Patent Publication Number: US-2023147302-A1

Title: Particle size control

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a U.S. national stage filing, under 35 U.S.C. § 371(c), of International Application No. PCT/PT2021/050006, filed on Mar. 12, 2021, which claims priority to United Kingdom Patent Application No. 2003705.7, filed on Mar. 13, 2020, and United Kingdom Patent Application No. 2007814.3, filed on May 26, 2020. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates to micronised pharmaceutical products consisting essentially of crystalline opicapone. The invention also relates to a method of producing these micronised pharmaceutical products and their use in improving the bioavailability of opicapone in the treatment of Parkinson&#39;s disease. Furthermore, the invention relates to methods for determining the primary particle size distribution and the agglomerate content within such micronised pharmaceutical products. 
     BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION 
     Levodopa (L-DOPA) has been used in clinical practice for several decades in the symptomatic treatment of various conditions, including Parkinson&#39;s disease. L-DOPA is able to cross the blood-brain barrier, where it is then converted to dopamine and increases the levels thereof. However, conversion of L-DOPA to dopamine may also occur in the peripheral tissue, possibly causing adverse effects upon administration of L-DOPA. Therefore, it has become standard clinical practice to co-administer a peripheral amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) inhibitor, such as carbidopa or benserazide, which prevents conversion to dopamine in peripheral tissue. It is also known that inhibitors of the enzyme catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) may provide clinical improvements in patients afflicted with Parkinson&#39;s disease undergoing treatment with L-DOPA, since COMT catalyses the degradation of L-DOPA. 
     It has been found, as set forth in International Publication No. WO 2007/013830, that the nitrocatechol derivative opicapone is a potent and long-acting COMT inhibitor. This compound is bioactive, bioavailable and exhibits low toxicity. Thus, opicapone has potentially valuable pharmaceutical properties in the treatment of some central and peripheral nervous system disorders where inhibition of O-methylation of catecholamines may be of therapeutic benefit, such as, for example, mood disorders; movement disorders, such as Parkinson&#39;s disease, parkinsonian disorders and restless legs syndrome; gastrointestinal disturbances; oedema formation states; and hypertension. The development of the opicapone molecule is described in L. E. Kiss et al, J. Med. Chem., 2010, 53, 3396-3411 and it was approved for marketing in the EU in June 2016. 
     Further research since WO 2007/013830 has focused on optimising opicapone into a stable and bioavailable form. For example, WO 2009/116882 describes various polymorphs of opicapone, with polymorph A being both kinetically and thermodynamically stable. WO 2010/114404 and WO 2010/114405 describe stable opicapone formulations used in clinical trials. WO 2013/089573 describes optimised methods for producing opicapone using simple starting materials and with good yields. Importantly, WO 2013/089573 also discloses that when recrystallised opicapone is ball milled or micronized through spiral jet mills, microparticles of the desired size for good oral bioavailability can be obtained. This effect is supported by the poster abstract “ Relative Bioavailability of Opicapone from Two Different Formulations in Healthy Subjects: The In Vivo Effect of Particle Size ” (R. Lima et al, AAPS Annual Meeting, Orlando, 2015), which describes a phase I clinical trial in healthy volunteers comparing the bioavailability (AUC 0-inf  and C max ) of micronised and non-micronised opicapone. WO 2013/089573 discloses Equivalent Circular Diameter (ECD) values (D10, D50 and D95) characteristic of micronised opicapone with bioavailability ˜2-fold higher than the non-micronised equivalent. Therefore, the preferred opicapone form for clinical use is based on a pharmaceutical product consisting essentially of crystalline opicapone substance with the ECD size characteristics described in WO 2013/089573. 
     In spite of being consistently more bioavailable than the non-micronised form, the inventors have since discovered that final drug product formulations containing micronised crystalline opicapone may still vary considerably in their oral bioavailability (e.g. AUC and C max ). This variability was observed in spite of the pharmaceutical product being produced according to good manufacturing practices and fulfilling the ECD size characteristics described in WO 2013/089573. 
     Therefore, there remains a need for a pharmaceutical product consisting essentially of crystalline opicapone that can be formulated together with suitable pharmaceutical excipients to provide a final drug product which has improved oral bioavailability and consistent pharmacokinetic parameters (e.g. AUC and C max ) so as to ensure bioequivalence in humans and/or animal models. Additionally, there remains a need for methods of characterising a pharmaceutical product consisting essentially of crystalline opicapone that can predict whether the pharmaceutical product can be formulated together with suitable pharmaceutical excipients to provide a final drug product which has improved oral bioavailability and consistent pharmacokinetic parameters (e.g. AUC and C max ) so as to ensure bioequivalence in humans and/or animal models. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present inventors have now identified a previously unknown characteristic of micronised pharmaceutical products consisting essentially of crystalline opicapone which can cause biologically significant batch-to-batch variability in pharmacokinetic parameters (e.g. AUC and C max ) in spite of displaying comparable primary particle size distribution, as characterised using the standard ECD values (D10, D50 and/or D95) described in WO 2013/089573. 
     The inventors discovered that the bioavailability of such products could be improved and biologically significant batch-to-batch variability eliminated when the agglomerate distribution of micronised crystalline opicapone was analysed and the proportion of sheaf agglomerates was low (≥30%) and, preferably, the proportion of globular aggregates was high (a 70%). In batches where these criteria were not met, repeat micronisation, preferably by jet milling, as described below, resulted it a micronised product fulfilling these criteria. 
     Accordingly, in a first general embodiment, the invention provides a pharmaceutical product consisting essentially of crystalline opicapone having the following primary particle size distribution:
         D10 (maximum distance) greater than or equal to 5 μm;   D50 (maximum distance) of 10 to 70 μm; and   D90 (maximum distance) less than or equal to 250 μm; and the following agglomerate distribution:   % number of sheaf agglomerates less than or equal to 30%.       

     In a second general embodiment, the invention provides a further pharmaceutical product comprising the pharmaceutical product according to the first general embodiment blended with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients. 
     In a third general embodiment, the invention provides a further pharmaceutical product wherein the pharmaceutical product according to the second general embodiment is granulated. 
     In a fourth general embodiment, the invention provides a further pharmaceutical product comprising the pharmaceutical product according to the third general embodiment blended with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients. 
     In a fifth general embodiment, the invention provides a capsule for oral administration comprising a pharmaceutical product according to any one of the second, third or fourth general embodiments. 
     In a sixth general embodiment, the invention provides a tablet for oral administration comprising a pharmaceutical product according to any one of the second, third or fourth general embodiments. 
     In a seventh general embodiment, the invention provides method of manufacturing a pharmaceutical product comprising the following steps:
         a) micronising a product consisting essentially of crystalline opicapone;   b) determining the primary particle size distribution and the % number of sheaf agglomerates for the crystalline opicapone in the micronized product;   C) retaining micronized product consisting essentially of crystalline opicapone having the following primary particle size distribution:
           D10 (maximum distance) greater than or equal to 5 μm;   D50 (maximum distance) of 10 to 70 μm; and   D90 (maximum distance) less than or equal to 250 μm;   
           and the following agglomerate distribution:
           % number of sheaf agglomerates less than or equal to 30%; and   
           d) if necessary, repeating steps a) to c) on micronized product consisting essentially of crystalline opicapone which does not have the primary particle size and agglomerate distributions defined in step c) above.       

