Cross-Reference to Related Applications

[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to U.S. Provisional Application 61/083,611, filed July 25, 2008, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

[0002J The invention relates to novel crystalline salts of 5-[(lZ,2E)-2-methyl-3- phenylpropenylidene]-4-oxo-2-thioxo-3-thiazolidineacetic acid, processes for making those novel crystalline salts, pharmaceutical compositions comprising those novel crystalline salts, and methods of treating and/or preventing various conditions by administering those novel crystalline salts.

Background

[0003] The compound 5-[(lZ,2E)~2-methyl-3-phenylpropenylidene]-4-oxo-2-thioxo~ 3-thiazolidineacetic acid (shown below), referred to by its common name "epalrestat," is a known active pharmaceutical ingredient ("API") having beneficial therapeutic activity, for example as an aldose reductase inhibitor:

[0004] The preparation and pharmacologic activity of epalrestat is described in U.S. Patent No. 4,831 ,045. Epalrestat is useful in treating and/or preventing various conditions such as, for example, complications of diabetes, as well as affording cardioprotection in non-diabetic patients. For example, epalrestat has a positive indication for the treatment and/or prevention of diabetic neuropathy, and is useful for the treatment and/or prevention of various other diabetic complications including, for example, diabetic retinopathy, diabetic nephropathy, diabetic cardiomyopathy, diabetic gastroparesis, diabetic microangiopathy, and diabetic macroangiopathy in mammals. Epalrestat is also useful in affording cardioprotection to subjects who may not be suffering from diabetes, and as a neuroprotectant or treatment for neurological or neurodegenerative disorders. Therapeutic activity of epalrestat in various conditions has been demonstrated in the clinical literature, including but not limited to Machii H. et al., Gendai Iryo, 1996;28:1273; Miyamoto S. et al., Gendai Iryo, 1986;18 (Extra Issue III):82: Goto Y. et al., Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, 1990;152:405; Nakano K. et al., Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, 1990; 152: 137; Okamoto H. et al., Internal Medicine, 2003;42:655~664; Hamada Y. et al.. Diabetes Care 2000;23: 1539-44.; Goto Y. et al., Diabet Med 1993;10(suppl 2):S39-43; Goto Y. et al., Biomed Pharmacother 1995;49:269-77; Uchida K. et al., Clin Ther 1995; 17:460-6; Hotta N. et al., J Diabetes Complications 1996; 10: 168-72; Hotta N. et al., Diabetes Care 2006;29: 1538-44: Matsuoka K. et al., Diabetes Res Clin Pract 20G7;77(supρl l):S263-8; Nakayama M. et al., Diabetes Care 2001 ;24: 1093-8; Baba M., Journal of the Peripheral Nervous System 2003;8:170; Yasuda H. et al., Diabetes Care 2000;23:705; IkedaT et al., Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice 1999;43: 193-198; Katayama M. et al., Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology/Electromyography and Motor Control 1995;97:81; and Misawa S. et al., Neurology 2006;66; 1545-9.

[0005] Although therapeutic efficacy is a primary concern for a therapeutic agent, such as epalrestat, the salt and solid state form (e.g. crystalline or amorphous forms) of a drug candidate can be important to its pharmacological properties and to its development as a viable API. For example, each salt or each crystalline form of a drag candidate can have different solid state (physical and chemical) properties. The differences in physical properties exhibited by a particular solid form of an API, such as a cocrystal, salt, or polymorph of the original compound, can affect pharmaceutical parameters of the API. For example, storage stability, compressibility and density, all of which can be important in formulation and product manufacturing, and solubility and dissolution rates, which may be important factors in determining bioavailability, may be affected. Because these physical properties are often influenced by the solid state form of the API, they can significantly impact a number of factors, including the selection of a compound as an API, the ultimate pharmaceutical dosage form, the optimization of manufacturing processes, and absorption in the body. Moreover, finding the most adequate form for further drug development can reduce the time and the cost of that development.

[0006] Obtaining pure crystalline forms, then, is extremely useful in drug development. It may permit better characterization of the drag candidate's chemical and physical properties. For example, crystalline forms often have better chemical and physical properties than amorphous forms. As a further example, a crystalline form may possess more favorable pharmacology than an amorphous form, or may be easier to process. It may also have better storage stability.

[0007] One such physical property which can affect processability is the flowability of the solid, before and after milling. Flowability affects the ease with which the material is handled during processing into a pharmaceutical composition. When particles of the powdered compound do not flow past each other easily, a formulation specialist must take that fact into account in developing a tablet or capsule formulation, which may necessitate the use of additional components such as glidants, including colloidal silicon dioxide, talc, starch, or tribasic calcium phosphate.

[0008] Another solid state property of a pharmaceutical compound that may be important is its dissolution rate in aqueous fluid. The rate of dissolution of an active ingredient in a patient's stomach fluid may have therapeutic consequences since it can impact the rate at which an orally administered active ingredient may reach the patient's bloodstream.

