CRYSTALLINE FORMS OF PREGABALIN
Related Application
[0001] This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
60/669,131, filed April 6,2005, the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference.
Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention is directed to novel crystalline form of Pregabalin,
methods for its preparation, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof.
Background of the Invention
[0003] (S)-Pregabalin, (S)-(+)-3-(aminomethyl)-5-niethylhexanoic acid, a compound
having the chemical structure,
is also known as y-amino butyric acid or (S)-3-isobutyl GABA. (S)-Pregabalin, marketed under the name LYRICA®, has been found to activate GAD (L-glutamic acid decarboxylase). (S)-Pregabalin has a dose dependent protective effect on-seizure, and is a CNS-active compound. (S)-Pregabalin is useful in anticonvulsant therapy, due to its activation of GAD, promoting the production of GABA, one of the brain's major inhibitory neurotransmitters, which is released at 30 percent of the brains synapses. (S)-Pregabalin has analgesic, anticonvulsant, and anxiolytic activity.
[0004] U.S. Patent No. 5,637,767 discloses crystalline racemic pregabalin which is a
monohydrate.
[0005] The present invention relates to the solid state physical properties of
Pregabalin. These properties can be influenced by controlling the conditions under which Pregabalin is obtained in solid form. Solid state physical properties include, for example, the flowability of the milled solid. Flowability affects the ease with which the material is handled during processing into a pharmaceutical product. When particles of the powdered compound do not flow past each other easily, a formulation specialist must take that fact into account in developing a tablet or capsule formulation, which may necessitate the use of glidants such as colloidal silicon dioxide, talc, starch, or tribasic calcium phosphate.
[0006] Another important solid state property of a pharmaceutical compound is its
rate of dissolution in aqueous fluid. The rate of dissolution of an active ingredient in a patient's stomach fluid can have therapeutic consequences since it imposes an upper limit on the rate at which an orally-administered active ingredient can reach the patient's bloodstream. The rate of dissolution is also a consideration in formulating syrups, elixirs and other liquid medicaments. The solid state form of a compound may also affect its behavior on compaction and its storage stability.
[0007] These practical physical characteristics are influenced by the conformation
and orientation of molecules in the unit cell, which defines a particular polymorphic form of a substance. The polymorphic form may give rise to thermal behavior different from that of the amorphous material or another polymorphic form. Thermal behavior is measured in the laboratory by such techniques as capillary melting point, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) and can be used to distinguish some polymorphic forms from others. A particular polymorphic form may also give rise to distinct spectroscopic properties that may be detectable by powder X-ray crystallography, solid state 13C NMR spectrometry, and infrared spectrometry.
[0008] The present invention also relates to solvate of Pregabalin. When a substance
crystallizes out of solution, it may trap molecules of solvent at regular intervals in the crystal lattice. Solvation also affects utilitarian physical properties of the solid state like flowability and dissolution rate.
[0009] One of the most important physical properties of a pharmaceutical compound,
which can form polymorphs or solvates, is its solubility in aqueous solution, particularly the solubility in gastric juices of a patient. Other important properties relate to the ease of processing the form into pharmaceutical dosages, as the tendency of a powdered or granulated form to flow and the surface properties that determine whether crystals of the form will adhere to each other when compacted into a tablet.
[00010] The discovery of new polymorphic forms and solvates of a pharmaceutically
useful compound provides a new opportunity to improve the performance characteristics of a pharmaceutical product. It enlarges the repertoire of materials that a formulation scientist has available for designing, for example, a pharmaceutical dosage form of a drug with a targeted release profile or other desired characteristic.
Summary of the Invention
[00011 ] The present invention encompasses crystalline Pregabalin hemihydrate.
[00012] The present invention, further encompasses a crystalline form of Pregabalin
characterized by X-ray powder diffraction peaks at about 5.8,18.4,19.2,20.7, and 23.7° 2θ ± 0.2° 2θ.
[00013] The present invention encompasses pharmaceutical formulations comprising
any of the crystalline forms of Pregabalin of the present invention, and pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.
[00014] The present invention further encompasses a process for preparing a
pharmaceutical formulation comprising combining any of the crystalline forms of Pregabalin
of the present invention with at least one pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.
[00015] The present invention further encompasses the use of the crystalline form of
Pregabalin of the present invention for the manufacture of a pharmaceutical composition.
