Rate-controlled particles Specification The present invention concerns pharmaceutical compositions in the form of rate-controlled particles, comprising compounds of the formula (I) to (VI) (I) is an antiviral compound of formula a N-oxide, a pharmaceutically acceptable addition salt or a stereochemically isomeric form thereof, wherein Y is CR5 or N; A is CH, CR4 or N; n is 0,1,2,3 or 4; Q is-NR1R2 or when Y is CR5 then Q may also be hydrogen; R1 and R2 are each independently selected from hydrogen, hydroxy, C1-12alkyl, C1-12alkyloxy, C1-12alkylcarbonyl, C1-l2alkyloxycarbonyl, aryl, amino, mono-or di (C1_l2alkyl)- amino, mono-or di (C1_l2alkyl) aminocarbonyl wherein each of the aforementioned Cl-l2alkyl groups may optionally and each individually be substituted with one or two substituents each independently selected from hydroxy, C1_6alkyloxy, hydroxy- C1_6alkyloxy, carboxyl, Cl-6alkyloxycarbonyl, cyano, amino, imino, aminocarbonyl, aminocarbonylamino, mono-or di (C1_6alkyl) amino, aryl and Het; or R1 and R2 taken together may form pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, morpholinyl, azido or mono-or di (C1_l2alkyl) aminoC1-4- alkylidene; R3 is hydrogen, aryl, C1-6alkylcarbonyl, C1-6alkyl, C1-6alkyloxy- carbonyl, C1-6alkyl substituted with C1_6alkyloxycarbonyl ; and each R4 independently is hydroxy, halo, C1-6alkyl, C1-6alkyloxy, cyano, aminocarbonyl, nitro, amino, trihalomethyl, trihalo- methyloxy, or when Y is CR5 then R4 may also represent C1 6alkyl substituted with cyano or aminocarbonyl ; R5 is hydrogen or C1-4alkyl ; L is-X1-R6 or-X2-Alk-R7 wherein

R6 and R7 each independently are phenyl or phenyl substituted with one, two, three, four or five substituents each independently selected from halo, hydroxy, C1_6alkyl, Cl_6alkyloxy, Cl_6alkylcarbonyl, Cl_6alkyloxycarbonyl, formyl, cyano, nitro, amino, and trifluoromethyl; or when Y is CR5 then R6 and R7 may also be selected from phenyl substituted with one, two, three, four or five substi- tuents each independently selected from aminocarbonyl, trihalomethyloxy and trihalomethyl; or when Y is N then R6 and R7 may also be selected from indanyl or indolyl, each of said indanyl or indolyl may be substituted with one, two, three, four or five substituents each independently selected from halo, hydroxy, C1_6alkyl, Cl_6alkyloxy, Cl_6alkylcarbonyl, Cl_6alkyloxycarbonyl, formyl, cyano, nitro, amino, and trifluoromethyl; X1 and X2 are each independently-NR3-,-NH-NH-,-N=N-,-0-, -S-,-S (=0)- or-S (=0) 2- ; Alk is C1_4alkanediyl ; or when Y is CR5 then L may also be selected from C1_loalkyl, C3-loalkenyl, C3_loalkynyl, C3_7cycloalkyl, or C1_loalkyl substituted with one or two substituents independently selected from C3_7cycloalkyl, indanyl, indolyl and phenyl, wherein said phenyl, indanyl and indolyl may be substituted with one, two, three, four or where possible five substi- tuents each independently selected from halo, hydroxy, C1_6alkyl, C1-6alkyloxy, cyano, aminocarbonyl, C1_6alkyloxy- carbonyl, formyl, nitro, amino, trihalomethyl, trihalomethyl- oxy and C1-6alkylcarbonyl ; aryl is phenyl or phenyl substituted with one, two, three, four or five substituents each independently selected from halo, C1_6alkyl, C1_6alkyloxy, cyano, nitro and trifluoromethyl; Het is an aliphatic or aromatic heterocyclic radical; said ali- phatic heterocyclic radical is selected from pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, homopiperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, tetrahydrofuranyl and tetrahydrothienyl wherein each of said aliphatic heterocyclic radical may optionally be substituted with an oxo group; and said aromatic heterocyclic radical is selected from pyrrolyl, furanyl, thienyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl and pyridazinyl wherein each of said aromatic heterocyclic radical may optionally be substituted with hydroxy.

