Pharmaceutical composition

The present invention relates to an oral preparation with a good disintegration which comprises as an active ingredient N-[4-[4-(1,2-benzisothiazol-3-yl)-1-piperazinyl]-(2R,3R)-2,3-tetramethylene-butyl]-(1′R,2′S,3′R,4′S)-2,3-bicyclo[2,2,1]heptanedicarboxyimide hydrochloride (lurasidone). More particularly, the present invention relates to a preparation for oral administration, particularly a tablet, comprising lurasidone as an active ingredient, which has an equivalent dissolution profile of the active ingredient even though contents of the active ingredient therein are varied.

Patent Document 1 discloses that a compound such as lurasidone can be orally administered and an oral preparation can be prepared by blending an active ingredient with a conventional carrier, excipient, binder, stabilizer and the like, but there is no disclosure of an oral preparation which shows a rapid dissolution and has an equivalent dissolution profile of the active ingredient even though contents of the active ingredient therein are varied in the wide range, particularly an oral preparation with increased contents of the active ingredient which has a similar dissolution profile to that of multiple tablets with a lower content of the active ingredient per tablet.

For the purpose of securing the bioequivalence when pharmaceutical preparations with different contents of the active ingredient were administered so as to be the same dose to each other, a guideline has been issued, i.e., “Guideline for Bioequivalence Studies of Oral Solid Dosage Forms with Different Content” (Notification No. 64 of the Evaluation and Licensing Division, Pharmaceutical and Food Safety Bureau, promulgated on Feb. 14, 2000) by which it has been required that pharmaceutical preparations with different contents should have an equivalent dissolution profile in each test solution such as buffers of pH 1.2, 3.0 to 5.0 and 6.8 (which correspond to the pH values of stomach, intestine and oral cavity, respectively), water, and saline.

Patent Document 2 discloses an oral preparation comprising lurasidone as an active ingredient, which shows a rapid dissolution and has an equivalent dissolution profile even though contents of the active ingredient therein are varied, particularly an oral preparation with increased contents of the active ingredient which has an equivalent dissolution profile to that of multiple tablets with a lower content of the active ingredient per tablet and can release a slightly water-soluble active ingredient therefrom at a desired concentration.

Patent Document 2 further discloses an oral preparation, particularly a tablet, which shows a rapid dissolution of the active ingredient even though contents of the active ingredient therein are varied in the range of several mg to several tens of mg (e.g. in the range of 5 mg to 20 mg or in the range of 5 mg to 40 mg), and further has an equivalent dissolution profile in the same componential ratio. An oral preparation has been frequently required to be a preparation with higher contents of the active ingredient in order to get higher clinical effects, or a preparation which has an equivalent dissolution profile to that of multiple tablets and can release the active ingredient therefrom at a desired concentration in wider ranges of contents in order to adjust clinical effects depending on conditions of patients. The art disclosed in Patent Document 2 may provide an oral preparation which has an equivalent dissolution profile in the range of 5 mg to 40 mg of lurasidone per tablet, as shown in FIG. 1 . However, as shown in FIG. 2 , when the content of the active ingredient per tablet was increased to double, i.e., 80 mg tablet, it could not have an equivalent dissolution profile. Hence, it remains in a state of administering multiple tablets at one time or using a tablet having a big size which is difficult to administer. Therefore, for such a slightly water-soluble active ingredient as lurasidone, it has been difficult to provide an oral preparation having an equivalent dissolution profile even in high content or in wider ranges of contents of the active ingredient.

In Patent Document 2, a water-soluble polymer binder includes starch, but there is no description about a pregelatinized starch therein. The pregelatinized starch is known to remarkably improve a disintegration and a dissolution of a pharmaceutical composition as described, for example, in Patent Document 3, but it is often used, typically, in 10% or less of contents as also described in Non-patent Document 1.

Patent Document 1: JP2800953 Patent Document 2: WO2002/024166 Patent Document 3: JP2000-26292 Non-patent Document 1: Handbook of Pharmaceutical Excipients, 2nd edition, 491, 1994, The Pharmaceutical Press

Problems To Be Resolved By the Invention

The present invention is directed to provide an oral preparation comprising lurasidone as an active ingredient which shows a rapid dissolution and has an equivalent dissolution profile even though contents of the active ingredient therein are varied in the wide range, particularly an oral preparation with increased contents of the active ingredient which has a similar dissolution profile to that of multiple tablets with a lower content of the active ingredient per tablet and can release the active ingredient therefrom at a desired concentration.

The present invention is directed to provide a preparation for oral administration which comprises as an active ingredient N-[4-[4-(1,2-benzisothiazol-3-yl)-1-piperazinyl]-(2R,3R)-2,3-tetramethylene-butyl]-(1′R,2′S,3′R,4′S)-2,3-bicyclo[2,2,1]heptanedicarboxyimide hydrochloride (hereinafter referred to as lurasidone), which has an equivalent dissolution profile of the active ingredient even though contents of the active ingredient therein are varied.

Means of Solving the Problems

The present inventors have intensively studied in order to solve the above problems and found to solve said problems by means of the following methods.

