title: Computational predictions of glass-forming ability and crystallization tendency of drug molecules.
abstract: Amorphization is an attractive formulation technique for drugs suffering from poor aqueous solubility as a result of their high lattice energy. Computational models that can predict the material properties associated with amorphization, such as glass-forming ability (GFA) and crystallization behavior in the dry state, would be a time-saving, cost-effective, and material-sparing approach compared to traditional experimental procedures. This article presents predictive models of these properties developed using support vector machine (SVM) algorithm. The GFA and crystallization tendency were investigated by melt-quenching 131 drug molecules in situ using differential scanning calorimetry. The SVM algorithm was used to develop computational models based on calculated molecular descriptors. The analyses confirmed the previously suggested cutoff molecular weight (MW) of 300 for glass-formers, and also clarified the extent to which MW can be used to predict the GFA of compounds with MW < 300. The topological equivalent of Grav3_3D, which is related to molecular size and shape, was a better descriptor than MW for GFA; it was able to accurately predict 86% of the data set regardless of MW. The potential for crystallization was predicted using molecular descriptors reflecting Hückel pi atomic charges and the number of hydrogen bond acceptors. The models developed could be used in the early drug development stage to indicate whether amorphization would be a suitable formulation strategy for improving the dissolution and/or apparent solubility of poorly soluble compounds.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Uppsala University, Uppsala Biomedical Centre , P.O. Box 580, SE-751 23 Uppsala, Sweden.
authors.forename: Amjad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alhalaweh
authors.forename: Ahmad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alzghoul
authors.forename: Waseem
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kaialy
authors.forename: Denny
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mahlin
authors.forename: Christel A S
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Bergström
mesh_terms: D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical / Q000379:methods; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003460:Crystallization; D005898:Glass / Q000737:chemistry*; D006860:Hydrogen Bonding; D008970:Molecular Weight; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000737:chemistry*; D012995:Solubility; D013678:Technology, Pharmaceutical / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations