Details for Patent: 8,309,136

Title:	In vitro methods for evaluating the in vivo effectiveness of dosage forms of microparticulate or nanoparticulate active agent compositions
Abstract:	Disclosed are in vitro methods for evaluating the in vivo redispersibility of dosage forms of poorly water-soluble active agents. The methods utilize media representative of in vivo human physiological conditions.
Inventor(s):	Cooper; Eugene R. (Berwyn, PA), Bullock; John A. (King of Prussia, PA), Chippari; John R. (Phonenixville, PA), Schaefer; John L. (Gilbertsville, PA), Patel; Rakesh A. (Bensalem, PA), Jain; Rajeev (Farmingham, MA), Strasters; Joost (Exton, PA), Ryde; Niels P. (Malvern, PA), Ruddy; Stephen B. (Schwenksville, PA)
Assignee:	Alkermes Pharma Ireland Limited (Dublin, IE)
Filing Date:	Mar 22, 2010
Application Number:	12/729,018
Claims:	1. An in vitro method for evaluating a solid dosage form comprising: (a) dispersing a solid dosage form in a biorelevant medium, wherein the solid dosage form comprises at least one poorly water-soluble active agent, and wherein prior to incorporation into the solid dosage form, the active agent has an effective average particle size of greater than 2 microns; (b) measuring the particle size of the dispersed poorly water-soluble active agent; and (c) determining if the level of dispersibility is sufficient for in vivo effectiveness of the dosage form, wherein the level of dispersibility is sufficient for in vivo effectiveness of the dosage form if the dosage form disperses such that the particle size of the dispersed active agent particles is similar to the particle size of the active agent prior to incorporation into the solid dosage form, wherein the active agent is selected from the group consisting of an active agent for treating cystic-fibrosis, an active agent for treating asthma, an active agent for treating emphysema, an active agent for treating chronic bronchitis, an active agent for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and an active agent for treating tuberculosis. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the dosage form is selected from the group consisting of dosage forms intended for oral, pulmonary, nasal, parenteral, rectal, local, and buccal delivery. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein prior to incorporation into the dosage form the active agent has an effective average particle size selected from the group consisting of greater than 5 microns, greater than 10 microns, greater than 15 microns, and greater than 20 microns. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the biorelevant aqueous media is selected from the group consisting of electrolyte solutions of strong acids, salts of strong acids, strong bases, salts of strong bases, weak acids, salts of weak acids, weak bases, salts of weak bases, and mixtures thereof. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the electrolyte solution is selected from the group consisting of an HCl solution having a concentration from about 0.001 to about 0.1 M, an NaCl solution having a concentration from about 0.001 to about 0.2 M, and mixtures thereof. 6. The method of claim 4, wherein the electrolyte solution is selected from the group consisting of about 0.1 M HCl or less, about 0.01 M HCl or less, about 0.001 M HCl or less, about 0.2 M NaCl or less, about 0.01 M NaCl or less, about 0.001 M NaCl or less, and mixtures thereof. 7. The method of claim 4, wherein the electrolyte solution is selected from the group consisting of 0.01 M HCl and 0.1 M NaCl. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein prior to incorporation into the dosage form the active agent has an effective average particle size selected from the group consisting of about 5 microns, about 10 microns, about 15 microns, and about 20 microns. 9. An in vitro method for evaluating a solid dosage form, comprising: (a) dispersing a solid dosage form in a biorelevant medium, wherein the solid dosage form comprises at least one poorly water-soluble active agent, and wherein prior to incorporation into the solid dosage form, the active agent has an effective average particle size of about 2 microns; (b) measuring the particle size of the dispersed poorly water-soluble active agent; and (c) determining if the level of dispersibility is sufficient for in vivo effectiveness of the dosage form, wherein the level of dispersibility is sufficient for in vivo effectiveness of the dosage form if the dosage form disperses such that the particle size of the dispersed active agent particles similar to the particle size of the active agent prior to incorporation into the solid dosage form, wherein the active agent is selected from the group consisting of an active agent for treating cystic-fibrosis, an active agent for treating asthma, an active agent for treating emphysema, an active agent for treating chronic bronchitis, an active agent for treating a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and an active agent for treating tuberculosis. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the dosage form is selected from the group consisting of dosage forms intended for oral, pulmonary, nasal, parenteral, rectal, local, and buccal delivery. 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the biorelevant aqueous media is selected from the group consisting of electrolyte solutions of strong acids, salts of strong acids, strong bases, salts of strong bases, weak acids, salts of weak acids, weak bases, salts of weak bases, and mixtures thereof. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the electrolyte solution is selected from the group consisting of an HCl solution having a concentration from about 0.001 to about 0.1 M, an NaCl solution having a concentration from about 0.001 to about 0.2 M, and mixtures thereof. 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the electrolyte solution is selected from the group consisting of about 0.1 M HCl or less, about 0.01 M HCl or less, about 0.001 M HCl or less, about 0.2 M NaCl or less, about 0.01 M NaCl or less, about 0.001 M NaCl or less, and mixtures thereof. 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the electrolyte solution is selected from the group consisting of 0.01 M HCl and 0.1 M NaCl.