     In an eighth general embodiment, the invention provides for the use of a pharmaceutical product as defined in the first general embodiment, for the manufacture of a medicament for increasing opicapone bioavailability in a patient suffering from Parkinson&#39;s disease, as compared to the opicapone bioavailability which would be obtained from an equivalent medicament manufactured using a pharmaceutical product as defined in the first general embodiment except for having a percentage number of sheaf agglomerates greater than 30%. 
     In a ninth general embodiment, the invention provides a medicament comprising a pharmaceutical product as defined in the first general embodiment, for use in increasing opicapone bioavailability in a patient suffering from Parkinson&#39;s disease, as compared to the opicapone bioavailability which would be obtained from an equivalent medicament comprising a pharmaceutical product as defined in the first general embodiment except for having a percentage number of sheaf agglomerates greater than 30%. 
     In a tenth general embodiment, the invention provides a method of increasing opicapone bioavailability in a patient suffering from Parkinson&#39;s disease comprising administering to said patient a medicament comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical product as defined in the first general embodiment, wherein said medicament provides increased opicapone bioavailability, as compared to the opicapone bioavailability which would be obtained from an equivalent medicament comprising a pharmaceutical product as defined in the first general embodiment except for having a percentage number of sheaf agglomerates greater than 30%. 
     In an eleventh general embodiment, the invention provides a method for determining the primary particle size distribution of a pharmaceutical product consisting essentially of micronised crystalline opicapone comprising the steps of:
         i) dispersing the pharmaceutical product in mineral oil in a manner which disaggregates any agglomerates;   ii) positioning the dispersion for particle size measurement;   iii) measuring the maximum distance between any two points of a single particle of crystalline opicapone;   iv) repeating step iii) for at least 100 particles; and   v) calculating the D10 (maximum distance), D50 (maximum distance) and D90 (maximum distance) values.       

     In a twelfth general embodiment, the invention provides a method for determining the primary particle size distribution of a pharmaceutical product consisting essentially of micronised crystalline opicapone comprising the steps of:
         i) dispersing the pharmaceutical product in mineral oil in a manner which disaggregates any agglomerates;   ii) positioning the dispersion for particle size measurement;   iii) measuring the total fibre length of a single particle of crystalline opicapone;   iv) repeating step iii) for at least 100 particles; and   v) calculating the D10 (total fibre length), D50 (total fibre length) and D90 (total fibre length) values.       

     In a thirteenth general embodiment, the invention provides a method for determining the agglomerate distribution of a pharmaceutical product consisting essentially of micronised crystalline opicapone comprising the steps of:
         i) positioning a dry sample of the pharmaceutical product for agglomerate analysis without disaggregating the agglomerates;   ii) determining the percentage number of sheaf agglomerates within the sample; and   iii) determining the percentage number of globular agglomerates within the sample.       

     Further specific and preferred aspects of these general embodiments are described below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG.  1    shows pictures of a typical “sheaf agglomerate” sitting amongst disaggregated primary particles of crystalline opicapone. 
         FIG.  2    shows pictures of a typical “globular agglomerate” sitting amongst disaggregated primary particles of crystalline opicapone. 
         FIG.  3    shows preferred aspect ratio and solidity values for globular agglomerates. 
         FIG.  4    shows the “equivalent circle diameter” (ECD) of a particle (a). 
         FIG.  5    shows the “maximum distance” of a particle (b). 
         FIG.  6    shows the “total fibre length” of a fibrous particle (c). 
         FIG.  7    shows the correlation between “total fibre length” and “maximum distance” of a particle. 
         FIG.  8    shows the correlation between sheaf agglomerates and globular agglomerates. 
         FIG.  9    shows plasma levels of opicapone following a single oral administration of various micronized crystalline opicapone samples to male Wistar rats (see Experiment 4.1 below). 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     A. Definitions 
     The following definitions apply to the terms as used throughout this specification, unless otherwise limited in specific instances. 
     A “pharmaceutical product” is a product which can be used to prepare a final medicament or drug product suitable for administration to a patient. 
     The term “consisting essentially of crystalline opicapone” means that the pharmaceutical product consists entirely of crystalline opicapone, or it consists of crystalline opicapone with only small amounts of other components which do not materially affect its essential pharmaceutical properties. A pharmaceutical product consisting essentially of crystalline opicapone will generally contain crystalline opicapone in an amount of at least 95 wt %, preferably at least 97 wt %, more preferably at least 98 wt %, even more preferably at least 99 wt %, based on the total dry weight of the pharmaceutical product. 
     The term “primary particles” refers to the smallest discrete identifiable crystalline opicapone entities within a sample of the pharmaceutical product. A primary particle may consist of a single crystal of opicapone. As can be seen from  FIGS.  1  and  2   , primary particles of crystalline opicapone are typically rod-shaped and/or needle-shaped and/or fibrous. 
     An “agglomerate” of crystalline opicapone refers to an assemblage of at least 10 primary particles of crystalline opicapone, usually held together by weak physical interactions. Typically, such agglomerates contain many more primary particles of crystalline opicapone. The formation of agglomerates is generally reversible and an agglomerate can usually be converted to discrete primary particles by application of a relatively weak force. 
     A “sheaf agglomerate” of crystalline opicapone is an agglomerate wherein the primary particles are predominantly assembled side-by-side. Such agglomerates are assembled in a manner that may, for example, resemble a corn sheaf (see  FIG.  1   ). Typically, such agglomerates have at least 60%, more typically at least 70%, still more typically at least 80% of their primary particles assembled side-by-side. Unlike most agglomerates, a sheaf agglomerate of crystalline opicapone is not easily converted (e.g. disaggregated) to discrete primary particles. A “sheaf agglomerate” may be further defined as having an ‘aspect ratio’ less than 0.45 (or alternatively an ‘elongation’ greater than 0.55, since elongation=1−aspect ratio). The ‘aspect ratio’ is equal to the ‘width’ of the agglomerate divided by its ‘length’, wherein the ‘length’ is calculated by projecting all possible lines from one point on the perimeter of the agglomerate to another point on its perimeter onto the ‘major axis’ (the ‘major axis’ being the axis of minimum rotational energy) and measuring the maximum length of these projections, and the ‘width’ is calculated by projecting all possible lines from one point on the perimeter of the agglomerate to another point on its perimeter onto the ‘minor axis’ (the ‘minor axis’ being the axis of maximum rotational energy) and measuring the maximum length of these projections. 
     A “globular agglomerate” of crystalline opicapone is an agglomerate wherein the primary particles are arranged in a manner other than as a “sheaf agglomerate”. Usually, this results in a substantially spherical or globe-like agglomerate (see  FIG.  2   ). Like most agglomerates, a globular agglomerate of crystalline opicapone is easily converted to discrete primary particles. A “globular agglomerate” may be further defined as having an ‘aspect ratio’ greater than or equal to 0.45 (or alternatively an ‘elongation’ less than or equal to 0.55, since elongation=1−aspect ratio). A “globular agglomerate” may be still further defined as a “polygon” having [solidity:aspect ratio] coordinates within the region of a solidity (y-axis) versus aspect ratio (x axis) graph defined by the vertices [0.23:1], [0.82:0], [1:0] and [1;1]. The ‘aspect ratio’ is as defined above and the ‘solidity’ is equal to the area bound by the actual perimeter of the agglomerate divided by the area bound by its ‘convex hull perimeter’. The ‘convex hull perimeter’ is a well-established parameter which, in simple terms, may be envisaged as an imaginary elastic band stretched around the outline of the particle image. Thus, a polygon having an aspect ratio of 1, may have a wide range of solidity (i.e. 0.23 to 1) whereas a polygon having an aspect ratio tending towards 0, must lie within a narrow range for solidity (i.e. 0.82 to 1). Of course, a globular agglomerate preferably has an aspect ratio greater than or equal to 0.45. Therefore, agglomerates meeting the polygon criteria do not necessarily qualify as preferred globular agglomerates; and globular agglomerates which meet the aspect ratio criterion do not necessarily qualify as polygons. However, particularly preferred globular agglomerates meet both the aspect ratio criterion and also the polygon criterion (see cross-hatched region of  FIG.  3   ). 
     Globular agglomerates generally require less energy than sheaf agglomerates to convert them into discrete primary particles. In other words, a stronger force is generally required to break up a sheaf agglomerate than a globular agglomerate. 
     The term “% number of sheaf agglomerates” refers to the number of sheaf agglomerates in the pharmaceutical product expressed as a percentage of the total number of all types of agglomerate present in the pharmaceutical product. Similarly, the term “% number of globular agglomerates” refers to the number of globular agglomerates in the pharmaceutical product expressed as a percentage of the total number of all types of agglomerate present in the pharmaceutical product. 
     The “equivalent circle diameter” (ECD) of a particle is the diameter of a circle with the same area A as the projected area of the particle image (see  FIG.  4   ). 
     The “maximum distance” of a particle is the furthest distance between any two points of the particle (see  FIG.  5   ). 
     The “total fibre length” refers to the length of a fibrous particle as if it was straightened out. It can be assessed by analysis of the skeleton of the fibre and subsequent derivation of its length, also including the particle&#39;s branches (if any are present) (see  FIG.  6   ). 
     During the investigations which led to the present invention, the inventors measured both the maximum distance and total fibre length for different batches of pharmaceutical product consisting essentially of crystalline opicapone and surprisingly found that these parameters correlate directly in a predictable manner (see  FIG.  7   ). Due to the fact that maximum distance is quicker to measure and computationally less expensive, this parameter is preferred. However, it is within the scope of the invention to measure alternative parameters of particle size that correlate with maximum distance in a predictable manner. For example, for a micronised pharmaceutical product consisting essentially of crystalline opicapone, total fibre length can be measured instead and approximately converted into maximum distance by multiplying the total fibre length by 0.8. To ensure conversion between equivalent parameters is predictable, a correlation factor (R 2 ) of at least 0.90 preferably 0.95, is required. 
     Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. 
     B. Pharmaceutical Products 
     The invention provides a pharmaceutical product consisting essentially of crystalline opicapone having a specific primary particle size distribution and a percentage number of sheaf agglomerates less than or equal to 30%. 
     The inventors surprisingly discovered that a pharmaceutical product with these characteristics could be used to prepare a final medicament or drug product suitable for administration to a patient which displayed good oral bioavailability (e.g. AUC and Cm) whilst batch-to-batch variability was reduced. In particular, pharmaceutical products with these characteristics did not result in batches which, when formulated into a final medicament or drug product, suffered a significant reduction in bioavailability. In this respect, a “significant reduction in bloavallability” is defined as a reduction in a particular pharmacokinetic parameter (e.g. AUC and/or C max ) such that the final medicament or drug product may no longer be considered bioequivalent to that approved by the relevant regulatory authorities. The term “bloequivalent” is known to the skilled person and generally refers to a final medicament or drug product having a bioavailability (e.g. AUC and C max ) in the range of 80 to 125% of standard parameters established for the final medicament or drug product as approved by the relevant regulatory authorities. 
     Generally, the micronised pharmaceutical product consisting essentially of crystalline opicapone has the following primary particle size distribution:
         i) D10 (maximum distance) greater than or equal to 5 μm;   ii) D50 (maximum distance) of 10 to 70 μm; and   iii) D90 (maximum distance) less than or equal to 250 μm;       

