Oral controlled release compositions comprising vitamin D compound and waxy carrier

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DESCRIPTION

Oral controlled release compositions comprising a vitamin D compound and a waxy support

Background

Disclosure Field

The disclosure generally refers to pharmaceutical controlled release compositions. More particularly, the invention relates to a controlled release formulation for oral administration of a vitamin D compound.

Brief description of related technology

Cholecalciferol and ergocalciferol (collectively referred to as "vitamin D") are fat-soluble dry steroid precursors for vitamin D prohormones. Vitamin D metabolites known as 25hydroxyvitamin D2 and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (collectively referred to herein as "25hydroxyvitamin D" ) are fat-soluble steroid prohormones for vitamin D hormones that contribute to the maintenance of normal levels of calcium and phosphorus in the bloodstream.

Cholecalciferol and ergocalciferol are normally present in stable, low concentrations in human blood. There are slight increases, if any, in the levels of vitamin D in the blood after meals since the diets without supplementation are low in vitamin D, even those containing foods fortified with vitamin D. Almost all of the supply of human vitamin D comes from fortified foods, exposure to sunlight or food supplements, becoming the last increasingly important source. Blood levels of vitamin D rise only gradually, if at all, after exposure to sunlight since cutaneous 7-dehydrocholesterol is modified by UV radiation to pre-vitamin D3, which undergoes thermal conversion in the skin to Cholecalciferol for a period of several days before circulating in the blood. In contrast, supplements such as those currently available, produce marked increases in intraluminal, blood and intracellular levels of vitamin D proportional to the dose administered.

Both cholecalciferol and ergocalciferol are metabolized to prohormones by enzymes primarily located in the liver of the human body. Cholecalciferol is metabolized to prohormone 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, and ergocalciferol is metabolized into two prohormones, 25-hydroxyvitamin D2 and 24 (S) -hydroxyvitamin D2. Cholecalciferol and ergocalciferol can also be metabolized to prohormones outside the liver in certain cells, such as enterocytes, by enzymes that are identical or similar to those found in the liver. Raising the concentrations of any precursor increases the production of prohormones; Similarly, lowering precursor concentrations decreases hormone production. Sudden increases in blood levels of cholecalciferol and / or ergocalciferol ("cholecalciferol / ergocalciferol") may temporarily increase intracellular concentrations of vitamin D, accelerate prohormone production and increase intracellular and blood concentrations of prohormones. Sudden increases in blood levels of cholecalciferol and / or ergocalciferol can also saturate the enzymes that produce prohormones, resulting in the excess of vitamin D that is to be catabolized or diverted to long-term storage in adipose tissue. Vitamin D stored in adipose tissue is less available for future conversion to prohormones. Sudden increases in intraluminal levels of vitamin D after the intake of current oral supplements can directly raise the concentrations of vitamin D and prohormones in local enterocytes, thus exercising “first step” effects on calcium metabolism and Phosphorus in the small intestine.

Vitamin D prohormones are also metabolized in the kidneys to potent hormones. Prohormone 25hydroxyvitamin D3 is metabolized to a hormone 1α, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (or calcitriol); also, 25-hydroxyvitamin D2 and 24 (S) -hydroxyvitamin D2 are metabolized to hormones known as 1α, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D2 and 1α, 24 (S) -dihydroxyvitamin D2, respectively. The production of these hormones from prohormones can also occur outside the kidney in cells that contain the required enzyme (s).

Increases in blood or intracellular concentrations of prohormones can promote excessive extrarenal production of hormones, which results in local adverse effects on calcium and phosphorus metabolism. Such increases can also inhibit hepatic production of prohormones from subsequent supplemental vitamin D and promote catabolism of both vitamin D and 25-hydroxyvitamin D in the kidney and other tissues.

Blood vitamin D hormone levels remain generally constant throughout the day in healthy individuals, but can vary significantly over longer periods of time in response to seasonal changes in sunlight exposure or sustained changes in vitamin D intake Normally, blood levels of cholecalciferol, ergocalciferol and the three vitamin D prohormones are also constant throughout the day, given a sustained, adequate supply of vitamin D from exposure to sunlight and an unsupplemented diet. However, blood levels of cholecalciferol and ergocalciferol can

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increase markedly after the administration of currently available vitamin D supplements, especially in doses that far exceed the amounts necessary to prevent vitamin D deficiency, rickets or osteomalacia.

Vitamin D hormones have essential roles in human health that are mediated by intracellular vitamin D receptors (VDR). In particular, vitamin D hormones regulate blood calcium levels by controlling the adsorption of dietary calcium by the small intestine and the reabsorption of calcium by the kidneys. Excessive levels of hormones can produce abnormally high levels of calcium in the urine (hypercalciuria), calcium in the blood (hypercalcemia) and phosphorus in the blood (hyperphosphatemia). Vitamin D hormones also participate in the regulation of cell differentiation and growth, parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion by the parathyroid glands, and normal bone formation and metabolism. In addition, vitamin D hormones are required for the normal functioning of the muculoskeletal, immune and renin and angiotensin systems. Numerous other roles for vitamin D hormones have been postulated and explained based on the documented presence of intracellular VDRs in almost every human tissue.

Secondary hyperparathyroidism is a disorder that develops primarily due to vitamin D deficiency. It is characterized by abnormally elevated PTH blood levels and, in the absence of early detection and treatment, is associated with parathyroid gland hyperplasia and a constellation of metabolic bone diseases It is a common complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD) with increasing incidence as CKD progresses. Secondary hyperparathyroidism can also develop in individuals with healthy kidneys, due to environmental, cultural or nutritional factors that prevent the adequate supply of vitamin D.

Regarding secondary hyperparathyroidism and its appearance in CKD, there is a progressive loss of cells of the proximal nephrons, the main site for the synthesis of the hormones of vitamin D (collectively “1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D”) from 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and 25-hydroxyvitamin D2. In addition, the loss of functional nephrons produces an excess phosphorus retention that reduces the activity of renal 25-hydroxyvitamin D-1αhydroxylase, the enzyme that catalyzes the reaction that produces vitamin D hormones. These two facts respond to low levels Serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D commonly found in patients with moderate to severe CKD when the supply of vitamin D is adequate.

Reduced levels of serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D produce increased, and ultimately excessive, secretion of PTH by direct and indirect mechanisms. The resulting hyperparathyroidism produces a markedly increased bone turnover and its sequelae of renal osteodystrophy, which may include a variety of other diseases, such as cystic fibrous osteitis, osteomalacia, osteoporosis, extra-skeletal calcification and related disorders, for example, bone pain, inflammation. periarticular and Mockerberg sclerosis. Reduced serum levels of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D can also cause muscle weakness and stunted growth with skeletal deformities (seen most often in pediatric patients).

Blood levels of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D are precisely regulated by a feedback mechanism that involves PTH. Renal 1α-hydrolase (or CYP27B1) is stimulated by PTH and inhibited by 1.25 dihydroxyvitamin D. When blood levels of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D fall, the parathyroid glands feel this change through intracellular vitamin D receptors and secrete PTH. Secreted PTH stimulates the expression of renal CYP27B1 and thereby increases the production of vitamin D hormones. As blood concentrations of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D increase again, the parathyroid glands further attenuate PTH secretion. As blood levels of PTH fall, renal production of vitamin D hormones decreases. The increase in blood levels of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D also directly inhibits the additional production of vitamin D hormones by CYP27B1.

PTH secretion can be abnormally suppressed in situations where blood concentrations of 1.25 dihydroxyvitamin D become excessively high, as can happen in certain disorders such as sarcoidosis or as a result of embolized doses of vitamin D hormone replacement therapies. Oversuppression of PTH secretion can produce or exacerbate alterations in calcium homeostasis. Parathyroid glands and renal CYP27B1 are intensely sensitive to changes in blood concentrations of vitamin D hormones so that serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D is tightly controlled, fluctuating up or down by less than 20% during any 24 hour period. In contrast to the renal production of vitamin D hormones, extrarenal production is not under precise control by feedback.

Blood levels of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D and the prohormone 25-hydroxyvitamin D substrate, and regulation thereof, may also be affected by vitamin D hormone analogues, such as 1αhydroxyvitamin D2 and 19-nor-1. , 25-dihydroxyvitamin D2.

The actions of vitamin D hormones on specific tissues depend on the degree to which they join (or occupy) intracellular VDRs in those tissues. Cholecalciferol and ergocalciferol have affinities for VDR that are estimated to be at least 100 times lower than those of vitamin D hormones. As a result,

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physiological concentrations of cholecalciferol and ergocalciferol exert few, if any, biological actions without prior metabolism of vitamin D hormones. However, supraphysiological levels of cholecalciferol and ergocalciferol, in the range of 10 to 1,000 times greater than normal, can occupy sufficiently VDR and exercise actions such as vitamin D hormones. Similarly, prohormones 25-hydroxyvitamin D2 and 25 hydroxyvitamin D3 have essentially identical affinities for VDRs that have also been estimated to be at least 100 times lower than those of vitamin D hormones. As a result, physiological concentrations of 25- hydroxyvitamin D2 and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 have few, if any, biological actions without metabolism prior to vitamin D hormones. However, supraphysiological levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D2 and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, in the range of 10 to 1,000 times greater than normal, VDRs can sufficiently occupy to perform actions such as vitamin D hormones.

The production of vitamin D prohormones decreases when there is little supply of vitamin D, as in conditions such as vitamin D insufficiency or vitamin D deficiency (alternatively, hypovitaminosis D). The low production of vitamin D prohormones produces low blood levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Inadequate supply of vitamin D often develops in individuals who are rarely exposed to sunlight, have chronically inadequate intakes of vitamin D or suffer from conditions that reduce the intestinal absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (such as vitamin D). It has recently been described that most individuals living in Nordic latitudes have inadequate supplies of vitamin D. If left untreated, inadequate vitamin D supply can cause serious bone disorders, including rickets and osteomalacia.

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) of the National Academy of Sciences has concluded that an adequate intake (AI) of vitamin D for a healthy individual varies from 200 to 600 IU per day, depending on the age and sex of the individual. See Standing Committee on the Scientific Evaluation of Dietary Reference Intakes, Dietary references intakes: calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, vitamin D, and fluorine, Washington, DC: National Academy Press (1997), incorporated herein by reference. The AI ​​for vitamin D was defined primarily based on the serum level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D sufficient to prevent vitamin D deficiency, rickets or osteomalacia (or at least 11 ng / ml). The IOM also established a tolerable upper intake level (UL) for vitamin D of 2,000 IU per day, based on evidence that higher doses are associated with an increased risk of hypercalciuria, hypercalcemia and related sequelae, including cardiac arrhythmias, seizures and generalized vascular calcification and other soft tissues.

The currently available oral vitamin D supplements are far from ideal for achieving and maintaining optimal blood levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D. These preparations typically contain 400 IU to 5,000 IU of vitamin D3 or 50,000 IU of vitamin D2 and are formulated to a rapid or immediate release in the digestive system. When administered at chronically high doses, as often required for vitamin D replacement, these products have significant and often serious limitations that are summarized below.

High doses of immediate-release vitamin D supplements produce marked sharp increases in blood vitamin D levels, thereby encouraging: (a) the storage of vitamin D in adipose tissue, which is undesirable because stored vitamin D it is less available for subsequent hepatic conversion to 25-hydroxyvitamin D; (b) hepatic catabolism of vitamin D to metabolites, which are less useful or are no longer useful for increasing blood 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels, through 24-and / or 26-hydroxylation;

(c) excessive 24-or 25-intracellular hydroxylation of vitamin D, which produces an increased risk of hypercalciuria, hypercalcemia and hyperphosphatemia.