[0009] Another solid state property of a pharmaceutical compound that may be important is its thermal behavior, including its melting point. The melting point of the solid form of a drug is optionally high enough to avoid melting or plastic deformation during standard processing operations, as well as concretion of the drag by plastic deformation on storage {See, e.g., Gould, P. L. Int. J. Pharmaceutics 198653 201-217). It may be desirable in some cases for a solid form to melt above about 100 ⁰ C, For example, melting point categories used by one pharmaceutical company are, in order of preference, + (mp > 120 ⁰ C), 0 (mp 80-120 ⁰ C), and - (mp < 80 ⁰ C) (Balbach, S.; Kom, C. Int. J, Pharmaceutics 2004 275 1-12). (0010) Active drag molecules may be made into pharmaceutically acceptable salts for therapeutic administration to the patient. Crystalline salts of a drug may offer advantages over the free form of the compound, such as improved solubility, stability, processing improvements, etc., and different crystalline salt forms may offer greater or lesser advantages over one another. However, crystalline salt formation is not predictable, and in fact is not always possible. Moreover, there is no way to predict the properties of a particular crystalline salt of a compound until it is formed. As such, finding the right conditions to obtain a particular crystalline salt form of a compound, with pharmaceutically acceptable properties, can take significant time and effort.

[0011] A crystalline form of a compound, a crystalline salt of the compound, or a cocrystal containing the compound or its salt form generally possesses distinct crystallographic and spectroscopic properties when compared to other crystalline forms having the same chemical composition. Crystallographic and spectroscopic properties of a particular form may be measured by XRPD, single crystal X-ray crystallography, solid state NMR spectroscopy, e.g. ¹³ C CP/MAS NMR, or Raman spectrometry, among other techniques. A particular crystalline form of a compound, of its salt, or of a cocrystal, often also exhibits distinct thermal behavior. Thermal behavior can be measured in the laboratory by such techniques as, for example, capillary melting point, TGA, and DSC.

[0012J In the following description, various aspects and embodiments of the invention will become evident. In its broadest sense, the invention could be practiced without having one or more features of these aspects and embodiments. Further, these aspects and embodiments are exemplary. Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practicing of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

SUMMARY

[0013J In accordance with various embodiments of the invention and after extensive experimentation, the inventors have discovered novel crystalline salt forms of epalrestat, including a potassium anhydrate salt, a sodium anhydrate salt, and a l-(2-hydroxyethyl)- pyrrolidine anhydrate salt.

[0014] The invention in various embodiments also relates to processes of preparing those crystalline salts of epalrestat, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and their use in the treatment and/or prevention of various conditions such as diabetic complications, and also to afford cardioprotection in patients who may be non-diabetic.

[0015] As used herein, the term "XRPD" refers to x-ray powder diffraction. The XRPD data disclosed herein were obtained using an Inel XRG-3000 diffractometer equipped with a CPS (Curved Position Sensitive) detector with a 2 θ range of 120°. Real time data were collected using Cu-Ka radiation at a resolution of 0.03° 2ft The tube voltage and amperage were set to 40 kV and 30 niA, respectively. The monochromator slit was set at 5 mm by 160 μm. Samples were prepared for analysis by packing them into thin-walled glass capillaries. Each capillary was mounted onto a goniometer head that is motorized to permit spinning of the capillary during data acquisition. Instrument calibration was performed using a silicon reference standard. [§016] As used herein, the term "DSC" refers to differential scanning calorimetry. DSC data disclosed herein were obtained using a TA Instruments differential scanning calorimeter 2920. The sample was placed into an aluminum DSC pan, and the weight accurately recorded. The pan was crimped with manual pin hole. The sample cell was equilibrated at 25 ⁰ C then heated under a nitrogen purge at a rate of 10 °C/min, up to a final temperature of 300 or 325 0C. Indium metal was used as the calibration standard.

[0017] As used herein, the term " ¹ H-NMR" refers to proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Solution ¹ H NMR data disclosed herein were acquired at ambient temperature on a Varian ⁶ ' ^¥/7T INOVA-400 spectrometer ( ¹ H Larmor Frequency = 399.8 MHz). The samples were dissolved in NMR-grade dimethyl sulfoxide containing 0.03% TMS. Each ¹ H NMR spectrum represents 40 co-added transients collected with either an 8.1 or 6.01 //sec pulse and a relaxation delay time of 5 seconds. The free induction decay (FID) was exponentially multiplied with a 0.2 Hz Lorentzian line broadening factor to improve the signal-to-noise ratio.

[0018] As used herein, the term "TGA" refers to thermogravimetric analysis. TGA data disclosed herein were obtained using a TA Instruments 2950 thermogravimetric analyzer. Each sample was placed in an aluminum sample pan and inserted into the TG furnace. The furnace was first equilibrated at 25 ⁰ C and then heated under nitrogen at a rate of 10 °C/min, up to a fina 1 temperature of 350 ⁰ C. Nickel and Alumel™ were used as the calibration standards.

