Patent Description:
Viruses belonging to the family of Coronaviridae were first characterized in the <NUM>'s. Virus infections belonging to this family are common in all mammal species including humans. The SARS-CoV-<NUM> outbreak made it evident that novel pharmaceutical compositions are needed to treat and prevent the widespread of virus infections in general, and in particular infections with the SARS-CoV-<NUM>.

Corona viruses are RNA viruses with a linear ss-RNA (single-stranded RNA) that are transmitted via droplet infection and result i. in fever and respiratory problems. There are several species that are relatively harmless and result in only acute and mild symptoms or take an asymptomatic course (HCoV-OC43, 229E, HKU1, and HL63). On the other hand, SARS-CoV (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus), MERS-CoV (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus) and SARS-CoV-<NUM> are Corona viruses that can lead to severe respiratory and lung infections. So far there are only very limited treatment or prophylaxis options, except for exposure prophylaxis. Some mouth rinse compositions have been investigated in vitro by <NPL> for the activity against SARS-CoV-<NUM>. <CIT> discloses a silver-hydroxyapatite suspension useful for preventing avian influenza virus infection.

<NPL> discloses that hydroxyapatite-titania composite (HA/TiO2) inhibits H1N1 infection in cells.

<CIT> discloses that hydroxyapatite has a high affinity for binding surface proteins S1 and S2 of the SARS virus and is therefore suitable for its removal from skin and surfaces.

In view of the above, it was an object of the present invention to provide a novel, safe, and effective composition for the treatment and/or prevention of a virus infection in general and in particular for the treatment and/or prevention of SARS-CoV-<NUM>.

These objects have surprisingly been solved by a composition comprising <NUM> to <NUM> wt. -% of hydroxyapatite.

It has surprisingly been found that according to the above aspect, infections with a virus can be prevented or the probability of infection can at least significantly be reduced. In addition, and in accordance with the above aspect, the virus count in the respiratory tract is significantly reduced so that an infected person is no longer infectious towards third persons. The invention is defined in the claims.

The invention relates to a composition comprising <NUM> to <NUM> wt. -% of hydroxyapatite for use in the treatment and/or prevention of an enveloped virus infection, further comprising <NUM> to <NUM> wt. -% of a surfactant, wherein the composition is administered as a mouth rinse or as an aerosol by spraying, wherein the composition does not contain zinc hydroxyapatite.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a composition comprising <NUM> to <NUM> wt. -% of hydroxyapatite,.

The present invention also relates to a kit of parts comprising the composition of the present invention and a spraying device for applying the composition to the mucous membrane.

The following definitions are relevant in connection with the embodiments of the present invention.

The meaning of the term "comprising" is to be interpreted as encompassing all the specifically mentioned features as well optional, additional, unspecified ones, whereas the term "consisting of" only includes those features as specified. Therefore, "comprising" includes as a limiting case the composition specified by "consisting of".

The term "weight-%" or "wt. -%" is to be understood to refer to the weight amount of the component relative to the total weight amount of the respective composition, if not specified otherwise.

The term "water-soluble" refers to a zinc salt that has a solubility of <NUM>/L or more at standard conditions. Correspondingly, the term "water-insoluble" refers to a zinc-salt that has a solubility of less than <NUM>/L at standard conditions, i.e. at a temperature of <NUM> and a pH value of <NUM>.

The term "film-forming" polymer refers to a polymer that results in a cohesive, continuous layer when applied to a surface. In the present invention, when the composition is applied topically to the mucous membrane, the film-forming polymer leads to the formation of a cohesive layer of the composition that further has enhanced adhesive properties to the mucous membrane.

As used herein, the term "prevention" of a virus infection does not only refer to prevention of an infection for the subject that uses the composition of the present invention but also refers to the prevention of passing the infection on to further subjects, in case the subject that uses the composition is already infected with the virus. Thus, a dual method of preventing widespread of the virus is achieved by the composition of the present invention. Additionally, the composition has antiviral activity so that the virus count is decreased in the throat and nasal area, thereby resulting in an effective local treatment of the virus, as the virus is predominately located in these areas.

Preferred embodiments according to the invention are defined hereinafter. The preferred embodiments are preferred alone or in combination. Further, it is to be understood that the following preferred embodiments refer to all aspects of the present invention, i.e. the compound for use, the compound, and the kit of parts.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a composition comprising <NUM> to <NUM> wt. -% of hydroxyapatite for use in the treatment and/or prevention of a virus infection. In a preferred embodiment, the composition comprises <NUM> to <NUM> wt. %, <NUM> to <NUM>, or <NUM> to <NUM> wt. -% hydroxyapatite.

