan are soluble in a non-aqueous solvent or a mixture of such a solvent with water. Both here and elsewhere in the specification the non-aqueous 20 solvent can be a mixture of non-aqueous solvents. In this case the feedstock of the drying step can be a single phase material in which both the water-soluble carrier and the water-insoluble sartan are dissolved. It is 25 also possible for this feedstock to be an emulsion, provided that both the carrier and the sartan are dissolved in the same phase. The 'single-phase' method is generally believed to give a 30 better nano-dispersion with a smaller particle size than the emulsion method. WO 2008/006716 PCT/EP2007/056564 - 14 - It is believed that ratios of components which decrease the relative concentration of the sartan to the solvents and/or the carrier give a smaller particle size. 5 Drying: Spray drying is well known to those versed in the art. In the case of the present invention some care must be taken due to the presence of a volatile non-aqueous solvent in the 10 emulsion being dried. In order to reduce the risk of explosion when a flammable solvent is being used, an inert gas, for example nitrogen, can be employed as the drying medium in a so-called closed spray-drying system. The solvent can be recovered and re-used. 15 We have found that the 'Buchi' B-290 type laboratory spray drying apparatus is suitable. It is preferable that the drying temperature should be at or 20 above 100 Celsius, preferably above 120 Celsius and most preferably above 140 Celsius. Elevated drying temperatures have been found to give smaller particles in the re-dissolved nano-disperse material. 25 Carrier Material: The carrier material is water soluble, which includes the formation of structured aqueous phases as well as true ionic solution of molecularly mono-disperse species. The carrier 30 material preferably comprises an inorganic material. WO 2008/006716 PCT/EP2007/056564 - 15 - surfactant/ a polymer or may be a mixture of two or more of these. It is envisaged that other non-polymeric, organic, water-5 soluble materials such as sugars can be used as the carrier. However the carrier materials specifically mentioned herein are preferred. Suitable carrier materials (referred to herein as 'water 10 soluble carrier materials') include preferred water-soluble polymers, preferred water-soluble surfactants and preferred water-soluble inorganic materials. Preferred polymeric carrier materials: 15 . Examples of suitable water-soluble polymeric carrier materials include: (a) natural polymers (for example naturally occurring gums 20 such as guar gum, alginate, locust bean gum or a polysaccharide such as dextran; (b) cellulose derivatives for example xanthan gum, xyloglucan, cellulose acetate, methylcellulose, methyl- 25 ethylcellulose, hydroxy-ethylcellulose, hydroxy-ethylmethyl-cellulose, hydroxy-propylcellulose, hydroxy-propylmethylcellulose, hydroxy-propylbutylcellulose, ethylhydroxy-ethylcellulose, carboxy-methylcellulose and its salts (eg the sodium 30 salt- SCMC), or carboxy-methylhydroxyethylcellulose and its salts (for example the sodium salt); WO 2008/006716 PCT/EP2007/056564 - 16 - (c) homopolymers of or copolymers prepared from two or more monomers selected from: vinyl alcohol, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, acrylamide, methacrylamide, 5 acrylamide methylpropane sulphonates, aminoalkylacrylates, aminoalkyl-methacrylates, hydroxyethylacrylate, hydroxyethylmethylacrylate, vinyl pyrrolidone, vinyl imidazole, vinyl amines, vinyl pyridine, ethyleneglycol and other alkylene glycols, 10 ethylene oxide and other alkylene oxides, ethyleneimine, styrenesulphonates, ethyleneglycolacrylates and ethyleneglycol methacrylate 15 (d) cyclodextrins, for example beta-cyclodextrin (e) mixtures thereof . When the polymeric material is a copolymer it may be a statistical copolymer (heretofore also known as a random 20 copolymer), a block copolymer, a graft copolymer or a hyperbranched copolymer. Co-monomers other than those listed above may also be included in addition to those listed if their presence does not destroy the water soluble or water dispersible nature of the resulting polymeric 25 material. Examples of suitable and preferred homopolymers include poly-vinylalcohol, poly-acrylic acid, poly-methacrylic acid, poly-acrylamides (such as poly-N-isopropylacrylamide), poly-30 methacrylamide; poly-acrylamines, poly-methyl-acrylamines, (such as polydimethylaminoethylmethacrylate and poly-N- WO 2008/006716 PCT/EP2007/056564 - 17 - morpholinoethylmethacrylate), polyvinylpyrrolidone, poly¬styrene sulphonate, polyvinylimidazole, polyvinylpyridine, poly-2-ethyl-oxazoline poly-ethyleneimine and ethoxylated derivatives thereof. 5 Polyethylene glycol (PEG), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazaline), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydroxypropyl cellulose and hydroxypropyl-methyl cellulose (HPMC) and alginates are preferred polymeric carrier 10 materials. Preferred surfactant carrier materials: Where the carrier material is a -surfactant, the surfactant 15 may be non-ionic, anionic, cationic, amphoteric or zwitterionic. Examples of suitable non-ionic surfactants include ethoxylated triglycerides; fatty alcohol ethoxylates; 20 alkylphenol ethoxylates; fatty acid ethoxylates; fatty amide ethoxylates; fatty amine ethoxylates; sorbitan alkanoates; ethylated sorbitan alkanoates; alkyl ethoxylates; Pluronics™; alkyl polyglucosides; stearol ethoxylates; alkyl polyglycosides. 25 Examples of suitable anionic surfactants include alkylether sulfates; alkylether carboxylates; alkylbenzene sulfonates; alkylether phosphates; dialkyl sulfosuccinates; sarcosinates; alkyl sulfonates; soaps; alkyl sulfates; alkyl 30 carboxylates; alkyl phosphates; paraffin sulfonates; WO 2008/006716 VCT/EP2007/0S6S64 - 18 - secondary n-alkane sulfonates; alpha-olefin sulfonates; isethionate sulfonates. Examples of suitable cationic surfactants include fatty 5 amine salts; fatty diamine salts; quaternary ammonium compounds; phosphonium surfactants; sulfonium surfactants; sulfonxonium surfactants. Examples of suitable zwitterionic surfactants include N-10 alkyl derivatives of amino acids (such as glycine, betaine, aminopropionic acid); imidazoline surfactants; amine oxides; amidobetaines. Mixtures of surfactants may be used. In such mixtures there 15 may be individual components which are liquid, provided that the carrier material overall, is a solid. Alkoxylated nonionic's (especially the PEG/PPG Pluronic™ materials), phenol-ethoxylates (especially TRITON™ 20 materials), alkyl sulphonates (especially SDS), ester surfactants (preferably sorbitan esters of the Span™ and Tween™ types) and cationics (especially cetyltrimethylammonium bromide - CTAB) are particularly preferred as surfactant carrier materials. 25 Preferred inorganic carrier materials: 30 The carrier material can also be an water-soluble inorganic material which is neither a surfactant nor a polymer. Simple WO 2008/006716 PCT/EP2007/056564 - 19 - organic salts have been found suitable, particularly in admixture with polymeric and/or surfactant carrier materials as described above. Suitable salts include carbonate, bicarbonates, halides, sulphates, nitrates and acetates, 5 particularly soluble salts of sodium, potassium and magnesium. Preferred materials include, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate and sodium sulphate. These materials have the advantage that they are cheap and physiologically acceptable. They are also relatively inert as well as 10 compatible with many materials found in pharmaceutical products. Mixtures of carrier materials are advantageous. Preferred mixtures include combinations of surfactants and polymers. 15 Which include at least one of: a) Polyethylene glycol (PEG), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), hydroxypropyl cellulose and hydroxypropyl-methyl cellulose (HPMC) , alginates and, at least one of; 20 b) Alkcxylated nonionic's (especially the PEG/PPG Pluronic™ materials), phenol-ethoxylates (especially TRITON™ materials), alkyl sulphonates (especially SDS), ester surfactants (preferably sorbitan esters of the 25 Span™ and Tween™ types) and cationics (especially cetyltrimethylammonium bromide - CTAB) The carrier material can also be a water-soluble small organic material which is neither a surfactant a polymer nor 30 an inorganic carrier material. Simple organic sugars have been found to be suitable, particularly in admixture with a WO 2008/006716 PCT/EP2007/056564 - 20 - polymeric and/or surfactant carrier material as described above. Suitable small organic materials include mannitol, polydextrose, xylitol and inulin etc. 5 Non-aqueous solvent: The compositions of the invention comprise a volatile, second non-aqueous solvent. This may either be miscible with the other solvents in pre-mix before drying or, together 10 with those solvents may form an emulsion. In one alternative form of the invention a single, non¬ aqueous solvent is employed in which can form a single phase with water in the presence of the sartan and the carrier. 