High doses of immediate-release vitamin D supplements also produce sudden or spike increases in intracellular and blood 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels, thereby encouraging: (a) excessive extrarenal production of vitamin D hormones and producing local anomalies in calcium and phosphorus homeostasis and increased risk of hypercalciuria, hypercalcemia and hyperphosphatemia; (b) accelerated catabolism of both vitamin D and 25-hydroxyvitamin D by 24-and / or 26-hydroxylation in the kidney and other tissues; (c) decreased hepatic production of vitamin D prohormones, which unnecessarily hinders the effective replacement of vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency; and (d) local anomalies in calcium and phosphorus homeostasis mediated by direct binding to VDR.

In addition, high doses of immediate-release vitamin D supplements produce supraphysiological drug concentrations of vitamin D, for example, in the lumen of the duodenum, which encourages: (a) 25-hydroxylation in enterocytes and local stimulation of intestinal absorption of calcium and phosphorus, which produces an increased risk of hypercalciuria, hypercalcemia and hyperphosphatemia; (b) vitamin D catabolism by 24-and / or 26-hydroxylation in local enterocytes, which results in decreased systemic bioavailability; and (c) absorption primarily through chylomicrons, which results in increased hepatic catabolism.

Vitamin D supplementation above UL is often needed in certain individuals; however, currently available oral vitamin D supplements are not very suitable for maintaining levels in

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25-hydroxyvitamin D blood given the problems of administering high doses of immediate-release vitamin D compounds.

Blood concentrations of vitamin D hormones also generally remain constant throughout the day in healthy individuals, but may vary significantly over longer periods of time in response to seasonal changes in sunlight exposure or sustained alterations in vitamin D intake Marked differences in normal levels of vitamin D hormones are commonly observed among healthy individuals, some individuals have stable concentrations of only about 20 pg / ml and others as high as about 70 pg / ml. Due to this wide normal range, medical professionals have difficulty interpreting isolated laboratory determinations of total serum 1,25-hydroxyvitamin D; a value of 25 pg / ml may represent a normal value for one individual or a relative deficiency in another.

Transiently low blood levels of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D stimulate the parathyroid glands to secrete PTH for short periods that end when normal levels of vitamin D hormones in the blood are restored. In contrast, chronically low blood levels of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D continually stimulate the parathyroid glands to secrete PTH, resulting in a disorder known as secondary hyperparathyroidism. Chronically low hormone levels also decrease intestinal calcium absorption, resulting in reduced blood calcium concentrations (hypocalcemia) that additionally stimulate PTH secretion. Continuously stimulated parathyroid glands become increasingly hyperplastic and eventually develop resistance to vitamin D hormone regulation. Without early detection and treatment, secondary hyperparathyroidism progressively increases in severity, resulting in debilitating metabolic bone diseases, including osteoporosis and renal osteodystrophy.

Chronically low blood levels of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D develop when there is insufficient renal CYP27B1 to produce the required supply of vitamin D hormones, a situation that commonly arises in CKD. The activity of renal CYP27B1 decreases as glomerular filtration rate (VFG) falls below approximately 60 ml / min / 1.73 m2 due to the loss of functional nephrons. In end-stage renal disease (ERT), when the kidney fails completely and hemodialysis is required for survival, the renal CYP27B1 often becomes totally absent. Any remaining CYP27B1 is highly inhibited by elevated serum phosphorus (hyperphosphatemia) caused by inadequate renal excretion of nutritional phosphorus.

Chronically low blood levels of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D also develop due to a deficiency of vitamin D prohormones, since renal hormone production cannot continue without the required precursors. The production of prohormones decreases markedly when cholecalciferol and ergocalciferol have a low supply, a condition often described by terms such as "vitamin D insufficiency", "vitamin D deficiency" or "hypovitaminosis D". Therefore, the measurement of 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in blood has become the accepted method among healthcare professionals to control the status of vitamin D. Recent studies have documented that the vast majority of CKD patients have low levels in 25-hydroxyvitamin D blood, and that the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency increases as CKD progresses.

It turns out that the most vulnerable individuals to develop low blood levels of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D are those with CKD. Most CKD patients typically have decreased levels of renal CYP27B1 and a shortage of prohormones of 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Not surprisingly, most CKD patients develop secondary hyperparathyroidism. Unfortunately, early detection and treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism in CKD patients are rare, let alone prevention.

The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) has recently focused the medical community's attention on the need for early detection and treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism by publishing the Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (K / DOQI) Clinical Practice Guidelines for Bone Metabolism and Disease in Chronic Kidney Disease [Am. J. Kidney Dis. 42: S1-S202, 2003)]. The K / DOQI guidelines identified the primary etiology of secondary hyperparathyroidism as chronically low blood levels of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D and recommended regular screening in stages 3 to 5 CKD for elevated blood levels of PTH relative to the target intervals of PTH stage-specific, which for stage 3 is 35-70 pg / ml (equivalent to 3.85-7.7 pmol / l), for stage 4 it is 70-110 pg / ml (equivalent to 7.7-12.1 pmol / l) and for stage 5 it is 150-300 pg / ml (equivalent to 16.5-33.0 pmol / l ) (defined in directive K / DOQI No. 1). In the case that screening reveals that an iPTH value is above the target intervals for stage 3 and 4 ETCs, the guidelines recommended a complementary evaluation of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D to detect possible insufficiency or deficiency of vitamin D. If 25-hydroxyvitamin D was observed below 30 ng / ml, the recommended intervention was vitamin D replacement therapy using orally administered ergocalciferol. If 25-hydroxyvitamin D was observed above 30 ng / ml, the recommended intervention was vitamin D hormone replacement therapy using known oral or intravenous hormones or vitamin D analogues. The guidelines did not recommend the concurrent application of vitamin D replacement and vitamin D hormone replacement therapies, consistent with the notices commissioned by the Food and Drug Agency in the package leaflets for vitamin D hormone replacement products.

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The K / DOQI guidelines of the NKF defined vitamin D sufficiency as serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels ≥ 30 ng / ml. The recommended vitamin D replacement therapy for patients with “vitamin D insufficiency”, defined as serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D of 16-30 ng / ml, was 50,000 IU per month of oral vitamin D2 for 6 months, given well in single monthly doses or in divided doses of approximately 1,600 IU per day. The recommended replacement therapy for patients with “vitamin D deficiency” was more aggressive: for “moderate” deficiency, defined as serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D of 5-15 ng / ml, the guidelines recommended 50,000 IU per week of vitamin Oral D2 for 4 weeks, followed by 50,000 IU per month for another 5 months; For “severe” deficiency, defined as serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D below 5 ng / ml, the guidelines recommended 50,000 IU per week of oral vitamin D2 for 12 weeks, followed by 50,000 IU / month for another 3 months. Doses of 50,000 IU per week are approximately equivalent to 7,000 IU per day.

Compendium

The claimed invention provides, in one aspect, 25-hydroxyvitamin D for use in the treatment of hyperparathyroidism by controlled release wherein 25-hydroxyvitamin D is administered orally. In another aspect it provides a controlled release pharmaceutical form of 25-hydroxyvitamin D containing a pharmacologically active amount of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and a release modifying agent, wherein the release modifying agent: (a) controls the release rate of the 25-hydroxyvitamin D compound from the pharmaceutical form to reduce the Cmax compared to the Cmax for an equivalent amount of the 25-hydroxyvitamin D compound administered by embolated IV injection and / or an oral pharmaceutical form immediate release, or (b) controls the release rate of the 25-hydroxyvitamin D compound from the pharmaceutical form to increase Tmax compared to the Tmax of an equivalent amount of the 25-hydroxyvitamin D compound administered by embolated IV injection and / or an oral pharmaceutical form immediate release, or (c) controls the release rate of the 25-hydroxyvitamin D compound in the pharmaceutical form to decrease the proportion of Cmax24h / C24h compared to the Cmax24h / C24h for an equivalent amount of the 25-hydroxyvitamin D compound administered by IV injection. and / or an oral immediate release pharmaceutical form, wherein the pharmaceutical form is for oral administration.

One aspect of the disclosure relates to a waxy, solid or semi-solid pharmaceutical formulation for the controlled release of a vitamin D compound in the digestive tract of a subject ingesting the formulation. The formulation includes a waxy controlled-release support, a lipoid agent, an oily vehicle for the vitamin D compound and a vitamin D compound. The formulation provides controlled release of the vitamin D compound incorporated therein. The formulation is preferably free or essentially free of disintegrants.

In another aspect, a controlled release pharmaceutical form of a vitamin D compound containing (a) a pharmacologically active amount of a vitamin D compound and (b) a release modifying agent that controls the release rate of the compound is disclosed. of vitamin D in the pharmaceutical form to reduce Cmax and / or delay Tmax and / or decrease Cmax24h / C24h as described herein. Preferably, both Cmax is reduced and Tmax is delayed (increased). Such controlled release pharmaceutical forms show the advantage of increased elimination half-life and / or reduced toxicity and / or improved potency (eg, ability to administer a reduced dose of vitamin D compound, or administer less frequently, to achieve an effect similar therapeutic compared with a pharmaceutical form of immediate release). In some embodiments, the release modifying agent includes a controlled release waxy support, a lipoid agent, and an oil carrier for the vitamin D compound. Optionally, the release modifying agent and pharmaceutical forms of the invention. they can be free or substantially free of disintegrants.

Therefore, a method of administering a quantity of a vitamin D compound to a patient is disclosed so that the maximum serum concentration of the vitamin D compound in a dose range (Cmax) is reduced compared to the Cmax for an amount. equivalent of a vitamin D compound administered by embolated IV injection and / or an equivalent immediate-release oral pharmaceutical form. Similarly, the invention provides a controlled release pharmaceutical form having an amount of a vitamin D compound that, when administered to a patient, produces a Cmax less than Cmax for an equivalent amount of a vitamin D compound administered. by IV infusion and / or by an equivalent immediate-release oral pharmaceutical form. For example, the reduction is preferably by a factor of at least 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70% or 80%.

A method of administering a quantity of a vitamin D compound to a patient is also disclosed so that the maximum change in serum concentration of a vitamin D compound in a dose range is reduced compared to an equivalent amount of a compound. of vitamin D administered by IV infusion and / or by an equivalent immediate-release oral pharmaceutical form. Similarly, the invention provides a controlled release pharmaceutical form having an amount of a vitamin D compound that, when administered to a patient, produces a maximum change in the serum concentration of a vitamin D compound in a range. of a dose less than an equivalent amount of a vitamin D compound

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administered by IV infusion and / or an equivalent immediate-release oral pharmaceutical form. For example, the reduction is preferably by a factor of at least 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70% or 80%.

A method of administering a quantity of a vitamin D compound to a patient is also disclosed so that the ratio of the maximum serum concentration within 24 hours after the administration of a vitamin C compound relative to the concentration 24 hours later of administration (Cmax24h / C24h) is reduced compared to an equivalent amount of a vitamin D compound administered by IV infusion and / or by an immediate-release oral pharmaceutical form equivalent. Similarly, the invention provides a controlled release pharmaceutical form having an amount of a vitamin D compound that, when administered to a patient, produces a Cmax24h / C24h less than an equivalent amount of a vitamin D compound administered by IV injection embolated and / or by an equivalent immediate-release oral pharmaceutical form. For example, the reduction is preferably by a factor of at least 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70% or 80%.

