Method and Formulation for Improving Roflumilast Skin Penetration Lag Time

Abstract

Decreasing skin penetration lag times will improve the bioavailability of a topically administered roflumilast composition. A shorter skin penetration lag time provides quicker onset of disease relief and more consistent bioavailability as there is less transference to clothing or other people. The skin penetration lag time for roflumilast can be reduced by formulating a roflumilast composition to have a pH between 4.0 - 6.5 and/or combining roflumilast with an emulsifier blend comprising cetearyl alcohol, dicetyl phosphate and ceteth-10 phosphate.

Claims

1. A method of treating a patient suffering from inflammatory dermatoses comprising: administering a topical pharmaceutical composition comprising roflumilast and an emulsifier blend, wherein the emulsifier blend comprises cetearyl alcohol, dicetyl phosphate and ceteth-10 phosphate, and wherein said composition has a pH less than 7.5.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises roflumilast in an amount of 0.05%-1% w/w.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the composition has a pH between 4.0 and 6.5.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the composition has a pH between 5.0 and 6.0.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the roflumilast has a skin penetration lag time of less than 1 hour.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein 1 hour after administration, said roflumilast has a concentration in said patient’s plasma of at least 0.1 ng/mL.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein 1 hour after administration, said roflumilast has a concentration in said patient’s plasma of at least 0.3 ng/mL.

8. The method of claim 4, wherein the roflumilast has a skin penetration lag time of less than 1 hour.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein 1 hour after administration, said roflumilast has a concentration in said patient’s plasma of at least 0.1 ng/mL.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein 1 hour after administration, said roflumilast has a concentration in said patient’s plasma of at least 0.3 ng/mL.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the emulsifier blend is present in an amount sufficient to reduce roflumilast skin penetration lag time relative to the same composition without said emulsifier blend.

12. The method of claim 6, wherein the composition comprises the emulsifier blend in an amount of 10% w/w.

13. The method of claim 2, wherein the composition further comprises diethylene glycol monoethyl ether and water.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the composition comprises diethylene glycol monoethyl ether in an amount of 25% w/w.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the composition has a pH between 4.0 and 6.5.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the composition has a pH between 5.0 and 6.0.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the composition is configured to achieve a skin penetration lag time of roflumilast of less than 1 hour.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein 1 hour after administration said roflumilast has a concentration in said patient’s plasma of at least 0.1 ng/mL.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein 1 hour after administration said roflumilast has a concentration in said patient’s plasma of at least 0.3 ng/mL.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the roflumilast has a skin penetration lag time of less than 1 hour.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein 1 hour after administration said roflumilast has a concentration in said patient’s plasma of at least 0.1 ng/mL.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein 1 hour after administration said roflumilast has a concentration in said patient’s plasma of at least 0.3 ng/mL.

23. The method of claim 1, wherein the patient is suffering from psoriasis.

24. A method of treating a patient suffering from inflammatory dermatoses comprising: administering a topical pharmaceutical cream composition comprising roflumilast in an amount sufficient to treat said inflammatory dermatoses, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether and water, and wherein said composition has a pH between 5.0 and 6.0.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the roflumilast has a skin penetration lag time of less than 1 hour.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein 1 hour after administration said roflumilast has a concentration in said patient’s plasma of at least 0.1 ng/mL.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein 1 hour after administration said roflumilast has a concentration in said patient’s plasma of at least 0.3 ng/mL.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG. 1 shows an idealized influx curve (a) compared to throughflux curve (b) after infinite dosing (Adapted from Robinson).

[0012] FIG. 2 shows an idealized influx curve (a) compared to throughflux curve (b) after finite dosing.

[0013] FIG. 3 shows that the five creams containing Crodafos CES as the emulsifier had measurable levels of roflumilast in the receptor solution one hour after dosing. These creams had essentially the same extrapolated lag times in the range of 50-60 minutes, slightly less than 1 hour when adjusted to pH values between 5.0 and 6.5.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] In accordance with the present invention, it has been discovered that maintaining topically applied roflumilast at a pH value between 4.0 - 6.5 and/or combining roflumilast with specific emulsifiers results in skin penetration lag times of less than one hour. The surprisingly short lag time is particularly important in topically treating inflammatory skin conditions since it not only provides quicker onset of disease relief, but also allows for more consistent bioavailability of active since roflumilast spends less time on the skin surface, vulnerable to transference to clothing or other people.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Roflumilast is a compound of the formula (I)

##STR00001##

wherein R1 is difluoromethoxy, R2 is cyclopropylmethoxy and R3 is 3,5-dichloropyrid-4-yl.

[0016] This compound has the chemical name N-(3,5-dichloropyrid-4-yl)-3-cyclopropylmethoxy-4-difluoromethoxybenzamid- e (INN: roflumilast). Roflumilast can be prepared by methods known in the art (e.g. see the ‘298 patent and U.S. Appln No. 14/075,035).

