Sildenafil 4.0-Integrated Synthetic Chemistry, Formulation and Analytical Strategies Effecting Immense Therapeutic and Societal Impact in the Fourth Industrial Era

Harnessing machine learning for efficient large-scale interatomic potential for sildenafil and pharmaceuticals containing H, C, N, O, and S

In this study a cutting-edge approach to producing accurate and computationally efficient interatomic potentials using machine learning algorithms is presented. Specifically, the study focuses on the application of Allegro, a novel machine learning algorithm, running on high-performance GPUs for training potentials. The choice of training parameters plays a pivotal role in the quality of the potential functions. To enable this methodology, the "Solvated Protein Fragments" dataset, containing nearly 2.7 million Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations for many-body intermolecular interactions involving protein fragments and water molecules, encompassing H, C, N, O, and S elements, is considered as the training dataset. The project optimizes computational efficiency by reducing the initial dataset size according to the intended application. To assess the efficacy of the approach, the sildenafil citrate, iso-sildenafil, aspirin, ibuprofen, mebendazole and urea, representing all five relevant elements, serve as the test bed. The results of the Allegro-trained potentials demonstrate outstanding performance, benefiting from the combination of an appropriate training dataset and parameter selection. This notably enhanced computational efficiency when compared to the computationally intensive DFT method aided by GPU acceleration. Validation of the produced interatomic potentials is achieved through Allegro's own evaluation mechanism, yielding exceptional accuracy. Further verification is carried out through LAMMPS molecular dynamics simulations. Structural optimization by energy minimization and NPT Molecular Dynamics simulations are performed for each potential, assessing relaxation processes and energy reduction. Additional structures, including urea, ammonia, uracil, oxalic acid, and acetic acid, are tested, highlighting the potential's versatility in describing systems containing the aforementioned elements. Visualization of the results confirms the scientific accuracy of each structure's relaxation. The findings of this study demonstrate strong scaling and the potential for applications in pharmaceutical research, allowing the exploration of larger molecular structures not previously amenable to computational analysis at this level of accuracy The success of the machine learning approach underscores its potential to revolutionize computational solid-state physics.

COMPARING vaccine manufacturing technologies recombinant DNA vs in vitro transcribed (IVT) mRNA

Vaccine manufacturing fosters the prevention, control, and eradication of infectious diseases. Recombinant DNA and in vitro (IVT) mRNA vaccine manufacturing technologies were enforced to combat the recent pandemic. Despite the impact of these technologies, there exists no scientific announcement that compares them. Digital Shadows are employed in this study to simulate each technology, investigating root cause deviations, technical merits, and liabilities, evaluating cost scenarios. Under this lens we provide an unbiased, advanced comparative technoeconomic study, one that determines which of these manufacturing platforms are suited for the two types of vaccines considered (monoclonal antibodies or antigens). We find recombinant DNA technology to exhibit higher Profitability Index due to lower capital and starting material requirements, pertaining to lower Minimum Selling Price per Dose values, delivering products of established quality. However, the potency of the mRNA, the streamlined and scalable synthetic processes involved and the raw material availability, facilitate faster market penetration and product flexibility, constituting these vaccines preferable whenever short product development cycles become a necessity.

Advantages and drawbacks of life cycle assessment application to the pharmaceuticals: a short critical literature review

Pharmaceuticals are among the most challenging products to assess by life cycle assessment (LCA). The main drawback highlighted by LCA practitioners is the lack of inventory data, both regarding the synthesis of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) precursors (upstream) and the details concerning the downstream phases (use and end of life). A short critical review of pharma-LCAs found in the literature is here proposed, with discussion of several tools and models used to predict the environmental impacts derived from the life cycle of pharmaceuticals, emphasizing current strengths and weaknesses, and exploring the possibilities for improvements. The case of antibiotics is selected as a representative class of pharmaceuticals, due to their massive use worldwide and the growing related issue of antimicrobial resistance enrichment, which is generally not included in most of LCAs. Also, we comment on drafting product category rules (PCRs) in the relevant field to develop standard methodologies and enhance the comparability of the studies, ultimately advocating collaboration with companies and improving inventory data quality and availability for the whole value chain of products.

