METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR THE TARGETED DELIVERY OF BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE AGENTS

• US 20060141041A1
• Filed: 01/14/2003
• Published: 06/29/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alkermes Controlled Therapeutics Inc. II (Alkermes plc)
• Original Assignee: Alkermes Controlled Therapeutics Inc. II (Alkermes plc)
• Inventors: Scher, David S., Tracy, Mark A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,097,857 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 424/489
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/1647 Polyesters, e.g. poly(lactide-co-glycolide)
• 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

The present invention relates to a sustained release composition for the targeted delivery of biologically active agents to specific tissues and cells. The composition comprises microparticles containing a biocompatible polymer, a water-soluble polymer and a biologically active agent. In one embodiment, the biologically active agent is an antigen or an immunomodulator. In another embodiment, the biologically is a labile agent. The microparticles have a number median diameter of greater than 20 microns upon administration. The water-soluble polymer is present in the sustained released composition in at least about 20% of the dry weight of the microparticle. the sustained release composition provides for the dissolution of the water-soluble polymer of the composition upon hydration, at a much greater rate than the degradation of the biocompatible polymer. This variance is solubility generates pseudo-microparticles which have a number median diameter which is substantially smaller than the size of the administered microparticles. The pseudo-microparticles can be engulfed by antigen presenting cells of the immune system, or absorbed by the Peyer'"'"'s patches in the gut.

Claims