[0019J As used herein, "hep" means hydroxyethylpyrrolidone.

[002§l As used herein with respect to the various analytical techniques described herein and data generated therefrom, the term "substantially" the same as or similar to is meant to convey that a particular set of analytical data is, within acceptable scientific limits, sufficiently similar to that disclosed herein such that one of skill in the art would appreciate that the crystal salt form of the compound is the same as that of the present invention. One of skill in the art would appreciate that certain analytical techniques, such as XRPD, ¹ H-NMR, DSC, and TGA, will not produce exactly the same results every time due to, for example, instrumental variation, sample preparation, scientific error, etc. By way of example only, XRPD results (i.e. peak locations, intensities, and/or presence) may vary slightly from sample to sample, despite the fact that the samples are, within accepted scientific principles, the same form, and this may be due to, for example, preferred orientation or varying solvent or water content. It is well within the ability of those skilled in the art, looking at the data as a whole, to appreciate whether such differences indicate a different form, and thus determine whether analytical data being compared to those disclosed herein are substantially similar. In this regard, and as is commonly practiced within the scientific community, it is not intended that the exemplary analytical data of the novel salts of epalrestat disclosed herein be met literally in order to determine whether comparative data represent the same form as those disclosed and claimed herein, such as, for example, whether each and every peak of an exemplary XRPD pattern of a novel salt of epalrestat disclosed herein is present in the comparative data, in the same location, and/or of the same intensity. Rather, as discussed above, it is intended that those of skill in the art, using accepted scientific principles, will make a determination based on the data as a whole regarding whether comparative analytical data represent the same or a different form of any of the novel crystalline salts of epalrestat disclosed herein.

|§021] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0022] FlG. 1 is an XRPD pattern of a crystalline potassium anliydrate salt of epalrestat, according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0023] FIG. 2 is an XRPD pattern of a crystalline sodium anliydrate salt of epalrestat, according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0024] FlG. 3 is an XRPD pattern of a crystalline 1 -(2-hydroxyethyl)-pyrrolidine anhydrate salt of epalrestat, according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0025J FIG. 4 is a DSC thermogram of a crystalline potassium anhydrate salt of epalrestat, according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0026] FIG. 5 is a DSC thermogram of a crystalline sodium anhydrate salt of epalrestat, according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0027] FIG. 6 is a DSC thermogram of a crystalline l-(2-hydroxyethyl)-pyrrolidine anhydrate salt of epalrestat, according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0028] FIG. 7 A is a full ¹ H-NMR spectrum of a crystalline potassium anhydrate salt of epalrestat, according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0029] FIG. 7B is an ¹ H-NMR spectrum from 8.1 to 6.8 ppm of a crystalline potassium anhydrate salt of epalrestat, according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0030] FIG. 7C is an ¹ H-NMR spectrum from 4.6 to 2.1 ppm of a crystalline potassium anhydrate salt of epalrestat, according to one embodiment of the invention; f0031J FIG. 7D is an ¹ H-NMR spectrum from 1.9 to 1.0 ppm of a crystalline potassium anhydrate salt of epalrestat, according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0032] FIG. 8 A is a fell ¹ H-NMR spectrum of a crystalline sodium anhydrate salt of epalrestat, according to one embodiment of the invention; [0033J FIG. 8B is an ¹ H-NMR spectrum from 10.25 to 9.95 ppm of a crystalline sodium anhydrate salt of epalrestat, according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0034] FIG. 8C is an ¹ H-NMR spectrum from 8.0 to 7.14 ppm of a crystalline sodium anhydrate salt of epalrestat, according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0035] FIG. 8D is an ¹ H-NMR spectrum from 4.5 to 1.5 ppm of a crystalline sodium anhydrate salt of epalrestat, according to one embodiment of the invention;

|0036] FIG. 9A is a full ¹ H-NMR spectrum of a crystalline l-(2-hydroxyethyl)- pyrrolidine anhydrate salt of epalrestat, according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0037] FIG. 9B is an ¹ H-NMR spectrum from 8.0 to 7.2 ppm of a crystalline l-(2- hydroxyethyl)-pyrrolidine anhydrate salt of epalrestat, according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0038] FIG. 9C is an ¹ H-NMR spectrum from 4.8 to 2.8 ppm of a crystalline l-(2- hydroxyethyl)-pyrrolidine anhydrate salt of epalrestat, according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0039] FIG. 9D is an ¹ H-NMR spectrum from 3.0 to 1.4 ppm of a crystalline l-(2- hydroxyethyl)-pyrrolidine anhydrate salt of epalrestat, according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0040] FIG. 10 is TGA profile of a crystalline potassium anhydrate salt of epalrestat, according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0041J FIG. 11 is TGA profile of a crystalline sodium anhydrate salt of epalrestat, according to one embodiment of the invention: and

[0042] FIG. 12 is TGA profile of a crystalline 1 -(2-hydroxyethyl)-pyrrolidine anhydrate salt of epalrestat, according to one embodiment of the invention. DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLAEY EMBODIMENTS

[0043 J The invention relates to novel crystalline salt forms of epalrestat. Specifically, the novel crystalline salts which have been discovered include a potassium anhydrate salt, a sodium anhydrate salt, and a l-(2-hydroxyethyl)-ρyrrolidine anhydrate salt of epalrestat. Exemplary methods of preparation of the crystalline salt forms of epalrestat according to various embodiments of the invention are described below in the examples.

