EP0631504A1

EP0631504A1 - Novel medicament

Info

Publication number: EP0631504A1
Application number: EP93907819A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ole Kirk; Lone Pridal
Original assignee: Novo Nordisk AS
Current assignee: Novo Nordisk AS
Priority date: 1992-03-19
Filing date: 1993-03-18
Publication date: 1995-01-04
Also published as: DK36492D0; JPH07504669A; WO1993018785A1; AU3888793A; KR950700754A

Abstract

The present invention relates to novel medicaments containing GLP-1(7-37), GLP-1(7-36)amide or analogues or derivatives thereof and a phospholipid. The medicaments which are suited for nasal administration have a very favourable absorption profile.

Description

NOVEL MEDICAMENT

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to novel medica¬ ments containing GLP-l(7-37) , GLP-1(7-36)amide or analogues or functional derivatives thereof and a phospholipid, and to a method for preparing such medicaments.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Glucagon-li e peptide-1, also referred to as GLP-1, is a peptide sequence found in the C-terminal portion of mammalian proglucagon. Prior to 1985, no definite bio¬ logical activity of GLP-1 had been reported. However, in 1985 it was demonstrated that GLP-1(1-36)amide, like gluca- gon, stimulates insulin release from isolated precultured rat pancreatic islets in the presence of glucose in a dose- dependent manner (Schmidt, .E. et al. Diabetolo ia 28 (1985) 704-7) . This finding suggests that GLP-1(1-36) amide and related peptides might be useful in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Due to its substantially closer sequence homology to glucagon and glucose dependent insulinotropic peptide, also referred to as GIP, Schmidt et al. suggested that an even stronger glucagon- and/or GIP-like biological activity could be expected with GLP-l(7-36) than with the intact peptide. In recent years, particular interest has focused on the GLP-1 fragments GLP-l(7-37) and GLP-1(7- 36)amide and analogues and functional derivatives thereof. The amino acid sequence of GLP-1(7-36) amide and GLP-1(7-37) is given in formula I:

His-Ala-Glu-Gly-Thr-Phe-Thr-Ser-Asp-Val-Ser- Ser-Tyr-Leu-Glu-Gly-Gln-Ala-Ala-Lys-Glu-Phe- Ile-Ala-Trp-Leu-Val-Lys-Gly-Arg-X

(I) which shows GLP-l(7-36)amide when X is NH₂ and GLP-l(7-37) when X is Gly-OH.

Thus, International Patent Application No. WO

87/06941 (to The General Hospital Corporation) relates to a peptide fragment which comprises GLP-l(7-37) and functional derivatives thereof and to its use as an insulinotropic agent. International Patent Application No.

90/11296 (to The General Hospital Corporation) relates to a peptide fragment which comprises GLP-l(7-36) and functional derivatives thereof and has an insulinotropic activity which exceeds the insulinotropic activity of GLP-l(l-36) or GLP-

1(1-37) and to its use as an insulinotropic agent.

International Patent Application No. 91/11457

(to Buckley et al. ) relates to effective analogues of the active GLP-1 peptides 7-34, 7-35, 7-36, and 7-37.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is based on the fact that when GLP-1 related peptides are administered in a formula¬ tion comprising certain phospholipids, a very favourable absorption profile is found. Also, the phospholipids exert a stabilizing effect on the peptides.

Thus, in its broadest aspect the present inven¬ tion relates to a medicament for intranasal administration of a peptide fragment of formula I:

His-Ala-Gl -Gly-Thr-Phe-Thr-Ser-Asp-Val-Ser- Ser-Tyr-Leu-Glu-Gly-Gln-Ala-Ala-Lys-Glu-Phe- Ile-Ala-Trp-Le -Val-Lys-Gly-Arg-X

(I)

wherein X is NH₂ or Gly-OH, or analogues or functional derivatives thereof, which medicament further comprises at least one phospholipid of the general formula II: (0) (OH) -OR ' ' '

(ID

wherein R¹ and ¹ ' are the same or different each repre¬ senting hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkanoyl, alkenoyl, alka- dienoyl, alkatrienoyl or alkatetraenoyl containing not more than 14 carbon atoms in each group, with the proviso that R¹ and R¹ ' are not hydrogen at the same time, and R"¹ is 2-

(trimethylammonio)ethyl, 2-aminoethyl or 2,3-dihydroxy- propyl, to a method of making such a medicament, and to the use of such a medicament as an insulinotropic agent in the treatment of diabetes.

