Pharmaceutical co-crystal compositions

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/451,213 filed on Feb. 28, 2003; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/463,962, filed on Apr. 18, 2003; and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/487,064, filed on Jul. 11, 2003 each of which incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. This application is also a continuation-in-part of PCT/US03/27772, filed on Sep. 4, 2003 which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/378,956, filed Mar. 3, 2003, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/360,768, filed Mar. 1, 2002; said PCT/US03/27772 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/451,213 filed on Feb. 28, 2003; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/463,962, filed on Apr. 18, 2003; and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/487,064, filed on Jul. 11, 2003. This application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/601,092, filed Jun. 20, 2003. Each of these applications is hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties, including all figures, tables and formulae.

The present invention relates to co-crystal API-containing compositions, pharmaceutical compositions comprising such APIs, and methods for preparing the same.

Active pharmaceutical ingredients (API or APIs (plural)) in pharmaceutical compositions can be prepared in a variety of different forms. Such APIs can be prepared so as to have a variety of different chemical forms including chemical derivatives or salts. Such APIs can also be prepared to have different physical forms. For example, the APIs may be amorphous, may have different crystalline polymorphs, or may exist in different solvation or hydration states. By varying the form of an API, it is possible to vary the physical properties thereof. For example, crystalline polymorphs typically have different solubilities from one another, such that a more thermodynamically stable polymorph is less soluble than a less thermodynamically stable polymorph. Pharmaceutical polymorphs can also differ in properties such as shelf-life, bioavailability, morphology, vapour pressure, density, colour, and compressibility. Accordingly, variation of the crystalline state of an API is one of many ways in which to modulate the physical properties thereof.

It would be advantageous to have new forms of these APIs that have improved properties, in particular, as oral formulations. Specifically, it is desirable to identify improved forms of APIs that exhibit significantly improved properties including increased aqueous solubility and stability. Further, it is desirable to improve the processability, or preparation of pharmaceutical formulations. For example, needle-like crystal forms or habits of APIs can cause aggregation, even in compositions where the API is mixed with other substances, such that a non-uniform mixture is obtained. It is also desirable to increase the dissolution rate of API-containing pharmaceutical compositions in water, increase the bioavailability of orally-administered compositions, and provide a more rapid onset to therapeutic effect. It is also desirable to have a form of the API which, when administered to a subject, reaches a peak plasma level faster, has a longer lasting therapeutic plasma concentration, and higher overall exposure when compared to equivalent amounts of the API in its presently-known form.

It has now been found that new co-crystalline forms of APIs can be obtained which improve the properties of APIs as compared to such APIs in a non-co-crystalline state (free acid, free base, zwitter ions, salts, etc.).

Accordingly, in a first aspect, the present invention provides a co-crystal pharmaceutical composition comprising an API compound and a co-crystal former, such that the API and co-crystal former are capable of co-crystallizing from a solid or solution phase under crystallization conditions.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a process for the production of a pharmaceutical composition, which process comprises:

(1) providing an API which has at least one functional group selected from ether, thioether, alcohol, thiol, aldehyde, ketone, thioketone, nitrate ester, phosphate ester, thiophosphate ester, ester, thioester, sulfate ester, carboxylic acid, phosphonic acid, phosphinic acid, sulfonic acid, amide, primary amine, secondary amine, ammonia, tertiary amine, sp2 amine, thiocyanate, cyanamide, oxime, nitrile, diazo, organohalide, nitro, s-heterocyclic ring, thiophene, n-heterocyclic ring, pyrrole, o-heterocyclic ring, furan, epoxide, peroxide, hydroxamic acid, imidazole, and pyridine;

(2) providing a co-crystal former which has at least one functional group selected from ether, thioether, alcohol, thiol, aldehyde, ketone, thioketone, nitrate ester, phosphate ester, thiophosphate ester, ester, thioester, sulfate ester, carboxylic acid, phosphonic acid, phosphinic acid, sulfonic acid, amide, primary amine, secondary amine, ammonia, tertiary amine, sp2 amine, thiocyanate, cyanamide, oxime, nitrile, diazo, organohalide, nitro, s-heterocyclic ring, thiophene, n-heterocyclic ring, pyrrole, o-heterocyclic ring, furan, epoxide, peroxide, hydroxamic acid, imidazole, and pyridine;

(3) grinding, heating or contacting in solution the API with the co-crystal former under crystallization conditions;

(4) isolating co-crystals formed thereby; and

(5) incorporating the co-crystals into a pharmaceutical composition.

A further aspect of the present invention provides a process for the production of a pharmaceutical composition, which comprises:

(1) grinding, heating or contacting in solution an API compound with a co-crystal former, under crystallization conditions, so as to form a solid phase;

(2) isolating co-crystals comprising the API and the co-crystal former; and

(3) incorporating the co-crystals into a pharmaceutical composition.

In a further aspect, the present invention provides a process for the production of a pharmaceutical composition, which comprises:

(1) providing (i) an API or a plurality of different APIs, and (ii) a co-crystal former or a plurality of different co-crystal formers, wherein at least one of the APIs and the co-crystal formers is provided as a plurality thereof;

(2) isolating co-crystals comprising the API and the co-crystal former; and

(3) incorporating the co-crystals into a pharmaceutical composition.

Solubility Modulation

In a further aspect, the present invention provides a process for modulating the solubility of an API, which process comprises:

(1) grinding, heating or contacting in solution the API with a co-crystal former under crystallization conditions, so as to form a co-crystal of the API and the co-crystal former; and

(2) isolating co-crystals comprising the API and the co-crystal former.

Dissolution Modulation

In a further aspect, the present invention provides a process for modulating the dissolution of an API, whereby the aqueous dissolution rate or the dissolution rate in simulated gastric fluid or in simulated intestinal fluid, or in a solvent or plurality of solvents is increased or decreased, which process comprises:

(1) grinding, heating or contacting in solution the API with a co-crystal former under crystallization conditions, so as to form a co-crystal of the API and the co-crystal former; and

(2) isolating co-crystals comprising the API and the co-crystal former.

In one embodiment, the dissolution of the API is increased.

Bioavailability Modulation

In a further aspect, the present invention provides a process for modulating the bioavailability of an API, whereby the AUC is increased, the time to T max is reduced, the length of time the concentration of the API is above ½ T max is increased, or C max is increased, which process comprises:

(1) grinding, heating or contacting in solution the API with a co-crystal former under crystallization conditions, so as to form a co-crystal of the API and the co-crystal former; and

(2) isolating co-crystals comprising the API and the co-crystal former.

Dose Response Modulation

In a further aspect the present invention provides a process for improving the linearity of a dose response of an API, which process comprises:

(1) grinding, heating, or contacting in solution an API with a co-crystal former under crystallization conditions, so as to form a co-crystal of the API and the co-crystal former; and

(2) isolating co-crystals comprising the API and the co-crystal former.

Increased Stability

In a still further aspect the present invention provides a process for improving the stability of a pharmaceutical salt, which process comprises:

(1) grinding, heating or contacting in solution the pharmaceutical salt with a co-crystal former under crystallization conditions, so as to form a co-crystal of the API and the co-crystal former; and

(2) isolating co-crystals comprising the API and the co-crystal former.

Difficult to Salt or Unsaltable Compounds

In a still further aspect the present invention provides a process for making co-crystals of difficult to salt or unsaltable APIs, which process comprises:

(1) grinding, heating or contacting in solution the API with a co-crystal former under crystallization conditions, so as to form a co-crystal of the API and the co-crystal former; and

(2) isolating co-crystals comprising the API and the co-crystal former.

Decreasing Hygroscopicity

In a still further aspect the present invention provides a method for decreasing the hygroscopicity of an API, which method comprises:

(1) grinding, heating or contacting in solution the API with a co-crystal former under crystallization conditions, so as to form a co-crystal of the API and the co-crystal former; and

(2) isolating co-crystals comprising the API and the co-crystal former.

Crystallizing Amorphous Compounds

In a still further embodiment aspect the present invention provides a process for crystallizing an amorphous compound, which process comprises:

(1) grinding, heating or contacting in solution the API with a co-crystal former under crystallization conditions, so as to form a co-crystal of the API and the co-crystal former; and

(2) isolating co-crystals comprising the API and the co-crystal former.

Decreasing Form Diversity

In a still further embodiment aspect the present invention provides a process for reducing the form diversity of an API, which process comprises:

(1) grinding, heating or contacting in solution the API with a co-crystal former under crystallization conditions, so as to form a co-crystal of the API and the co-crystal former; and

(2) isolating co-crystals comprising the API and the co-crystal former.

Morphology Modulation

In a still further embodiment aspect the present invention provides a process for modifying the morphology of an API, which process comprises:

(1) grinding, heating or contacting in solution the API with a co-crystal former under crystallization conditions, so as to form a co-crystal of the API and the co-crystal former; and

(2) isolating co-crystals comprising the API and the co-crystal former.

In a further aspect, the present invention provides a co-crystal composition comprising a co-crystal, wherein said co-crystal comprises an API compound and a co-crystal former. In further embodiments the co-crystal has an improved property as compared to the free form (including a free acid, free base, zwitter ion, hydrate, solvate, etc.) or a salt (which includes salt hydrates and solvates). In further embodiments, the improved property is selected from the group consisting of: increased solubility, increased dissolution, increased bioavailability, increased dose response, decreased hygroscopicity, a crystalline form of a normally amorphous compound, a crystalline form of a difficult to salt or unsaltable compound, decreased form diversity, more desired morphology, or other property described herein.

FIG. 1 PXRD pattern for a co-crystal of carbamazepine and saccharin (Form I).

FIG. 2 DSC thermogram for a co-crystal of carbamazepine and saccharin (Form I).

FIG. 3 PXRD pattern for a co-crystal of carbamazepine and nicotinamide (Form I).

FIG. 4 DSC thermogram for a co-crystal of carbamazepine and nicotinamide (Form I).

FIG. 5 PXRD pattern for a co-crystal of carbamazepine and trimesic acid (Form I).

FIG. 6 PXRD pattern for a co-crystal of topiramate and 18-crown-6.

FIG. 7 DSC thermogram for a co-crystal of topiramate and 18-crown-6.

FIG. 8 PXRD pattern for a co-crystal of olanzapine and nicotinamide (Form I).

FIG. 9 DSC thermogram for a co-crystal of olanzapine and nicotinamide (Form I).

FIG. 10 PXRD pattern for a co-crystal of celecoxib and 18-crown-6.

FIG. 11 DSC thermogram for a co-crystal of celecoxib and 18-crown-6.

FIG. 12 PXRD pattern for a co-crystal of itraconazole and succinic acid.

FIG. 13 DSC thermogram for a co-crystal of itraconazole and succinic acid.

FIG. 14 PXRD pattern for a co-crystal of itraconazole and fumaric acid.

FIG. 15 DSC thermogram for a co-crystal of itraconazole and fumaric acid.

FIG. 16 PXRD pattern for a co-crystal of itraconazole and tartaric acid

FIG. 17 DSC thermogram for a co-crystal of itraconazole and tartaric acid.

FIG. 18 PXRD pattern for a co-crystal of itraconazole and malic acid.

FIG. 19 DSC thermogram for a co-crystal of itraconazole and malic acid.

FIG. 20 PXRD pattern for a co-crystal of itraconazoleHCl and tartaric acid.

FIG. 21 DSC thermogram for a co-crystal of itraconazoleHCl and tartaric acid.

FIG. 22 PXRD pattern for a co-crystal of modafinil and malonic acid.

FIG. 23 PXRD pattern for a co-crystal of modafinil and benzamide.

FIG. 24 PXRD pattern for a co-crystal of modafinil and mandelic acid.

FIG. 25 PXRD pattern for a co-crystal of modafinil and glycolic acid.

FIG. 26 PXRD pattern for a co-crystal of modafinil and fumaric acid.

FIG. 27 Dissolution profile for a co-crystal of celecoxib:nicotinamide vs. celecoxib free acid.

FIG. 28 Dissolution profile for co-crystals of itraconazole:succinic acid, itraconazle:tartaric acid and itraconazole:malic acid vs. itraconazole free base.

FIG. 29 Hygroscopicity profile for a co-crystal of celecoxib:nicotinamide vs. celecoxib sodium.