[0017] Diethylene glycol monoethyl ether is a compound of the formula (II)

##STR00002##

[0018] The emulsifier blend of cetearyl alcohol (CAS 67762 30 0), dicetyl phosphate (CAS 2197 63 9) and ceteth-10 phosphate (CAS 50643-20-4) which is manufactured by Croda under the tradename CRODAFOS™ CES. This commercially available emulsifier blend is a self-emulsifying wax that is predominately the waxy material cetearyl alcohol (which is a mixture cetyl alcohol (C.sub.16H.sub.34O) and stearyl alcohol (C.sub.18H.sub.38O)) combined with 10-20% dicetyl phosphate and 10-20% ceteth-10 phosphate. Self-emulsifying waxes form an emulsion when blended with water. When CRODAFOS™ CES is added to water it spontaneously forms an emulsion having a pH of about 3. Sodium hydroxide solution is added to increase the pH to the desired value.

##STR00003##

##STR00004##

##STR00005##

##STR00006##

[0019] The present invention is directed to pharmaceutical compositions of roflumilast with the pH value adjusted to 4.0 - 6.5. In a preferred embodiment, roflumilast can be blended with diethylene glycol monoethyl ether (DEGEE, Gattefosse Tradename TRANSCUTOL®) and water. This pH adjusted aqueous DEGEE blend optionally includes one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers. Any suitable grade of TRANSCUTOL® can be used including TRANSCUTOL®P, TRANSCUTOL®HP, TRANSCUTOL®V and TRANSCUTOL®CG. This blend of DEGEE and water can undergo the addition of excipients and further processing to form a range of pharmaceutical dosage forms and maintain dissolved or molecularly dispersed roflumilast over the shelf life of the drug product. In another embodiment, hexylene glycol can be included in the roflumilast composition.

[0020] The present invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions of roflumilast blended with self-emulsifying wax blends of cetearyl alcohol, dicetyl phosphate and ceteth-10 phosphate (Croda Tradename CRODAFOS™ CES) and water with the pH value adjusted to between 4.0 - 6.5. This pH adjusted aqueous phosphate-ester based emulsifying wax optionally includes one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers. Any suitable grade of CRODAFOS™ can be used including CRODAFOS™ CES-PA and CRODAFOS™ CS20A. This blend of phosphate-ester self-emulsifying wax and water can undergo the addition of excipients and further processing to form a range of pharmaceutical dosage forms and maintain dissolved or molecularly dispersed roflumilast over the shelf life of the drug product.

[0021] The present invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions of roflumilast blended with DEGEE and the self-emulsifying wax blend of cetearyl alcohol, dicetyl phosphate and ceteth-10 phosphate and water with the pH value adjusted to 4.0 - 6.5.

[0022] The present invention is particularly useful for topical formulations. The topical roflumilast pharmaceutical product formulations that could be based on DEGEE-water blends are defined in U.S. Pharmacopeia USP <1151> and include aerosols, foams, sprays, emulsions (which can also be called creams, lotions, or ointments), gels (two phase or single phase), liquids, ointments, pastes, shampoos, suspensions, and systems. These are typical dosage forms containing pharmaceutically active ingredients for topical application to mammals, including humans.

[0023] Topical application refers to dosing the skin, hair or nails of a patient that will benefit from treatment with a pharmaceutical product. Topical can also mean application to the epithelium of the patient for localized delivery. This includes but is not limited to ophthalmic, ottic, oral mucosa, vaginal mucosa, rectal mucosa or urethral application of roflumlast. The broadest definition of topical would include using the epithelium of a patient as a route of administration to obtain therapeutic systemic levels of the active ingredient. This definition of topical is often referred to as transdermal delivery of therapeutic active ingredients.

[0024] The roflumilast formulations can be prepared by methods known in the art (e.g. see the ‘298 patent and U.S. Appln No. 14/075,035).

[0025] DEGEE is often formulated as 10-30% (w/w), preferably 15-20% (w/w), in topical formulations. Likewise, water is formulated as about 20-90% (w/w) in topical products. For blends of DEGEE and water the ratio can range from 1:10 to 20:1. Preferably the DEGEE:water ratio is 1:4 to 9:1 in a formulation containing roflumilast.

[0026] Generally, DEGEE-water blends can be used to dissolve up to 2.0% roflumilast (in the finished product) or preferably up to 0.5% roflumilast (in the finished product). The finished product is preferably in one of the following forms:

[0027] An oil-in-water emulsion: The topical product may be an emulsion comprising a discrete hydrophobic phase and a continuous aqueous phase that includes the DEGEE-water blend and optionally one or more polar hydrophilic excipients as well as solvents, co-solvents, salts, surfactants, emulsifiers, and other components. These emulsions may include water-soluble or water-swellable polymers that help to stabilize the emulsion.