15 Preferred solvents for these embodiments are polar, protic or aprotic solvents. Generally preferred solvents have a dipole moment greater than 1 and a dielectric constant greater than 4.5. 20 Particularly preferred solvents are selected from the group consisting of haloforms (preferably dichloromethane, chloroform), lower (C1-C10) alcohols (preferably methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, isobutanol), organic acids (preferably formic acid, acetic acid), amides (preferably formamide, 25 N,N-dimethylformamide), nitriles (preferably aceto-nitrile), esters (preferably ethyl acetate) aldehydes and ketones (preferably methyl ethyl ketone, acetone), and other water miscible species comprising hetroatom bond with a suitably large dipole (preferably tetrahydrofuran, 30 dialkylsulphoxide). WO 2008/006716 PCT/EP2007/056564 ~ 21 - Haloforms, lower alcohols, ketones and dialkylsulphoxides are the most preferred solvents. In another alternative form of the invention the non-aqueous 5 solvent is not miscible with water and forms an emulsion. The non-aqueous phase of the emulsion is preferably selected from one or more from the following group of volatile organic solvents: 10 • alkanes, preferably heptane, n-hexane, isooctane, dodecane, decane; • cyclic hydrocarbons, preferably toluene, xylene, 15 cyclohexane; • halogenated alkanes , preferably dichloromethane, dichoroethane, trichloromethane (chloroform), fluoro- trichloromethane and tetrachloroethane; 20 . • esters preferably ethyl acetate; • ketones preferably 2-butanone; • ethers preferably diethyl ether; 25 • volatile cyclic silicones preferably either linear or cyclomethicones containing from 4 to 6 silicon units. Suitable examples include DC245 and DC345, both of which are available from Dow Corning Inc. 30 WO 2008/006716 PCT/EP2007/0S6564 - 22 - Preferred solvents include dichloromethane, chloroform, ethanol, acetone and dimethyl sulphoxide. Preferred non-aqueous solvents, whether miscible or not have 5 a boiling point of less than 150 Celsius and, more preferably, have a boiling point of less than 100 Celsius, so as to facilitate drying, particularly spray-drying under practical conditions and without use of specialised equipment. Preferably they are non-flammable, or have a 10 flash point above the temperatures encountered in the method of the invention. Preferably, the non-aqueous solvent comprises from about 10 % to about 95 % v/v of any emulsion formed, more 15 preferably from about 20 % to about 80 % v/v. In the single phase method the level of solvent is preferably 20-100%v/v. Particularly preferred solvents are alcohols, particularly ethanol and halogenated solvents, more preferably chlorine-20 containing solvents, most preferably solvents selected from (di- or tri- chloromethane). Optional Cosurfactant: 25 In addition to the non-aqueous solvent an optional co-surfactant may be employed in the composition prior to the drying step. We have determined that the addition of a relatively small quantity of a volatile cosurfactant reduced the particle diameter of the material produced. This can 30 have a significant impact on particle volume. For example, reduction from 297nm to 252nm corresponds to a particle size WO 2008/006716 PCT/EP2007/056564 - 23 - reduction of approximately 40%. Thus, the addition of a small quantity of co-surfactant offers a simple and inexpensive method for reducing the particle size of materials according to the present invention without 5 changing the final product formulation. Preferred co-surfactants are short chain alcohols or amine with a boiling point of ( 10 Preferred co-surfactants are linear alcohols. Preferred co-surfactants are primary alcohols and amines. Particularly preferred co-surfactants are selected from the group consisting of the 3-6 carbon alcohols. Suitable alcohol co-surfactants include n-propanol, n-butanol, 15 n-pentanol, n-hexanol, hexylamine and mixtures thereof. Preferably the co-surfactant is present in a quantity (by volume) less than the solvent preferably the volume ratio between the solvent and the co-surfactant falls in the range 100:40 to 100:2, more preferably 100:30 to 100:5. 20 Preferred Spray-Drying Feedstocks: ( Typical spray drying feedstocks comprise: 25 a) a surfactant, b) at least one lower alcohol, c) more than 0.1% of at least one water-insoluble sartan 30 dissolved in the feedstock, WO 2008/006716 PCT/EP2007/056564 - 24 - d) a polymer, and, e) optional water 5 Preferred spray-drying feedstocks comprise: a) at least one non-aqueous solvent selected from dichloromethane, chloroform, ethanol, acetone, and mixtures thereof, 10 b) a surfactant selected from PEG co-polymer nonionic's (especially the PEG/PPG PluronicTM materials), alkyl sulphonates (especially SDS), ester surfactants (preferably sorbitan esters of the -Span™ and Tween™ 15 types) and cationics (especially cetyltrimethylammonium bromide - CTAB) and mixtures thereof, . c) more than 0.1% of at least one water-insoluble sartan, 20 d) a polymer selected from Polyethylene glycol (PEG), Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyvinyl-pyrrolidone (PVP), hydroxypropyl cellulose and hydroxypropyl-methyl cellulose (HPMC) , alginates and mixtures thereof, and 25 e) optionally water. The drying feed-stocks used in the present invention are either emulsions or solutions which preferably do not 30 contain any solid matter and in particular preferably do not contain any undissolved sartan. WO 2008/006716 PCT/EP2007/056S64 - 25 - It is particularly preferable that the level of the sartan in the composition should be such that the loading in the dried composition is below 40%wt, and more preferably below 5 30%wt. Such compositions have the advantages of a small particle size and high effectiveness as discussed above. 10 Water-Dispersed Form: On admixture of the water-soluble carrier material with 15 water, the carrier dissolves and the water-insoluble sartan is dispersed through the water in sufficiently fine form that it behaves like a soluble material in many respects. The particle size of the water-insoluble materials in the dry product is preferably such that, on solution in water 20 the water-insoluble materials have a particle size of less than 1 micron as determined by the Malvern method described herein. It is believed that there is no significant reduction of particle size for the sartan on dispersion of the solid form in water. 25 By applying the present invention significant levels of ^water-insoluble' materials can be brought into a state which is largely equivalent to true solution. When the dry product is dissolved in water it is possible to achieve 30 optically clear solutions comprising more than 0.1%, WO 2008/006716 PCT/EP2007/056564 - 26 - preferably more than 0,5% and more preferably more than 1% of the water-insoluble material. It is envisaged that the solution form will be a form 5 suitable for administration to a patient either 'as is' or following further dilution. In the alternative, the solution form of embodiments of the invention may be combined with other active materials to yield a medicament suitable for use in combination therapy. 10 EXAMPLES: In order that the present invention may be further understood and carried forth into practice it is further 15 described below with reference to non-limiting examples. Examples 1-20: Pre-mixes for spray drying were made up as in table 1 below. 20 The formulations were spray dried using a BUCHI Mini B-290 spray dryer with solids dissolved in 20ml ethanol and 10ml water. In all cases a clear solution was obtained which yielded a dry white powder after spray drying with a fixed pump rate of 10% (~3.6ml/min). 25 WO 2008/006716 PCT/EP2007/056564 - 27 -Table 1; For each sample (unless stated otherwise), about 10 mg powder was re-dispersed into 10 ml distilled water at room temperature (21.5 °C) to give a lmg/ml nano-dispersion for 10 particle size measurements. A method of particle sizing for the dispersed products of the present invention used in the following examples employs WO 2008/006716 PCI7EP2007/056564 - 28 - a dynamic light scattering instrument (Nano S, manufactured by Malvern Instruments UK). Specifically, the Malvern Instruments Nano S uses a red (633nm) 4mW Helium-Neon laser to illuminate a standard optical quality UV curvette 5 containing a suspension of material. Example 21: The formulation of example 14 was scaled up to produce more 10 material in order to conduct a dissolution study. A dose of valsartan (800mg of the product equivalent to 80mg of valsartan) was added to a 1000ml of de-ionised water, incubated at 360C' and stirred at a constant 50rpm. Aliquots 15 of the dissolving mixture were removed at various times, filtered through .a lOOOnm syringe filter. Equal volumes of the filtered aqueous mixture and ethanol were mixed to form a single phase solution of the dissolved drug and excipients. 