FORM 2
THE PATENT ACT 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
The Patents Rules, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10 and rule13)
1. TITLE OF THE INVENTION:
PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOSITION OF FENOFIBRATE COMPRISING PREGELATINIZED STARCH AS ADSORBENT
2. APPLICANT (S)
(a) NAME: WOCKHARDT LTD.
(b) NATIONALITY: INDIAN
(c) ADDRESS: Wockhardt Towers, Bandra-Kurla Complex, Bandra
(East), Mumbai-400 051.
3. PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION
The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition of fenofibrate or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof comprising fenofibrate adsorbed on a pharmaceutically acceptable adsorbent wherein the said adsorbent is pregelatinized starch.
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.
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4. Description
The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition of fenofibrate or pharmaceutical^ acceptable salts thereof comprising fenofibrate adsorbed on a pharmaceutically acceptable adsorbent wherein the said adsorbent is pregelatinized starch.
Fenofibrate is a lipid-regulating agent. The empirical formula is C20H21O4C1 and the molecular weight is 360.83. Fenofibrate is insoluble in water and its melting point is 79-82°C. Its chemical name is 2-[4-(4-Chlorobenzoyl) phenoxy]-2-methylpropanoic acid 1-methylethyl ester. Fenofibrate is a white solid which is stable under ordinary conditions and its structural formula is:
O CH3

