Patent 6,544,961

The present invention relates to therapeutic combinations of 3S-[3R*(1R*,2S*)-[3 -[[(4-aminophenyl)sulphonyl](2-methylpropyl)-amino]-2-hydroxy-1-phenylmeth yl)propyl]carbamic acid, tetrahydro-3-furanyl ester (141W94), 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (zidovudine) and (2R, cis)-4-amino-1-(2-hydroxymethyl-1,3-oxathiolan-5-yl)-(1H)-pyrimidin-2-one (3TC) (or, alternatively to 3TC, (2R,cis)-4-amino-5-fluoro-1-(2-hydroxymethyl-1,3-oxathiolan-5-yl)-(1H)-pyr imidin-2-one (FTC) which have anti-HIV activity. The present invention is also concerned with pharmaceutical compositions containing said combinations and their use in the treatment of HIV infections including infections with HIV mutants bearing resistance to nucleoside and/or non-nucleoside inhibitors.

Description of the Invention

The present invention relates to therapeutic combinations of 3S-[3R*(1R*,2S*)]-[3-[[(4-aminophenyl)sulphonyl](2-methylpropyl)-amino]-2- hydroxy-1-phenylmethyl)propyl]carbamic acid, tetrahydro-3-furanyl ester ((3S)-Tetrahydro-3-furyl N-((1S,2R)-3-(4-amino-N-isobutylbenzenesulfonamido)-1-benzyl-2-hydroxyprop yl)carbamate, 4-amino-N-((2syn, 3S)-2-hydroxy4-phenyl-3-((S)-tetrahydrofuran-3-yloxycarbonylamino)-butyl)- N-isobutyl-benzenesulfonamide, VX-478, 141W94), 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (zidovudine), and (2R,cis)-4-amino-1-(2-hydroxymethyl-1,3-oxathiolan-5-yl)-(1H)-pyrimidin-2- one (3TC, lamivudine) (or, alternatively to lamivudine, (2R,cis)-4-amino-5-fluoro-1-(2-hydroxymethyl-1,3-oxathiolan-5-yl)-(1H)-pyr imidin-2-one (FTC), which have anti-HIV activity. The present invention is also concerned with pharmaceutical compositions containing said combinations and their use in the treatment of HIV infections including infections with HIV mutants bearing resistance to nucleoside and/or non-nucleoside inhibitors.

Zidovudine is now well established as an important and useful chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of HIV-infections including related clinical conditions such as AIDS, AIDS-related complex (ARC), AIDS dementia complex (ADC) and also for the treatment of patients who have an asymptomatic HIV infection or who are anti-HIV antibody-positive. Treatment with zidovudine prolongs the disease-free interval in asymptomatic patients infected with HIV and delays death in symptomatic patients.

Following the widespread clinical use of zidovudine in the treatment of such infections and conditions, it has been observed that in certain instances following prolonged treatment, the virus may develop a certain level of resistance to zidovudine and therefore a loss of sensitivity to the drug.

Nucleoside analogues containing an oxathiolane residue in place of the sugar residue, for example, nucleosides described in European Patent Specification No. 384536 particularly 4-amino-1-(2-hydroxymethyl-1,3-oxathiolan-5-yl)-(1H)-pyrimidin-2-one (BCH-189) have been found to have anti-HIV activity. BCH-189 is a racemic mixture and although the enantiomers are equipotent against HIV the (-)-enantiomer has considerably lower cytotoxicity than the (+)-enantiomer. The (-)-enantiomer has the chemical name (2R,cis)4-amino-1-(2-hydroxymethyl-1,3-oxathiolan-5-yl)-(1H)-pyrimidin-2-o ne, now known as 3TC or lamivudine.

An alternative oxathiolane nucleoside analogue is described in International Specification Number WO92/14743 (2R,cis)-4-amino-5-fluoro-1-(2-hydroxymethyl-1,3 oxathiolan-5-yl)-(1H)-pyrimidine-2-one, commonly referred to as FTC or 524W91.

