TITLE
New/ sait forms of (2E)-5-Amino-5-methylhex-2-enoic acid N-methyl-N-((1R)-1-(N-
methyl-N-((1R)-1-(methylcariDamoyl)'-2-phenylethyl)carbamoyl)-2-(2-nap hthy l)ethyl)am ide.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to salt fomas of (2E)-5-amino-5-methylhex-2-enoic acid N-methyl-N-((1 R)-1 -(N-methyl-N-((1 R)-1 -{methylcarbamoyl)-2-phenylethyl)carbamoyl)-2-(2-naphthyl)ethyl)amide, preparation thereof and use as therapeutic agent.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Growth homnone is a homione which stimulates growth of all tissues capable of growing. In addition, growth hormone is known to have a number of effects on metabolic processes, e.g., stimulation of protein synthesis and free fatty acid mobilisation and to cause a switch in energy metabolism from carbohydrate to fatty acid metabolism. Deficiency in growth hormone can result in a number of severe medical disorders, e.g., dwarfism.
Growth homnone is released from the pituitary. The release is under tight control of a number of honnones and neurotransmitters either directly or indirectly. Growth homnone release can be stimulated by growth hormone releasing homnone (GHRH) and inhibited by somatostatin. In both cases the hormones are released from the hypothalamus but their action is mediated primarily via specific receptors located In the pituitary. Other compounds which stimulate the release of growth homnone from the pituitary have also been described. For example arginine, L-3,4-dlhydroxyphenyl-alanine (L-Dopa), glucagon, vasopressin, PACAP (pituitary adenylyl cyclase activating peptide), muscarinic receptor agonists and a synthethic hexapeptide, GHRP (growth homnone releasing peptide) release endogenous growth homione either by a direct

effect on the pituitary or by affecting the release of GHRH and/or somatostatin from the
hypothalamus.
The compound, (2E)-5-amino-5-methylhex-2-enoic acid N-methyl-N-((1R)-1-{N-methyl-
N.((1 R)-1 -(methylcarbamoyl)-2-phenylethyl)carbamoyl)-2-(2-naphthyl)ethyl)amide, was
disclosed in WO 97/23508. Therein the hydrochloride salt was prepared.
For commercial use it is important to have a physiologically acceptable salt with good stability, good solubility, non-hygroscopicity, good bioavailability, good handling properties, and a reproducible crystalline form.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a salt of (2E)-5-amino-5-methylhex-2-enoic acid N-methyl-N-((1 R)-1 -(N-methyl-N-((1 R)-1 -(methylcarbamoyl)-2-phenylethyl)carbamoyl)-2-(2-naphthyl)ethyl)amide having an aqueous solubility of at least about 5 mg/ml, and a hygroscopicity of less than about 8 at 98% RH. In particular the invention relates to the anhydrous hemi fumarate salt of (2E)-5-amino-5-methylhex-2-enoic acid N-methyl-N-((1R)-1-(N-methyl-N-((1R)-1-(methylcarbamoyl)-2-phenylethyl)carbamoyl)-2-(2-naphthyl)ethyl)amide. The invention also relates to the hydrous hemi fumarate salt of (2E)-5-amino-5-methylhex-2-enoic acid N-methyl-N-((1 R)-1-{N-methyl-N-((1 R)-1-(methylcarbamoyl)-2-phenylethyl)carbamoyl)-2-(2-naphthyl)ethyl)amide and the L(+)-mandelate salt of (2E)-5-amino-5-methylhex-2-enoic acid N-methyl-N-((1R)-1-(N-methyl-N-({1R)-1-(methylcarbamoyl)-2-phenylethyl)carbamoyl)-2-(2-naphthyl)ethyl)amide.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a salt of (2E)-5-amino-5-methylhex-2-enoic acid N-methyl-N-((1 R)-1 -(N-methyl-N-((1 R)-1 -(methylcarbamoyl)-2-phenylethyi)carbamoyl)-2-(2-naphthyl)ethyl)amide having the structural formula I as shown herein below

having an aqueous solubility of at least about 5 mg/ml, and a hygroscopicity of less than about 8 at 98% relative humidity (RH). Such aqueous solubility and hygroscopicity are measured by methods well-known in the art.
Hereinafter the above compound of formula I is referred to as compound I.
A salt of the compound I is provided in the form of polymorph crystals, which have good stability characteristics, good solubility in e.g. water, good bioavailability, good handling properties, and a reproducible crystalline form.
In one embodiment the salt of compound I has an aqueous solubility of at least about 7 mg/ml, preferably at least about 100 mg/ml, more preferably at least about 200 mg/ml, in particular from 5 to 400 mg/ml, such as 150 to 250 mg/ml.
In a further embodiment the salt of compound I has a hygroscopicity of less than about 7 at 98% RH. preferably from 0.1 to 8 at 98% RH. in particular from 0.5 to 7 at 98% RH. such as 1 to 6.5 at 98% RH.
In a further embodiment the salt of compound I is the hemi fumarate salt. In a further embodiment the salt of compound I is the hemi fumarate. monohydrate salt. In a further embodiment the salt of compound I is the L(+)-mandelate salt.