[0044] All of the inventive salts of epalrestat as described herein can be obtained in a crystalline solid form. The salts of the invention are described as crystalline because of the high degree of crystallinity of the forms as depicted by the XRPD patterns provided in FIGS. 1-3. The forms are shown to have distinct physicochemical properties. The crystalline salt forms of epalrestat according to various embodiments of the invention are particularly suitable for the preparation of stable pharmaceutical preparations,

[0045] The crystalline potassium anhydrate salt of epalrestat is characterized by an XRPD pattern substantially as shown in FIG. 1, a DSC thermogram substantially as shown in FIG. 4, ¹ H-NMR spectra substantially as shown in FIGS. 7A-7D, and a TGA profile substantially as shown in FIG. 10. An exemplary listing of representative XRPD peaks of a crystalline potassium anhydrate salt of epalrestat according to the invention can be found in Table 1. Prominent XRPD peaks may include, in one exemplary embodiment, peaks at 3,8, 15.4, and 15.7 °2Θ ± 0,2. An exemplary listing of representative NMR data can be found in Table 2. Table 1

2Θ d space (A) Intensity (%)

3.8 ± 0.2 22.95 ± 1.22 100

7.8 ± 0.2 11.36 ± 0.30 3

15.4 ± 0.2 5.74 ± 0.07 1 1

15.7 ± 0.2 5.63 ± 0.07 11

17.8 ± 0.2 4.98 ± 0.06 2

19.4 ± 0.2 4.56 ± 0.05 3

20.2 ± 0.2 4.39 ± 0.04 6

21.4 ± 0.2 4.15 ± 0.04 7

22.6 ± 0.2 3.94 ± 0.03 2

23.3 ± 0.2 3.82 ± 0.03 17

24.1 ± 0.2 3.69 ± 0.03 31

25.2 ± 0.2 3.54 ± 0.03 3

26.3 ± 0.2 3.39 ± 0.03 3

27.5 ± 0.2 3.25 ± 0.02 11

28.8 ± 0.2 3.11 ± 0.02 3

Table 2

peak coupling number of protons position (ppm) multiplicity constant (Hz) protons

CH ₃ 2.21 doublet 1 3

CH ₂ 4.24 singlet — 2 olefin/aromatic 7.32 broad singlet — 1 ølefin/aromatic 7.35-7.39 multiplet — 1 olefin/aromatic 7.42-7.49 niultiptet — 4 olefin 7.51 doublet 1 1

[§046] The crystalline sodium anhydrate salt of epalrestat is characterized by an XRPD pattern substantially as shown in FIG. 2, a DSC thermogram substantially as shown in FIG.5, ¹ H -NMR spectra substantially as shown in FIGS.8A-8D, and a TGA profile substantially as shown in FIG.11. An exemplary listing of representative XRPD peaks of a crystalline sodium anhydrate salt of epalrestat according to the invention can be found in Table 3. Prominent XRPD peaks may include, in one exemplary embodiment, peaks at 3.7, 17.3, and 18.2 °2Θ ± 0.2. An exemplary listing of representative NMR data can be found in Table 4.

Table 3

2Θ d space (A) Intensity (%)

3.7 ± 0.2 24.08 ±1.35 100

7.4 ± 0.2 11.91 ±0.33 2

11.2 ±0.2 7.90 ±0.14 2

12.9 ±0.2 6.86 ±0.11 3

15.7 ±0.2 5.63 ± 0.07 5

16.1 ±0.2 5.52 ± 0.07 5

16.6 ±0.2 5.34 ± 0.06 5

17.3 ±0.2 5.12 ±0.06 21

18.2 ±0.2 4.88 ± 0.05 12

18.5 ±0.2 4.79 ± 0.05 2

19.2 ±0.2 4.61 ± 0.05 6

20.4 ± 0.2 4.36 ± 0.04 5

21.6 ±0.2 4.11 ±0.04 3

23.2 ± 0.2 3.83 ± 0.03 8

23.9 ±0.2 3.72 ± 0.03 25

24.4 ± 0.2 3.65 ± 0.03 17

25.1 ±0.2 3.55 ± 0.03 5

25.7 ± 0.2 3.47 ±0.03 2

26.6 ± 0.2 3.35 ± 0.02 17

27.5 ± 0.2 3.25 ± 0.02 4

28.5 ± 0.2 3.13 ±0.02 8

28.8 ± 0.2 3.10 ±0.02 3

29.5 ± 0.2 3.03 ± 0.02 2 Table 4

peak coupling number of protons position (ppm) multiplicity constant (Hz) protons