     Therefore, in a generally preferred embodiment, the pharmaceutical product consists essentially of crystalline opicapone having the following primary particle size and agglomerate distributions:
         i) D10 (maximum distance) greater than or equal to 5 μm;   ii) D50 (maximum distance) of 10 to 70 μm;   iii) D90 (maximum distance) less than or equal to 250 μm; and   iv) % number of sheaf agglomerates less than or equal to 30%.       

     In a preferred embodiment, the crystalline opicapone of the micronised pharmaceutical product has a percentage number of sheaf agglomerates less than or equal to 25%, more preferably less than or equal to 20%, even more preferably less than or equal to 15% and most preferably less than or equal to 10%. These lower levels of sheaf agglomerates may provide enhanced bioavailability (e.g. AUC and C max ), for example, over a product with more than 30% of sheaf agglomerates. 
     Alternatively, or additionally, increased bioavailability (e.g. AUC and C max ) and reduced batch-to-batch variability can be predicted based upon a high level of globular agglomerates within the pharmaceutical product. This is because the inventors discovered that the agglomerates in the crystalline opicapone of the micronised pharmaceutical product mainly consist of sheaf and globular agglomerates (see  FIG.  8   ). As such, a percentage number of globular agglomerates more than or equal to 70% is equivalent a percentage number of sheaf agglomerates less than or equal to 30%. Preferably, the crystalline opicapone of the micronised pharmaceutical product has a percentage number of globular agglomerates more than or equal to 75%, more preferably more than or equal to 80%, even more preferably more than or equal to 85% and most preferably more than or equal to 90%. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the total area occupied by sheaf agglomerates in a 1 mg sample of the pharmaceutical product, as determined by particle size measurement (such as that described in Experiment 1 below), is lower than 4.0×10 6  μm 2 /mg, more preferably lower than 3.0×10 6  μm 2 /mg, even more preferably lower than 2.0×10 6  μm 2 /mg, most preferably lower than 1.0×10 6  μm 2 /mg. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the total volume occupied by sheaf agglomerates in a 1 mg sample of the pharmaceutical product, as determined by particle size measurement (such as that described in Experiment 1 below), is lower than 5×10 8  m 3 /mg, more preferably lower than 3.0×10 8  μm 3 /mg, even more preferably lower than 2.0×10 μm 3 /mg, most preferably lower than 1.0×10 8  μm 3 /mg. 
     In a more preferred embodiment, the crystalline opicapone has the following primary particle size distribution:
         i) D10 (maximum distance) greater than or equal to 8 μm;   ii) D50 (maximum distance) of 20 to 55 μm; and/or   iii) D90 (maximum distance) less than or equal to 200 μm.       

     In an even more preferred embodiment, the crystalline opicapone has the following primary particle size distribution:
         i) D10 (maximum distance) greater than or equal to 9 μm;   ii) D50 (maximum distance) of 25 to 50 μm; and/or   iii) D90 (maximum distance) less than or equal to 180 μm.       