In a first preferred embodiment, the invention relates to a medicament comprising GLP-1(7-36)amide.

In a further preferred embodiment, the invention relates to a medicament comprising GLP-l(7-37). In a further preferred embodiment, the invention relates to a medicament comprising fragments of GLP-l(7-37).

In a further preferred embodiment, the invention relates to a medicament comprising functional derivatives of fragments of GLP-l(7-37). In a further preferred embodiment, the invention relates to a medicament comprising analogues of GLP-1(7-37) .

In a further preferred embodiment, the invention relates to a medicament comprising functional derivatives of analogues of GLP-l(7-37). In a further preferred embodiment, the invention relates to a medicament comprising a phospholipid of formula II wherein R^{, n} is 2-(trimethylammonio)ethyl.

In a further preferred embodiment, the invention relates to a medicament comprising a phospholipid of formula II wherein R¹ is alkyl having from 4 to 12 carbon atoms. In a further preferred embodiment, the invention relates to a medicament comprising a phospholipid of formula II wherein R' is alkanoyl having from 4 to 12 carbon atoms.

In a further preferred embodiment, the invention relates to a medicament comprising a phospholipid of formula II wherein R¹ is decanoyl.

In a further preferred embodiment, the invention relates to a medicament comprising a phospholipid of formula II wherein R' is hydrogen, with the proviso that R^! ' is different from hydrogen.

In a further preferred embodiment, the invention relates to a medicament comprising a phospholipid of formula II wherein R¹ ' is alkyl having from 4 to 12 carbon atoms.

In a further preferred embodiment, the invention relates to a medicament comprising a phospholipid of formula II wherein R' ' is alkanoyl having from 4 to 12 carbon atoms.

In a further preferred embodiment, the invention relates to a medicament comprising a phospholipid of formula II wherein R¹ * is decanoyl. In a further preferred embodiment, the invention relates to a medicament comprising a phospholipid of formula II wherein R¹ ' is hydrogen, with the proviso that R¹ is different from hydrogen.

In a further preferred embodiment, the invention relates to a medicament comprising didecanoyl L-α-phos- phatidylcholine.

In a further preferred embodiment, the invention relates to a medicament comprising a solid diluent.

In a further preferred embodiment, the invention relates to a solid medicament comprising from 0.01 to 75 % (W/W), preferably from 0.1 to 50 % (W/W) , more preferred from 0.5 to 25 % (W/W) of a peptide of formula I or ana¬ logues or functional derivatives thereof.

In a further preferred embodiment, the invention relates to a solid medicament comprising from 10 to 99 % (W/W) , preferably from 10 to 80 % (W/W) , more preferred from 25 to 60 % (W/W) of a phospholipid of formula II. In a further preferred embodiment, the invention relates to a medicament comprising a liquid diluent.

In a further preferred embodiment, the invention relates to a liquid medicament comprising from 0.0005 to 10 % (W/W), preferably from 0.001 to 5 % (W/W), more preferred from 0.01 to 5 % (W/W) of a peptide of formula I or ana¬ logues or functional derivatives thereof.

In a further preferred embodiment, the invention relates to a liquid medicament comprising from 0.01 to 20 % (W/W) , preferably from 0.05 to 10 % (W/W) , more preferred from 0.1 to 5 % (W/W) of a phospholipid of formula II.