20 The UV absorbance maxima for valsartan in a 50/50 ethanol/water mixture had previously been determined as 204nm. However, this region of the UV spectrum is very sensitive to small changes in pH leading to large errors in 25 the readings. As such, a wavelength of 257nm corresponding to a shoulder in the main valsartan absorbance spectra was used to construct a UV calibration graph for active concentration. 30 The aliquots recovered from the dissolution test were then examined at this wavelength and an active concentration WO 2008/006716 PCT/EP2007/056564 - 29 - calculated. Rapid initial dissolution was observed upon adding the powder to the dissolution bath, followed by a declining rate that eventually plateaus at a point corresponding to total dissolution. The dispersion obtained 5 was optically clear and stable. Examples 22-27: Formulations were produced based on a range of excipients, 10 active loadings, and process conditions. The excipients were chosen from hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPc, Mw 80K, Aldrich), polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP k3Q, Aldrich)r hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC, Mw 10k, 6cps, Aldrich), polyethylene glycol (PEG, Mw 6,000, Fluka), Tween 80 (Aldrich), and 15 pluronic F127 (Aldrich). Active loadings varied from 10 wt% to 30 wt%, and the spray dry temperature varied from 140 °C to 190 °C. WO 2008/006716 PCT/EP2007/056564 - 30 -Table 2 lists the formulations and spray temperatures. Table 2: Formulations for Irbesartan Nanoparticles Further details of these formulations are listed as below: 10 Example 22 0.10 g Irbesartan, 0.20 g PVP k30, 0.50 g HPC, and 0.20 g HPMC were all dispersed into 25 ml absolute ethanol followe by addition of 25 ml acetone. The suspension was stirred intensively with magnetic bar for about half hour before 15 adding 20 ml distilled water. A clear solution was obtained The solution was then spray dried with a BUCHI Mini B-290 spray dryer at 140 °C with the liquid feed rate at 2.5 ml/min. A white free flowing powder was obtained. WO 2008/006716 PCT/EP2007/056564 - 31 - 10 mg powder was dispersed into 10 ml distilled water, giving a crystal clear nanodispersion with a particle size of 86 nm. 5 Example 23 0.10 g Irbesartan, 0.20 g PVP k30, 0.20 g HPC, and 0.50 g HPMC were all dispersed into 25 ml absolute ethanol followed by addition of 25 ml acetone. The suspension was stirred intensively with a magnetic bar for about half hour before 10 adding 20 ml distilled water. A clear solution was obtained. The solution was then spray dried with a BUCH1 Mini B-290 spray dryer at 140 °C with the liquid feed rate at 2.5 ml/min. A white free flowing powder was obtained. 15 10 mg powder was dispersed into 10 ml distilled water, giving a crystal clear nanodispersion with a particle size of 227 nm. 20 Example 24 0.10 g Irbesartan, 0.20 g PVP k30, 0.20 g HPC, 0.20 g HPMC, and 0.30 g PEG 6000 were all dispersed into 25 ml absolute ethanol followed by addition of 25 ml acetone. The suspension was stirred intensively with a magnetic bar for 25 about half hour before adding 20 ml distilled water. A clear solution was obtained. The solution was then spray dried with a BUCHI Mini B-290 spray dryer at 140 °C with the liquid feed rate at 2.5 30 ml/min. A white free flowing powder was obtained. WO 2008/006716 PCT/EP2007/056564 - 32 - 10 mg powder was dispersed into 10 ml distilled water, giving a crystal clear nanodispersion with a particle size of 155 nm. 5 Example 25 0.10 g Irbesartan, 0.20 g PVP k30, 0.50 g HPC, and 0.20 g HPMC were all dispersed into 25 ml absolute ethanol followed by addition of 25 ml acetone. The suspension was stirred intensively with magnetic bar for about half hour before 10 adding 20 ml distilled water. A clear solution was obtained. The solution was then spray dried with a BUCHI Mini B-290 spray dryer at 190 °C with the liquid feed rate at 2.5 ml/min. A white free flowing powder was obtained. 15 10 mg powder was dispersed into 10 ml distilled water,. giving a crystal clear nanodispersion with a particle size of 81 nm. 20 Example 26 0.10 g Irbesartan, 0.20 g PVP k30, 0.20 g HPC, 0.20 g HPMC, 25 and 0.30 g PEG 6000 were all dispersed into 25 ml absolute ethanol followed by addition of 25 ml acetone. The suspension was stirred intensively with a magnetic bar for about half hour before adding 20 ml distilled water. A clear solution was obtained. 30 WO 2008/006716 PCT/EP2007/056564 - 33 - The solution was then spray dried with a BUCHI Mini B-290 spray dryer at 190 °C with the liquid feed rate at 2.5 m1/min. A white free flowing powder was obtained. 5 10 mg powder was dispersed into 10 ml distilled water, giving a crystal clear nanodispersion with a particle size of 165 nm. Example 27 10 0.30 g Irbesartan, 0.20 g PVP k30, 0.30 g HPC, and 0.20 g HPMC were all dispersed into 25 ml absolute ethanol followed by addition of 25 mi acetone. The suspension was stirred intensively with a magnetic bar for about half hour before adding 20 ml distilled water. A clear solution was obtained. 15 The solution was then spray dried with a BUCHI Mini B-290 spray dryer at 190 °C with the liquid feed rate at 2.5 ml/min. A white free flowing powder was obtained. 20 10 mg powder was dispersed into 10 ml distilled water, giving a translucent nanodispersion with a particle size of ( 779 nm. Printed 04/03/2008 CLMSPAMD EP2007056564 T3183 (C) CPL - 34 - CIAIMS 1. A process for the production of a composition 5 comprising a water-insoluble sartan which comprises the steps of: a) providing a mixture comprising: 10 i) a water-insoluble sartan ii) a water soluble carrier, iii) a solvent for each of the sartan and the 15 carrier , and b) spray-drying the mixture to remove the or each solvent and obtain a substantially solvent-free nano-dispersion of the(sartan in the carrier. 20 25 2. A process according to claim 1 which comprises the steps of: a) providing an emulsion comprising: i) a solution of ttreQiafr.i.-pfrraGitic agontt in a water-immiscible solvent for the same, and ii) an aqueous solution of the carrier, and, 30 AMENDED SHEET . 13/02/2008 T3183 (C) CPL 5 10 - 35 - b) spray-drying the emulsion to remove water and the water-immiscible solvent to obtain a substantially solvent-free nano-dispersion of the sartah in the carrier 3 A process according to claim 1 which comprises the steps of: -1 a) providing a single phase mixture comprising: i) at least one non-aqueous solvent ii) optionally, water 15 iii) a water-soluble carrier material soluble in the mixture of (i) and (ii) and iv) a water-insoluble sartan which is soluble in the mixture of (i) and (ii), and, 20 25 b) spray-drying the solution to remove water and the water miscible solvent to obtain a substantially solvent-free nano-dispersion of the") sartan in the carrier. A process according to any of claims 1-3 wherein the spray drying process is conducted at a temperature at or above 120 Celsius. . .:.3■:!«->£■- ■■s..-.T--.----?.z=?rY! AMENDED SHEET 13/02/2008 minted: 04/03/2008. ' ^CLMSPAMD' EP2007056564 T3183 (C) CPL - 36 - 5. A process according to any of claims 1-4 in which the carrier material includes a polymer and/or a surfactant. 5 6. A process according to claim 5 wherein the carrier material includes at least one of polyethylene glycol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazaline), polyvinyl alcohol, hydroxypropyl cellulose and hydroxypropyl-methyl cellulose and alginate. 10 15 7. A process according to claim 5 wherein the carrier material includes at least one of alkoxylated non-ionic surfactant, ether sulphate surfactant, cationic surfactant or ester surfactant. 8 A process according to any one -of claims 1-7 wherein the non-aqueous solvent includes at least one of dichloromethane, chloroform, ethanol, acetone and dimethyl sulphoxide. 20 9. A process for the preparation of a medicament for use in the treatment or prophylaxis of hypertensive disease which comprises the step of preparing a composition by a process according to any one of claims 25 1-8. 10. A'vcomposition obtainable by the- process of any one of claims 1-8, comprising a water-insoluble sartan and a water soluble carrier which comprises/sartan particles 30 of 40-15 AM average particle size dispersed in the carrier. DATED this 6th day of January 2009 Of S.Maiumdar&Co. Applicant's Agent AMENDED SHEET 13/02/2008