The present invention also provides a process for the preparation of a salt of compound I, which process comprises dissolving compound I in a suitable solvent, and dissolving a specific acid, in the same kind of solvent, and adding the solution of the acid to the solution of compound I, and crystallizing the resulting salt from the solution. Examples of the common solvents include but are not limited to organic solvents in particular lower aliphatic alcohols such as ethanol, 2-propanoI, 2-butanol, 1-hexanol and solvents like acetone, isobutylmethylketone and tetrahydrofuran. Preferred solvents are ethanol, 2-propanol and acetone. The mixture of the components are conveniently perfonned at temperatures from 40° C to reflux before cooling down to 0-5°C and collection of the crystals by filtration. The speed of cooling down may have influence on the type of salt obtained. Optionally, seeding crystals are added if precipitation has not occured within 1-2 hours after mixing.
The present invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a salt of compound I optionally together with a pharmaceutically acceptable earner or diluent.
A salt of compound I may be used in human and veterinary medicine for stimulating the release of growth hormone. The present invention provides thus according to another aspect a method for stimulating the release of growth homnone in a patient such as a mammal, e.g. a human, comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a salt of compound I according to the invention.
A salt of (2E)-5-amino-5-methylhex-2-enoic acid N-methyl-N-((1 R)-1-(N-methyl-N-((1 R)-1 -(methylcarbamoyl)-2-phenylethyl)carbamoyl)-2-(2-naphthyl)ethyl)amide is useful for stimulation of growth homione release in the elderly; prevention of catabolic side effects of glucocorticoids, prevention and/or treatment of osteoporosis, treatment of chronic fatigue syndrom (CFS), treatment of acute fatigue syndrom and muscle loss following election surgery, stimulation of the immune system, acceleration of wound healing, accelerating bone fracture repair, accelerating complicated fractures, e.g. disctraction osteogenesis, treatment of wasting secondary to fractures, treatment of

growth retardation, treating renal failure or insufficiency resulting from growth retardation, treatment of cardiomyopathy, treatment of chronic liver disease, treatment of thrombocytopenia, treatment of Crohn's disease, treatment of short bowel syndrome, treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), treatment of complications associated with transplantatiqn, treatment of physiological short stature including growth homrione deficient children and short stature associated with chronic illness, treatment of obesity and growth retardation associated with obesity, treatment of anorexia, treating growth retardation associated with the Prader-Willi syndrome and Turner's syndrome; increasing the growth rate of a patient having partial growth hormone insensitivity syndrome; accelerating the recovery and reducing hospitalization of burn patients; treatment of intrauterine growth retardation, skeletal dysplasia, hypercortiso-lism and Cushing's syndrome; induction of pulsatile growth hormone release; replacement of growth hormone in stressed patients, treatment of osteochondrodysplasias, Noonan's syndrome, schizophrenia, depressions, Alzheimer's disease, delayed wound healing and psychosocial deprivation, treatment of pulmonary dysfunction and ventilator dependency, treatment of cardiac failure or related vascular dysfunction, treatment of impaired cardiac function, treatment or prevention of myocardial infarction, lowering blood pressure, protection against ventricular dysfunction or prevention of reperfusion events; treatment of adults in chronic dialysis; attenuation of protein cata-bolic responses after major surgery, reducing cachexia and protein loss due to chronic illness such as cancer or AIDS; treatment of hyperinsulinemia including nesidioblastosis, adjuvant treatment for ovulation induction; to stimulate thymic development and prevent the age-related decline of thymic function, treatment of immunosuppressed patients; treatment of sarcopenia. treatment of wasting in connection with AIDS; improvement in muscle strength, mobility, maintenance of skin thickness, metabolic homeostasis, renal homeostasis in the frail elderly, stimulation of osteoblasts, bone remodelling and cartilage growth, regulation of food intake; stimulation of the immune system in companion animals and treatment of disorder of aging in companion animals, growth promoter in livestock and stimulation of wool growth in sheep, and treatment of metabolic syndrom (syndrome X); treatment of insulin resistance, including NIDDM, in mammals, e.g. humans, and improving sleep quality and correct the relative hyposo-