[0028] A water-in-oil emulsion: The compositions may be formulations in which roflumilast is incorporated into an emulsion that includes a continuous hydrophobic phase and an aqueous phase that includes the DEGEE-water blend and optionally one or more polar hydrophilic carrier(s) as well as salts or other components. These emulsions may include oil-soluble or oil-swellable polymers as well as one or more emulsifier(s) that help to stabilize the emulsion.

[0029] For both oil-in-water and water-in-oil emulsions, order of addition may be important. Roflumilast can be added pre-dissolved in the continuous aqueous phase containing the DEGEE-water blend. Likewise, roflumilast can be pre-dissolved in the hydrophobic discrete phase of the emulsion that is then mixed with the DEGEE-water blend and optional hydrophilic excipients that do not contain the active ingredient. Roflumilast can be pre-dissolved in both the oil phase and water phase of the emulsion or added pre-dissolved in DEGEE or a DEGEE-water blend after the emulsion has been formed. Some emulsions undergo phase inversion over a specific temperature range during cooling of the emulsion. Thus, roflumilast may be added to a water-in-oil emulsion above the phase inversion temperature, with the final drug product being an oil-in-water emulsion at controlled room temperature, or vice versa.

[0030] Thickened aqueous gels: These systems include the DEGEE-water blend with dissolved roflumilast and optionally one or more polar hydrophilic carrier(s) such as hexylene glycol which has been thickened by suitable natural, modified natural, or synthetic thickeners as described below. Alternatively, the thickened aqueous gels can be thickened using suitable polyethoxylate alky chain surfactants or other nonionic, cationic, or anionic systems.

[0031] Thickened hydroalcoholic gels: These systems include the DEGEE-water-alcohol blend with dissolved roflumilast and optionally one or more polar hydrophilic carrier(s) such as hexylene glycol as the polar phase which has been thickened by suitable natural, modified natural, or synthetic polymers such as described below. Alternatively, the thickened hydroalcoholic gels can be thickened using suitable polyethoxylate alky chain surfactants or other nonionic, cationic, or anionic systems. The alcohol can be ethanol, isopropyl alcohol or other pharmaceutically acceptable alcohol.

[0032] A hydrophilic or hydrophobic ointment: The compositions are formulated with a hydrophobic base (e.g. petrolatum, thickened or gelled water insoluble oils, and the like) and optionally have a minor amount of the DEGEE-water blend with dissolved roflumilast. Hydrophilic ointments generally contain one or more surfactants or wetting agents.

Solvents

[0033] Compositions of the present invention may include one or more solvents or co-solvents to obtain the desired level of active ingredient solubility in the product. The solvent may also modify skin permeation or activity of other excipients contained in a topical product. Solvents include but are not limited to acetone, ethanol, benzyl alcohol, butyl alcohol, diethyl sebacate, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, diisopropyl adipate, dimethyl sulfoxide, ethyl acetate, isopropyl alcohol, isopropyl isostearate, isopropyl myristate, N-methyl pyrrolidinone, propylene glycol and SD alcohol.

Moisturizers

[0034] Compositions of the present invention may include a moisturizer to increase the level of hydration. For emulsions, the moisturizer is often a component of the discrete or continuous hydrophobic phase. The moisturizer can be a hydrophilic material including humectants or it can be a hydrophobic material including emollients. Suitable moisturizers include but are not limited to:1,2,6-hexanetriol, 2-ethyl-1,6-hexanediol, butylene glycol, glycerin, polyethylene glycol 200-8000, butyl stearate, cetostearyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, cetyl esters wax, cetyl palmitate, cocoa butter, coconut oil, cyclomethicone, dimethicone, docosanol, ethylhexyl hydroxystearate, fatty acids, glyceryl isostearate, glyceryl laurate, glyceryl monostearate, glyceryl oleate, glyceryl palmitate, glycol distearate, glycol stearate, isostearic acid, isostearyl alcohol, lanolin, mineral oil, limonene, medium-chain triglycerides, menthol, myristyl alcohol, octyldodecanol, oleic acid, oleyl alcohol, oleyl oleate, olive oil, paraffin, peanut oil, petrolatum, Plastibase-50W, and stearyl alcohol.