Full Text

FORM2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
The Patents Rules, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10; rule 13)
l. Title of the invention:. - "IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO
PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOSITIONS"

2. Applicant(s)
(a) NAME : UNILEVER PLC
(b) NATIONALITY : A British Company
(c) ADDRESS : Unilever House, Blackfriars, London EC4P 4BQ,United Kingdom
3. PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION

The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:

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Field of the Invention:
5
The present invention relates improvements relating to pharmaceutical compositions. In particular it relates to pharmaceutically active compositions and precursors therefor which contain a so-called "sartan" 10
Background of the Invention
Angiotensin II is formed from Angiotensin I by angiotensin 15 converting enzyme (ACE). Angiotensin II is a component of the renin-angiotensin system. Angiotensin II receptor antagonists block the action of Angiotensin II. The present invention is believed to be generally applicable to hydrophobic Angiotensin II receptor antagonists (sartans) 20 but will be described with particular reference to Valsartan.
Valsartan and other Angiotensin II receptor antagonists (including Candesartan, Eprosartan, Ibresartan, Losartan,
25 Olmesartan and Telmesartan) are primarily used for the treatment of hypertension, and are effective where the patient is intolerant of ACE inhibitor therapy. They do not inhibit the breakdown of kinins and therefore are less frequently associated with the persistent dry cough and/or
30 other side effects that limit ACE inhibitor therapy. More recently, they have been used for the treatment of heart

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failure in patients intolerant of ACE inhibitor therapy, (particularly candesartan, Irbesartan and losartan). Many Sartans exhibit low water solubility and are practically insoluble in water. This hinders their effective use. 5
Our co-pending international patent application PCT/GB03/03226 describes the formation of solid, porous beads comprising a three dimensional open-cell lattice of a water-soluble polymeric material. These are typically
10 'templated' materials formed by the removal of both water
and a non-aqueous dispersed phase from a high internal phase emulsion (HIPE) which has a polymer dissolved in the aqueous phase. The beads are formed by dropping the HIPE emulsion into a low temperature fluid such as liquid nitrogen, then
15 freeze-drying the particles formed to remove the bulk of the aqueous phase and the dispersed phase. This leaves- behind the polymer in the form of a 'skeletal' structure. The beads dissolve rapidly in water and have the remarkable property that a water-insoluble component dispersed in the dispersed
20 phase of the emulsion prior to freezing and drying can also be dispersed in water on solution of the polymer skeleton of the beads.
WO 2005/011636 discloses a non-emulsion based spray drying 25 process for forming 'solid amorphous dispersions' of drugs in polymers. In this method a polymer and a low-solubility drug are dissolved in a solvent and spray-dried to form dispersions in which the drug is mostly present in an amorphous form rather than in a crystalline form. 30

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Our co-pending applications GB 0501835 and GB 0613925 (filed 13th July 2006) describe how materials which will form a nano-dispersion in water can be prepared, preferably by a spray-drying process. In the first of these applications the 5 water insoluble materials is dissolved in the solvent-phase of an emulsion. In the second, the water-insoluble materials are dissolved in a mixed solvent system and co-exist in the same phase as a water-soluble structuring agent. In both cases the liquid is dried above ambient temperature (above
10 20 Celsius), such as by spray drying, to produce particles of the structuring agent, as a carrier, with the water-insoluble materials dispersed therein. When these particles are placed in water they dissolve, forming a nano-dispersion of the water-insoluble material with particles typically
15 below 300nm. This scale is similar to that of virus
particles, and the water-insoluble material behaves as though it were in solution.
WO 2006/074218 (Elan Pharma International Ltd) discloses 20 nanoparticulate forms of candesartan (particularly
candisartan cilexitil). Particle sizes are disclosed from 2000nm down to 50nm. Methods for the production of these nanoparticles include grinding, milling, homogenisation, precipitation and supercritical gas methods. 25
In the present application the term 'ambient temperature' means 20 degrees Celsius and all percentages are percentages by weight unless otherwise specified.
30

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5

We have now determined that both the emulsion-based and the single-phase method can be used to produce a water-soluble, nano-disperse form of a sartan.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a process for the production of a composition comprising a water-insoluble sartan which comprises the steps of:'

10 a) providing a mixture comprising:
i) a water-insoluble sartan
ii) a water soluble carrier, 15
iii) a solvent for each of the sartan and the carrier ,
and
20 b) spray-drying the mixture to remove the or each solvent and obtain a substantially solvent-free nano-dispersion of the sartan in the carrier.
The preferred method of particle sizing for the dispersed 25 products of the present invention employs a dynamic light scattering instrument (Nano S, manufactured by Malvern Instruments UK). Specifically, the Malvern Instruments Nano S uses a red (633nm) 4mW Helium-Neon laser to illuminate a standard optical quality UV curvette containing a suspension 30 of material. The particle sizes quoted in this application are those obtained with that apparatus using the standard
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less than 5g/L preferably of less than lg/L, especially preferably less than 150mg/L, even more preferably less than l00mg/L. This solubility level provides the intended interpretation of what is meant by water-insoluble in the 5 present specification. For example,'valsartan has a
solubility of 0.18g/L and irbesartan has a solubility of Preferred water-insoluble sartans include Valsartan, 10 Candesartan, Eprosartan, Irbesartan, Losartan, Olmesartan, Telmesartan and water insoluble derivatives thereof.
Preferred carrier materials are selected from the group consisting of:water-soluble inorganic materials, 15 surfactants, polymers and mixtures thereof.
A further aspect.of the present invention provides a process for preparing a sartan composition comprising a water-insoluble sartan and a water-soluble carrier, which. 20 comprises the steps of:
a) forming an emulsion comprising:
i) a solution of the sartan in a water-immiscible
25 solvent for the same, and
ii) an aqueous solution of the carrier, and,
b) drying the solution to remove water and the water-
30 immiscible solvent to obtain a substantially solvent-free nano-dispersion of thelsartan in the carrier
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For convenience, this class of method is referred to herein as the "emulsion" method.
5 A further aspect of the present invention provides a process for preparing a sartan composition comprising a water insoluble sartan and a water-soluble carrier which comprises the steps of:
10 a) providing a single phase mixture comprising:
i) at least one non-aqueous solvent
ii) optionally, water 15
iii) a water-soluble carrier material soluble in the mixture of (i) and (ii) and
iv) a water-insoluble sartan which is soluble in the
20 mixture of (i) and (ii), and,
b) drying the solution to remove water and the water
miscible solvent to obtain a substantially solvent-free
nano-dispersion of the Water Insoluble sartan in the carrier.
25
For convenience, this class of method is referred to herein
as the "single-phase" method.
In the context of the present invention substantially 30 solvent free means that the free solvent content of the
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product is less than 15%wt, preferably below 10%wt, more preferably below 5%wt and most preferably below 2%wt.
In the context of the present invention it is essential that 5 both the carrier material and the sartan are essentially fully dissolved in their respective solvents prior to the drying step. It is not within the ambit of the present specification to teach the drying of slurries. For the avoidance of any doubt, it is therefore the case that the 10 solids content of the emulsion or the mixture is such that over 90%wt, preferably over 95%, and more preferably over 98% of the soluble materials present is in solution prior to the drying step.
15 In relation to the methods mentioned above, the preferred sartan and the preferred carrier materials are as described above and as elaborated on in further detail below. Similarly the preferred physical characteristics of the material are as described above.
20
The 'single phase' method where both the sartan and the carrier material are dissolved in a phase comprising at least one other non-aqueous solvent (and optional water) is preferred. This is believed to be more efficacious in
25 obtaining a smaller particle size for the nano-disperse
sartan. Preferably, the drying step simultaneously removes both the water and other solvents and, more preferably, drying is accomplished by spray drying at above ambient temperature.
30

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The products obtainable by the process aspects of the present invention are suitable for use in the preparation of medicaments for treatment or prophylaxis of hypertensive diseases.
A further aspect of the present invention provides a method for the preparation of a medicament for use in the treatment hypertensive disease of which comprises the step of preparing a composition according to the present invention.
10