     These values are particularly suitable and displayed optimal bioavailability with bioequivalence observed provided that large amounts of sheaf agglomerates (i.e. more than 30%) are not present. 
     The pharmaceutical product of the invention consists essentially of micronised crystalline opicapone. This is because pharmaceutical products with large amounts of impurities and/or other pharmaceutical ingredients (e.g. pharmaceutical excipients) are not amenable to the processes of determining the primary particle size distribution, total fibre length distribution and/or agglomerate distribution of the pharmaceutical product, described below. It would not be possible to accurately distinguish primary particles and/or agglomerates of micronised crystalline opicapone from other particles present. For example, a final medicament or drug product with 25 to 50 mg of opicapone will have been combined with relatively large amounts of pharmaceutical excipients and cannot be analysed using the methods described below. Therefore, the pharmaceutical product generally comprises crystalline opicapone in an amount of at least 95 wt %, preferably at least 97 wt %, more preferably at least 98 wt %, even more preferably at least 99 wt %, of the total dry weight of the pharmaceutical product. Such purity levels make the pharmaceutical product particularly suitable for characterisation by the methods described below. 
     In another preferred embodiment, the crystalline opicapone of the pharmaceutical product is polymorph A disclosed in WO2009/116882. This polymorph displays excellent kinetic and thermodynamic stability, excellent bioavailability and is particularly suitable for micronisation processes described for opicapone. 
     C. Methods of Manufacture 
     Methods for the synthesis, purification, crystallisation and micronisation of opicapone are known to those skilled in the art, and are described in the background section. However, the present invention also provides a method of manufacturing the pharmaceutical product described above comprising the following steps:
         a) micronising a product consisting essentially of crystalline opicapone;   b) determining the primary particle size distribution and the % number of sheaf agglomerates in the micronized product;   c) retaining micronized product consisting essentially of crystalline opicapone having the following primary particle size distribution:
           D10 (maximum distance) greater than or equal to 5 μm;   D50 (maximum distance) of 10 to 70 μm; and   D90 (maximum distance) less than or equal to 250 μm;   
           and the following agglomerate distribution:
           % number of sheaf agglomerates less than or equal to 30%; and   
           d) if necessary, repeating steps a) to c) on micronized product consisting essentially of crystalline opicapone which does not have the primary particle size and agglomerate distributions defined in step c) above.       

     The claimed method allows a person skilled in the art to (1) identify batches of pharmaceutical product with appropriate bioavailability and reduced batch-to-batch variability, and (2) establish micronisation conditions that are highly suitable to convert batches of micronised opicapone with excessive percentage numbers of sheaf agglomerates into a pharmaceutical product according to the invention. 
     The inventors discovered that the following micronisation methods were most suitable for reducing the level of sheaf agglomerates. Preferably, the micronisation is performed by milling (and/or re-milling) using a jet-milling process with feed rates between 100 and 400 g/30 sec and milling pressures between 2.0 and 7.0 bar. 
     In instances where it is suspected or known that large amounts of sheaf agglomerates are present in a batch of micronised crystalline opicapone, the application also provides a method of manufacturing a pharmaceutical product comprising the following steps:
         a) jet milling a micronised product consisting essentially of crystalline opicapone having, or suspected of having, a % number of sheaf agglomerates greater than 30%;   b) determining the primary particle size distribution and the % number of sheaf agglomerates for the crystalline opicapone in the micronized product;   c) retaining micronized product consisting essentially of crystalline opicapone having the following primary particle size distribution:
           D10 (maximum distance) greater than or equal to 5 μm;   D50 (maximum distance) of 10 to 70 μm; and   D90 (maximum distance) less than or equal to 250 μm;   
           and the following agglomerate distribution:
           % number of sheaf agglomerates less than or equal to 30%; and   
           d) if necessary, repeating steps a) to c) on micronized product consisting essentially of crystalline opicapone which does not have the primary particle size and agglomerate distributions defined in step c) above.       

     A micronised product would be known to contain this level of sheaf agglomerates if it had been analysed using the process described below. A micronised product would be suspected of containing this level of sheaf agglomerates if it has been manufactured using the same process as a batch of micronised product known to contain this level of sheaf agglomerates. 
     Once it has been established that pharmaceutical product is in accordance with the invention, it can be further processed into a final medicament or drug product safe in the knowledge that bioequivalence will be achieved. Therefore, in a generally preferred embodiment, the micronised pharmaceutical product retained in step c) of the method described above is combined with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients to form a pharmaceutical composition (e.g. a medicament or drug product) suitable for oral administration. Accordingly, a preferred embodiment of the invention is directed to methods of manufacturing a pharmaceutical composition comprising (i) a therapeutically effective amount of the pharmaceutical product as defined above (e.g. an amount which provides 25 to 50 mg of opicapone); and (ii) one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients. 
     Preferably, the method involves the formation of granules of the pharmaceutical product and the one or more excipients. More preferably, the method involves formation of a unit dose of the granules. Even more preferably, the unit dose is a capsule or a tablet. 
     The pharmaceutical product manufactured according to the method of the invention may be administered alone or in combination with one or more other drugs (for example, a dopamine precursor and/or an AADC inhibitor). Generally, the dopamine precursor and/or AADC inhibitor will be administered as a single formulation in association with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients and will be administered at least 1 hour before or after the pharmaceutical composition manufactured according to the method of the invention. 
     Pharmaceutical compositions suitable for the delivery of compounds of the present invention and methods for their preparation will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. 
     Such compositions and methods for their preparation may be found, for example, in “Remington&#39;s Pharmaceutical Sciences”, 19th Edition (Mack Publishing Company, 1995). 
     Particularly suitable excipients include lactose monohydrate, sodium starch glycolate, pregelatinized maize starch and magnesium stearate. Particularly suitable dosage forms for the pharmaceutical composition include capsules and tablets. 
     The method is particularly suitable for use in manufacturing pharmaceutical products and pharmaceutical formulations comprising pharmaceutical products with any or all of the preferred features described above in Section B, above. 
     D. Methods of Use 
     This invention is directed in part to the use of a pharmaceutical product of the invention, for the manufacture of a medicament for increasing opicapone bioavailability in a patient suffering from Parkinson&#39;s disease, as compared to the opicapone bioavailability which would be obtained from an equivalent medicament manufactured using a pharmaceutical product of the invention except for having a percentage number of sheaf agglomerates greater than 30%. 
     This invention is also directed in part to a medicament comprising a pharmaceutical product of the invention, for use in increasing opicapone bioavailability in a patient suffering from Parkinson&#39;s disease, as compared to the opicapone bioavailability which would be obtained from an equivalent medicament comprising a pharmaceutical product of the invention except for having a percentage number of sheaf agglomerates greater than 30%. 
     This invention is also directed in part to a method of increasing opicapone bioavailability in a patient suffering from Parkinson&#39;s disease comprising administering to said patient a medicament comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical product of the invention, wherein said medicament provides increased opicapone bioavailability, as compared to the opicapone bioavailability which would be obtained from an equivalent medicament comprising a pharmaceutical product of the invention except for having a percentage number of sheaf agglomerates greater than 30%. 
     In a preferred aspect of the invention, the use, the medicament for use or the method of treatment described above increases a relevant parameter of opicapone bioavailability (e.g. AUC and/or C max ) by at least 20%. The increase in bioavailability is compared to the opicapone bioavailability which would be obtained from an equivalent medicament manufactured using a pharmaceutical product of the invention except for having a percentage number of sheaf agglomerates greater than 30%. 
     In another preferred aspect of the invention, the medicament for use or the method of treatment described above, is co-administered to the patient suffering from Parkinson&#39;s disease alongside L-DOPA. In a more preferred aspect of the invention, the L-DOPA is co-administered with an AADC inhibitor, such as benserazide or carbidopa. 
     E. Process for Determining the Agglomerate Distribution of Crystalline Opicapone 
     As disclosed above, the inventors surprisingly discovered certain batches of pharmaceutical product consisting essentially of micronised crystalline opicapone were not bioequivalent when formulated into a final medicament or drug product in spite of fulfilling primary particle size restrictions according to standard ECD calculations (e.g., D10, D50, and D90). 
     After extensive experimentation, the inventors discovered a technique for positioning a dry sample of the pharmaceutical product onto a solid surface that allowed the detection of previously-unknown agglomerated particles of crystalline opicapone. 
     Through optimisation of conditions, the inventors identified a reliable and reproducible process for determining the agglomerate distribution of a pharmaceutical product. The optimal conditions are detailed in Experiment 1 below. 
     As will be described below, the inventors identified two characteristic types of agglomerate—sheaf agglomerates and globular agglomerates. The presence of high amounts of sheaf agglomerates correlated with poor bioavailability and non-bioequivalence, whereas the presence of high amounts of globular agglomerates correlated with good bioavailability and bioequivalence. 
     Now that the inventors have identified the cause of the batch-to-batch variability and identified conditions in which different agglomerate forms can be distinguished, it will be possible to visualise and distinguish these agglomerates using alternative techniques. For example, the inventors have visualised these agglomerates using both light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. It is envisaged that at least atomic force microscopy and more specialised forms of light scattering (e.g., calculating the shape factor ρ and polydispersity using combined dynamic and static light scattering) may also be used. 
     Therefore, this invention is directed in part to a process for determining the agglomerate distribution of a pharmaceutical product consisting essentially of micronised crystalline opicapone comprising the steps of:
         i) positioning a dry sample of the pharmaceutical product for agglomerate analysis without disaggregating the agglomerates;   ii) determining the percentage of sheaf agglomerates within the sample; and   iii) determining the percentage of globular agglomerates within the sample.       

