AU2014271292B2

AU2014271292B2 - Formulations comprising insect growth regulators and the use thereof

Info

Publication number: AU2014271292B2
Application number: AU2014271292A
Authority: AU
Inventors: John William Dobbie
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Dobbie John
Priority date: 2014-12-04
Filing date: 2014-12-04
Publication date: 2019-12-05
Anticipated expiration: 2034-12-04
Also published as: AU2014271292A1

Abstract

Abstract The present invention broadly relates to formulations corprsing dicyclanil and selected glycol ether solvents, and to the use of such formulations in the control or prevention of parasitic infestations.

Description

Formulations composing insect growth regulators and the use thereof

Field of the invention

The present invention broadly relates to formulations comprising dicyclanil and the use of such formulations in the control or prevention of parasitic infestations.

Background of the Invention

Myiasis is a term used to describe the parasitic infestation of the body of an animal by fly larvae that feed on the animal’s tissue. Often referred to as flystrike or blowfly strike, myiasis is a major problem for the Australian sheep industry. Flystrike can lead to inflammation, general systemic toxaemia and death. It is estimated that about 3 million sheep a year die as a result of flystrike in Australia alone. Many more are affected by non-fatal strikes. Flystrike can be controlled or prevented by applying insect growth regulating insecticides to sheep using methods such as dipping, pour-on or spray-on. Cyromazine and dicyclanil are generally the insecticides of choice for controlling and preventing flystrike. Dicyclanil has a high specificity for dipteran insects, in particular flies, and is capable of providing long-term protection for sheep against Luciiia cuprina.

Dicyclanil is poorly soluble in water and most solvents and has a high tendency to precipitate. This lack of solubility makes formulating dicyclanil particulary difficult. The spray-on product marketed under the trade name CLiK® is formulated as an aqueous suspoemulsion in which dicyclanil is suspended in a microcrystalline form. By adding a suspending agent a highly concentrated formulation containing 5% active ingredient (50 grams dicyclanil per litre) is obtained. When applied at this concentration CLiK® confers up to 24 weeks protection against flystrike.

Published international patent application W02009/118312A1 discloses formulations comprising dicyclanil and polyethylene glycol of various molecular weights. However, when formulating solutions, once the amount of dicyclanil reaches about 5% precipitation occurs thereby limiting the efficacy of the formulations.

In other dicyclanil-containing solutions dicyclanil is solubilised using a combination of solvents, surfactants and/or organic acids. However, formulations including surfactants often suffer from the disadvantage of substantially reduced rainfastness.

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Against this background, the present inventor has developed dicyclanil solution formulations that are stable indefinitely, do not require surfactants or organic acids, and are cheaper to produce than the CLiK® product.

Summary of the Invention

In a first aspect the present invention provides a formulation comprising dicyclanil, or a salt thereof, and one or more solvents selected from the group consisting of: polyethylene glycol diCrC₆ alkyl ether, polyethylene glycol monoCq-Ce alkyl ether, polypropylene glycol diglycidyl ether, polypropylene glycol diC-rC₆ alkyl ether and polypropylene glycol monoC_rC₆ alkyl ether.

The formulation may be a solution.

The formulation may be a stable solution.

The formulation may be aqueous or non-aqueous. In one embodiment, the formulation is non-aqueous.

The formulation may be free, or substantially free, of surfactants.

The formulation may be free, or substantially free, of non-fugitive surfactants.

The formulation may be free, or substantially free, of organic acids.

The formulation may be free, or substantially free, of co-solvents.

The dicyclanil may be present in the formulation in an amount between about 2% and about 30% by weight.

The one or more solvents may be present in the formulation in an amount between about 10% and about 99% by weight.

In a second aspect the present invention provides a formulation comprising dicyclanil, or a salt thereof, wherein the dicyclanil is solubilised in a composition consisting essentially of, or consisting of, one or more solvents selected from the group consisting of: polyethylene glycol diC_rC₆ alkyl ether, polyethylene glycol monoCpCe alkyl ether, polypropylene glycol diglycidyl ether, polypropylene glycol diC_rC₆ alkyl ether and polypropylene glycol monoC^-Cs alkyl ether.

The formulation may be a solution.

The formulation may be a stable solution.

