Last Updated: November 9, 2026

Claims for Patent: 12,115,144

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Summary for Patent: 12,115,144
Title:Modified release gamma-hydroxybutyrate formulations having improved pharmacokinetics
Abstract:Modified release formulations of gamma-hydroxybutyrate having improved dissolution and pharmacokinetic properties are provided, and therapeutic uses thereof.
Inventor(s):Jordan Dubow, Hervé Guillard, Claire Mégret, Jean-François DUBUISSON
Assignee: Flamel Ireland Ltd
Application Number:US18/539,946
Patent Litigation and PTAB cases: See patent lawsuits and PTAB cases for patent 12,115,144
Patent Claims: 1. A pharmaceutical formulation for the treatment of narcolepsy or a symptom thereof comprising: an immediate release portion comprising: a core selected from the group consisting of: crystals or spheres of lactose, sucrose, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium chloride, calcium carbonate, sodium hydrogen carbonate, dicalcium phosphate, or tricalcium phosphate; sugar spheres comprising sucrose and starch; spheres of calcium carbonate and starch; and spheres of calcium carbonate and maltodextrin; and an immediate-release coating comprising: gamma-hydroxybutyrate; and a binder selected from the group consisting of low molecular weight hydroxypropyl cellulose, low molecular weight hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, or low molecular weight methylcellulose, low molecular weight polyvinyl pyrrolidone, vinyl pyrrolidone, vinyl acetate copolymer, dextrose, pregelatinized starch, maltodextrin, and mixtures thereof; and a modified release portion comprising gamma-hydroxybutyrate, wherein the binder makes up 1% to 9% of the total weight of the immediate release coating, wherein the formulation comprises an amount of gamma-hydroxybutyrate equivalent to from 3.0 g to 12 g of sodium oxybate, wherein the ratio of gamma-hydroxybutyrate in the immediate release portion and the modified release portion is from 10/90 to 65/35.

2. The pharmaceutical formulation of claim 1, wherein the binder is selected from the group consisting of low molecular weight polyvinylpyrrolidone or povidone, low molecular weight hydroxypropyl cellulose, low molecular weight, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose or hypromellose, and mixtures thereof.

3. The pharmaceutical formulation of claim 1, wherein the core comprises microcrystalline cellulose.

4. The pharmaceutical formulation of claim 1, wherein the core has a mean volume diameter of about 95 to about 450 microns.

5. A pharmaceutical formulation for the treatment of narcolepsy or a symptom thereof comprising: immediate release particles, each of which comprises: a core comprising sugar or microcrystalline cellulose; and an immediate-release coating comprising: gamma-hydroxybutyrate; and a binder selected from the group consisting of low molecular weight polyvinylpyrrolidone or povidone, low molecular weight hydroxypropylcellulose, low molecular weight hydroxypropyl methylcellulose or hypromellose, and mixtures thereof; and a modified release portion comprising gamma-hydroxybutyrate, wherein the immediate-release coating represents at least 50% by weight of the total weight of each immediate release particle, and wherein the formulation comprises an amount of gamma-hydroxybutyrate equivalent to 3.0 g, 4.5 g, 6.0 g, 7.5 g, 9.0 g, 10.5 g, or 12 g of sodium oxybate.

6. The pharmaceutical formulation of claim 5, wherein the immediate-release coating represents at least 55% by weight of the total weight of each immediate release particle.

7. The pharmaceutical formulation of claim 5, wherein the immediate-release coating represents at least 60% by weight of the total weight of each immediate release particle.

8. The pharmaceutical formulation of claim 5, wherein the immediate-release coating represents at least 65% by weight of the total weight of each immediate release particle.

9. The pharmaceutical formulation of claim 5, wherein the immediate-release coating represents at least 70% by weight of the total weight of each immediate release particle.

10. The pharmaceutical formulation of claim 5, wherein the immediate-release coating represents at least 75% by weight of the total weight of each immediate release particle.

11. The pharmaceutical formulation of claim 5, wherein the immediate-release coating represents at least 80% by weight of the total weight of each immediate release particle.

12. The pharmaceutical formulation of claim 5, wherein the core comprises microcrystalline cellulose.

13. The pharmaceutical formulation of claim 5, wherein the core has a mean volume diameter of about 95 to about 450 microns.

14. The pharmaceutical formulation of claim 5, wherein the gamma-hydroxybutyrate of one or both the immediate-release particles and the modified-release portion is selected from the group consisting of pharmaceutically acceptable salts of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid and their hydrate, solvate, complex and tautomer forms.

15. The pharmaceutical formulation of claim 5, wherein the gamma-hydroxybutyrate of one or both the immediate-release particles and the modified-release portion comprises the sodium salt of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid, the potassium salt of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid, the magnesium salt of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid, the calcium salt of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid, the lithium salt of gamma-hydroxybutyric, or the tetra ammonium salt of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid.

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