     A convenient manner to position the dry sample is by the use of moderate pressure. This allows the sample to be positioned for agglomerate analysis without disaggregating the agglomerates. Therefore, in a preferred embodiment, the process for determining the agglomerate distribution of a pharmaceutical product involves positioning the dry sample with the application of pressure. 
     The inventors found that dispersion of the pharmaceutical product in a way that separated the agglomerates but did not cause their disaggregation could be optimised by using particular application pressures and/or sample sizes. Therefore, in a more preferred embodiment the process for determining the agglomerate distribution of the pharmaceutical product involves positioning a dry sample of the pharmaceutical product for agglomerated analysis using an application pressure of between 0.1 bar and 2 bar, preferably between 0.5 bar and 1.5 bar, and more preferably between 1 bar. Pressures below this range did not result in correct positioning of larger amounts of the pharmaceutical product for agglomerate analysis, because the sample did not distribute sufficiently to visualise individual agglomerates. Pressures above this range could cause disaggregation of the agglomerates, especially the globular agglomerates, and especially when smaller amounts of the pharmaceutical product were analysed. 
     In another more preferred embodiment, the process for determining the agglomerate distribution of the pharmaceutical product involves positioning a dry sample of the pharmaceutical product for agglomerate analysis using between 0.1 and 2 mg, preferably between 0.5 and 1.5 mg and more preferably about 1 mg of the dry pharmaceutical product. 
     Amounts below this range were more sensitive to disaggregation of the agglomerate and amounts above this range were harder to distribute sufficiently to visualise individual agglomerates. 
     F. Process for Determining the Primary Particle Size Distribution of Crystalline Opicapone 
     Once the inventors identified a suitable process for determining the agglomerate distribution of a pharmaceutical product, they proceeded to identify an orthogonal process for determining the primary particle size distribution of the pharmaceutical product, i.e., a process that fully disaggregated all agglomerates yet allowed the primary particles of micronised opicapone to remain intact. 
     After extensive experimentation, the inventors discovered a technique for dispersing the pharmaceutical product in mineral oil in a manner which disaggregates any agglomerates and then positioning the dispersion onto a solid surface that allows the measurement of the maximum distance and/or the total fibre length of single primary particles of crystalline opicapone. 
     Through optimisation of conditions, the inventors identified a reliable and reproducible process for determining the primary particle size distribution (i.e. maximum distance and/or total fibre length distribution) of a pharmaceutical product. The optimal conditions are detailed in Experiment 2 below. 
     Therefore, this invention is directed in part to a process for determining the primary particle size distribution of a pharmaceutical product consisting essentially of micronised crystalline opicapone comprising the steps of:
         i) dispersing the pharmaceutical product in mineral oil in a manner which disaggregates any agglomerates;   ii) positioning the dispersion for particle size measurement;   iii) measuring the maximum distance between any two points of a single particle of crystalline opicapone;   iv) repeating step iii) for at least 100 particles; and   v) calculating the D10 (maximum distance), D50 (maximum distance) and D90 (maximum distance) values.       

     Given that the maximum distance of a particle directly and strongly correlates with the total fibre length, this invention is also directed in part to a process for determining the primary particle size distribution of a pharmaceutical product consisting essentially of micronised crystalline opicapone comprising the steps of:
         i) dispersing the pharmaceutical product in mineral oil in a manner which disaggregates any agglomerates;   ii) positioning the dispersion for particle size measurement;   iii) measuring the total fibre length of a single particle of crystalline opicapone;   iv) repeating step iii) for at least 100 particles; and   v) calculating the D10 (total fibre length), D50 (total fibre length) and D90 (total fibre length) values.       

     In a more preferred embodiment, the processes for determining the primary particle size distribution of the pharmaceutical product involves dispersing a sample of the pharmaceutical product in mineral oil for particle size analysis using between 0.1 and 2 mg, preferably between 0.5 and 1.5 mg and more preferably about 1 mg of the dry pharmaceutical product. Amounts below this range were more sensitive to disaggregation of the agglomerate and amounts above this range were hardest to distribute sufficiently to visualise individual particles. It is clear to the skilled person, that larger or smaller amounts of pharmaceutical product in mineral oil could be utilised as long as their relative proportions and the concentration of the suspended pharmaceutical product remains within this range. 
     In another more preferred embodiment, the processes for determining the primary particle size distribution of the pharmaceutical product involves detection using light microscopy and/or light scattering techniques light scattering (e.g., calculating the shape factor ρ and polydispersity using combined dynamic and static light scattering). In a yet more preferred embodiment, the processes for determining the primary particle size distribution of the pharmaceutical product involves detection using light microscopy. 
     G. Examples 
     Experiment 1—“Dry” Process for Identification of Agglomerates and their Characterisation 
     Measurements were carried out by the Morphologi G3 (MG3) method using Malvern equipment equipped with a sample dispersion unit plate and with the following instrumental parameters:
         Sample amount: about 1 mg   SOP optic(s): 2.5×   Light source: Episcopic (top light)   Threshold: 0-78   Scan area: 64.5×49.0   Size bands: 81   Injection pressure: 1 bar   Fiber width&lt;14 μm   Circularity&lt;0.2       