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In a third aspect the present invention provides a formulation consisting of, or consisting essentially of dicyclanil, or a salt thereof, and one or more solvents selected from the group consisting of: polyethylene glycol diCpCe alkyl ether, polyethylene glycol monoCp C₆ alkyl ether, polypropylene glycol diglycidyl ether, polypropylene glycol diCpCs alkyl ether and polypropylene glycol monoC_rC₆ alkyl ether.

The formulation may be a solution.

The formulation may be a stable solution.

The formulation may be aqueous or non-aqueous. In one embodiment the formulation is non-aqueous.

In a fourth aspect the present invention provides a method for controlling or preventing a parasitic infestation of an animal, the method comprising topically administering to the animal an effective amount of the formulation of the first, second or third aspects.

In a fifth aspect the present invention provides use of dicyclanil which is solubilised in a composition comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of, one or more solvents selected from the group consisting of: polyethylene glycol diCpCe alkyl ether, polyethylene glycol monoCrC₆ alkyl ether, polypropylene glycol diglycidyl ether, polypropylene glycol diC_rC₆ alkyl ether and polypropylene glycol monoC-pCe alkyl ether, in the manufacture of a formulation for controlling or preventing a parasitic infestation of an animal.

The formulation may be a solution.

The formulation may be a stable solution.

The animal may be a mammal, for example a human, cat, dog, cow, sheep, goat, deer, llama, pig or yak. In one embodiment the mammal is a sheep.

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In another embodiment the animal is a bird.

The parasitic infestation may be an insect or acarid infestation.

The parasitic infestation may be myiasis.

Definitions

The following are some definitions that may be helpful in understanding the description of the present invention. These are intended as general definitions and should in no way limit the scope of the present invention to those terms alone, but are put forth for a better understanding of the following description.

Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, 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. Thus, in the context of this specification, the term comprising means including principally, but not necessarily solely.

In the context of this specification the term about is understood to refer to a range of numbers that a person of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited value in the context of achieving the same function or result.

In the context of this specification the term consisting essentially of is intended to exclude components that would materially affect the properties of the composition or formulation to which it refers.

In the context of this specification the terms a and an are used herein to refer to one or to more than one (i.ei to at least one) of the grammatical object of the article. By way of example, an element means one element or more than one element.

In the context of this specification, the term C-i-Cs alkyl is taken to mean straight chain or branched chain monovalent saturated hydrocarbon groups having between 1 and 6 carbon atoms. Examples of C-|-C_s alkyl groups include, but are not limited to, methyl, ethyl, 1-propyl, isopropyl, 1-butyl, 2-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, amyl, 1,2-dimethylpropyl, 1,1-dimethylpropyl, pentyl, isopentyl and hexyl.

In the context of this specification, the term C1-C3 alkyl is taken to mean straight chain or branched chain monovalent saturated hydrocarbon groups having between 1 and 3 carbon atoms. Examples of C-rC₃ alkyl groups include, but are not limited to, methyl, ethyl and isopropyl.

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In the context of this specification, the term substantially free is intended to mean less than about 0.05% by weight, or less than about 0.01% by weight, or less than about 0.005% by weight, or less than about 0.001% by weight, of the recited component.

In the context of this specification the term stable as it relates to formulations comprising dicyclanil is understood to mean that dicyclanil does not irreversibly precipitate out of solution. Stable may mean that dicyclanil does not irreversibly precipitate out of solution for at least 12 months, at least 14 months, at least 18 months, at least 20 months, at least 24 months, at least 28 months, at least 30 months, at least 36 months, at least 40 months, or at least 48 months. Stable may mean that dicyclanil does not irreversibly precipitate out of solution for at least 12 months, at least 14 months, at least 18 months, at least 20 months, at least 24 months, at least 28 months, at least 30 months, at least 36 months, at least 40 months, or at least 48 months, when stored at a temperature between about 5 °C and about 30 °C.

in the context of this specification, the term organic acids refers to organic compounds with acidic properties, for example carboxylic acids.

In the context of this specification, the term effective amount includes a non-toxic but sufficient amount of a formulation to provide the stated effect. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the exact amount of the formulation required will vary based on a number of factors including the amount of dicyclanil present in the formulation, the age, body weight and general health of the animal, and the nature and severity of the parasitic infestation. It is therefore not possible to specify an exact effective amount. However, for any given case an appropriate effective amount may be determined by one of ordinary skill in the art using only routine trial and experimentation.