The present invention includes the following embodiments:

(1) An oral preparation which comprises N-[4-[4-(1,2-benzisothiazol-3-yl)-1-piperazinyl]-(2R,3R)-2,3-tetramethylene-butyl]-(1′R,2′S,3′R,4′S)-2,3-bicyclo[2,2,1]heptanedicarboxyimide hydrochloride (lurasidone) of the formula (1):

a pregelatinized starch, a water-soluble excipient and a water-soluble polymer binder.

(2) An oral preparation which is prepared by granulating a powder mixture comprising lurasidone, a pregelatinized starch and a water-soluble excipient by using a solution of a water-soluble polymer binder. (3) An oral preparation which is prepared by granulating a powder mixture comprising a pregelatinized starch and a water-soluble excipient by a solution or dispersion of lurasidone and a water-soluble polymer binder. (4) The oral preparation of any one of (1) to (3) wherein the water-soluble excipient is mannitol or lactose. (5) A method of granulation of a powder mixture which comprises granulating a powder mixture comprising lurasidone, a pregelatinized starch and a water-soluble excipient by using a solution of a water-soluble polymer binder. (6) A method of granulation of a powder mixture which comprises granulating a powder mixture comprising a pregelatinized starch and a water-soluble excipient by using a solution or dispersion of lurasidone and a water-soluble polymer binder. (7) The method of granulation of (5) wherein the water-soluble excipient is mannitol or lactose. (8) The oral preparation of any one of (1) to (4) wherein the pregelatinized starch is incorporated in an amount of 10 to 50% (wt/wt) based on the weight of the preparation. (9) The oral preparation of any one of (1) to (4) wherein the pregelatinized starch is incorporated in an amount of 20 to 30% (wt/wt) based on the weight of the preparation. (10) The oral preparation of any one of (1) to (4) wherein a content of lurasidone in the preparation is 20 to 45% (wt/wt). (11) The oral preparation of any one of (1) to (4) wherein a content of lurasidone in the preparation is 25 to 40% (wt/wt). (12) The oral preparation of any one of (1) to (4) wherein a content of lurasidone per tablet is 10 to 160 mg. (13) The oral preparation of any one of (1) to (4) wherein a content of lurasidone per tablet is 20 to 120 mg. (14) The oral preparation of any one of (1) to (4) wherein a content of lurasidone per tablet is 40 to 120 mg. (15) The oral preparation of any one of (1) to (4) wherein the water-soluble excipient is mannitol or lactose and the pregelatinized starch is incorporated in an amount of 10 to 50% (wt/wt) based on the weight of the preparation. (16) The oral preparation of any one of (1) to (4) wherein the water-soluble excipient is mannitol or lactose and a content of lurasidone in the preparation is 25 to 40% (wt/wt). (17) The oral preparation of any one of (1) to (4) wherein the pregelatinized starch is incorporated in an amount of 10 to 50% (wt/wt) based on the weight of the preparation and a content of lurasidone in the preparation is 25 to 40% (wt/wt). (18) The oral preparation of any one of (1) to (4) wherein the water-soluble excipient is mannitol or lactose, the pregelatinized starch is incorporated in an amount of 10 to 50% (wt/wt) based on the weight of the preparation and a content of lurasidone in the preparation is 25 to 40% (wt/wt). (19) The oral preparation of any one of (1) to (4) wherein the water-soluble excipient is mannitol or lactose, the pregelatinized starch is incorporated in an amount of 20 to 30% (wt/wt) based on the weight of the preparation and a content of lurasidone in the preparation is 25 to 40% (wt/wt). (20) The oral preparation of any one of (1) to (4) wherein the water-soluble excipient is mannitol or lactose, the pregelatinized starch is incorporated in an amount of 20 to 30% (wt/wt) based on the weight of the preparation and a content of lurasidone per tablet is 40 to 120 mg. (21) The oral preparation of any one of (1) to (4) wherein a pregelatinizing ratio of the pregelatinized starch is 50 to 95%. (22) The oral preparation of any one of (1) to (4) wherein an average particle size of lurasidone is 0.1 to 8 μm. (23) The oral preparation of any one of (1) to (4) wherein the pregelatinized starch contains water soluble matter of 30% or less. (24) The oral preparation of any one of (1) to (4) wherein the water-soluble excipient is mannitol or lactose, the pregelatinized starch is incorporated in an amount of 20 to 30% (wt/wt) based on the weight of the preparation, a content of lurasidone in the preparation is 25 to 40% (wt/wt) and a content of lurasidone per tablet is 20 to 120 mg.

Effects of Invention

It has been confirmed in the art disclosed in Patent Document 2 that a pharmaceutical preparation with low contents of lurasidone up to 40 mg per tablet could provide an oral preparation having an equivalent dissolution profile. However, a pharmaceutical preparation with higher contents of lurasidone could not have an equivalent dissolution profile. Therefore, double amounts or more of the preparation with low contents should have been administered to a patient in need of high doses of lurasidone, which imposed increased burdens on the patient, and hence an improvement thereon has been required. The preparation of the present invention which comprises a pregelatinized starch can provide an oral preparation with higher contents of lurasidone which imposes less of burdens on a patient. Additionally, the present invention can provide an oral preparation with high contents of lurasidone, and a preparation for oral administration which has an equivalent dissolution profile even though contents of lurasidone therein are varied. Moreover, the preparations are excellent for a long-term conservation.