A method of administering a quantity of a vitamin D compound to a patient is also disclosed so that the elimination half-life (t1 / 2) of a vitamin D compound increases compared to t1 / 2 for an equivalent amount of one Vitamin D compound administered by intravenous IV injection and / or by an equivalent immediate-release oral pharmaceutical form. Similarly, the invention provides a controlled release pharmaceutical form that has an amount of a vitamin D compound that, when administered to a patient, produces a t1 / 2 of a vitamin D compound greater than that of t1 / 2. of an equivalent amount of a vitamin D compound administered by intravenous IV injection and / or by an equivalent immediate-release oral pharmaceutical form. For example, the increase is preferably by a factor of at least 25%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 100%, 200% or 300%.

A method of administering a quantity of a vitamin D compound to a patient is also disclosed so that the time for the plasma concentration of a vitamin D compound to peak at a dose range after administration (Tmax) it increases compared to Tmax for an equivalent amount of a vitamin D compound administered by embolated IV injection and / or by an equivalent immediate-release oral pharmaceutical form. Similarly, the invention provides a controlled release pharmaceutical form having an amount of a vitamin D compound that, when administered to a patient, produces a Tmax greater than that of an equivalent amount of a vitamin D compound administered. by IV infusion and / or by an equivalent immediate-release oral pharmaceutical form. For example, the increase is preferably by a factor of at least 25%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 100%, 200%, 300%, 500% or 1000%

In several embodiments, it is contemplated that the compositions are associated with one or more benefits, such as significantly: increasing the bioavailability of the vitamin D compound contained by promoting absorption directly into the bloodstream rather than into the lymphatic system through chylomicrons ; increase the bioavailability of vitamin D compound contained by reducing catabolism in the enterocytes of the upper small intestine; decrease the undesirable effects of the first step of the vitamin D compound contained in the duodenum; avoid the production of sudden supraphysiological increases in blood levels of the vitamin D compound; prevent the reduction in blood concentrations of the vitamin D compound below optimal levels; restore blood concentrations of vitamin D compound to optimal levels; maintain blood concentrations of the vitamin D compound at such optimal levels; decrease alterations in vitamin D metabolism and related abnormalities in calcium, phosphorus and PTH homeostasis; and decrease the risk of serious side effects associated with vitamin D replacement and replacement, including hypercalciuria, hypercalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, and vitamin D toxicity. One or more of the aforementioned benefits can be seen independently or in combination.

For the compositions and methods described herein, preferred steps, preferred components, preferred compositional ranges thereof and preferred combinations of the foregoing can be selected from various examples provided herein.

The object of the following clauses is also disclosed, among others:

<dl><dt>1. </dt><dd>A formulation for the controlled release of a vitamin D compound in the digestive tract of a subject ingesting the formulation, comprising a solid or semi-solid waxy mixture comprising a controlled release waxy support agent, a lipoid agent, an oleaginous vehicle for the vitamin D compound, and a vitamin D compound. </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>2. </dt><dd>The formulation according to clause 1, wherein the mixture is solid or semi-solid at room temperature and solid, semi-solid or liquid at body temperature. </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>3. </dt><dd>The formulation according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the mixture is solid or semi-solid at room temperature and semi-solid or liquid at body temperature. </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>4. </dt><dd>The formulation according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the controlled release waxy support agent comprises a non-digestible wax. </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>5. </dt><dd>The formulation according to clause 4, wherein the non-digestible wax comprises paraffin. </dd></dl>

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<dl><dt>6. </dt><dd>The formulation according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the controlled release waxy support agent is present in an amount in a range of 5% by weight to 35% by weight. </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>7. </dt><dd>The formulation according to clause 6, wherein the controlled release waxy support agent is present in an amount in a range of 5% by weight to 30% by weight. </dd></dl>

5 8. The formulation according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the lipoid agent has an HLB in a range from about 13 to about 18.

<dl><dt>9. </dt><dd>The formulation according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the lipoid agent is an emulsifier having an HLB of less than 7. </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>10. </dt><dd>The formulation according to clause 9, wherein the lipoid agent is selected from the group consisting of monoglycerides of mixed fatty acids; mixed fatty acid diglycerides; mixtures of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids; lipophilic polyglycerol esters; glycerol esters including glyceryl monooleate, glyceryl dioleate, glyceryl monostearate, glyceryl distearate, glyceryl monopalmitate and glyceryl dipalmitate; glyceryl-lactoesters of fatty acids; propylene glycol esters including propylene glycol monopalmitate, propylene glycol monostearate and propylene glycol monooleate; esters</dd></dl>

fifteen sorbitanos including sorbitan monostearate, sorbitan sesquiolate; fatty acids and their soaps including stearic acid, palmitic acid and oleic acid; and mixtures thereof; glyceryl monooleate, glyceryl dioleate, glyceryl monostearate, glyceryl distearate, glyceryl monopalmitate and glyceryl dipalmitate; glyceryl-lactoesters of fatty acids; propylene glycol esters including propylene glycol monopalmitate, propylene glycol monostearate and propylene glycol monooleate; sorbitan esters including sorbitan monostearate, sorbitan sesquiolate; fatty acids and their soaps including stearic acid, palmitic acid and oleic acid; and mixtures thereof.

eleven. The formulation according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the lipoid agent is selected from glycerides and derivatives thereof.

12. The formulation according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the lipoid agent is selected from caprilocaproyl macrogolglycerides.

<dl><dt>13. </dt><dd>The formulation according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the lipoid agent comprises a polyglycolized glyceride. </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>14. </dt><dd>The formulation according to clause 13, wherein the polyglycolized glyceride is characterized by a melting point of 44 ° C and an HLB of approximately 14. </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>15. </dt><dd>The formulation according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the lipoid agent comprises caprilocaproyl macrogol-8-glyceride. </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>16. </dt><dd>The formulation according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the lipoid agent includes a mixture of a lipophilic emulsifier having an HLB of less than 7 and an absorption enhancer that preferably has an HLB value of 13 to 18. </dd></dl>

35 17. The formulation according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the lipoid agent is present in an amount in a range of 5% by weight to 60% by weight.

<dl><dt>18. </dt><dd>The formulation according to clause 17, wherein the lipoid agent is present in an amount in a range of 20% by weight to 60% by weight. </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>19. </dt><dd>The formulation according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the oleaginous vehicle comprises a non-digestible oil. </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>20. </dt><dd>The formulation according to clause 19, wherein the oleaginous vehicle is selected from the group consisting of petroleum jelly, squalene and mixtures thereof. </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>21. </dt><dd>The formulation according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the oil vehicle comprises from about 10% by weight to about 50% by weight of the formulation. </dd></dl>

Four. Five 22. The formulation according to clause 21, wherein the oil vehicle comprises from about 20% by weight to about 45% by weight of the formulation.

2. 3. An oral pharmaceutical controlled release formulation of a vitamin D compound, comprising a pharmacologically active amount of a vitamin D compound and a release modifying agent in an amount effective to control the rate of release of the vitamin D compound in the pharmaceutical form to reduce the maximum serum concentration of the vitamin D compound in a dose range (Cmax) and / or increase the time for the plasma concentration of the vitamin D compound to peak at a dose range after the administration (Tmax) and / or decrease a proportion of the maximum serum concentration of the vitamin D compound 24 hours after administration relative to the concentration 24 hours after administration (Cmax24h / C24h) compared

55 with either or both of (a) an equivalent amount of a vitamin D compound administered by IV infusion and (b) the same pharmaceutical form omitting the effective amount of release modifying agent.

<dl><dt>24. </dt><dd>The formulation according to clause 23, wherein the pharmaceutical form is characterized by both reduced Cmax and increased Tmax. </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>25. </dt><dd>The formulation according to clause 23 or 24, wherein the reduction in Cmax is by a factor of at least 20%. </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>26. </dt><dd>The formulation according to clause 25, wherein the reduction in Cmax is by a factor of at least 30%. </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>27. </dt><dd>The formulation according to clause 26, wherein the reduction in Cmax is by a factor of at least 40%. </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>28. </dt><dd>The formulation according to clause 27, wherein the reduction in Cmax is by a factor of at least 50%. </dd></dl>

29. The formulation according to clause 28, wherein the reduction in Cmax is by a factor of at least 60%. 65 30. The formulation according to clause 29, where the reduction in Cmax is by a factor of at least 70%.

31. The formulation according to clause 30, wherein the reduction in Cmax is by a factor of at least 80%.

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<dl><dt>32. </dt><dd>The formulation according to clause 23 or 24, wherein the reduction in Cmax24h / C24h is by a factor of at least 20%. </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>33. </dt><dd>The formulation according to clause 32, wherein the reduction in Cmax24h / C24h is by a factor of at least 30%. </dd></dl>

5 34. The formulation according to clause 33, where the reduction in Cmax24h / C24h is by a factor of at least 40%.

<dl><dt>35. </dt><dd>The formulation according to clause 34, wherein the reduction in Cmax24h / C24h is by a factor of at least 50%. </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>36. </dt><dd>The formulation according to clause 35, wherein the reduction in Cmax24h / C24h is by a factor of at least 60%. </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>37. </dt><dd>The formulation according to clause 36, wherein the reduction in Cmax24h / C24h is by a factor of at least 70%. </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>38. </dt><dd>The formulation according to clause 37, wherein the reduction in Cmax24h / C24h is by a factor of at least 80%. </dd></dl>

fifteen 39. The formulation according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the vitamin D compound comprises 25-hydroxyvitamin D3.

<dl><dt>40. </dt><dd>The formulation according to clause 39, comprising 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 present in an amount in a range of 1 µg to 100 µg per unit dose. </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>41. </dt><dd>The formulation according to clause 40, which comprises 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 present in an amount in a range of 5 to 90 µg per unit dose. </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>42. </dt><dd>The formulation according to clause 41, which comprises 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 present in an amount in a range of 30 to 80 µg per unit dose. </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>43. </dt><dd>The formulation according to clause 42, which comprises 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 present in an amount in a range of 30 to 60 µg per unit dose. </dd></dl>

25 44. The formulation according to clause 43, which comprises 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 present in an amount in a range of 20 to 60 µg per unit dose.

<dl><dt>45. </dt><dd>The formulation according to clause 44, which comprises 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 present in an amount in a range of 35 to 50 µg per unit dose. </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>46. </dt><dd>The formulation according to clause 40, which comprises 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 present in an amount of 40 µg per unit dose. </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>47. </dt><dd>The formulation according to any of the preceding clauses, essentially free of disintegrants. </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>48. </dt><dd>A method of administering an amount of a vitamin D compound to a patient by controlled release so that the maximum serum concentration of the vitamin D compound in a dose range (Cmax) is reduced compared to Cmax for an equivalent amount of vitamin D compound administered </dd></dl>

35 by IV infusion and / or an oral pharmaceutical form for immediate release.

<dl><dt>49. </dt><dd>The method of clause 48, where the reduction is by a factor of at least 20%. </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>50. </dt><dd>A method of administering a quantity of a vitamin D compound to a patient by controlled release so that the proportion of the maximum serum concentration 24 hours after the administration of a vitamin D compound relative to the concentration 24 hours after the Administration (Cmax24h / C24h) is reduced compared to an equivalent amount of the vitamin D compound administered by intravenous IV injection and / or an immediate-release oral pharmaceutical form. </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>51. </dt><dd>The method of clause 50, where the reduction is by a factor of at least 20%. </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>52. </dt><dd>A method of administering an amount of a vitamin D compound to a patient by controlled release so that the elimination half-life (t1 / 2) of the vitamin D compound increases compared to t1 / 2 for </dd></dl>

Four. Five an equivalent amount of the vitamin D compound administered by intravenous IV injection and / or an equivalent immediate release oral pharmaceutical form.