3S-[3R*(1R*,2S*)]-[3-[[(4-aminophenyl)sulphonyl](2-methylpropyl)-amino]-2-h ydroxy-1-phenylmethyl)propyl]carbamic acid, tetrahydro-3-furanyl ester (141W94) is a sulfonamide with HIV aspartyl protease inhibitory activity. 141W94 is particularly well suited for inhibiting HIV-1 and HIV-2 viruses. Virus-encoded proteases, which are essential for viral replication, are required for the processing of viral protein precursors. Interference with the processing of protein precursors inhibits the formation of infectious virions. Accordingly, inhibitors of viral proteases may be used to prevent or treat chronic and acute viral infections.

To date the treatment of HIV infection has relied to a large extent upon monotherapy with nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors such as zidovudine, didanosine (ddI), zalcitabine (ddC) and stavudine (D4T). However, these drugs eventually become less effective due either to the emergence of HIV resistant mutants or because of toxicity. Thus, new therapies are needed.

The combination of zidovudine with either ddC or ddI has shown promising results in HIV infected patients (New Eng. J. Med. 1992, 329(9) 581-587, and Program Abstract 1993 9R International Conference on AIDS, abstract US-B25-1). The combination of zidovudine and 3TC has also been studied and widely reported. However, it should be noted that these results are surprising because drugs with the same site of action are frequently antagonistic or additive (Rev Infect. Dis 1982, 4, 255-260).

Unexpectedly, it has now been found that by combining 141W94, zidovudine and 3TC (or, alternatively to 3TC, FTC) a synergistic anti-HIV effect is achieved. It is a feature of this invention that the use of this drug combination will provide synergistic antiviral effects, more complete viral suppression, viral suppression over a longer period, limit the emergence of drug resistant HIV mutants and allow better management of drug-related toxicities.

The compound FTC may be used as an alternative to 3TC in the combinations of the invention.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a combination comprising 141W94 or a physiologically functional derivative thereof, zidovudine or a physiologically functional derivative thereof, and 3TC (or, alternatively to 3TC, FTC) or a physiologically functional derivative thereof.

It will be appreciated that zidovudine may exist in the keto or enol tautomeric form and the use of such a tautomeric form is within the scope of this invention. 3TC will normally be provided substantially free of the corresponding (+)-enantiomer, that is to say no more than about 5% w/w of the corresponding (+)-enantiomer, preferably no more than about 2% w/w, in particular less than 1% w/w will be present.

As used herein, the term "physiologically functional derivative" includes any physiologically acceptable salt, ether, ester, salt of such ester of 141W94, zidovudine, or 3TC; or solvates of any thereof and their physiologically functional derivatives; or any other compound which upon administration to the recipient, is capable of providing (directly or indirectly) such a compound or an antivirally active metabolite or residue thereof.

Preferred esters in accordance with the invention are independently selected from the following group: (1) carboxylic acid esters in which the non-carbonyl moiety of the carboxylic acid portion of the ester grouping is selected from straight or branched chain alkyl (for example, methyl, n-propyl, t-butyl, or n-butyl), cycloalkyl, alkoxyalkyl (for example, methoxymethyl), aralkyl (for example, benzyl), aryloxyalkyl (for example, phenoxymethyl), aryl (for example, phenyl optionally substituted by, for example, halogen, C_1-4 alkyl, or C_1-4 alkoxy), or amino; (2) sulphonate esters, such as alkyl- or aralkylsulphonyl (for example, methanesulphonyl); (3) amino acid esters (for example, L-valyl or L-isoleucyl); and (4) phosphonate esters. In such esters, unless otherwise specified, any alkyl moiety present advantageously contains from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, particularly from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, more particularly from 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Any cycloalkyl moiety present in such esters advantageously comprises a phenyl group. Any reference to any of the above compounds also includes a reference to a physiologically acceptable salt thereof.

Particularly preferred esters are the mono-, di-, and tri-phosphate esters of zidovudine, 3TC (which may be optionally blocked) or FTC or any other compound which upon administration to a human subject is capable of providing (directly or indirectly) said mono-, di-, or triphosphate ester.