Surfactants and Emulsifiers

[0035] Compositions according to the present invention can optionally include one or more surfactants to emulsify the composition and to help wet the surface of the active ingredients or excipients. As used herein the term “surfactant” means an amphiphile (a molecule possessing both polar and nonpolar regions which are covalently bound) capable of reducing the surface tension of water and/or the interfacial tension between water and an immiscible liquid. Surfactants include but are not limited to alkyl aryl sodium sulfonate, Amerchol-CAB, ammonium lauryl sulfate, apricot kernel oil PEG-6 esters, Arlacel, benzalkonium chloride, Ceteareth-6, Ceteareth-12, Ceteareth-15, Ceteareth-30, cetearyl alcohol/ceteareth-20, cetearyl ethylhexanoate, ceteth-10, ceteth-10 phosphate, ceteth-2, ceteth-20, ceteth-23, choleth-24, cocamide ether sulfate, cocamine oxide, coco betaine, coco diethanolamide, coco monoethanolamide, coco-caprylate/caprate, dicetyl phosphate, disodium cocoamphodiacetate, disodium laureth sulfosuccinate, disodium lauryl sulfoacetate, disodium lauryl sulfosuccinate, disodium oleamido monoethanolamine sulfosuccinate, docusate sodium, laureth-2, laureth-23, laureth-4, lauric diethanolamide, lecithin, mehoxy PEG-16, methyl gluceth-10, methyl gluceth-20, methyl glucose sesquistearate, oleth-2, oleth-20, PEG 6-32 stearate, PEG-100 stearate, PEG-12 glyceryl laurate, PEG-120 methyl glucose dioleate, PEG-15 cocamine, PEG-150 distearate, PEG-2 stearate, PEG-20 methyl glucose sesqustearate, PEG-22 methyl ether, PEG-25 propylene glycol stearate, PEG-4 dilaurate, PEG-4 laurate, PEG-45/dodecyl glycol copolymer, PEG-5 oleate, PEG-50 Stearate, PEG-54 hydrogenated castor oil, PEG-6 isostearate, PEG-60 hydrogenated castor oil, PEG-7 methyl ether, PEG-75 lanolin, PEG-8 laurate, PEG-8 stearate, Pegoxol 7 stearate, pentaerythritol cocoate, poloxamer 124, poloxamer 181, poloxamer 182, poloxamer 188, poloxamer 237 poloxamer 407, polyglyceryl-3 oleate, polyoxyethylene alcohols, polyoxyethylene fatty acid esters, polyoxyl 20 cetostearyl ether, polyoxyl 40 hydrogenated castor oil, polyoxyl 40 stearate, polyoxyl 6 and polyoxyl 32, polyoxyl glyceryl stearate, polyoxyl stearate, polysorbate 20, polysorbate 40, polysorbate 60, polysorbate 65, polysorbate 80, PPG-26 oleate, PROMULGENTM 12, propylene glycol diacetate, propylene glycol dicaprylate, propylene glycol monostearate, sodium xylene sulfonate, sorbitan monooleate, sorbitan monopalmitate, sorbitan monostearate, steareth-2, steareth-20, steareth-21, steareth-40, tallow glycerides, and emulsifying wax. The formulation preferably contains one or more phosphate ester surfactants. Examples of phosphate ester surfactants that may be included in the formulation include but are not limited to potassium cetyl phosphate, potassium C9-15 alkyl phosphate, potassium C11-15 alkyl phosphate, potassium C12-13 alkyl phosphate, potassium C12-14 alkyl phosphate, potassium lauryl phosphate, C8-10 alkyl ethyl phosphate, C9-15 alkyl phosphate, C20-22 alkyl phosphate, castor oil phosphate, ceteth-10 phosphate, cetheth-20 phosphate, ceteth-8 phosphate, cetearyl phosphate, cetyl phosphate, dimethicone PEG-7 phosphate, disodium lauryl phosphate, disodium oleyl phosphate, lauryl phosphate, myristyl phosphate, octyldecyl phosphate, oleth -10 phosphate, oleth-5 phosphate, oleth-3 phosphate, oleyl ethyl phosphate oleyl phosphate, PEG-26-PPG-30 phosphate, PPG-5ceteareth -10 phosphate, PPG-5 ceteth -10 phosphate, sodium lauryl phosphate, sodium laureth-4 phosphate, steartyl phosphate, DEA-cetyl phosphate, DEA-oleth-10 phosphate, DEA-oleth-3 phosphate, DEA -C8-C18 perfluoroalkylethyl phosphate, dicetyl phosphate, dilaureth-10 phosphate, dimyristyl phosphate, dioleyl phosphate, tricetyl phosphate, triceteareth-4 phosphate, trilaureth-4 phosphate, trilauryl phosphate, triolyeyl phosphate and tristearyl phosphate.

Polymers and Thickeners

[0036] For certain applications, it may be desirable to formulate a topical product that is thickened with soluble, swellable, or insoluble organic polymeric thickeners such as natural and synthetic polymers or inorganic thickeners including but not limited to acrylates copolymer, carbomer 1382, carbomer copolymer type B, carbomer homopolymer type A, carbomer homopolymer type B, carbomer homopolymer type C, caroboxy vinyl copolymer, carboxymethylcellulose, carboxypolymethylene, carrageenan, guar gum, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, microcrystalline wax, and methylcellulose.