In a further preferred embodiment, the invention relates to a method of making a medicament for intranasal administration of a peptide fragment of formula I:

(I)

wherein X is NH₂ or Gly-OH, and analogues and functional derivatives thereof and further comprising at least one phospholipid of the general formula II:

CH₂-0R'

CH-OR^{1 ■}

I

CH₂-o-P(0) (OH) -OR¹ ' '

(II)

wherein R¹ and R¹ * are the same or different each repre¬ senting hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkanoyl, alkenoyl, alka- dienoyl, alkatrienoyl or alkatetraenoyl containing not more than 14 carbon atoms in each group, with the proviso that R¹ and R' • are not hydrogen at the same time, and R^{ι n} is 2- (trimethylammonio)ethyl, 2-aminoethyl or 2,3-dihydroxy- propyl, which method comprises mixing the required amounts of the peptide fragment of formula I and at least one phos- phopholipid of formula II, optionally in a solid or in a liquid diluent, and optionally further adding pH buffering agents, osmotic pressure controlling agents, preservatives or other ancillary agents.

In a further preferred embodiment, the invention relates to a medicament for intranasal administration of a peptide fragment of formula I:

(I)

wherein X is NH₂ or Gly-OH, or analogues or functional derivatives thereof, characterized in that it further com¬ prises at least one phospholipid of the general formula II:

(0) (OH) -OR¹ ' *

(II)

wherein R¹ and R' ' are the same or different each repre- senting hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkanoyl, alkenoyl, alka- dienoyl, alkatrienoyl or alkatetraenoyl containing not more than 14 carbon atoms in each group, with the proviso that R¹ and R¹ • are not hydrogen at the same time, and R"¹ is 2- (trimethylammonio)ethyl, 2-aminoethyl or 2,3-dihydroxypropyl when used as an insuliontropic agent in the treatment of diabetes. Functional derivatives of the peptides mentioned in this specification is to be construed as pharmaceutically acceptable lower alkyl esters formed with the C-terminal carboxylic acid group, alkyl meaning e.g. methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, or tert-butyl or the amide, alkyl- a ide or dialkylamide wherein alkyl is as mentioned above.

In this specification, analogues of GLPrl(7-37) means peptides which differ from GLP-l(7-37) in that at least one of the amino acid residues of GLP-1(7-37) indepen- dently have been exchanged by another amino acid residue, preferably one which can be coded for by the genetic code. The definition also comprises the case when amino acid resi¬ dues are added at or deleted from the N-terminal and/or the C-terminal end of the peptide. Preferably, the total number of such additions, deletions and exchanges does not exceed five, more preferred it does not exceed three.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As mentioned above the formulations according to the present invention have a very favourable absorption pro- file.

One advantage is that the absorption is slightly protracted. This is expedient because administration of the medicament can then take place as required immediately before a meal. In this way the peptide becomes available with its influence on the insulin secretion at the same time as the food arrives in the stomach. The patients need not plan their meals long time ahead and they thus experience an improved quality of life.

Another advantage with the formulations according to the present invention is that they can provide a plasma concentration of the peptide which .is fairly con¬ stant for a period of time sufficient to cover the duration of a meal. In contrast to this, as demonstrated in Example 2, formulations with tauro-24,25-dihydrofusidate, with α- cyclodextrin or with a plain phosphate buffer having a pH value of 7.4 tend to give a course of the plasma concentra¬ tion of the peptide which is less favourable: a very high initial peak which rather soon drops below the level obtain- able with the formulations with phospholipids.

Examples of preferred compounds of formula II are: dioctanoyl-L-α-phosphatidylcholine, dioctyl-O-L-α-phosphatidylcholine, didecanoyl-L-α-phosphatidylcholine, didecyl-O-L-α-phosphatidylcholine, decyl-O-L-α-lysophatidylcholine, dilauroyl-L-α-phosphatidylcholine, lauroyl-L-α-lysophosphatidylcholine.

The preparation of a number of compounds of for¬ mula II has been described, e.g. by E.C. Robles and D. Van Den Berg: Biochim.Biophys.Acta 187 (1969) , 520 - 526, H.K. Mangold and F. Paltauf (Eds.) in: Ether Lipids, Chapter 3, Acad.Press 1983. Other compounds of formula II can be pre- pared by analogous methods.