FIG. 30 PXRD pattern for a co-crystal of olanzapine and nicotinamide (Form II).

FIG. 31 PXRD pattern for a co-crystal of olanzapine and nicotinamide (Form III).

FIG. 32A-D Packing diagrams and crystal structure of olanzapine and nicotinamide (Form III). FIG. 32A depicts the molecular structure of the olanzapine-nicotinamide-H 2 O-IPOAc crystal. In FIG. 32C , the olanzapine molecules occupy the spaces shown and are hydrogen bonded to the water molecules. The arrangement of the olanzapine molecules is similar to that observed from the methanol solvate and the published structures for the hydrates; the water molecules bridge the olanzapine moieties resulting in hydrogen-bonded zigzag sheets (see FIG. 32D ).

FIG. 33 DSC thermogram for a co-crystal of 5-fluorouracil and urea.

FIG. 34 TGA thermogram for a co-crystal of 5-fluorouracil and urea.

FIG. 35 Raman spectrum for a co-crystal of 5-fluorouracil and urea.

FIG. 36 PXRD pattern for a co-crystal of 5-fluorouracil and urea.

FIG. 37 PXRD pattern for a co-crystal of hydrochlorothiazide and nicotinic acid.

FIG. 38 PXRD pattern for a co-crystal of hydrochlorothiazide and 18-crown-6.

FIG. 39 PXRD pattern for a co-crystal of hydrochlorothiazide and piperazine.

FIG. 40 DSC thermogram for a co-crystal of modafinil and malonic acid.

FIG. 41 TGA thermogram for a co-crystal of modafinil and malonic acid.

FIG. 42 Raman spectrum for a co-crystal of modafinil and malonic acid.

FIG. 43 PXRD pattern for a co-crystal of modafinil and maleic acid.

FIG. 44A-B An acetaminophen 1-D polymeric chain and a co-crystal of acetaminophen and 4,4′-bipyridine, respectively.

FIG. 45A-B Pure phenyloin and a co-crystal with phenyloin and pyridone, respectively.

FIG. 46A-D Pure aspirin and the corresponding crystal structure are shown in FIGS. 46A and 46B , respectively. FIGS. 46C and 46D show the supramolecular entity containing the synthon and corresponding co-crystal of aspirin and 4,4′-bipyridine, respectively.

FIG. 47A-D Pure ibuprofen and the corresponding crystal structure are shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B , respectively. FIGS. 7C and 7D show the supramolecular entity containing the synthon and corresponding co-crystal of ibuprofen and 4,4′-bipyridine, respectively.

FIG. 48A-D Pure flurbiprofen and the corresponding crystal structure are shown in FIGS. 48A and 48B , respectively. FIGS. 5C and 5D show the supramolecular synthon and corresponding co-crystal of flurbiprofen and 4,4′-bipyridine, respectively.

FIG. 49A-B The supramolecular entity containing the synthon and the corresponding co-crystal structure of flurbiprofen and trans-1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene, respectively.

FIG. 50A-B The crystal structure of pure carbamazepine and the co-crystal structure of carbamazepine and p-phthalaldehyde, respectively.

FIG. 51 The co-crystal structure of carbamazepine and nicotinamide (Form II).

FIG. 52 The co-crystal structure of carbamazepine and saccharin (Form II).

FIG. 53A-C The chemical structures of ibuprofen, flurbiprofen, and aspirin, respectively.

FIG. 54A-B The crystal structure of carbamazepine and the co-crystal structure of carbamazepine and 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid, respectively.

FIG. 55A-B The crystal structure of carbamazepine and the co-crystal structure of carbamazepine and 5-nitroisophthalic acid, respectively.

FIG. 56A-B The crystal structure of carbamazepine and the co-crystal structure of carbamazepine and 1,3,5,7-adamantanetetracarboxylic acid, respectively.

FIG. 57A-B The crystal structure of carbamazepine and the co-crystal structure of carbamazepine and benzoquinone, respectively.

FIG. 58A-B The crystal structure of carbamazepine and the co-crystal structure of carbamazepine and trimesic acid (Form II), respectively.

FIG. 59 PXRD diffractogram for a co-crystal of celecoxib and nicotinamide.

FIG. 60 DSC thermogram for a co-crystal of celecoxib and nicotinamide.

FIG. 61 TGA thermogram for a co-crystal of celecoxib and nicotinamide.

FIG. 62 Raman spectrum for a co-crystal of celecoxib and nicotinamide.

FIG. 63 Hydrogen-bonding motifs observed in co-crystals.

The term “co-crystal” as used herein means a crystalline material comprised of two or more unique solids at room temperature, each containing distinctive physical characteristics, such as structure, melting point and heats of fusion, with the exception that, if specifically stated, the API may be a liquid at room temperature. The co-crystals of the present invention comprise a co-crystal former H-bonded to an API. The co-crystal former may be H-bonded directly to the API or may be H-bonded to an additional molecule which is bound to the API. The additional molecule may be H-bonded to the API or bound ionically or covalently to the API. The additional molecule could also be a different API. Solvates of API compounds that do not further comprise a co-crystal former are not co-crystals according to the present invention. The co-crystals may however, include one or more solvate molecules in the crystalline lattice. That is, solvates of co-crystals, or a co-crystal further comprising a solvent or compound that is a liquid at room temperature, is included in the present invention, but crystalline material comprised of only one solid and one or more liquids (at room temperature) are not included in the present invention, with the previously noted exception of specifically stated liquid APIs. The co-crystals may also be a co-crystal between a co-crystal former and a salt of an API, but the API and the co-crystal former of the present invention are constructed or bonded together through hydrogen bonds. Other modes of molecular recognition may also be present including, pi-stacking, guest-host complexation and van der Waals interactions. Of the interactions listed above, hydrogen-bonding is the dominant interaction in the formation of the co-crystal, (and a required interaction according to the present invention) whereby a non-covalent bond is formed between a hydrogen bond donor of one of the moieties and a hydrogen bond acceptor of the other. Hydrogen bonding can result in several different intermolecular configurations. For example, hydrogen bonds can result in the formation of dimers, linear chains, or cyclic structures. These configurations can further include extended (two-dimensional) hydrogen bond networks and isolated triads ( FIG. 63 ). An alternative embodiment provides for a co-crystal wherein the co-crystal former is a second API. In another embodiment, the co-crystal former is not an API. In another embodiment the co-crystal comprises two co-crystal formers. For purposes of the present invention, the chemical and physical properties of an API in the form of a co-crystal may be compared to a reference compound that is the same API in a different form. The reference compound may be specified as a free form, or more specifically, a free acid, free base, or zwitter ion; a salt, or more specifically for example, an inorganic base addition salt such as sodium, potassium, lithium, calcium, magnesium, ammonium, aluminum salts or organic base addition salts, or an inorganic acid addition salts such as HBr, HCl, sulfuric, nitric, or phosphoric acid addition salts or an organic acid addition salt such as acetic, proprionic, pyruvic, malanic, succinic, malic, maleic, fumaric, tartaric, citric, benzoic, methanesulfonic, ethanesulforic, stearic or lactic acid addition salt; an anhydrate or hydrate of a free form or salt, or more specifically, for example, a hemihydrate, monohydrate, dihydrate, trihydrate, quadrahydrate, pentahydrate; or a solvate of a free form or salt. For example, the reference compound for an API in salt form co-crystallized with a co-crystal former can be the API salt form. Similarly, the reference compound for a free acid API co-crystallized with a co-crystal former can be the free acid API. The reference compound may also be specified as crystalline or amorphous.

According to the present invention, the co-crystals can include an acid addition salt or base addition salt of an API. Acid addition salts include, but are not limited to, inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, and phosphoric acid, and organic acids such as acetic acid, propionic acid, hexanoic acid, heptanoic acid, cyclopentanepropionic acid, glycolic acid, pyruvic acid, lactic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, malic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, tartatic acid, citric acid, benzoic acid, o-(4-hydroxybenzoyl)benzoic acid, cinnamic acid, madelic acid, methanesulfonic acid, ethanesulfonic acid, 1,2-ethanedisulfonic acid, 2-hydroxyethanesulfonic acid, benzenesulfonic acid, p-chlorobenzenesulfonic acid, 2-naphthalenesulfonic acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, camphorsulfonic acid, 4-methylbicyclo[2.2.2]oct-2-ene-1-carboxylic acid, glucoheptonic acid, 4,4′-methylenebis(3-hydroxy-2-ene-1-carboxylic acid), 3-phenylpropionic acid, trimethylacetic acid, tertiary butylacetic acid, lauryl sulfuric acid, gluconic acid, glutaric acid, hydroxynaphthoic acid, salicylic acid, stearic acid, and muconic acid. Base addition salts include, but are not limited to, inorganic bases such as sodium, potassium, lithium, ammonium, calcium and magnesium salts, and organic bases such as primary, secondary and tertiary amines (e.g. isopropylamine, trimethyl amine, diethyl amine, tri(iso-propyl)amine, tri(n-propyl) amine, ethanolamine, 2-dimethylaminoethanol, tromethamine, lysine, arginine, histidine, caffeine, procaine, hydrabamine, choline, betaine, ethylenediamine, glucosamine, N-alkylglucamines, theobromine, purines, piperazine, piperidine, morpholine, and N-ethylpiperidine).

The ratio of API to co-crystal former may be stoichiometric or non-stoichiometric according to the present invention. For example, 1:1, 1:1.5 and 1:2 ratios of API:co-crystal former are acceptable.

It has surprisingly been found that when an API and a selected co-crystal former are allowed to form co-crystals, the resulting co-crystals give rise to improved properties of the API, as compared to the API in a free form (including free acids, free bases, and zwitter ions, hydrates, solvates, etc.), or an acid or base salt thereof particularly with respect to: solubility, dissolution, bioavailability, stability, Cmax, Tmax, processability, longer lasting therapeutic plasma concentration, hygroscopicity, crystallization of amorphous compounds, decrease in form diversity (including polymorphism and crystal habit), change in morphology or crystal habit, etc. For example, a co-crystal form of an API is particularly advantageous where the original API is insoluble or sparingly soluble in water. Additionally, the co-crystal properties conferred upon the API are also useful because the bioavailability of the API can be improved and the plasma concentration and/or serum concentration of the API can be improved. This is particularly advantageous for orally-administrable formulations. Moreover, the dose response of the API can be improved, for example by increasing the maximum attainable response and/or increasing the potency of the API by increasing the biological activity per dosing equivalent.

Accordingly, in a first aspect, the present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a co-crystal of an API and a co-crystal former, such that the API and co-crystal former are capable of co-crystallizing from a solution phase under crystallization conditions or from the solid-state, for example, through grinding or heating. In another aspect, the API has at least one functional group selected from ether, thioether, alcohol, thiol, aldehyde, ketone, thioketone, nitrate ester, phosphate ester, thiophosphate ester, ester, thioester, sulfate ester, carboxylic acid, phosphonic acid, phosphinic acid, sulfonic acid, amide, primary amine, secondary amine, ammonia, tertiary amine, sp2 amine, thiocyanate, cyanamide, oxime, nitrile, diazo, organohalide, nitro, s-heterocyclic ring, thiophene, n-heterocyclic ring, pyrrole, o-heterocyclic ring, furan, epoxide, peroxide, hydroxamic acid, imidazole, and pyridine and a co-crystal former which has at least one functional group selected from ether, thioether, alcohol, thiol, aldehyde, ketone, thioketone, nitrate ester, phosphate ester, thiophosphate ester, ester, thioester, sulfate ester, carboxylic acid, phosphonic acid, phosphinic acid, sulfonic acid, amide, primary amine, secondary amine, ammonia, tertiary amine, sp2 amine, thiocyanate, cyanamide, oxime, nitrile, diazo, organohalide, nitro, s-heterocyclic ring, thiophene, n-heterocyclic ring, pyrrole, o-heterocyclic ring, furan, epoxide, peroxide, hydroxamic acid, imidazole, and pyridine, or a functional group in a Table herein, such that the API and co-crystal former are capable of co-crystallizing from a solution phase under crystallization conditions.