N-[4-[4-(1,2-benzisothiazol-3-yl)-1-piperazinyl]-(2R,3R)-2,3-tetramethylene-butyl]-(1′R,2′S,3′R,4′S)-2,3-bicyclo[2,2,1]heptanedicarboxyimide hydrochloride (lurasidone) refers to a compound of the following formula:

(see, for example, JP2800953). Lurasidone is known to exhibit a psychotropic effect, and it is useful as a therapeutic agent for schizophrenia, etc. Said compound is incorporated into the preparation, for example, in the range of 10 to 50% by weight, preferably in the range of 20 to 45% by weight, particularly in the range of 20 to 45% by weight on the basis of the total weight of a tablet. Additionally, the compound is preferably finely milled, for example, 90% by volume or more of particles have 27 μm or less of particle size, and average particle size in a volume ratio (i.e. 50% by volume particle size) includes, for example, in the range of 0.1 to 8 μm, preferably in the range of 1 to 4 μm. The contents of lurasidone are 10 to 160 mg, preferably 20 to 120 mg, more preferably 40 to 120 mg per tablet.

The “pregelatinized starch” refers to those prepared by pregelatinizing various kinds of starch (e.g. corn starch, potato starch, wheat starch, rice starch, tapioca starch, etc.), and may include pregelatinized starch or partly pregelatinized starch described in Japanese Pharmaceutical Excipients. The pregelatinized starch has a pregelatinizing ratio, for example, in the range of 50 to 100%, preferably in the range of 50 to 95%, more preferably in the range of 80 to 95%. Additionally, the pregelatinized starch contains water soluble matter of, for example, 40% or less, more preferably 30% or less. Such a pregelatinized starch is typically used in a powder which average particle size is in the range of 1 to 1000 μm, preferably in the range of 1 to 500 μm, more preferably in the range of 10 to 100 μm. A commercially available pregelatinized starch suitable for the present invention includes, for example, partly pregelatinized starch such as PCS (brand name, manufactured by Asahi Kasei Corporation) or Starch 1500 (brand name, manufactured by Colorcon, Inc.), etc. Among the above pregelatinized starch, partly pregelatinized starch such as PCS (brand name, manufactured by Asahi Kasei Corporation) is preferably used. A pregelatinizing ratio of partly pregelatinized starch is preferably in the range of 50 to 95%, more preferably in the range of 80 to 95%. The pregelatinized starch used in the present invention is in the range of 10% to 50%, preferably in the range of 10% to 40%, particularly in the range of 20% to 30% by weight of the preparation.

The “water-soluble excipient” includes, for example, mannitol, lactose, saccharose, sorbitol, D-sorbitol, erythritol, xylitol, etc. More preferable one includes mannitol and lactose. Further preferable one may include mannitol. Also, said water-soluble excipient may be used alone, or two or more thereof may be used together. The water-soluble excipient is incorporated in an amount of, for example, the range of 30 to 80% by weight, preferably the range of 40 to 60% by weight on the basis of the total weight of a tablet. The average particle size of mannitol is, for example, in the range of 10 to 200 μm.

The “water-soluble polymer binder” includes, for example, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol, etc. More preferable one includes hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone or polyvinyl alcohol. Said water-soluble polymer binder may be used alone, or two or more thereof may be used together. The water-soluble polymer binder is incorporated in an amount of, for example, the range of 0.5 to 10% by weight, preferably the range of 1 to 5% by weight on the basis of the total weight of a tablet.

The oral preparation in the form of a pharmaceutical composition of the present invention refers to a pharmaceutical preparation which is formulated into tablet, capsule, granule or fine granule. Said preparation may be formulated by a conventional method into tablet, capsule, granule or fine granule by using water-soluble excipient as well as water-insoluble excipient, binder, disintegrant, lubricant, etc. The following agents may be added thereto.

The “water-insoluble excipient” includes, for example, corn starch, crystalline cellulose, etc. Said water-insoluble excipient may be used alone, or two or more thereof may be used together.

The “disintegrant” includes, for example, corn starch, crystalline cellulose, low substituted hydroxypropylcellulose, carmellose, carmellose calcium, carmellose sodium, croscarmellose sodium, carboxymethyl starch sodium, crospovidone, etc. Said disintegrant may be used alone, or two or more thereof may be used together. The disintegrant is used in an amount of, for example, the range of 0 to 10% by weight, preferably the range of 0.5 to 5% by weight on the basis of the total weight of a tablet.

The “lubricant” includes, for example, magnesium stearate, talc, polyethylene glycol, silica, hydrogenated vegetable oil, etc.

The oral preparation of the present invention may be prepared according to a conventional method depending on a desired dosage form.

(1) Preparation of An Aqueous Solution of Water-Soluble Polymer Binder

A water-soluble polymer binder is dissolved in purified water. The amount of the water-soluble polymer binder is, for example, in the range of 1 to 20% by weight, preferably in the range of 2 to 8% by weight of purified water.

(2) Preparation of Granule Comprising Lurasidone

To a fluid bed granulator are charged excipient including lurasidone, mannitol and partly pregelatinized starch, and disintegrant, and thereto is sprayed the water-soluble polymer binder prepared in the above process (1) to be granulated.