Examples of physiologically acceptable salts of 141W94, zidovudine or 3TC and their physiologically acceptable derivatives include salts derived from an appropriate base, such as an alkali metal (for example, sodium), an alkaline earth (for example, magnesium), ammonium and NX₄⁺ (wherein X is C_1-4 alkyl). Physiologically acceptable salts of an hydrogen atom or an amino group include salts of organic carboxylic acids such as acetic, lactic, tartaric, malic, isethionic, lactobionic, and succinic acids, organic sulphonic acids, such as methanesulphonic, ethanesulphonic, benzenesulphonic and p-toluenesulphonic acids and inorganic acids, such as hydrochloric, sulphuric, phosphoric and sulphamic acids. Physiologically acceptable salts of a compound of an hydroxy group include the anion of said compound in combination with a suitable cation such as Na⁺, NH₄⁺ and NX₄⁺ (wherein X is a C_1-4 alkyl group).

For therapeutic use, salts of 141W94, zidovudine and 3TC will be physiologically acceptable, i.e. they will be salts derived from a physiologically acceptable acid or base. However, salts of acids or bases which are not physiologically acceptable may also find use, for example, in the preparation or purification of a physiologically acceptable compound. All salts, whether or not derived from a physiologically acceptable acid or base, are within the scope of the present invention.

Combinations of 141W94 or a physiologically functional derivative thereof, zidovudine or a physiologically functional derivative thereof, and 3TC (or alternatively to 3TC, FTC) or a physiologically functional derivative thereof may hereinafter be referred to as combinations according to the invention.

The present invention further provides combinations according to the invention for use in therapy, particularly in the treatment and/or prophylaxis of an HIV infection including infections with HIV mutants bearing resistance to nucleoside inhibitors, particularly zidovudine, 3TC, FTC, ddI, ddC or D4T or combinations thereof and non-nucleoside inhibitors such as Nevirapine (BI-RG-587), Loviride (.alpha.-APA) and Delavuridine (BHAP). Furthermore, the combinations according to the invention are especially useful for the treatment of AIDS and related clinical conditions such as AIDS related complex (ARC), progressive generalized lymphadenopathy (PGL), Kaposi's sarcoma, thrombocytopenic purpura, AIDS-related neurological conditions such as AIDS dementia complex, multiple sclerosis or tropical paraperesis, and also anti-HIV antibody-positive and HIV-positive conditions, including such conditions in asymptomatic patients.

According to another aspect, the present invention provides a method for the treatment of an HIV infection in an infected animal, for example, a mammal including a human, which comprises treating said animal with a therapeutically effective amount of a combination of 141W94, zidovudine and 3TC (or, alternatively to 3TC, FTC) or a physiologically functional derivative of any thereof.

Reference herein to treatment extends to prophylaxis as well as the treatment of established infections or symptoms.

It will be appreciated that the compounds of the combination may be administered simultaneously, either in the same or different pharmaceutical formulation or sequentially. If there is sequential administration, the delay in administering the second and third active ingredient should not be such as to lose the benefit of a synergistic therapeutic effect of the combination of the active ingredients. It will also be understood that 141W94, zidovudine and 3TC (or, alternatively to 3TC, FTC), or the physiologically functional derivatives of any thereof, whether presented simultaneously or sequentially, may be administered individually or in multiples or in any combination thereof. 141W94, zidovudine and 3TC (or, alternatively, FTC) are preferably administered simultaneously or sequentially in separate pharmaceutical formulations, most preferably simultaneously.

The present invention also provides the use of 141W94 in the manufacture of a medicament for administration simultaneously or sequentially with zidovudine and 3TC (or, alternatively, FTC), respectively for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of HIV infections and associated clinical conditions hereinbefore described. It will be appreciated that 141W94, zidovudine or 3TC (or, alternaviely to 3TC, FTC), or any combination thereof may be used in the manufacture of the above medicament.