Additional Components

[0037] Compositions according to the present invention may be formulated with additional components such as fillers, carriers and excipients conventionally found in cosmetic and pharmaceutical topical products. Additional components include but are not limited to antifoaming agents, propellants, preservatives, antioxidants, sequestering agents, stabilizers, buffers, pH adjusting solutions, skin penetration enhancers, film formers, dyes, pigments, fragrances and other excipients to improve the stability or aesthetics of the product. In a preferred embodiment, hexylene glycol is added to inhibit changes in particle size distribution over the shelf life of the composition. Hexylene glycol can be added between 0.1% and 20% on a weight/weight basis, preferably between 0.25% and 8% on a weight/weight basis and most preferably between 0.5% and 2% on a weight/weight basis.

[0038] In one preferred embodiment, the roflumilast is in the form of an aerosolized foam which is particularly suitable for application to the scalp. Any suitable propellant can be used to prepare the aerosolized foam. Particularly preferred propellants are Isobutane A-31, Aeropin 35, Butane 48, Dimethyl Ether/N-Butane-(53/47), Propane/Iso-Butane/N-Butane, Propane/Isobutane-A70, and Propane/Isobutane A-46, N-Butane (A-17.

[0039] Compositions according to the present invention may be formulated with additional active agents depending on the condition to be treated. The additional active agents include but are not limited to Anthralin (dithranol), Azathioprine, Tacrolimus, Coal tar, Methotrexate, Methoxsalen, Salicylic acid, Ammonium lactate, Urea, Hydroxyurea, 5-fluorouracil, Propylthouracil, 6-thioguanine, Sulfasalazine, Mycophenolate mofetil, Fumaric acid esters, Corticosteroids (e.g. Aclometasone, Amcinonide, Betamethasone, Clobetasol, Clocotolone, Mometasone, Triamcinolone, Fluocinolone, Fluocinonide, Flurandrenolide, Diflorasone, Desonide, Desoximetasone, Dexamethasone, Halcinonide, Halobetasol, Hydrocortisone, Methylprednisolone, Prednicarbate, Prednisone), Corticotropin, Vitamin D analogues (e.g. calcipotriene, calcitriol), Acitretin, Tazarotene, Cyclosporine, Resorcinol, Colchicine, Adalimumab, Ustekinumab, Infliximab, bronchodialators (e.g. beta-agonists, anticholinergics, theophylline), and antibiotics (e.g. erythromycin, ciprofloxacin, metronidazole).

Administration and Dosage

[0040] Suitable pharmaceutical dosage forms include but are not limited to emulsions, suspensions, sprays, oils, ointments, fatty ointments, creams, pastes, gels, foams transdermal patches and solutions (e.g. injectable, oral).

[0041] The composition preferably contains roflumilast, salts of roflumilast, the N-oxide of roflumilast or salts thereof in an amount of 0.005 - 2 % w/w, more preferably 0.05 - 1% w/w, and most preferably 0.1 - 0.5% w/w per dosage unit.

[0042] The composition preferably contains diethylene glycol monoethyl ether in an amount of between 5% and 50% w/w, more preferably between 20% and 30% w/w and most preferably between 22.5% and 27.5% w/w.

[0043] The composition can be administered one or more times per day, preferably the composition is administered 1-2 times per day.

[0044] The composition can be used in veterinary and in human medicine for the treatment and prevention of all diseases regarded as treatable or preventable by using roflumilast, including but not limited to acute and chronic airway disorders; proliferative, inflammatory and allergic dermatoses; disorders which are based on an excessive release of TNF and leukotrienes; disorders of the heart which can be treated by PDE inhibitors; inflammations in the gastrointestinal system or central nervous system; disorders of the eye; arthritic disorders; and disorders which can be treated by the tissue-relaxant action of PDE inhibitors. Preferably, the composition is used to treat proliferative, inflammatory and allergic dermatoses such as psoriasis (vulgaris), eczema, acne, Lichen simplex, sunburn, pruritus, alopecia areata, hypertrophic scars, discoid lupus erythematosus, and pyodermias.

[0045] The composition can include additional active agents suitable for treating the patient’s condition. For example, when proliferative, inflammatory and allergic dermatoses are treated, the composition may additionally include Anthralin (dithranol), Azathioprine, Tacrolimus, Coal tar, Methotrexate, Methoxsalen, Salicylic acid, Ammonium lactate, Urea, Hydroxyurea, 5-fluorouracil, Propylthouracil, 6-thioguanine, Sulfasalazine, Mycophenolate mofetil, Fumaric acid esters, Corticosteroids (e.g. Aclometasone, Amcinonide, Betamethasone, Clobetasol, Clocotolone, Mometasone, Triamcinolone,Fluocinolone, Fluocinonide, Flurandrenolide, Diflorasone, Desonide, Desoximetasone, Dexamethasone, Halcinonide, Halobetasol, Hydrocortisone, Methylprednisolone, Prednicarbate, Prednisone), Corticotropin, Vitamin D analogues (e.g. calcipotriene, calcitriol), Acitretin, Tazarotene, Cyclosporine, Resorcinol, Colchicine, Adalimumab, Ustekinumab, Infliximab, and/or antibiotics.

