Vaginal hydrogel
OwnerBrenda K. Manninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The vaginal hydrogel may be a composition which includes a glycosaminoglycan, a reactive molecule, and, in some embodiments, a therapeutic agent. The glycosaminoglycan and the reactive molecule may include either thiol groups or thiol reactive sites and have a pH that is within a range of a normal vaginal environment. Some of the thiol groups may interact with the vaginal mucosa and allow the hydrogel to remain in the vagina for a longer period than existing compounds intended for intravaginal administration. Therapeutic agents may be included in the composition. In these embodiments, the hydrogel acts as a vehicle which delivers the therapeutic agent.
Claims20
A method of treating vaginal dryness, infection, and/or inflammation, the method comprising vaginally administering to a subject in need thereof, a crosslinked composition comprising:
- a glycosaminoglycan comprising a plurality of thiol groups;
- and
- a molecule comprising poly(ethylene glycol), the poly(ethylene glycol) comprising at least two thiol-reactive sites;
- wherein the molar ratio of the thiol groups to the thiol-reactive sites is at least 2:1,
- wherein the composition has a pH between about 3.2 and about 5.0,
- wherein the glycosaminoglycan crosslinks to the poly(ethylene glycol), and
- wherein the composition comprises about 0.05 to about 0.2 μmol uncrosslinked thiol groups per mg of the glycosaminoglycan.
A method for treating vaginal dryness, infection, and/or inflammation, the method comprising vaginally administering to a subject in need thereof, a crosslinked composition comprising:
- an anionic polysaccharide comprising a plurality of thiol groups;
- a cationic polymer;
- and
- a molecule comprising poly(ethylene glycol), the poly(ethylene glycol) comprising at least two thiol-reactive sites;
- wherein the molar ratio of the thiol groups to the thiol-reactive sites is at least 2:1,
- wherein the composition has a pH between about 3.2 and about 5.0,
- wherein the anionic polysaccharide crosslinks to the poly(ethylene glycol), and
- wherein the composition comprises about 0.05 to about 0.2 μmol uncrosslinked thiol groups per mg of the anionic polysaccharide.
A kit for treating vaginosis and/or vaginitis, the kit comprising:
- instructions for use, and
- a therapeutically effective amount of a crosslinked composition, wherein the crosslinked composition comprises;
- a glycosaminoglycan comprising a plurality of thiol groups, and
- a molecule comprising poly(ethylene glycol), the poly(ethylene glycol) comprising at least two thiol-reactive sites,
- wherein the molar ratio of the thiol groups to the thiol-reactive sites is at least 2:1,
- wherein the composition has a pH between about 3.2 and about 5.0,
- wherein the glycosaminoglycan crosslinks to the poly(ethylene glycol), and
- wherein the composition comprises about 0.05 to about 0.2 μmol uncrosslinked thiol groups per mg of the glycosaminoglycan.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.