The co-crystals of the present invention are formed where the API and co-crystal former are bonded together through hydrogen bonds. Other non-covalent interactions, including pi-stacking and van der Waals interactions, may also be present.

In one embodiment, the co-crystal former is selected from the co-crystal formers of Table I and Table II. In other embodiments, the co-crystal former of Table I is specified as a Class 1, Class 2, or Class 3 co-crystal former (see column labeled “class” Table I). In another embodiment, the difference in pK a value of the co-crystal former and the API is less than 2. In other embodiments, the difference in pK a values of the co-crystal former and API is less than 3, less than 4, less than 5, between 2 and 3, between 3 and −4, or between 4 and 5. Table I lists multiple pK a values for co-crystal formers having multiple functionalities. It is readily apparent to one skilled in the art the particular functional group corresponding to a particular pK a value.

In another embodiment the particular functional group of a co-crystal former interacting with the API is specified (see for example Table I, columns labeled “Functionality” and “Molecular Structure” and the column of Table II labeled “Co-Crystal Former Functional Group”). In a further embodiment the functional group of the API interacting with the co-crystal former functional group is specified (see, for example, Tables II and III).

In another embodiment, the co-crystal comprises more than one co-crystal former. For example, two, three, four, five, or more co-crystal formers can be incorporated in a co-crystal with an API. Co-crystals which comprise two or more co-crystal formers and an API are bound together via hydrogen bonds. In one embodiment, incorporated co-crystal formers are hydrogen bonded to the API molecules. In another embodiment, co-crystal formers are hydrogen bonded to either the API molecules or the incorporated co-crystal formers.

In a further embodiment, several co-crystal formers can be contained in a single compartment, or kit, for ease in screening an API for potential co-crystal species. The co-crystal kit can comprise 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, or more of the co-crystal formers in Tables I and II. The co-crystal formers are in solid form and in an array of individual reaction vials such that individual co-crystal formers can be tested with one or more APIs by one or more crystallization methods or multiple co-crystal formers can be easily tested against one or more compounds by one or more crystallization methods. The crystallization methods include, but are not limited to, melt recrystallization, grinding, milling, standing, co-crystal formation from solution by evaporation, thermally driven crystallization from solution, co-crystal formation from solution by addition of anti-solvent, co-crystal formation from solution by vapor-diffusion, co-crystal formation from solution by drown-out, co-crystal formation from solution by any combination of the above mentioned techniques, co-crystal formation by co-sublimation, co-crystal formation by sublimation using a Knudsen cell apparatus, co-crystal formation by standing the desired components of the co-crystal in the presence of solvent vapor, co-crystal formation by slurry conversion of the desired components of the co-crystal in a solvent or mixtures of solvents, or co-crystal formation by any combination of the above techniques in the presence of additives, nucleates, crystallization enhancers, precipitants, chemical stabilizers, or anti-oxidants. The co-crystallization kits can be used alone or as part of larger crystallization experiments. For example, kits can be constructed as single co-crystal former single well kits, single co-crystal former multi-well kits, multi-co-crystal former single well kits, or multi-co-crystal former multi-well kits.

In a further embodiment, the API is selected from an API of Table IV or elsewhere herein. For pharmaceuticals listed in Table IV, co-crystals can comprise such APIs in free form (i.e. free acid, free base, zwitter ion), salts, solvates, hydrates, or the like. For APIs in Table IV listed as salts, solvates, hydrates, and the like, the API can either be of the form listed in Table IV or its corresponding free form, or of another form that is not listed. Table IV includes the CAS number, chemical name, or a PCT or patent reference (each incorporated herein in their entireties). In further embodiments, the functional group of the particular API interacting with the co-crystal former is specified. A specific functional group of a co-crystal former, a specific co-crystal former, or a specified functional group or a specific co-crystal former interacting with the particular API may also be specified. It is noted that for Table II, the co-crystal former, and optionally the specific functionality, and each of the listed corresponding interacting groups are included as individual species of the present invention. Thus, each specific combination of a co-crystal former and one of the interacting groups in the same row may be specified as a species of the present invention. The same is true for other combinations as discussed in the Tables and elsewhere herein.

In each process according to the invention, there is a need to contact the API with the co-crystal former. This may involve grinding the two solids together or melting one or both components and allowing them to recrystallize. This may also involve either solubilizing the API and adding the co-crystal former, or solubilizing the co-crystal former and adding the API. Crystallization conditions are applied to the API and co-crystal former. This may entail altering a property of the solution, such as pH or temperature and may require concentration of the solute, usually by removal of the solvent, typically by drying the solution. Solvent removal results in the concentration of both API and co-crystal former increasing over time so as to facilitate crystallization. Once the solid phase comprising any crystals is formed, this may be tested as described herein.

The co-crystals obtained as a result of such process steps may be readily incorporated into a pharmaceutical composition by conventional means. Pharmaceutical compositions in general are discussed in further detail below and may further comprise a pharmaceutically-acceptable diluent, excipient or carrier.

In a further aspect, the present invention provides a process for the production of a pharmaceutical composition, which process comprises:

(1) providing an API which has at least one functional group selected from ether, thioether, alcohol, thiol, aldehyde, ketone, thioketone, nitrate ester, phosphate ester, thiophosphate ester, ester, thioester, sulfate ester, carboxylic acid, phosphonic acid, phosphinic acid, sulfonic acid, amide, primary amine, secondary amine, ammonia, tertiary amine, sp2 amine, thiocyanate, cyanamide, oxime, nitrile diazo, organohalide, nitro, s-heterocyclic ring, thiophene, n-heterocyclic ring, pyrrole, o-heterocyclic ring, furan, epoxide, peroxide, hydroxamic acid, imidazole, and pyridine or of Table II or III;

(2) providing a co-crystal former which has at least one functional group selected from ether, thioether, alcohol, thiol, aldehyde, ketone, thioketone, nitrate ester, phosphate ester, thiophosphate ester, ester, thioester, sulfate ester, carboxylic acid, phosphonic acid, phosphinic acid, sulfonic acid, amide, primary amine, secondary amine, ammonia, tertiary amine, sp2 amine, thiocyanate, cyanamide, oxime, nitrile diazo, organohalide, nitro, s-heterocyclic ring, thiophene, n-heterocyclic ring, pyrrole, o-heterocyclic ring, furan, epoxide, peroxide, hydroxamic acid, imidazole, and pyridine or of Table I, II, or III;

(3) grinding, heating or contacting in solution the API with the co-crystal former under crystallization conditions;

(4) isolating co-crystals formed thereby; and

(5) incorporating the co-crystals into a pharmaceutical composition.

In a still further aspect the present invention provides a process for the production of a pharmaceutical composition, which comprises:

(1) grinding, heating or contacting in solution an API with a co-crystal former, under crystallization conditions, so as to form a solid phase;

(2) isolating co-crystals comprising the API and the co-crystal former; and

(3) incorporating the co-crystals into a pharmaceutical composition.

Assaying the solid phase for the presence of co-crystals of the API and the co-crystal former may be carried out by conventional methods known in the art. For example, it is convenient and routine to use powder X-ray diffraction techniques to assess the presence of co-crystals. This may be affected by comparing the spectra of the API, the crystal former and putative co-crystals in order to establish whether or not true co-crystals had been formed. Other techniques, used in an analogous fashion, include differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Raman spectroscopy. Single crystal X-ray diffraction is especially useful in identifying co-crystal structures.

In a further aspect, the present invention therefore provides a process of screening for co-crystal compounds, which comprises:

(1) providing (i) an API compound, and (ii) a co-crystal former; and

(2) screening for co-crystals of APIs with co-crystal formers by subjecting each combination of API and co-crystal former to a step comprising:

(a) grinding, heating or contacting in solution the API with the co-crystal former under crystallization conditions so as to form a solid phase; and

(b) isolating co-crystals comprising the API and the co-crystal former.

An alternative embodiment is drawn to a process of screening for co-crystal compounds, which comprises:

(1) providing (i) an API or a plurality of different APIs, and (ii) a co-crystal former or a plurality of different co-crystal formers, wherein at least one of the API and the co-crystal former is provided as a plurality thereof; and

(2) screening for co-crystals of APIs with co-crystal formers by subjecting each combination of API and co-crystal former to a step comprising

(a) grinding, heating or contacting in solution the API with the co-crystal former under crystallization conditions so as to form a solid phase; and

(b) isolating co-crystals comprising the API and the co-crystal former.

Solubility Modulation

In a further aspect, the present invention provides a process for modulating the solubility of an API, which process comprises:

(1) grinding, heating or contacting in solution the API with a co-crystal former under crystallization conditions, so as to form a co-crystal of the API and the co-crystal former; and

(2) isolating co-crystals comprising the API and the co-crystal former.

In one embodiment, the solubility of the API is modulated such that the aqueous solubility is increased. Solubility of APIs may be measured by any conventional means such as chromatography (e.g., HPLC) or spectroscopic determination of the amount of API in a saturated solution of the API, such as UV-spectroscopy, IR-spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, quantitative mass spectroscopy, or gas chromatography.

In another aspect of the invention, the API may have low aqueous solubility. Typically, low aqueous solubility in the present application refers to a compound having a solubility in water which is less than or equal to 10 mg/mL, when measured at 37 degrees C., and preferably less than or equal to 5 mg/mL or 1 mg/mL. Low aqueous solubility can further be specifically defined as less than or equal to 900, 800, 700, 600, 500, 400, 300, 200 150 100, 90, 80, 70, 60, 50, 40, 30, 20 micrograms/mL, or further 10, 5 or 1 micrograms/mL, or further 900, 800, 700, 600, 500, 400, 300, 200 150, 100 90, 80, 70, 60, 50, 40, 30, 20, or 10 ng/mL, or less than 10 ng/mL when measured at 37 degrees C. Aqueous solubility can also be specified as less than 500, 400, 300, 200, 150, 100, 75, 50 or 25 mg/mL. As embodiments of the present invention, solubility can be increased 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, 15, 20, 25, 50, 75, 100, 200, 300, 500, 750, 1000, 5000, or 10,000 times by making a co-crystal of the reference form (e.g., crystalline or amorphous free acid, free base or zwitter ion, hydrate or solvate), or a salt thereof. Further aqueous solubility can be measured in simulated gastric fluid (SGF) or simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) rather than water. SGF (non-diluted) of the present invention is made by combining 1 g/L Triton X-100 and 2 g/L NaCl in water and adjusting the pH with 20 mM HCl to obtain a solution with a final pH=1.7 (SIF is 0.68% monobasic potassium phosphate, 1% pancreatin, and sodium hydroxide where the pH of the final solution is 7.5). The pH of the solvent used may also be specified as 1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 10.5, 11, 11.5, or 12, or any pH in between successive values.

Examples of embodiments includes: co-crystal compositions with an aqueous solubility, at 37 degrees C. and a pH of 7.0, that is increased at least 5 fold over the reference form, co-crystal compositions with a solubility in SGF that is increased at least 5 fold over the reference form, co-crystal compositions with a solubility in SIF that is increased at least 5 fold over the reference form.

Dissolution Modulation

In another aspect of the present invention, the dissolution profile of the API is modulated whereby the aqueous dissolution rate or the dissolution rate in simulated gastric fluid or in simulated intestinal fluid, or in a solvent or plurality of solvents is increased. Dissolution rate is the rate at which API solids dissolve in a dissolution medium. For APIs whose absorption rates are faster than the dissolution rates (e.g., steroids), the rate-limiting step in the absorption process is often the dissolution rate. Because of a limited residence time at the absorption site, APIs that are not dissolved before they are removed from intestinal absorption site are considered useless. Therefore, the rate of dissolution has a major impact on the performance of APIs that are poorly soluble. Because of this factor, the dissolution rate of APIs in solid dosage forms is an important, routine, quality control parameter used in the API manufacturing process.

Dissolution rate= K S ( C s −C )

where K is dissolution rate constant, S is the surface area, C s is the apparent solubility, and C is the concentration of API in the dissolution medium.

For rapid API absorption, C s −C is approximately equal to C s

The dissolution rate of APIs may be measured by conventional means known in the art.

