BACKGROUND Compositions comprising benzoylecgonine and structurally-related chemical compounds (such as ecgonine, ecgonidine and derivative thereof) are useful in preventing and treating a number of important diseases and disorders (see, for example, US patents 4,469, 700; 4,512, 996; 4,556, 663; 5,376, 667; 5,559, 123 and 5,663, 345; each of which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety).

Particularly useful benzoylecgonine-related compounds include the 2-hydroxypropyl ester derivatives of benzoylecgonine, ecgonine, and ecgonidine. Methods for producing compositions comprising these 2-hydroxypropyl esters have been described in US patent 5,376, 667. The preferred method described in US patent 5,376, 667 utilizes the step of heating cocaine base in a propylene glycol/water solution (95% propylene glycol/5% water w/w) at 50°C for 12 days, after which time less than 0. 1% of the cocaine base starting material remained (see column 7, lines 3- 17). The composition produced by this method comprises approximately 5% w/w of an active component mixture in propylene glycol, wherein the active component mixture comprises approximately 65% benzoylecgonine, 2% ecgonidine and 5% and 6%, respectively, of the 2- hydroxypropyl derivatives of benzoylecgonine and ecgonidine. It has recently been discovered by the inventors hereof that removal of water during the reaction used to produce the 2- hydroxypropyl derivatives of benzoylecgonine and ecgonidine helps drive the reaction to the desired products and, furthermore, removal of water during or subsequent to the reaction results in a composition with enhanced stability. The novel method for the production of the compositions comprising 2-hydroxypropyl derivatives of benzoylecgonine and ecgonidine and the enhanced stability of the resulting composition may provide advantages over the prior art methods and compositions that can be appreciated by one of skill in the art.

SUMMARY The invention described herein fulfills the needs described above. In one embodiment, this invention provides a method for preparing a benzoylecgonine composition comprising the steps of : (a) contacting benzoylmethylecgonine and propylene glycol in the presence or absence of water to form a reaction mixture; (b) maintaining the reaction mixture at a temperature between about 50° and 100°C ; and (c) subsequently or simultaneously removing water from the reaction mixture.

In another embodiment, this invention provides novel benzoylecgonine compositions comprising at least about 2% 2-hydroxypropyl benzoylecgonine esters, at least about 2% 2-hydroxypropyl ecgonidine esters, less than about 0. 1 % benzoylmethylecgonine and between about 0% and about 4% water.

The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION As used herein: Percentage content of particular components of a composition refers to the percentage of the weight of that component represented in the weight of the final composition. For example, a composition comprising 5% water is 5% water w/w of the composition.

The term"benzoylmethylecgonine"or"BME"refers to the chemical entity 3- benzoyloxy-2-carbomethyoxy-8-methyl-8-azabicyclo [3.2. 1] octane. BME can exist in four diastereomeric forms (cocaine, pseudococaine, allococaine and allopseudococaine) and each diastereomer has two optical antipodes. Any one of these compounds or any combination of more than one of these compounds is encompassed by the invention herein. BME is typically prepared as a salt (e. g. , cocaine HC1) or a reduced base (e. g. , cocaine alkaloid) according to known methods.

The terms"2-hydroxypropyl ester","2-hydroxypropyl ester derivatives","2-9 derivatives"and other similar terms used herein, refer to the 2-hydroxypropyl ester derivatives of benzoylecgonine, ecgonine and/or ecgonidine. When these terms are used in general herein, they are meant to refer to any one or more of these 2-hydroxypropyl ester derivatives.

The term"substantially all", when referring to the reaction of benzoylmethylecgonine, means that more than approximately 95% of the benzoyhnethylecgonine has reacted, preferably more than approximately 99%, more preferably, more than approximately 99.5% and most preferably, more than approximately 99.9%.

This invention provides a method for preparing a benzoylecgonine composition comprising the steps of : (a) contacting benzoyhnethylecgonine and propylene glycol in the presence or absence of water to form a reaction mixture; (b) maintaining the reaction mixture at a temperature between about 50° and 100°C ; and (c) subsequently or simultaneously removing water from the reaction mixture.

The methods of this invention advantageously produce a benzoylecgonine composition that is proportionately higher in 2-hydroxypropyl ester derivatives and/or demonstrates enhanced stability as compared to benzoylecgonine compositions comprising or produced in excess water.

Using the methods of this invention, it is possible to enhance the relative content of one or more specific 2-HP ester derivatives. In particular, the methods of this invention may be used to produce a benzoylecgonine composition that has an enhanced relative content of the 2- hydroxypropyl esters of benzoylecgonine (2-HP BEc). It is believed that 2-HP BEc may have superior activity for particular indications (including, without limitation, one or more of the indications described in US patents 4,469, 700; 4, 512, 996 ; 4,556, 663 ; 5,376, 667 ; 5,559, 123 and 5,663, 345) as compared with other 2-HP esters.