In the context of this specification, the terms control, controlling, preventing and prevention refer to any and all uses which remedy the parasitic infestation, or symptoms thereof, prevent the establishment or onset of the parasitic infestation, or otherwise prevent, hinder, arrest, retard or reverse the progression of the parasitic infestation, or other undesirable symptoms in any way whatsoever. Accordingly, the terms control, controlling, preventing and prevention and the like are to be considered in their broadest possible context. For example, control or controlling does not necessarily imply that the animal is treated until total and complete recovery.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The present invention is predicated on the surprising finding by the inventor that dicyclanil can be solubilised in selected glycol ether solvents without the need for surfactants or organic acids. The formulations of the present invention are true solutions

2014271292 04 Dec 2014 and have been found to be stable on storage at 5 °C and 30 °C for a period of at least 12 months. Because the formulations do not require surfactants they offer improved rainfastness properties as compared to dicyclanil formulations that include surfactants. The formulations are also cheap and simple to produce making them a highly costeffective option for treating and controlling parasitic infestations.

Solubilisation of dicyclanil is achieved by use of one or more solvents selected from the group consisting of: polyethylene glycol diCj-Ce alkyl ether, polyethylene glycol monoC_rC₆ alkyl ether, polypropylene glycol diglycidyl ether, polypropylene glycol diCpC₆ alkyl ether and polypropylene glycol monoCrC₆ alkyl ether.

in alternative embodiments the solvent may be selected from the group consisting of: polyethylene glycol diC-rC₃ alkyl ether, polyethylene glycol monoCi-C₃ alkyl ether, polypropylene glycol diglycidyl ether, polypropylene glycol diC_rC₃ alkyl ether and polypropylene glycol monoCpCs alkyl ether. In further embodiments the solvent may be selected from the group consisting of: polyethylene glycol dimethyl ether, polyethylene glycol monomethyl ether, polypropylene glycol diglycidyl ether, polypropylene glycol dimethyl ether and polypropylene glycol monomethyl ether. In one embodiment the solvent is polyethylene glycol dimethyl ether.

The solvents may, independently of one another, have a number average molecular weight (M_n) between about 50 g/mol and about 800 g/mol, or between about 100 g/mol and about 800 g/mol, or between about 100 g/mol and about 700 g/mol, or between about 100 g/mol and about 600 g/mol, or between about 100 g/mol and about 500 g/mol, or between about 150 g/mol and about 400 g/mol, or between about 150 g/mol and about 300 g/mol, or between about 200 g/mol and about 800 g/mol, or between about 200 g/mol and about 700 g/mol, or between about 200 g/mol and about 600 g/mol, or between about 200 g/mol and about 500 g/mol, or between about 200 g/mol and about 400 g/mol, or between about 200 g/mol and about 300 g/mol.

In one embodiment the solvent is polyethylene glycol dimethyl ether having a M_nbetween about 50 g/mol and about 800 g/mol, or between about 100 g/mol and about 800 g/mol, or between about 100 g/mol and about 700 g/mol, or between about 100 g/mol and about 600 g/mol, or between about 100 g/mol and about 500 g/mol, or between about 100 g/mol and about 400 g/mol, or between about 100 g/mol and about 300 g/mol, or between about 150 g/mol and about 350 g/mol, or between about 200 g/mol and about 600 g/mol, or between about 200 g/mol and about 500 g/mol, or between about 200 g/mol and about 400 g/mol, or between about 200 g/mol and about

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300 g/mol, or between about 225 g/mol and about 275 g/mol. In a further embodiment the solvent is polyethylene glycol dimethyl ether having a M_nof about 250.

Dicyclanil may be present in free base form. In alternative embodiments dicyclanil is present in the form of a salt. Suitable salts are pharmaceutically and/or veterinarily acceptable salts. Pharmaceutically and veterinarily acceptable salts are salts suitable for use in contact with tissues of humans and animals respectively, without excessive toxicity, irritation, allergic response, immunogenicity or other problems or complications commensurate with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio. Pharmaceutically and veterinarily acceptable salts will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and include, for example, acid addition salts. Acid addition salts may be formed with inorganic acids, such as mineral acids. .