The compounds of formula (I) can be prepared according to the methods described in the patent applications with application number PCT/EP99/02043 and PCT/EP99/02044.

(II) is an antiviral compound of formula

the N-oxides, the pharmaceutically acceptable addition salts, quaternary amines and the stereochemically isomeric forms thereof, wherein -bl=b2-C (R2a) =b3-b4= represents a bivalent radical of formula -CH=CH-C (R2a) =CH-CH= (b-1); -N=CH-C (R2a) =CH-CH= (b-2); -CH=N-C (R2a) =CH-CH= (b-3); -N=CH-C (R2a) =N-CH= (b-4); -N=CH-C (R2a) =CH-N= (b-5); -CH=N-C (R2a) =N-CH= (b-6); -N=N-C (R2a) =CH-CH= (b-7); q is 0,1,2; or where possible q is 3 or 4; R1 is hydrogen, aryl, formyl, C1_6alkylcarbonyl, C1_6alkyl, C1_6alkyloxycarbonyl, C1_6alkyl substituted with formyl, C1-6alkylcarbonyl, C1-6alkyloxycarbonyl; R2a is cyano, aminocarbonyl, mono-or di (methyl) aminocarbonyl, C1-6alkyl substituted with cyano, aminocarbonyl or mono-or di (methyl) aminocarbonyl, C2_6alkenyl substituted with cyano, or C2_6alkynyl substituted with cyano; each R2 independently is hydroxy, halo, C1-6alkyl optionally sub- stituted with cyano or-C (=O) R6, C3-7cycloalkyl, C2_6alkenyl optionally substituted with one or more halogen atoms or cyano, C2_6alkynyl optionally substituted with one or more halogen atoms or cyano, C1-6alkyloxy, C1_6alkyloxycarbonyl, carboxyl, cyano, nitro, amino, mono-or di (C1_6alkyl) amino, polyhalomethyl, polyhalomethyloxy, polyhalomethylthio, -S (=O) pR6,-NH-S (=O) pR6,-C (=O) R6,-NHC (=O) H,-C (=O) NHNH2, -NHC (=O) R6,-C (=NH) R6 or a radical of formula wherein each A independently is N, CH or CR6 ; B is NH, O, S or IçR6 ; p is 1 or 2; and R6 is methyl, amino, mono-or dimethylamino or polyhalo- methyl;

L is C1-loalkyl, C2_loalkenyl, C2-loalkynyl, C3_7cycloalkyl, whereby each of said aliphatic group may be substituted with one or two substituents independently selected from * C3-7cycloalkyl, * indolyl or isoindolyl, each optionally substituted with one, two, three or four substituents each independently selected from halo, Cl_6alkyl, hydroxy, C1-6alkyloxy, cyano, aminocarbonyl, nitro, amino, polyhalomethyl, poly- halomethyloxy and C1_6alkylcarbonyl, * phenyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl or pyridazinyl, wherein each of said aromatic rings may optionally be substituted with one, two, three, four or five substi- tuents each independently selected from the substituents defined in R2 ; or L is-X-R3 wherein R3 is phenyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl or pyridazi- nyl, wherein each of said aromatic rings may optionally be substituted with one, two, three, four or five substi- tuents each independently selected from the substituents defined in R2 ; and X is -NR1-, -NH-NH-, -N=N-, -O-, -C(=O)-, -CHOH-, -S-, -S (=0)- or-S (=0) 2- ; Q represents hydrogen, C1_6alkyl, halo, polyhaloCl_6alkyl or- NR4R5 ; and R4 and R5 are each independently selected from hydrogen, hydroxy, C1-12alkyl, C1-12alkyloxy, C1-12alkylcarbonyl, C1-12alkyloxy- carbonyl, aryl, amino, mono-or di (C1_l2alkyl) amino, mono-or di (C1_l2alkyl) aminocarbonyl wherein each of the aforementioned C1-l2alkyl groups may optionally and each individually be substituted with one or two substituents each independently selected from hydroxy, C1_6alkyloxy, hydroxyCl_6alkyloxy, carboxyl, C1_6alkyloxycarbonyl, cyano, amino, imino, mono-or di (C1_6alkyl) amino, polyhalomethyl, polyhalomethyloxy, poly- halomethylthio,-S (=O) pR6,-NH-S (=O) pR6,-C (=O) R6,-NHC (=O) H, -C (=O) NHNH2, _NHC(=O) R6,-C (=NH) R6, aryl and Het; or R4 and R5 taken together may form pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, mor- pholinyl, azido or mono-or di (C1_l2alkyl) aminoCl_4alkylidene ; Y represents hydroxy, halo, C3_7cycloalkyl, C2_6alkenyl optio- nally substituted with one or more halogen atoms, C2_6alkynyl optionally substituted with one or more halogen atoms, C1-6alkyl substituted with cyano or-C (=0) R6, C1-6alkyloxy C1_6alkyloxycarbonyl, carboxyl, cyano, nitro, amino, mono-or di (C1_6alkyl) amino, polyhalomethyl, polyhalomethyloxy, poly- halomethylthio,-S (=O) pR6, -NH-S (=O) pR6,-C (=O) R6,-NHC (=O) H, -C (=O) NHNH2, _NHC(=O) R6,-C (=NH) R6 or aryl;

