RESUMO
The purpose of the present study was to harmonize the protocol of equilibrium solubility measurements for poorly water-soluble drugs to lower inter-laboratory variance. The "mandatory" and "recommended" procedures for the shake-flask method were harmonized based on the knowledge and experiences of each company and information from the literature. The solubility of model drugs was measured by the harmonized protocol (HP) and the non-harmonized proprietary protocol of each company (nonHP). Albendazole, griseofulvin, dipyridamole, and glibenclamide were used as model drugs. When using the nonHP, the solubility values showed large inter-laboratory variance. In contrast, inter-laboratory variance was markedly reduced when using the HP.
RESUMO
This commentary compares 233 CheqSol intrinsic solubility values (log S0) reported in the Wiki-pS0 database for 145 different druglike molecules to the 838 log S0 values determined mostly by the saturation shake-flask (SSF) method for 124 of the molecules from the CheqSol set. The range of log S0 spans from -1.0 to -10.6 (log molar units), averaging at -3.8. The correlation plot between the two methods indicates r2 = 0.96, RMSE = 0.34 log unit, and a slight bias of -0.07 log unit. The average interlaboratory standard deviation (SDi) is slightly better for the CheqSol set than that of the SSF set: SDi CS = 0.15 and SDi SSF = 0.24. The intralaboratory errors reported in the CheqSol method (0.05 log) need to be multiplied by a factor of 3 to match the expected interlaboratory errors for the method. The scale factor, in part, relates to the hidden systematic errors in the single-lab values. It is expected that improved standardizations in the 'gold standard' SSF method, as suggested in the recent 'white paper' on solubility measurement methodology, should make the SDi of both methods be about ~0.15 log unit. The multi-lab averaged log S0 (and the corresponding SDi) values could be helpful additions to existing training-set molecules used to predict the intrinsic solubility of drugs and druglike molecules.
RESUMO
Several key topics in solubility measurement and interpretation are briefly summarized and illustrated with case studies drawing on published solubility determinations as a function of pH. Featured are examples of ionizable molecules that exhibit solubility-pH curve distortion from that predicted by the traditionally used Henderson-Hasselbalch equation and possible interpretations for these distortions are provided. The scope is not exhaustive; rather it is focused on detailed descriptions of a few cases. Topics discussed are limitations of kinetic solubility, 'brick-dust and grease-balls,' applications of simulated and human intestinal fluids, supersaturation and the relevance of pre-nucleation clusters and sub-micellar aggregates in the formation of solids, drug-buffer/excipient complexation, hydrotropic solubilization, acid-base 'supersolubilization,' cocrystal route to supersaturation, as well as data quality assessment and solubility prediction. The goal is to highlight principles of solution equilibria - graphically more than mathematically - that could invite better assay design, to result in improved quality of measurements, and to impart a deeper understanding of the underlying solution chemistry in suspensions of drug solids. The value of solid state characterizations is stressed but not covered explicitly in this mini-review.
RESUMO
The rapid determination of key physical properties of lead compounds is essential to the drug discovery process. Solubility is one of the most important properties since good solubility is needed not only for obtaining reliable in vitro and in vivo assay results in early discovery but also to ensure sufficient concentration of the drug being in circulation to get the desired therapeutic exposure at the target of interest. In order for medicinal chemists to tune solubility of lead compounds, a rapid assay is needed to provide solubility data that is accurate and predictive so that it can be reliably used for designing the next generation of compounds with improved properties. To ensure speed and data quality, we developed a high throughput solubility assay that utilizes a single calibration UHPLC-UV-CLND method and a 24h shake-flask format for rapid quantification. A set of 46 model compounds was used to demonstrate that the method is accurate, reproducible and predictive. Here we present development of the assay, including evaluation of quantification method, filtration membranes, equilibrium times, DMSO concentrations, and buffer conditions. A comparison of thermodynamic solubility results to our high throughput 24h shake-flask solubility assay results is also discussed.