The apparatus for granulation includes, for example, one classified into fluid bed granulation, high share granulation, roto fluid bed granulation, etc., but it is not limited thereto.

(3) Drying of Granule

The above-obtained granule is dried either under reduced pressure or atmospheric pressure. The drying is carried out so that the loss on dry measured by infrared moisture meter is, for example, within 3% by weight, preferably 1 to 2% by weight.

(4) Blending of Lubricant

To the granule dried in the above (3) is added lubricant to be mixed. For mixing, for example, a blending machine classified into diffusion mixers [Tumble] is used. Specifically, tumble blender, V blenders, double cone, bin tumble, etc. are used, but it is not limited thereto.

(5) Compression

The above mixture is compressed to give a tablet.

The apparatus for compression includes, for example, one classified into tablet press, etc. The compression hardness is selected, for example, from the range of 30 to 200N.

(6) Film-Coating Is Optionally Carried Out

The above-obtained tablet may be optionally subjected to film-coating, if necessary. The apparatus for coating includes, for example, one classified into a coating pan. Preferable one includes one classified by perforated coating system.

The coating agent includes, for example, a mixture of base material (e.g. hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, hydropropylcellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol, etc.) and plasticizer (e.g. polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, triacetin, triethyl citrate, glycerin, glycerin fatty acid ester, polyethylene glycol, etc.). If necessary, an additive such as titanium oxide may be also added therein. After film-coating, carnauba wax, etc. may be also added as polishing agent therein.

(7) Drying

The above-obtained tablet is dried. The drying is carried out either under reduced pressure or atmospheric pressure so that the loss on dry measured by infrared moisture meter is, for example, within 3% by weight, preferably 1 to 2% by weight.

Examples of the present invention are illustrated below. Said examples are intended to exemplify the present invention but not to limit the present invention thereto.

A. A Film-Coated Tablet Comprising 80 mg of Lurasidone (Example 1)

Granules, uncoated tablets and FC tablets comprising the following components are sequentially prepared. The charging amounts shown in parentheses in the following description are an example for preparing the formulation shown in Example 1.

According to the preparation method, other examples may be also prepared in principle, provided that the charging amounts are needed to be changed depending on formulations.

B. Preparation Method

(1) Preparation of Binding Solution (5% Aqueous Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Solution)

Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (32 g) as water-soluble polymer binder was dissolved in purified water (608 g) to give binding solution.

(2) Granulation

Lurasidone (320 g), mannitol (576 g), partly pregelatinized starch (320 g) and croscarmellose sodium (16 g) were charged to a fluid bed granulator (Multiplex MP-01/manufactured by Powrex Corporation), and the mixture was granulated by spray granulation under the following conditions using the binding solution prepared in the above (1) to give granule powder. To the obtained granule powder was added magnesium stearate to give a granule for compression having a formulation (b) after mixing (40 rpm, 5 minutes). Magnesium stearate was mixed in amounts calculated from a formulation on the basis of yields of granule powder.

Conditions For Granulation

Temperature for supplying air: 60° C.

Airflow: 50 to 65 m 3 /hr

Spray speed: 13 g/min

Diameter of spray nozzle: 1.2 mm

Spray pressure: 0.12 MPa

Gun position: the middle stand

(3) Compression

The granule for compression prepared in the above (2) was compressed by HT-AP12SS-II (manufactured by Hata Iron Works Co., Ltd.) to give a tablet.

Pestle size: Ω10 mm 14R

Thickness: 4.20 to 4.30 mm

Compression pressure: 10 KN

(4) Coating

The uncoated tablet prepared in the above (3) were coated by using High Coater HCT30N (manufactured by Freund Industrial Co., Ltd.) under the following conditions so as to control amounts of the coat to 5 mg, and thereto was added carnauba wax after coating to give a film-coated tablet.

FC Conditions

Temperature for supplying air: 80° C.

Airflow: 0.6 m 3 /min

Rotation rate of pan: 25 rpm

Spray pressure: 0.15 MPa

Liquid flow rate: 5 g/min

The preparation obtained in the above method was evaluated a quality thereof according to the following methods, and the present invention has been achieved on the basis of the knowledge obtained therein.

C. Quality Evaluation

(1) Dissolution Test

A manufactured preparation was subjected to the dissolution test according to the Japanese Pharmacopoeia, Dissolution test, Method 2. Measuring conditions are shown below.

Test solution: Diluted McIlvaine buffer, pH 4.0

Rotation rate of paddle: 50 rpm

(2) Similarity of Dissolution Profiles

A similarity factor f2 shown in Scale-Up and Past-Approval Changes for Intermediate Release Products (SUPAC-IR) was used as an indicative for evaluating a similarity of dissolution profiles. The f2 value is calculated by the following equation. It was determined that each manufactured preparation had a similar dissolution profile in case that the f2 value calculated from dissolution ratio of each preparation by SUPAC-IR was in the range of 50≦f2≦100. Dissolution ratios at three time points such as 15 min, 30 min and 45 min after starting the test were used for a calculation of the f2 value.

Ti and Ri are the percent dissolved at each point.

n is the number of points to be compared.

