Patent Description:
The compound known under the generic name sulfasalazine (also known as (3Z)-<NUM>-oxo-<NUM>-[[<NUM>-(pyridin-<NUM>-ylsulfamoyl)phenyl]hydrazinylidene]cyclohexa-<NUM>,<NUM>-diene-<NUM>-carboxylic acid (IUPAC); <NUM>-hydroxy-<NUM>- [<NUM>- [<NUM>- [(<NUM>-pyridinylamino)sulfonyl]phenyl]diazenyl]-benzoic acid (CA index name)) was first described in <CIT> (<CIT>) and is highly effective in the treatment of different autoimmune diseases, e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.

Sulfasalazine forms brownish-yellow crystals (molecular weight <NUM>/mol). The melting point is specified with <NUM> to <NUM> (<CIT>). The solubility of sulfasalazine in water is less than <NUM>/<NUM>. The substance has four theoretical pka/b, values, which are at <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>. It has been proven to be very difficult to produce hydrate- and solvate-free salts of sulfasalazine by using established methods.

The structure of sulfasalazine ((3Z)-<NUM>-oxo-<NUM>-[[<NUM>-(pyridin-<NUM>-ylsulfamoyl)phenyl]hydrazinylidene]cyclohexa-<NUM>,<NUM>-diene-<NUM>-carboxylic acid (IUPAC); <NUM>-hydroxy-<NUM>- [<NUM>- [<NUM>- [(<NUM>-pyridinylamino)sulfonyl]phenyl]diazenyl]-benzoic acid (CA index name)) is shown below:
<CHM>.

Sulfasalazine is a well-established active pharmaceutical ingredient and used in anti-inflammatory therapy. Sulfasalazine is used in the treatment of active rheumatoid arthritis, the treatment of active juvenile idiopathic oligoarthritis, the treatment of active juvenile idiopathic polyarthritis and spondyloarthropathy with peripheral arthritis in humans. Sulfasalazine is further used as a prodrug of <NUM>-aminosalicylic acid in the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. In adults, guided by tolerability to and efficacy of, sulfasalazine is generally administered orally as tablets at doses of <NUM> to <NUM> per day.

Sulfasalazine is one of the most widely used disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARD) and is also used in combination with glucocorticoids and/or in combination with other small molecule DMARDs such as methotrexate and/or hydroxychloroquine and/or biological DMARDs such as TNF-alpha relevant biologics.

The mechanism of action of sulfasalazine and its metabolites <NUM>-aminosalicylic acid and sulfapyridine is partially still unknown. Sulfasalazine and/or its metabolites have anti-inflammatory and immune modulating properties in vivo and in vitro at a variety of (inflammatory) cell types such as T-cells, dendritic cells, macrophages, natural killer cells, epithelial cells, B-cells and mast cells through different biological "pathways". It has been shown, for example, that sulfasalazine-treated dendritic cells cannot stimulate T-cells through inhibition of the NF-kB pathway (<NPL>). In addition it has been demonstrated that sulfasalazine inhibits the binding of TNF-alpha to its receptor in 125I-TNF-alpha displacement studies. Furthermore it has been shown, that sulfasalazine, like methotrexate enhances adenosine release through the inhibition of AICAR transformylase and thus diminishes inflammation (<NPL>). The well-established antioxidant effects of sulfasalazine in association to its inhibitory effects over neutrophil oxidative burst have been shown to be exerted both through its scavenging effects against reactive oxygen and nitrogen species as well as its metal chelating properties (<NPL>.

However, due to the low solubility of sulfasalazine (<NUM>/mL in de-ionized water at <NUM>) and the current known pharmaceutical compositions of sulfasalazine the systemic bioavailability of sulfasalazine in man is low (about <NUM> to <NUM> % of an oral dose is absorbed in the small intestine) and the pharmacokinetic intra- and inter-variability is high (Cmax is <NUM> to <NUM> hours, with a median peak concentration at <NUM> hours). Non-absorbed sulfasalazine is transformed by aza-reducing gut flora to <NUM>-aminosalicylic acid (systemic bioavailability from <NUM> to <NUM>%) and sulfapyridine (systemic bioavailability to about <NUM>%). The metabolites can be detected in blood plasma after about <NUM> hours. The half-life of intravenously administered sulfasalazine is approximately <NUM> ± <NUM> hours.

Apart from biotransformation of sulfasalazine by the gut flora in the lower intestine, sulfasalazine is also metabolized in the liver to the metabolites <NUM>-aminosalicylic acid and sulfapyridine. In the liver the primary metabolite sulfapyridine is acetylated prior to excretion, wherein the speed is determined by the acetylation phenotype. Therefore, the half-life of sulfapyridine may vary from <NUM> to <NUM> hours (depending on fast or rather slow acetylators).

The most common side reactions associated with sulfasalazine are anorexia, headache, nausea, vomiting, gastric distress, and apparently reversible oligospermia, tiredness, dizziness, fever, asthenia, insomnia and vertigo might also affect the patient during medication with sulfasalazine.

But also gastrointestinal reactions including hepatitis, hepatic failure, pancreatitis, bloody diarrhea, impaired folic acid absorption, impaired digoxin absorption, stomatitis, diarrhea, abdominal pains, and neutropenic enterocolitis might come up during medication.

Also the skin (e.g. skin rash or itching, urtikaria, increased sensitivity to sunlight), the blood/lymphaitc system (aplastic anemia, agranulocytosis, leukopenia, megaloblastic (macrocytic) anemia, purpura, thrombocytopenia, hypoprothrombinemia, methemoglobinemia, congenital neutropenia, and myelodysplastic syndrome) or the central nervous system (transverse myelitis, convulsions, meningitis, transient lesions of the posterior spinal column, cauda equina syndrome, Guillain-Barre syndrome, peripheral neuropathy, mental depression, vertigo, hearing loss, insomnia, ataxia, hallucinations, tinnitus, and drowsiness) might be influenced. Occuring hepatobiliary disorders might be hepatotoxicity, including elevated liver function tests (SGOT/AST, SGPT/ALT, GGT, LDH, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin), jaundice, cholestatic jaundice, cirrhosis, hepatitis cholestatic, cholestasis and possible hepatocellular damage including liver necrosis and liver failure. Some of these cases were fatal.

The low rate of resorption of sulfasalazine is one reason for the high amount of <NUM> sulfasalazine per single solid oral dosage form, which has to be administered to the patient, in order to obtain a sufficient exposure to the drug sulfasalazine and thus obtain sufficient clinical effect. High amounts of drug substance and/or the big size of the tablets, however, result in a poor patient's compliance and unnecessary high rate of adverse events partly due to unfavorable ratios of sulfasalazine and its metabolites in vivo.