The formulation of this invention may be liquid, e.g. adapted for administration as a spray or solid, e.g. a powder acceptable for snuffing. Liquid formulations, such as those based on aqueous formulations, may include ancil- lary agents, for example a pH-buffering system, preferably a phosphate _r citrate or acetate buffer, a preservative and an osmotic pressure controlling agent, e.g. glycerol or sodium chloride. Powder formulations may contain the pharmaceuti¬ cally active agent and the phospholipid of formula II in admixture with nasally acceptable powdery diluents or mix¬ tures thereof, e.g. cellulose or derivatives thereof, for example cellulose ethers or sodium carboxymethylcellulose, starch, a long chain fatty acid or a salt thereof, e.g. alu¬ minum stearate, an organic polymer, e.g. of an acrylic acid derivative or inorganic vehicles, such as talc or diatoma- ceous earth. Supplementary addition of water-absorbing poly- mers, for example polyethylene glycol or polyvinyl pyrroli- done may be desirable to improve adhesion of the powder for¬ mulation to the nasal mucosa.

Preferred liquid formulations are those in which the diluent is water. Such formulations may be prepared by dispersing the phospholipid in the aqueous medium containing the GLP-1 derived active agent and ancillary agents, the dispersion being conducted by any method usually employed for suspension or emulsification, e.g. ultrasonic treatment. Adjustment of the aqueous phase to neutrality (i.e. to pH in the range from about 6.5 to about 8) may be accomplished in any of the preparatory steps.

Due to the fact that proteases and peptidases are associated with the nasal mucosa (see R.E. Stratford and V.H.L. Lee: Int.Journ.Pharmaceutics .0 (1986), 73 - 82) it may be desirable to incorporate biocompatible protease and peptidase inhibitors into polypeptide containing formula¬ tions.

The concentration to be used of the GLP-1 derived active agent in the formulations of this invention will of course depend on the particular agent chosen, on its efficacy, on a comparison of its bioavailability by nasal administration and by other routes of administration, for example injection or infusion, and on the desired frequency of administration. Such pharmacological data can routinely be obtained by j-n vivo studies designed by those skilled in the art.

The total daily dose of the GLP-1 derived active agent to be given which i.a. depends on the particular agent and on the condition of the patient is determined by a medically skilled person. The total daily dose is conveni¬ ently administered in submultiples thereof.

Generally, the total daily dose of a GLP-1 derived active agent to be administered nasally in the treatment of diabetes will be in the interval from 0.05 to 20 μg per kilogram of body weight. An exemplary mode of preparing a GLP-l(7-36) amide formulation of this invention wherein the diluent is water comprises dissolving GLP-1(7-36)amide in water optio¬ nally in the presence of an acid, for example hydrochloric acid. An aqueous solution of a preservative, for example phenol, an alkyl phenol, such as cresol, or methyl p- hydroxybenzoate, is prepared separately, optionally also containing an agent rendering the solution isotonic, such as sodium chloride or glycerol. Furthermore, the preservative solution may contain a buffering agent, such as sodium phos¬ phate, sodium citrate, sodium acetate or TRIS (tris(hydroxy- methyl)aminomethane) and a protease inhibitor. The resulting preservative solution is then admixed with the solution of GLP-1(7-36)amide, optionally followed by addition of a base, for example a sodium hydroxide solution, to adjust the pH value to neutrality. The phospolipid of formula II may be added to the solution of GLP-1(7-36)amide as a solution or an emulsion which is prepared by dissolving or suspending the phospholipid of formula II in water and, if necessary, subjecting any suspension to an ultrasonic treatment before mixing with the GLP-1(7-36)amide solution. Alternatively, the phospholipid solution or emulsion may, if desired, con¬ tain the buffering agent and preservative. After mixing, the pH value of the formulation may be readjusted to neutrality. Finally, the resulting solution is made up to the calculated volume by addition of water.

The formulations of this invention may be used in any dosage dispensing device adapted for intranasal ad¬ ministration. The device should be constructed with a view to ascertaining optimum metering accuracy and compatibility of is constructive elements, such as container, valve and actuator with the nasal formulation and could be based on a mechanical pump system, e.g. that of a metered-dose nebuli¬ zer, or on a pressurized aerosol system. The aerosol system requires the propellant to be inert towards the formulation. Suitable propellants may be selected among such gases as fluorocarbons, hydrocarbons, nitrogen and dinitrogen oxide or mixtures thereof.