(3) Size Distribution

A size distribution of lurasidone was measured according to a dry-spray method by Laser Diffraction Particle Size Analyzer (SLAD-3000/Shimadzu Corporation). Measuring conditions are shown below.

In Examples 1, 2 and 3, tablets comprising specific pharmaceutical compositions comprising water-soluble excipient comprising 20 mg, 40 mg and 80 mg, respectively, of lurasidone per tablet, partly pregelatinized starch and water-soluble polymer binder were manufactured. In Comparative experiments 1 and 2, tablets comprising 40 mg and 80 mg, respectively, of lurasidone per tablet were manufactured on the basis of the formulation disclosed in Patent Document 2.

The manufactured preparations were subjected to the dissolution tests under conditions shown in (d) and (e), and similarities of dissolution profiles were evaluated. Additionally, preproductions in Comparative experiments 1 and 2 were shown in Test 8.

Results were shown in Tables 4 and 5. Temporal dissolution ratios in (d) were shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 .

(a) Formulations of Granule Powders

(b) Formulations of Granules For Compression/Uncoated Tablets

(c) Formulations of FC Tablets

(d) Dissolution Test In the System Comprising 80 mg of Lurasidone In Each Vessel

Each film-coated tablet comprising 80 mg, 40 mg or 20 mg of lurasidone in the system comprising 80 mg of lurasidone in each vessel was subjected to the dissolution test, and a similarity of each dissolution profile was evaluated by f2 value.

As evidenced by Table 4, f2 values in Examples 2 and 3 showed similarities to Example 1, but f2 value in Comparative experiment 2 did not show a similarity to Comparative experiment 1. In other words, as evidenced by Table 4 and FIG. 3 , in Examples 1 to 3, f2 values which represented similarities of dissolution profiles were in the range of 50≦f2≦100, and preparations which showed similarities of dissolution profiles without depending on contents in tablets (unit strength) even in preparations with different contents were obtained. On the other hand, as evidenced by Table 4 and FIG. 2 , dissolution of the formulation disclosed in Patent Document 2 in Comparative experiment 2 was apparently slower than that of two tablets of preparations in Comparative experiment 1, and a similarity of dissolution profile was not shown as detailed in Test 8.

(e) Dissolution Test In the System Comprising 40 mg of Lurasidone In Each Vessel

Each film-coated tablet comprising 40 mg or 20 mg of lurasidone in the system comprising 40 mg of lurasidone in each vessel was subjected to the dissolution test, and a similarity of each dissolution profile was evaluated by using f2 values in the similar manner.

As evidenced by Table 5, f2 values in Example 3 and Comparative experiment 1 showed similarities to Example 2. In other words, f2 values were in the range of 50≦f2≦100 even in the system comprising 40 mg of lurasidone in each vessel, and similarities of dissolution profiles were shown without depending on contents in tablets (unit strength).

Preparations comprising a pharmaceutical composition comprising water-soluble excipient and water-soluble polymer binder and partly pregelatinized starch were prepared in Examples 1 and 4. Preparations comprising a pharmaceutical composition comprising water-soluble excipient and water-soluble polymer binder and corn starch which was non-pregelatinized starch were prepared in Comparative experiments 3, 4 and 5. Each preparation was subjected to the dissolution test, and a similarity of each dissolution profile was evaluated by f2 value. Results were shown in Table 9.

(a) Formulations of Granule Powders

(b) Formulations of Granules For Compression/Uncoated Tablets

(c) Formulations of FC Tablets

(d) Dissolution Test

As evidenced by Table 9, Example 4 showed a similarity to Example 1, but f2 values in Comparative experiments 3, 4 and 5 did not show similarities to Example 1. In other words, preparations containing corn starch in Comparative experiments 3, 4 and 5 showed different dissolution profiles and slow dissolutions compared to preparations containing partly pregelatinized starch in Examples 1 and 4.

Effects of blending quantities of partly pregelatinized starch in Examples 4, 5, 6 and 7 on dissolutions were evaluated. Results were shown in Table 13.

(a) Formulations of Granule Powders

(b) Formulations of Granules For Compression/Uncoated Tablets

(c) Formulations of FC Tablets

(d) Dissolution Test

As evidenced by Table 13, f2 values in Examples 4, 5, 6 and 7 showed similarities to Example 1. In other words, a preparation comprising a pharmaceutical composition comprising 10% wt/wt or more of partly pregelatinized starch in preparation components showed a rapid dissolution and a similar dissolution profile.

In Comparative experiment 6, a tablet was tried to be prepared with containing water-soluble excipient and partly pregelatinized starch but without water-soluble polymer binder. However, in a compression step, components could not be compressed due to capping and sticking, and no similar dissolution profile or even tablet was obtained. In Examples 8, 9, 10 and 11, preparations comprising pharmaceutical compositions with different blending quantities of water-soluble excipient and partly pregelatinized starch and water-soluble polymer binder were prepared. Results were shown in Table 17.

(a) Formulations of Granule Powders

(b) Formulations of Granules For Compression/Uncoated Tablets

(c) Formulations of FC Tablets

(d) Dissolution Test

As evidenced by Table 17, f2 values in Examples 8, 9, 10 and 11 showed similarities to Example 1. In other words, preparations comprising pharmaceutical compositions comprising water-soluble polymer binder in the range of 1.8% wt/wt to 3.8% wt/wt showed rapid dissolutions and similar dissolution profiles.