The synergistic effects of the combination of 141W94, zidovudine and 3TC (or, alternatively to 3TC, FTC) or a physiologically functional derivative of any thereof are seen over a ratio, for example, of 1 to 20:1 to 20:1 to 10 (by weight), preferably 1 to 10:1 to 10:1 to 5 (by weight), particularly 1 to 3:1 to 3:1 to 2 (by weight). Convenient ratios of the active components include 8:1:2, 7:1:2, 6:1:2 and 3:1:2 141W94:zidovudine:3TC.

Conveniently each compound will be employed in the combination in an amount at which it exhibits antiviral activity when used alone.

The amount of a combination of 141W94, zidovudine and 3TC (or, alternatively to 3TC, FTC), required to be effective as an anti-HIV agent will, of course, vary and is ultimately at the discretion of the medical practitioner. The factors to be considered include the route of administration and nature of the formulation, the animal's body weight, age and general condition and the nature and severity of the disease to be treated.

In general, a suitable dose of 141W94 for administration to a human may be in the range of 5 to 100 mg per kilogram body weight per day, advantageously in the range of 8 to 70 mg per kilogram of body weight per day, preferably in the range of 8 to 50 mg per kilogram body weight per day.

A suitable dose of zidovudine will be in the range of 3 to 120 mg per kilogram body weight of the recipient per day, preferably in the range of 6 to 90 mg per kilogram body weight per day and most preferably in the range 10 to 30 mg per kilogram body weight per day.

For 3TC a suitable daily dose will be in the range of from about 0.3 to about 60 mg per kilogram body weight of the recipient per day, preferably in the range of 0.75 to 35 mg per kilogram body weight per day, most preferably in the range of 1.5 to 20 mg per kilogram body weight per day, such as 1 to 10 mg per kilogram body weight per day.

For FTC a suitable daily dose will be in the range of from about 0.3 to about 60 mg per kologram body weight of the recipient per day, preferably in the range of 0.75 to 35 mg per kilogram body weight per day, most preferably in the range of 1.5 to 20 mg per kilogram body weight per day, such as 1 to 10 mg per kilogram body weight per day.

Unless otherwise indicated all weights of active ingredients are calculated in terms of the drug per se. In the case of a physiologically functional derivative of 141W94, zidovudine, 3TC (or, alternatively to 3TC, FTC), or a solvate of any thereof the figures would be increased proportionately. The desired dose is preferably presented as one, two, three, four, five, six or more sub-doses administered at appropriate intervals throughout the day. These sub-doses may be administered in unit dosage forms, for example, containing from 1 to 1500 mg, preferably from 5 to 1000 mg, most preferably from 10 to 700 mg of active ingredient per unit dosage form. Alternatively, if the condition of the recipient so requires, the dose may be administered as a continuous infusion.

The components of the combination which may be referred to as active ingredients may be administered for therapy to an animal e.g. a mammal including a human in a conventional manner.

While it possible for the active ingredients of the combination to be administered as the raw chemical it is preferable to present them as a pharmaceutical formulation. Pharmaceutical formulations according to the present invention comprise a combination according to the invention together with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or excipients and optionally other therapeutic agents. The carrier(s) must be acceptable in the sense of being compatible with the other ingredients of the formula and not deleterious to the recipient thereof. When the individual components of the combination are administered separately they are generally each presented as a pharmaceutical formulation. The references hereinafter to formulations refer unless otherwise stated to formulations containing either the combination or a component thereof.

A combination of 141W94, zidovudine, and 3TC (or, alternatively to 3TC, FTC), or a physiologically functional derivative of any thereof may conveniently be presented as a pharmaceutical formulation in a unitary dosage form. A convenient unitary dosage formulation contains the active ingredients in amounts of from 10 mg to 3 g each such as 50 mg to 3 g each, for example, 100 mg to 2 g.

It is also possible to combine any two of the active ingredients in a unitary dosage form for simultaneous or sequential administration with the third active ingredient, for example, a typical unitary dosage may contain 50 mg to 3 g each of 141W94 and zidovudine, preferably 100 mg to 2 g each of 141W94 and zidovudine or 50 mg to 3 g each of 141W94 and 3TC (or, alternatively to 3TC, FTC), preferably 100 mg to 2 g each of 141W94 and 3TC (or, alternatively to 3TC, FTC).

