Intraocular implants and methods for improving vision

• US 8,293,741 B2
• Filed: 04/29/2005
• Issued: 10/23/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Allergan, Inc. (Canada) (Abbvie Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Allergan, Inc. (Canada) (Abbvie Incorporated)
• Inventors: Burke, James A., Hughes, Patrick M., Zhang, Kai-Ming, Lin, Ton, Huang, Glenn, Jackson, Brittany A., Wheeler, Larry A., Donn, Rosy S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Richter, Johann
• Assistant Examiner(s): HUANG, GIGI GEORGIANA
• Application Number:
  US11/119,021
• Publication Number:
  US 20050244476A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,734 Days
• Field of Search: 514/249, 514/912
• US Class Current: 514/249
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/498 Pyrazines or piperazines ortho- and peri-condensed with carbocyclic ring systems, e.g. quinoxaline, phenazine
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 47/34 Macromolecular compounds obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds, e.g. polyesters, polyamino acids, polysiloxanes, polyphosphazines, copolymers of polyalkylene glycol or poloxamers A61K47/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/0051 Ocular inserts, ocular implants
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/204 Polyesters, e.g. poly(lactide-co-glycolide)
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2300/436 of receptors
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2300/604 Biodegradation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/58 Materials at least partially resorbable by the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/06 obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds A61L31/041 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/148 Materials at least partially resorbable by the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/16 Biologically active materials, e.g. therapeutic substances A61L31/047 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 27/02 Ophthalmic agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 27/06 Antiglaucoma agents or miotics
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 27/16 Otologicals
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 31/04 Antibacterial agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 31/12 Antivirals
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 31/18 for HIV
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 33/00 Antiparasitic agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 35/00 Antineoplastic agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 43/00 Drugs for specific purposes, not provided for in groups A61P1/00-A61P41/00
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 67/04 Polyesters derived from hydroxycarboxylic acids, e.g. lactones C08L67/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 50/30 : Against vector-borne diseases, e.g. mosquito-borne, fly-borne, tick-borne or waterborne diseases whose impact is exacerbated by climate change

Abstract

Biocompatible intraocular implants include an alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist and a polymer associated with the alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist to facilitate release of the alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist into an eye for an extended period of time. The alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist may be associated with a biodegradable polymer matrix, such as a matrix of a two biodegradable polymers. The implants can be placed in an eye to treat one or more ocular conditions, such as an ocular vasculopathy or glaucoma, among others or to improve vision in a normal eye.

Claims

1. A method for improving vision in an eye with an ocular condition, the method comprising placing in the vitreous of the eye a biodegradable intraocular implant, the implant consisting of a 1:

1 ratio of first and second poly(D,L-lactide) polymers and about 20% by weight brimonidine tartrate;

the first poly(D,L-lactide) polymer having a molecular weight of about 14 kD and an inherent viscosity of about 0.3 dl/g; and

the second poly(D,L-lactide) polymer having a molecular weight of about 63.3 kD and an inherent viscosity of about 1.0 dl/g, wherein

a) the ocular condition is macular degeneration;

b) the implant is a rod shaped implant formed by an extrusion process.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the ocular condition is non-exudative age related macular degeneration.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the ocular condition is exudative age related macular degeneration.