Semifluorinated compounds

Abstract

The present invention is directed to certain semifluorinated compounds and to compositions comprising such compounds. The invention further provides the use of the compounds and of the compositions as medicaments for topical administration to the eye.

1 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A composition comprising a compound of the general formula
   CF 3 —(CF 2 ) n —CH(CH 3 )—(CH 2 ) m —CH 3  
   wherein n is an integer selected from 3 to 5 and m is an integer selected from 1 to 5.   
     
     
         15 . The composition according to claim  1 , wherein
 (i) n is 5 and m is 5,   (ii) n is 3 and m is 2,   (iii) n is 3 and m is 3,   (iv) n is 3 and m is 5, or   (v) n is 5 and m is 1.   
     
     
         16 . The composition according to  claim 15 , wherein the composition is in liquid form, or in the form of a liquid solution. 
     
     
         17 . The composition according to  claim 15 , wherein the composition comprises at least 1 wt % and/or up to 25 wt % of the compound, based on the total weight of the composition. 
     
     
         18 . The composition according to  claim 15 , wherein the composition is substantially free of water and/or substantially free of a preservative. 
     
     
         19 . The composition according to  claim 15 , wherein the composition consists essentially of the compound, and optionally one or more lipophilic liquid constituents selected from non-water-soluble and/or water-miscible excipients. 
     
     
         20 . The composition according to  claim 19 , wherein the one or more lipophilic liquid constituents are selected from lipids, triglyceride oils, oils that are physiologically tolerated by the eye, and semifluorinated alkanes of the formula CF 3 —(CF 2 ) n —CH 2 ) m —CH 3 , wherein n and m are independently selected from 3 to 8. 
     
     
         21 . the composition according to  claim 20 , wherein the semifluorinated alkanes are selected from CF 3 —(CF 2 ) 3 —(CH 2 ) 4 —CH 3  and CF 3 —(CF 2 ) 5 —(CH 2 ) 7 —CH 3 . 
     
     
         22 . The composition according to  claim 19 , wherein the composition comprises the one or more lipophilic constituents in an amount up to 25 wt % or up to 97%. 
     
     
         23 . The composition according to  claim 15 , wherein the composition consists essentially of CF 3 —(CF 2 ) 5 —CH(CH 3 )—(CH 2 ) 5 —CH 3  and CF 3 —(CF 2 ) 5 —(CH 2 ) 7 —CH 3 , or of CF 3 —(CF 2 ) 3 —CH(CH 3 )—(CH 2 ) 2 —CH 3  and CF 3 —(CF 2 ) 3 —(CH 2 ) 4 —CH 3 . 
     
     
         24 . The composition according to  claim 16 , wherein the composition is a liquid solution having a refractive index of 1.30 to 1.35 at 25° C., as determined by refractometer. 
     
     
         25 . The composition according to  claim 15 , wherein the composition has a dynamic viscosity of not more than 10 mPa-s, as determined at 25° and 1 atmosphere pressure. 
     
     
         26 . A method of treating a disease or condition of a patient in need of such treatment, comprising administering the composition according to  claim 14  to the patient. 
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 26 , wherein the composition is administered topically to the patient. 
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 27 , wherein the composition is topically administered to the lacrimal sac, into the lower eyelid, to an eye surface or to an ophthalmic tissue. 
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 26 , wherein the composition is administered as a gel, suspension, microemulsion, or spray. 
     
     
         30 . The method according to  claim 26 , wherein the disease or condition is dry eye disease (keratoconjunctivitis sicca) and/or Meibomian Gland Dysfunction and any symptoms thereof or associated therewith. 
     
     
         31 . A kit comprising a composition according to  claim 14  and a container for holding the composition. 
     
     
         32 . The kit according to  claim 33 , wherein the container comprises dispensing means adapted for topical administration of the composition to an eye sac, to the lower eyelid, to an eye, or to an ophthalmic tissue. 
     
     
         33 . The kit according to  claim 32 , wherein the dispending means comprises a dropper for dispending droplets of 8 to 15 μl.