In the manufacture of pharmaceutical compositions, it is important that the active compound is in a form in which it can be conveniently handled and processed in order to obtain a commercially-viable manufacturing process. In this connection, the chemical stability and the physical stability of the active compound are important factors. The active compound, and compositions containing it, must be capable of being effectively stored over appreciable periods of time, without exhibiting any significant change in the physico-chemical characteristics (e.g. chemical composition, density, water content and solubility) of the active compound.

Thus, it would be beneficial to provide a solvate free crystal form of sulfasalazine exhibiting solubility properties. From prior art it has become evident that it is very difficult to produce and/or isolate solvate-free crystals of sulfasalazine with simultaneous improved properties like solubility.

It is known, that sulfasalazine has metal chelating properties in vivo. However, the mono salts of sulfasalazine with counterions sodium and potassium, although mentioned in Nygard et al. (<NPL>)) have never been isolated. The hemi salts of sulfasalazine with metal counterions like strontium (as its trihydrate), calcium (as its trihydrate), magnesium (as its trihydrate) are less soluble than sulfasalazine. Other metal complexes (cerium, thorium and uran) of sulfasalazine with ammonium have been examined as well (<NPL>"). These counterions, however, are pharmaceutically not acceptable.

Conformational analysis of sulfasalazine salts with different counter ions like Mg, Sr, Ca and Zn shows that the terminal pyridine ring displays some oriental flexibility, which indicates a propensity for conformational polymorphism of sulfasalazine salts.

<CIT> discloses alkoxy-amine addition salts of sulfasalazine. According to the patent the prepared alkoxy-amine addition salts of sulfasalazine are difficult to crystallize in that they are obtained as viscous oils which only crystallize upon stirring with ether or alcohol; a number of the disclosed salts are very hygroscopic and/or have a high water content. For example, the N-methl-(<NUM>)-D-glucosamine salt (also known as meglumine salt, which is used hereinafter) of sulfasalazine identified in <CIT> and prepared by adding a solution of methylglucamine in hot methylglycol to a solution of sulfasalazine in <NUM>-methoxyethanol, exhibits, after extensive drying, a water content of <NUM>%. Such a moisture content is in particular unsuitable for producing stable pharmaceutical compositions.

Due to their unfavorable physicochemical characteristics (hygroscopicity and/or high water content and/or poor solubility and/or pharmaceutical unacceptability) none of the prior disclosed sulfasalazine salts have been considered suitable for the use in pharmaceutical compositions.

<CIT> relates to the technical field of purification process of sulfasalazine (<NUM>-[p-(<NUM>-pyridylaminosulfonyl)benzene]azo-salicylic acid. Sulfasalazine is purified by using specific amine salts of sulfasalazine as intermediate products and precipitating sulfasalazine from a solution containing the specific amine salt. According to example <NUM>, a specific diethylamine salt of sulfasalazine is prepared as intermediate product and the sulfasalazine is subsequently precipitated from the solution. The applicant has prepared the diethylamine salt sulfasalazine intermediate in accordance with the description as provided in example <NUM> of <CIT>. In addition the resulting diethylamine salt of sulfasalazine has been evaluated by an X-ray powder diffractogram (XRPD), which proved that the resulting diethylamine sulfasalazine product is present as crystal Form A of the diethylamine salt of sulfasalazine according to Figure <NUM>.

Thus, there is still a need to provide a pharmaceutical composition of sulfasalazine with an increased bioavailability of sulfasalazine and/or solubility of sulfasalazine and/or improved risk-benefit ratio of the pharmaceutical sulfasalazine composition, in particular due to a decreased degree of adverse events and/or an improved patient compliance.

The problem of the present invention is solved by the subjects of the independent claims. Advantages (preferred embodiments) are set out in the detailed description hereinafter including the figures as well as in the dependent claims.

Accordingly, a first aspect of the present invention relates to inventive crystals of Form A meglumine sulfasalazine, characterized in that the crystals comprise peaks in the powder x-ray diffraction at values (± <NUM>) of two theta of <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, and wherein the crystals contain ≤ <NUM> wt. % solvate and/or water based on the total weight of the crystals of Form A meglumine sulfasalazine.

A second aspect of the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of crystals of Form A meglumine sulfasalazine according to the first inventive aspect.

A third aspect of the present invention relates to an inventive pharmaceutical composition for use in the treatment of.

The aspects of the present invention as set out hereinbefore can also comprise, if reasonable to a person skilled in the art, any possible combination of the preferred embodiments as set out in the dependent claims or disclosed in the following detailed description and figures.

The present inventors have found out that the crystal salt form of sulfasalazine, namely crystal Form A of the D(-)-N-methylglucamine (meglumine) salt of sulfasalazine (see Figure <NUM>) displays a favorable pharmacokinetic profile compared to the free acid form of sulfasalazine: decreased tmax, increased Cmax and increased F (bioavailability) (see Example <NUM> below).

Furthermore, the present inventors found out that while sulfasalazine free acid form is characterized as a low intestinal absorption compound (see <NPL>) having a low permeability through Caco-<NUM> cell monolayers (<NPL>), the inventive crystal salt form of sulfasalazine instead displays an improved permeability through Caco-<NUM> cell monolayers as compared to free acid form of sulfasalazine. According to an alternative or cumulative embodiment concerning all aspects of the present invention the apparent permeability coefficient for the transport from the apical to the basal side of the inventive crystal form of sulfasalazine, namely of crystal Form A of the meglumine salt of sulfasalazine is increased by a factor ≥ <NUM>, ≥ <NUM>, ≥ <NUM>, ≥ <NUM>, ≥ <NUM>, ≥ <NUM> or ≥ <NUM> compared to the free acid form of sulfasalazine (see Example <NUM> below).

In addition, the free acid form of sulfasalazine is classified according to the United States Pharmacopoeia as practically insoluble (< <NUM>/mL), having a solubility in de-ionized water at <NUM> of <NUM>/mL. According to measurements conducted by the present inventors the sulfasalazine free acid form exhibits a solubility of <NUM>/mL in de-ionized water at <NUM>, while the inventive crystal salt form of sulfasalazine exhibits an increased solubility in de-ionized water at <NUM> of generally ≥ <NUM>/mL, more preferably ≥ <NUM>/mL, ≥ <NUM>/mL, ≥ <NUM>/mL, ≥ <NUM>/mL, ≥ <NUM>/mL, ≥ <NUM>/mL, ≥ <NUM>/mL, ≥ <NUM>/mL or ≥ <NUM>/mL. According to an alternative measurement, the inventive crystal form of sulfasalazine, namely crystal Form A of the meglumine salt of sulfasalazine exhibits a solubility in de-ionized water at <NUM> and pH <NUM> of ≥ <NUM>/mL, ≥ <NUM>/mL, ≥ <NUM>/mL, ≥ <NUM>/mL, ≥ <NUM>/mL, ≥ <NUM>/mL (see example <NUM> below).