CH ₃ 2.21 doublet 1 3

CH ₂ 4.27 singlet 2 olefin/aromatic 7.29-7.34 multiplet 1 olefin/aromatic 7.35-7.41 multiple! 1 olefin/aromatic 7.42-7.49 multiplet 4

[0047] The crystalline l-(2-hydroxyethyl)-pyrrolidine anhydrate salt of epalrestat is characterized by an XRPD pattern substantially as shown in FIG. 3, a DSC thermogram substantially as shown in FIG. 6, H -NMR spectra substantially as shown in FIGS. 9A-9D, and a TGA profile substantially as shown in FIG. 12. An exemplary listing of representative XRPD peaks of a crystalline l-(2-hydroxyethyl)-pyrrolidine anhydrate salt of epalrestat according to the invention can be found in Table 5. Prominent XRPD peaks may include, in one exemplary embodiment, peaks at 6.7, 10.5, 1 1.5, and 14.2 °2Θ ± 0.2. An exemplary listing of representative NMR data can be found in Table 6.

Table 5

2Θ d space (A) Intensity (%)

6.7 ± 0.2 13.13 ±0.40 13

8.6 ± 0.2 10.22 ±0.24 5

10.5 ±0.2 8.44 ±0.16 22

11.5 ±0.2 7.70 ±0.13 27

13.4 ±0.2 6.58 ±0.10 5

14.2 ± 0.2 6.24 ± 0.09 64

14.7 ±0.2 6.02 ± 0.08 13

15.2 ±0.2 5.81 ±0.08 17

16.6 ±0.2 5.34 ± 0.06 23

17.0 ±0.2 5.20 ± 0.06 9

18.0 ±0.2 4.94 ± 0.05 21

19.9 ±0.2 4.47 ± 0.04 9

20.2 ± 0.2 4.39 ± 0.04 10

20.6 ± 0.2 4.31 ±0.04 19

21.0 ±0.2 4.24 ± 0.04 15

22.3 ± 0.2 3.99 ±0.04 100

22.8 ± 0.2 3.89 ±0.03 27

23.4 ±0.2 3.80 ±0.03 22

23.8 ±0.2 3.74 ±0.03 20

24.4 ± 0.2 3.64 ±0.03 10

24.8 ± 0.2 3.58 ±0.03 3

25.8 ± 0.2 3.45 ± 0.03 15

27.5 ± 0.2 3.25 ± 0.02 11

27.9 ± 0.2 3.20 ±0.02 41

28.3 ± 0.2 3.15 ±0.02 8

28.6 ± 0.2 3.12 ±0.02 8

28.9 ± 0.2 3.09 ± 0.02 6

29.2 ± 0.2 3.06 ± 0.02 5

29.6 ± 0.2 3.01 ± 0.02 10

Pharmaceutical Compositions and Methods of Treatment and/or Prevention

[0048J The crystalline salt forms of epalrestat according to various embodiments of the invention possess the same general pharmacological activity as epalrestat free acid, and are useful for treating and/or preventing diabetic complications such as those discussed above, including, for example, diabetic neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy, and diabetic nephropathy. By use of the term "treating" or "alleviating" it is meant decreasing the symptoms, markers, or any negative effects of a condition in any appreciable degree in a patient who currently has the condition, and by "preventing" it is meant preventing entirely or preventing to some extent, such as, for example, by delaying the onset or lessening the degree to which a patient develops the condition.

(§§49J Accordingly, various embodiments of the invention include methods for preventing and/or treating cardiac tissue ischemia in a mammal comprising administering to said mammal an effective amount of one or more of the crystalline salt forms of epalrestat described herein. Various embodiments of the invention also include methods for treating and'or preventing cardiac tissue ischemia in a mammal comprising administering to said mammal a pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one crystalline salt form of epalrestat and a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle, carrier, and/or diluent. In exemplary methods, said mammal may be suffering from cardiac tissue ischemia or may be at risk of suffering from cardiac tissue ischemia. For example, a mammal at risk may be awaiting or undergoing cardiac, cardiovascular, or other major surgery. Thus, various embodiments of the invention include methods for providing myocardial protection during surgery or myocardial protection in patients presenting with ongoing cardiac or cerebral ischemic events or chronic cardioprotection in patients diagnosed with, or at risk for, coronary heart disease, cardiac dysfunction or myocardial stunning. As used herein, "mammal" is intended to include humans.