matotropism of senescence due to high increase in REM sleep and a decrease in REM latency. Treatment is also intended to comprise prophylactic treatment.
For use within the present invention a salt of compound I may be fonnuiated with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient to provide a medicament for parenteral, oral, nasal, rectal, subdemial or intradermal or transdemial administration according to conventional methods. Formulations may further include one or more diluents, fillers, emulsifiers, preservatives, buffers, excipients, etc. and may be provided in such forms as liquids, powders, emulsions, suppositories, liposomes, transdermal patches, controlled release, dermal implants, tablets, etc.
One skilled in this art may formulate the compound in an appropriate manner, and in accordance with accepted practices, such as those disclosed in Remington's Pharma-ceutical Sciences. 1985 or Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences. Gennaro, ed., Mack Publishing Co., Easton, PA, 1990, or Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy, 19th Edition (1995). The compositions may appear in conventional fonns, for example capsules, tablets, aerosols, solutions, suspensions or topical applications.
The pharmaceutical carrier or diluent employed may be a conventional solid or liquid carrier. Examples of solid carriers are lactose, terra alba, sucrose, cyciodextrin, talc, gelatin, agar, pectin, acacia, magnesium stearate, stearic acid or lower alkyl ethers of cellulose. Examples of liquid carriers are syrup, peanut oil, olive oil, phospholipids, fatty acids, fatty acid amines, polyoxyethylene or water.
Similarly, the carrier or diluent may include any sustained release material known in the art, such as glyceryl monostearate or glyceryl distearate, alone or mixed with a wax.
The compositions of this invention are usually adapted for oral administration.
For oral administration a salt of compound I is prepared in a form suitable for oral administration, such as a tablet or capsule. Typically, the compound 1 is combined with

a canier and molded into a tablet. Suitable earners in this regard include starch, sugars, dicalcium phosphate, calcium stearate, magnesium stearate and the like. Such compositions may further include one or more auxiliary substances, such as wetting agents, emulsifiers, preservatives, stabilizers, colouring additives, etc.
Phannaceuticai compositions are administered one or more times per day or week. An effective amount of such a pharmaceutical composition is the amount that provides a clinically significant effect. Such amounts will depend, in part, on the particular condition to be treated, age, weight, and general health of the patient, and other factors evident to those skilled in the art.
The pharmaceutical compositions may be administered in unit dosage form one or more times per day or week. In the alternative, they may be provided as controlled release fonnulations suitable for demnal implantation. Implants are formulated to provide release of active compound over the desired period of time, which can be up to several years. Controlled-release formulations are disclosed by. for example, Sanders etaLJPharmSci73(1964), 1294-1297, 1984; U.S. Pat. No. 4,489,056; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,210,644, which are incorporated herein by reference.
The composition is usually presented as a unit dose composition containing 0.01 -1000 mg of a salt of compound I in accordance with the invention for oral dosing. Typical dosage for growth homrione releasing effect would vary between 0.1- 500 mg, preferably between 0.1 - 280 mg per day either once or divided in 2 or 3 doses when administered orally or 2 or 3 times per week or once weekly or once per 14 days.
Preferred unit dosage forms include in solid form, tablets or capsules, in liquid form, solutions, suspensions, emulsions, elixirs or capsules filled with the same, or in form of sterile injectable solutions, or patches, vagitories, vaginal rings or long lasting implantates.

The composition of this invention may be formulated by conventional methods of galenic pharmacy.
Conventional excipients are such pharmaceutically acceptable organic or inorganic carrier substances suitable for parenteral or oral application which do not deleteriously react with the active compound I.
Examples of such carriers are water, salt solutions, alcohols, polyethylene glycols, polyhydroxyethoxylated castor oil. syrup, peanut oil, olive oil, gelatin, lactose, terra alba, sucrose, agar, pectin, acacia, amylose, magnesium stearate, talc, silicic acid, stearic acid, fatty acid monoglycerides and diglycerides, pentaerythritol fatty acid esters, hydroxymethylcellulose and polyvinylpyrrolidone and calcium phosphates.
The pharmaceutical preparations can be sterilized and mixed, if desired, with auxiliary agents, such as binders, lubricants, preservatives, disintegrants, stabilizers, wetting agents, emulsifiers, salt for influencing osmotic pressure, buffers and/or colouring substances and the like, which do not deleteriously react with the active compound. For parenteral application, particularly suitable are injectable solutions or suspensions, preferably aqueous solutions with the active compound dissolved in polyhydroxylated castor oil.
For oral administration, particularly suitable are tablets, dragees, or capsules having talc and/or a carbohydrate carrier or binder or the like, the carrier preferably being lactose or calcium phosphate and/or corn starch and/or potato starch. A syrup, elixir or like can be used when a sweetened vehicle can be employed.

