AU2008200919B2

AU2008200919B2 - Novel crystalline polymorphs of clopidogrel

Info

Publication number: AU2008200919B2
Application number: AU2008200919A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Ramakrishnan Arul; Maheshkumar Gadakar; Jason Gray; Abhinay Pise; Rajesh Rao; Ajay Singh Rawat
Original assignee: Generics UK Ltd
Current assignee: Generics UK Ltd
Priority date: 2003-09-11
Filing date: 2008-02-27
Publication date: 2009-05-21
Anticipated expiration: 2024-09-09
Also published as: AU2008200919A1

Description

I AUSTRALIA -I I FB RICE & CO Parent and Trade Mark Attoricys Patents Act 1990 GENERICS (UK) LIMITED COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: Novel crystalline polymorphs of clopidogrel The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to us:- -la Novel Crystalline Polymorph of Clopidogrel This application is a divisional application from Australian Patent Application No. 2004272337, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. .5 Background art The present invention relates to novel crystalline forms of the platelet aggregation inhibitor (+)-(S)-methyl-2-(2-chlorophenyl)-( 6,7-dihydro-4H-thieno [3,2-c]pyrid-5 yl)acetate, clopidogrel (1), in the form of hydrogen bromide salts. The present 10 invention further relates to processes for preparing such forms, pharmaceutical compositions comprising such forms, and uses for such forms and compositions. The pharmaceutical compositions may be used, in particular, for inhibiting platelet aggregation or for treating, preventing or managing thrombosis, atherothrombosis, an 15 atherothrombotic event, ischaemic stroke, myocardial infarction, non-Q-wave myocardial infarction, atherosclerosis, peripheral arterial disease, or unstable angina. The present invention also relates to methods of treating said disorders. Technical field 20 The manufacturing process for many pharmaceuticals is hindered by the fact that the organic compound, which is the active drug substance, has handling difficulties during the manufacturing process and undesirable properties being imparted to the final drug or dosage form. In addition it can be difficult to control the polymorphic form of the active drug substance throughout the manufacturing process. 25 Previous preparations of clopidogrel (1) are reported in patent applications EP 0 420 706, EP 0 099 802, WO 98/51689, WO 98/51682, WO 98/51681, EP 0 466 569 25 and EP 0281 459. 90 2