[00016] The present invention encompasses a process of preparing Pregabalin
characterized by X-ray powder diffraction peaks at about 5.7,15.4,17.2,18.2, and 23.0° 2θ ± 0.2° 2θ by exposing Pregabalin characterized by X-ray powder diffraction peaks at about 5.8, 18.4,19.2,20.7, and 23.7° 2θ ± 0.2° 2θ to a relative humidity of about 80 to about 100 percent, at about room temperature for at least about a week.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Figure 1. X-Ray powder diffractogram of Pregabalin crystalline form characterized by X-ray powder diffraction peaks at about 5.8,18.4,19.2,20.7, and 23.7° 2θ ± 0.2° 2θ.
Figure 2. TGA thermogram of Pregabalin crystalline form characterized by X-ray powder diffraction peaks at about 5.8,18.4,19.2,20.7, and 23.7° 2θ ± 0.2° 2θ.
Figure 3. DSC thermogram of Pregabalin crystalline form characterized by X-ray powder diffraction peaks at about 5.8, 18.4,19.2,20.7, and 23.7° 2θ ± 0.2° 2θ.
Figure 4. X-Ray powder diffractogram of Pregabalin crystalline form characterized by X-ray powder diffraction peaks at about 5.7,15.4,17.2,18.2, and 23.0° 2θ ± 0.2° 2θ according to example 2.
Detailed Description of the Invention
[00017] As used herein, the term "Pregabalin" refers to pregabalin racemate.
[00018] The present invention encompasses crystalline Pregabalin hemihydrate.
[00019] The present invention further encompasses a crystalline form of Pregabalin
characterized by X-ray powder diffraction peaks at about 5.8,18.4,19.2,20.7, and 23.7° 2θ ± 0.2° 2θ. The crystalline form may be further characterized by X-ray powder diffraction peaks
at about 15.5,17.2,23.0, and 26.0° 2θ ± 0.2° 2θ. The crystalline form may be also
substantially identified by the PXRD pattern depicted in Figure 1.
[00020] The above crystalline form may be further characterized by a DSC
thermogram with a broad endotherm at about 60°C to about 100°C and another endothermic peak at 181°C. Also, the crystalline form may be substantially identified by the DSC curve depicted in Figure 3. In addition, the crystalline form may be further characterized by TGA showing a weight loss of about of 4.5 percent up to about 100°C. Moreover, the crystalline form may be substantially identified by the TGA curve depicted in Figure 2. The above crystalline form may be a hemihydrate form of Pregabalin; preferably, having a Karl-Fisher water content of about 5.3 percent by weight. The crystalline form of Pregabalin characterized by X-ray powder diffraction peaks at about 5.8, 18.4, 19.2,20.7, and 23.7° 2θ ± 0.2° 2θ may have a melting point of about 162°C to about 165°C. Preferably, the above crystalline form has an average particle size that is smaller than about 300 microns. Preferably, the above crystalline form is polymorphically pure, i.e., contains no more than about 10% of other forms, such as the crystalline form of Pregabalin characterized by X-ray powder diffraction peaks at about 5.7,15.4,17.2,18.2, and 23.0° 2θ ± 0.2° 2θ. More preferably, the above crystalline form contains no more than about 5% of other forms, such as the crystalline form of Pregabalin characterized by X-ray powder diffraction peaks at about 5.7,15.4,17.2,18.2, and 23.0° 2θ ± 0.2° 2θ.
[00021] The invention also encompasses a process of preparing a crystalline form of
Pregabalin characterized by X-ray powder diffraction peaks at about 5.8,18.4,19.2,20.7, and 23.7° 2θ ± 0.2° 2θ by crystallization from a mixture of acetonirrile and an alcohol. The process comprises dissolving Pregabalin in a mixture of acetonitrile and an alcohol, heating, and cooling to obtain a precipitate. The mixture is then, preferably, filtered, and the collected solid is dried. Preferably, the Pregabalin used as a starting material is Pregabalin crystalline form characterized by X-ray powder diffraction peaks at about 5.7,15.4,17.2,18.2, and 23.0° 2θ ± 0.2° 2θ. Preferably, the alcohol is C3-C9 alcohol. More preferably, the alcohol is n-butanol. Preferably, the heating is done to a temperature of about 40°C to about 100°C. More preferably, the heating is done to a temperature of about 45°C to about 55°C. Most preferably, the heating is done at a temperature of about 50°C. Preferably, the heating is done for at least about an hour. More preferably, the heating is done for about 2 hours. Preferably, the cooling is done to a temperature of about 2°C to about 15°C. More
preferably, the cooling is done to a temperature of about 10°C over a period of several hours.