A typical tablet, which may be prepared by conventional tabletting techniques, contains:
* Active compound 10mg
Lactosum 67.8 mg Ph.Eur.
Avicel® 31.4 mg
Talc 1.0 mg
Magnesii stearas 0.25 mg Ph.Eur.
The present invention is further illustrated by the following examples which, however, are not to be construed as limiting the scope of protection. The features disclosed in the foregoing description and in the following examples may, both separately and in any combination thereof, be material for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.
The salts of compound I according to the invention was synthesized, purified and crystallized as described in the following examples.

3-Hydroxy-1.1 -dimethylpropylcarbamic acid tert-butyl ester:

Step A: At 0 °C, ethyl chloroformate (1.10 mL, 11.5 mmol) was given dropwise to a solution of 3-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-3-methylbutanoic acid (2.50 g, 115 mmol) and trietiiyjamine (1.92 mL, 13.8 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (10 mL), The solution was stin-ed for 40 min at 0 °C. The fomied precipitate was filtered off and washed with tetrahydrofuran (20 mL). The liquid was immediately cooled to 0 °C. A 2M solution of lithium boronhydride in tetrahydrofuran (14.4 mL, 28.8 mmol) was added dropwise. The solution was stirred at 0 °C for 2 h, and then warmed to room temperature, over a period of 4 h. It was cooled to 0 °C. Methanol (5 mL) was added carefully. 1N Hydrochloric acid (100 mL) was added. The solution was extracted with ethyl acetate (2 X 100 mL, 3 X 50 mL). The combined organic layers were washed with saturated sodium hydrogen carbonate solution (100 mL) and dried over magnesium sulfate. The solvent was removed in vacuo. The crude product was chromatographed on silica (110 g) with ethyl acetate/heptane 1:2 to give 1.84 g of 3-hydroxy-1,1-dimethylpropylcarbamic acid tert-butyl ester.
'H-NMR (CDCI3): d 1.33 (s. 6 H); 1.44 (s, 9 H); 1.88 (t, 2 H); 1.94 (br, 1 H); 3.75 (q. 2 H); 4.98 (br, 1 H).
3-(tert-Butoxycarbonylamino)-3-methylbutanai:

Step B: DMSO (1.22 mL, 17.2 mmol) was added to a solution of oxalyl chloride (1.1 mL, 12.9 mmol) at -78 *^C in dichloromethane (15 mL). The mixture was stirred for 15 min at -78 °C. A solution of 3-hydroxy-1,1-dimethylpropylcarbamic acid tert-butyl ester

(1.75 g, 8.6 mmol) in dichloromethane (10 mL) was added dropwise over a period of 15 min. The solution was stirred at -78 °C for another 15 min. Triethylamine (6.0 mL, 43 mmol) was added. The solution was stirred at -78 °C for 5 min and then warmed to room temperature. The solution was diluted with dichloromethane (100 mL) and extracted with IN hydrochloric acid (100 mL). The aqueous phase was extracted with dichloromethane (50 mL). The combined organic layers were washed with saturated sodium hydrogen carbonate solution (100 mL) and dried over magnesium sulfate. The solvent was removed in vacuo. The crude product was purified by column chromatography on silica (140 g) with ethyl acetate/heptane (1:3) to give 1.10 g of 3-(tert-butoxycarbonylamino)-3-methylbutanal.
MHz-^H-NMR (CDCI3): d 1.39 (s, 6 H); 1.45 (s, 9 H); 2.85 (d, 2 H); 4.73 (br. 1 H); 9.80 (t, 1 H).
Ethyl (2E)-5-(tert-Butoxycarbonylamino)-5-methylhex-2-enoate:

Step c Triethylphoshonoacetate (1.96 mL, 9.8 mmol) was dissolved in tetrahydrofuran (30 mL). Potassium tert-butoxide (1.10 g, 9.8 mmol) was added. The solution was stin-ed for 40 min at room temperature. A solution of 3-(tert-butoxycarbonylamino)-3-methylbutanal (1.10 g, 5.5 mmol) in Tetrahydrofuran (6 mL) was added. The solution was stin-ed at room temperature, for 75 min. It was diluted with ethyl acetate (100 mL) and IN hydrochloric acid (100 mL). The phases were separated. The aqueous phase was extracted with ethyl acetate (2 x 50 mL). The combined organic phases were washed with saturated sodium hydrogen carbonate solution (60 mL) and dried over magnesium sulfate. The solvent was removed in vacuo. The crude product was purified by column chromatography on silica (90 g) with ethyl acetate/hepatane (1:4) to give 1.27 g of ethyl (2E)-5-(tert-butoxycarbonylamino)-5-methylhex-2-enoate.