<dl><dt>53. </dt><dd>The method of clause 52, where the increase is by a factor of at least 25%. </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>54. </dt><dd>A method of administering an amount of a vitamin D compound to a patient by controlled release so that the time for the plasma concentration of the vitamin D compound to peak at a dose range after administration (Tmax) increases compared to Tmax for an equivalent amount of vitamin D compound administered by IV infusion and / or an equivalent immediate-release oral pharmaceutical form. </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>55. </dt><dd>The method of clause 54, where the reduction is by a factor of at least 25%. </dd></dl>

56. The method according to any of clauses 48 to 55, wherein the vitamin D compound comprises 2555 hydroxyvitamin D3.

<dl><dt>57. </dt><dd>The method according to clause 56, which comprises administering 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 to a human patient in an amount in a range of 1 to 100 µg per day for an extended period of time. </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>58. </dt><dd>The method according to clause 57, wherein the extended period of time is at least one month. </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>59. </dt><dd>The method according to any of clauses 48 to 58, wherein the human patient is deficient in vitamin </dd></dl>

D.

<dl><dt>60. </dt><dd>The method according to any of clauses 48 to 59, comprising administering 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 to a human patient to increase the serum concentration of the patient from 25 (OH) D to at least 30 ng / ml. </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>61. </dt><dd>The method according to any of clauses 48 to 58, wherein the human patient is full of vitamin D. </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>62. </dt><dd>The method according to any of clauses 48 to 61, which comprises administering 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 to a </dd></dl>

65 human patient to prevent the patient's serum concentration of 25 (OH) D from falling below 30 ng / ml.

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<dl><dt>63. </dt><dd>The method according to any of clauses 48 to 60, wherein the human patient has secondary hyperparathyroidism associated with vitamin D deficiency. </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>64. </dt><dd>The method according to clause 63, which comprises administering 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 to the human patient to decrease elevated PTH in a human patient by increasing the serum concentration of the patient from 25 (OH) D to at least 30 ng / ml. </dd></dl>

Additional aspects and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art from a review of the following detailed description, taken together with the figures. While the compositions and methods are susceptible to embodiments in several ways, the subsequent description includes specific embodiments with the understanding that the disclosure is illustrative, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments described in This document.

Brief description of the figures

To further facilitate the understanding of the present invention, twenty-seven figures are attached thereto.

From Figure 1 to Figure 8 show graphs of the change in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels during the first 24 hours after administration for groups of test subjects to whom oral pharmaceutical formulations including 25-hydroxyvitamin are administered. D3 according to Example 1. In addition, Figure 7 shows an overlay of comparative data for immediate and controlled release formulations.

From figure 9 to figure 11 show graphs of the change in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels during the study period of example 1 for the controlled release formulation of group 7 according to the invention, the immediate release formulation of the group 9 according to the prior art, and intravenous administration of the group

10.

Figure 12 shows a graph of superposition of the data in Figure 9 and Figure 10 for groups 7 and 9, respectively, in Example 1.

From figure 13 to figure 18 show the average pharmacokinetic profile for miniature pigs to which oral modified and immediate release formulations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 according to example 2 are administered. Figure 19 shows a comparison of the pharmacokinetic profiles for LM and LI formulations of 250 µg of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 according to example 2.

Figure 20 shows the profiles of the average concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 in uncorrected serum over time for groups 1 to 3 of miniature pigs after administration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 according to example 3.

From figure 21 to figure 23 show the profiles of the average concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 in basal serum corrected against time for groups 1 to 3 according to example 3.

Figure 24 shows the average change in parathyroid hormone levels for group 1 animals from predose to day 21, and Figure 25 shows the average change in parathyroid hormone levels for group 2 animals from predosis to day 21, from example 3.

Figure 26 shows the profiles of the average concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 in serum versus time for groups 1 to 5 of Beagle dogs to which 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 modified-release capsules are administered according to example 4.

Figure 27 shows a solution release profile for 250 µg capsules according to example 2, which showed an average release of about 72% of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 at 24 hours.

Detailed description

As used herein, the term "vitamin D toxicity" is intended to refer to the side effects suffered from excessively high levels of vitamin D blood, including one or more of nausea, vomiting, polyuria, hypercalciuria, hypercalcemia and hyperphosphatemia.

"Vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency" is generally defined as having serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels below 30 ng / ml (see, guidelines of the National Kidney Foundation, NKF, Am. J. Kidney Dis. 42: S1-S202 (2003), incorporated herein by reference).

As used herein the term "hypercalcemia" refers to a condition in a patient where the patient has corrected serum levels of calcium above 10.2 mg / dl. Normal corrected serum levels of calcium for a human being are between approximately 8.6 to 10.2 mg / dl.

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As used herein the term "hyperphosphatemia" refers to a condition in a patient who has normal renal function, or CKD in stage 3-4, where the patient has serum phosphorus levels above 4.6 mg / dl In a patient who has stage 5 CKD, hyperphosphatemia occurs when the patient has serum levels above 5.5 mg / dl. Normal values ​​for serum phosphorus in a human being are 2.54.5 mg / dl.

As used herein the term "plasma iPTH oversuppression" refers to a condition in a patient who has normal renal function, or stage 1-3 CKD, where the patient has plasma iPTH levels below 15 pg / ml. In a patient who has stage 4 CKD, plasma iPTH oversuppression occurs when the patient has plasma iPTH levels below 30 pg / ml. In a patient who has stage 5 CKD, plasma iPTH oversuppression occurs when the patient has plasma iPTH levels below 100 pg / ml.

As used herein, the term "vitamin D hormone replacement therapy" refers to the administration to a patient of an effective amount of an active vitamin D hormone such as 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 and / or 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D2, optionally together with or other metabolites and vitamin D analogs that can substantially occupy intracellular VDR.

As used herein, the term "substantially constant" with respect to the serum or blood level of vitamin D means that the release profile of the controlled release formulation (defined below) should not include increases in total levels in serum or blood of cholecalciferol and ergocalciferol of more than about 10 nmol / l after administration of a unit dose, optionally for a period of at least 4 hours, 12 hours, 1 day, two days, 3 days, 4 days or 5 days. The term "substantially constant" with respect to the serum or blood level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D prohormones means that the release profile of any formulation administered as detailed herein below should not include transient increases in total serum levels. or 25-hydroxyvitamin D blood of more than about 3 ng / ml after administration of a unit dose. The term "substantially constant" with respect to the serum or blood level of an active vitamin D hormone preferably means that the release profile of the controlled release formulation should not include increases in total serum or blood levels of 1.25 -dihydroxyvitamin D of more than about 75 pg / ml each after administration of a unit dose, optionally for a period of preferably at least 30 minutes or 4 hours, etc.

As used herein, the terms "controlled release", "sustained release" and "modified release" are used interchangeably and refer to the release of the vitamin D compound administered in a manner that deviates from the release immediate. The terms "controlled release" and "modified release" optionally include delayed release features. For example, a delayed release type of a controlled release formulation will be characterized by a Cmax at a time greater than the Cmax for an immediate release formulation. As another example, the release of a vitamin D compound (cholecalciferol and / or ergocalciferol) and / or 25-hydroxyvitamin D administered will preferably be at such a rate that total serum or blood levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D are maintained or elevated by above predose levels for an extended period of time, for example 4 to 24 hours or even longer. As another example, a type of sustained release of a controlled release formulation will be characterized by release at such a rate that total serum or blood levels of a 1,25-hydroxyvitamin D compound are maintained or elevated above the levels predosis for an extended period of time, for example 20 to 40 minutes, 1 to 15 hours or even longer.

"Supraphysiological" in reference to intraluminal, intracellular and blood levels of vitamin D refers to a total concentration of the vitamin D compound markedly higher than the generally stable levels observed in a subject full of vitamin D, animal or human patient during the course of any 24-hour period by laboratory measurement when the vitamin D supplement has been retained for at least 30 days. "Sudden adverse supraphysiological increase" refers to a local or serum concentration of a vitamin D compound that causes adverse effects such as excessive extrarenal production of hormones, which produces local adverse effects on calcium and phosphorus metabolism, inhibition of - hepatic hydroxylation of vitamin D, increased catabolism of both vitamin D and 25-hydroxyvitamin D, hypercalciuria, hypercalcemia and / or hyperphosphatemia, with possible cardiovascular sequelae.

As used herein, the term "hyperparathyroidism" refers to primary hyperparathyroidism, secondary hyperparathyroidism and hyperparathyroidism secondary to chronic kidney disease (stages 3, 4 or 5).

The term "subject" as used herein generally includes humans, mammals (eg, dogs, cats, rodents, sheep, horses, cows, goats), veterinary animals and zoo animals.

It is also specifically understood that any numerical value listed in this document includes all values ​​from the lower value to the higher value, that is, all possible combinations of numerical values ​​between the lowest value and the highest value should be considered listed are indicated

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expressly in this application. For example, if a concentration range or a range of beneficial effect is indicated as from 1% to 50%, it is intended that values ​​such as 2% to 40%, 10% to 30% or 1% to 3% , etc., are expressly listed in this specification. These are just examples of those specifically intended.

The administration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 in an oral immediate-release formulation has been tested as an alternative method to the vitamin D supplement. This approach, which was subsequently abandoned, caused problems as do the vitamin D supplements currently used. Specifically, it produced sudden increases or spikes in blood and intracellular levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Without claiming to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that sudden increases or spikes in blood and intracellular levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D encourage (a) the competitive displacement of vitamin D hormones from the vitamin D binding protein ( DBP) of serum and excessive administration of displaced hormones to tissues containing VDR, and (b) transiently excessive renal and extrarenal production of vitamin D hormones, which together produce local abnormalities in calcium and phosphorus metabolism. Furthermore, it is believed that these sudden increases in blood levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D promote the catabolism of both vitamin D and 25-hydroxyvitamin D through 24-and / or 26-hydroxylation in the kidney and other tissues, decreased hepatic production of vitamin D prohormones, which unnecessarily hinders the efficient replacement of vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency and, Additional local abnormalities in calcium and phosphorus homeostasis mediated by direct binding to VDR. Importantly, the immediate release of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 is believed to promote its intestinal absorption through a mechanism that substantially involves transport to the liver in chylomicrons rather than bound to serum DBP. It is believed that the administration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D to the liver through chylomicrons significantly increases the probability of its catabolism.

One aspect of the disclosure relates to a solid or semi-solid waxy pharmaceutical formulation for the controlled release of a vitamin D compound in the digestive tract of a subject ingesting the formulation. The formulation includes a waxy controlled-release support, a lipoid agent, an oily vehicle for the vitamin D compound, and a vitamin D compound. The formulation provides controlled release of the vitamin D compound incorporated therein. The formulation is free or essentially free of disintegrants.

The controlled release waxy support provides a formulation that is solid or semi-solid at room temperature and solid, semi-solid or liquid at body temperature, preferably semi-solid or liquid at body temperature. Examples of supports suitable for use include waxes, such as synthetic wax, microcrystalline wax, paraffin, carnauba wax and beeswax; polyethoxylated derivatives of castor oil, hydrogenated vegetable oils, mono-, di- and glyceryl tribehenates; long chain alcohols, such as stearyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol and polyethylene glycol, and mixtures of any of the foregoing. Non-digestible waxy substances, such as solid paraffin, are preferred.