Some details concerning the use of GLP-1 related peptides in the treatment of diabetes can be found in our copending Danish patent application No. DK 0363/92 which was 5 filed simultaneously with the present application. The con¬ tents of said application is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference.

The features disclosed in the present descrip¬ tion, examples and claims may, both separately and in any 10 combination thereof, be material for realizing this inven¬ tion in diverse forms thereof. The invention is further illustrated by the following examples which are not to be construed as limiting but merely as an illustration of some preferred features of the invention.

15 EXAMPLES

General methods

GLP-1(7-36) amide and GLP-l(7-37) were obtained from Bachem Feinkemicalien AG (Switzerland) and Peninsula Laboratories (England), respectively. The concentration of GLP-1(7- 20 36)amide and GLP-l(7-37) in solution was monitored by stan¬ dard reversed phase HPLC employing a gradient of aceto- nitrile and 0.1% trifluoracetic acid (10-100% over 30 minutes) with UV detection at 280 nm.

The concentration in plasma of GLP-1(7-36)amide and GLP-1(7- 25 37) was assayed by radioimmunoassay (RIA) , essentially as described by ørskov et al. (Scand. J. Clin. Lab. Invest. 47 (1987) 165-174) . Antibodies were obtained as a generous gift from Dr. Jens J. Hoist (The State University Hospital of Copenhagen) . Preparation of nasal formulations

Phospholipid vehicle

2 g of didecanoyl L-α-phosphatidylcholine was mixed with 0.4 g of coconut oil, 0.2 g of cholesterol and 1.6 g of glycerol. To this mixture was added 5 mM sodium phosphate buffer having a pH value of 7.4 to a final volume of 100 ml and the resulting mixture was emulsified by ultrasonic treatment. The peptide in question was dissolved in this vehicle.

Tauro-24,25-dihydrofusidate vehicle

1 g of sodium tauro-24,25-dihydrofusidate was dissolved in 0.02 M sodium phosphate buffer having a pH value of 7.4 to a final volume of 100 ml. The peptide in question was dis¬ solved in this solution.

a-cvclodextrin vehicle

The α-cyclodextrin was dissolved in distilled water, the peptide in question was added and the solution was freeze dried.

EXAMPLE 1

Stability of GLP-1T7-36)amide in solution.

A solution containing 0.5 mg/ml of GLP-1(7-36)amide in the above described phospholipid vehicle and a solution con¬ taining 0.5 mg/ml of GLP-1(7-36) amide in a 5 mM sodium phos¬ phate buffer having a pH value of 7.4 were prepared.

The solutions were incubated at 4°C. At the times indicated in Table 1 samples were withdrawn and the content of intact GLP-1(7-36)amide was assayed by HPLC as described above. Table 1 shows the percentage of the initial amount of GLP- 1(7-36)amide remaining in the phosphate buffer and in the phospholipid emulsion, respectively, at the times indicated. Table 1

These data clearly demonstrate that the phospholipid vehicle strongly enhances the stability of GLP-1(7-36)amide in solu- tion.

EXAMPLE 2

Pharmacokinetics of GLP-1(7-36)amide and GLP-1.7-37) in various nasal formulations

The study was carried out in fasted New Zealand White rabbits (male, 18-36 months old, weighing 3-4 kg) having an intravenous line in one ear for withdrawal of blood samples.

The following formulations were used in the study:

Formulation 1: GLP-1(7-36)amide (250 μg) was dissolved in 1 ml of the phospholipid vehicle. 100 μl of this liquid formulation was applied in each of the nostrils of the rabbits in which it was tested.

Formulation 2 GLP-l(7-37) (250 μg) was dissolved in 1 ml of the phospholipid vehicle. 100 μl of this liquid formulation was applied in each of the nostrils of the rabbits in which it was tested.