As a further feature of the present invention presented is a unitary dosage form comprising at least two active ingredients selected from 141W94, zidovudine and 3TC (or, alternatively to 3TC, FTC) or physiologically functional derivatives of any thereof and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier therefore.

It will be appreciated that the administration of two active compounds selected from 141W94, zidovudine, and 3TC (or, alternatively to 3TC, FTC), is an essential part of the invention, preferably as a prelude to the remaining third active ingredient being administered. The combinations of 141W94 and zidovudine, 141W94 and 3TC, and 141W94 and FTC are prefered, in particular the combination of 141W94 and zidovudine.

In addition we have found that when the compounds described above are combined a synergistic effect is also found.

As yet a further feature of the present invention presented is a combination comprising two compounds selected from 141W94, zidovudine, and 3TC (or, alternatively to 3TC, FTC) provided that the two compounds are not zidovudine and 3TC. Preferably the combination is administered simultaneously or sequentially with the third remaining compound.

Pharmaceutical formulations are often prescribed to the patient in "patient packs" containing the whole course of treatment in a single package, usually a blister pack. Patient packs have an advantage over traditional prescriptions, where a pharmacist divides a patient's supply of a pharmaceutical from a bulk supply, in that the patient always has access to the package insert contained in the patient pack, normally missing in traditional prescriptions. The inclusion of a package insert has been shown to improve patient compliance with the physicains instructions.

It will be understood that the administration of the combination of the invention by means of a single patient pack, or patient packs of each formulation, containing within a package insert instructing the patient to the correct use of the invention is a desirable additional feature of this invention.

According to a further aspect of the invention provided is a triple pack comprising at least one active ingredient 141W94, zidovudine, 3TC or FTC of the combination of the invention and an information insert containing directions on the use of the combination of the invention.

According to another aspect the invention provides a triple pack comprising in association for separate administration 141W94 or a physiologically functional derivative thereof, zidovudine or a physiologically functional derivative thereof and 3TC (or FCT) or a physiologically functional derivative thereof.

Formulations include those suitable for oral, rectal, nasal, topical (including transdermal, buccal and sublingual), vaginal or parenteral (including subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous and intradermal) administration. The formulations may conveniently be presented in unit dosage form and may be prepared by any methods well known in the art of pharmacy. Such methods represent a further feature of the present invention and include the step of bringing into association the active ingredients with the carrier which constitutes one or more accessory ingredients. In general, the formulations are prepared by uniformly and intimately bringing into association the active ingredients with liquid carriers or finely divided solid carriers or both, and then if necessary shaping the product.

Formulations of the present invention suitable for oral administration may be presented as discrete units such as capsules, caplets, cachets or tablets each containing a predetermined amount of the active ingredients; as a powder or granules; as a solution or a suspension in an aqueous or non-aqueous liquid; or as an oil-in-water liquid emulsion or a water-in-oil liquid emulsion. The active ingredient may also be presented as a bolus, electuary or paste.

A tablet may be made by compression or molding, optionally with one or more accessory ingredients. Compressed tablets may be prepared by compressing in a suitable machine the active ingredients in a free-flowing form such as a powder or granules, optionally mixed with a binder (e.g. povidone, gelatin, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose), lubricant, inert diluent, preservative, disintegrant (e.g. sodium starch glycollate, cross-linked povidone, cross-linked sodium carboxymethyl cellulose) surface-active or dispersing agent. Molded tablets may be made by molding a mixture of the powdered compound moistened with an inert liquid diluent in a suitable machine. The tablets may optionally be coated or scored any may be formulated so as to provide slow or controlled release of the active ingredients therein using, for example, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose in varying proportions to provide the desired release profile. Tablets may optionally be provided with an enteric coating, to provide release in parts of the gut other than the stomach.