[0046] The following examples are provided to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the methods and compositions of the invention. These examples are not intended to limit the scope of what the inventors regard as their invention. Additional advantages and modifications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

Example 1

[0047] TABLE-US-00001 1.0% Roflumilast Cream Components Composition % w/w Roflumilast 1.0, 0.5, 0.3, or 0.15 Petrolatum, USP 10.0 Isopropyl Palmitate, NF 5.0 Crodafos CES --cetostearyl alcohol --dicetyl phosphate --ceteth-10 phosphate 10.0 Diethylene Glycol Monoethyl Ether, NF (Transcutol P) 25.0 Hexylene Glycol, NF 2.0 Methylparaben, NF 0.20 Propylparaben, NF 0.050 1 N NaOH, NF q.s. ad pH 5.5 Purified Water, USP q.s. ad 100%

[0048] Male and female swine (Gottingen Minipig® breed) were ordered to weigh 8 to 12 kg at arrival. On the day prior to administration of topical cream containing 1.0% roflumilast, the hair was clipped from the back of each animal. Telazol (3 to 5 mg/kg, IM) was used to sedate the animals for the shaving procedure. Care was taken to avoid abrading the skin. 2 grams of cream for each kg of pig weight was distributed over the clipped skin area by gentle inunction with a glass stirring rod or appropriate instrument (e.g., stainless steel spatula). The cream was applied evenly with a thin, uniform film beginning at the scapular region and moving caudally over the test site. The width of the test site area was bilaterally divided by the spine. Equal numbers of male and female pigs were dosed with 1.0%, 0.5%, 0.3%, or 0.15% roflumilast cream. Blood was sampled from the anterior vena cava through the thoracic inlet or other suitable vein pre-dose (time = 0), 1, 2, 4, 8 and 24 hours post dose administration. Lag times were calculated by extrapolating the average 1 hour and 2-hour plasma concentrations to the time point of zero roflumilast concentration in the plasma. For individual animals that had 1-hour plasma assays below the level of quantification (0.2 ng/mL), a value of 0.1 was used if the 2-hour PK time point was above 0.2 ng/mL. If the 2-hour PK time point was below the level of quantification, a value of 0 ng/mL was used for the individual animal to calculate the average. The lag time was less than 1 hour for each of the pH=5.5 roflumilast creams regardless of the concentration of roflumilast.

TABLE-US-00002 Roflumilast Creams pH=5.5 Extrapolated Lag Time Concentration of Roflumilast in Pig Plasma (ng/mL) 1 hour 2 hours 4 hours 8 hours 24 hours 1.0% cream (n=20) 55 min 0.1 0.9 1.6 1.08 0.7 0.5% cream (n=12) 47 min 0.2 1.1 1.2 1.0 0.6 0.3% cream (n=6) 38 min 0.2 0.8 0.7 0.8 0.3 0.15% cream (n=12) 47 min 0.2 1.1 0.4 0.4 0.2

Example 2

[0049] TABLE-US-00003 PEG Cream Composition DES Cream Composition DIA Cream Composition Roflumilast 0.5% w/w Roflumilast 0.5% w/w Roflumilast 0.5% w/w Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (Miglyol® 812) 16 % w/w Diethyl Sebacate 10 % w/w Diisopropyl Adipate 15 % w/w Glycerol Monostearate 8 % w/w Light Mineral Oil 0.7 % w/w POE-7 Cocoyl Glycerides 13.5 % w/w Cremophor A6® 4 % w/w Sorbitan Monooleate 0.1 % w/w Cetyl Alcohol 5 % w/w --Ceteareth-6 --Stearyl Alcohol PEG 400 62.5 % w/w Propylene Glycol 7.5 % w/w Parafin 1 % w/w Purified Water q.s. ad 100% Methylparaben 0.17 % w/w Lanolin 2 % w/w Propylparaben 0.03 % w/w PEG 400 3 % w/w Edetate Disodium 0.05 % w/w Methylparaben 0.2 % w/w Pemulen TR-1 0.4 % w/w Xanthan Gum 0.3 % w/w Carbopol 981 0.6 % w/w Disodium EDTA 0.1 % w/w 1 N NaOH 3.0 % w/w Solan-75 PA 3 % w/w Purified Water q.s. ad 100% Purified Water q.s. ad 100%

TABLE-US-00004 0.05% Roflumilast Cream Components Composition % w/w Roflumilast 1.0 0.15 0.5 0.5 0.5 Petrolatum, USP 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 Isopropyl Palmitate, NF 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 Crodafos CES 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 --cetostearyl alcohol --dicetyl phosphate --ceteth-10 phosphate Diethylene Glycol Monoethyl Ether, NF (Transcutol P) 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 Hexylene Glycol, NF 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 -- Methylparaben, NF 0.20 0.20 0.20 0.20 0.20 Propylparaben, NF 0.050 0.050 0.050 0.050 0.050 1 N NaOH, NF q.s. ad pH 5.5 q.s. ad pH 5.5 q.s. ad pH 5.0 q.s. ad pH 6.5 q.s. ad pH 5.5 Purified Water, USP q.s. ad 100% q.s. ad 100% q.s. ad 100% q.s. ad 100% q.s. ad 100%