aryl is phenyl or phenyl substituted with one, two, three, four or five substituents each independently selected from halo, C1_6alkyl, C3-7cycloalkyl, C1_6alkyloxy, cyano, nitro, poly- haloCl_6alkyl and polyhaloC1_6alkyloxy ; Het is an aliphatic or aromatic heterocyclic radical; said ali- phatic heterocyclic radical is selected from pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, homopiperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, tetrahydrofuranyl and tetrahydrothienyl wherein each of said aliphatic heterocyclic radical may optionally be substituted with an oxo group; and said aromatic heterocyclic radical is selected from pyrrolyl, furanyl, thienyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl and pyridazinyl wherein each of said aromatic heterocyclic radical may optionally be substituted with hydroxy.

The compounds of formula (II) can be prepared according to the methods described in the US patent applications with application number 60/143962 and 60/107792.

(III) is an antiviral compound of formula a N-oxide, a pharmaceutically acceptable addition salt, a quater- nary amine or a stereochemically isomeric form thereof, wherein -a1=a2-a3=a4-represents a bivalent radical of formula -CH=CH-CH=CH- (a-1); -N=CH-CH=CH- (a-2); -N=CH-N=CH- (a-3); -N=CH-CH=N- (a-4) ; -N=N-CH=CH- (a-5); n is 0,1,2,3 or 4; and in case-al=a2-a3=a4-is (a-1), then n may also be 5; R1 is hydrogen, aryl, formyl, C1-6alkylcarbonyl, C1_6alkyl, C1_6alkyloxycarbonyl, C1_6alkyl substituted with formyl, C1_6alkylcarbonyl, C1_6alkyloxycarbonyl ; and each R2 independently is hydroxy, halo, C1_6alkyl optionally sub- stituted with cyano or-C (=0) R4, C3_7cycloalkyl, C2-6alkenyl optionally substituted with one or more halogen atoms or cyano, C2_6alkynyl optionally substituted with one or more halogen atoms or cyano, C1_6alkyloxy, C1_6alkyloxycarbonyl, carboxyl, cyano, nitro, amino, mono-or di (C1_6alkyl) amino,

polyhalomethyl, polyhalomethyloxy, polyhalomethylthio, -S (=0) pR4,-NH-S (=0) pR4,-C (=O) R4,-NHC (=O) H,-C (=O) NHNH2, _NHC (=O) R4,-C (=NH) R4 or a radical of formula wherein each A independently is N, CH or CR4 ; B is NH, 0, S or NR4 ; p is 1 or 2; and R4 is methyl, amino, mono-or dimethylamino or polyhalo- methyl; L is C4_loalkyl, C2-10alkenyl, C2-10alkynyl, C3-7cycloalkyl, whereby each of said aliphatic group may be substituted with one or two substituents independently selected from * C3_cycloalkyl, * indolyl or isoindolyl, each optionally substituted with one, two, three or four substituents each independently selected from halo, C1_6alkyl, hydroxy, C1_6alkyloxy, cyano, aminocarbonyl, nitro, amino, polyhalomethyl, poly- halomethyloxy and C1_6alkylcarbonyl, * phenyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl or pyridazinyl, wherein each of said aromatic rings may optionally be substituted with one, two, three, four or five substi- tuents each independently selected from the substituents defined in R2 ; or L is-X-R3 wherein R3 is phenyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl., pyrazinyl or pyridazi- nyl, wherein each of said aromatic rings may optionally be substituted with two, three, four or five substituents each independently selected from the substituents defined in R2 ; and X IS -NR1-, -NH-NH-, -N=N-, -O-, -C(=O)-, -CHOH-, -S-, -S(=0)- or-S (=0) 2- ; aryl is phenyl or phenyl substituted with one, two, three, four or five substituents each independently selected from halo, C1_6alkyl, C3-7cycloalkyl, C1_6alkyloxy, cyano, nitro, poly- haloCl-6alkyl and polyhaloCl-6alkyloxy.