Dicyclanil may occur in at least 8 different polymorphic forms. These are identified as forms A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H. The formulations of the invention may contain one or more of these polymorphic forms. In one embodiment the formulations comprise polymorph D.

in the formulations of the invention dicyclanil may be present in an amount between about 2% and about 30% by weight, or in an amount between about 2% and about 20% by weight, or in an amount between about 3% and about 15% by weight, or in an amount between about 2% and about 10% by weight, or in an amount between about 4% and about 10% by weight, or in an amount between about 5% and about 30% by weight, or in an amount between about 5% and about 20% by weight, or in an amount between about 5% and about 10% by weight, or in an amount between about 4% and about 8% by weight, or in an amount between about 4% and about 6% by weight, or in an amount of about 5% by weight, or in an amount of up to about 5% by weight.

The one or more solvents may be present in the formulations in an amount between about 10% and about 99% by weight, or in an amount between about 15% and about 99% by weight, or in an amount between about 20% and about 99% by weight, or in an amount between about 30% and about 99% by weight, or in an amount between about 40% and about 99% by weight, or in an amount between about 50% and about 99% by weight, or in an amount between about 60% and about 99% by weight, or in an amount between about 70% and about 99% by weight, or in an amount between about 80% and about 99% by weight, or in an amount between about 85% and about 99% by weight, or in an amount between about 90% and about 99% by weight, or in an amount between about 95% and about 99% by weight, or in an amount of about 95% by weight.

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The formulations may further comprise one or more additional components, for example surfactants, organic adds, preservatives, colouring agents, stabilisers, diluents, cosolvents, anti-foaming agents and additional actives.

As noted above, the formulations do not require surfactants in order to effectively solubilise dicyclanil. The presence of surfactants may adversely affect the rainfastness of the formulations, and as such the formulations are preferably free or substantially free of surfactants. Fugitive surfactants may not be deleterious to rainfastness. Those skilled in the art will be aware that fugitive surfactants are surfactants that degrade, breakdown, evaporate or are otherwise lost from the formulation such that the surfactant effect is no longer present after a period of time. Accordingly, in some embodiments the formulations may be free or substantially free of non-fugitive surfactants.

Notwithstanding the above, there may be applications where it is desirable to include surfactants in the formulations. Surfactants are well known to those skilled in the art. Non-limiting examples of anionic surfactants include sulfate esters, sulfonate esters, phosphate esters and alkyl carboxylates. Non-limiting examples of cationic surfactants include quaternary ammonium compounds, such as cetyl trimethylammonium bromide, cetylpyridinium chloride, benzethonium chloride and dioctadecyldimethylammonium bromide. Non-limiting examples of amphoteric surfactants include betaines, imino acetates and imino propionates. Non-limiting examples of non-ionic surfactants include fatty alcohols, glucosides, sorbitan alkyl esters, block copolymers of polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol, ethoxylated amines and ethoxylated alcohols. Non-limiting examples of fugitive surfactants include acetylene derivatives and ether carboxylates.

The formulations do not require organic acids in order to effectively solubilise dicyclanil. Accordingly, the formulations are preferably free or substantially free of organic acids. Notwithstanding this, there may be applications where it is desirable to include organic acids in the formulations. Suitable organic acids, include, but are not limited to, citric acid, lactic acid, acetic acid, oxalic acid glutaric acid and the like. The one or more organic acids may be present in the formulations in an amount between about 0.5% and about 10% by weight, or in an amount between about 0.5% and about 5% by weight.

Preservatives may be used to extend the shelf life of the formulations. Suitable preservatives will be well known to those skilled in the art and include, for example, antioxidants, free-radical scavengers and antimicrobial compounds.

The formulations may also comprise colouring agents so as to enable treated animals to be easily identified. The nature and type of the colouring agents is unimportant and a wide variety of suitable dyes and pigments will be well known to those skilled in the art.

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In addition to dicyclanil the formulations may comprise one or more further active compounds, for example additional insect growth regulators such as cyromazine, diflubenzuron, triflumuron, methoprene, hydroprene, pyriproxyfen, azadirachtin and the like.

The formulations may be used neat or diluted with water prior to use. Preferably, the formulations are used neat. The level of dilution will vary depending on the initial amount of dicyclanil present and the final amount required for application. Surprisingly, aqueous solutions have also been found to be stable on storage at 5 °C and 30 °C for at least 12 months. It is therefore possible to store diluted solutions prepared in accordance with the invention for extended periods for later use.