The waxy support is preferably present in an amount greater than about 5% of the formulation, based on the total weight of the formulation excluding any additional coating or cover (% by weight). For example, the waxy support may comprise more than 5% by weight of the formulation, more than 10% by weight of the formulation, more than 15% by weight of the formulation, more than 20% by weight of the formulation, and more 25% by weight of the formulation. The waxy support is preferably present in an amount less than 50% by weight, less than 40% by weight, less than 35% by weight, or less than 30% by weight. Suitable ranges include from 5% by weight to 35% by weight, from 15% by weight to 35% by weight and from 20 to 30% by weight. Examples include 15% by weight, 16% by weight, 17% by weight, 18% by weight, 19% by weight, 20% by weight, 21% by weight, 22% by weight , 23% by weight, 24% by weight, 25% by weight, 26% by weight, 27% by weight, 28% by weight, 29% by weight and 30% by weight.

The lipoid agent provides the release of the vitamin D compound from the formulation in the digestive tract of the subject being treated. Without claiming to be bound by any particular theory of operation, it is believed that the lipoid agent can serve one or more preferred functions such as creating a microemulsion of the oil vehicle in the gastrointestinal fluid; provide prolonged gastric retention, for example by bioadhesive properties so that the formulation interacts with the mucous layer of the stomach and / or intestine; and in increasing the absorption of the vitamin D compound. However, regardless of the mechanism of action, the invention is not limited by any particular mode of operation.

The components of the lipoid agent are preferably amphiphilic, in which the molecule or ion contains both hydrophilic and lipophilic parts. These components can be defined by a numerical value based on the hydrophilic / lipophilic balancing system ("HLB system"). The HLB scale is a numerical scale that ranges from 0 to about 20, where smaller numbers indicate more lipophilic and hydrophobic substances, and larger numbers indicate more hydrophilic and lipophobic substances. The affinity of a compound is determined by water, or by oleaginous substances and its HLB value is assigned experimentally. The HLB of the hydrophobic support employed herein will preferably be in a range from about 13 to about 18.

A variety of pharmaceutically acceptable lipoid agents can be incorporated into the formulation. The amount of the lipoid agent present in the formulation is preferably at least 5% by weight, at least 15%

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by weight, at least 35% by weight, at least 40% by weight or at least 45% by weight. Suitable ranges include from about 5% by weight to about 60% by weight, from about 20% by weight to about 60% by weight and from about 40% by weight to about 50% by weight.

In one embodiment, the lipoid agent is a lipophilic emulsifier that has an HLB of less than 7 and comprises a member selected from the group consisting of monoglycerides of mixed fatty acids; mixed fatty acid diglycerides; mixtures of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids; lipophilic polyglycerol esters; glycerol esters including glyceryl monooleate, glyceryl dioleate, glyceryl monostearate, glyceryl distearate, glyceryl monopalmitate and glyceryl dipalmitate; glyceryl-lactoesters of fatty acids; propylene glycol esters including propylene glycol monopalmitate, propylene glycol monostearate and propylene glycol monooleate; sorbitan esters including sorbitan monostearate, sorbitan sesquiolate; fatty acids and their soaps including stearic acid, palmitic acid and oleic acid; and mixtures thereof, glyceryl monooleate, glyceryl dioleate, glyceryl monostearate, glyceryl distearate, glyceryl monopalmitate and glyceryl dipalmitate; glyceryl-lactoesters of fatty acids; propylene glycol esters including propylene glycol monopalmitate, propylene glycol monostearate and propylene glycol monooleate; sorbitan esters including sorbitan monostearate, sorbitan sesquiolate; fatty acids and their soaps including stearic acid, palmitic acid and oleic acid; and mixtures thereof.

A preferred lipoid agent is selected from glycerides and derivatives thereof. Preferred glycerides are selected from the group consisting of medium or long chain glycerides, caprilocaproyl macroglycerides and mixtures thereof.

Preferred medium chain glycerides include, but are not limited to, medium chain monoglycerides, medium chain diglycerides, caprylic / capric triglyceride, glyceryl monolaurate, glyceryl monostearate, caprylic / capric glycerides, glyceryl monocaprylate, monodicaprium monodicapride glyceryl, caprylic / capric linoleic triglyceride and caprylic / capric / succinic triglyceride.

Monoglycerides having a low melting point are preferred to make the formulation. Preferred monoglycerides include, but are not limited to, glyceryl monostearate, glyceryl monopalmitate, glyceryl monooleate, glyceryl monocaprylate, glyceryl monocaprate, glyceryl monolaurate, etc., preferably glyceryl monostearate (GMS). GMS is a natural emulsifying agent. It is fat soluble, but poorly soluble in water. GMS has an HLB value of 3.8. Another preferred monoglyceride is glyceryl monooleate (GMO). GMO is also a natural emulsifying agent; It is fat soluble, but poorly soluble in water, and has an HLB value of 3.8.

In another embodiment, the glyceride is an absorption enhancer selected from the caprilocaproyl macrogolglycerides. The caprilocaproyl macrogolglycerides that can be employed include, but are not limited to, polyethylene glycosylated glycerides, also known as polyglycolized glycerides or PEGylated glycerides. PEGylated glycerides that may be employed in the composition include, but are not limited to, mixtures of monoglycerides, diglycerides and triglycerides and polyethylene glycol monoesters and diesters, polyethylene glycosylated almond glycerides, polyethylene glycosylated corn glycerides and caprilic / capric glyceride. The absorption enhancer preferably has an HLB value of 13 to 18, more preferably 13 to 15.

A preferred absorption enhancer is known under the trade name GELUCIRE, and is commercially available from Gattefossé Corporation, Paramus, New Jersey, USA. GELUCIRE is a well-known excipient that is a family of glycerol fatty acid esters and PEG esters, also known as polyglycolized glycerides. GELUCIRE is used in several applications including the preparation of sustained release pharmaceutical compositions. GELUCIRE compounds are semi-solid, inert waxy materials that are amphiphilic and are available with varying physical characteristics such as melting point, HLB and solubilities in various solvents. They are of a surfactant nature and are dispersed or solubilized in aqueous media forming micelles, microscopic globules or vesicles. They are identified by their melting point / HLB value. The melting point is expressed in degrees Celsius. One or a mixture of different grades of GELUCIRE excipient can be chosen to achieve the desired melting point characteristics and / or HLB value. The preferred GELUCIRE composition is GELUCIRE 44/14, a semi-solid waxy material with a melting point of 44 ° C and an HLB of 14.

Another preferred polyglycolized glyceride absorption enhancer is caprilocaproyl macrogol-8-glyceride (CAS No. 85536-07 and 84963-88-2). This is a mixture of glycerol mono-, di- and tri-esters and PEG 400 with medium chain fatty acids (C8-C10) that is marketed, for example, by Gattefossé Corporation, Paramus, New Jersey, USA under the name LABRASOL commercial. LABRASOL has an HLB value of 14 and has the following composition by weight: C8-C10 monoglycerides approximately 4%; C8-C10 diglycerides approximately 17%; C8-C10 triglycerides approximately 6%; C8-C10 monoesters of PEG 400 approximately 14%; C8-C10 diesters of PEG 400 approximately 36%; PEG 400 free approximately 20%; Free glycerol approximately 3%.

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Preferably the lipoid agent includes a mixture of a lipophilic emulsifier having an HLB of less than 7 and an absorption enhancer that preferably has an HLB value of 13 to 18. The lipophilic emulsifier is preferably present in an amount in a range from about 20% by weight to about 50% by weight, preferably from about 30% by weight to about 40% by weight, and the absorption enhancer is preferably present in an amount of about 5 to about 20% by weight, preferably from about 8 to about 15% by weight.

The low melting points of many of the solid lipoid compositions provide a means of incorporating the pharmaceutically active ingredients therein at temperatures from about 0 ° C to about 50 ° C above their respective melting points, and then loading the melt (solution and / or dispersion) in animal or vegetable gelatin capsules. The melt solidifies inside the capsules after cooling to room temperature.

The oil component serves as a vehicle, preferably the main vehicle, for the vitamin D compound. Any pharmaceutically acceptable oil can be used. Examples include animal oils (for example, from fish), vegetables (for example, from soybeans) and minerals. The oil will preferably readily dissolve the vitamin D compound used. Preferred oil components include non-digestible oils, such as mineral oils, particularly liquid paraffins and squalene. The oil carrier preferably comprises from about 10% by weight to about 50% by weight of the formulation, more preferably from about 15% by weight to about 45% by weight, from about 20% to about 40% by weight, or from about 15% by weight to about 25% by weight. In a preferred embodiment, the liquid paraffin can be characterized by one or more of the following parameters: specific gravity of about 0.88 to 0.89; kinematic viscosity (40ºC) of approximately 64 to approximately 70 cSt; molecular weight 424; % of paraffinic hydrocarbons approximately 59; and pour point -24 ° C. The relationship between the waxy component and the oil component can be optimized to achieve the desired rate of release of the vitamin D compound. Therefore, if a heavier oil component is used, relatively less of the waxy component can be used, and if use a lighter oil component, then relatively more waxy component can be used.

The present claimed invention uses 25-hydroxyvitamin D as the vitamin D compound included in the formulation described herein. This includes 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, and / or 25-hydroxyvitamin D2. In one type of embodiment, the vitamin D compound includes one or more hydroxy forms, such as a combination of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and 25-hydroxyvitamin D2. The vitamin D compound is administered in a therapeutically effective amount (for example, an amount effective to prevent or treat secondary hyperparathyroidism).

The invention includes compositions comprising oral formulations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D2 and / or 25 hydroxyvitamin D3 ("25-hydroxyvitamin D2 / 25-hydroxyvitamin D3"). Methods of administering such formulations to treat insufficiency and deficiency in 25-hydroxyvitamin D without sudden supraphysiological increases in intraluminal, intracellular and blood levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and its consequences are also described; without causing a substantially increased catabolism of the 25-hydroxyvitamin D administered; and without serious side effects associated with the vitamin D supplement, that is, vitamin D toxicity.

Controlled release compositions intended for administration according to the invention are preferably designed to contain concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D2 / 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 from 1 to 1000 µg per unit dose and are prepared in such a way that they produce controlled or substantially released release. constant of 25-hydroxyvitamin D2 / 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, optionally in the ileum of the digestive tract, of humans or animals for an extended period of time. Preferred doses include 1 to 1000 µg per unit dose, 1 to 600 µg, 1 to 400 µg, 1 to 200 µg, 1 to 100 µg, 5 to 90 µg, 30 to 80 µg, 20 to 60 µg, 30 to 60 µg, 35 to 50 µg, 5 to 50 µg, and 10 to 25 µg, for example, 20 µg, 25 µg, 30 µg, 40 µg, 50 µg, 60 µg, 70 µg, 80 µg, 90 µg and 100 µg. The compositions may provide substantially increased absorption of 25-hydroxyvitamin D through transport in DBP and decreased absorption through transport in chylomicrons. The compositions can provide maintenance of substantially constant blood levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D for 24 hours after the dosing period. By providing a gradual, sustained and direct release of 25-hydroxyvitamin D2 / 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and preferably absorption to circulating DBP (rather than chylomicrons), the concentration peaks of 25-hydroxyvitamin D can be mitigated or eliminated in blood, intraluminal and intracellular, that is, supraphysiological levels and related unwanted catabolism. In addition, by providing a gradual and sustained release, serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D can be increased and maintained more predictable than by the administration of oral immediate-release formulations, allowing consistent dosing and reducing or eliminating the need for follow-up. Frequent patient.

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In a preferred class of embodiments, the modified release formulation releases at least 70%, more preferably at least 80% of the vitamin D compound in the first 24 hours after dosing, for example, approximately 72% .