The compounds of formula (III) can be prepared according to the methods described in the US patent application with application number 60/107799.

(IV) is an antiviral compound of formula

(IV) the pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts and the stereochemically isomeric forms thereof, wherein R1 and R2 are each independently selected from hydrogen; hydroxy; amino; C1_6alkyl ; C1-6alkyloxy ; C1_6alkylcarbonyl ; C1_6alkyl- oxycarbonyl; Arl ; mono-or di (C1_6alkyl) amino; mono-or di (C1-6alkyl) aminocarbonyl; dihydro-2 (3H)-furanone ; C1_6alkyl substituted with one or two substituents each independently selected from amino, imino, aminocarbonyl, aminocarbonyl- amino, hydroxy, hydroxyCl_6alkyloxy, carboxyl, mono-or di (C1_6alkyl) amino, Cl-6alkyloxycarbonyl and thienyl; or RI and R2 taken together may form pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, morpholinyl, azido or mono-or di (C1_6alkyl) aminoC1-4- alkylidene; R3 is hydrogen, Ar1, C1-6alkylcarbonyl, C1-6alkyl, C1-6alkyloxy- carbonyl, C1-6alkyl substituted with C1_6alkyloxycarbonyl ; and R4, R5, R6, R7 and R8 are each independently selected from hydro- gen, hydroxy, halo, C1-6alkyl, C1-6alkyloxy, cyano, amino- carbonyl, nitro, amino, trihalomethyl or ; L is C1_loalkyl ; C3_loalkenyl ; C3-loalkynyl ; C3-7cycloalkyl ; or L is C1-loalkyl substituted with one or two substituents independently selected from C3_7cycloalkyl ; indolyl or indolyl substituted with one, two, three or four substituents each independently selected from halo, C1-6alkyl, C1-6alkyloxy, cyano, aminocarbonyl, nitro, amino, trihalomethyl, trihalo- methyloxy, C1-6alkylcarbonyl ; phenyl or phenyl substituted with one, two, three, four or five substituents each indepen- dently selected from halo, hydroxy, C1-6alkyl, C1-6alkyloxy, cyano, aminocarbonyl, nitro, amino, trihalomethyl, trihalo- methyloxy, Cl_6alkylcarbonyl ; and, Arl is phenyl, or phenyl substituted with one, two or three substituents each independently selected from halo, C1-6alkyl, C1-6alkyloxy, cyano, nitro or trifluoromethyl; with the proviso that compounds (a) to (o)

Co. No. a 1-(4-(2-methylpropyl)phenyl)ethyl H/H H CH3 H H H H b 1-(4-(2-methylpropyl)phenyl)ethyl H/H H H H NO2 H H c 1-(4-(2-methylpropyl)phenyl)ethyl H/H C6H5 H H H H H d 1- (4- (2-methylpropyl) phenyl) ethyl H/H H NO2 H CH3 H H e 1- (4- (2-methylpropyl) phenyl) ethyl H/H H H H Nl12 H H f 4-(2-methylpropyl)phenylmethyl H/H H H CF3 H H H g 1- (4- (2-methylpropyl) phenyl) ethyl H/H H H H Cl H H h 4-(2-methylpropyl)phenylmethyl H/H H H H H H H i 3, 4-dimethoxyphenylmethyl H/H H H H H H H j 2, 3-dimethoxyphenylmethyl H/H H H H H H H k 3,4-diethoxyphenylmethyl H/H H H H H H H 2-(3,5-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4- 1 H/H H H H H H H hydroxy-phenyl)ethyl 2-(3,5-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4- m H/H H H t-Bu OH t-Bu H hydroxy-phenyl)ethyl n Phenylmethyl H/H H CH3 H H H H o o Phenylmethyl H/H H H H H are not included.