Preferably, the cooling is for about 8 hours.
[00022] Another aspect of the present invention provides a process of preparing a
crystalline form of Pregabalin characterized by X-ray powder diffraction peaks at about 5.8,
18.4,19.2, 20.7, and 23.7° 2θ ± 0.2° 2θ by heating a crystalline form of Pregabalin
characterized by X-ray powder diffraction peaks at about 5.7,15.4,17.2,18.2, and 23.0° 2θ ±
0.2° 28 at a temperature of at least about 100°C, for at least about 30 minutes. Preferably, the
heating is done to a temperature of about 100°C to about 130°C, more preferably, to a
temperature of about 120°C. Preferably, the heating is done for about 30 minutes to about 2
hours, more preferably, for about one hour.
[00023] The crystalline form of Pregabalin characterized by X-ray powder diffraction
peaks at about 5.7,15.4,17.2,18.2, and 23.0° 2θ ± 0.2° 2θ may be prepared, for example,
according to the process disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,637,767.
[00024] The present invention encompasses a process of preparing Pregabalin
characterized by X-ray powder diffraction peaks at about 5.7,15.4,17.2,18.2, and 23.0° 2θ ±
0.2° 2θ by exposing Pregabalin characterized by X-ray powder diffraction peaks at about 5.8,
18.4,19.2,20.7, and 23.7° 2θ ± 0.2° 28 to a relative humidity of about 80 to about 100
percent, at about room temperature for at least about a week. Preferably, the relative
humidity is of about 100 percent.
[00025] The crystalline forms of the present invention may be converted to
S-pregabalin, for example, by the method described in U.S. Patent No. 5,637,767.
[00026] The present invention also encompasses pharmaceutical formulations
comprising any of the crystalline forms of Pregabalin of the present invention, and
pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.
[00027] The present invention further encompasses a process for preparing a
pharmaceutical formulation comprising combining any of the crystalline forms of Pregabalin
of the present invention with at least one pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.
[00028] The present invention further encompasses the use of the crystalline form of
Pregabalin of the present invention for the manufacture of a pharmaceutical composition.
[00029] Methods of administration of a pharmaceutical composition of the present
invention can be administered in various preparations depending on the age, sex, and
symptoms of the patient. The pharmaceutical compositions can be administered, for
example, as tablets, pills, powders, liquids, suspensions, emulsions, granules, capsules,
suppositories, injection preparations (solutions and suspensions), and the like.
[00030] Pharmaceutical comoositions of the present invention can optionally be mixed
with other forms of Pregabalin and/or other active ingredients. In addition, pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention can contain inactive ingredients such as diluents, carriers, fillers, bulking agents, binders, disintegrants, disintegration inhibitors, absorption accelerators, wetting agents, lubricants, glidants, surface active agents, flavoring agents, and the like.
[00031 ] Diluents increase the bulk of a solid pharmaceutical composition, and may
make a pharmaceutical dosage form containing the composition easier for the patient and care giver to handle. Diluents for solid compositions include, for example, microcrystalline cellulose (e.g. AVICEL®), microfme cellulose, lactose, starch, pregelatinized starch, calcium carbonate, calcium sulfate, sugar, dextrates, dextrin, dextrose, dibasic calcium phosphate dihydrate, tribasic calcium phosphate, kaolin, magnesium carbonate, magnesium oxide, maltodextrin, mannitol, polyrnethacrylates (e.g. EUDRAGIT®), potassium chloride, powdered cellulose, sodium chloride, sorbitol and talc.
[00032] Solid pharmaceutical compositions that are compacted into a dosage form,
such as a tablet, may include excipients whose functions include helping to bind the active ingredient and other excipients together after compression. Binders for solid pharmaceutical compositions include acacia, alginic acid, carbomer (e.g. carbopol), carboxymethylcellulose sodium, dextrin, ethyl cellulose, gelatin, guar gum, hydrogenated vegetable oil, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose (e.g. KLUCEL®), hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (e.g. METHOCEL®), liquid glucose, magnesium aluminum silicate, maltodextrin, methylcellulose, polyrnethacrylates, povidone (e.g. KOLLIDON®, PLASDONE®), pregelatinized starch, sodium alginate and starch.