In Example 12, a preparation comprising a pharmaceutical composition comprising water-soluble polymer binder and partly pregelatinized starch was prepared by using lactose as water-soluble excipient. Results were shown in Table 21.

(a) Formulations of Granule Powders

(b) Formulations of Granules For Compression/Uncoated Tablets

(c) Formulations of FC Tablets

(d) Dissolution Test

As evidenced by Table 21, f2 values in Examples 6 and 12 showed similarities to Example 1. In other words, preparations containing mannitol and lactose as water-soluble excipient showed rapid dissolutions and similar dissolution profiles.

In Examples 4, 13, 14 and 15, preparations comprising a specific pharmaceutical composition comprising water-soluble excipient and water-soluble polymer binder and partly pregelatinized starch were prepared by using lurasidone bulk powders with different size distribution. Results were shown in Table 25.

(a) Size Distribution of Lurasidone Bulk Powders

D50% (50% particle size) represents a particle size at a point where an integrated distribution calculated on the basis of volume is 50%, and D90% (90% particle size) represents a particle size at a point where an integrated distribution calculated on the basis of volume is 90% (under sieving).

(b) Formulations of Granules For Compression/Uncoated Tablets

(c) Formulations of FC Tablets

(d) Dissolution Test

As evidenced by Table 25, f2 values in Examples 13, 14 and 15 showed similarities to Example 4. In other words, it was found that preparations prepared by using lurasidone bulk powders wherein 50% particle size is in the range of 1 to 8 μm and 90% particle size is 27 μm or less in size distribution showed similar dissolution profiles.

Preparations wherein contents of lurasidone per tablet were 10 mg and 40 mg were manufactured by using the art disclosed in Patent Document 2, and were subjected to examination if they could provide preparations for oral administration with equivalent dissolution profiles in the range of 10 mg to 40 mg of lurasidone contents per tablet as disclosed in the document 2. Results were shown in FIG. 1 .

As evidenced by FIG. 1 , dissolution profiles of preparations with different contents of lurasidone obtained by the art disclosed in Patent Document 2 were shown by f2 values, and tablets with 10 mg and 40 mg of lurasidone per tablet could provide preparations for oral administration with equivalent dissolution profiles as described in Patent Document 2.

(a) Formulations of Granules

(b) Formulations of Uncoated Tablets

(c) Formulations of FC Tablets

It could be confirmed that a preparation with up to 40 mg of lurasidone per tablet could provide an oral preparation with equivalent dissolution profile in the art disclosed in Patent Document 2. A preparation wherein contents of lurasidone were 80 mg per tablet without containing partly pregelatinized starch was manufactured herein according to the art disclosed in Patent Document 2. The preparation was prepared by doubling a content ratio of the active ingredient so that a tablet weight thereof was the same as 40 mg tablet, in order to avoid an increased strain on a patient associated with growth of tablets in size. Results of Comparative experiments 1 and 2 were shown in Table 4 and FIG. 2 .

As evidenced by Table 4 and FIG. 2 , 80 mg tablet with double content ratios of lurasidone without containing pregelatinized starch could not show equivalent dissolution to two tablets of 40 mg tablet as shown by f2 values in the art disclosed in Patent Document 2.

(a) Formulations of Granules

(b) Formulations of Uncoated Tablets

(c) Formulations of FC Tablets

Dissolutions of three kinds of preparations with different contents manufactured in Examples 1 to 3 of Test 1 were evaluated. Results were shown in FIG. 3 .

As evidenced by FIG. 3 , it was confirmed that preparations of the present invention which contained in the range of 20 mg to 80 mg of lurasidone per tablet showed equivalent dissolutions without depending on tablet contents (unit strength).

(a) Formulations of Granule Powders

(b) Formulations of Granules For Compression/Uncoated Tablets

(c) Formulations of FC Tablets

Lurasidone 120 mg tablet preparations wherein each tablet weight was equal were prepared according to the art disclosed in the present invention as well as Patent Document 2, and dissolution profile of each preparation was evaluated.

(a) Experimental Method

Lurasidone 120 mg tablet preparations were manufactured according to the preparation method of the present invention as well as Preparation method 2 in Patent Document 2 (described hereinafter) (Table 35). These manufactured preparations were subjected to the dissolution test on partly changed conditions described in C. Quality evaluation (1) dissolution test in the Example in the present specification.

The dissolution test was carried out by changing pH 4.0 to pH 3.8 in pH of the test solution diluted McIlvaine buffer.