The compounds of formula (IV) can be prepared according to the methods described in EP-A-0834507.

(V) is an antifungal compound of formula the N-oxide forms, the pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts and stereochemically isomeric forms thereof, wherein n is zero, 1,2 or 3; X is N or CH; each R1 independently is halo, nitro, cyano, amino, hydroxy, C1-4alkyl, C1-4alkyloxy or trifluoromethyl; R2 is hydrogen; C3_7alkenyl ; C3_7alkynyl, aryl; C3-7cycloalkyl ; C1-6alkyl or C1-6alkyl substituted with hydroxy, C1-4alkyloxy, C3-7cycloalkyl or aryl; R3 and R4 each independently are hydrogen, C1-6alkyl, C3-7cyclo- alkyl or aryl; or R3 and R4 taken together form a bivalent radical-R3-R4-of formula :

wherein Rsa R5b, R5c, R5d each independently are hydrogen, C1_6alkyl or aryl; and aryl is phenyl or phenyl substituted with one, two or three substituents selected from halo, nitro, cyano, amino, hydroxy, C1_4alkyl, C1_4alkyloxy or trifluoromethyl.

The compounds of formula (V) can be prepared according to the methods described in WO 99/02523.

(VI) is an apolipoprotein-B synthesis inhibitor of formula the N-oxides, the stereochemically isomeric forms thereof, and the pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts, wherein A and B taken together form a bivalent radical of : -N=CH- (a), -CH=N- (b), -CH2-CH2- (c), -CH=CH- (d), -C(=O)-CH2- (e), -CH2-C (=O)- (f), in the bivalent radicals of formula (a) and (b) the hydrogen atom may be replaced by C1_6alkyl ; in the bivalent radicals of formula (c), (d), (e), (f), one or two hydrogen atoms may be replaced by C1_6alkyl ; RI is hydrogen, C1-6alkyl or halo; R2 is hydrogen or halo; R3 is hydrogen; Cl-8alkyl ; C3-6cycloalkyl ; or C1_galkyl substituted with hydroxy, oxo, C3-6cycloalkyl or aryl;

Het is a heterocycle selected from the group consisting of pyridine; pyridine substituted with one or two substituents selected from C1_6alkyl, hydroxy, C1-6alkyloxy, trihalomethyl, amino, mono-or di (C1_6alkyl) amino or aryl; pyrimidine; pyrimidine substituted with one or two substituents selected from C1_6alkyl, hydroxy, C1_6alkyloxy, trihalomethyl, amino, mono-or di (C1_6alkyl)-amino or aryl; tetrazole; tetrazole substituted with C1_6alkyl or aryl; triazole; triazole substi- tuted with one or two substituents selected from C1_6alkyl, hydroxy, C1_6alkyloxy, trihalomethyl, amino, mono-or di (C1_6alkyl)-amino ; thiadiazole; thiadiazole substituted with one or two substituents selected from C1_6alkyl, hydroxy, C1-6alkyloxy, trihalomethyl, amino, mono-or di (C1_6alkyl)- amino; oxadiazole substituted with one or two substituents selected from C1_6alkyl, hydroxy, C1-6alkyloxy, trihalomethyl, amino, mono-or di (C16alkyl) amino; imidazole; imidazole sub- stituted with one or two substituents selected from C1_6alkyl, hydroxy, C1-6alkyloxy, trihalomethyl, amino, mono-or di (C1_6alkyl) amino; thiazole; thiazole substituted with one or two substituents selected from C1_6alkyl, hydroxy, C1-6alkyl- oxy, trihalomethyl, amino, mono-or di (C1_6alkyl) amino; oxazole; oxazole substituted with one or two substituents selected from C1_6alkyl, hydroxy, C1-6alkyloxy, trihalomethyl, amino, mono-or di (C1_6alkyl) amino; arylis phenyl or phenyl substituted with C1_6alkyl or halo.

The heterocyclic radical"Het"is bound to the sulfur atom via a carbon atom.

The compounds of formula (VI) can be prepared according to the methods described in WO 96/13499.

The particles comprise the compounds of formula (I) to (VI) as a solid dispersion in a polymeric matrix, wherein the poly- meric matrix is consisting of a homo-or copolymer of N-vinyl- pyrrolidone. Furthermore, the invention concerns a process for manufacturing of such particles and pharmaceutical dosage forms comprising such particles.

