Patent Publication Number: US-7723309-B2

Title: Crystalline forms of 1-chloro-4-(β-D-glucopyranos-1-yl)-2-[4-((R)-tetrahydrofuran-3-yloxy)-benzyl]-benzene, a method for its preparation and the use thereof for preparing medicaments

Description:
This application claims priority to EP 05 009 670, filed May 3, 2005 and EP 05 012 195, filed Jun. 7, 2005 the contents of which are incorporated herein. 
     The invention relates to crystalline forms of 1-chloro-4-(β-D-glucopyranos-1-yl)-2-[4-((R)-tetrahydrofuran-3-yloxy)-benzyl]-benzene, to a method for the preparation thereof, as well as to the use thereof for preparing medicaments. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The compound 1-chloro-4-(β-D-glucopyranos-1-yl)-2-[4-((R)-tetrahydrofuran-3-yloxy)-benzyl]-benzene (in the following referred to it as “compound A”) is described in the international patent application WO 2005/092877 and has the chemical structure according to formula A 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     The compounds described therein have a valuable inhibitory effect on the sodium-dependent glucose cotransporter SGLT, particularly SGLT2. The method of manufacture of the compound A as described therein does not yield a crystalline form. 
     A certain pharmaceutical activity is of course the basic prerequisite to be fulfilled by a pharmaceutically active agent before same is approved as a medicament on the market. However, there are a variety of additional requirements a pharmaceutically active agent has to comply with. These requirements are based on various parameters which are connected with the nature of the active substance itself. Without being restrictive, examples of these parameters are the stability of the active agent under various environmental conditions, its stability during production of the pharmaceutical formulation and the stability of the active agent in the final medicament compositions. The pharmaceutically active substance used for preparing the pharmaceutical compositions should be as pure as possible and its stability in long-term storage must be guaranteed under various environmental conditions. This is essential to prevent the use of pharmaceutical compositions which contain, in addition to the actual active substance, breakdown products thereof, for example. In such cases the content of active substance in the medicament might be less than that specified. 
     Uniform distribution of the medicament in the formulation is a critical factor, particularly when the medicament has to be given in low doses. To ensure uniform distribution, the particle size of the active substance can be reduced to a suitable level, e.g. by grinding. Since breakdown of the pharmaceutically active substance as a side effect of the grinding (or micronising) has to be avoided as far as possible, in spite of the hard conditions required during the process, it is essential that the active substance should be highly stable throughout the grinding process. Only if the active substance is sufficiently stable during the grinding process it is possible to produce a homogeneous pharmaceutical formulation which always contains the specified amount of active substance in a reproducible manner. 
     Another problem which may arise in the grinding process for preparing the desired pharmaceutical formulation is the input of energy caused by this process and the stress on the surface of the crystals. This may in certain circumstances lead to polymorphous changes, to amorphization or to a change in the crystal lattice. Since the pharmaceutical quality of a pharmaceutical formulation requires that the active substance should always have the same crystalline morphology, the stability and properties of the crystalline active substance are subject to stringent requirements from this point of view as well. 
     The stability of a pharmaceutically active substance is also important in pharmaceutical compositions for determining the shelf life of the particular medicament; the shelf life is the length of time during which the medicament can be administered without any risk. High stability of a medicament in the abovementioned pharmaceutical compositions under various storage conditions is therefore an additional advantage for both the patient and the manufacturer. 
     The absorption of moisture reduces the content of pharmaceutically active substance as a result of the increased weight caused by the uptake of water. Pharmaceutical compositions with a tendency to absorb moisture have to be protected from moisture during storage, e.g. by the addition of suitable drying agents or by storing the drug in an environment where it is protected from moisture. Preferably, therefore, a pharmaceutically active substance should be only slightly hygroscopic. 
     Furthermore, the availability of a well-defined crystalline form allows the purification of the drug substance by recrystallization. 
     Apart from the requirements indicated above, it should be generally borne in mind that any change to the solid state of a pharmaceutical composition which is capable of improving its physical and chemical stability gives a significant advantage over less stable forms of the same medicament. 
     The aim of the invention is thus to provide a stable crystalline form of the compound A which meets important requirements imposed on pharmaceutically active substances as mentioned above. 
     OBJECT OF THE INVENTION 
     In a first aspect the present invention relates to a crystalline form of the compound A. 
     In a second aspect the present invention relates to the crystalline form I of the compound A having an X-ray powder diffraction pattern that comprises peaks at 17.86, 18.01 and 19.24 degrees 2Θ (±0.05 degrees 2Θ), wherein said X-ray powder diffraction pattern is made using CuK α1  radiation. 
     In a third aspect the present invention relates to the compound A wherein at least 50% of said substance is present in the form of the crystalline form I as defined hereinbefore and hereinafter. 
     In a fourth aspect the present invention relates to the crystalline form II of the compound A having an X-ray powder diffraction pattern that comprises peaks at 15.88, 18.36, 18.87 and 19.20 degrees 2Θ (±0.05 degrees 2Θ), wherein said X-ray powder diffraction pattern is made using CuK α1  radiation. 
     In a fifth aspect the present invention relates to the compound A wherein at least 50% of said substance is present in the form of the crystalline form II as defined hereinbefore and hereinafter. 
     In the light of the pharmaceutical efficacy of the compound A a sixth aspect of the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition or medicament comprising a crystalline form as defined hereinbefore and hereinafter. 
     In a seventh aspect the present invention relates to a use of a crystalline form as defined hereinbefore or hereinafter for preparing a pharmaceutical composition which is suitable for the treatment or prevention of diseases or conditions which can be influenced by inhibiting sodium-dependent glucose cotransporter SGLT, preferably SGLT2. 
     In an eighth aspect the present invention relates to a use of a crystalline form as defined hereinbefore or hereinafter for preparing a pharmaceutical composition which is suitable for the treatment or prevention of metabolic disorders. 
     In a ninth aspect the present invention relates to a use of a crystalline form as defined hereinbefore or hereinafter for preparing a pharmaceutical composition for inhibiting the sodium-dependent glucose cotransporter SGLT2. 
     In a tenth aspect the present invention relates to a use of a crystalline form as defined hereinbefore or hereinafter for preparing a pharmaceutical composition for preventing the degeneration of pancreatic beta cells and/or for improving and/or restoring the functionality of pancreatic beta cells. 
     In an eleventh aspect the present invention relates to a method for making the crystalline form I as defined hereinbefore and hereinafter, said method comprising the following steps:
     (a) dissolving compound A in a solvent or a mixture of solvents to form a saturated or nearly saturated solution, with the proviso that said compound A and/or said solvent or mixture of solvents contain an amount of H 2 O which is at least the quantity required to form a monohydrate of compound A;   (b) storing preferably with cooling the solution to precipitate the crystalline form I out of solution and thus to yield a suspension;   (c) isolating the precipitate from the suspension; and   (d) drying the precipitate until any excess of said solvent or mixture of solvents has been removed.   

