Life Sciences Focus: Drug Development
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Adopting a phase-appropriate approach to solid-state pharmaceutical chemistry
Dr Julian Northen, research manager at Onyx Scientific, explains how a more phase-appropriate approach to solid- state chemistry may present an effective option for drug development teams in assuring the physical properties of drug products and ensuring optimal drug performance.
T
he majority of today’s marketed drugs are administered as solids, making solid- state chemistry a critical component of pharmaceutical research and
development. The solid-state structure of drug compounds and their relationship to the drug formulation requires full consideration to provide assurance of the physical properties of the drug product. A thorough understanding of the compatibility of the chosen solid phase with drug product excipients in the solid state (relative to chemical and form stability) is also required to avoid the unwanted changes that can occur in pharmaceutical preparations. Solid form screening and selection is important at all stages of drug development. However, with increasing demands on developers to balance cost pressures with the need for fast progression, especially in the early stages, the industry is calling for more appropriate strategies that pay attention to the specific requirements at different stages in the product lifecycle.
The advantages of collaboration
There is a growing realization from pharmaceutical developers that active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) development and manufacturing requires a more interactive approach with collaborative input from multiple groups, including medicinal chemists, solid form scientists, development chemists, and formulation scientists. Considering input, objectives and deliverables from different parties can aid the adoption of a more phase-appropriate approach that will provide developers with a ‘road map’ to ensure screening activities become increasingly comprehensive as the needs and technical requirements at each development stage evolve. The increased understanding that will be gained through having more individuals and capabilities involved in the process may result in considerable time savings when it comes to selection. If the right studies have
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parameters should be identified as markers for the competing analogues in play. This can include a simple response to changes in pH and solubility, Log P, presentation form (oil, solid, amorphous, crystalline), and whether a salt can form and aid in isolation/development.
Early development
Dr Julian Northen, research manager at Onyx Scientific
been conducted using the right materials and in a logical order, progression to first-in-human studies can be more efficiently achieved. Despite the advantages of adopting this type
of approach already being understood, there still exists a culture of solid form selection that is less robust. For example, it is not uncommon for a drug developer to adopt a form or version based solely on it being an easy way to isolate a clean solid, or on the chemistry naturally delivering the salt or polymorphic form.
Meeting requirements at different stages of development No two drug candidates are the same and the solid-form strategies required for any single API will vary over the course of its development. The adoption of a phase-appropriate and inclusive approach can enable a more predictive pathway that will enable solid form studies to progress in a way that ensures specific objectives are achieved at different stages.
Discovery and lead optimization
Starting at the discovery and lead optimization stage, a robust set of physiochemical
During early development, a robust assessment of the various solid form versions and candidates, such as salt versus API, should be carried out. This may encompass solubility across a range of pH, solid stability, solution stability, crystallinity, and thermal properties. The choices must also deliver against chemical development needs, including robustness of process, purge of impurity, and process efficiency. Additionally, an understanding of how the various presentations of each version may influence the drug product is also required, for instance powder flow, bulk density and morphology for simple solid dose formulations. The information will provide development
groups with options to consider as material transitions through Phase 1. For example, the most soluble salt may not always deliver the best option or approximation of bioavailability. Dissolution rate and propensity toward disproportionation and the kinetics of the process will need to be considered along with pharmacokinetic (PK) evaluations that support and enable selection. Ideally, the selected version will be maintained through to commercial manufacture.
Late phase
During late-phase development it is critical to challenge the process in place versus the necessary specification to ensure that the solid form of choice delivers routinely against all performance targets. The process would normally encompass a broader polymorphism study. This may or may not identify competing versions that will provide additional protection from an intellectual property (IP) standpoint. This
Summer 2020
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