The compounds of formula (I) to (VI) contained in the particles show poor bio-availability.

In order to improve the dissolution characteristics the compounds are dispersed in a polymeric matrix, preferably by using a melt- extrusion process.

EP-A 0 240 904 discloses a method for producing solid pharma- ceutical forms by extrusion of polymer melts which contain active substances, using as polymers homo-or copolymers of N-vinyl- pyrrolidone.

EP-B 0 580 860 discloses a method for producing solid dispersions of drug substances in a polymeric matrix using a twin screw extruder.

It is an object of the present invention to provide rate- controlled pharmaceutical forms containing the aforementioned compounds.

We have found that this object is achieved by the particles defined at the outset.

Preferred compounds according to the invention are: 4- [ [4- [ (2, 4,6-trimethylphenyl) amino]-2-pyrimidinyl] amino] benzo- nitrile; 4-[[2-[(cyanophenyl) amino]-4-pyrimidinyl] amino]-3,5-dimethyl- benzonitrile; 4- [ [4-amino-5-chloro-6- [ (2, 4,6-trimethylphenyl) amino]-2- pyrimidinyl]-amino] benzonitrile ; 4- [ [5-chloro-4- [ (2, 4,6-trimethylphenyl) amino]-2-pyrimidinyl]- amino]benzonitrile; 4- [ [5-bromo-4- (4-cyano-2, 6-dimethylphenoxy)-2-pyrimidinyl]- amino]benzonitrile; 4- [ [4-amino-5-chloro-6- [ (4-cyano-2, 6-dimethylphenyl) amino]-2- pyrimidinyl] amino] benzonitrile ; 4- [ [5-bromo-6- [ (4-cyano-2, 6-dimethylphenyl) amino]-2-pyrimidinyl]- amino]benzonitrile; 4- [ [4-amino-5-chloro-6- (4-cyano-2, 6-dimethylphenyloxy)-2- pyrimidinyl] amino] benzonitrile; 4- [ [4-amino-5-bromo-6- (4-cyano-2, 6-dimethylphenyloxy)-2- pyrimidinyl] amino] benzonitrile ; 4- [ [4- [ (2, 4,6-trimethylphenyl) amino]-1, 3, benzonitrile; 4- [ [4-amino-6- [ (2, 6-dichlorophenyl) methyl]-1,3, amino]benzonitrile; 4- [ [4- [ (2, 6-dichlorophenyl) methyl]-6-(hydroxyamino)-1, 3,5- triazin-2-yl] amino] benzonitrile ; 1-[4-[4-[4-[[4-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-4-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl - <BR> <BR> <BR> methyl)-1, 3-dioxolan-2-yl] methoxy] phenyl]-1-piperazinyl] phenyl]- 3- (1-methylethyl)-2-imidazolidinone ;

(-)- [2S- [2alpha, 4alpha (S*)]]-4- [4- [4- [4- [ [2- (4-chlorophenyl)-2- [ [ (4-methyl-4H-1, 2,4-triazol-3-yl) thio] methyl]-1, 3-dioxolan-4-yl] methOxy] phenyl]-1-piperazinyl] phenyl]-2, 4-dihydro-2-(1-methyl- propyl)-3H-1, 2,4-triazol-3-one, a N-oxide, a pharmaceutically acceptable addition salt or a stereochemically isomeric form thereof.

According to the present invention the term"rate-controlled" means that depending on the composition of the matrix the particles can show instant release of the active ingredient or modified release (sustained release).

The compounds according to the invention are homogeneously dispersed in a polymer matrix consisting of a homopolymer of N-vinylpyrrolidone or, preferably, a copolymer of N-vinyl- pyrrolidone. A preferred copolymer is a copolymer of N-vinyl- pyrrolidone and vinyl acetate, especially a copolymer obtained from 60% b. w. of NVP and 40% b. w. of vinylacetate.

The polymers show Fikentscher K values of from 17 to 90, preferably a K value of 30 (for the definition of the K value see"H. Fikentscher, Cellulose-Chemie" (1932), 58-64 and 71-74).

The polymeric matrix component is used in amounts of from 40 to 70, preferably of from 50 to 65% b. w. of the total weight of the particles.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the polymeric matrix further comprises a surfactant, preferably a surfactant with a HLB-value of 10-18 (HLB: Hydrophilic Lipophilic Balance).