[0050] In vitro skin penetration testing (IVPT) was used to determine how rapidly eight different cream formulations crossed excised human skin. Human cadaver skin was procured from two donors (Caucasian male age=30 abdomen skin dermatomed to an average thickness of 510 .Math.m and Caucasian male age = 55 abdomen skin dermatomed to an average thickness of 360 .Math.m). Dermatomed skin was received frozen from a US tissue bank and stored at -20° C. until use. Skin was loaded onto vertical Franz cells having a 0.503 cm.sup.2 (8 mm in diameter) diffusion area and a receptor chamber filled with 3.0 ml of 4% BSA in water containing 0.01% gentamicin sulfate thermostated at 32° C. Using a positive displacement pipette, 5 microliters of cream was dosed on each Franz Cell (10 mg per square centimeter of skin). Receptor solutions were analyzed using a validated LC-MS/MS (Kinetex C18, 5 .Math.m, 2.1 × 50 mm column, Shimadzu LC20ADXR pumps and AB Sciex API 4000 Turbo Spray detector). The cumulative amount of roflumilast assayed in the receptor solution is the average of four replicate IVPT measurements.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 3, the five creams containing Crodafos CES as the emulsifier had measurable levels of roflumilast in the receptor solution one hour after dosing. These creams had essentially the same extrapolated lag times in the range of 50-60 minutes, slightly less than 1 hour when adjusted to pH values between 5.0 and 6.5. Removing hexylene glycol from the Crodafos CES cream formulation produced the product with the shortest lag time, i.e. the highest concentration of roflumilast (0.4 ng/mL) at 1 hour. It was concluded that hexylene glycol was not the excipient causing roflumilast to rapidly cross human stratum corneum, i.e. IVPT lag time of less than 1 hour.

[0052] The DES, DIA and PEG creams did not transport significant amounts of roflumilast across human skin until three hours after the dose of cream was applied. Two of these three long lag time cream formulations contained methylparaben, one contained both methylparaben and propylparaben. It was concluded that the low levels of methylparaben and propylparaben required to preserve the creams did not shorten the lag time of roflumilast across the skin.

[0053] The DES Cream contained light mineral oil and the DIA Cream contained paraffin. Mineral oil is the low molecular weight fraction of petrolatum and paraffin is the high molecular weight fraction of petrolatum. This indicated that the surprisingly short lag times of the Crodafos CES creams was due to either the cream containing Crodafos CES, DEGEE or a combination.

Example 3

[0054] TABLE-US-00005 0.15% Roflumilast Formulations Composition (% w/w) Cream 10% CES:25% DEGEE 10% CES 25% DEGEE Roflumilast 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15 Petrolatum, USP 10 -- -- -- Isopropyl Palmitate, NF 5 -- -- -- Crodafos CES --cetostearyl alcohol --dicetyl phosphate --ceteth-10 phosphate 10 10 10 -- Diethylene Glycol Monoethyl Ether, NF (Transcutol P) 25 25 -- 25 -- -- -- -- Hexylene Glycol, NF 2 -- -- -- Methylparaben, NF 0.20 -- -- -- Propylparaben, NF 0.050 -- -- -- 1 N NaOH, NF q.s. ad pH=5.5 q.s. ad pH 4.0 to 8.2 q.s. ad pH = 6.5 q.s. ad pH = 6.5 Purified Water, USP q.s. ad 100% q.s. ad 100% q.s. ad 100% q.s. ad 100%

[0055] Male and female swine (Gottingen Minipig® breed) were ordered to weigh 8 to 12 kg at arrival. On the day prior to administration of topical cream containing 0.15% roflumilast, the hair was clipped from the back of each animal. Telazol (3 to 5 mg/kg, IM) was used to sedate the animals for the shaving procedure. Care was taken to avoid abrading the skin. Two (2) grams of cream for each kg of pig weight was distributed over the clipped skin area by gentle inunction with a glass stirring rod or appropriate instrument (e.g., stainless steel spatula). The cream was applied evenly with a thin, uniform film beginning at the scapular region and moving caudally over the test site. The width of the test site area was bilaterally divided by the spine. Six pigs (3 males and 3 females) were dosed with 0.15% roflumilast topical semisolid products and twelve pigs (6 males and 6 females) were dosed with the 0.15% roflumilast cream. Blood was sampled from the anterior vena cava through the thoracic inlet or other suitable vein pre-dose (time = 0), 1, 2, 4, 8 and 24 hours post dose administration. Lag times were calculated by extrapolating the average 1 hour and 2-hour plasma concentrations to the time point of zero roflumilast concentration in the plasma. For individual animals that had 1-hour plasma assays below the level of quantification (0.2 ng/mL), a value of 0.1 was used if the 2-hour PK time point was above 0.2 ng/mL. If the 2-hour PK time point was below the level of quantification, a value of 0 ng/mL was used for the individual animal to calculate the average. The lag time is less than 1 hour for all topical semisolid formulations at pH = 6.5 or below and significantly greater than 1 hour for the semisolid having a pH value of 8.2.