The above composition is useful for both, the treatment as well as the prevention of a virus infection. In a preferred embodiment, the composition is used for the prevention of a virus infection.

The hydroxyapatite is a naturally occurring inorganic mineral having the general formula Ca<NUM>(PO<NUM>)<NUM>(OH). In a preferred embodiment, the hydroxyapatite is not doped with any ions, i.e. the hydroxyapatite has less than <NUM> wt-% of its ions (Ca<NUM>+, PO<NUM><NUM>- und OH-) replaced by different ions.

Hydroxyapatite is naturally occurring but can also be obtained by processes known to the skilled person. For example, hydroxyapatite can be obtained by the reaction of a calcium salt, such as CaCl<NUM> or CaNO<NUM>, with a phosphate salt, such as (NH<NUM>)<NUM>PO<NUM>, Na<NUM>PO<NUM> or NaHPO<NUM>, in water at a temperature of <NUM> to <NUM> or in an autoclave at temperatures above <NUM>.

Hydroxyapatite can i. be doped with the following ions: CO<NUM><NUM>-, Ag+, Mg<NUM>+, Cu<NUM>+. Therefore, in a non-limiting example, the term "hydroxyapatite" is to be understood to encompass compositions doped with the above ions and to have the following formula:.

In a preferred embodiment, x is a number between <NUM> and <NUM>, y is a number between <NUM> and <NUM>, and z is a number between <NUM> and <NUM>.

This doping with ions can be obtained by the addition of suitable salts, such as MgCl<NUM>, during the formation of the hydroxyapatite.

The composition of the present invention does not contain zinc hydroxyapatite, i.e. the hydroxyapatite of the present invention does not contain zinc ions.

In a non-limiting example, the hydroxyapatite has a volume-based particle size X<NUM> of <NUM> to <NUM>, <NUM> to <NUM>, <NUM> to <NUM> <NUM> to <NUM> or <NUM> to <NUM>, preferably <NUM> to <NUM>. The X<NUM> value can be measured by laser diffraction using a Mastersizer <NUM> (Malvern Instruments GmbH) according to DIN ISO <NUM>:<NUM>.

In a non-limiting example, the hydroxyapatite has a crystalline form having a hexagonal crystal lattice with an a-axis of <NUM> to <NUM>, preferably of <NUM> to <NUM>, particularly preferably of <NUM> to <NUM> and a length of the c-axis of <NUM> bis <NUM>, preferably of <NUM> to <NUM>, particularly preferably of <NUM> to <NUM>. The lattice parameters can be determined by X-ray powder diffraction using a diffractometer (Bruker D8) and Rietveld analysis.

In an embodiment, the composition further comprises <NUM> to <NUM> wt. -% of a water-soluble zinc salt selected from the group consisting of zinc-L-pyrrolidone-carboxylate, zinc acetate, zinc chloride, zinc histidine, zinc gluconate, zinc aspartate, zinc citrate, zinc sulfate, zinc lactate and mixtures thereof.

The additional presence of zinc ions has been found to further increase the antiviral activity of the present invention.

The water-soluble zinc salt also encompasses solvates (such as hydrates) of the respective zinc salts. It is preferred that the composition comprises water. Therefore, it is not particularly relevant which specific solvate is used.

In a preferred embodiment, the composition comprises the water-soluble zinc salt in an amount of <NUM> to <NUM> wt. -%, <NUM> to <NUM> wt. -% or <NUM> to <NUM> wt. -%, preferably in an amount of <NUM> to <NUM> wt.

The composition of the present invention further comprises <NUM> to <NUM> wt. -% of a surfactant, preferably <NUM> to <NUM> wt. -% of a surfactant. The surfactant can be an ionic or non-ionic surfactant. It has surprisingly been found that the composition of the present invention is effective against viruses, even when small amounts of <NUM> to <NUM> wt. -% of a surfactant are used. It is believed that the surfactant acts synergistically with the hydroxyapatite by stabilizing the hydroxyapatite and forming stable interface structures that deactivate the virus envelope more efficiently.

In a preferred embodiment, the surfactant is selected from alkyl sulfates, alkyl sarcosinates, alkyl taurates, and mixtures thereof. It is to be understood by the person skilled in the art that the above terms refer to charge neutral compounds containing a counter cation M, such as sodium.

Alkyl sulfates have the formula ROSO<NUM>M , alkyl sarcosinates have the formula RC(O)N(CH<NUM>)CH<NUM>CO<NUM>M, and taurates have the formula RC(O)N(CH<NUM>)CH<NUM>CH<NUM>SO<NUM>M, wherein R is a C<NUM>-C<NUM> alkyl or C<NUM>-C<NUM> alkenyl, and M is a water-soluble cation such as ammonium, sodium, potassium or triethanolamine. Preferably, R is C<NUM>-C<NUM> alkyl or C<NUM>-C<NUM>.