[00033] The dissolution rate of a compacted solid pharmaceutical composition in the
patient's stomach may be increased by the addition of a disintegrant to the composition. Disintegrants include alginic acid, carboxymethylcellulose calcium, carboxymethylcellulose sodium (e.g. AC-DI-SOL®, PRMELLOSE®), colloidal silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, crospovidone (e.g. KOLLIDON®, POLYPLASDONE®), guar gum, magnesium aluminum silicate, methyl cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, polacrilin potassium, powdered cellulose, pregelatinized starch, sodium alginate, sodium starch glycolate (e.g. EXPLOTAB®) and starch.
[00034] Glidants can be added to improve the flowability of a non-compacted solid
composition and to improve the accuracy of dosing. Excipients that may function as glidants
include colloidal silicon dioxide, magnesium trisilicate, powdered cellulose, starch, talc, and
tribasic calcium phosphate.
[00035] When a dosage form such as a tablet is made by the compaction of a powdered
composition, the composition is subjected to pressure from a punch and dye. Some
excipients and active ingredients have a tendency to adhere to the surfaces of the punch and
dye, which can cause the product to have pitting and other surface irregularities. A lubricant
can be added to the composition to reduce adhesion and ease the release of the product from
the dye. Lubricants include magnesium stearate, calcium stearate, glyceryl monostearate,
glyceryl palmitostearate, hydrogenated castor oil, hydrogenated vegetable oil, mineral oil,
polyethylene glycol, sodium benzoate, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium stearyl fumarate, stearic
acid, talc and zinc stearate.
[00036] Flavoring agents and flavor enhancers make the dosage form more palatable to
the patient. Common flavoring agents and flavor enhancers for pharmaceutical products that
maybe included in the composition of the present invention include maltol, vanillin, ethyl
vanillin, menthol, citric acid, fumaric acid, ethyl maltol, and tartaric acid.
[00037] Solid and liquid compositions may also be dyed using any pharmaceutically
acceptable colorant to improve their appearance and/or facilitate patient identification of the
product and unit dosage level.
[00038] In liquid pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention, pregabalin and
any other solid excipients are dissolved or suspended in a liquid carrier such as water,
vegetable oil, alcohol, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol or glycerin.
[00039] Liquid pharmaceutical compositions may contain emulsifying agents to
disperse uniformly throughout the composition an active ingredient or other excipient that is
not soluble in the liquid carrier. Emulsifying agents that may be useful in liquid
compositions of the present invention include, for example, gelatin, egg yolk, casein,
cholesterol, acacia, tragacanth, chondrus, pectin, methyl cellulose, carbomer, cetostearyl
alcohol, and cetyl alcohol.
[00040] Liquid pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may also contain
a viscosity enhancing agent to improve the mouth-feel of the product and/or coat the lining of
the gastrointestinal tract. Such agents include acacia, alginic acid bentonite, carbomer,
carboxymethylcelhilose calcium or sodium, cetostearyl alcohol, methyl cellulose,
ethylcellulose, gelatin guar gum, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose,
hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, maltodextrin, polyvinyl alcohol, povidone, propylene
carbonate, propylene glycol alginate, sodium alginate, sodium starch glycolate, starch tragacanth and xanthan gum.
[00041] Sweetening agents such as sorbitol, saccharin, sodium saccharin, sucrose,
aspartame, fructose, mannitol, and invert sugar may be added to improve the taste.
[00042] Preservatives and chelating agents such as alcohol, sodium benzoate, butylated
hydroxy toluene, butylated hydroxyanisole, and ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid may be added at levels safe for ingestion to improve storage stability.
[00043] According to the present invention, a liquid composition may also contain a
buffer such as guconic acid, lactic acid, citric acid or acetic acid, sodium guconate, sodium lactate, sodium citrate or sodium acetate. Selection of excipients and the amounts used may be readily determined by the formulation scientist based upon experience and consideration of standard procedures and reference works in the field.
[00044] When preparing injectable (parenteral) pharmaceutical compositions, solutions
and suspensions are sterilized and are preferably made isotonic to blood. Injection preparations may use carriers commonly known in the art. For example, carriers for injectable preparations include, but are not limited to, water, ethyl alcohol, propylene glycol, ethoxylated isostearyl alcohol, polyoxylated isostearyl alcohol, and fatty acid esters of polyoxyethylene sorbitan. One of ordinary skill in the art can easily determine with little or no experimentation the amount of sodium chloride, glucose, or glycerin necessary to make the injectable preparation isotonic. Additional ingredients, such as dissolving agents, buffer agents, and analgesic agents may be added.