The methods of this invention may be carried out in any suitable reaction vessel, including glass and stainless steel flasks. The starting material, benzoylmethylecgonine, may be used as the free base prepared by alkaline reduction of cocaine HC1 (converted using known techniques such as,

for example, US patent 5,376, 667, column 11, lines 45-52) or directly from the trophane alkaloid (which is a preferred starting material). These materials can be obtained commercially or may be prepared using known synthetic processes. Although the reaction may be quenched at any time, the reaction is preferably maintained until substantially all of the benzoyhnethylecgonine has reacted. In one preferred embodiment, the reaction is monitored by observing the amount of 2- HP BEc produced in addition to observing the disappearance of benzoylmethylecgonine.

Ideally, the reaction should be quenched when the maximum amount of 2-HP BEc has been produced. The amount of benzoylmethylecgonine or of 2-HP BEc can be monitored during the course of the reaction using known techniques, such as gas chromatography, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and/or mass spectrophotometry. These and other like techniques are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art and have been described in US patent 5, 376, 667 and elsewhere.

Preferably, in step (a), water is present at a ratio of water to propylene glycol of approximately 1: 19. Accordingly, in one preferred embodiment, water represents approximately 5% w/w of the reaction mixture, the propylene glycol represents the remaining 95% (w/w).

In a preferred embodiment, water is added to the propylene glycol prior to addition of benzoyhnethylecgonine and prior to or during heating. Preferably, the propylene glycol/water solution is stirred during heating. The reaction mixture is preferably heated to between about 45° and 80°C, more preferably, to between about 50° and 70°C and most preferably, to approximately 60°C prior to adding the benzoylmethylecgonine. At approximately 60°C, the reaction time is approximately twice as fast as that exemplified in Example 3 of US patent 5,376, 667. It is anticipated that heating of the reaction mixture above about 60°C will similarly result in a decreased reaction time. However, the product made at temperatures significantly above about 60° may develop an undesirable color unless the pressure is reduced accordingly. Therefore, it is possible to run the reaction of this invention under reduced pressure and higher temperatures to produce a final product in the shortest time that has the most desirable appearance and profile.

It should be noted that the reaction may be carried out successfully in either the presence or the absence of water. In fact, the yield of 2-hydroxypropyl esters ofbenzoylecgonine may be

enhanced by excluding water from the reaction mixture. Regardless of whether or not water is initially added to the reaction mixture, we have found that the removal of water during or subsequent to the reaction helps to drive the reaction to the desired 2-hydroxypropyl ester derivatives and furthermore, results in a more stable final product. Water is preferably removed from the reaction mixture during the course of the reaction. Water may be removed by any known means, such as by use of water scavengers (such as molecular sieves), vacuum distillation, by fitting the reaction vessel with an open reflux condenser or conducting the reaction under a flow of an inert gas, such as nitrogen or argon (preferably, dry nitrogen or argon) (or any combination of such means). Preferably, the method of this invention is conducted in a vessel fit with an open reflux condenser, in which a stream of dry nitrogen is blown over the surface of the reaction mixture. The inventors have found that by conducting the reaction under these preferred conditions, significantly less water is present in the final product as compared to prior methods (e. g. , typically approximately 1%-2% versus approximately 5%).

In addition, it was also found that these reaction conditions result in a final product composition that is higher in overall content of 2-hydroxypropyl ester derivatives than if the water is not removed during the reaction (at least about 2% benzoylecgonine and 2-hydroxypropyl esters of ecgonidine, respectively). Although removal of water during the course of the reaction is preferred, water can be removed after the reaction is complete, or water may be removed both during and after the reaction is complete, if desired. Molecular sieves or other conventional drying agents (such as, for example, magnesium sulfate trihydrate) may be used for this purpose.

It has been discovered surprisingly that the removal of water during the reaction and/or from the final product leads to increased stability of the resultant composition. It has also been surprisingly determined that performing the reaction in the absence of water results in an improved conversion of starting material to desired product. Without wishing to be bound by theory, we believe that these surprising results are a consequence of the particular biochemical pathways leading from the benzoylmethylecgonine to the production of the hydroxypropyl esters. Particular features of this pathway are illustrated below: 0 N H3CX ocil Ho pug Ph 1, 2-Propandiol -r (Propylene CAycol) H Benzoylmethylecgonine (BME) rate ki rate k2 \rate OH /\ H3CnN « OC1 : H3C\ XOH 2-BP OHPestersof MeOH + o \ H Benzoic Acid pb /'"-oH H fr H O 2-BP esters of Methylecgonine Benzoylecgonine \ MeOH/ 2-BP esters of rate k3 benzoic acid H3C 3 o OU 2-HP esters of Ecgonine 2-BP esters of Ecgonine H3C /XOH H OH H3C\ 0 OH 2-HP esters of Ecgonidine + H20 H

It should be noted that transesterification rates kl, k2, and k3 are impacted by the presence or absence of water, the temperature and pressure of the reaction. In addition, it should be noted that the reaction of benzoylmethylecgonine results in the production of water.