In an embodiment, the composition comprises a non-ionic surfactant selected from polyoxyethylene fatty acid ethers, polyglycerol ethers of fatty acids, polyglycerol esters of fatty acids, and mixtures thereof.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the composition comprises <NUM> to <NUM> wt. -% of a surfactant selected from alkyl sulfates, alkyl sarcosinates, alkyl taurates, and mixtures thereof.

In a preferred embodiment, the composition comprises <NUM> to <NUM> wt. -% of sodium lauryl sulfate. In a preferred embodiment, the composition comprises <NUM> to <NUM> wt. -% sodium myristoyl sarcosinate. In a preferred embodiment, the composition comprises <NUM> to <NUM> wt. -% sodium methyl cocoyl taurate. In a preferred embodiment, the composition comprises <NUM> to <NUM> wt. -% of sodium lauryl sulfate, <NUM> to <NUM> wt. -% sodium myristoyl sarcosinate, and <NUM> to <NUM> wt. -% sodium methyl cocoyl taurate. In an even more preferred embodiment, the composition comprises <NUM> to <NUM> wt. -% of a surfactant selected from sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium myristoyl sarcosinate, sodium methyl cocoyl taurate, and mixtures thereof.

In an embodiment, the composition comprises <NUM> to <NUM> wt. -% of a polyalcohol selected from erythritol, arabitol, lactitol, maltitol, mannitol, sorbitol, xylitol, and mixtures thereof. Polyalcohols can act as flavoring agents, in particular as sweeteners or masking agents that mask an otherwise unpleasant taste while at the same time minimizing or preventing tooth decay. Thus, the use of polyalcohols, such as xylitol, has the bonus effect that tooth decay due to dental caries is minimized and/or prevented, as cariogenic bacteria of the family Streptococcus mutans cannot metabolize polyalcohols. It is preferred that the composition comprises sorbitol and/or xylitol.

The composition may comprise <NUM> to <NUM> wt. -% ethanol. In an alternative embodiment, the composition of the present composition does not comprise ethanol. Ethanol has disinfectant and antiviral properties. The mouth washes and compositions for spraying of the prior art that are believed to be effective as antiviral compositions all contain ethanol. It is evident from <NPL> that only those compositions containing ethanol show in vitro activity against SARS-CoV-<NUM>. In view thereof, it was unexpected that the present composition is effective in the treatment and prevention of a virus infection, in particular in the treatment and prevention of a Corona virus infection, even in the absence of ethanol. Thus, it was surprising that the present composition that does not comprise ethanol is still an effective antiviral composition.

The composition may additionally contain a flavoring agent. Non-limiting examples of flavoring agents are sweeteners and essential oils. Sweeteners can be polyalcohols, aspartame, saccharin, and corn syrup. Non-limiting examples of essential oils include menthol, peppermint oil, and spearmint oil. In an embodiment, the composition comprises <NUM> to <NUM> wt. -% of an essential oil selected from eucalyptol, thymol, menthol, anise oil, fennel oil, and levomenthol. These essential oils can have additional beneficial properties and act as antiviral and antipuritic agents.

In an embodiment, the composition comprises a transferrin, preferably lactoferrin. These proteins can further enhance the antiviral properties of the present composition. Without being bound to theory, it is believed that transferrins and hydroxyapatite's antiviral effects are based on different modes of action. Therefore, the combination of transferrin and hydroxyapatite results in a synergistic effect.

In an embodiment, the composition comprises a film-forming polymer selected from carrageenan, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), ethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hyaluronic acid and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, copolymers of methyl vinyl ether and maleic acid, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, carboxymethyl chitin, polyvinylpyrrolidone, chitosan, and mixtures thereof.

Non-limiting examples of the above pharmaceutically acceptable salts encompass the salts with calcium, sodium, potassium, and mixtures thereof.

Pharmaceutically acceptable salts of hyaluronic acid comprise the sodium and potassium salt.

It is believed that the present invention functions by forming a protective layer of the composition according to the present invention on the mucous membrane in the mouth and/or nose. This antiviral drug protective layer effectively prevents infection with a virus by droplet infection in subjects not yet infected. In addition, the composition also reduces the virus count in the respiratory tract and in addition, a protective layer is formed so that a subject already infected is less infectious to other subjects, thereby also preventing further infections.

In addition, the film-forming polymer stabilizes the hydroxyapatite composition during storage and further increases the time of contact between the hydroxyapatite and the mucous membrane in the mouth and/or nose by forming a stable and long-lasting active layer of hydroxyapatite on the mucous membrane.

