Details for Patent: 6,858,593

Title:	Anti-inflammatory androstane derivative compositions
Abstract:	There is provided a crystalline chemical composition comprising a compound of formula (I) ##STR1## in which the crystal lattice is stabilized by the presence of a guest molecule, characterized in the crystalline composition is of space group P2.sub.1 2.sub.1 2.sub.1 having unit cell dimensions of about 7.6.+-.0.6 .ANG., 12.7.+-.0.7 .ANG., and 33.+-.3 .ANG. when determined at 120 K.
Inventor(s):	Biggadike; Keith (Stevenage, GB), Chetina; Olga (Durham, GB), Coote; Steven John (Stevenage, GB), Craig; Andrew (Tonbridge, GB), Jacewicz; Victor (Tonbridge, GB), Millan; Michael J. (Tonbridge, GB), Seager; John F. (Stevenage, GB), Theophilus; Andrew L. (Stevenage, GB)
Assignee:	Smithkline Beecham Corporation (Philadelphia, PA)
Filing Date:	Jul 22, 2002
Application Number:	10/200,364
Claims:	1. A crystalline chemical composition comprising a compound of formula (I) ##STR8## in which the crystal lattice is stabilised by the presence of a guest molecule, characterised in the crystalline composition is of space group P2.sub.1 2.sub.1 2.sub.1 having unit cell dimensions of about 7.6.+-.0.6 .ANG., 12.7.+-.0.7 .ANG., and 33.+-.3 .ANG. when determined at 120 K. 2. A composition according to claim 1 wherein the guest molecule preferably has a relative molecular weight in the range 16 to 150. 3. A composition according to claim 1 wherein the guest molecule conains a moiety capable of acting as a hydrogen bond acceptor. 4. A composition according to claim 1 wherein the guest molecule is diethylamine. 5. A composition according to claim 1 wherein the guest molecule is triethylamine. 6. A composition according to claim 1 wherein the guest molecule is dipropylamine. 7. A composition according to claim 1 wherein the ratio of compound of formula (I) to guest molecule is 1:2.0-0.3. 8. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a composition according to claim 1 together with a physiologically acceptable diluent or carrier. 9. A method for the treatment of a human or animal subject with an inflammatory and/or allergic condition, which method comprises administering to said human or animal subject an effective amount of the composition according to claim 1. 10. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a composition according to claim 1 in combination with another therapeutically active agent. 11. A composition according to claim 10 wherein the other therapeutically active ingredient is a long acting .beta..sub.2 -adrenoreceptor agonist. 12. A process for preparing a composition according to claim 1 which comprises (a) crystallising the composition from a solution containing a compound of formula (I) and the guest molecule; or (b) contacting the compound of formula (I) or another composition according claim 1 in solid form with a liquid containing the guest molecule and obtaining the composition therefrom; or (c) contacting a compound of formula (I) or another composition according to claim 1 in solid form with a vapour containing the guest molecule.