Genetically Encoded, Functional Single-Strand RNA Origami: Anticoagulant.

Nucleic acid aptamers selected for thrombin binding have been previously shown to possess anticoagulant activity; however, problems with rapid renal clearance and short circulation half-life have prevented translation to clinical usefulness. Here, a family of self-folding, functional RNA origami molecules bearing multiple thrombin-binding RNA aptamers and showing significantly improved anticoagulant activity is described. These constructs may overcome earlier problems preventing clinical use of nucleic acid anticoagulants. RNA origami structures are designed in silico and produced by in vitro transcription from DNA templates. Incorporation of 2'-fluoro-modified C- and U-nucleotides is shown to increase nuclease resistance and stability during long-term storage. Specific binding to human thrombin as well as high stability in the presence of RNase A and in human plasma, comparatively more stable than DNA is demonstrated. The RNA origami constructs show anticoagulant activity sevenfold greater than free aptamer and higher than previous DNA weave tiles decorated with DNA aptamers. Anticoagulation activity is maintained after at least 3 months of storage in buffer at 4 °C. Additionally, inhibition of thrombin is shown to be reversed by addition of single-stranded DNA antidotes. This project paves the way for development of RNA origami for potential therapeutic applications especially as a safer surgical anticoagulant.

N-methylation and N-formylation of a secondary amine drug (varenicline) in an osmotic tablet.

Significant degradation of the amine-based smoking cessation drug varenicline tartrate in an early development phase osmotic, controlled-release (CR) formulation yields predominantly two products: N-methylvarenicline (NMV) and N-formylvarenicline (NFV). NMV is produced by reaction of the amine moiety with both formaldehyde and formic acid in an Eschweiler-Clarke reaction, while NFV is formed by reaction of formic acid alone with varenicline. This represents the first report of these reactions occurring on storage of solid pharmaceutical formulations. Both formaldehyde and formic acid are formed from oxidative degradation of polyethylene glycol (PEG) used in an osmotic coating through a process heavily dependent on the physical state of the PEG. When the concentration of PEG in the coating is sufficiently low, the PEG remains phase compatible with the other component of the coating (cellulose acetate) such that its degradation (and the resulting drug reactivity) is effectively eliminated. Antioxidants in the coating and oxygen scavengers in the packaging also serve to prevent the PEG degradation, and consequently provide for drug stability.

Press-coating of immediate release powders onto coated controlled release tablets with adhesives.

A novel adhesive coating was developed that allows even small quantities of immediate-release (IR) powders to be press-coated onto controlled-release (CR), coated dosage forms without damaging the CR coating. The process was exemplified using a pseudoephedrine osmotic tablet (asymmetric membrane technology, AMT) where a powder weighing less than 25% of the core was pressed onto the osmotic tablet providing a final combination tablet with low friability. The dosage form with the adhesive plus the press-coated powder showed comparable sustained drug release rates to the untreated dosage form after an initial 2-h lag. The adhesive layer consisted of an approximately 100- microm coating of Eudragit RL, polyethylene glycol (PEG) and triethyl citrate (TEC) at a ratio of 5:3:1.2. This coating provides a practical balance between handleability before press-coating and good adhesion.