In one embodiment the formulation is a solution comprising, or consisting essentially of, between about 3% and about 6% by weight of dicyclanil, and between about 94% and about 97% by weight of polyethylene glycol dimethyl ether having a M_n between about 150 g/mol and about 350 g/mol. The solution may be a non-aqueous, stable solution.

In another embodiment the formulation is a solution comprising, or consisting essentially of, between about 3% and about 6% by weight of dicyclanil, and between about 94% and about 97% by weight of polyethylene glycol dimethyl ether having a M_n of about 250 g/mol. The solution may be a non-aqueous, stable solution.

In a further embodiment the formulation is a solution comprising, or consisting essentially of, between about 3% and about 6% by weight of dicyclanil, between about 94% and about 97% by weight of polyethylene glycol dimethyl ether having a M_n of about 250 g/mol, and a preservative. The solution may be a non-aqueous, stable solution.

In a further embodiment the formulation is a solution comprising, or consisting essentially of, about 5% by weight of dicyclanil and about 95% by weight of polyethylene glycol dimethyl ether having a M_n of about 250 g/mol. The solution may be a nonaqueous, stable solution.

In still a further embodiment the formulation is a solution comprising, or consisting essentially of, about 5% by weight of dicyclanil, about 95% by weight of polyethylene glycol dimethyl ether having a M_n of about 250 g/mol and a preservative. The solution may be a non-aqueous, stable solution.

in yet another embodiment the formulation is a solution comprising, or consisting essentially of, dicyclanil and polyethylene glycol dimethyl ether having a M_n between about 100 g/mol and about 400 g/mol. The solution may be a non-aqueous, stable ίο

2014271292 04 Dec 2014 solution. The solution may be free, or substantially free, of surfactants and/or cosolvents and/or organic acids. The solution may further comprise a preservative and/or a colouring agent.

In still a further embodiment the formulation is a solution comprising, or consisting essentially of, dicyclanil and polyethylene glycol dimethyl ether having a M_n between about 200 g/mol and about 300 g/mol. The solution may be a non-aqueous, stable solution. The solution may be free, or substantially free, of surfactants and/or cosolvents and/or organic acids. The solution may further comprise a preservative and/or a colouring agent.

In yet another embodiment the formulation is a solution comprising, or consisting essentially of, dicyclanil and polyethylene glycol dimethyl ether having a M_n of about 250. The solution may be a non-aqueous, stable solution. The solution may be free, or substantially free, of surfactants and/or co-solvents and/or organic acids. The solution may further comprise a preservative and/or a colouring agent.

in the three embodiments immediately above the dicyclanil may be present in the formulation in an amount of about 5% by weight.

The formulations of the invention find use in the control and prevention of parasitic infestations of animals. The animal may be a mammal, for example a human, cat, dog, cow, sheep, rabbit, goat, deer, llama, pig or yak. In other embodiments the animal is a bird, for example a chicken, turkey, duck, goose, quail, parrot, hawk, crow, ostrich, emu or cassowary.

Typically, the parasitic infestation is an insect or acarid infestation. In one embodiment, the parasitic infestation is myiasis. In some embodiments the parasitic infestation is caused by an insect from the family Calliphoridae. In other embodiments the parasitic infestation is caused by an insect from the genus Lucilia, for example Lucilia sericata or Lucilia cuprina. The formulations may be topically administered by methods well known amongst those skilled in the art, for example dipping, pouring-on, spraying-on, spottingon or by use of a spray race or a hand-jet.

Formulations in accordance with the invention have been found to provide highly effective protection against flystrike in sheep for about 20 to 26 weeks. Lambs with extensive scouring are very often the victims of flystrike and die as a result. Surprisingly, when such lambs were treated with the formulations of the invention not a single death occurred.

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Formulations of the invention may be prepared by methods familiar to those skilled in the art, for example by adding dicyclanil and, if desired, one or more additional components, to the selected solvent or mixture of solvents and stirring until a homogenous solution is obtained. Diluted solutions may be prepared by adding water until the desired dicyclanil content is achieved.

Examples

The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of illustration only, with respect to the following examples. The examples are intended to serve to illustrate this invention and should not be construed as limiting the generality of the disclosure of the description throughout this specification.

Example 1 - Formulations

Solution 1 - A formulation comprising 5% dicyclanil was prepared as follows.

grams of dicyclanil was added to 95 grams of polyethylene glycol dimethyl ether (M_n250). The resulting mixture was stirred until a homogenous solution was obtained.