^H-NMR (CDCI3): d 1.30 (s, 6 H); 1.30 (t, 3 H); 1.46 (s. 9 H); 2.62 (d. 2 H); 4.27 (q, 2 H); 4.42 (br, 1 H); 5.88 (d, 1 H); 6.94 (td, 1 H).
(2E)-5-(tert-Butoxycarbonylamino)-5-methylhex-2-enoicacid:

Step D: Ethyl (2E)-5-(tert-butoxycarbonylamino)-5-methylhex-2-enoate (1.233 g, 4.54 mmol) was dissolved in dioxane (20 mL). Litiiium hydroxide (0.120 g, 5.00 mmol) was added as a solid. Water (10 mL) was added, until a clear solution was reached. The solution was stirred 16 h at room temperature. The solution was diluted with water (70 mL) and was extracted with tert-butyl methyl ether (2 x 100 mL). The aqueous phase was acidified with IN sodium hydrogensulfate solution (pH = 1) and was extracted with tert-butylmethylether (3 x 70 mL). The organic phases were combined and dried over magnesium sulfate. The solvent was removed in vacuo to give 1.05 g of (2E)-5-(tert-butoxycarbonylamino)-5-methylhex-2-enoic acid. The crude product was used for further syntheses.
^H-NMR (DMSO dg): d 1.15 (s. 6 H); 1.35 (s, 9 H); 2.53 (d, 2 H); 5.75 (d, 1 H); 6.57 (br, 1 H);6.75(td, 1 H); 12.15 (s, 1 H).
N-Methyl-N-((R)-1-(methylcarbamoyl)-2-phenylethyi)carbamic acid tert-butyl ester:

Step E: N-Tert-butoxycarbonyl-N-methyl-D-phenylalanine (1.22 g, 4.4 mmol), 1-hydroxybenzotriazole hydrate(0.59 g, 4.4 mmol) and 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethyl-

aminopropyl)carbodiimid hydrochloride (0.88 g, 4.6 mmol) were dissolved in N,N-dimethylformamide (25 mL) and stirred for 30 min. Methylamine (0.51 g of a 40% solution in methanol, 6.6 mmol) was added and the mixture was stinred overnight. Methylene chloride (80 mL) and water (100 mL) were added and the phases were separated. The organic phase was washed with sodium hydroxide (20 mL, 1N), sodium hydrogensulfate (50 mL, 10 %) and water (50 mL). The organic phase was dried (magnesium sulfate) and the solvent removed in vacuo to afford 1.39 g of N-methyl-N-((R)1-(methylcarbamoyl)-2-phenylethyl)carbamic acid tert-butyl ester.
^H-NMR (CDCI3): d 1.25, 1.35 (two s (br), 9H); 2.73-2.94 (m, 7H); 3.30-3.50 (m, 1H); 4.68, 4.90 (two m, 1H); 5.90, 6.12 (two s (br); 1H); 7.12-7.25 (m, 5H).
(R)-N-Methyl-2-methylamino-3-phenylpropionamide:

Step F: N-Methyl-N-((R)1-(methylcarbamoyl)-2-phenyiethyl)carbamic acid tert-butyl ester (1.39 g, 7.23mmol) was dissolved in a mixture of trifluoroacetic acid (5 mL) and methylene chloride (10 mL) and stirred for 45 min. The volatiles were removed in vacuo and the residue was stirred with a mixture of ethyl acetate (100 mL) and water (100 mL). Sodium hydrogen carbonate (50 mL, saturated) was added and the phases were separated. The organic phase was dried (magnesium sulfate) and the solvent removed in vacuo to afford 330 mg of (R)-N-methyl-2-methylamino-3-phenylpropionamide.
'H-NMR (CDCI3): d 2.1 (s(br), 3H); 2.32 (s, 3H); 2.77 (dd, 1H); 2.81 (two s, 3H); 3.21 (dd, 1H); 3.32 (dd, 1H); 7.12 (s(br), 1H); 7.20-7.34 (m, 5H).