(b) Preparation Method of the Present Invention

To a fluid bed granulator (Flow Coater FLF-30/manufactured by Freund Industrial Co., Ltd.) were charged lurasidone (8000 g), D-mannitol (14200 g), partly pregelatinized starch (8000 g) and croscarmellose sodium (400 g), and thereto was sprayed 5% hydroxypropyl methylcellulose solution previously prepared to be granulated on conditions that intake temperature was 80° C., intake airflow was 7 m 3 /min, spray liquid flow rate was 200 mL/min and atomizing airflow was 200 L/min. The obtained granule was dried in the granulator on conditions that drying temperature was 80° C. and drying time was 10 minutes, and it was confirmed by a halogen moisture analyzer that the loss on dry was within 2%. The obtained granule was sized by using a sizing machine (Fiore F-0 type). Then, the sized granule (18000 g) and magnesium stearate (228 g) were blended together by using a blending machine (container size 110 L) on conditions that rotation rate was 20 rpm and blending time was 5 minutes. Finally, the obtained mixture was compressed at a compressing pressure of 12.5 kN by using a compression apparatus (HT-AP12SS-II/manufactured by Hata Iron Works Co., Ltd.) to prepare a lurasidone 120 mg uncoated tablet.

(c) Preparation Method 2 In Patent Document 2

To a fluid bed granulator (Multiplex MP-01/manufactured by Powrex Corporation) were charged lurasidone (160 g), D-mannitol (296 g) and croscarmellose sodium (32 g), and thereto was sprayed 5% hydroxypropyl methylcellulose solution previously prepared to be granulated on conditions that temperature for supplying air was 60° C. and granulating time was 45 minutes. The obtained granule was dried in the granulator on conditions that drying temperature was 80° C. and drying time was 5 minutes, and it was confirmed by a halogen moisture analyzer that the loss on dry was within 1%. Then, the obtained granule (254 g) and lactose (62 g) were blended together by using a blending machine (manufactured by Tsutsui Rikagaku Kikai Co., Ltd.) on conditions that rotation rate was 40 rpm and blending time was 30 minutes. After that, the resulting mixture (316 g) and magnesium stearate (4 g) were blended together by using a blending machine (manufactured by Tsutsui Rikagaku Kikai Co., Ltd.) on conditions that rotation rate was 40 rpm and blending time was 5 minutes. Finally, the obtained mixture was compressed at a compressing pressure of 12.5 kN by using a compression apparatus (HT-AP12SS-II/manufactured by Hata Iron Works Co., Ltd.) to prepare a lurasidone 120 mg uncoated tablet.

(d) Results

Components of the manufactured preparations and results of the dissolution tests were shown below.

As a result, it was confirmed that lurasidone 120 mg tablet manufactured according to the disclosure of the present application showed more rapid dissolution compared to lurasidone 120 mg tablet manufactured according to the disclosure of Patent Document 2.

Applied content ranges of drug substance of the present invention were evaluated on the basis of dissolution profiles of preparations.

(a) Experimental Method

Lurasidone 80 mg tablets were manufactured according to the preparation method of the present invention (Table 36). These manufactured preparations were subjected to the dissolution test on conditions described in C. Quality evaluation (1) dissolution test in the Example in the present specification.

(b) Preparation Method

To a fluid bed granulator (Multiplex MP-01/manufactured by Powrex Corporation) were charged lurasidone, D-mannitol, partly pregelatinized starch and croscarmellose sodium, and thereto was sprayed 5% hydroxypropyl methylcellulose solution previously prepared to be granulated on conditions that temperature for supplying air was 60° C. and granulating time was 45 minutes or 60 minutes. The obtained granule was dried in the granulator on conditions that drying temperature was 80° C. and drying time was 5 minutes, and it was confirmed by a halogen moisture analyzer that the loss on dry was within 2%. Then, the obtained granule and magnesium stearate were blended together by using a blending machine (manufactured by Tsutsui Rikagaku Kikai Co., Ltd.) on conditions that rotation rate was 40 rpm and blending time was 5 minutes. Finally, the obtained mixture was compressed at a compressing pressure of 10 kN by using a compression apparatus (HT-AP12SS-II/manufactured by Hata Iron Works Co., Ltd.) to prepare a lurasidone 80 mg uncoated tablet.

(c) Results

Components of manufactured preparations and results of dissolution tests were shown below.

As a result, it could be confirmed that similar dissolution profiles were shown by components of preparations wherein lurasidone was contained in the range of 25 to 40%.

Dissolution profiles of preparations were evaluated for the water-soluble polymer binders of the present invention.

(a) Experimental Method

Lurasidone 80 mg tablet was manufactured according to the preparation method of the present invention (Table 37). These manufactured preparations were subjected to the dissolution test on conditions described in C. Quality evaluation (1) dissolution test in Example in the present specification.

(b) Preparation Method

To a fluid bed granulator (Multiplex MP-01/manufactured by Powrex Corporation) were charged lurasidone (160 g), D-mannitol (284 g), partly pregelatinized starch (160 g) and croscarmellose sodium (8 g), and thereto was sprayed 5% water-soluble polymer binder solution previously prepared to be granulated on conditions that temperature for supplying air was 60° C. and granulating time was 45 minutes. The obtained granule was dried in the granulator on conditions that drying temperature was 80° C. and drying time was 5 minutes, and it was confirmed by a halogen moisture analyzer that the loss on dry was within 2%. Then, the obtained granule and magnesium stearate were blended together by using a blending machine (manufactured by Tsutsui Rikagaku Kikai Co., Ltd.) on conditions that rotation rate was 40 rpm and blending time was 5 minutes. Finally, the obtained mixture was compressed at a compressing pressure of 10 kN by using a compression apparatus (HT-AP12SS-II/manufactured by Hata Iron Works Co., Ltd.) to prepare a lurasidone 80 mg uncoated tablet.