     In a twelvth aspect the present invention relates to a method for making the crystalline form II as defined hereinbefore and hereinafter, said method comprising the following step: 
     (a) drying the crystalline form I as defined hereinbefore and hereinafter at a temperature in a range between equal to or greater than 80° C. and smaller than the lower melting point of said crystalline forms I and II or at lower temperature under reduced pressure. 
     In a yet further aspect the present invention relates to a use of a crystalline form as defined hereinbefore and hereinafter for preparing a pharmaceutical composition for preventing, slowing, delaying or treating diseases or conditions attributed to an abnormal accumulation of liver fat in a patient in need thereof. 
     Further aspects of the present invention become apparent to the one skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the invention and the examples. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       The  FIG. 1  shows an X-ray powder diffractogram of the crystalline form I. 
       The  FIG. 2  shows the thermoanalysis and determination of the melting point via DSC and of the weight loss via TG of the crystalline form I. 
       The  FIG. 3  shows an X-ray powder diffractogram of the crystalline form II. 
       The  FIG. 4  shows the thermoanalysis and determination of the melting point via DSC of the crystalline form II. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Surprisingly, it has been found that there exist crystalline forms of the compound A which fulfill important requirements mentioned hereinbefore. 
     Moreover it has been found that, depending on the choice of conditions which can be applied during or after the synthesis of crystalline forms the compound A occurs in different crystalline modifications, especially in at least the crystalline forms I and II. 
     Surprisingly, it has been found that the crystalline forms I and II, especially the crystalline form I, meet the stringent requirements mentioned above and thus solve the problem on which the present invention is based. Accordingly the present invention relates to the crystalline forms I and II of the compound A. 
     These crystalline forms may be identified by means of their characteristic X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) patterns. 
     The crystalline form I is characterised by an X-ray powder diffraction pattern that comprises peaks at 17.86, 18.01 and 19.24 degrees 2Θ (±0.05 degrees 2Θ), wherein said X-ray powder diffraction pattern is made using CuK α1  radiation. 
     In particular said X-ray powder diffraction pattern comprises peaks at 17.86, 18.01, 19.24, 24.05 and 24.51 degrees 2Θ (±0.05 degrees 2Θ), wherein said X-ray powder diffraction pattern is made using CuK α1  radiation. 
     More specifically, the crystalline form I is characterised by an X-ray powder diffraction pattern, made using CuK α1  radiation, which comprises peaks at degrees 2Θ (±0.05 degrees 2Θ) as contained in Table 1. 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 X-ray powder diffraction pattern of the crystalline form I (only 
               