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3 N 30 C1 (1) -2 The hydrogen bromide salt of clopidogrel has been reported in EP 0 281 459. However, clopidogrel is currently marketed as the hydrogen sulfate salt and polymorphic forms of this hydrogen sulfate salt have been reported in WO 99/65915. 5 Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed before the priority date of each claim 10 of this application. Summary of the invention The present invention desirably provides clopidogrel in a solid crystalline form that affords the compound improved handling properties and/or improved properties as a 15 pharmaceutical agent and enables control of the polymorphic form during manufacturing. A first aspect of the present invention provides clopidogrel hydrogen bromide in polymorph form 2 (anhydrate). Preferably the clopidogrel hydrogen bromide in 20 polymorph form 2 has a DSC trace substantially as shown in Figure One, an XRPD spectrum substantially as shown in Figure Two, and/or TGA data substantially as shown in Figure Three. Preferably the clopidogrel hydrogen bromide in polymorph form 2 is in particulate 25 form. Preferably the clopidogrel hydrogen bromide in polymorph form 2 is substantially pure. In the context of the present application, the term "substantially pure" clopidogrel hydrogen bromide in polymorph form 2 means that the clopidogrel hydrogen bromide 30 in polymorph form 2 comprises less than 20% of other crystalline or amorphous forms of clopidogrel hydrogen bromide, preferably less than 15%, more preferably less than 10%, more preferably less than 5%, more preferably less than 2%, more preferably less than I %, and even more preferably less than 0.5%. The term "substantially pure" also means that the clopidogrel hydrogen bromide in polymorph form 2 comprises less than -3 means that the clopidogrel hydrogen bromide in polymorph form 2 comprises less than 3% of other impurities, preferably less than 2%, more preferably less than I %, and even more preferably less than 0.5%. 5 Preferably the clopidogrel hydrogen bromide in polymorph form 2 is for use as a medicament. Preferably the medicament is for inhibiting platelet aggregation or for treating, preventing or managing thrombosis, atherothrombosis, an atherothrombotic event, ischaemic stroke, myocardial infarction, non-Q-wave myocardial infarction, atherosclerosis, peripheral arterial disease, or unstable angina. 10 A second aspect of the invention provides a process for the preparation of the clopidogrel hydrogen bromide of the first aspect of the invention. The compounds of the invention are preferably prep arable or prepared by a process 15 comprising crystallisation from a solution in an organic solvent or solvents. Said process, in an embodiment, also comprises the step of drying the precipitate to provide a crystalline form in accordance with the first aspect of the invention. The compound can be dried under conventional vacuum drying conditions, for example, under a vacuum of down to 50, 40, 35, 30, 25 or 20 mmHg, preferably 30 mmHg, and at a 20 temperature of up to 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55 or preferably 45*C. Preferably the organic solvent is polar, miscible with water, dipolar, and/or aprotic. Optionally the organic solvent comprises a plurality or mixture of solvent compounds. The organic solvent may be 2-propanol, diisopropyl ether, t-butylmethyl ether, dichloromethane, methanol, and/or ethanol. 25 Clopidogrel hydrogen bromide in polymorph form 2 is preferably prepared by recrystallisation from, a mixture of 2-propanol and diisopropyl ether, preferably in a 2 propanol: diisopropyl ether ratio of from 1:10 to 40:60, preferably from 10:90 to 30:70. Preferably the recrystallisation is carried out at 20-35'C for 1-6 hours; more preferably 30 the recrystallisation is carried out at 25-30'C for 1.5-3 hours. Alternatively, clopidogrel hydrogen bromide in polymorph form 2 may be prepared by recrystallisation from t-butylmethyl ether. Preferably the recrystallisation is carried out at 20-35*C for 0.5-4 hours; more preferably the recrystallisation is carried out at 27 35 32*C for 0.5-2 hours.

-4 The compound in accordance with the first aspect of the invention can be used to advantage in the preparation of pharmaceutical dosage or drug forms. Accordingly, in further aspects, the present invention provides a method of preparing a pharmaceutical dosage form that utilises the compound in accordance with the first aspect of the 5 invention. The present invention also provides a solid pharmaceutical composition prepared or preparable by such a method. The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention may be for immediate, sustained or delayed release. The composition preferably 10 comprises a compound in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, in addition to one or more conventional pharmaceutically acceptable carrier(s), excipient(s) or diluent(s). Preferred pharmaceutical compositions in accordance with the invention include tablets, capsules and the like. 15 The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention can be administered by oral, transdermal, airway (aerosol), rectal, vaginal or topical (including buccal, mucosal and sublingual) administration. Preferably the composition is for oral administration. For oral administration, the pharmaceutical composition of the invention will generally 20 be provided in the form of tablets, capsules, hard or soft gelatine capsules, caplets, troches or lozenges, as a powder or granules, or as an aqueous suspension or dispersion. Suspensions and dispersions may be prepared from powder or granules of clopidogrel hydrogen bromide in polymorph form 2. Preferably the composition is in the form of tablets or capsules. 25 Tablets for oral use may include clopidogrel hydrogen bromide in polymorph form 2 mixed with pharmaceutically acceptable excipients such as inert diluents, disintegrating agents, binding agents, lubricating agents, sweetening agents, flavouring agents, colouring agents and preservatives. Suitable excipients are mannitol, macrogol, 30 microcrystalline cellulose, hydrogenated castor oil, and low substituted hydroxypropylcellulose. Tablets can be prepared by conventional techniques, including direct compression, wet granulation and dry granulation. If desired, the tablets may be coated with materials such as hypromellose, lactose, triacetin, and/or carnauba wax.