Soultion 2 - A formulation comprising 3% dicyclanil was prepared as follows.

grams of dicyclanil was added to 97 grams of polyethylene glycol dimethyl ether (M_n250). The resulting mixture was stirred until a homogenous solution was obtained.

Solution 3 - A formulation comprising 1.25% dicyclanil was prepared as follows.

grams of water was added to 10 grams of Solution 1 and stirred until a homogenous mixture is obtained.

Solution 4 - A formulation comprising 2.5% dicyclanil was prepared as follows.

grams of water was added to 10 grams of Solution 1 and stirred until a homogenous mixture was obtained.

Solution 5 - A formulation comprising 5% dicyclanil is prepared as follows.

grams of dicyclanil is added to 95 grams of polyethylene glycol monomethyl ether (M_n250). The resulting mixture is stirred until a homogenous solution was obtained.

Solution 6 - A formulation comprising 5% dicyclanil is prepared as follows.

grams of dicyclanil is added to 95 grams of polypropylene glycol monomethyl ether (M_n 250). The resulting mixture is stirred until a homogenous solution was obtained.

Solution 7 - A formulation comprising 5% dicyclanil is prepared as follows.

grams of dicyclanil is added to 95 grams of polypropylene glycol diglycidyl ether (M_n250). The resulting mixture is stirred until a homogenous solution was obtained.

Solution 8 - A formulation comprising 5% dicyclanil is prepared as follows.

2014271292 04 Dec 2014 grams of dicyclanil is added to 95 grams of polypropylene glycol dimethyl ether (M_n250). The resulting mixture is stirred until a homogenous solution was obtained.

Example 2 - Stability studies

Duplicate samples of solutions 1 to 4 above were allowed to stand at 5 °C and 30 °C for a period of 12 months. No precipitation of dicyclanil was observed in any of the solutions.

Example 3 - Field trials - Prevention of flystrike in sheep

Field trials were carried out with solution 1.

In each trial 20 to 25 mL of the formulation was applied in two swipes to each sheep (including mulesced Merino lambs), the first from the head down the backline and the second from the anus so that it met up with the first swipe. For humane reasons no untreated controls were used. In all trials over a period of 5 to 6 months only 2 or 3 sheep from the treated lots of typically 4,000 to 5,000 were struck. On investigation it was apparent that the struck sheep displayed other reasons for being struck. One such reason was the presence of wounds in rams that had fought with other rams. No difference in results was observed between the dose levels of 40 mL per sheep and 50 mL per sheep. These trials demonstrate that the formulations of the invention are able to almost completely eradicate flystrike from large lots of sheep.

When used on sheep there was concern that polyethylene glycol dimethyl ether may dissolve the wool thereby leading to a significant deterioration in wool quality. Whilst there was evidence that the solvent causes a cleaning or scouring effect along the backline for a few weeks, the effect then disappears and there is no trace whatsoever on the wool at shearing.

The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavor to which this specification relates.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A formulation comprising dicyclanil, or a salt thereof, and one or more solvents selected from the group consisting of: polyethylene glycol diC_rC_s alkyl ether, polyethylene glycol monoCpCg alkyl ether, polypropylene glycol diglycidyl ether, polypropylene glycol diCpCe alkyl ether and polypropylene glycol monoCpC₆ alkyl ether.
2. The formulation of claim 1, wherein dicyclanil is present in an amount between about 2% and about 30% by weight.
3. The formulation of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the one or more solvents are present in an amount between about 60% and about 99% by weight.
4. The formulation of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the one or more solvents are selected from the group consisting of: polyethylene glycol diC_rC₃ alkyl ether, polyethylene glycol monoCi~C₃ alkyl ether, polypropylene glycol diglycidyl ether, polypropylene glycol diC_vC₃ alkyl ether and polypropylene glycol monoC-i-CA alkyl ether.
5. The formulation of claim 4, wherein the one or more solvents are selected from the group consisting of: polyethylene glycol dimethyl ether, polyethylene glycol monomethyl ether, polypropylene glycol diglycidyl ether, polypropylene glycol dimethyl ether and polypropylene glycol monomethyl ether.
6. The formulation of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the one or more solvents have a number average molecular weight between about 100 g/mol and about 800 g/mol.
7. The formulation of claim 6, wherein the one or more solvents have a number average molecular weight of about 250 g/mol.
8. The formulation of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the solvent is polyethylene glycol dimethyl ether.
9. The formulation of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the formulation is free, or substantially free, of surfactants and/or organic acids.
10. A formulation comprising dicyclanil, or a salt thereof, wherein the dicyclanil is solubilised in a composition consisting essentially of, or consisting of, one or more solvents selected from the group consisting of: polyethylene glycol diC_rC₆ alkyl ether, polyethylene glycol monoCrCe alkyl ether, polypropylene glycol diglycidyl ether, polypropylene glycol diC^Cg alkyl ether and polypropylene glycol monoCrCg alkyl ether.
11. A formulation consisting of, or consisting essentially of dicyclanil, or a salt thereof, and one or more solvents selected from the group consisting of: polyethylene

