Polymorphs of imatinib mesylate

This application is a 371 of PCT/IN03/00206 filed Jun. 2, 2003.

The present invention relates to novel polymorphs of imatinib mesylate, to processes for their preparation and to pharmaceutical compositions containing them.

Imatinib, chemically 4-[(4-methyl-1-piperazinyl)methyl]-N-[4-methyl-3-[[4-(3 -pyridinyl)-2-pyrimidinyl]amino]phenyl]benzamide, is represented by the following structure:

Imatinib and its salts are anti-tumor agents, which were disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,521,184. Two crystalline modifications (α-form and β-form) of imatinib mesylate were mentioned in WO 99/03854.

WO 99/03854 mentioned amorphous imatinib mesylate, but it did not make any reference to hydrate of imatinib mesylate.

We have discovered a stable novel crystalline form of imatinib mesylate. The novel form is at least as stable as the reported forms, α- and β-forms. The novel crystalline form is stable over the time and has good flow properties and so, the novel crystalline form is suitable for formulating imatinib mesylate.

Amorphous forms of pharmaceutical products are usually known to have better dissolution properties than their crystalline forms. If amorphous form of a pharmaceutical product is stable enough, it can be formulated to a pharmaceutical composition having good dissolution properties.

We have discovered hydrate of imatinib mesylate.

We have also discovered a sufficiently stable non-hygroscopic amorphous form of imatinib mesylate hydrate. So, amorphous form of imatinib mesylate hydrate can be utilized to prepare stable pharmaceutical dosage forms having good dissolution properties.

One object of the present invention is to provide a stable novel crystalline form of imatinib mesylate, hydrate of imatinib mesylate and amorphous imatinib mesylate hydrate.

Another object of the present invention is to provide processes for preparing the novel crystalline form of imatinib mesylate, hydrate of imatinib mesylate and amorphous imatinib mesylate hydrate.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide pharmaceutical compositions containing the novel crystalline form of imatinib mesylate, hydrate of imatinib mesylate and amorphous imatinib mesylate hydrate.

As used herein, room temperature refers to about 25° C. to 30° C.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a novel crystalline form of imatinib mesylate, designated as form H1, characterized by an x-ray powder diffraction spectrum having peaks expressed as 2θ at about 9.9, 11.1, 16.3, 17.3, 18.1, 19.1, 19.6, 20.3, 21.1, 21.9, 23.2, 23.6, 24.2, 24.9, 25.6, 26.0, 27.3, 27.9, 28.9, 29.4, 30.4 and 30.5 degrees. FIG. 1 shows typical form H1 x-ray powder diffraction spectrum.

In accordance with the present invention, a process is provided for preparation of imatinib mesylate form H1. Imatinib free base is dissolved in a chlorinated solvent, methanesulfonic acid is added and imatinib mesylate form H1 is isolated.

Examples of chlorinated solvents are chloroform, methylene dichloride, ethylene dichloride and a mixture thereof. Preferable solvents are chloroform and methylene dichloride.

Imatinib free base may be dissolved in the chlorinated solvents at room temperature or at an elevated temperature.

The quantity of methanesulfonic acid per mole of imatinib free base is not critical but preferably at least one mole of methanesulfonic acid per mole of imatinib free base is used to obtain maximum yield of imatinib mesylate.

Methanesulfonic acid can be added to the solution of imatinib free base in chlorinated solvent preferably between about 5° C. to reflux temperature, more preferably between room temperature to reflux temperature. Most preferably, methanesulfonic acid is added at room temperature.

Then, the precipitated imatinib mesylate form H1 is collected by filtration or centrifugation.

In accordance with the present invention, an another process is provided for preparation of imatinib mesylate form H1. A mixture of imatinib mesylate and a chlorinated solvent is stirred for about 10 hours to 48 hours and imatinib mesylate form H1 is isolated.

Examples of chlorinated solvents are chloroform, methylene dichloride, ethylene dichloride and a mixture thereof. Preferable solvents are chloroform and methylene dichloride.

Imatinib mesylate in a previously known crystalline or amorphous form may be used in the process. Imatinib mesylate hydrate obtained by the process described below may also be used. Particularly α-form, β-form or amorphous imatinib mesylate may be used.

Preferably, the mixture of imatinib mesylate and a chlorinated solvent is stirred between about 5° C. to reflux temperature, more preferably between room temperature to reflux temperature, for about 24 hours to 48 hours.

Then imatinib mesylate form H1 is collected by filtration or centrifugation.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a novel hydrate of imatinib mesylate. The water content of the hydrate of imatinib mesylate is between 2.0 to 3.2% by weight of hydrate of imatinib mesylate, typically between 2.2 to 2.9% by weight of hydrate of imatinib mesylate.

The amorphous form of imatinib mesylate hydrate, designated as amorphous imatinib mesylate hydrate, is characterized by having broad x-ray diffraction spectrum as in FIG. 2 .

In accordance with the present invention, a process is provided for preparation of imatinib mesylate hydrate.

Imatinib mesylate hydrate is prepared by dissolving imatinib mesylate in a mixture of a suitable solvent and water and removing the solvents from the solution.

Imatinib mesylate in a crystalline or amorphous form may be used in the process. Particularly α-form, β-form or amorphous imatinib mesylate may be used.

The suitable solvent is selected from the group consisting of alcohols, e.g., methanol, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol; ketones, e.g., acetone; acetonitrile; and a mixture thereof.

The solvent may be removed from the solution by vacuum drying or spray drying to give amorphous imatinib mesylate hydrate. The drying time and the drying temperature depend on the solvent used in the process. For example if the solvent is methanol, the solvent and water can be removed at about 50° C. for about 9 hours.

Imatinib free base and imatinib mesylate obtained by the previously known methods may be used in the above processes.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a pharmaceutical composition comprising imatinib mesylate form H1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a pharmaceutical composition comprising imatinib mesylate hydrate and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent. Amorphous imatinib mesylate hydrate may also be used in the composition.

FIG. 1 is a x-ray powder diffraction spectrum of imatinib mesylate form H1.

FIG. 2 is a x-ray powder diffraction spectrum of amorphous imatinib mesylate hydrate.

x-Ray powder diffraction spectrum was measured on a Bruker axs D8 advance x-ray powder diffractometer having a copper-Kα radiation.

The invention will now be further described by the following examples, which are illustrative rather than limiting.