               
                 peaks up to 30° in 2Θ are listed): 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                 2Θ 
                 d-value 
                 Intensity I/I 0   
               
               
                 [°] 
                 [Å] 
                 [%] 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                 4.41 
                 20.03 
                 11 
               
               
                 9.62 
                 9.19 
                 3 
               
               
                 14.07 
                 6.29 
                 3 
               
               
                 15.03 
                 5.89 
                 10 
               
               
                 15.66 
                 5.65 
                 17 
               
               
                 17.44 
                 5.08 
                 11 
               
               
                 17.86 
                 4.96 
                 49 
               
               
                 18.01 
                 4.92 
                 100 
               
               
                 18.78 
                 4.72 
                 21 
               
               
                 19.24 
                 4.61 
                 50 
               
               
                 19.83 
                 4.47 
                 9 
               
               
                 20.08 
                 4.42 
                 7 
               
               
                 20.47 
                 4.33 
                 14 
               
               
                 20.65 
                 4.30 
                 4 
               
               
                 21.31 
                 4.17 
                 6 
               
               
                 22.53 
                 3.94 
                 7 
               
               
                 23.25 
                 3.82 
                 14 
               
               
                 24.05 
                 3.70 
                 25 
               
               
                 24.33 
                 3.66 
                 18 
               
               
                 24.51 
                 3.63 
                 28 
               
               
                 24.97 
                 3.56 
                 18 
               
               
                 25.48 
                 3.49 
                 12 
               
               
                 26.33 
                 3.38 
                 2 
               
               
                 26.86 
                 3.32 
                 6 
               
               
                 27.17 
                 3.28 
                 4 
               
               
                 28.38 
                 3.14 
                 8 
               
               
                 29.06 
                 3.07 
                 5 
               
               
                 29.43 
                 3.03 
                 2 
               
               
                 29.86 
                 2.99 
                 2 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Even more specifically, the crystalline form I is characterised by an X-ray powder diffraction pattern, made using CuK α 1 radiation, which comprises peaks at degrees 2Θ (±0.05 degrees 2Θ) as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     Furthermore the crystalline form I of compound A is characterised by a melting point of about 138° C.±3° C. (determined via DSC; evaluated at onset-temperature; heating rate 10 K/min). The obtained DSC curve is shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     The crystalline form I of the compound A is also characterised by thermal gravimetry (TG) with a weight loss of ca. 3.7% water up to 140° C. as depicted by the dotted line in  FIG. 2 . The loss of water is also indicated by the endothermic peak of the solid DSC curve between about 80 and 130° C. in the DSC diagram as shown in  FIG. 2 . The observed weight loss indicates that the crystalline form I represents a hydrate with a stoichiometry close to a mono-hydrate of the compound A. 
     The crystalline form II is characterised by an X-ray powder diffraction pattern that comprises peaks at 15.88, 18.36, 18.87 and 19.20 degrees 2Θ (±0.05 degrees 2Θ), wherein said X-ray powder diffraction pattern is made using CuK α1  radiation. 
     In particular said X-ray powder diffraction pattern comprises peaks at 15.88, 18.36, 18.87, 19.20, 20.36 and 23.64 degrees 2Θ (±0.05 degrees 2Θ), wherein said X-ray powder diffraction pattern is made using CuK α1  radiation. 
     More specifically, the crystalline form II is characterised by an X-ray powder diffraction pattern, made using CuK α1  radiation, which comprises peaks at degrees 2Θ (±0.05 degrees 2Θ) as contained in Table 2. 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 X-ray powder diffraction pattern of the crystalline form II (only 
               
               
                 peaks up to 30° in 2Θ are listed): 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                 2Θ 
                 d-value 
                 Intensity I/I 0   
               