The increase in the dissolution rate of a co-crystal, as compared to the reference form (e.g., free form or salt), may be specified, such as by 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, or 100%, or by 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 500, 1000, 10,000, or 100,000 fold greater than the reference form (e.g., free form or salt form) in the same solution. Conditions under which the dissolution rate is measured is the same as discussed above The increase in dissolution may be further specified by the time the composition remains supersaturated before reaching equilibrium solubility.

Examples of above embodiments include: co-crystal compositions with a dissolution rate in aqueous solution, at 37 degrees C. and a pH of 7.0, that is increased at least 5 fold over the reference form, co-crystal compositions with a dissolution rate in SGF that is increased at least 5 fold over the reference form, co-crystal compositions with a dissolution rate in SIF that is increased at least 5 fold over the reference form.

Bioavailability Modulation

The methods of the present invention are used to make a pharmaceutical API formulation with greater solubility, dissolution, and bioavailability. Bioavailability can be improved via an increase in AUC, reduced time to T max , (the time to reach peak blood serum levels), or increased C max . The present invention can result in higher plasma concentrations of API when compared to the neutral form or salt alone (reference form).

AUC is the area under the plot of plasma concentration of API (not logarithm of the concentration) against time after API administration. The area is conveniently determined by the “trapezoidal rule”: The data points are connected by straight line segments, perpendiculars are erected from the abscissa to each data point, and the sum of the areas of the triangles and trapezoids so constructed is computed. When the last measured concentration (C n , at time t n ) is not zero, the AUC from t n to infinite time is estimated by C n /k el .

The AUC is of particular use in estimating bioavailability of APIs, and in estimating total clearance of APIs (Cl T ). Following single intravenous doses, AUC=D/Cl T , for single compartment systems obeying first-order elimination kinetics, where D is the dose; alternatively, AUC=C 0 /k el , where k el is the API elimination rate constant. With routes other than the intravenous, for such systems, AUC=F·D/Cl T , where F is the absolute bioavailability of the API.

Thus, in a further aspect, the present invention provides a process for modulating the bioavailability of an API when administered in its normal and effective dose range as a co-crystal, whereby the AUC is increased, the time to T max is reduced, or C max is increased, as compared to a reference form, which process comprises:

(1) grinding, heating or contacting in solution the API with a co-crystal former under crystallization conditions, so as to form a co-crystal of the API and the co-crystal former; and

(2) isolating co-crystals comprising the API and the co-crystal former.

Examples of the above embodiments include: co-crystal compositions with a time to T max that is reduced by at least 10% as compared to the reference form, co-crystal compositions with a time to T max that is reduced by at least 20% over the reference form, co-crystal compositions with a time to T max that is reduced by at least 40% over the reference form, co-crystal compositions with a time to T max that is reduced by at least 50% over the reference form, co-crystal compositions with a T max that is reduced by at least 60% over the reference form, co-crystal compositions with a T max that is reduced by at least 70% over the reference form, co-crystal compositions with a T max that is reduced by at least 80% over the reference form, co-crystal compositions with a T max that is reduced by at least 90% over the reference form, co-crystal compositions with a C max that is increased by at least 20% over the reference form, co-crystal compositions with a C max that is increased by at least 30% over the reference form, co-crystal compositions with a C max that is increased by at least 40% over the reference form, co-crystal compositions with a C max that is increased by at least 50% over the reference form, co-crystal compositions with a C max that is increased by at least 60% over the reference form, co-crystal compositions with a C max that is increased by at least 70% over the reference form, co-crystal compositions with a C max that is increased by at least 80% over the reference form, co-crystal compositions with a Cmax that is increased by at least 2 fold, 3 fold, 5 fold, 7.5 fold, 10 fold, 25 fold, 50 fold or 100 fold, co-crystal compositions with an AUC that is increased by at least 10% over the reference form, co-crystal compositions with an AUC that is increased by at least 20% over the reference form, co-crystal compositions with an AUC that is increased by at least 30% over the reference form, co-crystal compositions with an AUC that is increased by at least 40% over the reference form, co-crystal compositions with an AUC that is increased by at least 50% over the reference form, co-crystal compositions with an AUC that is increased by at least 60% over the reference form, co-crystal compositions with an AUC that is increased by at least 70% over the reference form, co-crystal compositions with an AUC that is increased by at least 80% over the reference form or co-crystal compositions with an AUC that is increased by at least 2 fold, 3 fold, 4 fold, 5 fold, 6 fold, 7 fold, 8 fold, 9 fold, or 10 fold. Other examples include wherein the reference form is crystalline, wherein the reference form is amorphous, wherein the reference form is an anhydrous crystalline sodium salt, or wherein the reference form is an anhydrous crystalline HCl salt.

Dose Response Modulation

In a further aspect the present invention provides a process for improving the dose response of an API, which process comprises:

(1) contacting in solution an API with a co-crystal former under crystallization conditions, so as to form a co-crystal of the API and the co-crystal former; and

(2) isolating co-crystals comprising the API and the co-crystal former.

Dose response is the quantitative relationship between the magnitude of response and the dose inducing the response and may be measured by conventional means known in the art. The curve relating effect (as the dependent variable) to dose (as the independent variable) for an API-cell system is the “dose-response curve”. Typically, the dose-response curve is the measured response to an API plotted against the dose of the API (mg/kg) given. The dose response curve can also be a curve of AUC against the dose of the API given.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a co-crystal of the present invention has an increased dose response curve or a more linear dose response curve than the corresponding reference compound.

Increased Stability

In a still further aspect the present invention provides a process for improving the stability of an API (as compared to a reference form such as its free form or a salt thereof), which process comprises:

(1) grinding, heating or contacting in solution the pharmaceutical salt with a co-crystal former under crystallization conditions, so as to form a co-crystal of the API and the co-crystal former; and

(2) isolating co-crystals comprising the API and the co-crystal former.

In a preferred embodiment, the compositions of the present invention, including the API or active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and formulations comprising the API, are suitably stable for pharmaceutical use. Preferably, the API or formulations thereof of the present invention are stable such that when stored at 30 degrees C. for 2 years, less than 0.2% of any one degradant is formed. The term degradant refers herein to product(s) of a single type of chemical reaction. For example, if a hydrolysis event occurs that cleaves a molecule into two products, for the purpose of the present invention, it would be considered a single degradant. More preferably, when stored at 40 degrees C. for 2 years, less than 0.2% of any one degradant is formed. Alternatively, when stored at 30 degrees C. for 3 months, less than 0.2% or 0.15%, or 0.1% of any one degradant is formed, or when stored at 40 degrees C. for 3 months, less than 0.2% or 0.15%, or 0.1% of any one degradant is formed. Further alternatively, when stored at 60 degrees C. for 4 weeks, less than 0.2% or 0.15%, or 0.1% of any one degradant is formed. The relative humidity (RH) may be specified as ambient (RH), 75% (RH), or as any single integer between 1 to 99%.

Difficult to Salt or Unsaltable Compounds

In a still further aspect the present invention provides a process for making co-crystals of unsaltable or difficult to salt APIs which process comprises:

(1) grinding, heating or contacting in solution an API with a co-crystal former under crystallization conditions, so as to form a co-crystal of the API and the co-crystal former; and (2) isolating co-crystals comprising the API and the co-crystal former.

Difficult to salt compounds include bases with a pKa<3 or acids with a pKa>10. Zwitter ions are also difficult to salt or unsaltable compounds according to the present invention.

Decreasing Hygroscopicity

In a still further aspect, the present invention provides a method for decreasing the hygroscopicity of an API, which method comprises:

(1) grinding, heating or contacting in solution the API with a co-crystal former under crystallization conditions, so as to form a co-crystal of the API and the co-crystal former; and

(2) isolating co-crystals comprising the API and the co-crystal former.

An aspect of the present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a co-crystal of an API that is less hygroscopic than amorphous or crystalline, free form or salt (including metal salts such as sodium, potassium, lithium, calcium, magnesium) or another reference compound. Hygroscopicity can be assessed by dynamic vapor sorption analysis, in which 5-50 mg of the compound is suspended from a Cahn microbalance. The compound being analyzed should be placed in a non-hygroscopic pan and its weight should be measured relative to an empty pan composed of identical material and having nearly identical size, shape, and weight. Ideally, platinum pans should be used. The pans should be suspended in a chamber through which a gas, such as air or nitrogen, having a controlled and known percent relative humidity (% RH) is flowed until equilibrium criteria are met. Typical equilibrium criteria include weight changes of less than 0.01% over 3 minutes at constant humidity and temperature. The relative humidity should be measured for samples dried under dry nitrogen to constant weight (<0.01% change in 3 minutes) at 40 degrees C. unless doing so would de-solvate or otherwise convert the material to an amorphous compound. In one aspect, the hygroscopicity of a dried compound can be assessed by increasing the RH from 5 to 95% in increments of 5% RH and then decreasing the RH from 95 to 5% in 5% increments to generate a moisture sorption isotherm. The sample weight should be allowed to equilibrate between each change in % RH. If the compound deliquesces or becomes amorphous above 75% RH, but below 95% RH, the experiment should be repeated with a fresh sample and the relative humidity range for the cycling should be narrowed to 5-75% RH or 10-75% RH, instead of 5-95% RH. If the sample cannot be dried prior to testing due to lack of form stability, than the sample should be studied using two complete humidity cycles of either 10-75% RH or 5-95% RH, and the results of the second cycle should be used if there is significant weight loss at the end of the first cycle.

Hygroscopicity can be defined using various parameters. For purposes of the present invention, a non-hygroscopic molecule should not gain or lose more than 1.0%, or more preferably, 0.5% weight at 25 degrees C. when cycled between 10 and 75% RH (relative humidity at 25 degrees C.). The non-hygroscopic molecule more preferably should not gain or lose more than 1.0%, or more preferably, 0.5% weight when cycled between 5 and 95% RH at 25 degrees C., or more than 0.25% of its weight between 10 and 75% RH. Most preferably, a non-hygroscopic molecule will not gain or lose more than 0.25% of its weight when cycled between 5 and 95% RH.

Alternatively, for purposes of the present invention, hygroscopicity can be defined using the parameters of Callaghan et al., “Equilibrium moisture content of pharmaceutical excipients”, in Api Dev. Ind. Pharm., Vol. 8, pp. 335-369 (1982). Callaghan et al. classified the degree of hygroscopicity into four classes.

Class 1: Non-hygroscopic Essentially no moisture increases occur at relative humidities below 90%. Class 2: Slightly hygroscopic Essentially no moisture increases occur at relative humidities below 80%. Class 3: Moderately hygroscopic Moisture content does not increase more than 5% after storage for 1 week at relative humidities below 60%. Class 4: Very hygroscopic Moisture content increase may occur at relative humidities as low as 40 to 50%.

Alternatively, for purposes of the present invention, hygroscopicity can be defined using the parameters of the European Pharmacopoeia Technical Guide (1999, p. 86) which has defined hygrospocity, based on the static method, after storage at 25 degrees C. for 24 hours at 80% RH:

Slightly hygroscopic: Increase in mass is less than 2 percent m/m and equal to or greater than 0.2 percent m/m.

Hygroscopic: Increase in mass is less than 15 percent m/m and equal to or greater than 0.2 percent m/m.

Very Hygroscopic: Increase in mass is equal to or greater than 15 percent m/m.

Deliquescent: Sufficient water is absorbed to form a liquid.

Co-crystals of the present invention can be set forth as being in Class 1, Class 2, or Class 3, or as being Slightly hygroscopic, Hygroscopic, or Very Hygroscopic. Co-crystals of the present invention can also be set forth based on their ability to reduce hygroscopicity. Thus, preferred co-crystals of the present invention are less hygroscopic than a reference compound. The reference compound can be specified as the API in free form (free acid, free base, hydrate, solvate, etc.) or salt (e.g., especially metal salts such as sodium, potassium, lithium, calcium, or magnesium). Further included in the present invention are co-crystals that do not gain or lose more than 1.0% weight at 25 degrees C. when cycled between 10 and 75% RH, wherein the reference compound gains or loses more than 1.0% weight under the same conditions. Further included in the present invention are co-crystals that do not gain or lose more than 0.5% weight at 25 degrees C. when cycled between 10 and 75% RH, wherein the reference compound gains or loses more than 0.5% or more than 1.0% weight under the same conditions. Further included in the present invention are co-crystals that do not gain or lose more than 1.0% weight at 25 degrees C. when cycled between 5 and 95% RH, wherein the reference compound gains or loses more than 1.0% weight under the same conditions. Further included in the present invention are co-crystals that do not gain or lose more than 0.5% weight at 25 degrees C. when cycled between 5 and 95% RH, wherein the reference compound gains or loses more than 0.5% or more than 1.0% weight under the same conditions. Further included in the present invention are co-crystals that do not gain or lose more than 0.25% weight at 25 degrees C. when cycled between 5 and 95% RH, wherein the reference compound gains or loses more than 0.5% or more than 1.0% weight under the same conditions.

