Patent ID: 8618146

Claim:
A process for preparing a formulation of an epothilone compound having formula A, where R is hydrogen, or an alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, or heterocyclic group, including any salts and any stereoisomers of the compounds or salts, comprising: a) dissolving the epothilone compound in a mixture of at least 20% by volume tertiary-butanol and acetone or acetonitrile; b) drying the solution at about âˆ’80Â° C. to about 40Â° C. under vacuum from about 5 millitorr to about 250 millitorr, to form a primary lyophilized product; and c) drying the primary lyophilized product at about 10Â° C. to about 30Â° C. under vacuum from about 5 millitorr to about 300 millitorr, to provide a lyophilized product of the epothilone compound.