[0050J Various embodiments of the invention include methods of inhibiting aldose reductase in a mammal in need of inhibition of aldose reductase comprising administering an aldose reductase inhibiting amount of at least one of the crystalline salt forms of epalrestat as described herein. Various embodiments of the invention also include methods of inhibiting aldose reductase in a mammal in need of inhibition of aldose reductase comprising administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one crystalline salt form of epalrestat as described herein, and a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle, carrier, and/or diluent,

[005 IJ Additional embodiments of the invention include methods of treating and/or preventing one or more diabetic complications in a mammal suffering from one or more diabetic complications comprising administering to said mammal an effective amount of at least one crystalline salt form of epalrestat as described herein. Diabetic complications which may be treated and/or prevented by exemplary methods of the invention include, but are not limited to, diabetic neuropathy, diabetic nephropathy, diabetic cardiomyopathy, cardiac autonomic neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema, diabetic gastroparesis, cataracts, foot ulcers, diabetic macroangiopathy, and diabetic microangiopathy. Various embodiments of the invention are also directed to methods of treating and/or preventing one or more diabetic complications in a mammal suffering from one or more diabetic complications comprising administering to said mammal an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition as set forth herein.

[0052 J Various additional embodiments of the invention include methods of palliating neurological disorders and delaying development of neurological disorders using aldose reductase inhibitors, in order to modulate neurotrophic factor-associated activity, especially CNTF-associated levels and activity, for example as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,696,407. These methods are useful, for example, for a condition or circumstance in which neurotrophic factor-associated activity is indicated, such as neurological disorders, including neurodegenerative disorders. A "neurological disorder" as used herein means an aberration from clinically normal neural cell activity (i.e., compromised neural cell activity) and includes, by way of example only, neurodegenerative disease (of the CNS and/or PNS), neuropathies associated with toxicity (neurotoxicity) such as chemotherapy (i.e., vincristine or cisplatin-induced motor neuropathy) and alcohol consumption, immune-mediated neurodiseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and Guillain-Barre syndrome, hereditary neuropathies such as Charcot-Marie- Tooth neuropathies [see Lebo et al. (1992) Am. J. Hum. Genet. 50:42-55], injury due to trauma, and compromised function due to senescence. Examples of neurodegenerative disorders include but are not limited to, Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Shy-Drager syndrome. The methods may also be useful in delaying development of a neurological disorder, and thus may be used in individuals who show no overt signs of disease but are, for example, at risk of deγeløping disease.

[0053] As discussed, additional embodiments of the invention relate to pharmaceutical compositions comprising a therapeutically effective amount of one or more crystalline salts of epalrestat according to various embodiments of the invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient. The crystalline salts of epalrestat according to various embodiments of the invention have the same or similar pharmaceutical activity as previously reported for epalrestat free acid. Pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment and/or prevention of those conditions or disorders may contain some amount, for example a therapeutically effective amount, of one or more of the crystalline salts of epalrestat described herein, as appropriate, e.g. for treatment of a patient with the particular condition or disorder, As a further example, the amount of the one or more of the crystalline salts of epalrestat in the pharmaceutical compositions may likewise be lower than a therapeutically effective amount, and may, for example, be in the composition in conjunction with another compound or form of epalrestat which, when combined, are present in a therapeutically effective amount, A 'therapeutically effective amount" as described herein refers to an amount of a therapeutic agent sufficient to treat, alleviate, and/or prevent a condition treatable and/or preventable by administration of a composition of the invention, in any degree. That amount can be an amount sufficient to exhibit a detectable therapeutic or preventative or ameliorative effect, and can be determined by routine experimentation by those of skill in the art. The effect may include, for example, treatment, alleviation, and/or prevention of the conditions listed herein, The actual amount required, e.g. for treatment of any particular patient, will depend upon a variety of factors including the disorder being treated and/or prevented; its severity; the specific pharmaceutical composition employed; the age, body weight, general health, gender, and diet of the patient; the mode of administration; the time of administration; the route of administration; the rate of excretion of epalrestat; the duration of the treatment; any drugs used in combination or coincidental with the specific compound employed; and other such factors well known in the medical arts. These factors are discussed in Goodman and Gilman's "The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics", Tenth Edition, A. Gilman, J.Hardman and L. Limbird, eds., McGraw- Hill Press, 155-173, 2001.