Further included in the present invention are co-crystals that have a hygroscopicity (according to Callaghan et al.) that is at least one class lower than the reference compound or at least two classes lower than the reference compound. Included are a Class 1 co-crystal of a Class 2 reference compound, a Class 2 co-crystal of a Class 3 reference compound, a Class 3 co-crystal of a Class 4 reference compound, a Class 1 co-crystal of a Class 3 reference compound, a Class 1 co-crystal of a Class 4 reference compound, or a Class 2 co-crystal of a Class 4 reference compound.

Further included in the present invention are co-crystals that have a hygroscopicity (according to the European Pharmacopoeia Technical Guide) that is at least one class lower than the reference compound or at least two classes lower than the reference compound. Non-limiting examples include; a slightly hygroscopic co-crystal of a hygroscopic reference compound, a hygroscopic co-crystal of a very hygroscopic reference compound, a very hygroscopic co-crystal of a deliquescent reference compound, a slightly hygroscopic co-crystal of a very hygroscopic reference compound, a slightly hygroscopic co-crystal of a deliquescent reference compound, and a hygroscopic co-crystal of a deliquescent reference compound.

Crystallizing Amorphous Compounds

In a further aspect, the present invention provides a process for crystallizing an amorphous compound, which process comprises:

(1) grinding, heating or contacting in solution the API with a co-crystal former under crystallization conditions, so as to form a co-crystal of the API and the co-crystal former; and (2) isolating co-crystals comprising the API and the co-crystal former.

An amorphous compound includes compounds that do not crystallize using routine methods in the art.

Decreasing Form Diversity

In a still further embodiment aspect the present invention provides a process for reducing the form diversity of an API, which process comprises:

(1) grinding, heating or contacting in solution the API with a co-crystal former under crystallization conditions, so as to form a co-crystal of the API and the co-crystal former; and (2) isolating co-crystals comprising the API and the co-crystal former.

For purposes of the present invention, the number of forms of a co-crystal is compared to the number of forms of a reference compound (e.g. the free form or a salt of the API) that can be made using routine methods in the art.

Morphology Modulation

In a still further aspect the present invention provides a process for modifying the morphology of an API, which process comprises:

(1) grinding, heating or contacting in solution the API with a co-crystal former under crystallization conditions, so as to form a co-crystal of the API and the co-crystal former; and (2) isolating co-crystals comprising the API and the co-crystal former.

In an embodiment the co-crystal comprises or consists of a co-crystal former and a pharmaceutical wherein the interaction between the two, e.g., H-bonding, occurs between a functional group of Table III of an API with a corresponding interacting group of Table III. In a further embodiment, the co-crystal comprises a co-crystal former of Table I or II and an API with a corresponding interacting group of Table III. In a further embodiment the co-crystal comprises an API from Table IV and a co-crystal former with a functional group of Table III. In a further embodiment, the co-crystal is from Table I or II. In an aspect of the invention, only co-crystals having an H-bond acceptor on the first molecule and an H-bond donor on the second molecule, where the first and second molecules are either co-crystal former and API respectively or API and co-crystal former respectively, are included in the present invention. Table IV includes the CAS number, chemical name or a PCT or patent reference (each incorporated herein in their entireties). Thus, whether a particular API contains an H-bond donor, acceptor or both is readily apparent.

In another embodiment, the co-crystal former and API each have only one H-bond donor/acceptor. In another aspect, the molecular weight of the API is less than 2000, 1500, 1000, 750, 500, 350, 200, or 150 Daltons. In another embodiment, the molecular weight of the API is between 100-200, 200-300, 300-400, 400-500, 500-600, 600-700, 700-800, 800-900, 900-1000, 1000-1200, 1200-1400, 1400-1600, 1600-1800, or 1800-2000. APIs with the above molecular weights may also be specifically excluded from the present invention.

In another embodiment, peptides, proteins, nucleic acids or other biological APIs are excluded from the present invention. In another embodiment, all non-pharmaceutically acceptable co-crystal formers are excluded from the present invention. In another embodiment, organometalic APIs are excluded from the present invention. In another embodiment, a co-crystal former comprising any one or more of the functional groups of Table III may be specifically excluded from the present invention. In another embodiment, any one or more of the co-crystal formers of Table I or II may be specifically excluded from the present invention. Any APIs currently known in the art may also be specifically excluded from the present invention. For example, carbanazepine, itraconazole, nabumetone, fluoxetine, acetaminophen and theophylline can each be specifically excluded from the present invention. In another embodiment, the API is not a salt, is not a non-metal salt, or is not a metal salt, e.g., sodium, potassium, lithium, calcium or magnesium. In another embodiment, the API is a salt, is a non-metal salt, or is a metal salt, e.g., sodium, potassium, lithium, calcium, magnesium. In one embodiment, the API does not contain a halogen. In one embodiment, the API does contain a halogen.

In another embodiment, any one or more of the APIs of Table IV may be specifically excluded from the present invention. Any APIs currently known in the art may also be specifically excluded from the present invention. For example, nabumetone:2,3-naphthalenediol, fluoxetine HCl:benzoic acid, fluoxetine HCl:succinic acid, acetaminophen:piperazine, acetaminophen:theophylline, theophylline:salicylic acid, theophylline:p-hydroxybenzoic acid, theophylline:sorbic acid, theophylline:1-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid, theophylline:glycolic acid, theophylline:2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid, theophylline:chloroacetic acid, bis(diphenylhydantoin):9-ethyladenine acetylacetone solvate, bis(diphenylhydantoin):9-ethyladenine 2,4-pentanedione solvate, 5,5-diphenylbarbituric acid:9-ethyladenine, bis(diphenylhydantoin):9-ethyladenine, 4-aminobenzoic acid:4-aminobenzonitrile, sulfadimidine:salicylic acid, 8-hydroxyquinolinium 4-nitrobenzoate:4-nitrobenzoic acid, sulfaproxyline:caffeine, retro-inverso-isopropyl (2R,3S)-4-cyclohexyl-2-hydroxy-3-(N-((2R)-2-morpholinocarbonylmethyl-3-(1-naphthyl)propionyl)-L-histidylamino)butyrate:cinnamic acid monohydrate, benzoic acid:isonicotinamide, 3-(2-N′,N′-(dimethylhydrazino)-4-thiazolylmethylthio)-N″-sulfamoylpropionamidine:maleic acid, diglycine hydrochloride (C 2 H 5 NO 2 :C 2 H 6 NO 2 + Cl − ), octadecanoic acid:3-pyridinecarboxamide, cis-N-(3-methyl-1-(2-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydro)naphthyl)-piperidin-4-yl)-N-phenylpropanamide hydrochloride:oxalic acid, trans-N-(3-methyl-1-(2-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydro)naphthyl)-piperidin-4-ylium)-N-phenylpropanamide oxalate:oxalic acid dihydrate, bis(1-(3-((4-(2-isopropoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl)methyl)benzoyl)piperidine) succinate:succinic acid, bis(p-cyanophenyl)imidazolylmethane:succinic acid, cis-1-((4-(1-imidazolylmethyl)cyclohexyl)methyl)imidazole:succinic acid, (+)-2-(5,6-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-naphthyl)imidazoline:(+)-dibenzoyl-D-tartaric acid, raclopride:tartaric acid, 2,6-diamino-9-ethylpurine:5,5-diethylbarbituric acid, 5,5-diethylbarbituric acid:bis(2-aminopyridine), 5,5-diethylbarbituric acid:acetamide, 5,5-diethylbarbituric acid:KI 3 , 5,5-diethylbarbituric acid:urea, bis(barbital):hexamethylphosphoramide, 5,5-diethylbarbituric acid:imidazole, barbital: 1-methylimidazole, 5,5-diethylbarbituric acid:N-methyl-2-pyridone, 2,4-diamino-5-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzyl)-pyrimidine:5,5-diethylbarbituric acid, bis(barbital):caffeine, bis(barbital): 1-methylimidazole, bis(beta-cyclodextrin):bis(barbital) hydrate, tetrakis(beta-cyclodextrin):tetrakis(barbital), 9-ethyladenine:5,5-diethylbarbituric acid, barbital:N′-(p-cyanophenyl)-N-(p-iodophenyl)melamine, barbital:2-amino-4-(m-bromophenylamino)-6-chloro-1,3,5-triazine, 5,5-diethylbarbituric acid:N,N′-diphenylmelamine, 5,5-diethylbarbituric acid:N,N′-bis(p-chlorophenyl)melamine, N,N′-bis(p-bromophenyl)melamine:5,5-diethylbarbituric acid, 5,5-diethylbarbituric acid:N,N′-bis(p-iodophenyl)melamine, 5,5-diethylbarbituric acid:N,N′-bis(p-tolyl)melamine, 5,5-diethylbarbituric acid:N,N′-bis(m-tolyl)melamine, 5,5-diethylbarbituric acid:N,N′-bis(m-chlorophenyl)melamine, N,N′-Bis(m-methylphenyl)melamine:barbital, N,N′-bis(m-chlorophenyl)melamine:barbital tetrahydrofuran solvate, 5,5-diethylbarbituric acid:N,N′-bis(t-butyl)melamine, 5,5-diethylbarbituric acid:N,N′-di(t-butyl)melamine, 6,6′-diquinolyl ether:5,5-diethylbarbituric acid, 5-t-butyl-2,4,6-triaminopyrimidine:diethylbarbituric acid, N,N′-bis(4-carboxymethylphenyl)melamine:barbital ethanol solvate, N,N′-bis(4-t-butylphenyl)melamine:barbital, tris(5,17-N,N′-bis(4-amino-6-(butylamino)-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)diamino-11,23-dinitro-25,26,27,28-tetrapropoxycalix(4)arene):hexakis(diethylbarbituric acid) toluene solvate, N,N′-bis(m-fluorophenyl)melamine:barbital, N,N′-bis(m-bromophenyl)melamine:barbital acetone solvate, N,N′-bis(m-iodophenyl)melamine:barbital acetonitrile solvate, N,N′-bis(m-trifluoromethylphenyl)melamine:barbital acetonitrile solvate, aminopyrine:barbital, N,N′-bis(4-fluorophenyl)melamine:barbital, N,N′-bis(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)melamine:barbital, 2,4-diamino-5-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzyl)pyrimidine:barbital, hydroxybutyrate:hydroxyvalerate, 2-aminopyrimidine:succinic acid, 1,3-bis(((6-methylpyrid-2-yl)amino)carbonyl)benzene:glutaric acid, 5-t-butyl-2,4,6-triaminopyrimidine:diethylbarbituric acid, bis(dithiobiuret-S,S′)nickel(II):diuracil, platinum 3,3′-dihydroxymethyl-2,2′-bipyridine dichloride:AgF 3 CSO 3 , 4,4′-bipyridyl:isophthalic acid, 4,4′-bipyridyl:1,4-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, 4,4′-bipyridyl:1,3,5-cyclohexane-tricarboxylic acid, 4,4′-bipyridyl:tricaballylic acid, urotropin:azelaic acid, insulin:C8-HI (octanoyl-N e -LysB29-human insulin), isonicotinamide:cinnamic acid, isonicotinamide:3-hydroxybenzoic acid, isonicotinamide:3-N,N-dimethylaminobenzoic acid, isonicotinamide:3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)-benzoic acid, isonicotinamide:d,1-mandelic acid, isonicotinamide:chloroacetic acid, isonicotinamide:fumaric acid monoethyl ester, isonicotinamide:12-bromododecanoic acid, isonicotinamide:fumaric acid, isonicotinamide:succinic acid, isonicotinamide:4-ketopimelic acid, isonicotinamide:thiodiglycolic acid, 1,3,5-cyclohexane-tricarboxylic acid:hexamethyltetramine, 1,3,5-cyclohexane-tricarboxylic acid:4,7-phenanthroline, 4,7-phenanthroline:oxalic acid, 4,7-phenanthroline:terephthalic acid, 4,7-phenanthroline: 1,3,5-cyclohexane-tricarboxylic acid, 4,7-phenanthroline: 1,4-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, pyrazine:methanoic acid, pyrazine:ethanoic acid, pyrazine:propanoic acid, pyrazine:butanoic acid, pyrazine:pentanoic acid, pyrazine:hexanoic acid, pyrazine:heptanoic acid, pyrazine:octanoic acid, pyrazine:nonanoic acid, pyrazine:decanoic acid, diammine-(deoxy-quanyl-quanyl-N 7 ,N 7 )-platinum:tris(glycine) hydrate, 2-aminopyrimidine:p-phenylenediacetic acid, bis(2-aminopyrimidin-1-ium)fumarate:fumaric acid, 2-aminopyrimidine:indole-3-acetic acid, 2-aminopyrimidine:N-methylpyrrole-2-carboxylic acid, 2-aminopyrimidine:thiophen-2-carboxylic acid, 2-aminopyrimidine:(+)-camphoric acid, 2,4,6-Trinitrobenzoic acid: 2-aminopyrimidine, 2-aminopyrimidine:4-aminobenzoic acid, 2-aminopyrimidine:bis(phenoxyacetic acid), 2-aminopyrimidine:(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid, 2-aminopyrimidine:(3,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid, 2-aminopyrimidine:indole-2-carboxylic acid, 2-aminopyrimidine:terephthalic acid, 2-aminopyrimidine:bis(2-nitrobenzoic acid), 2-aminopyrimidine:bis(2-aminobenzoic acid), 2-aminopyrimidine:3-aminobenzoic acid, 2-hexeneoic acid:isonicotinamide, 4-nitrobenzoic acid:isonicotinamide, 3,5-dinitrobenzoic acid:isonicotinamide:4-methylbenzoic acid, 2-amino-5-nitropyrimidine:2-amino-3-nitropyridine, 3,5-dinitrobenzoic acid:4-chlorobenzamide, 3-dimethylaminobenzoic acid:4-chlorobenzamide, fumaric acid:4-chlorobenzamide, oxine:4-nitrobenzoic acid, oxine:3,5-dinitrobenzoic acid, oxine:3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid, 3-[2-(N′,N′-dimethylhydrazino)-4-thiazolylmethylthio]-N 2 -sulfamoylpropionamidine:maleic acid, 5-fluorouracil:9-ethylhypoxanthine, 5-fluorouracil:cytosine dihydrate, 5-fluorouracil:theophylline monohydrate, stearic acid:nicotinamide, cis-1-{[4-(1-imidazolylmethyl)cyclohexyl]methyl}imidazole:succinic acid, CGS18320B:succinic acid, sulfaproxyline:caffeine, 4-aminobenzoic acid:4-aminobenzonitrile, 3,5-dinitrobenzoic acid:isonicotinamide:3-methylbenzoic acid, 3,5-dinitrobenzoic acid:isonicotinamide:4-(dimethylamino)benzoic acid, 3,5-dinitrobenzoic acid:isonicotinamide:4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamic acid, isonicotinamide:oxalic acid, isonicotinamide:malonic acid, isonicotinamide:succinic acid, isonicotinamide:glutaric acid, isonicotinamide:adipic acid, benzoic acid:isonicotinamide, mazapertine:succinate, betaine:dichloronitrophenol, betainepyridine:dichloronitrophenol, betainepyridine:pentachlorophenol, 4-{2-[1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-4-pyridylidene]-ethylidene}-cyclo-hexa-2,5-dien-1-one:methyl 2,4-dihydroxybenzoate, 4-{2-[1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-4-pyridylidene]-ethylidene}-cyclo-hexa-2,5-dien-1-one:2,4-dihydroxypropiophenone, 4-{2-[1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-4-pyridylidene]-ethylidene}-cyclo-hexa-2,5-dien-1-one:2,4-dihydroxyacetophenone, squaric acid:4,4′-dipyridylacetylene, squaric acid: 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene, chloranilic acid: 1,4-bis[(4-pyridyl)ethynyl]benzene, 4,4′-bipyridine:phthalic acid, 4,4′-dipyridylacetylene:phthalic acid, bis(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)iron:bromanilic acid, bis(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)iron:chloranilic acid, bis(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)iron:cyananilic acid, pyrazinotetrathiafulvalene:chloranilic acid, phenol:pentafluorophenol, co-crystals of itraconazole, and co-crystals of topiramate are specifically excluded from the present invention.