Thus, due to the increased bioavailability and/or solubility a decreased dose of sulfasalazine may be used in therapeutic treatment of a disease or a condition in which modulation of inflammatory cells is beneficial that require systemic exposure to sulfasalazine, e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis, without altering the total systemic exposure to sulfasalazine. This leads to an improved risk-benefit profile due to a decreased exposure to sulfapyridine, the metabolite which is generally held responsible for some of the adverse events seen in patients treated with sulfasalazine (adverse events are exemplified in the background section of the present application). Particularly, slow-acetylating patients will benefit from the decreased exposure to sulfapyridine. Furthermore, compliance to the therapy may be improved due to the decreased burden of the therapy through the use of fewer and/or smaller solid pharmaceutical compositions (e.g. tablets, micro tablets, capsules, multiple unit pellet systems and the like).

In the context of the present invention, the term "inventive crystal salt form of sulfasalazine" refers to crystalline organic salts of <NUM>-hydroxy-<NUM>-[<NUM>-[<NUM>-[(<NUM>-pyridinylamino)sulfonyl]phenyl]diazenyl]-benzoic acid (sulfasalazine) obtainable by the inventive preparation process, namely to crystal Form A of the D(-)-N-methylglucamine (meglumine) salt of sulfasalazine, characterized in that the crystals comprise peaks in the powder x-ray diffraction at values (± <NUM>) of two theta of <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, and wherein the crystals contain ≤ <NUM> wt. % solvate and/or water based on the total weight of the crystals of Form A meglumine sulfasalazine.

According to the present invention, the phrase "crystal Form A of the D(-)-N-methylglucamine salt of sulfasalazine" may be used synonymously to "crystal Form A of the meglumine salt of sulfasalazine", "Form A meglumine salt", "Form A meglumine sulfasalazine" or "meglumine sulfasalazine salt".

According to an embodiment of all aspects of the present invention, the inventive crystal salt of sulfasalazine is preferably at least <NUM> wt. -%, <NUM> wt. -%, <NUM> wt. -%, <NUM> wt. -%, <NUM> wt. -%, <NUM> wt. -%, <NUM> wt. -%, <NUM> wt. -%, <NUM> wt. -%, <NUM>% or <NUM> wt. -% crystalline based on the total weight of the respective inventive salt form of sulfasalazine. Crystallinity can be estimated by conventional X-ray diffractometric techniques.

According to all aspects of the present invention, crystal Form A of the meglumine salt of sulfasalazine exhibits at least the following characteristic X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) peaks (expressed in degrees <NUM>± <NUM> degrees) (the margin of error being consistent with the United States Pharmacopeia general chapter on X-ray diffraction (USP941) - see the United States Pharmacopeia Convention. X-Ray Diffraction, General Test <<NUM>>. United States Pharmacopeia, <NUM>th ed. Rockville, MD: United States Pharmacopeial Convention; <NUM>: <NUM>-<NUM>):.

In Figure <NUM>, a characteristic XRPD spectrum of inventive crystal Form A of meglumine salt of sulfasalazine is provided.

The inventive crystal salt form of sulfasalazine, namely crystal Form A of the D(-)-N-methylglucamine (meglumine) salt of sulfasalazine, can be obtained in solvate-free, in particular hydrate-free form. Such a solvate-free, in particular hydrate-free (anhydrous) form may exhibit advantageous physico-chemical properties when manufacturing the pharmaceutical composition, as the solvate-free, in particular the anhydrous form supports in particular the physical and chemical stability of the active ingredient sulfasalazine and the pharmaceutical composition respectively over shelf life.

Thus, the inventive crystal salt form of sulfasalazine, namely crystal Form A of the D(-)-N-methylglucamine (meglumine) salt of sulfasalazine enables a skilled person to manufacture a stable pharmaceutical composition, preferably a stable pharmaceutical oral dosage formulation, more preferably a stable pharmaceutical solid oral dosage formulation respectively comprising sulfasalazine as active ingredient. The term "stable" in the context of the present invention means that a measured value falls within range of specified values determined in accordance with a respective applicable regulatory guideline, e.g. the European Pharmacopeia.

The properties or the physical and chemical stability of the inventive pharmaceutical tablet composition may be tested in conventional manner, e.g. by measurement of appearance, hardness (or resistance to crushing), disintegration time, dissolution, friability, water content, assay for the inventive sulfasalazine salts and/or their degradation products (related substances), and/or uniformity of dosage units or mass after storage at controlled storage conditions; e.g. at intermediate and/or accelerated conditions according to ICH guideline Q1A(R2) (i.e. at <NUM> / <NUM> % relative humidity (RH) and/or at <NUM> / <NUM> % RH). These tests shall be performed according to applicable pharmaceutical regulatory standards as described e.g. in ICH or EMA guidelines and/or the European Pharmacopeia (EP).

At least some of these attributes, i.e. properties or physical and chemical stability, preferably most of these attributes and most preferably all of these attributes of the inventive pharmaceutical tablet composition are stable over time and different controlled storage conditions. According to a preferred embodiment the dissolution (profile) of the inventive pharmaceutical tablet composition according to the present invention, e.g. a tablet or film-coated tablet, is stable over at least <NUM> months when stored preferably in Alu-Alu blisters at intermediate or long-term storage conditions, i.e. <NUM> / <NUM> % RH or <NUM> / <NUM> % RH. More preferably, dissolution and further additional attributes such as, e.g., assay, related substances or uniformity of dosage units or mass are also stable after storage over at least <NUM> months when stored at intermediate or long-term storage conditions.

With regard to the ability (rate and extent) of water vapour uptake, the European Pharmacopoeia Technical guide <NUM>, General Chapter <NUM>. has categorized pharmaceutical solids into four different classes: i.e. as slightly hygroscopic (equal to or greater than <NUM> %, but less than <NUM> % w/w uptake at RH <NUM>% and <NUM>), hygroscopic (equal to or greater than <NUM> %, but less than <NUM> % w/w uptake at RH <NUM>% and <NUM>), very hygroscopic (equal to or greater than15% w/w uptake at RH <NUM>% and <NUM>) and deliquescent (sufficient water is absorbed to form a liquid) according to the extent of water uptake.

The present inventors found furthermore out, that the inventive crystal salt form of sulfasalazine, namely Form A meglumine salt is classified as only slightly hygroscopic substances. According to an alternative or cumulative embodiment of all aspects of the present invention, the hygroscopicity of the inventive crystal salt of sulfasalazine, namely the Form A meglumine salt, is generally ≤ <NUM>% w/w, more preferably ≤ <NUM>% w/w water vapor uptake at RH <NUM>% and <NUM>. Thus, the inventive crystal salt form of sulfasalazine is suitable for preparing stable pharmaceutical compositions.