[00045] The solid compositions of the present invention include powders, granulates,
aggregates and compacted compositions. The dosages include dosages suitable for oral,
buccal, rectal, parenteral (including subcutaneous, intramuscular, and intravenous), inhalant
and ophthalmic administration. Although the most suitable administration in any given case
will depend on the nature and severity of the condition being treated, the most preferred route
of the present invention is oral. The dosages may be conveniently presented in unit dosage
form and prepared by any of the methods well-known in the pharmaceutical arts.
[00046] Dosage forms include solid dosage forms like tablets, powders, capsules,
suppositories, sachets, troches and lozenges, as well as liquid syrups, suspensions and elixirs.
[00047] The dosage form of the present invention may be a capsule containing the
composition, preferably a powdered or granulated solid composition of the invention, within either a hard or soft shell. The shell may be made from gelatin and optionally contain a plasticizer such as glycerin and sorbitol, and an opacifying agent or colorant.
[00048] The active ingredient and excipients may be formulated into compositions and
dosage forms according to methods known in the art.
[00049] A composition for tableting or capsule filling may be prepared by wet
granulation. In wet granulation, some or all of the active ingredients and excipients in powder form are blended and then further mixed in the presence of a liquid, typically water, that causes the powders to clump into granules. The granulate is screened and/or milled, dried and then screened and/or milled to the desired particle size. The granulate may then be tableted, or other excipients may be added prior to tableting, such as a glidant and/or a lubricant.
[00050] A tableting composition may be prepared conventionally by dry blending. For
example, the blended composition of the actives and excipients may be compacted into a slug or a sheet and then comminuted into compacted granules. The compacted granules may subsequently be compressed into a tablet.
[00051 ] As an alternative to dry granulation, a blended composition may be
compressed directly into a compacted dosage form using direct compression techniques.
Direct compression produces a more uniform tablet without granules. Excipients that are
particularly well suited for direct compression tableting include macrocrystalline cellulose,
spray dried lactose, dicalcium phosphate dihydrate, and colloidal silica. The proper use of
these and other excipients in direct compression tableting is known to those in the art with
experience and skill in particular formulation challenges of direct compression tableting.
[00052] A capsule filling of the present invention may comprise any of the
aforementioned blends and granulates that were described with reference to tableting, however, they are not subjected to a final tableting step.
[00053] The solid compositions of the present invention include powders, granulates,
aggregates and compacted compositions. The dosages include dosages suitable for oral, buccal, rectal, parenteral (including subcutaneous, intramuscular, and intravenous), inhalant and ophthalmic administration. Although the most suitable route in any given case will depend on the nature and severity of the condition being treated, the most preferred route of the present invention is oral. The dosages can be conveniently presented in unit dosage form and prepared by any of the methods well-known in the pharmaceutical arts.
Experimental
[00054] The X-Ray powder diffraction data were obtained using methods known in the
art, using a SCINTAG powder X-Ray diffractometer model X'TRA equipped with a
solid-state detector, copper radiation, of 1.5418 A, and a round aluminum sample holder with
zero background. All peak positions were within ± 0.2° 2θ. The scanning parameters
included: range: 2° to 40° 28; scan mode: continuous scan; step size: 0.05°; and a rate of
5°/min.
[00055] The DSC analysis was performed using a Mettler 821 Stare. The weight of
the samples was about 5 mg. The samples were scanned at a rate of 10°C/min from about
30°C to about 250°C. The oven was constantly purged with nitrogen gas at a flow rate of
about 40 ml/min. Standard 40 ml aluminum crucibles covered by lids with three holes were
used.
[00056] The TGA analysis was done using a Mettler M3 thermogravimeter. The
weight of the samples was about 8 mg; the samples were scanned at a rate of 10°C/min from
about 25°C to about 200°C. A blank was subtracted from the sample. The oven was
constantly purged with nitrogen gas at a flow rate of about 40 ml/min. Standard 150 µl
alumina crucibles covered by lids with 1 hole were used.