Excipients employed in pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention can be solids, semi-solids, liquids or combinations thereof. Preferably, excipients are solids. Compositions of the invention containing excipients can be prepared by any known technique of pharmacy that comprises admixing an excipient with an API or therapeutic agent. A pharmaceutical composition of the invention contains a desired amount of API per dose unit and, if intended for oral administration, can be in the form, for example, of a tablet, a caplet, a pill, a hard or soft capsule, a lozenge, a cachet, a dispensable powder, granules, a suspension, an elixir, a dispersion, a liquid, or any other form reasonably adapted for such administration. If intended for parenteral administration, it can be in the form, for example, of a suspension or transdermal patch. If intended for rectal administration, it can be in the form, for example, of a suppository. Presently preferred are oral dosage forms that are discrete dose units each containing a predetermined amount of the API, such as tablets or capsules.

In another embodiment, APIs with an inappropriate pH for transdermal patches can be co-crystallized with an appropriate co-crystal former, thereby adjusting its pH to an appropriate level for use as a transdermal patch. In another embodiment, an APIs pH level can be optimized for use in a transdermal patch via co-crystallization with an appropriate co-crystal former.

Non-limiting examples follow of excipients that can be used to prepare pharmaceutical compositions of the invention.

Pharmaceutical compositions of the invention optionally comprise one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or diluents as excipients. Suitable carriers or diluents illustratively include, but are not limited to, either individually or in combination, lactose, including anhydrous lactose and lactose monohydrate; starches, including directly compressible starch and hydrolyzed starches (e.g., Celutab™ and Emdex™); mannitol; sorbitol; xylitol; dextrose (e.g., Cerelose™ 2000) and dextrose monohydrate; dibasic calcium phosphate dihydrate; sucrose-based diluents; confectioner's sugar; monobasic calcium sulfate monohydrate; calcium sulfate dihydrate; granular calcium lactate trihydrate; dextrates; inositol; hydrolyzed cereal solids; amylose; celluloses including microcrystalline cellulose, food grade sources of alpha- and amorphous cellulose (e.g., RexcelJ), powdered cellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC) and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC); calcium carbonate; glycine; bentonite; block co-polymers; polyvinylpyrrolidone; and the like. Such carriers or diluents, if present, constitute in total about 5% to about 99%, preferably about 10% to about 85%, and more preferably about 20% to about 80%, of the total weight of the composition. The carrier, carriers, diluent, or diluents selected preferably exhibit suitable flow properties and, where tablets are desired, compressibility.

Lactose, mannitol, dibasic sodium phosphate, and microcrystalline cellulose (particularly Avicel PH microcrystalline cellulose such as Avicel PH 101), either individually or in combination, are preferred diluents. These diluents are chemically compatible with many co-crystals described herein. The use of extragranular microcrystalline cellulose (that is, microcrystalline cellulose added to a granulated composition) can be used to improve hardness (for tablets) and/or disintegration time. Lactose, especially lactose monohydrate, is particularly preferred. Lactose typically provides compositions having suitable release rates of co-crystals, stability, pre-compression flowability, and/or drying properties at a relatively low diluent cost. It provides a high density substrate that aids densification during granulation (where wet granulation is employed) and therefore improves blend flow properties and tablet properties.

Pharmaceutical compositions of the invention optionally comprise one or more pharmaceutically acceptable disintegrants as excipients, particularly for tablet formulations. Suitable disintegrants include, but are not limited to, either individually or in combination, starches, including sodium starch glycolate (e.g., Explotab™ of PenWest) and pregelatinized corn starches (e.g., National™ 1551 of National Starch and Chemical Company, National™ 1550, and Colorcon™ 1500), clays (e.g., Veegum™ HV of R.T. Vanderbilt), celluloses such as purified cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, methylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose and sodium carboxymethylcellulose, croscarmellose sodium (e.g., Ac-Di-Sol™ of FMC), alginates, crospovidone, and gums such as agar, guar, locust bean, karaya, pectin and tragacanth gums.

Disintegrants may be added at any suitable step during the preparation of the composition, particularly prior to granulation or during a lubrication step prior to compression. Such disintegrants, if present, constitute in total about 0.2% to about 30%, preferably about 0.2% to about 10%, and more preferably about 0.2% to about 5%, of the total weight of the composition.

Croscarmellose sodium is a preferred disintegrant for tablet or capsule disintegration, and, if present, preferably constitutes about 0.2% to about 10%, more preferably about 0.2% to about 7%, and still more preferably about 0.2% to about 5%, of the total weight of the composition. Croscarmellose sodium confers superior intragranular disintegration capabilities to granulated pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention.

Pharmaceutical compositions of the invention optionally comprise one or more pharmaceutically acceptable binding agents or adhesives as excipients, particularly for tablet formulations. Such binding agents and adhesives preferably impart sufficient cohesion to the powder being tableted to allow for normal processing operations such as sizing, lubrication, compression and packaging, but still allow the tablet to disintegrate and the composition to be absorbed upon ingestion. Such binding agents may also prevent or inhibit crystallization or recrystallization of a co-crsytal of the present invention once the salt has been dissolved in a solution. Suitable binding agents and adhesives include, but are not limited to, either individually or in combination, acacia; tragacanth; sucrose; gelatin; glucose; starches such as, but not limited to, pregelatinized starches (e.g., National™ 1511 and National™ 1500); celluloses such as, but not limited to, methylcellulose and carmellose sodium (e.g., Tylose™); alginic acid and salts of alginic acid; magnesium aluminum silicate; PEG; guar gum; polysaccharide acids; bentonites; povidone, for example povidone K-15, K-30 and K-29/32; polymethacrylates; HPMC; hydroxypropylcellulose (e.g., Klucel™ of Aqualon); and ethylcellulose (e.g., Ethocel™ of the Dow Chemical Company). Such binding agents and/or adhesives, if present, constitute in total about 0.5% to about 25%, preferably about 0.75% to about 15%, and more preferably about 1% to about 10%, of the total weight of the pharmaceutical composition.

Many of the binding agents are polymers comprising amide, ester, ether, alcohol or ketone groups and, as such, are preferably included in pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention. Polyvinylpyrrolidones such as povidone K-30 are especially preferred. Polymeric binding agents can have varying molecular weight, degrees of crosslinking, and grades of polymer. Polymeric binding agents can also be copolymers, such as block co-polymers that contain mixtures of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide units. Variation in these units' ratios in a given polymer affects properties and performance. Examples of block co-polymers with varying compositions of block units are Poloxamer 188 and Poloxamer 237 (BASF Corporation).

Pharmaceutical compositions of the invention optionally comprise one or more pharmaceutically acceptable wetting agents as excipients. Such wetting agents are preferably selected to maintain the co-crystal in close association with water, a condition that is believed to improve bioavailability of the composition. Such wetting agents can also be useful in solubilizing or increasing the solubility of co-crystals.