According to all aspects of the present invention, the inventive crystal salt form of sulfasalazine is solvate free and in particular anhydrous. In the context of the present invention solvate free and or hydrate free (anhydrous) means, that respective inventive crystal salt form of sulfasalazine contains ≤ <NUM> wt. -%, ≤ <NUM> wt. -%, ≤ <NUM> wt. -%, ≤ <NUM> wt. -%, ≤ <NUM> wt. -% solvate and/or water based on the total weight of the respective inventive crystal form of sulfasalazine.

According to the present invention, the inventive crystals of Form A meglumine sulfasalazine are characterized by peaks in the powder x-ray diffraction at values (± <NUM>) of two theta of <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, and wherein the crystals contain <NUM> to less than <NUM> wt. % solvate and/or water based on the total weight of the crystals of Form A meglumine sulfasalazine.

According to the second aspect of the present invention a pharmaceutical composition is provided comprising a therapeutically effective amount of crystals of Form A meglumine sulfasalazine as described in particular hereinbefore and the examples. The inventive pharmaceutical composition may comprise in addition to one or more of the inventive crystal salt form of sulfasalazine one, two, three of more pharmaceutical acceptable adjuvants.

Depending on the mode of administration, the inventive pharmaceutical composition may comprise from <NUM> to <NUM> wt. -%, from <NUM> to <NUM> wt. -%, from <NUM> to <NUM> wt. -%, from <NUM> to <NUM> wt. -%, from <NUM> to <NUM> wt. -%, or <NUM> wt. -% of the inventive crystal salt form of sulfasalazine respectively based on the total weight of the inventive pharmaceutical composition.

The inventive pharmaceutical composition may be administered systemically, e.g. by oral administration in the form of tablets, microtablets, granules, powders, capsules, syrups, or multi-unit pellet systems (so called MUPS); or by parenteral administration (e.g. intra venous, sub cutaneous, intra-articular) in the form of solutions or suspensions; or by rectal administration in the form of suppositories, foams or the like. Preferably the inventive pharmaceutical composition is administered orally.

In case the inventive pharmaceutical composition is administered orally, the inventive crystal salt form of sulfasalazine in the inventive pharmaceutical composition is preferably protected from contact with acidic gastric juice, e.g., by an enteric coating layer provided on or within the inventive pharmaceutical composition.

According to one alternative embodiment of the inventive pharmaceutical composition the crystals of Form A meglumine sulfasalazine are mixed with one, two, three, four or more pharmaceutical tablet excipients and are compressed into a tableted dosage form. The one, two, three, four or more pharmaceutical tablet excipients are preferably selected from the group consisting of filler agents, binder agents, disintegrant agents, lubricant agents and the like and compressed into tablets.

The compressed inventive tablet is optionally covered/coated with one or more film forming agent(s), which may contain, e.g., alkaline substances, to obtain a smooth surface of the tablet and further enhance the stability of the tablet during packaging, transport and storage. Such a tablet coating layer may alternatively or cumulatively comprise additives like anti-tacking agents, colorant agents and pigments or other additives to obtain a tablet of good appearance. Alternatively or cumulatively, the inventive tablet composition may comprise an enteric coating layer, which protects the inventive crystal salt form of sulfasalazine from contact with the gastric acid. Alternatively or cumulatively the inventive tablet composition may comprise pharmaceutical excipients, which facilitate immediate or sustained release of the inventive crystal salt form of sulfasalazine. In particular, the tablet coating may comprise one, two, three, four, five or more constituents selected from the group consisting of cellulose derivatives, such as pre-gelatinized starch, cellulose ether (e.g. ethylcellulose (EC), methylcellulose (MC), hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) or hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC); in particular cross-linked sodium carboxymethylcellulose) or ester o semiester of cellulose (e.g. cellulose acetate phthalate (CAP) or hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phthalate (HPMCP)); acrylic polymers or copolymers, preferably methacrylate aminoester copolymers (e.g. Eudragit RS or Eudragit RL) or methacrylic acid ethyl acrylate copolymer (e.g. methacrylic acid ethyl acrylate copolymer <NUM>:<NUM>); waxy materials (e.g. carnauba wax); polyethylene glycols (e.g. Macrogol <NUM>,<NUM>, Macrogol <NUM>,<NUM>); (crosslinked) polyvinyl pyrrolidone (e.g. Povidon K30, Povidon K25, Crospovidon), polyvinyl alcohol or derivatives e.g. polyvinyl acetate phthalate (PVAP); pigments (e.g. titanium dioxide); stearic acid, magnesium stearate or glycerol mono stearate; and talcum.

According to an alternative embodiment of the inventive pharmaceutical composition for oral administration, the inventive composition is alternatively or cumulatively suitable for dispersion in an aqueous liquid with neutral or slightly acidic pH-value before being orally administered or fed through a naso-gastric tube.

According to a further alternative embodiment of the inventive pharmaceutical composition for oral administration, the inventive pharmaceutical composition may be provided in form of a hard or a soft capsule, preferably a soft gelatin capsule, wherein the inventive crystal salt form of sulfasalazine may be admixed with, for example a vegetable oil or polyethylene glycol. Also liquid or semisolid preparations of the inventive crystal salt form of sulfasalazine may be filled into hard gelatin capsules to form the inventive compositions.

When administered orally a single unit dose of the inventive pharmaceutical composition of all aspects of the present invention may generally comprise one or more inventive crystal salt form of sulfasalazine in the range of <NUM> to <NUM>. In particular the inventive pharmaceutical composition for oral dosage comprises per unit one or more inventive crystal salt form of sulfasalazine in an amount of <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>,<NUM>, <NUM>,<NUM>, <NUM>,<NUM>, <NUM>,<NUM>, <NUM>,<NUM>, <NUM>,<NUM>, <NUM>,<NUM>, <NUM>,<NUM>, <NUM>,<NUM>, <NUM>,<NUM>, <NUM>,<NUM>, <NUM>,<NUM>, <NUM>,<NUM>, <NUM>,<NUM>, <NUM>,<NUM>, <NUM>,<NUM>, <NUM>,<NUM>, <NUM>,<NUM>, <NUM>,<NUM>, <NUM>,<NUM>, <NUM>,<NUM>, <NUM>,<NUM>, <NUM>,<NUM>, <NUM>,<NUM>, <NUM>,<NUM>, <NUM>,<NUM>, <NUM>,<NUM>, <NUM>,<NUM>, <NUM>,<NUM>, <NUM>,<NUM>, <NUM>,<NUM>, <NUM>,<NUM>, <NUM>,<NUM>, <NUM>,<NUM>, <NUM>,<NUM>, <NUM>,<NUM>, <NUM>,<NUM>, <NUM>,<NUM>, <NUM>,<NUM>, <NUM>,<NUM>, <NUM>,<NUM>. Preferably, the dosage of one or all inventive crystal salt form of sulfasalazine is lower than the single unit dosage of comparative pharmaceutical compositions comprising sulfasalazine free acid as alone. Accordingly, with respect to oral dosage forms (e.g. tablets, micro tablets, granules, powders, capsules, multi pellet unit systems) of the inventive pharmaceutical composition, the single unit dosage comprises preferably < <NUM>, ≤ <NUM>, ≤ <NUM>, ≤ <NUM>, ≤ <NUM> of inventive crystal salt form of sulfasalazine.