-5 Capsules for oral use include hard gelatine capsules in which clopidogrel hydrogen bromide in polymorph form 2 is mixed with a solid diluent, and soft gelatine capsules wherein clopidogrel hydrogen bromide in polymorph form 2 is mixed with water or an oil such as peanut oil, liquid paraffin or olive oil. 5 Formulations for rectal administration may be presented as a suppository with a suitable base comprising, for example, cocoa butter or a salicylate. Formulations suitable for vaginal administration may be presented as pessaries, 10 tampons, creams, gels, pastes, foams or spray formulations containing in addition to the active ingredient such carriers as are known in the art to be appropriate. For topical and transdermal administration, the compounds of the invention will generally be provided in the form of ointments, cataplasms (poultices), pastes, powders, 15 dressings, creams, plasters or patches. Suitable suspensions can be used in inhalers for airway (aerosol) administration. Such suspensions may be prepared from powder or granules of clopidogrel hydrogen bromide in polymorph form 2. 20 Preferably the pharmaceutical composition is in unit dosage form comprising clopidogrel hydrogen bromide in polymorph form 2 in an amount of from lmg to 300mg with respect to the free base, preferably in an amount of from 5mg to 200mg, more preferably in an amount of from 10mg to 125mg, and more preferably in an 25 amount of from 50mg to 100mg. The clopidogrel hydrogen bromide of the present invention is effective over a wide dosage range, the actual dose administered being dependent on the condition being treated. For example, in the treatment of adult humans, dosages from lmg to 300mg, 30 preferably from 10mg to 125mg, more preferably from 50mg to 100mg with respect to the free base per day may be used. The desired dose is normally presented once a day, but may be dosed as two, three, four or more sub-doses administered at appropriate intervals throughout the day.