               
                 [°] 
                 [Å] 
                 [%] 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                 4.39 
                 20.13 
                 18 
               
               
                 9.66 
                 9.15 
                 5 
               
               
                 11.47 
                 7.71 
                 9 
               
               
                 13.14 
                 6.73 
                 20 
               
               
                 14.44 
                 6.13 
                 38 
               
               
                 15.88 
                 5.57 
                 84 
               
               
                 16.16 
                 5.48 
                 5 
               
               
                 18.02 
                 4.92 
                 21 
               
               
                 18.36 
                 4.83 
                 79 
               
               
                 18.50 
                 4.79 
                 36 
               
               
                 18.87 
                 4.70 
                 100 
               
               
                 19.20 
                 4.62 
                 64 
               
               
                 19.50 
                 4.55 
                 41 
               
               
                 19.97 
                 4.44 
                 18 
               
               
                 20.36 
                 4.36 
                 50 
               
               
                 20.54 
                 4.32 
                 27 
               
               
                 20.81 
                 4.26 
                 6 
               
               
                 21.41 
                 4.15 
                 22 
               
               
                 22.02 
                 4.03 
                 35 
               
               
                 22.62 
                 3.93 
                 32 
               
               
                 23.04 
                 3.86 
                 20 
               
               
                 23.64 
                 3.76 
                 44 
               
               
                 23.95 
                 3.71 
                 14 
               
               
                 24.64 
                 3.61 
                 25 
               
               
                 25.04 
                 3.55 
                 21 
               
               
                 25.33 
                 3.51 
                 13 
               
               
                 25.49 
                 3.49 
                 43 
               
               
                 26.00 
                 3.42 
                 3 
               
               
                 26.20 
                 3.40 
                 12 
               
               
                 26.44 
                 3.37 
                 7 
               
               
                 27.12 
                 3.29 
                 26 
               
               
                 27.40 
                 3.25 
                 4 
               
               
                 28.06 
                 3.18 
                 5 
               
               
                 28.79 
                 3.10 
                 3 
               
               
                 29.12 
                 3.06 
                 7 
               
               
                 29.78 
                 3.00 
                 3 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Even more specifically, the crystalline form II is characterised by an X-ray powder diffraction pattern, made using CuK α 1 radiation, which comprises peaks at degrees 2Θ (±0.05 degrees 2Θ) as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     Furthermore the crystalline form II of compound A is characterised by a melting point of about 137° C.±3° C. (determined via DSC; evaluated as onset-temperature; heating rate 10 K/min). The obtained DSC curve is shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     The X-ray powder diffraction patterns are recorded, within the scope of the present invention, using a STOE-STADI P-diffractometer in transmission mode fitted with a location-sensitive detector (OED) and a Cu-anode as X-ray source (CuKα1 radiation, λ=1,54056 Å, 40 kV, 40 mA). In the Tables 1 and 2 above the values “2Θ [°]” denote the angle of diffraction in degrees and the values “d [Å]” denote the specified distances in Å between the lattice planes. The intensity shown in the  FIGS. 1 and 3  is given in units of cps (counts per second). 
     In order to allow for experimental error, the above described 2Θ values should be considered accurate to ±0.05 degrees 2Θ. That is to say, when assessing whether a given sample of crystals of the compound A is the crystalline form I or II in accordance with the invention, a 2Θ value which is experimentally observed for the sample should be considered identical with a characteristic value described above if it falls within ±0.05 degrees 2Θ of the characteristic value. 
     The melting points are determined by DSC (Differential Scanning Calorimetry) using a DSC 821 (Mettler Toledo). 
     A further aspect of the present invention relates to a method for making the crystalline form I of the compound A as defined hereinbefore and hereinafter, said method comprising the following steps:
     (a) dissolving compound A in a solvent or a mixture of solvents to form a saturated or nearly saturated solution, with the proviso that the starting material of compound A and/or said solvent or mixture of solvents contain an amount of H 2 O which is at least the quantity required to form a monohydrate of compound A;   (b) storing the solution to precipitate the crystalline form I out of solution and thus to yield a suspension;   (c) isolating the precipitate from the suspension; and   (d) drying the precipitate until any excess of said solvent or mixture of solvents has been removed.   