The inventive pharmaceutical composition may alternatively be in the form of liquid preparations for oral administration, e.g. in the form of syrups or suspensions. Pharmaceutical excipients comprised in such liquid preparations may comprise sugar and/or a mixture of ethanol, water, glycerol and propylene glycol, preferably buffered to a suitable pH. Optionally such inventive liquid preparation may contain one, two, three, four or more further excipients, preferably selected from the group consisting of colouring agents, flavouring agents, saccharine and/or carboxmethylcellulose as a thickening agent or other excipients known to those skilled in the art.

According to a further alternative or cumulative embodiment of the invention pharmaceutical composition the pharmaceutical composition may further comprise one, two, three or more further active ingredients, preferably selected from the group consisting of non-steriodal anti-inflammatory agents; preferably non-selective cyclo-oxygenase COX-<NUM> / COX-<NUM> inhibitors whether applied topically or systemically, e.g. piroxicam, diclofenac, propionic acids such as naproxen, flurbiprofen, fenoprofen, ketoprofen and ibuprofen, fenamates such as mefenamic acid, indomethacin, sulindac, ayapropayone, pyrayoleones such as phenylbutazone, salicylates such as aspirin, selective COX-<NUM> inhibitors, e.g. meloxicam, celecoxib, rofecoxib, valdecoxib, lumarocoxib, parecoxib and etoricoxib, cyclo-oxygenase inhibiting nitric oxide donors (CINODs);
glucocorticoid, preferably flunisolide, triamcinolone acetonide, betamethasone dipropionate, budesonide, fluticasone propionate, ciclesonide or mometasone furoate; methotrexate; leflunomide; hydroxychloroquine; d-penicillamine; diacerein; nutritional supplements, preferably glucosamine; gold preparations, preferably auranofin; cytokine or agonist or antagonist of cytokine function; monoclonal antibody targeting B-Lymphocytes, preferably CD20 (rituximab); MRA-alL16R; T-lymphocytes; CTLA4-lg; HuMax <NUM>-<NUM>; a modulator of chemokine receptor function, preferably an antagonist of CCR2, CCR2A, CCR2B, CCR3, CCR4, CCR5, CCR6, CCR7, CCR8, CCR9, CCR10 and CCR11 (for the C-C family), CXCR1, CXCR2, CXCR3, CXCR4 and CXCR5 (for the C- X-C family) and CX3CR1 (for the C-X3-C family); azathioprine, tofacitinib, monoclonal antibodies, such as the anti tumour necrosis factor alpha monoclonal antibodies infliximab, adalimumab, and golimumab; interleukin <NUM> receptor antagonist, e.g. anakinra; etanercept, and abatacept; more preferably methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine. Alternatively or cumulatively, the inventive pharmaceutical composition may comprise sulfasalazine free acid form. Preferably the amount of sulfasalazine free acid form is less than the amount of the inventive crystal salt form of sulfasalazine in the inventive pharmaceutical composition.

The inventive crystal salt form of sulfasalazine and their in vivo metabolites sulfapyridine and <NUM>-ASA are useful as modulators of function of various inflammatory cell types such as T cells, B cells, dendritic cells, neutrophils, NK cells and mast cells. For example, in experiments that studied the proliferation of human synovial cells of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, it was shown that the proliferation of these cells as well as the production of IL-1B and IL-<NUM> by these cells were significantly inhibited. In these experiments it could be shown, that the overexpression of c-fos mRNA was inhibited by the inventive crystal forms of sulfasalazine. Thus, the inventive crystal forms of sulfasalazine may be administered to a mammal, including man, in particular for the treatment of autoimmune, inflammatory, proliferative and hyperproliferative diseases and immunologically-mediated diseases.

Thus, according to other embodiments of all aspects of the present invention the inventive pharmaceutical composition is for use in the treatment of.

According to all aspects, the present invention further relates to combination therapies wherein one or more inventive crystal salt form of sulfasalazine or the inventive pharmaceutical composition is administered concurrently (simultaneously) or sequentially or as a combined pharmaceutical preparation or as a combined administration schedule with one or more active ingredients (therapeutic agents) for the treatment of one or more of the diseases and conditions, preferably the diseases and conditions listed above.

In the context of the present specification, the term 'therapy' also includes 'prophylaxis' unless there are specific indications to the contrary. The terms 'therapeutic' and 'therapeutically' should be construed accordingly.

Prophylaxis is expected to be particularly relevant to the treatment of persons who have suffered a previous episode of, or are otherwise considered to be at increased risk of, the disease or condition in question. Persons at risk of developing a particular disease or condition generally include those having a family history of the disease or condition, or those who have been identified by genetic testing or screening to be particularly susceptible to developing the disease or condition.

According to the inventive treatment of the inflammatory diseases as set out hereinbefore, the one, two, three, four or more inventive crystal salt form of sulfasalazine or the inventive pharmaceutical composition may be used in the same or separate pharmaceutical compositions with one, two, three or more active ingredients (therapeutic agents), preferably selected from the group consisting of therapeutic agents as listed below:.

Dependent on the therapeutic uses, the dosage of the inventive crystal salt form of sulfasalazine will, of course, vary with the mode of administration, the treatment desired and the disorder indicated, but may typically be in the range from <NUM>/kg to <NUM>/kg.

The present invention is described in the following on the basis of exemplary embodiments, which merely serve as examples and which shall not limit the scope of the present protective right. The exemplified features may be combined separately or in any (sub)combination with the general disclosure of all aspects of the invention hereinbefore.

The produced examples were characterized regarding identity and salt stoichiometry using proton and carbon nuclear magnetic resonance (<NUM>H-NMR and <NUM>C-NMR), regarding crystal modification by X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), thermal properties by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), water interactions by gravimetric vapour sorption (GVS), salt stoichiometry (HPLC), counter ion identity (CE) and at last by solubility in water (HPLC).

<NUM>H NMR and <NUM>C NMR spectra were recorded at <NUM> on a Varian Unity Inova <NUM> (software: VKMR <NUM>. 1C and VNMRJ <NUM>. 1D; probe: Xalorac <NUM> DG400-5AT) or a Varian Mercury - VX <NUM> (software: VNMR <NUM>. 1C; probe: Varian <NUM> AutoSW PFG) instrument. The central peaks of acetone-d<NUM> or dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO)-d<NUM> were used as internal references.