Example 1: Comparative example according to U.S. Patent No. 5,637,767: Preparation of a crystalline form of Pregabalin characterized bv X-ray powder diffraction peaks at about 5.7. 15.4.17.2.18.2, and 23.0° 2θ ± 0.2° 2θ
[00057] First, 400 g of crude Pregabalin was charged into a round bottom flask
containing 2.8 1 of a 14 percent aqueous isopropyl alcohol solution. The mixture was heated to reflux for about 50 to about 60 min. After cooling to about 0° to about 5°C, and stirring for about 60 to about 90 min, the mixture was filtered. The solid was washed with 400 ml of a 14 percent aqueous isopropyl alcohol solution, and dried under vacuum at about 55° to about 60°C until a constant weight was achieved.
Example 2: Preparation of a crystalline form of Pregabalin characterized bv X-rav powder
diffraction peaks at about 5.7.15.4.17.2.18.2. and 23.0° 2θ ± 0.2° 2θ
[00058] A crystalline form of Pregabalin characterized by X-ray powder diffraction
peaks at about 5.7,15.4, 17.2,18.2, and 23.0° 2θ ± 0.2° 2θ was prepared by exposing a crystalline form of Pregabalin characterized by X-ray powder diffraction peaks at about 5.8, 18.4,19.2,20.7, and 23.7° 2θ ± 0.2° 2θ to a relative humidity of about 100 percent at about room temperature for about 8 days. The melting point of the crystalline form was also determined, and found to be between 162° and 165°C.
Example 3: Preparation of a crystalline form of Pregabalin characterized by X-rav powder
diffraction peaks at about 5.8, 18.4.19.2.20.7. and 23.7° 2θ ± 0.2° 2θ by crystallization.
[00059] 0.5 g of a crystalline form of Pregabalin characterized by X-ray powder
diffraction peaks at about 5.7,15.4,17.2,18.2, and 23.0° 26 ± 0.2° 28 was charged into round bottom flask containing 54 ml of n-butanol and 27 ml of acetonitrile. The mixture was heated to 50°C for about 2 hours, and cooled to about 10°C over a period of about 8 hours. The mixture was then filtered, and the solid was dried at 45°C under a 10 vacuum of mm Hg.
Example 5: Preparation of a crystalline form of Pregabalin characterized by X-ray powder diffraction peaks at about 5.8,18.4.19.2.20.7. and 23.7° 2θ ± 0.2° 2θ by drying. [00060] 200 mg of a crystalline form of Pregabalin characterized by X-ray powder diffraction peaks at about 5.7,15.4,17.2,18.2, and 23.0° 2θ ± 0.2° 2θ was placed in oven at 120°C for one hour. The heated sample was analyzed by XRD, and found to be a crystalline form of Pregabalin characterized by X-ray powder diffraction peaks at about 5.8,18.4,19.2, 20.7, and 23.7° 2θ ± 0.2° 2θ. The melting point of the crystalline form was determined, and foundtobel65°C.

What is Claimed;
1. Crystalline Pregabalin hemihydrate.
2. The crystalline form of claim 1, characterized by X-ray powder diffraction peaks at about
5.8,18.4,19.2,20.7, and 23.7° 2θ ± 0.2° 2θ.
3. The crystalline form of claim 2, wherein the crystalline form is further characterized by a
X-ray powder diffraction pattern with peaks at about 15.5,17.2,23.0, and 26.0° 16 ± 0.2°
29.
4. The crystalline form of claim 3, having an XRD pattern substantially as depicted in
Figure 1.
5. The crystalline form of any of claims 2 to 4, having a broad endotherm at about 60°C to
about 100°C and another endothermic peak at 181°C, as measured by differential
scanning calorimetry (DSC).
6. The crystalline form of claim 5, having a DSC curve substantially as depicted in Figure 3.
7. The crystalline form of any of claims 2 to 6, having a TGA thermogram with a weight
loss of 4.5 percent up to about 100°C.
8. The crystalline form of claim 7, having a TGA curve substantially as depicted in Figure 2.
9. Crystalline Pregabalin characterized by X-ray powder diffraction peaks at about 5.8,18.4,
19.2,20.7, and 23.7° 28 ± 0.2° 26.
10. The crystalline form of claim 9, wherein the crystalline form is further characterized by a
X-ray powder diffraction pattern with peaks at about 15.5,17.2,23.0, and 26.0° 261 ± 0.2°
26.
11. The crystalline form of claim 10, having an XRD pattern substantially as depicted in
Figure 1.