-6 Preferably the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention is for inhibiting platelet aggregation or for treating, preventing or managing thrombosis, atherothrombosis, an atherothrombotic event, ischaemic stroke, myocardial infarction, non-Q-wave myocardial infarction, atherosclerosis, peripheral arterial disease, or 5 unstable angina. In further aspects, the present invention provides a method of inhibiting platelet aggregation, comprising administering an effective amount of clopidogrel hydrogen bromide in polymorph form 2 to a patient in need thereof. The present invention also 10 provides a method of treating, preventing or managing a condition selected from thrombosis, atherothrombosis, an atherothrombotic event, ischaemic stroke, myocardial infarction, non-Q-wave myocardial infarction, atherosclerosis, peripheral arterial disease, and unstable angina, comprising administering an effective amount of clopidogrel hydrogen bromide in polymorph form 2 to a patient in need thereof. /5 Preferably the patient is a human. Preferably the amount of clopidogrel hydrogen bromide administered is from 10mg to 125mg, preferably from 50mg to 100mg with respect to the free base per day. 20 In a further aspect of the invention, there is provided the use of a compound in accordance with the first aspect of the invention for the manufacture of a medicament for the inhibition of platelet aggregation and consequently the treatment, prevention and/or management of such diseases as thrombosis, atherothrombosis, an atherothrombotic event, ischaemic stroke, myocardial infarction, non-Q-wave 25 myocardial infarction, atherosclerosis, peripheral arterial disease or unstable angina. The compounds in accordance with the first aspect of the invention may also be useful as precursors to other novel or known polymorphic forms of clopidogrel that may be useful in the preparation of pharmaceutical products. Alternatively, the compounds in 30 accordance with the first aspect of the invention may be used to prep ate other desired polymorphic forms of clopidogrel hydrogen sulfate in a more controllable manner. The present invention therefore provides a process for preparing a polymorphic form of clopidogrel hydrogen sulfate, comprising the step of using clopidogrel hydrogen bromide in polymorph form 2. 35 -7 Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps. 5 The present invention is illustrated, but no way limited, by the following examples and figures. Brief description of the figures /0 Figure One is a DSC trace of polymorph form 2 clopidogrel hydrogen bromide. Figure Two is an XRPD spectrum of polymorph form 2 clopidogrel hydrogen bromide. Figure Three shows TGA data for polymorph form 2 clopidogrel hydrogen bromide. Detailed description of the invention/Examples 15 (+ )-2-(2-Chlorophenyl)-( 6,7-dihydro-4 H -thieno[3,2-clpyrid-5-yl)acetonitrile To a mixture of methanol (2.501) and water (250ml) was charged 4,5,6,7-tettahydro thieno[3,2-c]pyridine hydrochloride (500g; 2.85mol) with stirring. After stirring for 10 20 minutes, sodium cyanide (153.0g; 3.12mol) was added and stirred further for 40 minutes. 2-Chlorobenzaldehyde (392.lg; 2.79mol) was added slowly to this reaction mixture between 23-28*C over a period of 1.5 hours. After the addition was over, the flask was heated in an oil bath between 40-50*C and maintained at this temperature for 4.5 hours. After cooling the reaction mixture to 25-30'C, 5% sodium metabisulfite 25 solution (250ml) was added and stirred for 1 hour at this temperature range. To the resulting slurry, water (7.51) was added and stirred for 1 hour at 25-30*C. The off white solid thus formed was filtered, washed with a 1:1 mixture of methanol: water (2.51) and the wet cake was dried at 75*C under vacuum (pressure: -0.8kg/ cm2) for 10 hours to obtain the product as an off-white solid. Yield: 719.0g (87.4%). mp: 124 30 126.5'C. The product was identified by IR spectrum, 'H and 1 3 C NMR investigation. (+ )-2-(2-Chlorophenyl)-(6,7-dihydro-4 H -thieno[3.2-cpyrid-5-yl)acetamide (±)-2-(2-Chlorophenyl)-(6,7-dihydro-4H-thieno[3,2-c]pyrid-5-yl)acetonitrile (713g; 35 2.46mol) was added to methanol (3.5051) at 23-28*C with stirring. To this slurry, -8 potassium carbonate (170g; 1.23mol) was added followed by dimethyl sulfoxide (263ml; 3.7mol). The contents were heated between 30-40*C and 30.0% aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution (382ml; 3.70mol) was added between 40-50*C slowly over a period of 3 hours. After the addition Was over, the reaction mixture was maintained 5 at this temperature for a further 2 hours, after which the reaction