Discovery of a stable molecular complex of an API with HCl: a long journey to a conventional salt.

We report formation and characterization of the first pharmaceutically acceptable and stable molecular complex of a mono-HCl salt of Compound 1 with HCl. The novelty of this discovery is due to the fact that there is only one major basic site in the molecule. Thus this complex is reminiscent of other noncovalent crystalline forms including solvates, hydrates, cocrystals and others. To the best of our knowledge, the observed bis-HCl salt appears to be the first example of an active pharmaceutical ingredient in a form of a stable HCl complex. The paucity of stable complexes of APIs with HCl is likely due to the fact that HCl is a gas at ambient conditions and can easily evaporate compromising physical (and chemical) stability of a drug. The bis-HCl salt was chemically/physically stable at low humidity and the molecular HCl stays in the lattice until heated above 140 degrees C under nitrogen flow. Structure solution from powder diffraction using the Monte Carlo simulated annealing method as well as variable temperature ATR-FTIR suggest the possibility of weak hydrogen bonding between the molecular HCl and the nitrogen atom of the amide group. Two years later after the search for a suitable pharmaceutical salt began, the elusive conventional mono-HCl salt was obtained serendipitously concluding the lengthy quest for a regular salt. This work emphasizes the necessity to be open-minded during the salt selection process. It also highlights the difficult, lengthy and often serendipitous path of finding the most appropriate form of an API for pharmaceutical development.

Real-time endpoint monitoring and determination for a pharmaceutical salt formation process with in-line FT-IR spectroscopy.

An application of Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy equipped with an attenuated total reflectance (ATR) probe for in-line monitoring of a hydrochloride (HCl) salt formation process of 4-{1-methyl-2-piperidin-4-yl-4-[3-(trifluorometryl)phenyl]-1H-imidazol-5-yl}-N-[(1S)-1-phenylethyl]pyridine-2-amine (freebase), an active pharmaceutical ingredient as a P38 MAP kinase inhibitor, is described. The freebase forms both mono- and bis-HCl salts due to its structural features. The mono-HCl salt is the desired product but the bis-salt is an impurity. The key to maximizing the product yield and minimizing the impurity level is to monitor the salt-forming reaction and to terminate it at the correct HCl charge amount. The process analytical technology (PAT) provided real-time data for process control and overcame the limitations that had been previously encountered by other analytical instrumentations, such as high-performance liquid chromatography and titration. Two qualitative approaches for reaction endpoint determination were employed. In the first approach, changes in the concentration of the freebase and bis-salt were monitored via the first derivative concentration profiles. The flat point in the freebase profile and the rise in the bis-salt profile were used as a detection bracket for the endpoint of HCl charging. In the second approach, principal component analysis (PCA) was used to classify the status of the process based on a spectral library consisting of spectra collected around the endpoint. Results indicated that both methods provided adequate accuracy for endpoint control in a small window between 1.0 and 1.05 HCl to freebase mole ratio. Both methods were used to support a scaled up process. Three batches of MAP mono-HCl salt formation were successfully controlled and prepared.

A strategic approach to the development of capillary electrophoresis chiral methods for pharmaceutical basic compounds using sulfated cyclodextrins.

Enantioseparations of basic pharmaceutical compounds were investigated using different types of sulfated cyclodextrins as chiral selectors. A general strategy for method development was described, together with enantiomeric separations of a number of pharmaceutical related compounds. Based on this strategy, systematic method development approaches for several selected compounds were performed by modifying method parameters, such as the concentration of the chiral selectors, buffer pH, type of organic modifiers, buffer type, temperature and applied voltage. The results of the investigation elucidated the separation mechanism. Many practical aspects were also discussed through several specific examples in order to demonstrate how to develop and validate a precise, sensitive, accurate and rugged separation.