15
20

Detailed Description of the Invention:
Various preferred features and embodiments of the present invention are described in further detail below.
Sartans:
As noted above the preferred water-insoluble Sartans are

drugc otu watcM. iiiouluble. anti malaria-l drugs selected from the group consisting of Valsartan, Candesartan, Eprosartan, Irbesartan, Losartan, Olmesartan, Telmesartan and 25 derivatives and mixtures thereof. These can be present as the sole pharmaceutically active ingredient in compositions according to the present invention or be together with other drugs to provide a so-called ^combination therapy'.
30 As an illustrative example, Irbesartan is also available in a combination formulation with a low dose thiazide diuretic,
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invariably hydrochlorothiazide, to achieve an additive antihypertensive effect. Irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide combination preparations are marketed under similar trade names to irbesartan preparations, including CoAprovel, 5 Karvezide, Avalide and Avapro HCT.
Water-Dispersible Product Form:
The present invention provides a method for obtaining a 10 water-dispersible form of an otherwise water-insoluble
material. This is prepared by forming a not wholly aqueous intermediate emulsion or solution in which both a water-soluble carrier material and the water insoluble sartan are dissolved. On removal of solvents the insoluble sartan is 15 left dispersed through the water-soluble carrier material. Suitable carrier materials are described in further details -below.
The structure of the material obtained after the drying step 20 is not well understood. It is believed that the resulting dry materials are not encapsulates, as discrete macroscopic bodies of the water-insoluble materials are not present in the dry product. Neither are the dry materials dry emulsions' as little or none of the volatile solvent 25 comprising the 'oil' phase of the emulsion remains after the drying step. On addition of water to the dry product the emulsion is not reformed, as it would be with a Mry emulsion'. It is also believed that the compositions are not so-called solid solutions, as with the present invention the 30 ratios of components present can be varied without loss of the benefits. Also from X-ray and DSC studies, it is

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believed that the compositions of the invention are not solid solutions, but comprise nano-scale, phase-separated mixtures.
5 Preferably, the compositions produced after the drying step will comprise the sartan and the carrier in a weight ratio of from 1:500 to 1:1 (as sartan:carrier), 1:100 to 1:1 being preferred. Typical levels of around 10-30%wt water-insoluble sartan and 90-70%wt carrier can be obtained by spray drying.
10
By the method of the present invention the particle size of the sartan materials can be reduced to below 100nm and may be reduced to around 15nm. Preferred particle sizes are in the range 40-15nm.
15
'Emulsion' Preparation Method:
In one preferred method according to the invention the solvent for the water-insoluble sartanis not miscible with 20 water. On admixture with water it therefore can form an emulsion.
Preferably, the non-aqueous phase comprises from about 10 % to about 95 % v/v of the emulsion, more preferably from 25 about 20 % to about 68 % v/v.
The emulsions are typically prepared- under conditions which are well known to those skilled in the art, for example, by using a magnetic stirring bar, a homogeniser, or a 30 rotational mechanical stirrer. The emulsions need not be

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particularly stable, provided that they do not undergo extensive phase separation prior to drying.
Homogenisation using a high-shear mixing device is a 5 particularly preferred way to make an emulsion in which the aqueous phase is the continuous phase. It is believed that this avoidance of coarse emulsion and reduction of the droplet si2e of the dispersed phase of the emulsion, results in an improved dispersion of the 'payload' material in the 10 dry product.
In a preferred method according to the invention a water-continuous emulsion is prepared with an average dispersed-phase droplet size (using the Malvern peak intensity) of 15 between 500nm and 5000nm. We have found that an 'Ultra-Turrux' T25 type laboratory homogenizer (or equivalent) gives a suitable emulsion when operated for more than a minute at above 10,000 rpm.
20 There is a directional relation between the emulsion droplet size and the size of the particles of the 'payload' material, which can be detected after dispersion of the materials of the invention in aqueous solution. We have determined that an increase in the speed of homogenization
25 for precursor emulsions can decrease final particle size after re-dissolution.
It is believed that the re-dissolved particle size can be reduced by nearly one half when the homogenization speed 30 increased from 13,500 rpm to 21,500 rpm. The homogenization time is also believed to play a role in controlling re-

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dissolved particle size. The particle size again decreases with increase in the homogenization time, and the particle size distribution become broader at the same time.
5 Sonication is also a particularly preferred way of reducing the droplet size for emulsion systems. We have found that a Hert Systems Sonicator XL operated at level 10 for two minutes is suitable.
10 It is believed that ratios of components which decrease the relative concentration of the anti-parasitic to the solvents and/or the carrier give a smaller particle size.
'Single Phase' Preparation Method:
15
In an alternative method according to the present invention both the carrier and the sartan are soluble in a non-aqueous solvent or a mixture of such a solvent with water. Both here and elsewhere in the specification the non-aqueous
20 solvent can be a mixture of non-aqueous solvents.
In this case the feedstock of the drying step can be a single phase material in which both the water-soluble carrier and the water-insoluble sartan are dissolved. It is 25 also possible for this feedstock to be an emulsion, provided that both the carrier and the sartan are dissolved in the same phase.
The 'single-phase' method is generally believed to give a 30 better nano-dispersion with a smaller particle size than the emulsion method.

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It is believed that ratios of components which decrease the relative concentration of the sartan to the solvents and/or the carrier give a smaller particle size. 5 Drying:
Spray drying is well known to those versed in the art. In the case of the present invention some care must be taken due to the presence of a volatile non-aqueous solvent in the
10 emulsion being dried. In order to reduce the risk of
explosion when a flammable solvent is being used, an inert gas, for example nitrogen, can be employed as the drying medium in a so-called closed spray-drying system. The solvent can be recovered and re-used.
15
We have found that the 'Buchi' B-290 type laboratory spray drying apparatus is suitable.
It is preferable that the drying temperature should be at or 20 above 100 Celsius, preferably above 120 Celsius and most preferably above 140 Celsius. Elevated drying temperatures have been found to give smaller particles in the re-dissolved nano-disperse material.
25 Carrier Material:
The carrier material is water soluble, which includes the formation of structured aqueous phases as well as true ionic solution of molecularly mono-disperse species. The carrier 30 material preferably comprises an inorganic material.

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surfactant/ a polymer or may be a mixture of two or more of these.
It is envisaged that other non-polymeric, organic, water-5 soluble materials such as sugars can be used as the carrier. However the carrier materials specifically mentioned herein are preferred.
Suitable carrier materials (referred to herein as 'water 10 soluble carrier materials') include preferred water-soluble polymers, preferred water-soluble surfactants and preferred water-soluble inorganic materials.
Preferred polymeric carrier materials: 15 . Examples of suitable water-soluble polymeric carrier materials include:
(a) natural polymers (for example naturally occurring gums
20 such as guar gum, alginate, locust bean gum or a
polysaccharide such as dextran;
(b) cellulose derivatives for example xanthan gum,
xyloglucan, cellulose acetate, methylcellulose, methyl-
25 ethylcellulose, hydroxy-ethylcellulose, hydroxy-ethylmethyl-cellulose, hydroxy-propylcellulose, hydroxy-propylmethylcellulose, hydroxy-propylbutylcellulose, ethylhydroxy-ethylcellulose, carboxy-methylcellulose and its salts (eg the sodium
30 salt- SCMC), or carboxy-methylhydroxyethylcellulose and its salts (for example the sodium salt);

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(c) homopolymers of or copolymers prepared from two or more monomers selected from: vinyl alcohol, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, acrylamide, methacrylamide, 5 acrylamide methylpropane sulphonates,
aminoalkylacrylates, aminoalkyl-methacrylates, hydroxyethylacrylate, hydroxyethylmethylacrylate, vinyl pyrrolidone, vinyl imidazole, vinyl amines, vinyl pyridine, ethyleneglycol and other alkylene glycols, 10 ethylene oxide and other alkylene oxides, ethyleneimine, styrenesulphonates, ethyleneglycolacrylates and ethyleneglycol methacrylate

15

(d) cyclodextrins, for example beta-cyclodextrin
(e) mixtures thereof .