     Additional information about the Morphologi technique and apparatus can be obtained from the manufacturer Malvern Panalytical or obtained from the following internet address https://www.malvernpIalytical.com/er/products/product-range/morpholoai-range. 
     It was important to obtain a homogeneous dispersion of sample without fragmentation of agglomerates. This could be achieved by careful tuning of the sample amount (to facilitate dispersion on the glass slide) and injection pressure (to obtain a homogeneous dispersion without fragmentation of agglomerates). 
     Globular agglomerates were identified by the following classification:
         Polygon: [solidity; aspect ratio]   ([0.230;1]; [0.820;0]; [1;0]; [1;1])   Elongation≥0.550       

     Sheaf agglomerates were identified by the following classification:
         Elongation&gt;0.550       

     Results from analysis of 5 comparative samples of micronized crystalline opicapone and 7 inventive samples of micronized crystalline opicapone are shown in Table 3 below: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                   
                 TABLE 3 
               
             
            
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Parameter 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Total no. of 
                 No. of sheaf 
                 No. of globular 
                 % sheaf 
                 % globular 
               
               
                 Examp. 
                 agglomerates 
                 agglomerates 
                 agglomerates 
                 agglomerates 
                 agglomerates 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Comparative 1 
                 109 
                 30 
                 79 
                 28 
                 72 
               
               
                 Comparative 2 
                 119 
                 42 
                 77 
                 35 
                 65 
               
               
                 Comparative 3 
                 116 
                 39 
                 77 
                 34 
                 66 
               
               
                 Comparative 4 
                 59 
                 26 
                 32 
                 44 
                 56 
               
               
                 Comparative 5 
                 234 
                 43 
                 191 
                 18 
                 82 
               
               
                 Invention 1 
                 469 
                 29 
                 440 
                 6 
                 94 
               
               
                 Invention 2 
                 316 
                 18 
                 298 
                 6 
                 94 
               
               
                 Invention 3 
                 291 
                 20 
                 271 
                 7 
                 93 
               
               
                 Invention 4 
                 355 
                 47 
                 309 
                 13 
                 87 
               
               
                 Invention 5 
                 307 
                 16 
                 291 
                 5 
                 95 
               
               
                 Invention 6 
                 169 
                 6 
                 163 
                 4 
                 96 
               
               
                 Invention 7 
                 210 
                 9 
                 201 
                 4 
                 96 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Experiment 2—“Wet” Process for Determining the Primary Particle Size Distribution of a Pharmaceutical Product 
     Approximately 2 mg of crystalline opicapone was accurately weighed and then transferred into a beaker containing mineral oil. An appropriate quantity of the prepared suspension was then collected, spread on a microscope slide and covered with a coverslip. 
     Measurements of maximum distance and/or total fibre length were carried out using the MG3 method with the following instrumental parameters:
         SOP optic(s): 10×   Light source: Diascopic (bottom light)   Threshold: 0-174   Scan area: 15×25 mm   Size bands: 81   Filters: Convexity≤0.7   Intensity SD≥25       

     Results from analysis of 3 of the above comparative samples of micronized crystalline opicapone and 5 of the above inventive samples of micronized crystalline opicapone are shown in Table 4 below: 
                             TABLE 4                          Example                                                     Compar-   Compar-   Compar-   Inven-   Inven-   Inven-   Inven-   Inven-       Param.   ative 1   ative 3   ative 4   tion 3   tion 1   tion 2   tion 5   tion 4                                                         FTL D10   17   22   26   14   13   15   15   11       FTL D50   66   94   131   49   42   39   35   36       FTL D90   230   290   421   190   165   111   80   142       FTL D95   285   360   546   289   240   216   107   227       MD D10   16   20   24   14   13   14   14   12       MD D50   60   85   117   44   37   34   32   32       MD D90   198   239   340   154   131   87   66   120       MD D95   243   301   433   232   191   180   85   184               FTL = Fibre Total Length (units are μm)       MD = Maximum Distance (units are μm)            
Experiment 3—Milling and/or Re-Milling of Pharmaceutical Product
 
     Milling of crystalline opicapone was carried out using an MC JETMILL®200 micronizer. Several trials were conducted to identify optimum milling conditions. A feed rate of 150 g/30 sec and a milling pressure of 6.0 bar were selected as optimum milling conditions. The results of re-milling non-compliant micronized crystalline opicapone (Comparative Examples 2 and 3 above) under these conditions are shown in Tables 5 and 6 below: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                   
                 TABLE 5 
               
             
            
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Parameter 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Total no. of 
                 No. of sheaf 
                 No. of globular 
                 % sheaf 
                 % globular 
               
               
                 Examp. 
                 agglomerates 
                 agglomerates 
                 agglomerates 
                 agglomerates 
                 agglomerates 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Comparative 2 
                 119 
                 42 
                 77 
                 35 
                 65 
               
               
                 Invention 
                 187 
                 10 
                 177 
                 5 
                 95 
               
               
                 (=Re-milled 
               
               
                 Comparative 2) 
               
               
                 Comparative 3 
                 116 
                 39 
                 77 
                 34 
                 66 
               
               
                 Invention 
                 187 
                 10 
                 177 
                 5 
                 95 
               
               
                 (=Re-milled 
               
               
                 Comparative 3) 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                   
                 TABLE 6 
               
             
            
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Parameter 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 FTL 
                 FTL 
                 FTL 
                 FTL 
                 MD 
                 MD 
                 MD 
                 MD 
               
               
                 Examp. 
                 D10 
                 D50 
                 D90 
                 D95 
                 D10 
                 D50 
                 D90 
                 D95 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Comparative 2 
                 20 
                 79 
                 263 
                 345 
                 18 
                 70 
                 218 
                 273 
               
               
                 Invention 
                 10 
                 32 
                 122 
                 167 
                 10 
                 29 
                 105 
                 143 
               
               
                 (=Re-milled 
               
               
                 Comparative 2) 
               
               
                 Comparative 3 
                 22 
                 94 
                 290 
                 360 
                 20 
                 85 
                 239 
                 301 
               
               
                 Invention 
                 11 
                 46 
                 180 
                 238 
                 11 
                 42 
                 148 
                 195 
               