Electrospinning of pullulan-based orodispersible films containing sildenafil

Feasibility of electrospinning in the manufacturing of sildenafil-containing orodispersible films (ODFs) intended to enhance oxygenation and to reduce pulmonary arterial pressure in pediatric patients was evaluated. Given the targeted subjects, the simplest and safest formulation was chosen, using water as the only solvent and pullulan, a natural polymer, as the sole fiber-forming agent. A systematic characterization in terms of shear and extensional viscosity as well as surface tension of solutions containing different amounts of pullulan and sildenafil was carried out. Accordingly, electrospinning parameters enabling the continuous production, at the highest possible rate, of defect-free fibers with uniform diameter in the nanometer range were assessed. Morphology, microstructure, drug content and relevant solid state as well as ability of the resulting non-woven films to interact with aqueous fluids were evaluated. To better define the role of the fibrous nanostructure on the performance of ODFs, analogous films were produced by spin- and blade-coating and tested. Interestingly, the disintegration process of electrospun products turned out to be the fastest (i.e. occurring within few s) and compliant with Ph. Eur. and USP limits, making relevant ODFs particularly promising for increasing sildenafil bioavailability, thus lowering its dosages.

New Psychoactive Substances: Major Groups, Laboratory Testing Challenges, Public Health Concerns, and Community-Based Solutions

Across communities worldwide, various new psychoactive substances (NPSs) continue to emerge, which worsens the challenges to global mental health, drug rules, and public health risks, as well as combats their usage. Specifically, the vast number of NPSs that are currently available, coupled with the rate at which new ones emerge worldwide, increasingly challenges both forensic and clinical testing strategies. The well-established NPS detection techniques include immunoassays, colorimetric tests, mass spectrometric techniques, chromatographic techniques, and hyphenated types. Nonetheless, mitigating drug abuse and NPS usage is achievable through extensive community-based initiatives, with increased focus on harm reduction. Clinically validated and reliable testing of NPS from human samples, along with community-driven solution, such as harm reduction, will be of great importance, especially in combating their prevalence and the use of other illicit synthetic substances. There is a need for continued literature synthesis to reiterate the importance of NPS, given the continuous emergence of illicit substances in the recent years. All these are discussed in this overview, as we performed another look into NPS, from differentiating the major groups and identifying with laboratory testing challenges to community-based initiatives.

Pharma 4.0-Artificially Intelligent Digital Twins for Solidified Nanosuspensions

Digital twins capacitate the industry 4.0 paradigm by predicting and optimizing the performance of physical assets of interest, mirroring a realistic in-silico representation of their functional behaviour. Although advanced digital twins set forth disrupting opportunities by delineating the in-service product and the related process dynamic performance, they have yet to be adopted by the pharma sector. The latter, currently struggles more than ever before to improve solubility of BCS II i.e., hard-to-dissolve active pharmaceutical ingredients by micronization and subsequent stabilization. Herein we construct and functionally validate the first artificially intelligent digital twin thread, capable of describing the course of manufacturing of such solidified nanosuspensions given a defined lifecycle starting point and predict and optimize the relevant process outcomes. To this end, we referenced experimental data as the sampling source, which we then augmented via pattern recognition utilizing neural network propagations. The zeta-dynamic potential metrics of the nanosuspensions were correlated to the interfacial Gibbs energy, while the density and heat capacity of the material system was calculated via the Saft-γ-Mie statistical fluid theory. The curated data was then fused to physical and empirical laws to choose the appropriate theory and numeric description, respectively, before being polished by tuning the critical parameters to achieve the best fit with reality.

Polyvinyl alcohol-citrate-stabilized silver nanoparticles as an optical sensor for selective colorimetric determination of sildenafil

A facile and sensitive colorimetric detection method for sildenafil citrate (SLDC) has been developed by using polyvinyl alcohol-citrate-stabilized silver nanoparticles (PVA-Cit-AgNPs). The sensitivity and selectivity of colorimetric detection were investigated in detail. The PVA-Cit-AgNPs could be induced to aggregate immediately in the presence of SLDC, especially after the addition of 0.1 M HCl solution. The SLD could be detected by the colorimetric response of AgNPs that could be monitored by a UV-Vis spectrophotometer or even the naked eye. The linear range was found to be 0.6-5.0 μM with the calculated detection limit of 0.1 μM and the naked-eye detection limit was determined as low as 0.6 μM. The proposed method is successfully employed for the determination of SLDC in commercially available tablets. Meanwhile, the excipients present in the pharmaceuticals do not interfere with the assay procedure.

mRNA Therapeutic Modalities Design, Formulation and Manufacturing under Pharma 4.0 Principles