When the polymeric material is a copolymer it may be a statistical copolymer (heretofore also known as a random
20 copolymer), a block copolymer, a graft copolymer or a hyperbranched copolymer. Co-monomers other than those listed above may also be included in addition to those listed if their presence does not destroy the water soluble or water dispersible nature of the resulting polymeric
25 material.
Examples of suitable and preferred homopolymers include poly-vinylalcohol, poly-acrylic acid, poly-methacrylic acid, poly-acrylamides (such as poly-N-isopropylacrylamide), poly-30 methacrylamide; poly-acrylamines, poly-methyl-acrylamines, (such as polydimethylaminoethylmethacrylate and poly-N-

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morpholinoethylmethacrylate), polyvinylpyrrolidone, poly¬styrene sulphonate, polyvinylimidazole, polyvinylpyridine, poly-2-ethyl-oxazoline poly-ethyleneimine and ethoxylated derivatives thereof. 5
Polyethylene glycol (PEG), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazaline), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydroxypropyl cellulose and hydroxypropyl-methyl cellulose (HPMC) and alginates are preferred polymeric carrier 10 materials.
Preferred surfactant carrier materials:
Where the carrier material is a -surfactant, the surfactant 15 may be non-ionic, anionic, cationic, amphoteric or zwitterionic.
Examples of suitable non-ionic surfactants include
ethoxylated triglycerides; fatty alcohol ethoxylates; 20 alkylphenol ethoxylates; fatty acid ethoxylates; fatty amide
ethoxylates; fatty amine ethoxylates; sorbitan alkanoates;
ethylated sorbitan alkanoates; alkyl ethoxylates;
Pluronics™; alkyl polyglucosides; stearol ethoxylates; alkyl
polyglycosides. 25
Examples of suitable anionic surfactants include alkylether
sulfates; alkylether carboxylates; alkylbenzene sulfonates;
alkylether phosphates; dialkyl sulfosuccinates;
sarcosinates; alkyl sulfonates; soaps; alkyl sulfates; alkyl 30 carboxylates; alkyl phosphates; paraffin sulfonates;

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secondary n-alkane sulfonates; alpha-olefin sulfonates; isethionate sulfonates.
Examples of suitable cationic surfactants include fatty 5 amine salts; fatty diamine salts; quaternary ammonium
compounds; phosphonium surfactants; sulfonium surfactants; sulfonxonium surfactants.
Examples of suitable zwitterionic surfactants include N-10 alkyl derivatives of amino acids (such as glycine, betaine, aminopropionic acid); imidazoline surfactants; amine oxides; amidobetaines.
Mixtures of surfactants may be used. In such mixtures there 15 may be individual components which are liquid, provided that the carrier material overall, is a solid.
Alkoxylated nonionic's (especially the PEG/PPG Pluronic™
materials), phenol-ethoxylates (especially TRITON™ 20 materials), alkyl sulphonates (especially SDS), ester
surfactants (preferably sorbitan esters of the Span™ and
Tween™ types) and cationics (especially
cetyltrimethylammonium bromide - CTAB) are particularly
preferred as surfactant carrier materials. 25
Preferred inorganic carrier materials:
30 The carrier material can also be an water-soluble inorganic material which is neither a surfactant nor a polymer. Simple

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organic salts have been found suitable, particularly in admixture with polymeric and/or surfactant carrier materials as described above. Suitable salts include carbonate, bicarbonates, halides, sulphates, nitrates and acetates, 5 particularly soluble salts of sodium, potassium and
magnesium. Preferred materials include, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate and sodium sulphate. These materials have the advantage that they are cheap and physiologically acceptable. They are also relatively inert as well as 10 compatible with many materials found in pharmaceutical products.
Mixtures of carrier materials are advantageous. Preferred mixtures include combinations of surfactants and polymers. 15 Which include at least one of:
a) Polyethylene glycol (PEG), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP),
hydroxypropyl cellulose and hydroxypropyl-methyl
cellulose (HPMC) , alginates and, at least one of;
20
b) Alkcxylated nonionic's (especially the PEG/PPG
Pluronic™ materials), phenol-ethoxylates (especially
TRITON™ materials), alkyl sulphonates (especially SDS),
ester surfactants (preferably sorbitan esters of the
25 Span™ and Tween™ types) and cationics (especially cetyltrimethylammonium bromide - CTAB)
The carrier material can also be a water-soluble small organic material which is neither a surfactant a polymer nor 30 an inorganic carrier material. Simple organic sugars have been found to be suitable, particularly in admixture with a

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polymeric and/or surfactant carrier material as described above. Suitable small organic materials include mannitol, polydextrose, xylitol and inulin etc.
5 Non-aqueous solvent:
The compositions of the invention comprise a volatile, second non-aqueous solvent. This may either be miscible with the other solvents in pre-mix before drying or, together 10 with those solvents may form an emulsion.
In one alternative form of the invention a single, non¬
aqueous solvent is employed in which can form a single phase
with water in the presence of the sartan and the carrier.
15 Preferred solvents for these embodiments are polar, protic
or aprotic solvents. Generally preferred solvents have a
dipole moment greater than 1 and a dielectric constant
greater than 4.5.
20 Particularly preferred solvents are selected from the group consisting of haloforms (preferably dichloromethane, chloroform), lower (C1-C10) alcohols (preferably methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, isobutanol), organic acids (preferably formic acid, acetic acid), amides (preferably formamide,
25 N,N-dimethylformamide), nitriles (preferably aceto-nitrile), esters (preferably ethyl acetate) aldehydes and ketones (preferably methyl ethyl ketone, acetone), and other water miscible species comprising hetroatom bond with a suitably large dipole (preferably tetrahydrofuran,
30 dialkylsulphoxide).

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Haloforms, lower alcohols, ketones and dialkylsulphoxides are the most preferred solvents.
In another alternative form of the invention the non-aqueous 5 solvent is not miscible with water and forms an emulsion.
The non-aqueous phase of the emulsion is preferably selected from one or more from the following group of volatile organic solvents: 10
• alkanes, preferably heptane, n-hexane, isooctane,
dodecane, decane;
• cyclic hydrocarbons, preferably toluene, xylene,
15 cyclohexane;
• halogenated alkanes , preferably dichloromethane,
dichoroethane, trichloromethane (chloroform), fluoro-
trichloromethane and tetrachloroethane;
20 . • esters preferably ethyl acetate;
• ketones preferably 2-butanone;
• ethers preferably diethyl ether; 25
• volatile cyclic silicones preferably either linear or
cyclomethicones containing from 4 to 6 silicon units.
Suitable examples include DC245 and DC345, both of which
are available from Dow Corning Inc.
30

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Preferred solvents include dichloromethane, chloroform, ethanol, acetone and dimethyl sulphoxide.
Preferred non-aqueous solvents, whether miscible or not have 5 a boiling point of less than 150 Celsius and, more
preferably, have a boiling point of less than 100 Celsius, so as to facilitate drying, particularly spray-drying under practical conditions and without use of specialised equipment. Preferably they are non-flammable, or have a 10 flash point above the temperatures encountered in the method of the invention.
Preferably, the non-aqueous solvent comprises from about 10 % to about 95 % v/v of any emulsion formed, more 15 preferably from about 20 % to about 80 % v/v. In the single phase method the level of solvent is preferably 20-100%v/v.
Particularly preferred solvents are alcohols, particularly ethanol and halogenated solvents, more preferably chlorine-20 containing solvents, most preferably solvents selected from (di- or tri- chloromethane).
Optional Cosurfactant:
25 In addition to the non-aqueous solvent an optional
co-surfactant may be employed in the composition prior to the drying step. We have determined that the addition of a relatively small quantity of a volatile cosurfactant reduced the particle diameter of the material produced. This can
30 have a significant impact on particle volume. For example,
reduction from 297nm to 252nm corresponds to a particle size

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reduction of approximately 40%. Thus, the addition of a small quantity of co-surfactant offers a simple and inexpensive method for reducing the particle size of materials according to the present invention without 5 changing the final product formulation.
Preferred co-surfactants are short chain alcohols or amine with a boiling point of ( 10 Preferred co-surfactants are linear alcohols. Preferred
co-surfactants are primary alcohols and amines.
Particularly preferred co-surfactants are selected from the
group consisting of the 3-6 carbon alcohols. Suitable
alcohol co-surfactants include n-propanol, n-butanol,
15 n-pentanol, n-hexanol, hexylamine and mixtures thereof. Preferably the co-surfactant is present in a quantity (by volume) less than the solvent preferably the volume ratio between the solvent and the co-surfactant falls in the range 100:40 to 100:2, more preferably 100:30 to 100:5.
20
Preferred Spray-Drying Feedstocks: (
Typical spray drying feedstocks comprise:
25 a) a surfactant,
b) at least one lower alcohol,
c) more than 0.1% of at least one water-insoluble sartan 30 dissolved in the feedstock,

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d) a polymer, and,
e) optional water
5 Preferred spray-drying feedstocks comprise:
a) at least one non-aqueous solvent selected from
dichloromethane, chloroform, ethanol, acetone, and
mixtures thereof,
10
b) a surfactant selected from PEG co-polymer nonionic's
(especially the PEG/PPG PluronicTM materials), alkyl
sulphonates (especially SDS), ester surfactants
(preferably sorbitan esters of the -Span™ and Tween™
15 types) and cationics (especially cetyltrimethylammonium bromide - CTAB) and mixtures thereof, .
c) more than 0.1% of at least one water-insoluble sartan,
20 d) a polymer selected from Polyethylene glycol (PEG),
Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyvinyl-pyrrolidone (PVP), hydroxypropyl cellulose and hydroxypropyl-methyl cellulose (HPMC) , alginates and mixtures thereof, and
25 e) optionally water.
The drying feed-stocks used in the present invention are either emulsions or solutions which preferably do not 30 contain any solid matter and in particular preferably do not contain any undissolved sartan.