[O054J A pharmaceutical composition according to various embodiments of the invention may be any pharmaceutical form which contains one or more crystalline salts of epalrestat according to various embodiments of the invention. Depending on the type of pharmaceutical composition, the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier may be chosen from any one or a combination of carriers known in the art. The choice of the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier depends upon the pharmaceutical form and the desired method of administration to be used. For a pharmaceutical composition according to various embodiments of the invention, that is one having one or more of the crystalline salts of epalrestat described herein, a carrier may be chosen that maintains the crystalline salt form. In other words, the carrier, in some embodiments, will not substantially alter the crystalline form of the crystalline salts of epalrestat as described herein. In certain embodiments, the carrier will similarly not be otherwise incompatible with epalrestat itself or crystalline salts of epalrestat according to various embodiments of the invention, such as by producing any undesirable biological effect or otherwise interacting in a deleterious manner with any other component(s) of the pharmaceutical composition. [0055] The pharmaceutical compositions according to various embodiments of the invention are optionally formulated in unit dosage form for ease of administration and uniformity of dosage. A "unit dosage form" refers to a physically discrete unit of therapeutic agent appropriate for the patient to be treated. It will be understood, however, that the total daily dosage of the crystalline salts of epalrestat according to various embodiments of the invention and pharmaceutical compositions thereof will be decided by the attending physician within the scope of sound medical judgment using known methods.

[0056] Because the crystalline form of the crystalline salts of epalrestat according to various embodiments of the invention is more easily maintained during preparation, solid dosage forms are a preferred form for the pharmaceutical composition of the invention. Solid dosage forms for oral administration may include, for example, capsules, tablets, pills, powders, and granules. In one exemplary embodiment, the solid dosage form is a tablet. The active ingredient may be contained in a solid dosage form formulation that provides quick release, sustained release, or delayed release after administration to the patient. In such solid dosage forms, the active compound may be mixed with at least one inert, pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, such as, for example, sodium citrate or dicalcium phosphate. The solid dosage form may also include one or more of various additional ingredients, including, for example: a) fillers or extenders such as, for example, starches, lactose, sucrose, glucose, mannitol, and silicic acid; b) binders such as, for example, carboxymethylcellulose, alginates, gelatin, polyvinylpyrrolidinone, sucrose, and acacia; c) humectants such as, for example, glycerol; d) disintegrating agents such as, for example, agar, calcium carbonate, potato or tapioca starch, algϊnfc acid, certain silicates, and sodium carbonate; e) dissolution retarding agents such as, for example, paraffin; f) absorption accelerators such as, for example, quaternary ammonium compounds; g) wetting agents such as, for example, cetyl alcohol and glycerol monostearate; h) absorbents such as, for example, kaolin and bentonite clay; and i) lubricants such as, for example, talc, calcium stearate, magnesium stearate, solid polyethylene glycols, and sodium lauryl sulfate. The solid dosage forms may also comprise buffering agents. They may optionally contain opacifying agents and can also be of a composition that they release the active ingredient(s) only, or preferentially, in a certain part of the intestinal tract, optionally, in a delayed manner. Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sixteenth Edition, E. W. Martin (Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa., 1980) discloses various carriers used in formulating pharmaceutical compositions and known techniques for the preparation thereof. Solid dosage forms of pharmaceutical compositions according to various embodiments of the invention can also be prepared with coatings and shells such as enteric coatings and other coatings well known in the pharmaceutical formulating art.

[0057] The crystalline salts of epalrestat according to various embodiments of the invention can be, in one exemplary embodiment, administered in a solid micro-encapsulated form with one or more carriers as discussed above. Microencapsulated forms may also be used in soft and hard-filled gelatin capsules with carriers such as lactose or milk sugar as well as high molecular weight polyethylene glycols and the like.

[0058] The crystalline salts of epalrestat according to various embodiments of the invention may also be used in the preparation of non-solid formulations, e.g., injectables and patches, of epalrestat. Such non-solid formulations are known in the art. In a non-solid formulation, the crystalline salt form may, in certain exemplary embodiments, not be maintained. For example, the crystalline salt form may be dissolved in a liquid carrier. In this case, the crystalline salts of epalrestat according to various embodiments of the invention may represent intermediate forms of epalrestat used in the preparation of the non-solid formulation. The crystalline salts of epalrestat according to various embodiments of the invention may provide advantages of handling stability and purity to the process of making such formulations. [0059] The invention also relates to the treatment and/or prevention of diabetes- associated disorders such as those discussed above. The invention provides a method for treating and/or preventing diabetes-associated disorders by administering to mammals one or more of the novel crystalline salt forms of epalrestat as described herein, or a pharmaceutical composition containing the same, in an amount sufficient to treat and/or prevent a condition treatable and/or preventable by administration of a composition of the invention. That amount is the amount sufficient to exhibit any detectable therapeutic and/or preventative or ameliorative effect. The effect may include, for example, treatment and/or prevention of the conditions listed herein. These crystalline salt forms of epalrestat and pharmaceutical compositions containing them may, according to various embodiments of the invention, be administered using any amount, any form of pharmaceutical composition, and any route of administration effective, e.g. for treatment, all of which are easily determined by those of skill in the art through routine experimentation. After formulation with an appropriate pharmaceutically acceptable carrier in a desired dosage, as known by those of skill in the art, the pharmaceutical compositions can be administered to humans and other mammals by any known method, such as, for example, orally, rectally, or topically (such as by powders or other solid form-based topical formulations). In certain embodiments, the novel crystalline salt forms of epalrestat according to various embodiments of the invention may be administered at dosage levels ranging from about 0.001 mg/kg to about 50 ing/Teg, from about 0.01 mg/kg to about 25 mg/kg, or from about 0.1 mg/kg to about 10 mg/kg of subject body weight per day, one or more times a day, to obtain the desired therapeutic effect It will also be appreciated that dosages smaller than about 0.001 mg/kg or greater than about 50 mg/kg (for example, ranging from about 50 mg/kg to about 100 mg/kg) can also be administered to a subject in certain embodiments of the invention. As discussed above, the amount required for a particular patient will depend upon a variety of factors including the disorder being treated and/or prevented; its severity; the specific pharmaceutical composition employed; the age, body weight, general health, gender, and diet of the patient; the mode of administration; the time of administration; the route of administration; and the rate of excretion of epalrestat; the duration of the treatment; any drugs used in combination or coincidental with the specific compound employed; and other such factors well known in the medical arts. And, as also discussed, the pharmaceutical composition of the crystalline salts of epalrestat as described herein may be administered as a unit dosage form.