X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) analyses may be performed on samples prepared according to standard methods (see for example <NPL>); <NPL>); <NPL>); and <NPL>): Precipitated samples were smeared out on a zero-background sample holder and analysed from <NUM>-<NUM>° (<NUM>-teta) using a Thermo ARL X'tra diffractometer equipped with a peltier-cooled solid state detector, a Cu tube (λ= <NUM>. 5418Å), 45kV/44mA, using spinning sample holders and continuous scans with a scan speed of <NUM>°/min and step size of <NUM>°. The standard deviation is ± <NUM>° <NUM>-theta (2θ).

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) using standard methods, for example those described in Höhne, G. et al (<NUM>), Differential Scanning Calorimetry, Springer, Berlin, the calometric response of a test sample to increasing temperature was investigated using a PerkinElmer Pyris DSC. The temperature interval was normally <NUM> to <NUM>, with some variations depending on results and need of re-runs. The scanning rate was <NUM>/min. About <NUM> sample was used; the measurements were performed using open aluminium pans and dry nitrogen atmosphere to avoid oxidative degradation. It is well known that the DSC onset and peak temperatures may vary due to the purity of the sample and instrumental parameters, especially the temperature scan rate. A person skilled in the art can use routine optimization/calibration to set up instrumental parameters for a DSC so that data comparable to the data presented here can be collected.

Gravimetric vapour sorption (GVS) was used to determine the hygrocopicity of the samples: experiments were performed at <NUM> using a DVS <NUM> instrument from SMS Ltd to record adsorption-desorption isotherms using different methods, the main features being: a single sorption/desorption cycle from <NUM> to <NUM>% RH in <NUM>% RH steps with a dm/dt trigger value of <NUM>% (dm/dt = change in mass with time - when the balance stability is within this value the next step is automatically started, however, if those conditions are not achieved there is a default maximum time for each step of <NUM> hours). The sample amount used was <NUM>-<NUM>.

The amount of dissolved sulfasalazine was determined by HPLC on an Agilent <NUM> instrument, using a Waters XTerra <NUM> C18 column (<NUM> * <NUM>) and a mobile phase consisting of <NUM>% ethanol/<NUM> phosphoric acid <NUM>/<NUM>. The flow rate was <NUM>/min, injection volume <NUM>µL and detection wavelengths <NUM> (for assay) and <NUM> (for chromatographic purity). Quantitation was performed using external standard methodology. The assay method has been validated with respect to selectivity, repeatability and linearity.

In Capillary Electrophoresis (CE), positive identity of the selected counterion was shown by corresponding migration times between sample and reference solution peaks. The instrument used was a Hewlett-Packard 3D-CE. The capillary was a fused silica <NUM> inner diameter and <NUM> efficient length. The electrolyte was Agilent Cation Buffer for CE (P. <NUM>-<NUM>), the voltage <NUM> kV positive, injection <NUM> mbar * <NUM> (sample solutions), <NUM> mbar * <NUM> (reference solutions). Detection was performed using indirect UV-detection at <NUM> with a reference wavelength at <NUM>.

Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) Instrument: PerkinElmer TGA7 Method: About <NUM> of sample was charged into and weighed in an open Pt-pan and analyzed, in a flow of dry nitrogen gas to ensure an inert atmosphere, from <NUM> to <NUM> using a scan speed of <NUM>/min, then held at <NUM> for <NUM> minutes.

Sulfasalazine (<NUM>, <NUM> mmol) and D(-)-N-methylglucamine (<NUM>, <NUM> mmol) were weighed into a <NUM> round-bottomed flask equipped with magnetic stirrer. Acetone (<NUM>) was added and the mixture stirred at <NUM>. The solid materials gradually dissolved and after a few hours a new precipitate started to form. The mixture was never completely dissolved. After <NUM> at <NUM> tert-butyl methylether (<NUM>) was added from a dropping funnel (<NUM>) and crystal seeds (<NUM> Form A meglumine sulfasalazine salt obtained as described in Example <NUM>) were added. After <NUM> the heating was turned off and the mixture stirred another <NUM> at ambient temperature. It was then filtered (Robu-Glas borosilicate glass filter porosity <NUM>) and the solid washed with <NUM>% mixture of tert-butyl methylether in acetone (<NUM>). The material was dried <NUM> in vacuo and weighed on the filter to give <NUM> (<NUM>%) yellow crystalline powder. This material was analysed by <NUM>-NMR and found to contain <NUM> % w/w acetone and traces of tert-butyl methylether (< <NUM> % w/w).

<NUM>H NMR (<NUM>, DMSO-d<NUM>) δ <NUM> (d, J = <NUM>, <NUM>), <NUM> - <NUM> (m, <NUM>), <NUM> - <NUM> (m, <NUM>), <NUM> (dd, J = <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), <NUM> (ddd, J = <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), <NUM> (d, J = <NUM>, <NUM>), <NUM> (t, J = <NUM> Hz, <NUM>), <NUM> (d, J = <NUM>, <NUM>), <NUM> (s, <NUM>), <NUM> (s, <NUM>), <NUM> (s, <NUM>), <NUM> - <NUM> (m, <NUM>), <NUM> (dd, J = <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), <NUM> (dd, J = <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), <NUM> (dt, J = <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), <NUM> - <NUM> (m, <NUM>), <NUM> (dd, J = <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), <NUM> (dd, J = <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), <NUM> (s, <NUM>); <NUM>C NMR (<NUM>, DMSO-d<NUM>) δ <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>; loss on drying (TGA; %w/w) is <NUM>; melting point (DSC) is <NUM> ± <NUM> (onset); water vapor uptake (GVS; %w/w) at <NUM>% RH is <<NUM> and at <NUM>% RH <<NUM>; solubility in de-ionized water at <NUM> and pH <NUM> > <NUM>/mL; stoichiometry, base to acid, of <NUM>:<NUM> was confirmed by NMR.

X-ray powder diffraction pattern of crystal Form A of the meglumine salt of sulfasalazine shown in Figure <NUM>, in particular comprising the following XRPD peaks (expressed as degrees 2θ ± <NUM> degress).

To a suspension of <NUM> sulfasalazine in acetone the equimolar amount of D(-)-N-methylglucamine (<NUM> stock solution in water) was added. The suspension was heated to <NUM> and the resulting solution stirred for <NUM> days, after which the solvent was slowly evaporated. The salt product was washed and filtered to dryness, yielding the polymorph named form A D(-)-N-methylglucamine <NUM>-hydroxy-<NUM>-[<NUM>-[<NUM>-[(<NUM>-pyridinylamino)sulfonyl]phenyl]diazenyl]-benzoate.