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It is particularly preferable that the level of the sartan in the composition should be such that the loading in the dried composition is below 40%wt, and more preferably below 5 30%wt. Such compositions have the advantages of a small particle size and high effectiveness as discussed above.
10
Water-Dispersed Form:
On admixture of the water-soluble carrier material with
15 water, the carrier dissolves and the water-insoluble sartan is dispersed through the water in sufficiently fine form that it behaves like a soluble material in many respects. The particle size of the water-insoluble materials in the dry product is preferably such that, on solution in water
20 the water-insoluble materials have a particle size of less than 1 micron as determined by the Malvern method described herein. It is believed that there is no significant reduction of particle size for the sartan on dispersion of the solid form in water.
25
By applying the present invention significant levels of ^water-insoluble' materials can be brought into a state which is largely equivalent to true solution. When the dry product is dissolved in water it is possible to achieve
30 optically clear solutions comprising more than 0.1%,

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preferably more than 0,5% and more preferably more than 1% of the water-insoluble material.
It is envisaged that the solution form will be a form 5 suitable for administration to a patient either 'as is' or following further dilution. In the alternative, the solution form of embodiments of the invention may be combined with other active materials to yield a medicament suitable for use in combination therapy. 10
EXAMPLES:
In order that the present invention may be further understood and carried forth into practice it is further 15 described below with reference to non-limiting examples.
Examples 1-20:
Pre-mixes for spray drying were made up as in table 1 below.
20 The formulations were spray dried using a BUCHI Mini B-290 spray dryer with solids dissolved in 20ml ethanol and 10ml water. In all cases a clear solution was obtained which yielded a dry white powder after spray drying with a fixed pump rate of 10% (~3.6ml/min).
25

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- 27 -Table 1;

For each sample (unless stated otherwise), about 10 mg powder was re-dispersed into 10 ml distilled water at room temperature (21.5 °C) to give a lmg/ml nano-dispersion for 10 particle size measurements.
A method of particle sizing for the dispersed products of the present invention used in the following examples employs

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a dynamic light scattering instrument (Nano S, manufactured by Malvern Instruments UK). Specifically, the Malvern Instruments Nano S uses a red (633nm) 4mW Helium-Neon laser to illuminate a standard optical quality UV curvette 5 containing a suspension of material.
Example 21:
The formulation of example 14 was scaled up to produce more 10 material in order to conduct a dissolution study.
A dose of valsartan (800mg of the product equivalent to 80mg of valsartan) was added to a 1000ml of de-ionised water, incubated at 360C' and stirred at a constant 50rpm. Aliquots
15 of the dissolving mixture were removed at various times,
filtered through .a lOOOnm syringe filter. Equal volumes of the filtered aqueous mixture and ethanol were mixed to form a single phase solution of the dissolved drug and excipients.
20
The UV absorbance maxima for valsartan in a 50/50 ethanol/water mixture had previously been determined as 204nm. However, this region of the UV spectrum is very sensitive to small changes in pH leading to large errors in
25 the readings. As such, a wavelength of 257nm corresponding to a shoulder in the main valsartan absorbance spectra was used to construct a UV calibration graph for active concentration.
30 The aliquots recovered from the dissolution test were then examined at this wavelength and an active concentration

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calculated. Rapid initial dissolution was observed upon adding the powder to the dissolution bath, followed by a declining rate that eventually plateaus at a point corresponding to total dissolution. The dispersion obtained 5 was optically clear and stable.
Examples 22-27:
Formulations were produced based on a range of excipients, 10 active loadings, and process conditions. The excipients were chosen from hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPc, Mw 80K, Aldrich), polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP k3Q, Aldrich)r hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC, Mw 10k, 6cps, Aldrich), polyethylene glycol (PEG, Mw 6,000, Fluka), Tween 80 (Aldrich), and 15 pluronic F127 (Aldrich).
Active loadings varied from 10 wt% to 30 wt%, and the spray dry temperature varied from 140 °C to 190 °C.

WO 2008/006716 PCT/EP2007/056564
- 30 -Table 2 lists the formulations and spray temperatures.
Table 2: Formulations for Irbesartan Nanoparticles

Further details of these formulations are listed as below:
10 Example 22
0.10 g Irbesartan, 0.20 g PVP k30, 0.50 g HPC, and 0.20 g HPMC were all dispersed into 25 ml absolute ethanol followe by addition of 25 ml acetone. The suspension was stirred intensively with magnetic bar for about half hour before 15 adding 20 ml distilled water. A clear solution was obtained
The solution was then spray dried with a BUCHI Mini B-290 spray dryer at 140 °C with the liquid feed rate at 2.5 ml/min. A white free flowing powder was obtained.

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10 mg powder was dispersed into 10 ml distilled water, giving a crystal clear nanodispersion with a particle size of 86 nm.
5 Example 23
0.10 g Irbesartan, 0.20 g PVP k30, 0.20 g HPC, and 0.50 g HPMC were all dispersed into 25 ml absolute ethanol followed by addition of 25 ml acetone. The suspension was stirred intensively with a magnetic bar for about half hour before 10 adding 20 ml distilled water. A clear solution was obtained.
The solution was then spray dried with a BUCH1 Mini B-290 spray dryer at 140 °C with the liquid feed rate at 2.5 ml/min. A white free flowing powder was obtained. 15
10 mg powder was dispersed into 10 ml distilled water, giving a crystal clear nanodispersion with a particle size of 227 nm.
20 Example 24
0.10 g Irbesartan, 0.20 g PVP k30, 0.20 g HPC, 0.20 g HPMC, and 0.30 g PEG 6000 were all dispersed into 25 ml absolute ethanol followed by addition of 25 ml acetone. The suspension was stirred intensively with a magnetic bar for 25 about half hour before adding 20 ml distilled water. A clear solution was obtained.
The solution was then spray dried with a BUCHI Mini B-290 spray dryer at 140 °C with the liquid feed rate at 2.5 30 ml/min. A white free flowing powder was obtained.

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10 mg powder was dispersed into 10 ml distilled water, giving a crystal clear nanodispersion with a particle size of 155 nm.
5 Example 25
0.10 g Irbesartan, 0.20 g PVP k30, 0.50 g HPC, and 0.20 g HPMC were all dispersed into 25 ml absolute ethanol followed by addition of 25 ml acetone. The suspension was stirred intensively with magnetic bar for about half hour before 10 adding 20 ml distilled water. A clear solution was obtained.
The solution was then spray dried with a BUCHI Mini B-290 spray dryer at 190 °C with the liquid feed rate at 2.5 ml/min. A white free flowing powder was obtained. 15
10 mg powder was dispersed into 10 ml distilled water,. giving a crystal clear nanodispersion with a particle size of 81 nm.
20
Example 26
0.10 g Irbesartan, 0.20 g PVP k30, 0.20 g HPC, 0.20 g HPMC, 25 and 0.30 g PEG 6000 were all dispersed into 25 ml absolute ethanol followed by addition of 25 ml acetone. The suspension was stirred intensively with a magnetic bar for about half hour before adding 20 ml distilled water. A clear solution was obtained. 30

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The solution was then spray dried with a BUCHI Mini B-290 spray dryer at 190 °C with the liquid feed rate at 2.5 m1/min. A white free flowing powder was obtained.
5 10 mg powder was dispersed into 10 ml distilled water,
giving a crystal clear nanodispersion with a particle size of 165 nm.
Example 27
10 0.30 g Irbesartan, 0.20 g PVP k30, 0.30 g HPC, and 0.20 g
HPMC were all dispersed into 25 ml absolute ethanol followed by addition of 25 mi acetone. The suspension was stirred intensively with a magnetic bar for about half hour before adding 20 ml distilled water. A clear solution was obtained.
15
The solution was then spray dried with a BUCHI Mini B-290 spray dryer at 190 °C with the liquid feed rate at 2.5 ml/min. A white free flowing powder was obtained.
20 10 mg powder was dispersed into 10 ml distilled water,
giving a translucent nanodispersion with a particle size of ( 779 nm.