Advantageously, 25-hydroxyvitamin D2, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 or combinations thereof can be administered together with other therapeutic agents, orally or intravenously according to the above-described embodiments in dosage amounts from 1 to 100 µg per day, with the preferred dose amounts from 5 to 50 µg per day, for example, about 10 to 25 µg. Preferred doses will provide a mean increase in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 of approximately 1 to 3 ng / ml.

As indicated above, the invention provides 25-hydroxyvitamin D for use in the treatment of hyperparathyroidism by controlled release. In embodiments, it is contemplated that the invention includes the administration of a formulation described herein to rise and preferably also maintain levels of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D in blood at 25 pg / ml, 30 pg / ml or greater , for example 25-65 pg / ml for an extended period, for example, at least one month, at least three months, at least six months, or longer.

In one aspect, the invention involves lowering or maintaining decreased serum parathyroid hormone in human patients and includes administering to said patients an effective amount of an active vitamin D hormone according to the disclosure herein to decrease serum levels of parathyroid hormone. in serum, preferably an amount that lowers PTH levels by at least 30%, or alternatively the amount necessary to reduce serum PTH levels at the target interval for the CKD stage (for example for stage 3 it is 35-70 pg / ml (equivalent to 3.85-7.7 pmol / l ), for stage 4 it is 70-110 pg / ml (equivalent to 7.7-12.1 pmol / l), and for stage 5 it is 150-300 pg / ml (equivalent to 16.5-33.0 pmol / l) (defined in directive No. 1 of K / DOQI)).

In another aspect, the method includes administering to a patient suffering from hyperparathyroidism secondary to chronic kidney disease (stage 3, 4 or 5) an effective amount of an active vitamin D hormone according to the disclosure herein to decrease the level of PTH. in serum

The administration of a vitamin D hormone as described herein also allows the effective and predictable administration of a predetermined dose of a vitamin D hormone to a patient. The temporary and quantitative availability of the active vitamin D hormone does not depend on activation in the liver or other metabolism. Accordingly, lower doses are considered possible, compared to administration by other means, to achieve equivalent effects, while side effects are optionally or preferably avoided or reduced, as described above.

The doses described herein are contemplated for any of the therapeutic methods described herein. It will be appreciated that the actual preferred amount of a vitamin D compound in a specific case will vary according to the particular formulated compositions, the mode of application and the particular site being treated. Doses can be determined using conventional considerations, for example, by usual comparison of the differential activity of the hormone and a known agent, for example, by means of an appropriate conventional pharmacological protocol.

The specific doses for each particular patient may depend on a wide variety of factors, for example, age, body weight, general state of health, sex, diet, rhythm and mode of administration, excretion rate, and of the medications used in combination and the severity of the particular disorder to which the therapy is applied.

Optionally excluded from the methods of the invention described herein are the therapeutic treatment of subjects suffering from renal osteodystrophy (including osteomalacia and cystic fibrous osteitis).

Parathyroid diseases that may benefit from a modulation in vitamin D compound levels include, but are not limited to: hypoparathyroidism, pseudohypoparathyroidism, secondary hyperparathyroidism.

In the claimed invention, 25-hydroxyvitamin D is provided for use in the treatment of hyperparathyroidism by controlled release. The disease that benefits from a modulation in the levels of vitamin D compounds can therefore, in one embodiment, be selected from the parathyroid disorders of hyperparathyroidism and secondary hyperparathyroidism.

The formulation can be prepared by procedures well known to the person skilled in the art. Typically, pharmaceutically acceptable waxes, lipoid agents and oils melt, if necessary, to provide a fluid fluid, which makes it easier to obtain a homogeneous mixture. The vitamin D compound is added to the liquid support, for example, dissolved in an alcohol such as anhydrous ethanol, and the ingredients are

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mix to provide a homogeneous mixture. The mixture can be cooled and stored before a subsequent division into unit pharmaceuticals, such as filled gelatin capsules.

In a preferred method, a part of the oleaginous vehicle, solid wax and a lipophilic emulsifier are heated to a relatively high temperature (for example, 65 ° C) and mixed before adding an absorption enhancer, followed by further mixing until homogeneous, it is then cooled to an intermediate high temperature (for example, from 50 ° C to 55 ° C). An antioxidant preservative and the rest of the oil carrier are mixed in a separate container and heated to an intermediate high temperature (for example, 50 ° C), then combined and mixed with the wax mixture until a homogeneous solution is obtained. Next, a solution of a vitamin D compound in alcohol is combined with the homogeneous waxy solution, mixed until a homogeneous solution is obtained, preferably capsules are filled, and then cooled to room temperature. In another preferred method, a part of the oleaginous vehicle, solid wax and a lipophilic emulsifier are heated to a temperature of 55 ° C to 60 ° C and mixed before adding the absorption enhancer, followed by further mixing until homogeneous. In a separate container, an antioxidant preservative and the rest of the oil vehicle are mixed and heated to a temperature of 55 ° C to 60 ° C, then combined and mixed with the wax mixture until a homogeneous solution is obtained. Next, a solution of a vitamin D compound in alcohol is combined with the homogeneous waxy solution, mixed until a homogeneous solution is obtained, preferably capsules are filled, and then cooled to room temperature.

The formulation is preferably placed in capsules before administration to the patient in need of treatment. Such capsules may be hard or soft, and soft capsules are preferred. The formulation can be loaded into gelatin capsules using standard capsule filling machinery, such as fusion of the formulation and injection filling into the soft capsule cores.

It is contemplated that the formulation and methods of use and making them include embodiments that include any combination of one or more additional optional elements, features and steps, described further below, unless otherwise indicated.

Therefore, in one type of embodiment, the formulation further includes a preservative, such as an antioxidant. Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) is preferred.

In another type of embodiment, the vitamin D compound is administered in combination with one or more other therapeutic agents.

If the vitamin D compound is administered in combination with one or more other therapeutic agents, the proportions of each of the compounds in the combination that is administered will depend on the particular disease state to be addressed. For example, 25-hydroxyvitamin D2 and / or 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 can be administered orally with one or more calcium salts (intended as a calcium supplement or nutritional phosphate binder), bisphosphonates, calcimimetics, nicotinic acid, iron , phosphate binders, cholecalciferol, ergocalciferol, active vitamin D sterols, glycemic and hypertension control agents, several antineoplastic agents and inhibitors of CYP24 and other cytochrome P450 enzymes that can degrade vitamin D agents. In practice, larger doses are used where the therapeutic treatment of a disease state is the desired purpose, while generally lower doses are used for prophylactic purposes, it being understood that the specific dose administered in any given case will be adjusted according to the specific compounds that are administered, the disease being treated, the condition of the subject and the other relevant medical facts that can modify the activity of the drug or the response of the subject, as experts in the field know well.

As described above, the formulation is preferably loaded into gelatin capsules, but can also be administered in pure form, or with one or more outer coating layers, such as an enteric coating. It is also contemplated that the formulation can be pressed into tablets, and in such cases one or more tablet pressure excipients may be included.

In the invention described herein, the preferred steps, preferred components, preferred compositional ranges thereof, and preferred combinations of the foregoing, can be selected from several specific examples provided herein. For example, a preferred formulation includes 25-hydroxyvitamin D (for example, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, for example, about 0.1% by weight (for example, 0.12% by weight)), about 2% in weight (for example, 2.32% by weight) of ethanol, about 10% by weight (for example, 9.75% by weight) of GELUCIRE 44/14, about 27% by weight (for example, 27.51% by weight) of solid paraffin, approximately 38% by weight (for example, 37.85% by weight) of GMS, approximately 22% by weight (for example, 22.43% by weight) of petrolatum, and optionally a small amount of preservative (for example, 0.02% by weight of BHT). A variation of this formulation will include approximately 20% solid paraffin and approximately 29% petrolatum.

The specifications for yet another preferred embodiment of a capsule, and an embodiment of 50 µg, are shown in Table 2 below.

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Table 2

<dl><dt>Ingredient </dt><dd>Milligrams per capsule % p / p </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>25-hydroxyvitamin D3 </dt><dd> 0,040 0,024 </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>Dehydrated ethanol </dt><dd> 4,22 2,48 </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>Solid paraffin </dt><dd> 33,97 19,98 </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>Vaseline </dt><dd> 50,80 29,88 </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>GELUCIRE 44/14 </dt><dd> 16,59 9,76 </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>MSG </dt><dd> 64,35 37,85 </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>B HT </dt><dd> 0,034 0,020 </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>Total </dt><dd> 170,00 100,00 </dd></dl>

5 Examples

The following examples illustrate specific formulations and methods for their preparation. The examples are provided for illustration and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

10 Example 1 - Modified Release Formulas

Nine oral vitamin D formulations were prepared according to Table 3 below, homogeneously mixing the identified components in the amounts shown and loading the mixtures in hard gelatin capsules. Formulation 9 is an immediate release formulation according to the prior art, wherein

fifteen MIGLYOL 812N is the trade name for caprylic / capric triglycerides, available from CONDEA Chemie GmbH of Cranford, New Jersey, USA. The formulations were administered to groups of miniature pigs from Yucatán (approximately 10 kg), in single doses equivalent to 250 µg of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3. Each group included five animals. An equivalent of 250 µg of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 was administered to a tenth group of five miniature pigs from Yucatan by intravenous injection.

Table 3

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<dl><dt>Ingredient </dt><dd>25- (OH) vitamin D3 Ethanol Carnauba wax GELUCIRE 44/14 LABRASOL Soy oil B HT Solid paraffin MSG GMO Liquid paraffin MIGLYOL 812N Total </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>% p / p </dt><dd> 0,12 2,32 14,63 9,75 9,75 63,40 0,02 100 </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>mg / cap </dt><dd> 0,25 4,75 30,00 20,00 20,00 130,00 0,04 205 </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>% p / p </dt><dd> 0,12 2,32 27,50 9,75 9,75 50,53 0,02 100 </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>mg / cap </dt><dd> 0,25 4,75 56,40 20,00 20,00 103,60 0,04 205 </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>% p / p </dt><dd> 0,12 2,32 14,63 9,75 37,85 35,31 0,02 100 </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>mg / cap </dt><dd> 0,25 4,75 30,00 20,00 77,60 72,40 0,04 205 </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>% p / p </dt><dd> 0,12 2,32 11,51 8,10 3,12 74,80 0,02 100 </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>mg / cap </dt><dd> 0,25 4,75 23,60 16,60 6,40 153,36 0,04 205 </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>% p / p </dt><dd> 0,12 2,32 9,75 0,02 14,63 37,85 35,31 100 </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>mg / cap </dt><dd> 0,25 4,75 20,00 0,04 30,00 77,60 72,40 205 </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>% p / p </dt><dd> 0,12 2,32 9,75 0,02 14,63 9,75 9,75 53,65 100 </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>mg / cap </dt><dd> 0,25 4,75 20,00 0,04 30,00 20,00 20,00 110,00 205 </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>% p / p </dt><dd> 0,12 2,32 9,75 0,02 27,51 37,85 22,43 100 </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>mg / cap </dt><dd> 0,25 4,75 20,00 0,04 56,40 77,60 46,00 205 </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>% p / p </dt><dd> 0,12 2,32 0,02 9,75 9,75 9,75 68,23 100 </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>mg / cap </dt><dd> 0,25 4,75 0,04 20,00 20,00 20,00 139,96 205 </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>% p / p </dt><dd> 0,12 2,32 0,02 97,54 100 </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>mg / cap </dt><dd> 0,25 4,75 0,04 199,96 205 </dd></dl>

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Predose blood was collected and at 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, 48, 96, 168, 240, 336, 432, 504, 576 and 672 hours after dosing. Serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 were evaluated by liquid chromatography / mass spectrometry / mass spectrometry (LC MS / MS).