N-Methyl-N-{(1 R)-1 -(N-methyl-N-((1 R)-1 -(methylcarbamoyl)-2-phenylethyl)carbamoyl)-2-(2-naphthyl)ethyl}carbamic acid tert-butyl ester:

Step G: (R)-Tert-butoxycarbonyl-N-methylamino-3-(2-naphthyl)propionic acid (548 mg, 1.66 mmol) was dissolved in methylene chloride (5 mL); 1-hydroxy-7-azabenzotriazole (227 mg, 1,66 mmol) was added along with N,N-dimethylfomiamide (2 mL). 1-Ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide hydrochloride (351 mg, 1.83 mmol) was added and the solution was stirred for 15 min. (R)-
N-Methyl-2-methylamino-3-phenylpropionamide (320 mg, 1.66 mmol) dissolved in methylene chloride (4 mL) and diisopropylethylamine (0.28 mL, 1.66 mmol) were added and the mixture was stirred ovemight. Methylene chloride (50 mL) was added and the organic phase was washed with water (100 mL), sodium hydrogensulfate (50 mL, 5%) and sodium hydrogen carbonate (50 mL, saturated). The organic phase was dried (magnesium sulfate) and the solvent removed in vacuo. The residue was chromatographed (silica, 2 x 45 cm) using ethylacetate/methylene chloride (1:1) to afford 604 mg of N-methyl-N-{(1R)-1-(N-methyl-N-((1R)-1-(methylcari3amoyl)-2-phenylethyl)carbamoyl)-2-(2-naphthyl)ethyl}carbamic acid tert-butyl ester.
'H-NMR (CDCI3): d 1.05,1.31,1.56 (three s, 9H); 2.28-3.37 (several m, 13 H); 5.04, 5.17, 5.29, 5.48 (fourdd, 2H); 7.05-7.79 (m, 12 H).
(2R)-N-Methy l-2-methylamino-N-(( 1 R)-1 -(methy lcariDamoyl)-2-phenylethyl)-3-(2-naphthyl)propionamide:


step H: N-Methyl-N-{(1 R)-1 -(N-methyl-N-((1 R)-1 -{methylcarbanrioyl)-2-phenyl-ethyl)carbamoyl)-2-(2-naphthyl)ethyl}carbamic acid tert-butyl ester (600 mg, 1.19 mmol) was stirred in trifiuoroacetic acid/methylene chloride (1:1,5 mL) for 10 min and the volatiles were removed in vacuo. The residue was stripped with diethylether (2x5 mL) and dissolved in methanol (2 mL) and mixed with sodium hydrogen carbonate (10 mL) and ethylacetate (15 mL). The organic phase was separated and dried (magnesium sulfate) to afford 420 mg of (2R)-N-methyl-2-methylamino-N-((1R)-1-(methylcarbamoyl)-2-phenylethyl)-3-(2-naphthyl)propionamide.
^H-NMR (CDCI3): (selected values) d 1.69 (s, 3H); 2.08 (d, 3H); 2.54 (s, 3H); 2.76 (dd, 1H); 2.92 (dd, 1H). 3.12 (dd, 1H), 3.31 (dd, 1H); 3.72 (dd, 1H). 4.95 (q (br), 1H); 5.50 (dd, 1H).
((3E)-1,1-DimethyM-(N-methyl-N-((1 R)-1-(N-methyl-N-((1 R)-1-(methylcarbamoyl)-2-phenylethyl)carbamoyl)-2-(2-naphthyl)ethyl)carbamoyl)but-3-enyl)carbamic acid tert-butyl ester:


Step I: (2E)-5-(tert-Butyloxycarbonylamino)-5-methylhex-2-enoic acid (200 mg, 0.82 mmol), 1-hydroxy-7-a2abenzotriazo!e (112 mg, 0.82 mmol) and 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyO-carbodiimide hydrochloride (173 mg, 0.90 mmol) were dissolved in a mixture of methylene chloride (10 mL) and N,N-dimethyIformamide (1 mL) and strirred for 15 min. N-Methyl-2-methyIamino-N-((1R)-1-(methylcarbamoyl)-2-phenylethyl)-3-(2-naphthyl)propionamide (332 mg, 0.82 mol) dissolved in methylene chloride (5 mL) and diisopropylethylamine (0.14 mL) were added and the mixture was stirred overnight under nitrogen atmosphere. The mixture was diluted with methylene chloride (50 mL), washed with water (50 mL), sodium hydrogen carbonate (30 mL, saturated), and sodium hydrogensulfate (30 mL, 5%). The phases were separated and the organic phase was dried with magnesium sulfate and evaporated in vacuo. The residue was chromatographed (silica, 2 x 40 cm) to afford 450 mg of ((3E)-1,1-dimethyl-4-(N-methyl-N-((1R)-1-(N-methyl-N-((1R)-1-(methylcarbamoyl)-2-phenylethyl)cari3amoyl)-2-(2-naphthyI)ethyl)carbamoyl)but-3-enyl)-carbamicacid tert-butyl ester.
'H-NMR (CDCI3): (selected values) d 1.20, 1.22,1.24,1.30,1.41,1.55 (six s, 15 H), 4.30, 4.40 (two s (br), 1H); 5.08, 5.18, 5.32, 5.60, 5.87 (five dd, 2H); 6.05 (dd, 1H); 6.75 (m. 1H).
Step_Jl((3E)-1,1-Dimethyl-4-(methyl-((1R)-1-(methyl-((1R)-1-(methylcarbamoyl)-2-phenylethyl)carbamoyl)-2-(2-naphthyl)ethyl)carbamoyl)but-3-enyl)carbamic acid tert-butyl ester (403 mg, 0.63 mmol) was stirred in a mixture of trifluroacetic acdi (4mL) and