     The terms “saturated” or “nearly saturated” are related to the starting material of the compound A as used in step (a). For example a solution which is saturated with respect to the starting material of the compound A may be supersaturated with respect to its crystalline form. 
     Suitable solvents are preferably selected from the group consisting of C 1-4 -alkanols, water, ethylacetate, acetonitrile, acetone, diethylether, toluene and mixture of two or more of these solvents. 
     More preferred solvents are selected from the group consisting of ethanol, water, isopropanol, ethyl acetate, acetonitrile, diethylether, acetone and mixture of two or more of these solvents. 
     Particularly preferred solvents are selected from the group consisting of ethylacetate, isopropanol, acetone, mixtures of water and ethanol, mixtures of water and isopropanol and mixtures of ethyl acetate and diethylether. 
     The proviso for the starting material of the compound A and/or all these solvents and mixtures of solvents is that these contain an amount of H 2 O which is at least the quantity required to form a monohydrate of compound A, preferably which is at least twice the quantity required to form a monohydrate of compound A. This means that either the compound A or said solvent or mixture of solvents, or the compound A together with said solvent or mixture of solvents contain an amount of H 2 O which is at least the, or preferably at least twice the quantity required to form a monohydrate of compound A. For example if the starting material of the compound A in step (a) does contain sufficient water in view of a monohydrate, a water content of the solvent(s) is not mandatory. 
     Preferably the step (a) is carried at about room temperature (about 20° C.) or at an elevated temperature up to about the boiling point of the solvent or mixture of solvents used. 
     In step (b) the solution is stored for a time sufficient to obtain a precipitate. The temperature of the solution in step (b) is about the same as or lower than in step (a). During the storing the temperature of the solution containing the compound A is preferably lowered, preferably to a temperature in the range of 20° C. to 0° C. or even lower. The step (b) can be carried out with or without stirring. As known to the one skilled in the art by the period of time and the difference of temperature in step (b) the size, shape and quality of the obtained crystals can be varied. Furthermore the crystallization may be induced by methods as known in the art, for example by scratching or rubbing. Optionally the (nearly) saturated solution may be inoculated with seed crystals. 
     In step (c) the solvent(s) can be removed from the precipitate by known methods as for example filtration, suction filtration, decantation or centrifugation. 
     In step (d) an excess of the solvent(s) is removed from the precipitate by methods known to the one skilled in the art as for example by reducing the partial pressure of the solvent(s), preferably in vacuum, and/or by heating from above room temperature (ca. 20° C.), preferably in a temperature range below 80° C., even more preferably below 50° C. as any transformation of the crystalline form (I) which is a hydrate into the crystalline form (II) which is an anhydrous form should be prevented. 
     Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method for making the crystalline form II of the compound A as defined hereinbefore and hereinafter, said method comprising the following step: 
     (a) drying the crystalline form I as defined hereinbefore and hereinafter at a temperature in a range between equal to or greater than 80° C. and smaller than the lower melting point of said crystalline forms I and II, preferably at a temperature in a range between equal to or greater than 80° C. and equal to or lower than 130° C., even more preferably between 100° C. and 130° C., whereby the pressure is preferably in the range of 10 to 0.01 hPa, in particular about normal pressure, or at a lower temperature at reduced pressure, preferably in the range from 40° C. to 80° C., even more preferably in the range from 40° C. to 60° C., and 100 to 0.1 Pa, in particular 10 to 1 Pa. 
     Furthermore the crystalline form II may be obtained by the method as described above with respect to the manufacture of the crystalline form I but in which the compound A and said solvent or mixture of solvents are used which do not contain water or contain only a negligible amount of water. The above described preferred solvents and reaction conditions are also preferred in view of the formation of the crystalline form II. 
     The crystalline form I can be obtained from the crystalline form II by storing the crystalline form II in a humid environment, especially at a relative humidity of equal to or greater than 80%, preferably of equal to or greater than 90%. The preferred temperature range is between 10° C. and 40° C., preferably at about room temperature (20° C. to 25° C.) and about normal atmospheric pressure or elevated pressure, for example 10 to 1 hPa. 