The graphs of the change in serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 during the first 24 hours are shown for groups 1-8 of Figure 1 through Figure 8. In addition, data for group 9, immediate release control is represent with the data of group 7 in figure 7. Concentration profiles show that the formulation of group 7 according to the invention (a) produced a gradually increasing and sustained rise in serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 during the first 24 hours, and (b) prevented a sudden increase in levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3.

From figure 9 to figure 11 show graphs of the change in serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 during the study period for groups 7, 9 and 10, respectively. Figure 12 shows a graph of superposition of the data in Figure 9 and Figure 10 for groups 7 and 9, respectively.

Concentration profiles show that the formulation of group 7 according to the invention produced a gradually increasing increase in serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, prevented a sudden increase in levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, and produced a sustained increase in 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 in serum for a long period of time.

In vitro dissolution tests of the same formulations (dissolution media; 0.056 lipase in Ctab / NaH2PO4 buffer, pH 6.8) over a period of 120 minutes showed results generally consistent with in vivo data (e.g., formulations 2 and 7 showed a more gradual and incomplete rise in% dissolution, while the immediate release control showed 100% release at 30 minutes).

The data in Table 4 below show various pharmacokinetic parameters produced in test subjects by administration of the group 7 formulation according to the invention compared to the immediate release formulation of the prior art group 9 and administration by injection. IV of the group

10. The data demonstrate that the formulation of group 7 according to the invention avoided a concentration peak, provided a maximum concentration at a much later time than the immediate release pharmaceutical form and intravenous injection, and provided a longer clearance half-life than the form. comparable immediate release pharmaceutical. The formulation of group 7 according to the invention produced a slower removal of the administered 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 from the circulation compared to group 9.

A single dose of 250 µg of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 administered according to the formulation of group 7 of the invention to mini-pigs (approximately 10 kg) produced an increase of approximately 40 ng / ml in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3. A single dose of 50 µg of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 to a human being (approximately 60 kg) is expected to increase serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 by approximately 1.4 ng / ml.

Table 4

<dl><dt>Grp </dt><dd>AUC (0-672 h) (ng / ml h) AUC (0-INF) (ng / ml h) Cmax (ng / ml) Tmax (h) T1 / 2 (h) Cmax24h / C24h (ng / ml) BD (%) </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>7 </dt><dd>MED 8062.6 10425.7 39.5 39.2 120.9 1.42 </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>DST </dt><dd> 6259,2 6676,4 11,4 35,4 27,9 0,93 62,7 </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>% DER </dt><dd> 77,63 64,0 28,7 90,2 23,0 65,41 </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>9 </dt><dd>MED 12074.5 12201.4 204.8 3.5 71.5 2.23 </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>DST </dt><dd> 1028,0 1099,0 12,6 1,0 16,9 0,49 73,4 </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>% DER </dt><dd> 8,5 9,0 6,1 28,6 23,7 22,11 </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>10 </dt><dd>MED 15038.0 16616.1 154.9 1.5 132.4 2.12 </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>DST </dt><dd> 2903,4 3646,2 71,1 1,7 18,7 0,84 100,0 </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>% DER </dt><dd> 19,3 21,9 45,9 112,0 14,1 39,67 </dd></dl>

The comparative data of Cmax, Tmax and bioavailability for the formulations of groups 1-6 and 8 are shown in Table 5, below.

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Table 5

<dl><dt>Group </dt><dd>Cmax (ng / ml) Tmax (h) BD (%) </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>1 </dt><dd>MED 105.9 7.0 69.1</dd></dl>

<dl><dt>YOU MUST </dt><dd> 33,0 9,6 </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>% DER </dt><dd> 31,2 137,0 </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>2 </dt><dd>MED 29.7 12.8 25.3</dd></dl>

<dl><dt>YOU MUST </dt><dd> 15,2 10,4 </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>% DER </dt><dd> 51,2 80,9 </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>3 </dt><dd>MED 109.4 4.0 84.1</dd></dl>

<dl><dt>YOU MUST </dt><dd> 22,6 0,0 </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>% DER </dt><dd> 20,6 0,0 </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>4 </dt><dd>MED 162.1 4.8 97.2</dd></dl>

<dl><dt>YOU MUST </dt><dd> 30,3 1,8 </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>% DER </dt><dd> 18,7 37,3 </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>5 </dt><dd>MED 90.8 3.2 70.7</dd></dl>

<dl><dt>YOU MUST </dt><dd> 22,7 1,1 </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>% DER </dt><dd> 24,9 34,2 </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>6 </dt><dd>MED 99.9 3.2 72.3</dd></dl>

<dl><dt>YOU MUST </dt><dd> 24,3 1,8 </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>% DER </dt><dd> 24,4 55,9 </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>8 </dt><dd>MED 91.5 3.6 70.2</dd></dl>

<dl><dt>YOU MUST </dt><dd> 41,2 0,9 </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>% DER </dt><dd> 45,0 24,8 </dd></dl>

Example 2 - Pharmacokinetic studies in miniature pigs with oral capsules

5 The purpose of the study was to evaluate the systemic absorption of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 in male Yucatan pigs (~ 45 kg body weight) after administration of: a) 1 x 250 µg modified-release capsule (LM) of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, b) 2 x 250 µg LM capsules, c) 4 x 250 µg LM capsules, d) 1 x 1000 µg LM capsule, e) 1 x 250 µg 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 immediate-release (LI) capsule , and f) 1 x 250 µg LM capsule

10 administered on 3 consecutive days.

LM formulations were prepared based on the formulation of example 1, group 7, above. In the case of the 1000 µg LM capsule, the higher concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 was compensated by a relative decrease in ethanol.

fifteen To prepare the LI formulation, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (0.12% w / w; 250 µg per capsule) was dissolved in USP ethanol (2.32% w / w, solubilizer) and mixed with USP corn oil (97 , 54% w / w; main vehicle) and butylated hydroxytoluene (0.02% w / w; antioxidant). The corn oil solution (250 mg) was loaded into two-piece hard gelatin capsules of size 0.

twenty A dose based on the dosing schedule in Table 6 below was administered to each of eight male Yucatan miniature pigs per group. Blood was collected from the animals before the first dose and at 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours after the first dose. Animals in group 6 were given a second and third dose immediately after collection of blood samples from 24

25 and 48 hours, respectively. 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 was tested in all collected samples. Ionized calcium and total calcium were determined in samples collected from animals in group 1 and group 5 at the following times: predose and at 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours after the first dose.

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Table 6

<dl><dt>ID Group </dt><dd>Number / gender of animals Dose route Dose / animal </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>1M </dt><dd>8 / males Oral 1 capsule x 250 µg, modified release </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>2M </dt><dd>8 / males Oral 2 capsules x 250 µg, modified release </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>3M </dt><dd>8 / males Oral 4 capsules x 250 µg, modified release </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>4M </dt><dd>8 / males Oral 1 capsule x 1000 µg, modified release </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>5M </dt><dd>8 / males Oral 1 capsule x 250 µg, immediate release </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>6M </dt><dd>8 / males Oral 3 capsules x 250 µg, modified release </dd></dl>

25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 was tested in pig serum using solid phase extraction (SPE) with high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS / MS). The samples of

5 Serum were basically corrected to exclude endogenous concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 from the pharmacokinetic analysis. To achieve this, the predose concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 of each animal was subtracted from each of the concentrations after the dose. Serum samples below 1 ng / ml (lower limit of quantification) were assigned a value of zero.

10 Pharmacokinetic parameters are described in Table 7.

Table 7

<dl><dt>Group </dt><dd>AUC (0-24h) (ng / ml h) AUC (0-t) (ng / ml h) Cmax (ng / ml) C24h (ng / ml) Tmax (hours) Cmax / C24h Cmax / AUC (0-24h) </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>1 </dt><dd>MED 417.81 1838.73 31.58 26.08 26.50 1.28 0.08 </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>YOU MUST </dt><dd> 121,63 709,85 7,63 9,87 22,42 0,28 0,02 </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>% DER </dt><dd> 29,1 38,6 24,1 37,9 84,6 22,0 29,3 </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>2 </dt><dd>MED 619.30 2862.75 47.86 36.80 30.50 1.42 0.10 </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>YOU MUST </dt><dd> 315,95 528,10 14,51 10,86 23,24 0,38 0,08 </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>% DER </dt><dd> 51,0 18,4 30,3 29,5 76,2 26,4 79,4 </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>3 </dt><dd>MED 1059.99 4321.75 72.29 58.00 25.50 1.28 0.07 </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>YOU MUST </dt><dd> 232,36 894,26 18,76 18,35 23,22 0,27 0,008 </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>% DER </dt><dd> 21,9 20,7 26,0 31,6 91,1 21,1 11,5 </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>4 </dt><dd>MED 642.79 2608.04 52.19 39.41 25.71 1.61 0.12 </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>YOU MUST </dt><dd> 392,48 1574,53 20,41 15,97 20,89 0,35 0,08 </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>% DER </dt><dd> 61,1 60,4 39,1 40,5 81,3 21,5 67,2 </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>5 </dt><dd>MED 812.51 2374.50 49.73 30.97 5.75 1.63 0.06 </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>YOU MUST </dt><dd> 115,47 266,95 9,22 4,76 1,28 0,34 0,005 </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>% DER </dt><dd> 14,2 11,2 18,5 15,4 22,3 21,0 8,7 </dd></dl>

The dose-standardized pharmacokinetic parameters for groups 1 to 3 are described in Table 8.

Table 8

<dl><dt>Group 1 </dt><dd>Group 2 Group 3 </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>FC parameters </dt><dd>MED YOU MUST % DER MED YOU MUST % DER MED YOU MUST % DER </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>AUC (0-t) (ng / ml h) / µg </dt><dd> 7,35 2,84 38,61 5,73 1,06 18,45 4,32 0,89 20,69 </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>Cmax (ng / ml) / µg </dt><dd> 0,13 0,03 24,15 0,10 0,03 30,33 0,07 0,02 25,96 </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>C24h (ng / ml) / µg </dt><dd> 0,10 0,04 37,85 0,07 0,02 29,50 0,06 0,02 31,64 </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>AUC (0-24h) (ng / ml h) / µg </dt><dd> 1,67 0,49 29,11 1,24 0,63 51,02 1,06 0,23 21,92 </dd></dl>

For the groups to which 1, 2 and 4 capsules (250 µg LM capsules) are administered, there was an increase in exposure as a function of dose. Proportional dose exposure occurred at doses of 1 x 250 µg and 2 20 x 250 µg, while a slightly smaller than proportional exposure was observed between the doses of 2 x 250 µg and 4 x 250 µg. The average time at which the maximum concentration (Tmax) was reached was between 25.5 and 30.5 hours.

Comparison of the exposure of a single capsule (1 x 1000 µg) against four capsules (4 x 250 µg) indicated greater exposure in animals dosed with multiple capsules. The independent dose parameters, such as mean Tmax, were similar for both dosing strategies.

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Comparison of the modified release formulation of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (LM) (group 1) with the LI formulation (group 5), indicated that the LM formulation avoided a peak in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 concentration. The relative bioavailability of the LM formulation when compared to the LI formulation was approximately 77%. Animals that received the LM formulation showed an average Tmax of 26.5 hours that indicated a significant delay compared to the animals that received the LI formulation (Tmax = 5.75 hours).