3C CH3
0
U.S. Patent No 5,145,684, 6,375,986, 6,969,529, 6,592,903 provide nanoparticulate compositions of fenofibrate.
U.S. Patent No 6,277,405, 6,652,881, 7,037,529, 7,041,319, 6,589,552 and 6,531,158 describe micronized fenofibrate compositions.
U.S. Patent Nos. 4,895,726, 5,880,148 and U.S. Application US2004071771 describe co-micronizing the fenofibrate with surface-active agents.
U.S. Patent No 6,555,135 describes co-micronized mixture of fenofibrate with pharmaceutically acceptable excipient that is not a surfactant.
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U.S. Patent Nos. 6,074,670, 6,277,405 and others describe micronized fenofibrate coated onto hydrosoluble carriers with optional surface-active agents.
U.S. Patent No 6,828,334 describe inclusion complex of fenofibrate with cyclodextrins.
U.S. Patent No 6,027,747 and U.S. Patent Application 20070026062 describes solid dispersion of fenofibrate.
U.S. Patent No 6,465,011 describes formulations comprising lipid-regulating agents.
U.S. Patent Nos. 6,368,622, 6,383,517 and U.S. Patent Applications 2005112192, 2006177512 describes process for preparing solid formulations of lipid-regulating agents.
U.S. Application 20030138496 describe micronized fenofibrate with inert hydrosoluble carriers.
U.S. Patent Application 20040087656 describes fenofibrate of particle size less than 2000 nm with an improved bioavailability.
U.S. Application 20040057998 and US2004137055 describe micronized fenofibrate compositions.
U.S. Application 20060222706 and U.S. 20060222707 describe fenofibrate in intimate association with menthol or surfactant mixture.
International (PCT) Publication WO2005002541 describes process for preparing solid formulations of lipid-regulating agents.
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Several other patents and applications describe formulations of fenofibrate or process for preparing fenofibrate formulations such as U.S. Patent Applications 20060280791, 2007015833, 2007015834, 20070014864, 20070014854, 20070014853, 2007048384, 2007049636.
Fenofibrate is poorly soluble drug. Due to its poor hydrosolubility, fenofibrate poses problem of low dissolution. It is also poorly absorbed in the digestive tract and consequently its bioavailability is incomplete and irregular.
The present inventors while working on fenofibrate formulation have noticed that when fenofibrate is adsorbed on pregelatinized starch, it adheres to various interparticle and intraparticle pores present on the surface of pregelatinized starch that provides large exposed surface area for drug loading resulting in increased solubility of fenofibrate in aqueous fluids which in turn leads to significant increase in percent drug release of fenofibrate and hence increased bioavailability. Also, it was found by the present inventors that the composition of fenofibrate comprising fenofibrate adsorbed on pregelatinized starch exhibits similar dissolution profile as that of Tricor® tablets (commercially available fenofibrate tablets).
One of the aspects of the present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising fenofibrate or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and pharmaceutically acceptable adsorbent wherein the said adsorbent is pregelatinized starch.
For the present invention, the term 'Fenofibrate' as used herein refers to non-micronized Fenofibrate having particle size greater than or equal to about 150pm.
Another aspect of the present invention provides a process for preparing pharmaceutical composition of fenofibrate or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof wherein the said process comprises the steps of:
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a) dissolving fenofibrate and optionally one or more binders in one or more organic solvents to form a solution
b) adsorbing solution of step a) on pregelatinized starch to obtain adsorbate of fenofibrate and optionally drying
c) layering the adsorbate of fenofibrate of step b) with a solution or dispersion of one or more surfactants
d) optionally adding one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients to step c).
For the present invention, the term 'adsorbate' as used herein refers to a physical mixture and/or a complex in which fenofibrate is adhered to or adsorbed on a surface of a pharmaceutically acceptable adsorbent.
In the process of the present invention the solution of fenofibrate can be prepared by dissolving fenofibrate and binder in a solvent in which the fenofibrate and binder are soluble while the adsorbent should not be soluble or only sparingly soluble in this solvent. The term "soluble" and "sparingly soluble" as used herein refers to descriptive terms of solubility as per United States Pharmacopoeia (USP 29/NF 24).
The one or more binders in the process of the present invention are those known to ordinary skilled in the art and include but not limited to one or more of polyvinylpyrrolidone, ethylcellulose, low molecular weight Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose.
Suitable organic solvents in the process of the present invention are those known to ordinary skilled in the art and include but not limited to one or more of methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, acetone, ether, chloroform; dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), dimethylformamide (DMF), methylene chloride.
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In the process of the present invention the fenofibrate solution can be adsorbed on pregelatinized starch using methods known to ordinary skilled in the art and include but not limited Glatt processor, rapid mixer granulator (RMG) and the like.
The adsorbate of fenofibrate contains fenofibrate in an amount of about 1% to about 70% by weight and pharmaceutically acceptable adsorbent from about 30% to about 99% by weight.
In the process of the present invention the solution of surfactant can be prepared using one or more solvents in which the surfactant is soluble. The term "soluble" as used herein refers to descriptive term of solubility as per United States Pharmacopoeia (USP 29/NF 24).
In the process of the present invention, layering the adsorbate of fenofibrate can be done using methods known to ordinary skilled in the art and include but not limited Glatt processor, rapid mixer granulator (RMG) and the like.
The one or more surfactants in the process of the present invention are those known to ordinary skilled in the art and include but not limited to amphoteric, non-ionic, cationic or anionic surfactants. Examples of such surfactants are sodium lauryl sulfate, monooleate, monolaurate, monopalmitate, monostearate or another ester of polyoxyethylene sorbitane, sodium dioctylsulfosuccinate (DOSS), lecithin, stearylic alcohol, cetostearylic alcohol, cholesterol, polyoxyethylene ricin oil, polyoxyethylene fatty acid glycerides, poloxamer.RTM., etc. Mixtures of surfactants are also suitable.
The one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients include one or more of fillers, binders, lubricants, disintegrants, and glidants.
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Suitable filler may be one or more of, microcrystalline cellulose, silicified microcrystalline cellulose, mannitol, calcium phosphate, calcium sulfate, kaolin, dry starch, powdered sugar and the like.
Suitable binder may be one or more of, povidone, starch, stearic acid, gums, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose and the like.
Suitable lubricant may be one or more of, magnesium stearate, zinc stearate, calcium stearate, stearic acid, sodium stearyl fumarate, hydrogenated vegetable oil, glyceryl behenate and the like.
Suitable disintegrant may be one or more of, starch, croscarmellose sodium, crospovidone, sodium starch glycolate and the like.
Suitable glidant may be one or more of, colloidal silicon dioxide, talc or cornstarch and the like.
The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention is meant for oral administration and can be present in the form of tablet, capsule, powder, disc, caplet, granules and pellets.
The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention can be prepared by dissolving fenofibrate and binder in suitable solvent and adsorbing the obtained solution on pregelatinized starch using Glatt processor. Wet mass thus obtained is dried and the obtained adsorbate of fenofibrate is layered with a surfactant solution using Glatt processor. Wet mass thus obtained is dried, blended with other pharmaceutical^ acceptable excipients, lubricated and compressed to form tablet. The obtained tablets can be optionally coated with aqueous dispersion of opadry.
Another aspect of the present invention there is provided a pharmaceutical composition of fenofibrate or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and
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pharmaceutical^ acceptable adsorbent wherein the said adsorbent is pregelatinized starch; and wherein the formulation exhibits a dissolution profile such that within 30 minutes more than 75% of fenofibrate is released, wherein the release rate is measured in Apparatus 2 (USP, Dissolution, paddle, 50 rpm) using 1000 ml of 0.05M SLS in water at 37 °C ± 0.5°C.
The composition of the present invention exhibits a dissolution profile such that within 30 minutes more than 75% of fenofibrate is released, wherein the release rate is measured in Apparatus 2 (USP, Dissolution, paddle, 50 rpm) using 1000 ml of 0.05M SLS in water at 37 °C ± 0.5°C. The said composition exhibits similar dissolution profile as that of Tricor® tablets (commercially available fenofibrate tablets).
While the present invention has been described in terms of its specific embodiments, certain modifications and equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in the art and are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.
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Example-1
Table-1 Composition of Fenofibrate Tablets (48mg, 145 mg)