was brought to 20 30'C. 35% Hydrochloric acid (213.0ml) in water (10.71) was added slowly to the reaction mixture over a period of 1 hour 15 minutes. After stirring for 1 hour, the solid formed was filtered and washed with a 1:1 methanol: water mixture (3.5651). The isolated solid was dried in a vacuum oven at 75-80*C for a period of 12 hours. Yield: 10 716g (94.72%). mp: 124-126*C. The product was identified by IR spectrum, 'H and ' 3 C NMR investigation. (+)-(IS)-Camphor-10-sulfonic acid salt of (S)-2-(2-Chlorophenyl)-(6,7-dihydro-4H-5 thieno[3,2-clpyrid-5-yl)acetamide /5 (a) To a stirred slurry of (+)-2-(2-chorophenyl)-6,7-dihydro-4H-thieno[3,2-c]pyrid-5 yl)acetamide (710g; 2.315mol) in acetone (3.561) and methanol (0.355 1) maintained at 23-28*C was added a solution of (+)-(lS)-camphor-10-sulforuc acid (270g; 1.16mol) dissolved in acetone (1.441) over a period of 1 hour. After stirring for another hour, 20 formic acid (98-100%; 53.8g; 1.16mol) was added all at once and stirred for 1 hour, after which the reaction mixture was cooled to 0-1 0*C and kept at this temperature for another 1 hour 30 minutes. The solid thus formed was filtered and washed with acetone (1.441) and dried in a vacuum oven between 60-65*C for a period of 6 hours. Yield: 470.Og (38% by theory, based on the enantiomer content). mp:194-208*C. [a]D 2 5 : +41.5 25 (c=l.Og/100ml; methanol). (b) Isolation of (±)-2-(2-Chlorophenyl)-(6,7-dihydro-4H-thieno[3,2-c]pyrid-5 yl)acetamide from the mother liquor obtained in step (a) To the mother liquor obtained in step (a), 20% aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide 30 (710ml) was added at 26-27 0 C with stirring. The reaction mixture was heated to 45 50*C and maintained at that temperature for 5 hours. The reaction mixture was concentrated to 1/10 of its volume under vacuum. The resulting slurry was cooled to 30*C and methanol (710ml) was added followed by water (4.91) slowly to the reaction mixture over a period of 30 minutes. The pH of the reaction mass was adjusted to 7-7.5 35 by the addition of 15% hydrochloric acid solution (1.21). After stirring for an hour, the -9 solid formed was filtered and washed with water (3.51). The isolated solid was dried in a vacuum oven (pressure: -0.8kg/cm2) between 75-80'C for a period of 14 hours. Yield: 393g. mp: 128-134*C. 5 (c) (±)-2-(2-Chlorophenyl)-(6,7-dihydro-4H-thieno[3,2-c]pyrid-5-yl)acetamide obtained in step (b) was converted to (+)-(1S)-camphor-10-sulfonic acid salt of (S)-2 (2-chlorophenyl)-(6,7-dihydro-4H-thieno[3,2-c]pyrid-5-yl)acetamide by following the procedure mentioned in step (a). Yield: 240.Og (36% by theory, based on the enantiomer content). mp: 202-210*C. [a]D 2 5 : +47.5 (c=1.Og/100ml; methanol). /0 (d) The (+)-(1S)-camphor-10-sulfonic acid salt of (S)-2-(2-chlorophenyl)-(6,7-dihydro 4H-thieno[3,2-c]pyrid-5-yl)acetamide (700g; l.298mol) obtained was charged into methanol (1.751) with stirring at 23-28'C. The contents were heated to 60*C and the temperature was maintained at this temperature for 2 hours. To this clear solution, 15 acetone (7.01) was added and the temperature was maintained at this temperature for I hour. The reaction mixture was cooled between 0-5*C and stirred for another 1 hour and 30 minutes. The solid thus precipitated was filtered, washed with acetone (1.41) and dried between 60-65*C under vacuum (-0.8kg/cm2) for 7 hours. Yield: 545.Og (77.85% by theory). mp:210-218*C. [a]D 25 : +51.69 (c=l.Og/100ml; methanol). 20 (+)-(S)-2-(2-Chlorophenyl)-6,7,dihydro-4H-thieno[3,2-clpyrid-5-yl-acetamide The crystallized (+)-(1 S)-camphor-10-sulfonic acid salt of (S)-2-(2-chlorophenyl) (6,7-dihydro-4H-thieno[3,2-c]pyrid-5-yl)acetamide (521.0g; 0.966mol) was charged 25 into methanol (2.6051) with stirring at 23-28*C followed by water (1.0421). To this clear solution, activated carbon (10.42g) was added and the contents were stirred for 1.5 hours at this temperature. The activated carbon was filtered off by passing the contents of the flask through a bed of celite on a Buchner funnel and the residue in the funnel was washed with a water: methanol mixture (3:7; 0.5211). To the combined 30 filtrate, 2% (w/v) aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution (4.1681) was added over a period of 30 minutes and stirred for 1 hour and 30 minutes. The solid precipitated was filtered, washed with methanol: water (2.0841; 1:1 v/v) and dried under vacuum ( 0.8kg/cm2) for a period of 8 hours between 70-75*C. Yield: 284.Og (95.8% by theory). mp: 154-156*C. [a]D 25 : +39.5 (c=1.Og/100ml; methanol). The product was identified by 35 IR spectrum, 1H and 1 3 C NMR investigation.