Formulation 3: GLP-1(7-36)amide (50 μg) was dissolved in 1 ml of the tauro-24,25-dihydrofusidate vehicle. 100 μl of this liquid formulation was applied in each of the nostrils of the rabbits in which it was tested.

Formulation 4: GLP-1(7-36)amide (50 μg) was mixed with 100 mg of α-cyclodextrin. 20 mg of this powder formulation was applied in one nostril of each of the rabbits in which it was tested.

Formulation 5: GLP-1(7-36)amide (50 μg) was dissolved in 1 ml of a 20 mM sodium phosphate buffer having a pH value of 7.4. 100 μl of this liquid formulation was applied in each of the nostrils of the rabbits in which it was tested.

The liquid formulations were administered using an Eppendorf multipipette while the powder formulation was administered by cautiously blowing 20 mg thereof from a small tube into one nostril. 1,5 ml blood samples were withdrawn at the times indicated in Table 2 and the plasma concentration of the GLP-1 (7-36)amide and GLP-l(7-37) respectively was assayed by RIA as indicated under General methods.

Table 2 shows the observed increments in the plasma concen¬ trations of GLP-l(7-36)amide and GLP-l(7-37) respectively as a function of time after administration of the formulations 1 to 5 at 0 minutes. The plasma concentrations are corrected for the basal level of GLP-1(7-36)amide .or GLP-l(7-37) respectively found in the plasma at 0 min and are expressed as percentage of the maximal plasma concentrations observed. The maximal plasma concentrations observed for formulations 1 to 5 were 248 pM, 377 pM, 124 pM, 143 pM and 36 pM, respectively.

Table 2

These data clearly demonstrate that only the phospholipid formulations (formulations 1 and 2) provide a protracted delivery of the peptide. Furthermore, the plasma concentra¬ tions show a plateau (with plasma concentrations > 50% of the maximal concentration) between 6 and 25 minutes after the delivery, exclusively when the phospholipid formulation is used. EXAMPLE 3

Pharmacokinetics of GLP-1C7-36)amide and GLP-1T7-37) after nasal administration in phospholipid vehicle formulation.

The study was carried out in fasted New Zealand White rabbits (male, weighing 2,7 ± 0,2 kg) having an intravenous line in one ear for withdrawal of blood samples.

The following formulations were used in the study:

Formulation 1: GLP-1(7-36)amide (500 μg) was dissolved in

1 ml of the phospholipid vehicle. 100 μl of this formulation was applied in one nostril in each of eight rabbits.

Formulation 2: GLP-l(7-37) (600 μg) was dissolved in 1 ml of the phospholipid vehicle. 100 μl of this liquid formulation was applied in nostril in each of eight rabbits.

The formulations were administered using an Eppendorf multi- pipette.

Table 3 shows the observed plasma concentrations of GLP-1(7- 36)amide and GLP-l(7-37) respectively in picomoles (pM) as a function of time after administration of the formulations.

Table 3

These data further support the finding that the phospholipid formulations provide a protracted delivery of the peptides. As demonstrated in Example 2, the plasma concentrations ex¬ hibit a plateau (with plasma concentration increments > 50 % of the maximal increment) between 6 and 25 minutes after the delivery.

Claims

1. A medicament for intranasal administration of a peptide fragment of formula I:

(I)

wherein X is NH₂ or Gly-OH, or analogues or functional derivatives thereof, characterized in that it further co - prises at least one phospholipid of the general formula II:

CH₂-OR' CH-OR' '

I CH₂-0-P(0) (OH)-OR' ' '

(II)

wherein R¹ and R' ' are the same or different each repre¬ senting hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkanoyl, alkenoyl, alka- dienoyl, alkatrienoyl or alkatetraenoyl containing not more than 14 carbon atoms in each group, with the proviso that R¹ and R¹ ' are not hydrogen at the same time, and R¹ ' ' is 2- (trimethylammonio)ethyl, 2-aminoethyl or 2,3-dihydroxy- propyl.