S.No. Ingredients Qty/tablet (%w/w)
Parti
1. Fenofibrate 20-70
2. PVP K-30 1-30
3. Pregelatinized starch 5-70
4. Acetone q.s
5. I PA q.s
Part II
6. Docusate Sodium 0.05-5
7. Sodium Lauryl Sulphate 0.1-10
8. Acetone q.s
9. Water q.s
Part III Extragranular
10 Microcrystalline Cellulose 10-50
11 Crospovidone 1-10
12 Magnesium stearate 0.1-2
13 Opadry 0.5-5
Procedure: Fenofibrate and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP K-30) are dissolved in sufficient quantity of acetone and isopropyl alcohol (IPA) to get clear solution. Fenofibrate solution is adsorbed on Pregelatinizied starch using Glatt processor. Wet mass thus obtained is tray dried overnight in an oven at 35-40°C (step 1). Docusate sodium and sodium lauryl sulphate are dissolved in sufficient quantity of acetone and water mixture (step 2). The obtained solution is layered onto dried mass obtained in step 1 using Glatt processor and then dried. Dried mass is sieved through ASTM 30 mesh and blended with presifted microcrystalline cellulose and crospovidone in rapid mixer granulator. Above blend is lubricated with magnesium stearate and compressed to form tablet using suitable tooling. Compressed tablets are coated with aqueous dispersion of Opadry.
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Table 2: Dissolution data of Fenofibrate tablets (145mg) and Tricor® Tablets (145mg)

Time (min) % drug released (Example-1) % drug released (Tricor® Tablets)
10 53 56
20 93 99
30 100 100
45 100 100
Table 2 provides the dissolution data for fenofibrate tablets (145mg) prepared as per the formula given in Table 1 and commercially available Tricor® Tablets. For determination of drug release rate, USP Type 2 Apparatus (rpm 50) was used wherein 1000 ml of 0.05M SLS in water at 37 °C ± 0.5°C was used as medium.
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WE CLAIM:
1) A pharmaceutical composition comprising fenofibrate or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and pharmaceutically acceptable adsorbent wherein the said adsorbent is pregelatinized starch.
2) A pharmaceutical composition of claim 1 wherein fenofibrate is non-micronized and having particle size greater than or equal to about 150pm.
3) A process for preparing pharmaceutical composition of fenofibrate or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof wherein the said process comprises the steps of:

a) dissolving fenofibrate and optionally one or more binders in one or more organic solvents to form a solution
b) adsorbing solution of step a) on pregelatinized starch to obtain adsorbate of fenofibrate and optionally drying
c) layering the adsorbate of fenofibrate of step b) with a solution or dispersion of one or more surfactants
d) optionally adding one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients to step c).

4) A process of claim 3 wherein binder comprises one or more of polyvinylpyrrolidone, ethylcellulose, low molecular weight Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose.
5) A process of claim 3 wherein organic solvent comprises one or more of methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, acetone, ether, chloroform, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), dimethylformamide (DMF), methylene chloride.
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6) A process of claim 3 wherein adsorbate of fenofibrate contains fenofibrate
in an amount from about 1% to about 70% by weight and
pharmaceutically acceptable adsorbent from about 30% to about 99% by
weight.
■7) A process of claim 3 wherein surfactants comprises one or more of
amphoteric, non-ionic, cationic or anionic surfactants.
8) A process of claim 3 wherein pharmaceutically acceptable excipients comprises one or more of fillers, lubricants, disintegrants, and glidants.
9) A pharmaceutical composition of fenofibrate or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and pharmaceutically acceptable adsorbent wherein the said adsorbent is pregelatinized starch; and wherein the formulation exhibits a dissolution profile such that within 30 minutes more than 75% of fenofibrate is released, wherein the release rate is measured in Apparatus 2 (USP, Dissolution, paddle, 50 rpm) using 1000 ml of 0.05M SLS in water at 37 °C ± 0.5°C.
10) A pharmaceutical composition of claim 1 and 9 comprises one or more of a tablet, capsules, powder, disc, caplet, granules, pellets and other dosage forms suitable for oral administration

.JH
Dated this <20'M day of April, 2007 For Wockhardt Limited

nrbt,
(Mandar Kddgule) Authorized-Signatory

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