-10 (+)-(S)-Methyl-2-(2-chlorophenyl)-(6,7-dihydro-4H thieno[3,2-clpyrid-5-yl)acetate (clopidogrel) Concentrated sulfuric acid (-98%; 496ml; 9.30mol) was charged into methanol 5 (1.751), with stirring between 25-38*C followed by dimethyl sulfate (250ml; 2.636mol). The contents were heated to reflux for 3 hours, after which the reaction mixture was cooled to 40-50*C and (+)-(S)-2-(2-chlorophenyl)-(6,7-dihydro-4H thieno[3,2-c]pyrid-5yl)acetamide (500g; 1.55mol) was charged. The reaction mixture was heated to 65*C and maintained between 65-66'C for a period of 60 hours. The 10 reaction mixture was, cooled to 25-3OoC and poured into water (10.01) with stirring. Dichloromethane (5.01) was added, stirred for 1 hour, after which the organic layer was separated. To the aqueous layer dichloromethane (2.51) was added and stirred for I hour and the separated organic layer was combined with the earlier separated layer and washed with water (2.51). 5% (w/w) aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution (2.51) was 15 added to this organic layer and stirred for a period of an hour and the separated organic layer was washed with 0.25% sulfuric acid (2.51) followed by water (2.51) and treated with activated carbon (40.0g) for a period of 3 hours, with stirring. The activated carbon was removed by filtration through a celite bed and the celite bed was washed with dichloromethane (1.01). This washing was coupled with the filtrate and the 20 solvent removed under vacuum to yield (+)-(S)-2-(2-chlorophenyl)(6,7-dihydro-4H thieno[3,2-c]pyrid-5-yl)acetic acid methyl ester as a pale yellow oil. Yield: 380g (73.0% by theory). The product was identified by IR spectrum, 'H and "C NMR investigation. 25 (+)-(S)-Methyl-2-(2-chlorophenyl)-(6,7-dihydro-4H-thieno[3,2-clpyrid-5-ylacetate (clopidogrel) hydrogen bromide polymorph form 2 Method 1: (+)-(S)-Methyl-2-(2-chlorophenyl)-(6,7-dihydro-4H-thieno[3,2-c]pyrid-5yl)acetate hydrogen bromide (220g) was charged into 2-propanol (242ml) with stirring 30 at 25-26 0 C. The contents were heated to 50'C. To this clear solution, activated carbon (4.4g) was added and the reaction temperature was maintained between 34-40*C for 1 hour. The contents were cooled to 26-28*C. The activated carbon was filtered off by passing the contents of the flask through a bed of celite on a Buchner flask and the residue in the funnel was washed with 2-propanol (440ml). To the combined filtrate, 35 diisopropyl ether (2.21) was added and stirred for 2 hours at 26-27 0 C. The solid - I1 precipitated was filtered, washed twice with diisopropyl ether (440ml each time) and dried in a vacuum oven between 45-50'C for 5 hours. Yield: 147g (66%). Method 2: To a stirred solution of (+)-(S)-methyl-2-(2-chlorophenyl)-(6,7-dihydro-4H 5 thieno[3,2-c]pyrid-5-yl)acetic acid (22g; 0.068mol) in t-butylmethyl ether (1 10ml) was added hydrogen bromide in acetic acid solution (-33%; 12.69ml; 0.072mol of HBr) with stirring between 20-26*C over a period of 20 minutes. To the reaction mixture, 2 propanol (1 Oml) was added and the reaction mixture was heated to 40C. The contents were cooled to 30*C and stirred for 45 minutes between 28-30*C. The precipitated /0 solid was filtered, washed with t-butylmethyl ether: 2-propanol (1:1; 44ml) followed by t-butylmethyl ether (22ml each time) and dried in a vacuum oven (-0.8kg/cm2) between 45-50'C for 6 hours. Yield: 16g (58%). Method 3: To a stirred solution of (+)-(S)-methyl-2-(2-chlorophenyl)-(6,7-dihydro-4H is thieno[3,2-c]pyrid-5-yl)acetic acid (10g; 0.031mol) in dichloromethane (40ml) was added -47% aqueous hydrobromic acid solution (3.56ml; 0.031mol of HBr) with stirring between 20-21*C over a period of 10 minutes. The contents were stirred for 3 hours between 26-27 0 C. The reaction mixture was dried over sodium sulfate and solvent was removed under vacuum and to the residue 2-propanol (40ml) and 20 diisopropyl ether (40ml) were added. After stirring for 30 minutes the solid was filtered, washed twice with diisopropyl ether (20ml each time) and dried in a vacuum Oven between 45-50'C for 4 hours. Yield: 109 (80%). Each method gave clopidogrel hydrogen bromide in polymorph form 2 as determined 25 by DSC, XRPD and TGA (see Figures One, Two and Three).