methylene chloride (4 mL) for 10 min. The volatiles were removed in vacuo and the
crude product was chromatograped on silica (400g) using a mixture of methylene
chloride, ethanol and ammonia (25% in water) (80/18/2) as eluent. The isolated
product was dissolved in 3M hydrochloric acid in ethyl acetate and evaporated, then
redissolved in methylene chloride and evaporated twice to afford 140 mg of the title
compound.
^H-NMR (CDCI3): d 1.05, 1.10, 1.15, 1.16 (fours, 6H); 2.07 (s (br); 3H); 5.12, 5.32,
5.40, 5.60, 5.91 (five dd, 2H); 6.05, 6.14 (two d, 1H); 6.80 (m, 1H)
HPLC: R, = 29.02 min (Method A1)
ESMS: m/2 = 529 (100%)(M+H)*.
Example 1
Synthesis of compound l,hemi fumarate (hereinafter compound l,hfum)
20,5g (MW: 528,7g) of compound I raw product (contains app. 10-20% residual solvent) is dissolved in 200ml 2-propanol at 45°C and the temperature is raised to 75°C. 2,0g (MW: 116,1g; 17mmol) of fumaric acid is dissolved in 100ml of 2-propanol at 75°C and slowly added. The reaction temperature is kept at 75°C. It is important not to overdose the amount of fumaric acid too much, as this will have a negative effect on the yield and purity. Seeding crystals are added if precipitation has not occurred within 1h. Stirring is continued overnight at 70-75°C. The next day the reaction mixture equilibrates over app. 4h to r.t. by removing the heating facility. The mixture is cooled to 0-5''C and kept for 2h at that temperature. The suspension is easily filtered and the filter cake is washed with cold 2-propanol. The product is dried overnight at 40°C in a vacuum shelf drier leaving 18,1g (89% calculated from fumaric acid) of compound l,hfum (MW: 586,7g) as white crystals.

Example 2
Synthesis of compound l.hemi fumarate monohydrate
'7
50,8g of compound I raw product (contains app. 10-20% residual solvent) is dissolved in 500ml of ethanol (or 2-propanol) at 70°C and 5.4g fumaric acid (47mmol) dissolved in 70°C 250ml of ethanol (or 2-propanol) is added. The heating facility is removed and the mixture is allowed to equilibrate to r.t. overnight. Precipitation occurs around 60°C after addition of seeding crystals. The next day the suspension is cooled to 0-5°C for 2h and filtered to give small crystals, that are very difficult to filtrate. The filter cake is washed with cold ethanol (or 2-propanol) and dried overnight at 400C in a vacuum shelf drier leaving 35,3g (65% calculated from fumaric acid) of compound l,hfum monohydrat as white crystals.
A similar experiment was performed in 2-propanol, with same result.
Exposure of the anhydrous form of compound l,hfum to high humidity, e.g. 10 weeks at 98% RH, produced the hydrous form.
Eygmple 3
Synthesis of compound l,L-(+)mandelate
2,0g of compound I raw product (contains app. 10-20% residual solvent) is dissolved in 10ml of acetone. 0,58g (MW: 152,2; 3,8mmol) L-mandeleic acid is dissolved in 10ml of acetone and added. The mixture is heated to reflux. Precipitation occurs within 5min after addition of seeding crystals. Reflux is kept for 2h. The heating facility is removed and the suspension is equilibrates to r.t. The suspension is filtered. The filter cake is washed with acetone. The product is dried overnight at 40°C in a vacuum shelf drier leaving 1,5g of (58% calculated from L-(+)mandeleic acid) compound l,L-(+)mandelate (MW: 680,8g) as white crystals.