Non-limiting examples of surfactants that can be used as wetting agents in pharmaceutical compositions of the invention include quaternary ammonium compounds, for example benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride and cetylpyridinium chloride, dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate, polyoxyethylene alkylphenyl ethers, for example nonoxynol 9, nonoxynol 10, and degrees Ctoxynol 9, poloxamers (polyoxyethylene and polyoxypropylene block copolymers), polyoxyethylene fatty acid glycerides and oils, for example polyoxyethylene (8) caprylic/capric mono- and diglycerides (e.g., Labrasol™ of Gattefosse), polyoxyethylene (35) castor oil and polyoxyethylene (40) hydrogenated castor oil; polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, for example polyoxyethylene (20) cetostearyl ether, polyoxyethylene fatty acid esters, for example polyoxyethylene (40) stearate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan esters, for example polysorbate 20 and polysorbate 80 (e.g., Tween™ 80 of ICI), propylene glycol fatty acid esters, for example propylene glycol laurate (e.g., Lauroglycol™ of Gattefosse), sodium lauryl sulfate, fatty acids and salts thereof, for example oleic acid, sodium oleate and triethanolamine oleate, glyceryl fatty acid esters, for example glyceryl monostearate, sorbitan esters, for example sorbitan monolaurate, sorbitan monooleate, sorbitan monopalmitate and sorbitan monostearate, tyloxapol, and mixtures thereof. Such wetting agents, if present, constitute in total about 0.25% to about 15%, preferably about 0.4% to about 10%, and more preferably about 0.5% to about 5%, of the total weight of the pharmaceutical composition.

Wetting agents that are anionic surfactants are preferred. Sodium lauryl sulfate is a particularly preferred wetting agent. Sodium lauryl sulfate, if present, constitutes about 0.25% to about 7%, more preferably about 0.4% to about 4%, and still more preferably about 0.5% to about 2%, of the total weight of the pharmaceutical composition.

Pharmaceutical compositions of the invention optionally comprise one or more pharmaceutically acceptable lubricants (including anti-adherents and/or glidants) as excipients. Suitable lubricants include, but are not limited to, either individually or in combination, glyceryl behapate (e.g., Compritol™ 888 of Gattefosse); stearic acid and salts thereof, including magnesium, calcium and sodium stearates; hydrogenated vegetable oils (e.g., Sterotex™ of Abitec); colloidal silica; talc; waxes; boric acid; sodium benzoate; sodium acetate; sodium fumarate; sodium chloride; DL-leucine; PEG (e.g., Carbowax™ 4000 and Carbowax™ 6000 of the Dow Chemical Company); sodium oleate; sodium lauryl sulfate; and magnesium lauryl sulfate. Such lubricants, if present, constitute in total about 0.1% to about 10%, preferably about 0.2% to about 8%, and more preferably about 0.25% to about 5%, of the total weight of the pharmaceutical composition.

Magnesium stearate is a preferred lubricant used, for example, to reduce friction between the equipment and granulated mixture during compression of tablet formulations.

Suitable anti-adherents include, but are not limited to, talc, cornstarch, DL-leucine, sodium lauryl sulfate and metallic stearates. Talc is a preferred anti-adherent or glidant used, for example, to reduce formulation sticking to equipment surfaces and also to reduce static in the blend. Talc, if present, constitutes about 0.1% to about 10%, more preferably about 0.25% to about 5%, and still more preferably about 0.5% to about 2%, of the total weight of the pharmaceutical composition.

Glidants can be used to promote powder flow of a solid formulation. Suitable glidants include, but are not limited to, colloidal silicon dioxide, starch, talc, tribasic calcium phosphate, powdered cellulose and magnesium trisilicate. Colloidal silicon dioxide is particularly preferred.

Other excipients such as colorants, flavors and sweeteners are known in the pharmaceutical art and can be used in pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention. Tablets can be coated, for example with an enteric coating, or uncoated. Compositions of the invention can further comprise, for example, buffering agents.

Optionally, one or more effervescent agents can be used as disintegrants and/or to enhance organoleptic properties of pharmaceutical compositions of the invention. When present in pharmaceutical compositions of the invention to promote dosage form disintegration, one or more effervescent agents are preferably present in a total amount of about 30% to about 75%, and preferably about 45% to about 70%, for example about 60%, by weight of the pharmaceutical composition.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, an effervescent agent, present in a solid dosage form in an amount less than that effective to promote disintegration of the dosage form, provides improved dispersion of the API in an aqueous medium. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that the effervescent agent is effective to accelerate dispersion of the API from the dosage form in the gastrointestinal tract, thereby further enhancing absorption and rapid onset of therapeutic effect. When present in a pharmaceutical composition of the invention to promote intragastrointestinal dispersion but not to enhance disintegration, an effervescent agent is preferably present in an amount of about 1% to about 20%, more preferably about 2.5% to about 15%, and still more preferably about 5% to about 10%, by weight of the pharmaceutical composition.

An “effervescent agent” herein is an agent comprising one or more compounds which, acting together or individually, evolve a gas on contact with water. The gas evolved is generally oxygen or, most commonly, carbon dioxide. Preferred effervescent agents comprise an acid and a base that react in the presence of water to generate carbon dioxide gas. Preferably, the base comprises an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal carbonate or bicarbonate and the acid comprises an aliphatic carboxylic acid.

Non-limiting examples of suitable bases as components of effervescent agents useful in the invention include carbonate salts (e.g., calcium carbonate), bicarbonate salts (e.g., sodium bicarbonate), sesquicarbonate salts, and mixtures thereof. Calcium carbonate is a preferred base.

Non-limiting examples of suitable acids as components of effervescent agents and/or solid organic acids useful in the invention include citric acid, tartaric acid (as D-, L-, or D/L-tartaric acid), malic acid (as D-, L-, or DL-malic acid), maleic acid, fumaric acid, adipic acid, succinic acid, acid anhydrides of such acids, acid salts of such acids, and mixtures thereof. Citric acid is a preferred acid.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, where the effervescent agent comprises an acid and a base, the weight ratio of the acid to the base is about 1:100 to about 100:1, more preferably about 1:50 to about 50:1, and still more preferably about 1:10 to about 10:1. In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, where the effervescent agent comprises an acid and a base, the ratio of the acid to the base is approximately stoichiometric.

Excipients which solubilize APIs typically have both hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions, or are preferably amphiphilic or have amphiphilic regions. One type of amphiphilic or partially-amphiphilic excipient comprises an amphiphilic polymer or is an amphiphilic polymer. A specific amphiphilic polymer is a polyalkylene glycol, which is commonly comprised of ethylene glycol and/or propylene glycol subunits. Such polyalkylene glycols can be esterified at their termini by a carboxylic acid, ester, acid anhyride or other suitable moiety. Examples of such excipients include poloxamers (symmetric block copolymers of ethylene glycol and propylene glycol; e.g., poloxamer 237), polyalkyene glycolated esters of tocopherol (including esters formed from a di- or multi-functional carboxylic acid; e.g., d-alpha-tocopherol polyethylene glycol-1000 succinate), and macrogolglycerides (formed by alcoholysis of an oil and esterification of a polyalkylene glycol to produce a mixture of mono-, di- and tri-glycerides and mono- and di-esters; e.g., stearoyl macrogol-32 glycerides). Such pharmaceutical compositions are advantageously administered orally.

Pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention can comprise about 10% to about 50%, about 25% to about 50%, about 30% to about 45%, or about 30% to about 35% by weight of a co-crystal; about 10% to about 50%, about 25% to about 50%, about 30% to about 45%, or about 30% to about 35% by weight of an excipient which inhibits crystallization in aqueous solution, in simulated gastric fluid, or in simulated intestinal fluid; and about 5% to about 50%, about 10% to about 40%, about 15% to about 35%, or about 30% to about 35% by weight of a binding agent. In one example, the weight ratio of the co-crystal to the excipient which inhibits crystallization to binding agent is about 1 to 1 to 1.

Solid dosage forms of the invention can be prepared by any suitable process, not limited to processes described herein.

An illustrative process comprises (a) a step of blending an API of the invention with one or more excipients to form a blend, and (b) a step of tableting or encapsulating the blend to form tablets or capsules, respectively.

In a preferred process, solid dosage forms are prepared by a process comprising (a) a step of blending a co-crystal of the invention with one or more excipients to form a blend, (b) a step of granulating the blend to form a granulate, and (c) a step of tableting or encapsulating the blend to form tablets or capsules respectively. Step (b) can be accomplished by any dry or wet granulation technique known in the art, but is preferably a dry granulation step. A salt of the present invention is advantageously granulated to form particles of about 1 micrometer to about 100 micrometer, about 5 micrometer to about 50 micrometer, or about 10 micrometer to about 25 micrometer. One or more diluents, one or more disintegrants and one or more binding agents are preferably added, for example in the blending step, a wetting agent can optionally be added, for example in the granulating step, and one or more disintegrants are preferably added after granulating but before tableting or encapsulating. A lubricant is preferably added before tableting. Blending and granulating can be performed independently under low or high shear. A process is preferably selected that forms a granulate that is uniform in API content, that readily disintegrates, that flows with sufficient ease so that weight variation can be reliably controlled during capsule filling or tableting, and that is dense enough in bulk so that a batch can be processed in the selected equipment and individual doses fit into the specified capsules or tablet dies.

In an alternative embodiment, solid dosage forms are prepared by a process that includes a spray drying step, wherein an API is suspended with one or more excipients in one or more sprayable liquids, preferably a non-protic (e.g., non-aqueous or non-alcoholic) sprayable liquid, and then is rapidly spray dried over a current of warm air.

A granulate or spray dried powder resulting from any of the above illustrative processes can be compressed or molded to prepare tablets or encapsulated to prepare capsules. Conventional tableting and encapsulation techniques known in the art can be employed. Where coated tablets are desired, conventional coating techniques are suitable.

Excipients for tablet compositions of the invention are preferably selected to provide a disintegration time of less than about 30 minutes, preferably about 25 minutes or less, more preferably about 20 minutes or less, and still more preferably about 15 minutes or less, in a standard disintegration assay.

Pharmaceutically acceptable co-crystals can be administered by controlled- or delayed-release means. Controlled-release pharmaceutical products have a common goal of improving drug therapy over that achieved by their non-controlled release counterparts. Ideally, the use of an optimally designed controlled-release preparation in medical treatment is characterized by a minimum of drug substance being employed to cure or control the condition in a minimum amount of time. Advantages of controlled-release formulations include: 1) extended activity of the drug; 2) reduced dosage frequency; 3) increased patient compliance; 4) usage of less total drug; 5) reduction in local or systemic side effects; 6) minimization of drug accumulation; 7) reduction in blood level fluctuations; 8) improvement in efficacy of treatment; 9) reduction of potentiation or loss of drug activity; and 10) improvement in speed of control of diseases or conditions. Kim, Cherng-ju, Controlled Release Dosage Form Design, 2 (Technomic Publishing, Lancaster, Pa.: 2000).

Conventional dosage forms generally provide rapid or immediate drug release from the formulation. Depending on the pharmacology and pharmacokinetics of the drug, use of conventional dosage forms can lead to wide fluctuations in the concentrations of the drug in a patient's blood and other tissues. These fluctuations can impact a number of parameters, such as dose frequency, onset of action, duration of efficacy, maintenance of therapeutic blood levels, toxicity, side effects, and the like. Advantageously, controlled-release formulations can be used to control a drug's onset of action, duration of action, plasma levels within the therapeutic window, and peak blood levels. In particular, controlled- or extended-release dosage forms or formulations can be used to ensure that the maximum effectiveness of a drug is achieved while minimizing potential adverse effects and safety concerns, which can occur both from under dosing a drug (i.e., going below the minimum therapeutic levels) as well as exceeding the toxicity level for the drug.

Most controlled-release formulations are designed to initially release an amount of drug (active ingredient) that promptly produces the desired therapeutic effect, and gradually and continually release other amounts of drug to maintain this level of therapeutic or prophylactic effect over an extended period of time. In order to maintain this constant level of drug in the body, the drug must be released from the dosage form at a rate that will replace the amount of drug being metabolized and excreted from the body. Controlled-release of an active ingredient can be stimulated by various conditions including, but not limited to, pH, ionic strength, osmotic pressure, temperature, enzymes, water, and other physiological conditions or compounds.