Claims

1. Clopidogrel hydrogen bromide in polymorph form 2. 5

2. Clopidogrel hydrogen bromide as claimed in claim 1, having a DSC trace substantially as shown in Figure One, an XRPD spectrum substantially as shown in Figure Two, and/or TGA data substantially as shown in Figure Three.

3. Clopidogrel hydrogen bromide as claimed claim I or 2, wherein the clopidogrel 10 hydrogen bromide is in particulate form.

4. Clopidogrel hydrogen bromide as claimed in anyone of claims I to 3, wherein the clopidogrel hydrogen bromide is substantially pure. 15

5. Clopidogrel hydrogen bromide as claimed in anyone of claims I to 4, for use as a medicament.

6. Clopidogrel hydrogen bromide as claimed in anyone of claims I to 5, for inhibiting platelet aggregation. 20

7. Clopidogrel hydrogen bromide as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 6, for treating, preventing or managing thrombosis, atherothrombosis, an atherothrombotic event, ischaemic stroke, myocardial infarction, non-Q-wave myocardial infarction, atherosclerosis, peripheral arterial disease, or unstable angina. 25

8. A process for preparing clopidogrel hydrogen bromide as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 7, comprising the step of precipitating clopidogrel hydrogen bromide from a solution of clopidogrel hydrogen bromide in an organic solvent. 30

9. A process as claimed in claim 8, further comprising the step of drying the precipitate.

10. A process as claimed in claim 9, wherein the drying step comprises vacuum drying. 35 - 13

11. A process as claimed in claim 10, wherein the drying step comprises vacuum drying at a vacuum of down to 50, 40, 35, 30, 25 or 20 mmHg and at a temperature of up to 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55 or 60*C. 5

12. A process as claimed in anyone of claims 8 to 11, wherein the organic solvent is polar, miscible with water, dipolar, and/or aprotic.

13. A process as claimed in anyone of claims 8 to 12, wherein the organic solvent comprises a plurality or mixture of solvent compounds. 10

14. A process as claimed in anyone of claims 8 to 13, wherein the organic solvent is 2-propanol, diisopropyl ether, t-butylmethyl ether, dichloromethane, methanol, and/ or ethanol.

15 15. A solid pharmaceutical composition, comprising clopidogrel hydrogen bromide as claimed in anyone of claims I to 7.

16. A solid pharmaceutical composition as claimed in claim 15, further comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, excipient or diluent. 20

17. A solid pharmaceutical composition as claimed in claim 15 or 16, wherein the composition is for oral administration.

18. A solid pharmaceutical composition as claimed in anyone of claims 15 to 17, 25 wherein the composition is in the form of a tablet or capsule.