Formulations suitable for topical administration in the mouth include lozenges comprising the active ingredients in a flavored base, usually sucrose and acacia or tragacanth; pastilles comprising the active ingredient in an inert basis such as gelatin and glycerin, or sucrose and acacia; and mouthwashes comprising the active ingredient in a suitable liquid carrier. Formulations for rectal administration may be presented as a suppository with a suitable base comprising, for example, cocoa butter or a salicylate.

Topical administration may also be by means of a transdermal iontophoretic device.

Formulations suitable for vaginal administration may be presented as pessaries, tampons, creams, gels, pastes, foams or spray formulations containing in addition to the active ingredient such carriers as are known in the art to be appropriate.

Pharmaceutical formulations suitable for rectal administration wherein the carrier is a solid are most preferably presented as unit dose suppositories. Suitable carriers include cocoa butter and other materials commonly used in the art. The suppositories may be conveniently formed by admixture of the active combination with the softened or melted carrier(s) followed by chilling and shaping in molds.

Formulations suitable for parenteral administration include aqueous and nonaqueous isotonic sterile injection solutions which may contain anti-oxidants, buffers, bacteriostats and solutes which render the formulation isotonic with the blood of the intended recipient; and aqueous and non-aqueous sterile suspensions which may include suspending agents and thickening agents; and liposomes or other microparticulate systems which are designed to target the compound to blood components or one or more organs. The formulations may be presented in unit-dose or multi-dose sealed containers, for example, ampoules and vials, and may be stored in a freeze-dried (lyophilized) condition requiring only the addition of the sterile liquid carrier, for example water for injection, immediately prior to use. Extemporaneous injection solutions and suspensions may be prepared from sterile powders, granules and tablets of the kind previously described.

Preferred unit dosage formulations are those containing a daily dose or daily subdose of the active ingredients, as hereinbefore recited, or an appropriate fraction thereof.

It should be understood that in addition to the ingredients particularly mentioned above the formulations of this invention may include other agents conventional in the art having regard to the type of formulation in question, for example, those suitable for oral administration may include such further agents as sweeteners, thickeners and flavoring agents.

The compounds of the combination of the present invention may be obtained in a conventional manner. Zidovudine can be prepared, for example, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,724,232, incorporated herein by reference. Zidovudine can also be obtained from Aldrich Chemical Co., Milwaukee, Wis. 53233, USA.

141W94 may be prepared as disclosed in WO 94/05639, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Methods for the preparation of 3TC are described in, inter alia, International Patent Applications Nos. WO91/17159, WO 92/20669 and WO 95/29174 incorporated herein by reference.

Methods for the preparation of FTC are described in International Patent Application No. WO 92/14743 incorporated herein by reference.

Claim 1 of 30 Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A synergistic combination comprising (a) 3S-[3R*(1R*,2S*)]-[3-[[(4-amino-phenyl)sulphonyl](2-methylpropyl)-amino]-2 -hydroxy-1-phenylmethyl)propyl]-carbamic acid, tetrahydro-3-furanyl ester; (b) zidovudine; and (c) (2R,cis)-4-amino-1-(2-hydroxymethyl-1,3-oxathiolan-5-yl)(1H)-pyrimidin-2-o ne, wherein the synergistic combination of (a):(b):(c) has a ratio of 1 to 20:1 to 20: to 1 to 10 by weight.

____________________________________________
If you want to learn more about this patent, please go directly to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Web site to access the full patent.

[ Outsourcing Guide ] [ Cont. Education ] [ Software/Reports ] [ Training Courses ]
[ Web Seminars ] [ Jobs ] [ Consultants ] [ Buyer's Guide ] [ Advertiser Info ]

[ Home ] [ Pharm Patents / Licensing ] [ Pharm News ] [ Federal Register ]
[ Pharm Stocks ] [ FDA Links ] [ FDA Warning Letters ] [ FDA Doc/cGMP ]
[ Pharm/Biotech Events ] [ Newsletter Subscription ] [ Web Links ] [ Suggestions ]
[ Site Map ]