As detailed above, the methods of this invention are useful for producing improved benzoylecgonine compositions. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the compositions produced by the methods of this invention possess one or more of the following properties: enhanced stability (e. g. , having a longer shelf life), enhanced content of 2- hydroxypropyl ester derivatives, and more cost effective manufacturing. Preferred compositions of this invention are benzoylecgonine compositions comprising at least about 2% 2- hydroxypropyl benzoylecgonine esters, at least about 2% 2-hydroxypropyl ecgonidine esters, less than about 0. 1% benzoylmethylecgonine esters and less than about 4% water.

Without wishing to be bound by theory, we believe that the enhanced stability seen in the compositions of the instant invention results from the removal of water from the compositions.

It is believed that over time, water may facilitate ester hydrolysis of the benzoylecgonine compositions. By removing water, this process is restricted. In addition, we have found surprisingly that the reaction that converts benzoylmethylecgonine to the 2-hydroxypropyl esters proceeds via transesterification, rather than hydrolysis followed by esterification. Thus, removal of water drives the reaction to form greater amounts of 2-hydroxypropyl ester derivatives and produces a final product more concentrated (enriched) in 2-hydroxypropyl ester derivatives, versus the underivatized benzoylecgonine, ecgonine and ecgonidine compounds. Lipophilic compounds, such as the 2-hydroxypropyl derivatives, are likely to possess enhanced pharmacological activity as compared to the more hydrophilic parent compounds. For example, the 2-hydroxypropyl derivatives will be more readily absorbed through the skin when administered topically, being more easily transported through the lipophilic sebum environment of the hair follicles (Int. J. Pharm. 220: 63-75,2001).

EXAMPLES The following specific examples are to be construed as merely illustrative, and not limitative of the remainder of the disclosure in any way.

Cocaine alkaloid was prepared by basification of cocaine HC1 in an aqueous 10% potassium hydroxide solution until pH>10. The solution was then filtered and the slurry washed with water. The cocaine base was dried in an oven at 60°C for at least 18 hours before being used as input to the following reactions.

Percent w/w Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Component Water 1.0 0.40 0.1 4.96 BEc 4.9 4.0 0.4 6.3 BA 0.88 1.0 2.2 0.4 2-HP BEc 1.43 1. 5 2.4 0.76 2-HP Ecd 1.35 1.6 4.7 0. 8 2-HP BA 1.03 1.15 2.2 0. 4 Methyl Ecd 0.37 0.4 0.45 0.4 Ecd 0. 02 0.02 0. 02 ND BEc = benzoylecgonine ; Ec = ecgonine ; BA = benzoic acid; Ecd = ecgonidine

Example 1: Inert Gas Flow 2. 0g of cocaine alkaloid was added to a 50ml glass stoppered jacketed flask, followed by 17g of propylene glycol and 1. Og of water. The contents were stirred and placed under a steady stream of dry nitrogen with an open water condenser, the solution was maintained at 50°C until the unreacted cocaine was less than 0. 1% w/w.

Example 2: Vacuum 2. 0g of cocaine alkaloid was added to a 50ml glass stoppered jacketed flask, followed by 17g of propylene glycol and 1. Og of water. The contents were stirred and placed under a vacuum (25mm/Hg), and the solution was maintained at 50°C until the unreacted cocaine was less than 0. 1% w/w.

Example 3: Absence of Water 2. 0g of cocaine alkaloid was added to a 50ml glass stoppered jacketed flask, followed by 18g of propylene glycol. The contents were stirred and placed under a nitrogen atmosphere, the solution was maintained at 55°C until the unreacted cocaine was less than 0. 1% w/w.

Example 4: 5% w/w Water 2. 0g of cocaine alkaloid was added to a 50ml glass stoppered jacketed flask, followed by 17g of propylene glycol and 1. Og of water. The contents were stirred and placed under a nitrogen atmosphere, the solution was maintained at 50°C until the unreacted cocaine was less than 0. 1%w/w.