12. The crystalline form of any of claims 9 to 11, having a broad melting endotherm at about
60°C to about 100°C and another endothermic peak at 181°C, as measured by differential
scanning calorimetry (DSC).
13. The crystalline form of claim 12, having a DSC curve substantially as depicted in
Figure 3.
14. The crystalline form of any of claims 9 to 13, having a TGA thermogram with a weight
loss of 4.5 percent up to about 100°C.
15. The crystalline form of claim 14, having a TGA curve substantially as depicted in
Figure 2.
16. The crystalline form of any of claims 9 to 15, wherein the crystalline form is a
hemihydrate.
17. The crystalline form of claim 16, having a Karl-Fisher water content of about 5.3 percent
by weight.
18. The crystalline form of any of claims 9 to 17, having a melting point of about 162°C to
about165°C.
19. The crystalline form of any of claims 9 to 18, having a particle size that is smaller than
about 300 microns.
20. The crystalline form of any of claims 9 to 19, containing no more than about 10% of other
forms.
21. The crystalline form of claim 20, containing no more than about 10% of the crystalline
Pregabalin characterized by X-ray powder diffraction peaks at about 5.7,15.4,17.2,18.2,
and 23.0° 2θ ± 0.2° 2θ.
22. The crystalline form of claim 20, containing no more than about 5% of other forms.
23. The crystalline form of claim 22, containing no more than about 5% of the crystalline
Pregabalin characterized by X-ray powder diffraction peaks at about 5.7,15.4,17.2,18.2,
and 23.0° 2θ ±0.2° 2θ.
24. A process of preparing crystalline form of any of claims 9 to 23, by crystallizing it from a
mixture of acetonitrile and an alcohol.
25. The process of claim 24, wherein the process comprises dissolving Pregabalin in
acetonitrile and an alcohol, heating, and cooling to obtain a precipitate.
26. The process of claim 25, wherein the Pregabalin used as a starting material a Pregabalin
crystalline form characterized by X-ray powder diffraction peaks at about 5.7,15.4,15.9,
17.2,18.2,18.5,23.0,25.2, and 25.6° 2θ ± 0.2° 2θ.
27. The process of claim 25, wherein the alcohol is Ca-Cg alcohol.
28. The process of claim 27, wherein the alcohol is n-butanol.
29. The process of any of claims 25 to 28, wherein the heating is done to a temperature of
about 40° to about 100°C.
30. The process of claim 29, wherein the heating is done to a temperature of about 45° to
about 55°C.
31. The process of claim 30, wherein the hearing is done to a temperature of about 50°C.
32. The process of any of claims 25 to 28, wherein the heating done is for at least about an
hour.
33. The process of claim 32, whereyi the heating is done for about 2 hours.
34. The process of any of claims 25 to 33, wherein the cooling is done to a temperature of
about 2°C to about 15°C.
35. The process of claim 34, wherein the cooling is to a temperature of about 10°C.
36. The process of claim 25, wherein the cooling is done for about 8 hours.
37. The process of any of claims 25 to 36, further comprising filtering and drying the
precipitate.
38. A process of preparing the crystalline form of claim 9 by heating a crystalline form of
Pregabalin characterized by X-ray powder diffraction peaks at about 5.7,15.4,15.9,17.2,
18.2,18.5,23.0, 25.2, and 25.6° 2θ ± 0.2° 2θ at a temperature of at least about 100°C, for
at least about 30 minutes.
39. The process of any of claims 38 to 40, wherein the healing is done to a temperature of at
least about 120°C.
40. The process of claim 38, wherein the heating is done for at least about one hour.
41. A pharmaceutical formulation, comprising the Pregabalin crystalline form of claim 9 and
at least one pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.
42. A process for preparing a pharmaceutical formulation, comprising combining the
Pregabalin of any of claims 9 to 23, with at least one pharmaceutically acceptable
excipient.
43. Use of Pregabalin of any of claims 9 to 23, for the manufacture of a pharmaceutical
composition.
44. A process of preparing Pregabalin, characterized by .X-ray powder diffraction peaks at
about 5.7,15.4,17.2,18.2, and 23.0° 2θ ± 0.2° 2θ, comprising exposing Pregabalin
characterized by X-ray powder diffraction peaks at about 5.8,18.4,19.2,20.7, and 23.7°
26 ± 0.2° 26 to a relative humidity of about 80 to about 100 percent, at about room
temperature for at least about a week.
45. The process of claim 44, wherein the relative humidity is of about 100 percent.