BIODEGRADABLE POLYMERS FOR LOWERING INTRAOCULAR PRESSURE

• US 20130071349A1
• Filed: 03/01/2011
• Published: 03/21/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Allergan Incorporated (Abbvie Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Allergan Incorporated (Abbvie Incorporated)
• Inventors: Robinson, Michael R., Whitcup, Scott M., Lee, Susan S.
• Application Number:
  US13/516,159
• Publication Number:
  US 20130071349A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 424/78.37
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/557 Eicosanoids, e.g. leukotrienes or prostaglandins
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/765 Polymers containing oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/0051 Ocular inserts, ocular implants
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 27/06 Antiglaucoma agents or miotics

Abstract

The present invention provides a method of treating glaucoma, the method comprising the step of placing a polymer in an eye of a patient, which biologically degrades over a period of time to release biodegradants, which are effective to lower the intraocular pressure of the patient, thereby treating glaucoma. Said polymer is preferably selected from the group consisting of polymers of lactic acid, glycolic acid and/or mixtures thereof. More preferably the polymer is a copolymer of lactic acid and glycolic acid, e.g. a copolymer comprising from 50 to 100% lactic acid and from 0 to 50% glycolic acid, by weight.

Claims

1. A method of treating glaucoma and/or ocular hypertension, the method comprising the step of placing a polymer in an eye of a patient, which biologically degrades over a period of time to release biodegradants, which are effective to lower the intraocular pressure of the patient, thereby treating glaucoma and/or ocular hypertension.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the polymer is selected from the group consisting of polymers of lactic acid, glycolic acid and mixtures thereof.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the polymer is a copolymer of lactic acid and glycolic acid.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein the polymer additionally comprises polyethylene glycol.

5. A method of treating glaucoma and/or ocular hypertension, the method consisting essentially of the step of placing a biodegradable polymer in an eye, thereby treating glaucoma and/or ocular hypertension

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the polymer is selected from the group consisting of lactic acid, glycolic acid and mixtures thereof.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the polymer is a copolymer of lactic acid and glycolic acid.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the copolymer comprises from 50 to 100%, by weight, lactic acid and from 0 to 50%, by weight, glycolic acid, by weight.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein the polymer additionally comprises polyethylene glycol.

10. A method of treating glaucoma and/or ocular hypertension, the method consisting of the step of placing a biodegradable polymer in an eye, thereby treating glaucoma and/or ocular hypertension

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the polymer is selected from the group consisting of lactic acid, glycolic acid and mixtures thereof.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the polymer is a copolymer of lactic acid and glycolic acid.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the copolymer comprises from 50 to 100%, by weight, lactic acid and from 0 to 50%, by weight, glycolic acid, by weight.

14. The method of claim 10 wherein the polymer additionally comprises polyethylene glycol.