Example 5: Stability testing (Absence of water) The following table shows the changes in the relative amounts of particular components for the composition produced in Example 3 at 60°C. The last two columns represent the stability of the composition at 25°C and 40°C after 13 days. Temperature Reaction time at 60°C STABILITY 25°C 40°C Days 6 8 11 13 15 13 days 13 days Ecd BA 12. 59 16. 06 21. 22 24. 05 26. 05 27. 35 28. 75 Methyl Ecd 1. 63 1. 63 1. 51 1. 47 1. 42 1. 33 1. 26 2-HPE Ecd(A+B) |3.39 |4.79 |7.05 |8.29 |9.31 |9.26 |9.85 2-HPE Ecd (C) 0. 64 0. 91 1. 31 1. 54 1. 75 1. 78 1. 89 BEc 2. 16 2. 58 3. 52 3. 79 4. 097 3. 99 4. 28 2-HPE BEc (A) 11.17 |11.00 |10.11 |9.03 |7.92 |7.72 |6.82 2-HPE BEc (B) 17. 12 16. 14 13. 57 11. 78 10. 42 9. 79 8. 72 2-HPE BEc (C) 19. 70 |17.75 |14.31 |12.15 |10.42 |8.97 |7.81 BMB |8.98 |4.91 |2.81 |2.14 |1.76 |1.19 |0.90 2-HPE BA (A) 7.11 8.83 |11.58 |12.93 |14.04 |15.35 |16.30 2-HPE BA (B) 4. 59 5. 47 6. 14 6. 93 7. 58 7. 92 8. 50 BME % (w/w) 0. 75 0. 40 0. 21 0. 16 0. 13 0. 08 0. 06 H20 content (w/w) 0.11 |0.10 |0.46 |0.12 |0.12 |ND |ND

BEc = benzoylecgonine ; Ec = ecgonine ; BA=benzoic acid;Ecd = ecgonidine; 2-HPE = 2 hydroxypropyl ester ; designations A, B and C indicate different isomers of the named compound; BME = benzoylmethylecgonine.

Example 6: Stability testing (Initial 5% w/w water) The following table shows the changes in the relative amounts of particular components for the composition produced in Example 4 at 50°C. The last two columns represent the stability of the composition at 25°C and 40°C after 13 days.

Temperature Reaction time at 50°C STABILITY 25°C 40°C Days 6 8 12 14 16 13 days 13 days Ecd BA 5. 64 6. 64 8. 13 8. 46 8. 99 9. 17 9. 68 Methyl Ecd |0.48 |0.70 |0.85 |1.05 |1.00 |0.86 |0. 80 2-HPE Ecd (A +B) 1. 00 1. 79 2. 25 2. 28 2. 43 2. 38 2. 61 2-HPE Ecd (C) 0.73 0.27 0.42 0.43 0.47 0.48 0.53 BEc 41. 61 |48.83 |59.3 |62.2 |63.8 |64.02 |66.31 2-HPE BEc (A) 4. 67 4.54 |3.71 |3.22 |2.79 |2.49 |1.82 2-HPE BEc (B) 7. 42 6. 66 4. 71 3. 92 3. 30 2. 93 2. 09 2-HPE BEc (C) 10. 66 9. 41 5. 40 4. 38 3. 62 3. 30 2. 18 BME |14.48 |8.11 |2.31 |1.44 |0.95 |0.84 0. 46 2-HPE BA (A) 4. 61 5. 12 6. 92 6. 98 7. 20 7. 48 7. 74 2-HPE BA (B) 2. 55 2. 88 3. 16 3. 32 3. 53 3. 72 4. 01 BME % (w/w) 1. 25 |0.75 |0.19 0.11 |0.08 |0.07 |0.04 H2O content (w/w) 4.85 4.81 4.15 4.81 4.76 ND ND BEc = benzoylecgonine ; Ec = ecgonine ; BA = benzoic acid; Ecd = ecgonidine ; 2-HPE = 2 hydroxypropyl ester; designations A, B and C indicate different isomers of the named compound ; BME = benzoylmethylecgonine.

Conclusion: The examples shown above demonstrate that the methods according to this invention produce a benzoylecgonine composition having enhanced content of 2-hydroxypropyl derivatives and an improved stability profile. In Example 5, the total amount of hydroxypropyl benzoylecgonine esters (2-HPE Bec (A), 2-HPE Bec (B) and 2-HPE Bec (C) at the end of the reaction (and at the start of the stability trial) represents 28.8% of the composition and after 13

days at 40 °C, 81% of the hydroxypropyl benzoylecgonine esters remain. In Example 6, the total amount of hydroxypropyl benzoylecgonine esters at the end of the reaction (and at the start of the stability trial) represents 9. 71 % of the composition and after 13 days at 40 °C, only 61% of the hydroxypropyl benzoylecgonine esters remain.

OTHER EMBODIMENTS A number of embodiments of the invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.