2. A medicament according to Claim 1, characterized in that X in formula I is NH₂.

3. A medicament according to Claim 1, characterized in that X in formula I is Gly-OH.

4-- A medicament according to any one of the pre¬ ceding claims, characterized in that R¹ ' ' in formula II is 2-(trimethylammonio)ethyl.

5. A medicament according to any one of the pre- 5 ceding claims, characterized in that R' in formula II is alkyl or alkanoyl having from 4 to 12 carbon atoms, pre¬ ferably alkanoyl.

6. A medicament according to Claim 5, characterized in that R¹ in formula II is decanoyl.

ιo 7. A medicament according to any one of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that R¹ is hydrogen, with the pro¬ viso that R¹ ' is different from hydrogen.

8. A medicament according to any one of the pre¬ ceding claims, characterized in that R¹ • in formula II is

15 alkyl or alkanoyl having from 4 to 12 carbon atoms, pre¬ ferably alkanoyl.

9. A medicament according to claim 7, characterized in that R¹ ' in formula II is decanoyl.

10. A medicament according to any one of the claims 20 1 to 6, characterized in that R' * is hydrogen, with the pro¬ viso that R¹ is different from hydrogen.

11. A medicament as described in anyone of the claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it comprises a solid diluent.

25 12. A medicament as described in Claim 11, charac¬ terized in that the content of the peptide of formula I in Claim 1 or analogues or functional derivatives thereof is in the range of from 0.01 to 75 % (W/W), preferably from 0.1 to 50 % (W/W), more preferred from 0.5 to 25 % (W/W).

13. A medicament as described in anyone of the claims 11 and 12, characterized in that the total content of phospholipids of formula II in Claim 1 is in the range of from 10 to 99 % (W/W) , preferably from 10 to 80 % (W/W) , more preferred from 25 to 60 % (W/W) .

14. A medicament as described in anyone- of the claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it comprises a liquid diluent.

15. A medicament as described in Claim 14, charac- terized in that the content of the peptide of formula I in

Claim 1 or analogues or functional derivatives thereof is in the range of from 0.0005 to 10 % (W/W), preferably from 0.001 to 5 % (W/W), more preferred from 0.01 to 5 % (W/W).

16. A medicament as described in anyone of the claims 14 or 15, characterized in that the total content of phospholipids of formula II in Claim 1 is in the range of from 0.01 to 20 % (W/W), preferably from 0.05 to 10 % (W/W), more preferred from 0.1 to 5 % (W/W) .

17. A method of making a medicament for intranasal administration of a peptide fragment of formula I:

His-Ala-Glu-Gly-Thr-Phe-Thr-Ser-Asp-Val-Ser- Ser-T r-Leu-Glu-Gly-Gln-Ala-Ala-Lys-Glu-Phe- Ile-Ala-Trp-Leu-Val-Lys-Gly-Arg-X

(I)

wherein X is NH₂ or Gly-OH, and analogues and functional derivatives thereof and further comprising at least one phospholipid of the general formula II: CH--. -OR ¹

I

CH-OR ' '

I

5 CH₂-0-P (0) (OH) -OR ¹ ' '

(ID

wherein R^! and R¹ ' are the same or different each repre¬ senting hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkanoyl, alkenoyl, alka- dienoyl, alkatrienoyl or alkatetraenoyl containing not more

10 than 14 carbon atoms in each group, with the proviso that R¹ and R¹ ' are not hydrogen at the same time, and R¹ ' ' is 2- (trimethylammonio)ethyl, 2-aminoethyl or 2,3-dihydroxy- propyl, which method comprises mixing the required amounts of the peptide fragment of formula I and at least one phos-

15 phopholipid of formula II, optionally in a solid or in a liquid diluent, and optionally further adding pH buffering agents, osmotic pressure controlling agents, preservatives or other ancillary agents.

18. A medicament as described in anyone of the 20 claims 1 to 16 when used as an insulinotropic agent in the treatment of diabetes.

19. Use of the medicament of anyone of the claims 1 to 16 or as prepared according to Claim 17 in a dosage dis¬ pensing device adapted for intranasal administration.

25 20. Any novel feature or combination of features as herein described.