Especially preferred surfactants are selected form the group consisting of low molecular weight polyoxyethylene polyoxy- propylene block copolymers with a mean molecular weight of 1000 to 6000 g/mol, and hydrogenated castor oil which can be modified with polyethylene glycol.

The amounts of surfactants used lies in the range of up to 20% b. w., preferably 5 to 15% b. w., of the particles.

In another preferred embodiment the matrix further comprises an organic carboxylic acid in amounts of up to 5% b. w. of the particles.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention the polymeric matrix further comprises hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose in amounts of up to 25% b. w., preferably from 5 to 10% b. w..

The particles of the present invention are prepared as solid dispersions of the active compounds in a polymeric matrix. The term"solid dispersion"is well known in the art and means a dispersion consisting of solid components. Preferably solid dispersions are in the form of solid solutions wherein the active ingredients are molecularly dispersed in the polymeric matrix.

Such solid dispersion is preferably obtained by forming a homogeneous mixture of the components in the form of a melt, extruding said melt and shaping of the extrudate. The melting is effected by the input of thermal and/or mechanic energy.

Depending on the composition of the matrix, the melting takes place in the range of from 40°C to 190°C, preferably 50 to 150°C.

The suitable temperature range depends on the glass transition temperature of the polymer component, the properties of the active ingredients and further additives. The optimal temperature range can be established by a few simple tests.

The mixing of the active substances with the polymer and addi- tional components of the matrix can take place before or after the melting of the polymer. Preferably the process is solvent- free which means that no additional organic solvents or water are added.

The plastification and melting preferably can take place in an extruder, a kneader or a mixing reactor, preferably in an extruder having one or more screws which may rotate in the same direction or opposite directions, especially in a twin screw extruder. The latter can be operated with or without kneading elements, but use of kneading elements is preferred because mixing is better.

The still plastic material is extruded through a die or a breaker plate and then shaped into particles. This may be effected by milling and subsequent sieving the cooled extrudate. The preferred particle size for instant release forms lies in the range of from 0.5 to 1.5 mm.

The particles, optionally together with conventional pharma- ceutically acceptable excipients, may be further processed to conventional pharmaceutical dosage forms such as tablets, pastilles, suppositories, or be packed in capsules.

It is possible and particularly advantageous to produce pharmaceutical forms with rate-controlled release and improved dissolution rates of the active ingredients. This was not to be

expected in view of the low solubility of the active ingredients in aqueous media.

Examples General method Powder mixes of the components were melt kneaded at 145°C for 5 min.. After cooling the solidified melts were ground and sieved. The sieve fraction 0.5-1.5 mm was used for the dissolution tests.

The composition of the individual powder mixes is listed in Table 1.

Table 1 Example No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Active ingredient 1) 30 30 30 30 30 40 VP-VAC-copolymer2) 65 55 55 60 55 47,1 Surfactant3)5 15 5 5 4, 3 Citric acid 5 HPMC 10 8,6 Surfactant). 15 1) 4- [ [4- [2, 4,6-trimethylphenyl) amino]-2-pyrimidinyl] amino]- benzonitrile 2) Kollidons VA64, VP/VAC = 60/40, BASF Aktiengesellschaft 3) PEG-n-hydrogenated Castoroil 4) polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene blockcopolymer, mean mol. weight 4000 g/mol The dissolution tests were carried out according to USP XXIII, paddle model, pH no change test, 0.1 M HC1, at 37°C, 100 rpm The results are listed in Table 2.

Table 2: Dissolution Rates of particles according to examples 1-6

Dissolution [%] Dissolution [%] time time Ex. 1 Ex. 2 Ex. 3 Ex. 4 Ex. 5 Ex. 6 [min] [min] (IR) (IR) (IR) (IR) (SR) (SR) 5 53 65 58 57 1 10 73 86 88 82 2 15 77 91 95 89 3 20 81 91 96 93 4 30 87 94 99 94 6 60 92 93 96 94 8 96 95 120 93 94 97 95 IR: Instant Release SR: Sustained Release DSC-Measurements were performed with the formulations according to examples 1 to 6 in open pans (air) at temperatures of from 20-+ 250°C, with a heating rate of 10°C per minute. There is no indication of crystalline drug substance in the solid dispersions.