     The compound A may be synthesized by methods as specifically and/or generally described or cited in the international application WO 2005/092877. Furthermore the biological properties of the compound A may be investigated as it is described in the international application WO 2005/092877 which in its enterity is incorporated herein by reference. 
     The crystalline forms in accordance with the invention are preferably employed as drug active substances in substantially pure form, that is to say, essentially free of other crystalline forms of the compound A. Nevertheless, the invention also embraces the crystalline form I or the crystalline form II in admixture with another crystalline form or forms. Should the drug active substance be a mixture of crystalline forms, it is preferred that the substance comprises at least 50% of either the crystalline form I or the crystalline form II as described herein. 
     In view of their ability to inhibit the SGLT activity, the crystalline forms I and II according to the invention are suitable for the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment and/or preventative treatment of all those conditions or diseases which may be affected by the inhibition of the SGLT activity, particularly the SGLT-2 activity. Therefore, the crystalline forms I and II are particularly suitable for the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions for prevention or treatment of diseases, particularly metabolic disorders, or conditions such as type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus, complications of diabetes (such as e.g. retinopathy, nephropathy or neuropathies, diabetic foot, ulcers, macroangiopathies), metabolic acidosis or ketosis, reactive hypoglycaemia, hyperinsulinaemia, glucose metabolic disorder, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, dyslipidaemias of different origins, atherosclerosis and related diseases, obesity, high blood pressure, chronic heart failure, oedema and hyperuricaemia. The crystalline forms I and II are also suitable for the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions for preventing beta-cell degeneration such as e.g. apoptosis or necrosis of pancreatic beta cells. The crystalline forms I and II are also suitable for the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions for improving or restoring the functionality of pancreatic cells, and also of increasing the number and size of pancreatic beta cells. The crystalline forms I and II according to the invention may also be used for the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions usefull as diuretics or antihypertensives and suitable for the prevention and treatment of acute renal failure. 
     By the administration of the crystalline form I or II according to this invention an abnormal accumulation of fat in the liver may be reduced or inhibited. Therefore according to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for preventing, slowing, delaying or treating diseases or conditions attributed to an abnormal accumulation of liver fat in a patient in need thereof characterized in that a pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention is administered. Diseases or conditions which are attributed to an abnormal accumulation of liver fat are particularly selected from the group consisting of general fatty liver, non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL), non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), hyperalimentation-induced fatty liver, diabetic fatty liver, alcoholic-induced fatty liver or toxic fatty liver. 
     In particular, the crystalline forms I and II according to the invention are suitable for the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions for the prevention or treatment of diabetes, particularly type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus, and/or diabetic complications. 
     In addition the crystalline forms I and II according to the invention is particularly suitable for the prevention or treatment of overweight, obesity (including class I, class II and/or class III obesity), visceral obesity and/or abdominal obesity. 
     The dosage required to achieve the corresponding activity for treatment or prevention usually depends on the patient, the nature and gravity of the illness or condition and the method and frequency of administration and is for the patient&#39;s doctor to decide. Expediently, the dosage may be from 1 to 100 mg, preferably 1 to 30 mg, by intravenous route, and 1 to 1000 mg, preferably 1 to 100 mg, by oral route, in each case administered 1 to 4 times a day. For this purpose, the pharmaceutical compositions according to this invention preferably comprise the crystalline form I or form II together with one or more inert conventional carriers and/or diluents. Such pharmaceutical compositions may be formulated as conventional galenic preparations such as plain or coated tablets, capsules, powders, suspensions or suppositories. 