               
                 (=Re-milled 
               
               
                 Comparative 3) 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Experiment 4—Bioavailability Experiments on Different Batches of Pharmaceutical Product 
     4.1 Bioavailability in Rats 
     General Procedure 
     During the studies, blood was collected at different time points, from tail vein, spun at 1500×g in a refrigerated centrifuge (4° C.) for 15 min, and the plasma obtained was stored at −80° C. until further analysis. The plasma samples collected from thirty animals (270 samples), were analysed for opicapone exposure. The bioanalysis involved the use of LC-MS/MS after plasma precipitation. 
     Tested Materials 
     Studies were conducted using pharmaceutical product which was (i) not in accordance with the invention (Comparative 3), (ii) in accordance with the invention (Invention 3+Invention 1), and (iii) the same as that used in study (i) but re-milled to convert it into product in accordance with the invention (Re-milled Comparative 3). 
     Results 
     (i) Following a single oral administration of micronized crystalline opicapone (50 mg suspended in 100 ml HPMC 0.2%) to male Wistar rats, at a target dose level of 3 mg/kg, the mean concentration of opicapone in plasma was detectable shortly after administration (T max  range between 1 to 3 h post-dose) with a C max  of 508.4 (62.5) ng/mL and an AUC (0-last)  of 1209.4 (55.4) ng*h/mL (n=10). 
     (ii) Following a single oral administration of micronized crystalline opicapone (50 mg suspended in 100 ml HPMC 0.2%) to male Wistar rats, at a target dose level of 3 mg/kg, the mean concentration of opicapone in plasma was detectable shortly after administration (T max  range between 1 to 3 h post-dose) with a C max  of 827.1 (55.9) ng/mL and an AUC (0-last)  of 2266.5 (36.0) ng*h/mL (n=10). 
     (iii) Following a single oral administration of micronized crystalline opicapone (50 mg suspended in 100 ml HPMC 0.2%) to male Wistar rats, at a target dose level of 3 mg/kg, the mean concentration of opicapone in plasma was detectable shortly after administration (T max  range between 1 to 3 h post-dose) with a C max  of 1009.6 (46.7) ng/mL and an AUC (0-last)  of 2193.7 (37.3) ng*h/mL (n=10). 
     Conclusions 
     Micronised crystalline opicapone which was already in accordance with the claimed invention (ii) or which was re-milled to bring it into accordance with the claimed invention (iii) exhibited similar bioavailability which was much greater than that exhibited by micronized crystalline opinapone which was not in accordance with the claimed invention (see  FIG.  9   ). 
     4.2 Bioavailability in Humans 
     General Procedure and Tested Materials 
     An open-label, 3-period, 3-sequence, partial-replicate crossover clinical study, wherein the reference opicapone source (drug product containing pharmaceutical product in accordance with the present invention) was administered twice, and the test opicapone source (drug product containing pharmaceutical product originally not in accordance with the present invention but re-milled to convert it into product in accordance with the invention) was administered once. This allowed the assessment of the within subject variability of the reference source. The crossover design chosen for this study enabled subjects to act as their own control. Treatment sequence randomisation prevented any selection bias that might otherwise have resulted from treatment order. Furthermore, as exposure to opicapone is significantly reduced when administered in the fed state, the bioequivalence was evaluated under fasting conditions after single-dose administration. These were also considered to be the most sensitive conditions to detect a potential difference between the two opicapone sources. 
     Results 
     In this clinical study, drug product manufactured with re-milled crystalline opicapone (test) and compliant crystalline opicapone (reference) was found to be bioequivalent at 50 mg strength, with the 90% Cls of the GMRs for AUC 0-t  (105.32-117.13) and C max  (108.42-124.42) within the bioequivalence acceptance range of 80.00% to 125.00% (see Table 7). 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                 TABLE 7 
               
             
            
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Geometric 
                 Geometric Mean Ratio (%) 
                 Within-subject 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Parameter 
                 Treatment 
                 n 
                 Mean 
                 Estimate 
                 90% CI 
                 CV % 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 AUC 0-t   
                 Test 
                 44 
                 2850 
                 111.07 
                 105.32-117.13 
                 18.99 
               
               
                 (h*ng/mL) 
                 Reference 
                 88 
                 2570 
               
               
                 C max   
                 Test 
                 44 
                 1100 
                 116.06 
                 108.42-124.24 
                 24.04 
               
               
                 (ng/mL) 
                 Reference 
                 88 
                 945 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Conclusion 
     Drug product made from micronised crystalline opicapone which was already in accordance with the claimed invention (reference) was bioequivalent to that made from micronised crystalline opicapone which was re-milled to bring it into accordance with the claimed invention (test). 
     Formulation Examples 
     The pharmaceutical product of the present invention may be combined with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients to form a pharmaceutical composition suitable for oral administration. Preferably, the method involves the formation of granules of the pharmaceutical product and the one or more excipients. More preferably, the method involves formation of a unit dose of the granules. Even more preferably, the unit dose is a capsule or a tablet. 
     In one exemplary embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition comprises 0.2 to 50 wt % pharmaceutical product and 50 to 99.8 wt % of pharmaceutically acceptable excipient(s), preferably comprising 1 to 15 wt % binder and 33 to 85 wt % filler, and optionally 0.5 to 15 wt % lubricant and/or 1 to 15 wt % disintegrant, such as the following compositions and/or formulations: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 Pharmaceutical product 
                 0.2-50 
                 wt % 
               
               
                   
                 (of the present invention) 
               
               
                   
                 Filler 
                 35.0-85.0 
                 wt % 
               
               
                   
                 Binder 
                 1.0-15.0 
                 wt % 
               
               
                   
                 Lubricant 
                 1.0-15.0 
                 wt % 
               
               
                   
                 Disintegrant 
                 1.0-15.0 
                 wt % 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 Pharmaceutical product 
                 30.0-50.0 
                 wt % 
               
               
                   
                 (of the present invention) 
               
               
                   
                 Filler 
                 35.0-60.0 
                 wt % 
               
               
                   
                 Binder 
                 3.0-10.0 
                 wt % 
               
               
                   
                 Lubricant 
                 1.0-10.0 
                 wt % 
               
               
                   
                 Disintegrant 
                 3.0-10.0 
                 wt % 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 Pharmaceutical product 
                 0.2-35 
                 wt % 
               
               
                   
                 (of the present invention) 
               
               
                   
                 Filler 
                 50.0-85.0 
                 wt % 
               
               
                   
                 Binder 
                 3.0-10.0 
                 wt % 
               
               
                   
                 Lubricant 
                 1.0-10.0 
                 wt % 
               
               
                   
                 Disintegrant 
                 3.0-10.0 
                 wt % 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 Pharmaceutical product 
                 5-25 
                 wt % 
               
               
                   
                 (of the present invention) 
               
               
                   
                 Filler 
                 60.0-80.0 
                 wt % 
               
               
                   
                 Binder 
                 5.0-10.0 
                 wt % 
               
               
                   
                 Lubricant 
                 0.5-4.0 
                 wt % 
               
               
                   