<NUM>H-NMR (<NUM>, DMSO-d<NUM>) δ8. <NUM> (d, J = <NUM>, <NUM>), <NUM>-<NUM> (m, <NUM>), <NUM>-<NUM> (m, <NUM>), <NUM> (dd, J = <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), <NUM> (ddd, J = <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), <NUM> (d, J = <NUM>, <NUM>), <NUM> (t, J = <NUM>, <NUM>), <NUM> (d, J = <NUM>, <NUM>), <NUM> (s, <NUM>), <NUM> (s, <NUM>), <NUM> (s, <NUM>), <NUM>-<NUM> (m, <NUM>), <NUM> (dd, J = <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), <NUM> (d, J = <NUM>, <NUM>), <NUM>-<NUM> (m, <NUM>), <NUM> (dd, J = <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), <NUM> (dd, J = <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), <NUM> (s, <NUM>); <NUM>C-NMR (<NUM>, DMSO-d<NUM>) δ <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>; melting point (DSC): <NUM> ± <NUM> (onset); water vapor uptake (GVS; %w/w) at <NUM>% RH is <NUM>; at <NUM>% RH is <NUM>; stoichiometry, base to acid, of <NUM>:<NUM> was confirmed by NMR and HPLC.

To a suspension of <NUM> sulfasalazine in methanol the equimolar amount of piperazine (<NUM> stock solution in water) was added. The suspension was heated to <NUM> and stirred for <NUM> days. The salt product was then filtered, washed and filtered again to dryness, yielding the polymorph named Form A piperazine sulfasalazine.

<NUM>H-NMR (<NUM>, DMSO-d<NUM>) δ <NUM> (d, J = <NUM>, <NUM>), <NUM> (dt, J = <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), <NUM> (d, J = <NUM>, <NUM>), <NUM> (dd, J = <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), <NUM> (ddd, J = <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), <NUM> (d, J = <NUM>, <NUM>), <NUM> (t, J = <NUM>, <NUM>), <NUM> (d, J = <NUM>, <NUM>), <NUM> (s, <NUM>); <NUM>C-NMR (<NUM>, DMSO-d<NUM>) δ <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>; melting point (DSC): <NUM> ± <NUM> (heat rate <NUM>/min); water vapor uptake (GVS; %w/w) at <NUM>% RH is <NUM>; at <NUM>% RH is <NUM>; solubility in de-ionized water at <NUM> after <NUM>: <NUM>/mL; stoichiometry, base to acid, of <NUM>:<NUM> was confirmed by NMR and HPLC.

X-ray powder diffraction pattern of crystal Form A of the piperazine salt of sulfasalazine shown in Figure <NUM>, in particular comprising the following XRPD peaks (expressed as degrees 2θ ± <NUM> degress).

To a suspension of <NUM> sulfasalazine in acetonitrile the equimolar amount of diethylamine (<NUM> stock solution in water) was added. The suspension was heated to <NUM> and stirred for <NUM> days. The salt product was then filtered, washed and filtered again to dryness, yielding the polymorph named form A diethylamine sulfasalazine.

<NUM>H-NMR (<NUM>, DMSO-d<NUM>) δ <NUM> (d, J = <NUM>, <NUM>), <NUM>-<NUM> (m, <NUM>), <NUM> (d, J = <NUM>, <NUM>), <NUM> (dd, J = <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), <NUM> (t, J = <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), <NUM> (d, J = <NUM>, <NUM>), <NUM> (s, <NUM>), <NUM> (d, J = <NUM>, <NUM>), <NUM> (q, J = <NUM>, <NUM>), <NUM> (t, J = <NUM>, <NUM>); <NUM>C-NMR (<NUM>, DMSO-d<NUM>) δ <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>; melting point (DSC): <NUM> ± <NUM> (heat rate <NUM>/min); water vapor uptake (GVS; %w/w) at <NUM>% RH is <NUM>; at <NUM>% RH is <NUM>; solubility in de-ionized water at <NUM> after <NUM>: ><NUM>/mL; stoichiometry, base to acid, of <NUM>:<NUM> was confirmed by NMR and HPLC.

X-ray powder diffraction pattern of crystal Form A of the diethylamine salt of sulfasalazine shown in Figure <NUM>, in particular comprising the following XRPD peaks (expressed as degrees 2θ ± <NUM> degress).

<NUM> sulfasalazine was added to <NUM> acetone was added and a solution containing <NUM>% excess of the counter ion diethylamine in acetone was added. The mixture was heated to <NUM>, and the solvent slowly evaporated, resulting in the polymorph named Form B diethylamine sulfasalazine salt.

X-ray powder diffraction pattern of crystal Form B of the diethylamine salt of sulfasalazine shown in Figure <NUM>, in particular comprising the following XRPD peaks (expressed as degrees 2θ ± <NUM> degress).

For the transport experiments, Caco-<NUM> cells were seeded with a density of <NUM> cells per square centimeter on Transwell™ filter inserts, which were placed into <NUM>-well flat bottom cluster plates. The inserts (apical compartments) were supplied with <NUM> and the outer wells (basal compartments) with <NUM> of DMEM culture medium. The cells were cultured at <NUM>, <NUM>% CO2 and <NUM>% relative humidity in DMEM culture medium for <NUM> to <NUM> days until they formed confluent monolayers. Confluency and tightness of the cell monolayer were checked by measuring the transepithelial electrical resistance using an EVOM™ voltohmmeter with STX-<NUM> electrode. Monolayers were rejected if the TEER was lower than <NUM>Ω*cm<NUM> after pre-incubation (<NUM>) or after completion of the transport study. Test items were prepared according to the Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS) guidelines. Experiments were performed in triplicate. Immediately prior to the transport experiment, the cells were washed twice with Krebs-Ringer and the buffer was then replaced by the transport solutions. After <NUM> pre-incubation, samples were withdrawn from both donor and acceptor compartments. Six samples were taken in total at t = <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>. The efflux ratio is calculated as the Papp (ba)/Papp (ab), where Papp (ba) is the apparent permeability coefficient for the transport of the test compound from the basal to the apical side (secretive direction) and the Papp (ab) is the apparent permeability coefficient for the transport of the test compound from the apical to the basal side (absorptive direction). The apparent permeability coefficient Papp (in cm/s) was calculated as the permeability rate at steady state (in µg/s)*(<NUM>/initial mass of test compound in donor compartment (in µg)*<NUM>/area of the exposed cell monolayer (in cm<NUM>)*buffer volume of donor compartment (in cm<NUM>).

Table <NUM> shows that a higher amount of crystal Form A of the meglumine salt of sulfasalazine is cumulatively transported across Caco <NUM> cell monolayer. The ratio of the apparent permeation of sulfasalazine and of the Form A meglumine salt ranges from <NUM> (<NUM>µg/mL) to <NUM> (<NUM>µg/mL).

Comparison of pharmacokinetics of sulfasalazine in rat as either the free acid form or as crystal Form A meglumine salt following intra venous or oral administration.

: Area under the curve to infinity; AUClast. : Area under the curve to the last data point; Cmax: Maximum concentration; CMC: Cyclic Methyl Cellulosa; F: Bioavailability; I. : Intra venous, LC: Liquid Chromatography; MS: Mass Spectrometry; NCA: Non Compartmental analysis; PK: Pharmacokinetic; P. O: Per os; SSZ: Sulfasalazine; TI: Test Item; Tmax: Time of maximum concentration; T<NUM>/<NUM>: Half life.