Example 4
Synthesis of compound l,D-{-)mandelate
7,9g of compound I raw product (contains app. 10-20% residual solvent) is dissolved in 160ml acetone. 2,3g (MW: 152,2;15mmol) D-mandeleic acid is dissolved in 40ml acetone and added. The mixture is heated to reflux. Precipitation occurs within lOmin after addition of seeding crystals. Reflux is kept for 3h. The heating facility is removed and the suspension is equilibrated to r.t. The suspension is filtered. The filter cake is washed with acetone. The product is dried ovemight at 40''C in a vacuum shelf drier leaving 6,6g (65% calculated from D-(-)mandeleic acid) of compound I, D-(-)mandelate (MW: 680,8g) as white crystals.
Example 5
Synthesis of compound l.maleate
0,44g maleic acid is dissolved in 10ml of acetone at reflux. 2,0g compound I raw product (contains app. 10-20% residual solvent) is dissolved in 10mI of acetone and added. The mixture is stirred overnight at 45°C. Crystallisation has occurred during the night. The heating facility is removed and the mixture is allowed to equilibrate to r.t. The suspension is filtered. The filter.cake is washed with acetone. The product is dried overnight at 40°C in a vacuum shelf drier leaving 1,57g (65% calculated from maleic acid) of compound l.maleate (MW: 644,8g) as white crystals.

CLAIMS
1. A sah of (2E)-5-amino-5-methylhex-2-enoic acid N-methyl-N-((1R)-1-(N-methyl-N-((1R)-1-(methylcarbamoyl)-2-phenylethyl)carbamoyl)-2-(2-naphthyl)ethyl)amide having an aqueous solubility of at least about 5 mg/ml, and a hygroscopicity of less than about 8 at 98% RH.
2. (2E)-5-amino-5-methylhex-2-enoic acid N-methyl-N-((1R)-1-(N-methyl-N-({1R)-1-(methylcarbamoyl)-2-phenylethyl)carbamoyl)-2-{2-naphthyl)ethyl)amide,hemifumarate.
3. (2E)-5-amino-5-methylhex-2-enoic acid N-methyl-N-{(1R)-1-(N-methyl-N-((1R)-1-(methylcarbamoyl)-2-phenylethyl)carbamoyl)-2-(2-naphthyl)ethyl)amide,hemifumarate monohydrate.
4. (2E)-5-amino-5-methylhex-2-enoic acid N-methyl-N-((1R)-1-(N-methyl-N-{(1R)-1-(methylcarbamoyl)-2-phenyiethyl)carbamoyl)-2-(2-naphthyl)ethyl)amide,L(+)-mandelate.
5. A process for the preparation of the salt according to any one of claims 1-4, which process comprising dissolving (2E)-5-amino-5-methylhex-2-enoic acid N-methyl-N-((1R)-1-(N-methyl-N-{(1R)-1-(methylcarbamoyl)-2-phenylethyl)carbamoyl)-2-(2-naphthyl)ethyl)amide in a suitable solvent, and dissolving a specific acid, in the same kind of solvent, and adding the solution of the acid to the solution of (2E)-5-amino-5-methylhex-2-enoic acid N-methyl-N-((1 R)-1-(N-methyl-N-((1R)-1-(methylcarbamoyl)-2-phenylethyl)carbamoyl)-2-(2-naphthyl)ethyl)amide, and crystallizing the resulting salt from the solution.
6. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a salt according to any one of claims 1-4 together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.

7. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 6 in the form of a dosage unit containing about 0.01-1000 mg per day.
8. A pharmaceutical composition for stimulating the release of growth hormone in a patient comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a salt according to any one of claims 1-4, together with a pharmaceuticaliy acceptable carrier or diluent.
9. The composition according to claim 8 for use in treatment of growth hormone deficient children.

10. Use of a salt according to any one of claims 1-4 for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for stimulating the release of growth hormone in a patient.
11. A method for stimulating the release of growth hormone in a patient comprising administering to a patient an effective amount of a salt according to any one of claims 1-4

12. A salt of (2E)-5-an in o-5-methylhex-2-enoic acid N-methyl-N-(lR)-l-
(N-methyl-N-((lR)-l-(methylcarbamoyI)-2-phenylethyl)carbamoyl)-
2-(2-naphthyl)amide substantially as herein described and
exemplified.
13. A process for the preparation of the salt substantially as herein
described and exemplified.
14. A pharmaceutical composition substantially as herein described and
exemplified.
15. A method for stimulating the release of growth hormone in a patient
substantially as herein described and exemplified.