     The following example of synthesis serves to illustrate a method of preparing the compound A and its crystalline forms I and II. It is to be regarded only as a possible method described by way of example, without restricting the invention to its contents. 
     Preparation of the Starting Compounds: 
     EXAMPLE I 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     (5-bromo-2-chloro-phenyl)-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-methanone 
     38.3 ml oxalyl chloride and 0.8 ml of dimethylformamide are added to a mixture of 100 g of 5-bromo-2-chloro-benzoic acid in 500 ml dichloromethane. The reaction mixture is stirred for 14 h, then filtered and separated from all volatile constituents in the rotary evaporator. The residue is dissolved in 150 ml dichloromethane, the solution is cooled to −5° C., and 46.5 g of anisole are added. Then 51.5 g of aluminum trichloride are added batchwise so that the temperature does not exceed 5° C. The solution is stirred for another 1 h at 1 to 5° C. and then poured onto crushed ice. The organic phase is separated, and the aqueous phase is extracted another three times with dichloromethane. The combined organic phases are washed with aqueous 1 M hydrochloric acid, twice with aqueous 1 M sodium hydroxide solution and with brine. Then the organic phase is dried, the solvent is removed, and the residue is recrystallized in ethanol. 
     Yield: 86.3 g (64% of theory) 
     Mass spectrum (ESI + ): m/z=325/327/329 (Br+Cl) [M+H] +   
     EXAMPLE II 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     4-bromo-1-chloro-2-(4-methoxy-benzyl)-benzene 
     A solution of 86.2 g (5-bromo-2-chloro-phenyl)-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-methanone and 101.5 ml triethylsilane in 75 ml dichloromethane and 150 ml acetonitrile is cooled to 10° C. Then with stirring 50.8 ml of boron trifluoride etherate are added so that the temperature does not exceed 20° C. The solution is stirred for 14 h at ambient temperature, before another 9 ml triethylsilane and 4.4 ml boron trifluoride etherate are added. The solution is stirred for a further 3 h at 45 to 50° C. and then cooled to ambient temperature. A solution of 28 g potassium hydroxide in 70 ml of water is added, and the resulting mixture is stirred for 2 h. Then the organic phase is separated, and the aqueous phase is extracted another three times with diisopropylether. The combined organic phases are washed twice with aqueous 2 M potassium hydroxide solution and once with brine and then dried over sodium sulfate. After the solvent has been removed the residue is washed in ethanol, separated again and dried at 60° C. 
     Yield: 50.0 g (61% of theory) 
     Mass spectrum (ESI + ): m/z=310/312/314 (Br+Cl) [M+H] +   
     EXAMPLE III 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     4-(5-bromo-2-chloro-benzyl)-phenol 
     A solution of 14.8 g 4-bromo-1-chloro-2-(4-methoxy-benzyl)-benzene in 150 ml dichloromethane is cooled in an ice bath. Then 50 ml of a 1 M solution of boron tribromide in dichloromethane are added, and the solution is stirred for 2 h at ambient temperature. The solution is then cooled in an ice bath again, and saturated aqueous potassium carbonate solution is added dropwise. At ambient temperature the mixture is adjusted with aqueous 1 M hydrochloric acid to a pH of 1, the organic phase is separated, and the aqueous phase is extracted another three times with ethyl acetate. The combined organic phases are dried over sodium sulfate, and the solvent is removed completely. 
     Yield: 13.9 g (98% of theory) 
     Mass spectrum (ESI − ): m/z=295/297/299 (Br+Cl) [M-H] −   
     EXAMPLE IV 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     [4-(5-bromo-2-chloro-benzyl)-phenoxy]-tert-butyl-dimethyl-silane 
     A solution of 13.9 g 4-(5-bromo-2-chloro-benzyl)-phenol in 140 ml dichloromethane is cooled in an ice bath. Then 7.54 g tert-butyldimethylsilylchlorid in 20 ml dichloromethane are added followed by 9.8 ml triethylamine and 0.5 g 4-dimethylaminopyridine. The solution is stirred for 16 h at ambient temperature and then diluted with 100 ml dichloromethane. The organic phase is washed twice with aqueous 1 M hydrochloric acid and once with aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate solution and then dried over sodium sulfate. After the solvent has been removed the residue is filtered through silica gel (cyclohexane/ethyl acetate 100:1). 
     Yield: 16.8 g (87% of theory) 
     Mass spectrum (EI): m/z=410/412/414 (Br+Cl) [M] +   
     EXAMPLE V 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     2,3,4,6-tetrakis-O-(trimethylsilyl)-D-glucopyranone 
     A solution of 20 g D-glucono-1,5-lactone and 98.5 ml N-methylmorpholine in 200 ml of tetrahydrofuran is cooled to −5° C. Then 85 ml trimethylsilylchloride are added dropwise so that the temperature does not exceed 5° C. The solution is then stirred for 1 h at ambient temperature, 5 h at 35° C. and again for 14 h at ambient temperature. After the addition of 300 ml of toluene the solution is cooled in an ice bath, and 500 ml of water are added so that the temperature does not exceed 10° C. The organic phase is then separated and washed in each case once with aqueous sodium dihydrogen phosphate solution, water and brine. The solvent is removed, the residue is taken up in 250 ml of toluene, and the solvent is again removed completely. 