In the quest for a formidable weapon against the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, mRNA therapeutics have stolen the spotlight. mRNA vaccines are a prime example of the benefits of mRNA approaches towards a broad array of clinical entities and druggable targets. Amongst these benefits is the rapid cycle "from design to production" of an mRNA product compared to their peptide counterparts, the mutability of the production line should another target be chosen, the side-stepping of safety issues posed by DNA therapeutics being permanently integrated into the transfected cell's genome and the controlled precision over the translated peptides. Furthermore, mRNA applications are versatile: apart from vaccines it can be used as a replacement therapy, even to create chimeric antigen receptor T-cells or reprogram somatic cells. Still, the sudden global demand for mRNA has highlighted the shortcomings in its industrial production as well as its formulation, efficacy and applicability. Continuous, smart mRNA manufacturing 4.0 technologies have been recently proposed to address such challenges. In this work, we examine the lab and upscaled production of mRNA therapeutics, the mRNA modifications proposed that increase its efficacy and lower its immunogenicity, the vectors available for delivery and the stability considerations concerning long-term storage.

Facing Counterfeit Medications in Sexual Medicine. A Systematic Scoping Review on Social Strategies and Technological Solutions

INTRODUCTION

The counterfeit phenomenon is a largely under-reported issue, with potentially large burden for healthcare. The market for counterfeit drugs used in sexual medicine, most notably type 5 phosphodiesterase inhibitors (PDE5i), is rapidly growing.

AIMS

To report the health risks associated with the use of counterfeit medications, the reasons driving their use, and the strategies enacted to contain this phenomenon.

METHODS

A systematic scoping review of the literature regarding counterfeit PDE5i was carried between January and June 2021, then updated in August 2021.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

We primarily aimed to clarify the main drivers for counterfeit PDE5i use, the health risks associated, and the currently available strategies to fight counterfeiters.

RESULTS

One hundred thirty-one records were considered for the present scoping review. Production of fake PDE5i is highly lucrative and the lacking awareness of the potential health risks makes it a largely exploitable market by counterfeiters. Adulteration with other drugs, microbial contamination and unreliable dosages make counterfeit medications a cause of worry also outside of the sexual medicine scope. Several laboratory techniques have been devised to identify and quantify the presence of other compounds in counterfeit medications. Strategies aimed at improving awareness, providing antitampering packaging and producing non-falsifiable products, such as the orodispersible formulations, are also described.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Improving our understanding of the PDE5i counterfeit phenomenon can be helpful to promote awareness of this issue and to improve patient care.

STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS

Despite the systematic approach, few clinical studies were retrieved, and data concerning the prevalence of counterfeit PDE5i use is not available on a global scale.

CONCLUSION

The counterfeit phenomenon is a steadily growing issue, with PDE5i being the most counterfeited medication with potentially large harmful effects on unaware consumers. Sansone A, Cuzin B, and Jannini EA. Facing Counterfeit Medications in Sexual Medicine. A Systematic Scoping Review on Social Strategies and Technological Solutions. Sex Med 2021;9:100437.

Development of a Nanocrystal Formulation of a Low Melting Point API Following a Quality by Design Approach

Preparation of nanocrystal formulations by wet media milling and spray-drying is a reliable technique to enhance dissolution and ameliorate absorption limitations of poorly soluble BCS II drugs. However, when thermosensitive compositions are dried at high temperatures, the risks of particle aggregation and thermal degradation must be considered. The present study investigates the effects of nanosuspension formulation variables when performing the spray drying process at equidistant temperatures above and below the melting point. Towards this purpose, Fenofibrate is exploited as a model drug of unfavorable pharmacokinetic profile and low melting point (79–82 °C), properties that render thermal processing a nontrivial task. Rationalizing the system’s behavior by combining molecular simulations with QbD methodology, the preparation of stable nanocrystals can be “steered” in order to avoid undesirable melting. The statistically resolved operational conditions showed that Fenofibrate Critical Quality Attribute–compliant nanosuspensions i.e., bearing hydrodynamic diameter and ζ-potential of 887 nm and −16.49 mV, respectively, were obtained by wet milling drug to Pharmacoat and mannitol weighted optimum ratios of 4.075% and 0.75%, after spray drying at the desired temperature of 77 °C. In conclusion, we present a quality assurance methodology of nano-comminution generally applicable for thermo-labile BCS II drugs.