(c) Results

Components of manufactured preparations and results of dissolution tests were shown below.

As a result, it was confirmed that preparations using as water-soluble polymer binder polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone or hydroxypropylcellulose met the standard of “C. Quality evaluation (2) Similarity of dissolution profiles” in the present specification (similar dissolution profiles).

Dissolution profiles of lurasidone 20, 40, 80 and 120 mg FC tablets prepared according to the art disclosed in the present invention were evaluated.

(a) Experimental Method

Lurasidone 20, 40, 80 and 120 mg FC tablets were manufactured according to the preparation method of the present invention (Table 38).

(b) Preparation Method

To a fluid bed granulator (Flow Coater FLF-30/manufactured by Freund Industrial Co., Ltd.) were charged lurasidone (8000 g), D-mannitol (14200 g), partly pregelatinized starch (8000 g) and croscarmellose sodium (400 g), and thereto was sprayed 5% aqueous hydroxypropyl methylcellulose solution previously prepared to be granulated on conditions that intake temperature was 80° C., intake airflow was 7 m 3 /min, spray liquid flow rate was 200 mL/min and atomizing airflow was 200 L/min. After spraying, the obtained granule was dried on conditions that drying temperature was 80° C. and drying time was 10 minutes, and it was confirmed by a halogen moisture analyzer that the loss on dry was within 2%. The obtained granule powders were sized by using a sizing machine (Fiore F-0 type/manufactured by Tokuju Corporation). Then, the sized granule powders (18000 g) and magnesium stearate (228 g) were blended together by using a blending machine (container size 110 L/manufactured by Furukawa Altec Co., Ltd.) on conditions that rotation rate was 20 rpm and blending time was 5 minutes. The obtained powder mixtures were compressed at a compressing pressure of about 10 kN by using a compression apparatus (CLEANPRESS Correct 12HUK/manufactured by Kikusui Seisakusho Ltd. for a lurasidone 20, 40 or 80 uncoated tablet, HT-AP12SS-II/manufactured by Hata Iron Works Co., Ltd. for a lurasidone 120 mg uncoated tablet) to prepare a lurasidone 20, 40, 80 or 120 mg uncoated tablet. Then, an uncoated tablet was coated on conditions that temperature for supplying air was 80° C., airflow was 0.6 m 3 /min, rotation rate of pan was 25 rpm, spray pressure was 0.15 MPa and liquid flow rate was 5 g/min to give a lurasidone 20, 40, 80 or 120 mg FC tablet.

(c) Dissolution Test

Manufactured preparations were subjected to the dissolution test according to the Japanese Pharmacopoeia, Dissolution test, Method 2. Measuring conditions are shown below.

Test solution: Diluted McIlvaine buffer, pH 3.8 and 4.0

Paddle rotation: 50 rpm

(d) Results

Components of manufactured preparations and results of dissolution tests were shown below.

As a result, it was confirmed that lurasidone 20, 40, 80 and 120 mg FC tablets manufactured according to the disclosure of the present application showed rapid dissolutions.

Similarities of dissolution profiles were evaluated for 1 tablet of 40 mg FC tablet/2 tablets of 20 mg FC tablet, 1 tablet of 80 mg FC tablet/2 tablets of 40 mg FC tablet/4 tablets of 20 mg FC tablet, 1 tablet of 120 mg FC tablet/3 tablets of 40 mg FC tablet/6 tablets of 20 mg FC tablet.

(a) Experimental Method

Preparation method and test method were abbreviated because they were similar to dissolution profiles in Test 12.

(b) Results

Dissolution profiles of manufactured preparations and similarities thereof were shown below.

As a result, it was confirmed that all preparations met the standard of “C. Quality evaluation (2) Similarity of dissolution profiles” in the present specification.

The present invention allows to provide a preparation for oral administration with a good disintegration which comprises as an active ingredient N-[4-[4-(1,2-benzisothiazol-3-yl)-1-piperazinyl]-(2R,3R)-2,3-tetramethylene-butyl]-(1′R,2′S,3′R,4′S)-2,3-bicyclo[2,2,1]heptanedicarboxyimide hydrochloride (lurasidone), which has an equivalent dissolution profile of the active ingredient even though contents of the active ingredient therein are varied.

FIG. 1 shows a comparison of dissolution profiles in preparations with different contents of lurasidone. Preparations wherein contents of lurasidone per tablet manufactured according to the art disclosed in Patent Document 2 were 10 mg (4 tablets) and 40 mg (1 tablet) were measured in dissolution profiles.

FIG. 2 shows a comparison of dissolution profiles in preparations with different contents of lurasidone. Preparations wherein contents of lurasidone per tablet manufactured according to the art disclosed in Patent Document 2 were 40 mg (2 tablets) and 80 mg (1 tablet) were measured in dissolution profiles.

FIG. 3 shows a comparison of dissolution profiles in preparations with different contents of lurasidone. Preparations wherein contents of lurasidone per tablet manufactured according to the present invention were 20 mg (4 tablets), 40 mg (2 tablets) and 80 mg (1 tablet) were measured in dissolution profiles.