2014271292 04 Dec 2014 glycol diC_rC₆ alkyl ether, polyethylene glycol monoC^Cs alkyl ether, polypropylene glycol diglycidyl ether, polypropylene glycol diC-rCe alkyl ether and polypropylene glycol monoC-pCg alkyl ether.
12. The formulation of claim 10 or claim 11, wherein dicyclanil is present in an amount between about 2% and about 30% by weight.
13. The formulation of any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the one or more solvents are present in an amount between about 60% and about 99% by weight.
14. The formulation of any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the one or more solvents are selected from the group consisting of: polyethylene glycol diC_rC₃ alkyl ether, polyethylene glycol monoCp-Cs alkyl ether, polypropylene glycol diglycidyl ether, polypropylene glycol diCpC₃ alkyl ether and polypropylene glycol monoCpCs alkyl ether.
15. The formulation of claim 14, wherein the one or more solvents are selected from the group consisting of: polyethylene glycol dimethyl ether, polyethylene glycol monomethyl ether, polypropylene glycol diglycidyl ether, polypropylene glycol dimethyl ether and polypropylene glycol monomethyl ether.
16. The formulation of any one of claims 10 to 15, wherein the one or more solvents have a number average molecular weight between about 100 g/mol and about 800 g/mol.
17. The formulation of claim 16, wherein the one or more solvents have a number average molecular weight of about 250 g/mol.
18. The formulation of any one of claims 10 to 17, wherein the solvent is polyethylene glycol dimethyl ether.
19. The formulation of any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the formulation is in the form of a solution.
20. The formulation of any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the formulation is nonaqueous.
21. The formulation of any one of claims 1 to 20, further comprising a preservative and/or a colouring agent.
22. A method for controlling or preventing a parasitic infestation of an animal, the method comprising topically administering to the animal an effective amount of the formulation of any one of claims 1 to 21.

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25. The method of any one of claims 22 to 24, wherein the parasitic infestation is an insect or acarid infestation.
26. The method of any one of claims 22 to 24, wherein the parasitic infestation is myiasis.
27. Use of dicyclanil which is solubilised in a composition consisting essentially of, or consisting of, one or more solvents selected from the group consisting of: polyethylene glycol diCpC₆ alkyl ether, polyethylene glycol monoCpCs alkyl ether, polypropylene glycol diglycidyl ether, polypropylene glycol diCpCg alkyl ether and polypropylene glycol monoC-i-C₆ alkyl ether, in the manufacture of a formulation for controlling or preventing a parasitic infestation of an animal.
28. The use of claim 27, wherein the one or more solvents are selected from the group consisting of: polyethylene glycol diC_rC₃ alkyl ether, polyethylene glycol monoCp C₃ alkyl ether, polypropylene glycol diglycidyl ether, polypropylene glycol diC-pCs alkyl ether and polypropylene glycol monoC_rC₃ alkyl ether.
29. The use of claim 28, wherein the one or more solvents are selected from the group consisting of: polyethylene glycol dimethyl ether, polyethylene glycol monomethyl ether, polypropylene glycol diglycidyl ether, polypropylene glycol dimethyl ether and polypropylene glycol monomethyl ether.
30. The use of any one of claims 27 to 29, wherein the one or more solvents have a number average molecular weight between about 100 g/mol and about 800 g/mol.
31. The use of claim 30, wherein the one or more solvents have a number average molecular weight of about 250 g/mol.
32. The use of any one of claims 27 to 31, wherein the solvent is polyethylene glycol dimethyl ether.