Physicochemical properties of the nucleoside prodrug R1626 leading to high oral bioavailability.

The nucleoside analog R1479 is a potent and highly selective inhibitor of NS5b-directed hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA polymerase in vitro. Because of its limited permeability, lipophilic prodrugs of R1479 were screened. Selection of the prodrug involved optimization of solubility, permeability, and stability parameters. R1626 has dissociation constant, intrinsic solubility, log partition coefficient (n-octanol water), and Caco-2 permeability of 3.62, 0.19 mg/mL, 2.45, and 14.95 x 10(-6) cm/s, respectively. The hydrolysis of the prodrug is significantly faster in the Caco-2 experiments than in hydrolytic experiments, suggesting that the hydrolysis is catalyzed by enzymes in the cellular membrane. Using GastroPlus, the physical properties of R1626 successfully predict the dose dependence of the pharmacokinetics in humans previously studied. The program predicts that if the particle size of R1626 is less than 25 microm, it will be well absorbed. Prodrugs with a solubility of greater than 100 microg/mL and permeability in the Caco-2 assay greater than 3 x 10(-6) cm/s are expected to achieve a high fraction absorbed.

Chemical reactivity of Ro-26-9228, 1alpha-fluoro-25-hydroxy-16,23E-diene-26,27-bishomo-20-epi-cholecalciferol in aqueous solution.

The degradation of Ro-26-9228, 1alpha-fluoro-25-hydroxy-16,23E-diene-26,27-bishomo-20-epi-cholecalciferol, 2, was studied in aqueous solution in the pH range of 1.17-10.56 and in alcohol solutions, at 25, 40, and 50 degrees C. The degradation of Ro-26-9228 was found to be acid catalyzed and to be independent of potassium acetate buffer concentration. Above pH 4, the reaction rate is independent of pH, with a T90 of 14.3 h at 25 degrees C in pH 7.75 buffer. 19F nuclear magnetic resonance was used to study the ratio of the vitamin (6-s-trans) to previtamin form in acetonitrile at 40 degrees C. The equilibrium percentage of previtamin and the rate of approach to equilibrium were 13.8% and 0.2 h(-1), respectively. Nuclear magnetic resonance was used to elucidate the structure of the degradation products. Novel products were formed from the elimination of the fluorine and addition of solvent to C9, with formation occurring through the previtamin form. Additional degradation products result from reaction of the side chain 25-hydroxyl and addition of solvent to C1.

Influence of ferrous sulfate on the solubility, partition coefficient, and stability of mycophenolic acid and the ester mycophenolate mofetil.

Studies were performed to (1) evaluate whether the presence of iron affected the physicochemical properties of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and mycophenolic acid (MPA), and (2) determine whether alteration of these properties was indicative of formation of an MMF-iron complex. The solubility, stability (chemical reactivity), and partitioning properties of MMF and MPA were evaluated over a pH range of 2-7 in the presence and absence of ferrous sulfate. In addition, the solubility and partitioning properties of MMF were assessed after the MMF drug product, CellCept capsules, was combined with an iron tablet (Fero-Gradumet, ferrous sulfate, tablets). The results of studies showed that: The solubility of MMF in the presence of ferrous sulfate was generally unaffected over a pH range of 2-7; a small increase in solubility was observed in pH 5.2 buffer solution. The solubility of MPA decreased in pH 5.2 and 7.0 buffer solutions. Both MMF and MPA were more stable in the presence of ferrous sulfate at pH 2.0; ferrous sulfate had no effect on the stability of MMF and MPA at pH 7.0. Overall, the partitioning of MMF and MPA was unaffected by the addition of ferrous sulfate. The solubility and partitioning of MMF from CellCept capsules combined with Fero-Gradumet (ferrous sulfate) tablets showed a twofold increase in aqueous solubility of MMF as well as increased concentration of MMF in both the n-octanol and aqueous phases, leading to a decrease in the octanol/water partition coefficient due to a reduction in pH of the aqueous phase. Based on these results, it was concluded that the physicochemical properties of MMF and MPA were generally not affected by the presence of ferrous sulfate. Further, the presence of ferrous sulfate did not suggest the formation of an MMF-iron complex.