Senju Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

Akihiro Kimoto

Hisayuki Nakayama

Kuniko Tsuchino

The invention discloses stabilized enzymes suitable for use in a contact lens cleansing composition. Specific stabilizers for the protease enzyme include sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, lauroyl-L-glutamic triethanolamine, sodium myristyl sarcosinate, 2-alkyl-N-carboxymethyl-N-hydroxyethylimidazolinium betaine, hydrochloric alkyldiaminoglycine, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate, polyoxyethylene castor oil 60, polyoxyl 40 stearate, and polyoxyethylene lauryl ether. The invention further discloses that the enzyme and surfactant mixture are lyophilized.

Method for stabilizing an agent for contact lenses

With a specific aim to preventing the proteolytic enzyme in a preparation for contact lenses containing a proteolytic enzyme from deterioration in the state of aqueous solution, the present invention provides (1) a method of stabilizing a preparation for contact lenses containing a proteolytic enzyme, which comprises formulating the said preparation with a pyrrolidone compound, (2) a process for producing a prepration for contact lenses and (3) a preparation for contact lenses. The preparation according to the present invention can be processed into the liquid or solid preparation form, wherein the liquid preparation can be processed into a one-component type preparation. The liquid preparation as well as the solid preparation, even after being dissolved in water, can maintain the activity of the proteolytic enzyme over a prolonged period of time, and can be used effectively for cleansing and cleaning, preservation and sterilization of contact lenses.

Method of stabilizing preparations for contact lenses

A method for stabilizing an agent for contact lenses containing a proteolytic enzyme by adding a surfactant to a solution containing an effective amount of a proteolytic enzyme, the production of a lyophilized agent for contact lenses containing a proteolytic enzyme, which comprises subjecting an aqueous composition containing a proteolytic enzyme to a lyophilizing treatment in the presence of a surfactant, and a lyophilized agent for contact lenses which contains a proteolytic enzyme and a surfactant. The method of the present invention enables stable preservation of a proteolytic enzyme in a liquid form. In addition, cleaning, sterilization and preservation can be simultaneously performed with a single solution, wherein an efficient removal of soil is achieved by only immersing contact lenses in the agent in a solution state. Accordingly, the agent of the present invention is advantageously used with ease by simple handling. The method for producing the lyophilized agent of the present invention enables stabilization of a proteolytic enzyme during preparation into a lyophilized formulation. Furthermore, the lyophilized agent of the present invention permits the proteolytic enzyme to remain stable and is extremely superior in solubility. When preserved as an aqueous solution, the stability of the enzyme can be maintained over a long period of time due to the action of a surfactant contained therein.

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Kobe, Japan

Akihiro Kimoto