In accordance with Swedish legislations for preclinical in vivo studies in rodents and following evaluation and approval of the experimental procedures the local ethical committee (M388-<NUM>), following acclimatization to the housing conditions for a minimum of <NUM> days after arrival, male Wistar (Hannover) rats (Taconic, Denmark), average weight <NUM>-<NUM>; average age <NUM>-<NUM> weeks, were treated with test items (see Table <NUM>); <NUM>-<NUM> prior to dosing all food except for an amount equivalent to a half day consumption was removed. The test items were administrated using a soft gavage tube (p. ) or by injecting the test item in the tail vein (i. The volume given was <NUM>/kg (p. ) or <NUM>/kg (i. v administration the rats were anesthetized using isoflurane. The rats were conscious during sample collection and the blood was taken from the sub-lingual vein. Blood samples were collected from each rat over a period of up to <NUM>. At each time point two aliquots of <NUM>µL each was added to a vial containing <NUM>µL of sterile water. The samples were mixed immediately and stored in -<NUM> until preparation for bioanalysis commenced. All formulations were prepared on the same day that dosing took place. The body weight of the rat was recorded before dosing. The weight of the syringe was recorded before and after administration to allow calculation of the actual amount of test sample delivered. The actual doses were used during the evaluation of the data.

The plasma levels of sulfasalazine were determined using LCMS/MS in mrm (multiple reaction monitoring) mode.

Samples and standards were injected by a HTC PAL from CTC analytics into an LC system from Shimadzu consisting of a high pressure gradient system of two LC-<NUM> AD pumps controlled by a SCL-10A controller from Shimadzu. The samples were separated using reverse-phase chromatography with gradient elution at a flow rate of <NUM>/min. Mobile phases were A:<NUM>/<NUM>/<NUM> water/acetonitrile/formic acid and B:<NUM>/<NUM>/<NUM> water/acetonitrile/formic acid. Gradient started at <NUM> % B and increased linearly to <NUM>% B in <NUM> minutes, <NUM> % B was kept for <NUM> minutes and then the system returned to <NUM> % B in <NUM> minutes. The system was equilibrated for <NUM> minutes until the total run time of <NUM> minutes. The eluent was analyzed by a Quattro Ultima from Micromass equipped with an electrospray ion source. Data was collected and calibrations were calculated by MassLynx <NUM> software. Sulfasalazine was separated on a Waters Symmetry C18 50x2. <NUM> column. The eluent was ionized by negative ion electrospray and the mrm transition from <NUM> to <NUM>/z was monitored.

The diluted blood sample (<NUM>µL blood, <NUM>µL water) was thawed and mixed. <NUM>µL of Acetonitrile, to precipitate the protein was added and mixed again. The sample was centrifuged at <NUM>,<NUM> for <NUM> minutes. <NUM>µL of the supernatant was transferred to a <NUM>µL glass vial and <NUM>µL of water was added to reduce the acetonitrile concentration.

Positive and negative mode MS/MS was employed for sulfasalazine. The concentration of the standard curve was in the range from <NUM> to <NUM>. Samples with analyte concentrations above the upper limit of quantification were diluted with matrix to reach within the assay range. A non-compartmental analysis (NCA) was performed using the Phoenix WinNonLin analysis tool.

The pharmacokinetic profile for Sulfasalazine following i. administration of the Form A meglumine salt of sulfasalazine at <NUM> and <NUM>/kg is summarised in Table <NUM>. There is a reasonable linearity of exposure between the two doses and the estimated half-life is <NUM> and <NUM> respectively, which is in good consistence with published data (Zamek-Gliszczynski MJ et al. Characterization of SAGE Mdr1a (P-gp), Bcrp, and Mrp2 knockout rats using loperamide, paclitaxel, sulfasalazine, and carboxydichloroflurorescein pharmacokinetics. Drug Metab Dispos <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>).

The pharmacokinetic profile for sulfasalazine following p. administration of <NUM>/kg are summarised in Table <NUM>. The maximum concentration of sulfasalazine is <NUM>-fold increased for D(-)-N-methylglucamine <NUM>-hydroxy-<NUM>-[<NUM>-[<NUM>-[(<NUM>-pyridinylamino)sulfonyl]phenyl]diazenyl]-benzoate, Form A as compared to sulfasalazine and is reached <NUM> times faster with D(-)-N-methylglucamine <NUM>-hydroxy-<NUM>-[<NUM>-[<NUM>-[(<NUM>-pyridinylamino)sulfonyl]phenyl]diazenyl]-benzoate, Form A as compared to sulfasalazine. The total plasma level of sulfasalazine are increased with ><NUM> % (AUCinf) and with ><NUM> % during the first <NUM> minutes following oral administration of the meglumine salt as compared to the free acid of sulfasalazine. The bioavailability of the Form A meglumine salt of sulfasalazine in rats is about <NUM>% increased versus the bioavailability of the sulfasalazine in free acid form.

The amount of dissolved sulfasalazine was respectively determined by HPLC on an HP <NUM> instrument, using a Waters X-Bridge <NUM> C18 column (<NUM> * <NUM>) and a gradient method. The mobile phase consists of mobile phase (A): <NUM> sodium dihydrogen phosphate and <NUM> sodium acetate are dissolved in <NUM> purified water. The pH is afterwards adjusted with acetic acid (<NUM> %) to <NUM>. and mobile phase (B): <NUM> part mobile phase A is mixed with <NUM> parts of methanol for chromatography. The flow rate was <NUM>/min, injection volume <NUM>µL and detection wavelengths <NUM> (HP DAD series <NUM>). Run time is <NUM>. Quantitation was performed using external standard methodology. The assay method has been validated with respect to selectivity, repeatability and linearity. Samples are prepared with dilute ammonia R3 PhEur.

<NUM> of sulfasalazine and Form A meglumine salt of sulfasalazine are respectively weighed into a <NUM> glass vial containing <NUM> water or FaSSIF-V2 medium and stirred at room temperature (<NUM>-<NUM>) for <NUM>, after which <NUM> of sulfasalazine and Form A meglumine salt were respectively additionally added until a saturated solution was obtained. The saturated solutions were filtrated using centrifuge filters (Nylon, <NUM>,<NUM>) and the clear supernatants were respectively injected either directly or after dilution with dilute ammonia R3 PhEur.

Claim 1:
Crystals of Form A meglumine sulfasalazine, characterized in that the crystals comprise peaks in the powder x-ray diffraction at values (± <NUM>) of two theta of <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, and wherein the crystals contain ≤ <NUM> wt.% solvate and/or water based on the total weight of the crystals of Form A meglumine sulfasalazine.