19. A solid pharmaceutical composition as claimed in claim 18, wherein the composition is in the form of a tablet and further comprises mannitol, macrogol, microcrystalline cellulose, hydrogenated castor oil, and! or low substituted 30 hydroxypropylcellulose.

20. A solid pharmaceutical composition as claimed in claim 19, wherein the tablet is coated with hypromellose, lactose, triacetin, and/or carnauba wax. - 14

21. A solid pharmaceutical composition as claimed in anyone of claims 15 to 20, wherein the composition is in unit dosage form comprising clopidogrel hydrogen bromide in an amount of from 10mg to 125mg with respect to the free base. 5

22. A solid pharmaceutical composition as claimed in anyone of claims 15 to 21, for inhibiting platelet aggregation.

23. A solid pharmaceutical composition as claimed in anyone of claims 15 to 22, for treating, preventing or managing thrombosis, atherothrombosis, an atherothrombotic /0 event, ischaemic stroke, myocardial infarction, non-Q-wave myocardial infarction, atherosclerosis, peripheral arterial disease, or unstable angina.

24. A method of inhibiting platelet aggregation, comprising administering an effective amount of clopidogrel hydrogen bromide as claimed in anyone of claims I to 15 7 to a patient in need thereof.

25. A method of treating, preventing or managing a condition selected from thrombosis, atherothrombosis, an atherothrombotic event, ischaemic stroke, myocardial infarction, non-Q-wave myocardial infarction, atherosclerosis, peripheral arterial 20 disease, and unstable angina, comprising administering an effective amount of clopidogrel hydrogen bromide as claimed in anyone of claims I to 7 to a patient in need thereof.

26. A method as claimed in claim 24 or 25, wherein the patient is a human. 25

27. A method as claimed in anyone of claims 24 to 26, wherein the amount of clopidogrel hydrogen bromide administered is from 10mg to 125mg with respect to the free base per day. 30

28. Use of clopidogrel hydrogen bromide as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 7 for the preparation of a medicament for inhibiting platelet aggregation.

29. A use as claimed in claim 28, wherein the medicament is for the treatment, prevention or management of thrombosis, atherothrombosis, an atherothrombotic event, 35 ischaemic stroke, myocardial infarction, non-Q-wave myocardial infarction, atherosclerosis, peripheral arterial disease or unstable angina. - 15

30. A process for preparing a polymorphic form of clopidogrel hydrogen sulfate, comprising the step of using clopidogrel hydrogen bromide as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 4. 5

31. Clopidogrel hydrogen bromide substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the embodiments and/or any one of the examples and/or any one of the figures excluding, if any, comparative examples. /0

32. A process for preparing clopidogrel hydrogen bromide substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the embodiments and/or any one of the examples and/or any one of the figures excluding, if any, comparative examples.

33. A solid pharmaceutical composition substantially as hereinbefore described with 15 reference to any one of the embodiments and/or any one of the examples and/or any one of the figures excluding, if any, comparative examples.

34. A method of inhibiting platelet aggregation substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the embodiments and/or any one of the 20 examples and/or any one of the figures excluding, if any, comparative examples.

35. A method of treating, preventing or managing a condition selected from thrombosis, atherothrombosis, an atherothrombotic event, ischaemic stroke, myocardial infarction, non-Q-wave myocardial infarction, atherosclerosis, peripheral arterial 25 disease, and unstable angina substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the embodiments and/or any one of the examples and/or any one of the figures excluding, if any, comparative examples.

36. Use of clopidogrel hydrogen bromide substantially as hereinbefore described 30 with reference to any one of the embodiments and/or any one of the examples and/or any one of the figures excluding, if any, comparative examples.

37. A process for preparing a polymorphic form of clopidogrel hydrogen sulphate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the embodiments 35 and/or any one of the examples and/or any one of the figures excluding, if any, comparative examples.