A variety of known controlled- or extended-release dosage forms, formulations, and devices can be adapted for use with the co-crystals and compositions of the invention. Examples include, but are not limited to, those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,845,770; 3,916,899; 3,536,809; 3,598,123; 4,008,719; 5,674,533; 5,059,595; 5,591,767; 5,120,548; 5,073,543; 5,639,476; 5,354,556; 5,733,566; and 6,365,185 B1; each of which is incorporated herein by reference. These dosage forms can be used to provide slow or controlled-release of one or more active ingredients using, for example, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, other polymer matrices, gels, permeable membranes, osmotic systems (such as OROS®) (Alza Corporation, Mountain View, Calif. USA)), multilayer coatings, microparticles, liposomes, or microspheres or a combination thereof to provide the desired release profile in varying proportions. Additionally, ion exchange materials can be used to prepare immobilized, adsorbed co-crystals and thus effect controlled delivery of the drug. Examples of specific anion exchangers include, but are not limited to, Duolite® A568 and Duolite® AP143 (Rohm & Haas, Spring House, Pa. USA).

One embodiment of the invention encompasses a unit dosage form which comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable co-crystal, or a solvate, hydrate, dehydrate, anhydrous, or amorphous form thereof, and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients or diluents, wherein the pharmaceutical composition or dosage form is formulated for controlled-release. Specific dosage forms utilize an osmotic drug delivery system.

A particular and well-known osmotic drug delivery system is referred to as OROS® (Alza Corporation, Mountain View, Calif. USA). This technology can readily be adapted for the delivery of compounds and compositions of the invention. Various aspects of the technology are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,375,978 B1; 6,368,626 B1; 6,342,249 B1; 6,333,050 B2; 6,287,295 B1; 6,283,953 B1; 6,270,787 B1; 6,245,357 B1; and 6,132,420; each of which is incorporated herein by reference. Specific adaptations of OROS® that can be used to administer compounds and compositions of the invention include, but are not limited to, the OROS® Push-Pull™, Delayed Push-Pull™, Multi-Layer Push-Pull™, and Push-Stick™ Systems, all of which are well known. See, e.g., http://www.alza.com. Additional OROS® systems that can be used for the controlled oral delivery of compounds and compositions of the invention include OROS®-CT and L-OROS®. Id.; see also, Delivery Times, vol. II, issue II (Alza Corporation).

Conventional OROS® oral dosage forms are made by compressing a drug powder (e.g. co-crystal) into a hard tablet, coating the tablet with cellulose derivatives to form a semi-permeable membrane, and then drilling an orifice in the coating (e.g., with a laser). Kim, Chemg-ju, Controlled Release Dosage Form Design, 231-238 (Technomic Publishing, Lancaster, Pa.: 2000). The advantage of such dosage forms is that the delivery rate of the drug is not influenced by physiological or experimental conditions. Even a drug with a pH-dependent solubility can be delivered at a constant rate regardless of the pH of the delivery medium. But because these advantages are provided by a build-up of osmotic pressure within the dosage form after administration, conventional OROS® drug delivery systems cannot be used to effectively deliver drugs with low water solubility. Id. at 234. Because co-crystals of this invention can be far more soluble in water than the API itself, they are well suited for osmotic-based delivery to patients. This invention does, however, encompass the incorporation of conventional crystalline API (e.g. pure API without co-crystal former), and non-salt isomers and isomeric mixtures thereof, into OROS® dosage forms.

A specific dosage form of the invention comprises: a wall defining a cavity, the wall having an exit orifice formed or formable therein and at least a portion of the wall being semipermeable; an expandable layer located within the cavity remote from the exit orifice and in fluid communication with the semipermeable portion of the wall; a dry or substantially dry state drug layer located within the cavity adjacent to the exit orifice and in direct or indirect contacting relationship with the expandable layer; and a flow-promoting layer interposed between the inner surface of the wall and at least the external surface of the drug layer located within the cavity, wherein the drug layer comprises a co-crystal, or a solvate, hydrate, dehydrate, anhydrous, or amorphous form thereof. See U.S. Pat. No. 6,368,626, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Another specific dosage form of the invention comprises: a wall defining a cavity, the wall having an exit orifice formed or formable therein and at least a portion of the wall being semipermeable; an expandable layer located within the cavity remote from the exit orifice and in fluid communication with the semipermeable portion of the wall; a drug layer located within the cavity adjacent the exit orifice and in direct or indirect contacting relationship with the expandable layer; the drug layer comprising a liquid, active agent formulation absorbed in porous particles, the porous particles being adapted to resist compaction forces sufficient to form a compacted drug layer without significant exudation of the liquid, active agent formulation, the dosage form optionally having a placebo layer between the exit orifice and the drug layer, wherein the active agent formulation comprises a co-crystal, or a solvate, hydrate, dehydrate, anhydrous, or amorphous form thereof. See U.S. Pat. No. 6,342,249, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The invention will now be described in further detail, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

General Methods for the Preparation of Co-Crystals

a) High Throughput Crystallization Using the CrystalMax Platform

CrystalMax™ comprises a sequence of automated, integrated high throughput robotic stations capable of rapid generation, identification and characterization of polymorphs, salts, and co-crystals of APIs and API candidates. Worksheet generation and combinatorial mixture design is carried out using proprietary design software InForm™. Typically, an API or an API candidate is dispensed from an organic solvent into tubes and dried under a stream of nitrogen. Salts and/or co-crystal formers may also be dispensed and dried in the same fashion. Water and organic solvents may be combinatorially dispensed into the tubes using a multi-channel dispenser. Each tube in a 96-tube array is then sealed within 15 seconds of combinatorial dispensing to avoid solvent evaporation. The mixtures are then rendered supersaturated by heating to 70 degrees C. for 2 hours followed by a 1 degree C./minute cooling ramp to 5 degrees C. Optical checks are then conducted to detect crystals and/or solid material. Once a solid has been identified in a tube, it is isolated through aspiration and drying. Raman spectra are then obtained on the solids and cluster classification of the spectral patterns is performed using proprietary software (QForm™).

b) Crystallization from Solution

Co-crystals may be obtained by dissolving the separate components in a solvent and adding one to the other. The co-crystal may then precipitate or crystallize as the solvent mixture is evaporated slowly. The co-crystal may also be obtained by dissolving the two components in the same solvent or a mixture of solvents.

c) Crystallization from the Melt

A co-crystal may be obtained by melting the two components together and allowing recrystallization to occur. In some cases, an anti-solvent may be added to facilitate crystallization.

d) Thermal Microscopy

A co-crystal may be obtained by melting the higher melting component on a glass slide and allowing it to recrystallize. The second component is then melted and is also allowed to recrystallize. The co-crystal may form as a separated phase/band in between the eutectic bands of the two original components.

e) Mixing and/or Grinding

A co-crystal may be obtained by mixing or grinding two components together in the solid state.

Analytical Methods

Procedure for DSC Analysis

DSC analysis of the samples was performed using a Q1000 Differential Scanning Calorimeter (TA Instruments, New Castle, Del., U.S.A.), which uses Advantage for QW-Series, version 1.0.0.78, Thermal Advantage Release 2.0 ( 8 2001 TA Instruments-Water LLC). In addition, the analysis software used was Universal Analysis 2000 for Windows 95/95/2000/NT, version 3.1 E;Build 3.1.0.40 ( 8 2001 TA Instruments-Water LLC).

For the DSC analysis, the purge gas used was dry nitrogen, the reference material was an empty aluminum pan that was crimped, and the sample purge was 50 mL/minute.

DSC analysis of the sample was performed by placing ≦2 mg of sample in an aluminum pan with a crimped pan closure. The starting temperature was typically 20 degrees C. with a heating rate of 10 degrees C./minute, and the ending temperature was 300 degrees C. Unless otherwise indicated, all reported transitions are as stated +/−10 degrees C.

Procedure for TGA Analysis

TGA analysis of samples was performed using a Q500 Thermogravimetric Analyzer (TA Instruments, New Castle, Del., U.S.A.), which uses Advantage for QW-Series, version 1.0.0.78, Thermal Advantage Release 2.0 (82001 TA Instruments-Water LLC). In addition, the analysis software used was Universal Analysis 2000 for Windows 95/95/2000/NT, version 3.1E;Build 3.1.0.40 ( 8 2001 TA Instruments-Water LLC).

For all of the TGA experiments, the purge gas used was dry nitrogen, the balance purge was 40 mL/minute N 2 , and the sample purge was 60 mL/minute N 2 .

TGA of the sample was performed by placing ≦2 mg of sample in a platinum pan. The starting temperature was typically 20 degrees C. with a heating rate of 10 degrees C./minute, and the ending temperature was 300 degrees C.

Procedure for PXRD Analysis

A powder X-ray diffraction pattern for the samples was obtained using a D/Max Rapid, Contact (Rigaku/MSC, The Woodlands, Tex., U.S.A.), which uses as its control software RINT Rapid Control software, Rigaku Rapid/XRD, version 1.0.0 ( 8 1999 Rigaku Co.). In addition, the analysis software used were RINT Rapid display software, version 1.18 (Rigaku/MSC), and JADE XRD Pattern Processing, versions 5.0 and 6.0 (( 8 1995-2002, Materials Data, Inc.).

For the PXRD analysis, the acquisition parameters were as follows: source was Cu with a K line at 1.5406 Å; x-y stage was manual; collimator size was 0.3 or 0.8 mm; capillary tube (Charles Supper Company, Natick, Mass., U.S.A.) was 0.3 mm ID; reflection mode was used; the power to the X-ray tube was 46 kV; the current to the X-ray tube was 40 mA; the omega-axis was oscillating in a range of 0-5 degrees at a speed of 1 degree/minute; the phi-axis was spinning at an angle of 360 degrees at a speed of 2 degrees/second; 0.3 or 0.8 mm collimator; the collection time was 60 minutes; the temperature was room temperature; and the heater was not used. The sample was presented to the X-ray source in a boron rich glass capillary.

In addition, the analysis parameters were as follows: the integration 2-theta range was 2-40 or 60 degrees; the integration chi range was 0-360 degrees; the number of chi segments was 1; the step size used was 0.02; the integration utility was cylint; normalization was used; dark counts were 8; omega offset was 180; and chi and phi offsets were 0.

The relative intensity of peaks in a diffractogram is not necessarily a limitation of the PXRD pattern because peak intensity can vary from sample to sample, e.g., due to crystalline impurities. Further, the angles of each peak can vary by about +/−0.1 degrees, preferably +/−0.05. The entire pattern or most of the pattern peaks may also shift by about +/−0.1 degree due to differences in calibration, settings, and other variations from instrument to instrument and from operator to operator.

Procedure for Raman Acquisition Filtering and Binning

Acquisition

The sample was either left in the glass vial in which it was processed or an aliquot of the sample was transferred to a glass slide. The glass vial or slide was positioned in the sample chamber. The measurement was made using an Almega™ Dispersive Raman (Almega™ Dispersive Raman, Thermo-Nicolet, 5225 Verona Road, Madison, Wis. 53711-4495) system fitted with a 785 nm laser source. The sample was manually brought into focus using the microscope portion of the apparatus with a 10×power objective (unless otherwise noted), thus directing the laser onto the surface of the sample. The spectrum was acquired using the parameters outlined in Table A. (Exposure times and number of exposures may vary; changes to parameters will be indicated for each acquisition.)

Filtering and Binning

Each spectrum in a set was filtered using a matched filter of feature size 25 to remove background signals, including glass contributions and sample fluorescence. This is particularly important as large background signal or fluorescence limit the ability to accurately pick and assign peak positions in the subsequent steps of the binning process. Filtered spectra were binned using the peak pick and bin algorithm with the parameters given in Table B. The sorted cluster diagrams for each sample set and the corresponding cluster assignments for each spectral file were used to identify groups of samples with similar spectra, which was used to identify samples for secondary analyses.

Procedure for Single Crystal X-Ray Diffraction

Single crystal x-ray data were collected on a Bruker SMART-APEX CCD diffractometer (M. J. Zawarotko, Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida). Lattice parameters were determined from least squares analysis. Reflection data was integrated using the program SAINT. The structure was solved by direct methods and refined by full matrix least squares using the program SHELXTL (Sheldrick, G. M. SHELXTL, Release 5.03; Siemans Analytical X-ray Instruments Inc.: Madison, Wis.).

The co-crystals of the present invention can be characterized, e.g., by the TGA or DSC data or by any one, any two, any three, any four, any five, any six, any seven, any eight, any nine, any ten, or any single integer number of PXRD 2-theta angle peaks or Raman shift peaks listed herein or disclosed in a figure, or by single crystal x-ray diffraction data.