                 Disintegrant 
                 4.0-8.0 
                 wt % 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Such pharmaceutical compositions may be in the form of a dosage form such as a capsule or a compressed form such as a tablet. 
     Fillers/diluents of the present disclosure include calcium phosphate, dibasic anhydrous (for example, A-TAB™, Di-Cafos A-N™, Emcompress™ Anhydrous, and Fujicalin™); calcium phosphate, dibasic dihydrate (for example, Cafos™, Calipharm™, Calstar™, Di-Cafos™, Emcompress™); and calcium phosphate tribasic (for example, Tri-Cafos™, TRI-CAL™ WG, TRI-TAB™). In a further embodiment, the filler may be chosen from starches, lactose, and cellulose. In at least one embodiment, at least two fillers may be present, for example a combination of starch, lactose, and/or cellulose. Preferred filler is lactose. 
     Binders of the present disclosure include acacia, alginic acid, carbomer, carboxymethylcellulose sodium, ceratonia, cottonseed oil, dextrin, dextrose, gelatin, guar gum, hydrogenated vegetable oil type I, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxyethylmethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, low substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose, hypromellose, magnesium aluminium silicate, maltodextrin, maltose, methylcellulose, ethylcellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, polydextrose, polyethylene oxide, polymethacrylates, sodium alginate, starch, pregelatinised starch, stearic acid, sucrose and zein. Preferred binder is pregelatinised starch. 
     Lubricants/flow agents of the present disclosure include calcium stearate, glycerine monostearate, glyceryl behenate, glyceryl palmitostearate, hydrogenated castor oil, hydrogenated vegetable oil type I, magnesium lauryl sulphate, magnesium stearate, medium-chain triglycerides, poloxamer, polyethylene glycol, sodium benzoate, sodium chloride, sodium lauryl sulphate, sodium stearyl fumarate, stearic acid, talc, sucrose stearate, and zinc stearate, and mixtures thereof. Preferred lubricant is magnesium stearate. 
     Suitable disintegrants of the present disclosure include agar, calcium carbonate, alginic acid, calcium phosphate (tribasic), carboxymethylcellulose calcium, carboxymethylcellulose sodium, colloidal silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, crospovidone, docusate sodium, guar gum, low substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose, magnesium aluminium silicate, methylcellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium alginate, sodium starch glycolate, polacrilin potassium, silicified microcrystalline cellulose, starch and pre-gelatinized starch, and mixtures thereof. The disintegrant may be a combination of disintegrants and/or at least two disintegrants are present, for example a combination of sodium carboxymethyl starch and sodium starch glycolate, such as the sodium starch glycolate sold under the trade name Explotab™. The preferred disintegrant is sodium starch glycolate, in particular Explotab™. 
     Further examples of pharmaceutical compositions suitable for the preparation of 25 mg and 50 mg strength capsules and tablets of opicapone (BIA 9-1067) are provided in Tables 8 and 9 below: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 8 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 Dosage 
                 Dosage 
                 Dosage 
                 Dosage 
                 Dosage 
                 Dosage 
                 Dosage 
                 Dosage 
                   
               
               
                 Starting 
                 form° 1 
                 form° 2 
                 form° 3 
                 form° 4 
                 form° 5 
                 form° 6 
                 form° 7 
                 form° 8 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 material 
                 mg 
                 % 
                 mg 
                 % 
                 mg 
                 % 
                 mg 
                 % 
                 mg 
                 % 
                 mg 
                 % 
                 mg 
                 % 
                 mg 
                 % 
                 Function 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 BIA 9-1067 
                 25 
                 10.6 
                 25 
                 10.6 
                 25 
                 10.4 
                 25 
                 10.4 
                 25 
                 10.2 
                 25 
                 10.2 
                 25 
                 10 
                 25 
                 10 
                 Active 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 substance 
               
               
                 Lactose 
                 176 
                 74.9 
                 173 
                 73.6 
                 183 
                 76.3 
                 175 
                 72.9 
                 181 
                 73.9 
                 179 
                 73.1 
                 181 
                 72.4 
                 186 
                 74.4 
                 Diluent 
               
               
                 Pregelatinized 
                 15 
                 6.4 
                 18 
                 7.7 
                 16 
                 6.7 
                 22 
                 9.2 
                 17 
                 6.9 
                 14 
                 5.7 
                 19 
                 7.6 
                 17 
                 6.8 
                 Binder 
               
               
                 starch 
               
               
                 Purified water* 
                 q.s. 
                   
                 q.s. 
                   
                 q.s. 
                   
                 q.s. 
                   
                 q.s. 
                   
                 q.s. 
                   
                 q.s. 
                   
                 q.s. 
                   
                 Granulation 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 liquid 
               
               
                 Sodium starch 
                 15 
                 6.4 
                 13 
                 5.5 
                 10 
                 4.2 
                 16 
                 6.7 
                 17 
                 6.9 
                 19 
                 7.8 
                 18 
                 7.2 
                 19 
                 7.6 
                 Disintegrant 
               
               
                 glycolate 
               
               
                 Magnesium 
                 4 
                 1.7 
                 6 
                 2.6 
                 6 
                 2.5 
                 2 
                 0.8 
                 5 
                 2 
                 8 
                 3.3 
                 7 
                 2.8 
                 3 
                 1.2 
                 Flow agent 
               
               
                 stearate 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 °Composition per dosage form (e.g. capsule, tablet, etc). Tablets may be film-coated (e.g. with, celulose derivates, starch derivates, acrylic acid derivates, PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) or Polyvinyl Acetate Phthalate base film coatings) 
               
               
                 *Not present in final product (only used if wet granulation is the chosen method) 
               
               
                 q.s.—sufficient quantity 
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 9 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 Dosage 
                 Dosage 
                 Dosage 
                 Dosage 
                 Dosage 
                 Dosage 
                 Dosage 
                 Dosage 
                   
               
               
                 Starting 
                 form° 1 
                 form° 2 
                 form° 3 
                 form° 4 
                 form° 5 
                 form° 6 
                 form° 7 
                 form° 8 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 material 
                 mg 
                 % 
                 mg 
                 % 
                 mg 
                 % 
                 mg 
                 % 
                 mg 
                 % 
                 mg 
                 % 
                 mg 
                 % 
                 mg 
                 % 
                 Function 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 BIA 9-1067 
                 50 
                 21.3 
                 50 
                 21.3 
                 50 
                 20.8 
                 50 
                 20.8 
                 50 
                 20.4 
                 50 
                 20.4 
                 50 
                 20 
                 50 
                 20 
                 Active 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 substance 
               
               
                 Lactose 
                 151 
                 64.3 
                 148 
                 63 
                 158 
                 65.8 
                 150 
                 62.5 
                 156 
                 63.7 
                 154 
                 62.9 
                 156 
                 62.4 
                 161 
                 64.4 
                 Diluent 
               
               
                 Pregelatinized 
                 15 
                 6.4 
                 18 
                 7.7 
                 16 
                 6.7 
                 22 
                 9.2 
                 17 
                 6.9 
                 14 
                 5.7 
                 19 
                 7.6 
                 17 
                 6.8 
                 Binder 
               
               
                 starch 
               
               
                 Purified water* 
                 q.s. 
                   
                 q.s. 
                   
                 q.s. 
                   
                 q.s. 
                   
                 q.s. 
                   
                 q.s. 
                   
                 q.s. 
                   
                 q.s. 
                   
                 Granulation 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 liquid 
               
               
                 Sodium starch 
                 15 
                 6.4 
                 13 
                 5.5 
                 10 
                 4.2 
                 16 
                 6.7 
                 17 
                 6.9 
                 19 
                 7.8 
                 18 
                 7.2 
                 19 
                 7.6 
                 Disintegrant 
               
               
                 glycolate 
               
               
                 Magnesium 
                 4 
                 1.7 
                 6 
                 2.6 
                 6 
                 2.5 
                 2 
                 0.8 
                 5 
                 2 
                 8 
                 3.3 
                 7 
                 2.8 
                 3 
                 1.2 
                 Flow agent 
               
               
                 stearate 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 °Composition per dosage form (e.g. capsule, tablet, etc). Tablets may be film-coated (e.g. with, celulose derivates, starch derivates, acrylic acid derivates, PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) or Polyvinyl Acetate Phthalate base film coatings) 
               
               
                 *Not present in final product (only used if wet granulation is the chosen method) 
               
               
                 q.s.—sufficient quantity