Method for preparing microparticles having a selected polymer molecular weight
AssigneeAlkermes Controlled Therapeutics Inc. II
InventorsSteven G. Wright, Michael E. Rickey, J. Michael Ramstack, Shawn L. Lyons, Joyce M. Hotz
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Abstract
A method for preparing microparticles having a selected polymer molecular weight. The hold time and temperature of a solution containing a nucleophilic compound and a polymer having a starting molecular weight are controlled in order to control the molecular weight of the polymer in the finished microparticle product. In this manner, a selected polymer molecular weight in the finished microparticle product can be achieved from a variety of starting material molecular weights.
Claims27
A method of preparing microparticles having a selected microparticle polymer molecular weight, comprising:
- (a) combining a first phase comprising a nucleophilic compound, a polymer having a starting molecular weight, and a solvent for the polymer, with a second phase to form an emulsion;
- (b) extracting solvent from the emulsion, thereby forming microparticles;
- and
- (c) maintaining the first phase at a hold temperature for a hold period prior to step (a), the hold period of sufficient duration to allow the starting molecular weight of the polymer to reduce so that the selected microparticle polymer molecular weight is achieved.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.