The copolymer of polyvinyl ether and maleic acid is preferable an alternating copolymer. It is to be understood that the polymer is derived from monomer units of methyl vinyl ether and maleic acid or maleic anhydride and the copolymer is also called poly(methyl vinyl ether-co-maleic acid). This polymer can be obtained by e.g. radical polymerization of the monomer units and copolymers of methyl vinyl ether and maleic acid are commercially available as Gantrez™ S polymer (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients: PVM/MA copolymer; Ashland Inc.

Pharmaceutically acceptable salts of this copolymer can be alkali metals and/or earth alkali metals. Thus, the salts can be selected from lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and mixtures thereof. It is preferred that the salt is a sodium/calcium salt. Calcium sodium copolymer of poly(methyl vinyl ether-co-maleic acid) are commercially available as Gantrez™ MS-<NUM> polymer (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients: calcium/sodium PVM/MA copolymer Ashland Inc.

In an embodiment, the composition comprises the film forming polymer in an amount of <NUM> to <NUM> wt. -%, <NUM> to <NUM> wt. -% or <NUM> to <NUM> wt. -%, preferably in an amount of <NUM> to <NUM> wt.

In an embodiment, the composition further comprises a water-insoluble zinc salt. In an embodiment, the water-insoluble salt is present in an amount of <NUM> to <NUM> wt. In a preferred embodiment, the composition comprises the water-insoluble zinc salt in an amount of <NUM> to <NUM> wt. -%, <NUM> to <NUM> wt. -% or <NUM> to <NUM> wt. -%, preferably in an amount of <NUM> to <NUM> wt.

In yet another embodiment, the water-insoluble zinc salt is zinc oxide.

In an embodiment, the composition further comprises an additional active ingredient selected from menthol, lactoferrin, sorbitol, xylitol, saccharin, and mixtures thereof. These ingredients can have anti-inflammatory properties and/or protective properties of the skin and further enhance treatment and/or prevention of a virus infection. These additional active ingredients are preferably present in an amount of <NUM> to <NUM> wt. -%, <NUM> to <NUM> or <NUM> to <NUM> wt.

In another embodiment, the composition may comprise preservatives, such as benzoic acid, phenoxyethanol, citric acid, lactic acid, ascorbic acid, tocopherol, as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

The composition is administered as a mouth rinse or as an aerosol by spraying. In an embodiment, the composition is applied topically by spraying the composition on the respective area. This application has the advantage that a uniform, homogenous and long-lasting protective layer on the mucous membrane is formed. In addition, protection can be achieved on a large area, thereby leading to an even better protection.

In an embodiment, the composition is applied to the mucous membrane, preferable using a spraying device.

The spraying device can be used to apply the composition to the skin of e.g. the hands or to the mucous membrane in the mouth, pharynx or nose. It is preferred that the spraying device is used to apply the composition to the mucous membrane in the mouth or pharynx. It is particularly preferred that the spraying device contains a means for (pre-)determining the amount of the composition that is applied.

Suitable pump spraying devices are known (see i. <CIT>) and are commercially available as "throat sprays". Such sprays are usually used to treat sore throats caused by bacterial infections of the throat and mucous membrane and/or decrease any symptoms of such infections. Such sprays can contain an antibacterial ingredient to fight the bacterial infection as well as an analgesic to decrease any symptoms of pain and/or soreness.

Spraying devices commonly comprise a feed chamber and an outlet through which the composition is sprayed in a predetermined amount by a suitable means for spraying the composition through a nozzle. It is preferred that the spraying device is a pump spraying device. Such a pump spray contains an atomizer nozzle that disperses the liquid composition as a fine aerosol. This aerosol covers the area on which it is sprayed and forms a thin film.

In an embodiment, the virus belongs to the family of Coronaviridae, and preferably is SARS-CoV-<NUM>. In another embodiment, the virus belongs to the family of Orthomyxoviridae, Paramyxoviridae, Filoviridae, or Picornaviridae.

The composition comprising the components as depicted below in Table <NUM> was obtained by mixing the components. the amount of polyalcohol exceeds the amount defined in claim <NUM>.

The composition of Example <NUM> was measured for antiviral efficacy against bovine Corona virus (BCoV) according to DIN EN <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A composition comprising <NUM> to <NUM> wt.-% of hydroxyapatite for use in the treatment and/or prevention of an enveloped virus infection, further comprising <NUM> to <NUM> wt.-% of a surfactant, wherein the composition is administered as a mouth rinse or as an aerosol by spraying, wherein the composition does not contain zinc hydroxyapatite.