Exposure was evaluated in animals that received 1 x 250 µg LM capsule on days 1, 2 and 3. The average increase in the concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 over the baseline level 24 hours after dosing was 17.3, 31.5 and 43.9 ng / ml after the first, second and third doses, respectively.

From figure 13 to figure 18 show the average pharmacokinetic profile for animals in groups 1-6, respectively. Figure 19 shows a comparison of the pharmacokinetic profiles for the 250 µg LM and LI formulations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3.

Example 3 - Systemic exposure studies in miniature pigs with oral capsules

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the increase in systemic concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 in healthy normal male Yucatan pigs (~ 50-60 kg of body weight) maintained with a diet that included an adequate intake of vitamin D, after Daily administration of the following: a) 25 µg capsules of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 immediate release (LI) (group 1), b) 25 µg capsules of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 modified release (ML) (group 2), and c) 125 µg capsules of LM of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (group 3), for 21 days.

LM formulations were prepared based on the formulation of example 1, group 7, above. Differences in the concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 were compensated by relative changes in ethanol.

To prepare the LI formulation, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (0.12% w / w; 250 µg per capsule) was dissolved in USP ethanol (2.32% w / w, solubilizer) and mixed with USP corn oil (97 , 54% w / w; main vehicle) and butylated hydroxytoluene (0.02% w / w; antioxidant). The corn oil solution (205 mg) was filled in two-piece hard gelatin capsules of size 0.

A daily dose based on the dosing schedule in Table 9, below, was administered to each of eight miniature Yucatan pigs per group.

Table 9

<dl><dt>ID Group </dt><dd>Number / gender of animals Dose route Dose / animal </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>1M </dt><dd>8 / males Oral 1 x 25 µg, immediate-release 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 capsule dosed daily for 21 days </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>2M </dt><dd>8 / males Oral 1 x 25 µg, modified release 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 capsule dosed daily for 21 days </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>3M </dt><dd>8 / males Oral 1 x 125 µg, modified release 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 capsule dosed daily for 21 days </dd></dl>

Blood was collected from the animals before the first dose and daily at 24 hours after the daily dose, before the subsequent dose. 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 was tested in pig serum using solid phase extraction (SPE) with high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS / MS). Total serum calcium was determined in samples collected from the animals at the following times: predose (day 0) and 24 after the last dose (day 21).

In all three groups, the mean serum predose concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 were approximately 26 ng / ml. After 21 doses, an increase in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 was observed in all animals. After repeated administration of 25 µg capsules of LM or LI, the concentration of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 increased to levels above 30 ng / ml and began to stabilize at approximately 45 and 55 ng / ml, respectively at approximately on the 17th to the 18th. After administration of a single dose, the increase in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 between the two regimens was comparable (3.84 vs. 4.18 ng / ml). On the other hand, at the end of the dosage the increase was approximately 60% greater for the animals to which the LI formulation was administered. This finding indicates that the bioavailability of the LM capsule is comparable to that of the LI capsule after a single dose, but that the LM capsules have a method for repeated dosing of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 in which 25-hydroxyvitamin Systemic D3 can be gradually increased.

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Animals to which the 125 µg LM capsules were administered showed serum levels greater than 25 hydroxyvitamin D3. The administration of a 5-fold dose (125 µg LM capsules versus 25 µg) produced approximately a 5-fold increase in 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 after single and repeated doses. This finding indicates that the exposure of the LM capsules is proportional to the dose from 25

5 up to 125 µg.

The effect of the administration of LI and LM capsules on serum calcium concentration was investigated. After administration of 21 doses of LI or LM, serum calcium levels did not change from baseline predose levels. This discovery indicates that 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 LM capsules can be used.

10 to increase serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels above 100 ng / ml without increasing serum calcium.

The average concentration profiles of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 in uncorrected serum over time for groups 1 to 3 are illustrated in Figure 20. The average concentration profiles of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 in baseline corrected serum

fifteen versus time for groups 1 to 3 are illustrated in Figure 21, Figure 22 and Figure 23, respectively.

Figure 24 shows the average change in parathyroid hormone levels for group 1 animals from predose to day 21, and Figure 25 shows the average change in parathyroid hormone levels for group 2 animals from predose to day 21. Both immediate release and 20 LM formulations increase serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3; however, the immediate release formulation produced undesirable pharmacological decreases in PTH. The LM formulation does not produce acute supraphysiological reductions in PTH and allows a gradual decrease in PTH, which is believed to be associated with physiological adaptation to markedly increase levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3. The formulation of LM should allow obtaining higher serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels without safety concerns associated with the

25 PTH pharmacological decrease.

Example 4 - Pharmacokinetic studies in Beagle dogs with oral capsules

Beagle dogs (10 kg) were administered daily modified 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 capsules during

30 13 consecutive weeks. LM formulations were prepared based on the formulation of example 1, group 7, above. Differences in the concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 were compensated by relative changes in ethanol.

The capsules were administered orally, as shown in table 10 below. 35

Table 10

<dl><dt>Treatment group </dt><dd>Nominal dose level (µg / kg / day), based on an average weight of 10 kg Dose / Capsule (µg) Number of capsules </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>1. Control group (placebo) </dt><dd> 0 0 1 </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>two. Low dose </dt><dd> 2,5 25 1 </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>3. Medium-low dose </dt><dd> 12,5 125 1 </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>Four. Medium-high dose </dt><dd> 50 500 1 </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>5. High dose </dt><dd> 100 1000 1 </dd></dl>

The dogs bled before the first dose and at specific times after the first dose, up to 13 weeks (92 days). Serum was generated and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 in the serum was tested using a method of

40 liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry.

Profiles for the mean concentration of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 versus time for groups 1 to 5 are illustrated in Figure 26.

Four. Five Example 5 - Release after dissolution

Figure 27 shows a solution release profile for 250 µg capsules according to example 2 above, which showed an average release of approximately 72% of the 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 in 24 hours. As described above, preferably the formulation releases approximately 80% of the drug in the

fifty first 24 hours

Example 6 - Efficacy study in healthy adult male volunteers with vitamin D insufficiency

The efficacy of three different vitamin D formulations in restoring 25-hydroxyvitamin D is examined in

55 serum at optimal levels (&gt; 30 ng / ml) in a 23-day study of healthy non-obese men diagnosed with vitamin D insufficiency. One of the formulations (formulation # 1) is a soft gelatin capsule containing 30 µg of 25 -hydroxyvitamin D3 prepared as described in example 1, group 7, above. The

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Second formulation (formulation # 2) is an immediate-release soft gelatin capsule of identical appearance containing 50,000 IU of ergocalciferol dissolved in medium-chain triglyceride oil. The third formulation (formulation # 3) is an immediate-release soft gelatin capsule, also identical in appearance, containing 50,000 IU of cholecalciferol dissolved in medium-chain triglyceride oil. A total of 100 healthy white and African-American men participate in this study, all of them aged 30 to 45 years and having serum 25-hydrovitamin D levels between 15 and 29 ng / ml (inclusive). All subjects refrain from taking other vitamin D supplements for 60 days before the start of the study and continue until the end of the study, and significant sun exposure. On day 1 and 2 of the study, all subjects provided fasting blood samples in the morning to establish baseline pretreatment values ​​of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D. On the morning of day 3, subjects provide an additional fasting blood sample (t = 0), are randomly assigned to one of the four treatment groups, and dosed with a single test capsule before breakfast : subjects in group # 1 each receive a single capsule of formulation # 1, and subjects in groups # 2 and # 3 each receive a single capsule of formulation # 2 or formulation # 3, respectively. Subjects in group # 4 receive a matching placebo capsule. Subjects in group # 1 each receive an additional capsule of formulation # 1 in the morning from 4 to 22 before breakfast, but subjects in groups # 2, # 3 and # 4 do not receive additional capsules. A blood sample is taken in the morning on an empty stomach of each subject, regardless of the treatment group, on days 4, 5, 6, 10, 17 and 23 (or 1, 2, 3, 7, 14 and 20 days after start the dosage). The levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in all blood collected are analyzed, and the data is analyzed by treatment group after correcting for baseline values. Subjects in the four treatment groups show baseline serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels of approximately 16 to 18 ng / ml based on the analysis of fasting blood samples taken on days 1 to 3. Subjects in group # 4 (control group) do not show significant changes in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D throughout the course of the study. The subjects in group # 1 show regularly increasing serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D that reaches at least 30 ng / ml on day 23. In marked contrast, subjects in group # 2 show marked increases in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D during the first few days after dosing, which reaches a maximum of 29 ng / ml and then decreases rapidly after that. At the end of the study, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D is significantly lower than baseline in group # 2. The subjects of group # 3 show continuous increases in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D during the first 2 weeks after dosing with a gradual but progressive decrease, which occurs after that. At the end of the study, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D is below 30 ng / ml, being only approximately 11 ng / ml greater than the baseline pretreatment. Data from this study demonstrate that the administration of 600 µg of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, formulated as described herein and administered at a dose of 30 µg per day for 20 days, is substantially more effective in restoring low levels in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D at optimal levels than immediate release formulations of 50,000 IU of ergocalciferol or cholecalciferol administered in single doses, as NKF and other leading experts in oral vitamin D replacement therapy currently recommend.

Example 7 - Efficacy study in patients with stage 4 CKD and secondary hyperparathyroidism associated with vitamin D insufficiency

The efficacy of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 immediate release and modified release in restoring total serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D to optimal levels (&gt; 30 ng / ml) is examined in a 6-month study of adult male and female patients with stage 4 CKD and secondary hyperparathyroidism associated with vitamin D insufficiency. Two formulations are used in the study. One of the formulations (formulation # 1) is a soft gelatin capsule containing 40 µg of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 in a modified release formulation. The second formulation (formulation # 2) is a soft gelatin capsule containing 40 µg of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 in an immediate release formulation. A total of 100 subjects participate in this study, all of them between the ages of 30 and 70 and have serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels between 15 and 29 ng / ml (inclusive) and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels in serum above the target levels published in the current K / DOQI guidelines at the time of enrollment. All subjects refrain from taking other vitamin D supplements for 60 days before the start of the study and continue until the end of the study, and significant sun exposure. All subjects begin daily dosing with two capsules of formulation # 1 or formulation # 2. Total 25-hydroxyvitamin D in serum is measured at biweekly intervals and serum iPTH is determined at quarterly intervals. After 1 month, the daily dose of both formulations remains unchanged in patients whose total serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D is between 50 and 90 ng / ml, is increased by one capsule in patients whose total serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D is below of 50 ng / ml and decreases in one capsule per day in patients whose total serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D is above 90 ng / ml. Additional adjustments are made in the daily dose to maintain total serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D between 50 and 90 ng / ml. Dosing with both formulation # 1 and # 2 continues indefinitely, provided that hypercalcemia, hypercalciuria and hyperphosphatemia do not develop, in which case appropriate dose adjustments are made. After 6 months, the subjects' total serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels remain stable between 50 and 90 ng / ml with treatment with formulation # 1 and serum iPTH is found to remain stable at levels consistent with the objectives published in the K / DOQI guidelines. The incidence of hypercalcemia, hypercalciuria and hyperphosphatemia are rare once the stable dosage has been reached. In contrast after 6 months, it is not found that the total serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels of the subjects remain stable between 50 and 90 ng / ml with treatment with formulation # 2 and serum iPTH does not reach consistent levels with the

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objectives published in the K / DOQI guidelines. The incidence of hypercalcemia, hypercalciuria and hyperphosphatemia are substantial.

The data from this study demonstrate that the modified 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 release formulation is effective in increasing serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D without producing unacceptable side effects related to calcium and PTH metabolism.