Use of simple amino acids to form porous particles

Abstract

Particles having a tap density of less than 0.4 g / cm3 include a hydrophobic amino acid or salt thereof and a therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agent or any combination thereof. Preferred particles include a phospholipid, have a median geometric diameter between about 5 and about 30 microns and an aerodynamic diameter between about 1 and about 5 microns. The particles can be formed by spray-drying and are useful for delivery to the pulmonary system.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 644,320, filed Aug. 23, 2000, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 382,959, filed Aug. 25, 1999. The entire teachings of the above application(s) are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Aerosols for the delivery of therapeutic agents to the respiratory tract have been described, for example, Adjei, A. and Garren, J. Pharm. Res., 7: 565-569 (1990); and Zanen, P. and Lamm, J.-W.J. Int. J Pharm., 114: 111-115 (1995). The respiratory tract encompasses the upper airways, including the oropharynx and larynx, followed by the lower airways, which include the trachea followed by bifurcations into the bronchi and bronchioli. The upper and lower airways are called the conducting airways. The terminal bronchioli then divide into respiratory bronchioli which then lead to the ultimate respiratory zone, the alveoli, or deep lung. Gonda, I....

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0018] The invention has several advantages. For example, the particles of the invention incorporate amino acids which, in the amounts that are administered to the respiratory system of a patient, are expected to be non-toxic. Furthermore, amino acids are relatively inexpensive thus lowering overall particle manufacturing costs. Still further, the invention is capable of conferring extended release properties as well as improved formulability. In contrast to methods in which active particles are released from the carrier on actuation of the inhaler, the entire particles of the invention go to the desired site of the pulmonary system. Drugs can be delivered in higher doses and with higher efficiency. Lodging of particle material in the back of the throat is avoided. The method of forming particles can be carried out using simple, inexpensive solvents which do not raise emission and solvent recovery concerns. The method permits the use of Class 3 or better solvents. Furthermore, the method requires less process steps than methods employed to form powders which release active particles from the carrier upon actuation of the inhaler.

Problems solved by technology

However, pulmonary drug delivery strategies present many difficulties for the delivery of macromolecules; these include protein denaturation during aerosolization, excessive loss of inhaled drug in the oropharyngeal cavity (often exceeding 80%), poor control over the site of deposition, lack of reproducibility of therapeutic results owing to variations in breathing patterns, the frequent too-rapid absorption of drug potentially resulting in local toxic effects, and phagocytosis by lung macrophages.

Slow release from a therapeutic aerosol can prolong the residence of an administered drug in the airways or acini, and diminish the rate of drug appearance in the bloodstream.

However, many drugs and excipients, especially proteins, peptides (Liu, R., et al., Biotechnol. Bioeng., 3 7: 177-184 (1991)), and biodegradable carriers such as poly(lactide-co-glycolides) (PLGA), are unstable in aqueous environments for extended periods of time.

This can make storage as a liquid formulation problematic.

However, among the disadvantages of DPF's is that powders of ultrafine particulates usually have poor flowability and aerosolization properties, leading to relatively low respirable fractions of aerosol, which are the fractions of inhaled aerosol that escape deposition in the mouth and throat.

Furthermore, the method of delivery of these powders is associated with several disadvantages.

For example, there are inefficiencies in the release of active particles from the carrier.

Moreover, the carrier takes up significantly more volume than the active particle, thus high drug doses are difficult to achieve.

In addition, the large lactose particles can impact the back of the throat, causing coughing.