Printed 04/03/2008 CLMSPAMD EP2007056564
T3183 (C) CPL
- 34 -
CIAIMS
1. A process for the production of a composition 5 comprising a water-insoluble sartan which comprises the steps of:
a) providing a mixture comprising:
10 i) a water-insoluble sartan
ii) a water soluble carrier,
iii) a solvent for each of the sartan and the
15 carrier , and
b) spray-drying the mixture to remove the or each solvent and obtain a substantially solvent-free nano-dispersion of the(sartan in the carrier.
20

25

2. A process according to claim 1 which comprises the steps of:
a) providing an emulsion comprising:
i) a solution of ttreQiafr.i.-pfrraGitic agontt in a water-immiscible solvent for the same, and
ii) an aqueous solution of the carrier, and,

30

AMENDED SHEET . 13/02/2008

T3183 (C) CPL

5
10

- 35 -
b) spray-drying the emulsion to remove water and the
water-immiscible solvent to obtain a substantially
solvent-free nano-dispersion of the sartah in the
carrier
3 A process according to claim 1 which comprises the
steps of:
-1
a) providing a single phase mixture comprising: i) at least one non-aqueous solvent ii) optionally, water

15 iii) a water-soluble carrier material soluble in
the mixture of (i) and (ii) and
iv) a water-insoluble sartan which is soluble in the mixture of (i) and (ii), and,

20
25

b) spray-drying the solution to remove water and the water miscible solvent to obtain a substantially solvent-free nano-dispersion of the") sartan in the carrier.
A process according to any of claims 1-3 wherein the spray drying process is conducted at a temperature at or above 120 Celsius. .

.:.3■:!«->£■- ■■s..-.T--.----?.z=?rY!
AMENDED SHEET 13/02/2008

minted: 04/03/2008. ' ^CLMSPAMD' EP2007056564
T3183 (C) CPL
- 36 -
5. A process according to any of claims 1-4 in which the carrier material includes a polymer and/or a surfactant.
5 6. A process according to claim 5 wherein the carrier
material includes at least one of polyethylene glycol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazaline), polyvinyl alcohol, hydroxypropyl cellulose and hydroxypropyl-methyl cellulose and alginate.
10

15

7. A process according to claim 5 wherein the carrier
material includes at least one of alkoxylated non-ionic surfactant, ether sulphate surfactant, cationic
surfactant or ester surfactant.
8 A process according to any one -of claims 1-7 wherein the non-aqueous solvent includes at least one of dichloromethane, chloroform, ethanol, acetone and dimethyl sulphoxide.

20

9. A process for the preparation of a medicament for use
in the treatment or prophylaxis of hypertensive
disease which comprises the step of preparing a
composition by a process according to any one of claims
25 1-8.
10. A'vcomposition obtainable by the- process of any one of
claims 1-8, comprising a water-insoluble sartan and a

water soluble carrier which comprises/sartan particles
30 of 40-15 AM average particle size dispersed in the
carrier.
DATED this 6th day of January 2009
Of S.Maiumdar&Co.
Applicant's Agent
AMENDED SHEET 13/02/2008

Documents:

61-MUMNP-2009-ANNEXURE A(22-8-2012).pdf

61-MUMNP-2009-ANNEXURE TO FORM 3(16-5-2012).pdf

61-MUMNP-2009-ANNEXURE TO FORM 3(22-8-2012).pdf

61-MUMNP-2009-ANNEXURE TO FORM 3(30-11-2011).pdf

61-MUMNP-2009-CLAIMS(AMENDED)-(11-11-2011).pdf

61-MUMNP-2009-CLAIMS(AMENDED)-(16-5-2012).pdf

61-MUMNP-2009-CLAIMS(AMENDED)-(22-8-2012).pdf

61-MUMNP-2009-CLAIMS(MARKED COPY)-(11-11-2011).pdf

61-MUMNP-2009-CLAIMS(MARKED COPY)-(16-5-2012).pdf

61-MUMNP-2009-CLAIMS(MARKED COPY)-(22-8-2012).pdf

61-mumnp-2009-claims.doc

61-mumnp-2009-claims.pdf

61-MUMNP-2009-CORRESPONDENCE(11-5-2009).pdf

61-MUMNP-2009-CORRESPONDENCE(12-11-2009).pdf

61-MUMNP-2009-CORRESPONDENCE(17-1-2011).pdf

61-MUMNP-2009-CORRESPONDENCE(20-1-2009).pdf

61-MUMNP-2009-CORRESPONDENCE(21-6-2010).pdf

61-MUMNP-2009-CORRESPONDENCE(30-11-2011).pdf

61-mumnp-2009-correspondence.pdf

61-mumnp-2009-description(complete).doc

61-mumnp-2009-description(complete).pdf

61-MUMNP-2009-EP DOCUMENT(16-5-2012).pdf

61-mumnp-2009-form 1.pdf

61-mumnp-2009-form 13(20-1-2009).pdf

61-MUMNP-2009-FORM 18(11-5-2009).pdf

61-mumnp-2009-form 2(title page).pdf

61-mumnp-2009-form 2.doc

61-mumnp-2009-form 2.pdf

61-MUMNP-2009-FORM 3(24-2-2010).pdf

61-MUMNP-2009-FORM 3(3-8-2010).pdf

61-mumnp-2009-form 3(6-1-2009).pdf

61-mumnp-2009-form 3.pdf

61-mumnp-2009-form 5.pdf

61-mumnp-2009-general power of attorney.pdf

61-MUMNP-2009-OTHER DOCUMENT(22-8-2012).pdf

61-mumnp-2009-pct-isa-210.pdf

61-mumnp-2009-pct-pea-409.pdf

61-mumnp-2009-pct-pea-416.pdf

61-MUMNP-2009-POWER OF ATTORNEY(22-8-2012).pdf

61-MUMNP-2009-REPLY TO EXAMINATION REPORT(11-11-2011).pdf

61-MUMNP-2009-REPLY TO EXAMINATION REPORT(16-5-2012).pdf

61-MUMNP-2009-REPLY TO HEARING (22-8-2012).pdf

61-MUMNP-2009-US DOCUMENT(16-5-2012).pdf

61-mumnp-2009-wo international publication report a2.pdf

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Patent Number

255234

Indian Patent Application Number

61/MUMNP/2009

PG Journal Number

06/2013

Publication Date

08-Feb-2013

Grant Date

06-Feb-2013

Date of Filing

06-Jan-2009

Name of Patentee

UNILEVER PLC

Applicant Address

UNILEVER HOUSE, 100 VICTORIA EMBANKMENT LONDON, EC4Y 0DY,

Inventors:

#	Inventor's Name	Inventor's Address
1	RANNARD STEVEN PAUL	UNIVERSITY OF LIVERPOOL, DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY, THE FOUNDATION BUILDING, 765 BROWNLOW HILL, LIVERPOOL, L69 7ZX, UNITED KINGDOM.
2	DUNCALF DAVID JOHN	36 SANDON CRESCENT, LITTLE NESTON, WIRRAL CH64 0TU, UNITED KINGDOM.
3	ELPHICK ANDREW JAMES	9 BOLSOVER CLOSE, LONG HANBOROUGH, OXFORD OX29 8RA, UNITED KINGDOM.
4	FOSTER ALISON JAYNE	74 VILLAGE ROAD, HIGHER BEBINGTON, WIRRAL, MERSEYSIDE CH63 8QB, UNITED KINGDOM.
5	LONG JAMES	28 PALM GROVE, OXTON, WIRRAL CH43 1TF, UNITED KINGDOM.
6	WANG DONG	78 PARK ROAD WEST, PRENTON, WIRRAL CH43 8SF, UNITED KINGDOM.

PCT International Classification Number

A61K9/16

PCT International Application Number

PCT/EP2007/056564

PCT International Filing date

2007-06-29

PCT Conventions:

#	PCT Application Number	Date of Convention	Priority Country
1	0613925.7	2006-07-13	U.K.