     Yield: 52.5 g (approx. 90% pure) 
     Mass spectrum (ESI + ): m/z=467 [M+H] +   
     EXAMPLE VI 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     1-chloro-4-(β-D-glucopyranos-1-yl)-2-(4-hydroxybenzyl)-benzene 
     A solution of 4.0 g [4-(5-bromo-2-chloro-benzyl)-phenoxy]-tert-butyl-dimethyl-silane in 42 ml dry diethyl ether is cooled to −80° C. under argon. 11.6 ml of a 1.7 M solution of tert-butyllithium in pentane are slowly added dropwise to the cooled solution, and then the solution is stirred for 30 min at −80° C. This solution is then added dropwise through a transfer needle, which is cooled with dry ice, to a solution of 4.78 g 2,3,4,6-tetrakis-O-(trimethylsilyl)-D-glucopyranone in 38 ml diethyl ether chilled to −80° C. The resulting solution is stirred for 3 h at −78° C. Then a solution of 1.1 ml methanesulphonic acid in 35 ml of methanol is added and the solution is stirred for 16 h at ambient temperature. The solution is then neutralized with solid sodium hydrogen carbonate, ethyl acetate is added, and the methanol is removed together with the ether. Aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate solution is added to the remaining solution, and the resulting mixture is extracted four times with ethyl acetate. The organic phases are dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated down. The residue is dissolved in 30 ml acetonitrile and 30 ml dichloromethane, and the solution is cooled to −10° C. After the addition of 4.4 ml triethylsilane 2.6 ml boron trifluoride etherate are added dropwise so that the temperature does not exceed −5° C. After the addition is complete the solution is stirred for another 5 h at −5 to −10° C. and then quenched by the addition of aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate solution. The organic phase is separated, and the aqueous phase is extracted four times with ethyl acetate. The combined organic phases are dried over sodium sulfate, the solvent is removed and the residue is purified using silica gel. The product then obtained is an approx. 6:1 mixture of β/α which can be converted into the pure β-anomer by global acetylation of the hydroxy groups with acetic anhydride and pyridine in dichloromethane and recrystallization of the product from ethanol. The product thus obtained is converted into the title compound by deacetylation in methanol with aqueous 4 M potassium hydroxide solution. 
     Yield: 1.6 g (46% of theory) 
     Mass spectrum (ESI + ): m/z=398/400 (Cl) [M+H] +   
     Preparation of the Compound A: 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     1-chloro-4-(β-D-glucopyranos-1-yl)-2-[4-((R)-tetrahydrofuran-3-yloxy)-benzyl]-benzene 
     0.19 g (S)-3-(4-methylphenylsulfonyloxy)-tetrahydrofuran are added to a mixture of 0.20 g 1-chloro-4-(β-D-glucopyranos-1-yl)-2-(4-hydroxybenzyl)-benzene and 0.29 g cesium carbonate in 2.5 ml dimethylformamide. The mixture is stirred at 75° C. for 4 h, before another 0.29 g caesium carbonate and 0.19 g (S)-3-(4-methylphenyl-sulfonyloxy)-tetrahydrofuran are added. After an additional 14 h stirring at 75° C. the mixture is cooled to ambient temperature, and brine is added. The resulting mixture is extracted with ethyl acetate, the combined organic extracts are dried over sodium sulfate, and the solvent is removed. The residue is purified by chromatography on silica gel (dichloromethane/methanol 1:0-&gt;5:1). 
     Yield: 0.11 g (44% of theory) 
     Mass spectrum (ESI + ): m/z=451/453 (Cl) [M+H] +   
     Preparation of the Crystalline Form I: 
     EXAMPLE A 
     30 mg 1-chloro-4-(β-D-glucopyranos-1-yl)-2-[4-((R)-tetrahydrofuran-3-yloxy)-benzyl]-benzene are dissolved in 0.8 ml of ethyl acetate (containing 0.5-3% water) upon heating up to about 50° C. The solution is allowed to cool slowly (about 1 to 3 h) to about 20° C. After 48 h the crystalline form I is isolated as white crystals by filtration. An excess of the solvent is removed by storing the crystals at reduced pressure. 
     EXAMPLE B 
     4.3 g of 1-chloro-4-(β-D-glucopyranos-1-yl)-2-[4-((R)-tetrahydrofuran-3-yloxy)-benzyl]-benzene are dissolved in a mixture of 6 ml of ethanol and 4 ml of water at 50° C. in a water-bath. The flask is taken out of the water-bath and 10 ml of water are added. After 2 hours stirring at room temperature (about 20° C.) and 1 hour under cooling in an ice-bath (about 0° C.) the precipitate is suctioned, rinsed with water and dried at 40° C. to constant weight. 
     Preparation of the Crystalline Form II: 
     The crystalline form II is obtained from the hydrate crystalline form I by drying at 120° C. for 10 to 30 min. The reverse course, preparing the crystalline form I from the anhydrous crystalline form II, is also feasible by exposing the anhydrous form to 85% humidity for 24 h.