TABLE-US-00006 0.15% Roflumilast Formulation pH Extrapolated Lag Time Concentration of Roflumilast in Pig Plasma (ng/mL) 1 hour 2 hours 4 hours 8 hours 24 hours 10% CES:25% DEGEE 4.0 47 min 0.2 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.1 Cream 5.5 47 min 0.2 1.1 0.4 0.4 0.2 10% CES:25% DEGEE 6.5 <45 min 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.1 10% CES 6.5 <45 min 0.2 0.4 0.3 0.1 0 25% DEGEE 6.5 36 min 0.2 0.7 0.6 0.3 0.2 10% CES: 25% DEGEE 7.5 <45 min 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.3 0.1 10% CES:25% DEGEE 8.2 >90 min 0 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1

Example 4

[0056] A target amount of 480 grams Sterile Water for Irrigation-USP was accurately weighed into a 1000 ml glass beaker and 20 grams of Sodium Hydroxide Pellets-NF was added and mixed using a stir bar until complete dissolution. This solution was set aside and labeled 1 N Sodium Hydroxide.

[0057] Target weights pf 1,000 grams White Petrolatum-USP, 500 grams Isopropyl Palmitate-NF, and 1,000 grams of phosphate-ester self-emulsifying wax (CRODAFOS™ CES) was weighed into a 4 L glass beaker and heated on a hot plate to 75° C. to 80° C. while mixing with a propeller mixer. The mixture was labeled Oil Phase and was maintained at 75° C. to 80° C.

[0058] To the Main Manufacturing Vessel (a 20 L stainless steel vessel) a target weight of 4,225 grams of Sterile Water for Irrigation-USP and a target weight 300 grams 1N Sodium Hydroxide was added and heated on a hot plate to 75° C. to 80° C. This was recorded as the Aqueous Phase and was maintained at 75° C. to 80° C.

[0059] Target weights of 2,400 grams of Transcutol P-NF, 200 grams of Hexylene Glycol-NF, 20.0 grams of Methylparaben-NF, and 5.0 grams of Propylparaben NF were accurately weighed into a 7 L stainless steel beaker and propeller mixed until a clear homogeneous solution was obtained. Sufficient potency corrected rofumilast (15.2120 grams) was added to this solution to obtain a 0.15% roflumilast cream and this was labeled the API Phase.

[0060] The Oil Phase that was maintained at 75° C. to 80° C. was slowly added to the Aqueous Phase maintained at 75° C. to 80° C. in the Main Manufacturing Vessel with homogenizer mixing until a smooth, homogeneous cream was obtained. Using propeller mixing the cream was cooled to 45° C. to 50° C. The API Phase was slowly added to the cream in the main manufacturing vessel and was mixed with the homogenizer. The pH of the finished cream was measured and adjusted to within the pH range of 5.1 to 5.9 using 1 N Sodium Hydroxide or Diluted Hydrochloric Acid, 10% (w/v)-NF. After bulk product release, the cream was filled into aluminum ¾” × 3 ¾” #16 sealed white tubes and the tubes crimped to provide the primary container closure system.

[0061] 13 human subjects having psoriasis (plaques not covering more than about 5% of the patient’s body surface area) treated their skin lesions with the 0.15% Roflumilast cream formulation of example 3. One hour after the first application of topical cream a blood sample was taken, plasma separated and the concentration of roflumilast determined using a validated bioanalytical method. The average plasma concentration of roflumilast for these 13 subjects one hour after the first dose of topical cream was 0.398 ng roflumilast/mL of plasma. The lag time for psoriatic patients applying 0.15% roflumilast cream is less than 1 hour.

Example 5

[0062] The same manufacturing process used in Example 3 was performed except sufficient potency corrected rofumilast (50.69 grams) was added to API Phase solution to obtain a 0.5% roflumilast cream.

[0063] 15 human subjects having psoriasis (plaques not covering more than about 5% of the patient’s body surface area) treated their skin lesions with the 0.5% Roflumilast cream formulation of example 2. One hour after the first application of topical cream a blood sample was taken, plasma separated and the concentration of roflumilast determined using a validated bioanalytical method. The average plasma concentration of roflumilast for these 15 subjects one hour after the first dose of topical cream was 0.595 ng roflumilast/mL of plasma. The lag time for psoriatic patients applying 0.5% roflumilast cream is less than 1 hour.