[0060| Although the present invention herein has been described with reference to various exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. Those having skill in the art would recognize that a variety of modifications to the exemplary embodiments may be made, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0061 J Moreover, it should be understood that various features and/or characteristics of differing embodiments herein may be combined with one another. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the scope of the invention.

[§§§2] Furthermore, other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a scope and spirit being indicated by the claims. EXAMPLES

10063] Example 1 - Preparation of a crystalline potassium anhydrate salt of epalrestat

10064] A mixture of 2.78 grams (8.70 mmol) of epalrestat free acid, 150 niL of absolute ethanol, and a solution of 855 mg (8.71 mmol) of potassium acetate in 25 mL of absolute ethanol was placed in a sonication bath for about 1 minute and stirred for about 10 minutes. Undissolved solid was collected by vacuum filtration and was dried in a vacuum oven at ambient temperature overnight to give 2.80 g (7.83 mmol, 90% yield) of the crystalline potassium anhydrate salt of epalrestat. Analytical data were obtained on the final product: the XRPD pattern was as shown in FIG. 1, the DSC thermogram was as shown in FIG. 4, the ¹ H- NMR spectrum was as shown in FIGS. 7A-7D, and the TGA profile was as shown in FIG. 10.

[0065] Example 2 - Preparation of a crystalline sodium anhydrate salt of epalrestat [0066] A solution of 211 mg (0.661 mmol) of epalrestat free acid in 11 mL of acetone was treated with 2.64 mL of a solution of 126 mg of sodium bicarbonate in 4 mL of water and 2 mL of acetone (55.4 mg, 0.659 mmol of sodium bicarbonate). Precipitation occurred and the solid was collected by filtration and allowed to dry in the air to give 216 mg (0.633 mmol, 96% yield) of the crystalline sodium anhydrate salt of epalrestat. Analytical data were obtained on the final product: the XRPD pattern was as shown in FIG. 2, the DSC thermogram was as shown in FIG. 5, the ¹ H-NMR spectrum was as shown in FIGS. 8A-8D, and the TGA profile was as shown in FIG, 11. [0067] Example 3 - Preparation of a crystalline sodium anhydrate salt of epalrestat [0068J A mixture of solution containing 3.08 g (9.64 mmol) of epalrestat free acid, 50 niL of methanol, and 3.75 mL of a solution of 516 mg of sodium hydroxide in 5 mL of water (387 mg, 9.68 mmol of sodium hydroxide) was briefly placed in an ultrasonic bath and stirred for 10 minutes. Undissolved solid was collected by vacuum filtration and dried in a vacuum oven at ambient temperature overnight to give 3.10 g (9.08 mmol, 94% yield) of the crystalline sodium anhydrate salt of epalrestat. Analytical data were obtained on the final product: the XRPD pattern was substantially as shown in FIG. 2, the DSC thermogram was substantially as shown in FIG. 5, the ¹ H-NMR spectrum was substantially as shown in FIGS. 8A-8D, and the TGA profile was substantially as shown in FIG. 1 1.

[0069] Example 4 - Preparation of a crystalline 1 -(2-hydroxyethyl)-pyrrolidine anhydrate salt of epalrestat

[0070] A solution of 216 mg (0.676 mmol) of epalrestat in 15 mL of acetone was treated with 82.1 μL of l-(2-hydroxyethyl)-pyrrolidine. Crystallization occurred after about 45 seconds and the resulting solid was collected by filtration to give the crystalline l-(2- hydroxyethyl)-pyrrolidine anhydrate salt of epalrestat. Analytical data were obtained on the final product: the XRPD pattern was as shown in FIG. 3, the DSC thermogram was as shown in FIG, 6, the ¹ H-NMR spectrum was as shown in FIGS. 9A-9D, and the TGA profile was as shown in FIG. 12.