You're using a free limited version of DrugPatentWatch: Upgrade for Complete Access

Last Updated: March 17, 2025

Claims for Patent: 12,138,239


✉ Email this page to a colleague

« Back to Dashboard


Summary for Patent: 12,138,239
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:US18/531,056
Patent Claims: 1. A pharmaceutical formulation for the treatment of a disorder treatable with gamma-hydroxybutyrate in a human subject in need thereof, the formulation comprising: an immediate release portion comprising gamma-hydroxybutyrate; a delayed release portion comprising particles, each particle comprising gamma-hydroxybutyrate and a coating, wherein the coating comprises a methacrylic acid and methyl methacrylate copolymer, a methacrylic acid and ethyl acrylate copolymer; and an acidifying agent, wherein the acidifying agent is not a component of the coating of the particles.

2. The pharmaceutical formulation of claim 1, wherein the formulation is designed to be administered orally only once nightly.

3. The pharmaceutical formulation of claim 2, wherein the formulation comprises an amount of gamma-hydroxybutyrate equivalent to from 3.0 g to 12.0 g of sodium oxybate.

4. The pharmaceutical formulation of claim 2, wherein the formulation comprises an amount of gamma-hydroxybutyrate equivalent to 0.5 g, 1.0 g, 1.5 g, 3.0 g, 4.5 g, 6.0 g, 7.5 g, 9.0 g, 10.5 g, or 12.0 g of sodium oxybate.

5. The pharmaceutical formulation of claim 1, wherein the acidifying agent is selected from the group consisting of malic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, adipic acid, boric acid, maleic acid, phosphoric acid, ascorbic acid, oleic acid, capric acid, caprylic acid, and benzoic acid, and mixtures thereof.

6. The pharmaceutical formulation of claim 1, wherein the acidifying agent comprises malic acid.

7. The pharmaceutical formulation of claim 1, wherein the acidifying agent consists of malic acid.

8. The pharmaceutical formulation of claim 1, wherein the acidifying agent comprises tartaric acid.

9. The pharmaceutical formulation of claim 1, wherein the acidifying agent consists of tartaric acid.

10. The pharmaceutical formulation of claim 1, wherein the acidifying agent is selected from the group consisting of malic acid, tartaric acid, and mixtures thereof.

11. The pharmaceutical formulation of claim 1, wherein the acidifying agent comprises 1.2% to 15% (w/w) of the formulation.

12. The pharmaceutical formulation of claim 1, wherein the acidifying agent comprises 1.2% to 10% (w/w) of the formulation.

13. The pharmaceutical formulation of claim 1, wherein the acidifying agent comprises 1.2% to 5% (w/w) of the formulation.

14. The pharmaceutical formulation of claim 1, wherein the acidifying agent comprises 1.6% to 3.2% (w/w) of the formulation.

15. The pharmaceutical formulation of claim 1, wherein the acidifying agent comprises about 1.6% (w/w) of the formulation.

16. The pharmaceutical formulation of claim 1, wherein the coating further comprises hydrogenated vegetable oil.

17. The pharmaceutical formulation of claim 1, wherein the coating is 10 to 50% of the weight of the particles.

18. The pharmaceutical formulation of claim 1, wherein the coating is 15 to 45% of the weight of the particles.

19. The pharmaceutical formulation of claim 1, wherein the coating is 20 to 40% of the weight of the particles.

20. The pharmaceutical formulation of claim 1, wherein the coating is 25 to 35% of the weight of the particles.

21. The pharmaceutical formulation of claim 1, wherein the coating is 30% of the weight of the particles.

22. A pharmaceutical formulation for the treatment of a disorder treatable with gamma-hydroxybutyrate in a human subject in need thereof, the formulation comprising: an immediate release portion comprising gamma-hydroxybutyrate; a delayed release portion comprising particles, each of the particles comprising gamma-hydroxybutyrate and a coating, wherein the coating comprises: a polymer carrying free carboxylic groups and having a pH trigger of from 5.5 to 6.97; a hydrophobic compound having a melting point equal or greater than 40° C., wherein a weight ratio of the hydrophobic compound to the polymer carrying free carboxylic groups is from 0.4 to 4; and an acidifying agent, wherein the acidifying agent is not a component of the particles.

23. The pharmaceutical formulation of claim 22, wherein the formulation is designed to be administered orally only once nightly.

24. The pharmaceutical formulation of claim 23, wherein the formulation comprises an amount of gamma-hydroxybutyrate equivalent to from 3.0 g to 12.0 g of sodium oxybate.

25. A pharmaceutical formulation for the treatment of a disorder treatable with gamma-hydroxybutyrate in a human subject in need thereof, the formulation comprising: an immediate release portion comprising gamma-hydroxybutyrate; a delayed release portion comprising particles comprising gamma-hydroxybutyrate, each particle comprising a coating, wherein the coating comprises a methacrylic acid and methyl methacrylate copolymer, a methacrylic acid and ethyl acrylate copolymer, and hydrogenated vegetable oil; and an acidifying agent comprising 1.2% to 10% (w/w) of the formulation, wherein the acidifying agent is separate and distinct from the particles, wherein the coating is 20-40% of the weight of the particles, and wherein the formulation comprises an amount of gamma-hydroxybutyrate equivalent to from 13.0 g to 12.0 g of sodium oxybate.

26. The pharmaceutical formulation of claim 25, wherein the molar ratio of gamma-hydroxybutyrate in the immediate release and delayed release portions ranges from 0.11:1 to 1.86:1.

27. The pharmaceutical formulation of claim 26, wherein the formulation is designed to be administered orally only once nightly.

28. A pharmaceutical formulation for the treatment of a disorder treatable with gamma-hydroxybutyrate in a human subject in need thereof, the formulation comprising: an immediate release portion comprising gamma-hydroxybutyrate; a delayed release portion comprising particles comprising gamma-hydroxybutyrate, each particle comprising a coating, wherein the coating comprises a methacrylic acid and methyl methacrylate copolymer, a methacrylic acid and ethyl acrylate copolymer, and hydrogenated vegetable oil; and, an acidifying agent comprising 1.2% to 5% (w/w) of the formulation, wherein the acidifying agent is separate and distinct from the immediate release portion and the delayed release portion, wherein the coating is 25%-35% of the weight of the particles, wherein the ratio of gamma-hydroxybutyrate in the immediate release portion and the delayed release portion is from 10/90 to 65/35, and wherein the formulation comprises an amount of gamma-hydroxybutyrate equivalent to from 13.0 g to 12.0 g of sodium oxybate.

29. The pharmaceutical formulation of claim 28, wherein the molar ratio of gamma-hydroxybutyrate in the immediate release and delayed release portions ranges from 0.11:1 to 1.86:1.

30. The pharmaceutical formulation of claim 29, wherein the formulation is designed to be administered orally only once nightly.

Make Better Decisions: Try a trial or see plans & pricing

Drugs may be covered by multiple patents or regulatory protections. All trademarks and applicant names are the property of their respective owners or licensors. Although great care is taken in the proper and correct provision of this service, thinkBiotech LLC does not accept any responsibility for possible consequences of errors or omissions in the provided data. The data presented herein is for information purposes only. There is no warranty that the data contained herein is error free. thinkBiotech performs no independent verification of facts as provided by public sources nor are attempts made to provide legal or investing advice. Any reliance on data provided herein is done solely at the discretion of the user. Users of this service are advised to seek professional advice and independent confirmation before considering acting on any of the provided information. thinkBiotech LLC reserves the right to amend, extend or withdraw any part or all of the offered service without notice.