Biodegradable drug delivery system
AssigneeAllergan, Inc.
InventorsRobert T. Lyons, James A. Burke, Michael R. Robinson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A drug delivery system (DDS) comprised of segmented biodegradable implants sized and suitable for implantation in an ocular region or site and methods for treating ocular conditions. The segmented implants provide an extended release of an active agent at a therapeutically effective amount for a period of time between 50 days and one year, or longer, and permit the DDS to have segments that possess individual and different drug release characteristics.
Claims24
A drug delivery system for treating an ocular condition, the drug delivery system comprising a bioerodible implant having a plurality of segments, wherein:
- a) each of the segments comprises (i) an active agent and (ii) a bioerodible polymer;
- b) at least some of the segments have drug release characteristics different from other segments;
- and
- c) the segments are joined together in a manner to permit separation from each other in situ into individual segments following intraocular implantation of the drug delivery system into a patient.
A drug delivery system for treating an ocular condition which comprises a bioerodible implant comprising a plurality of rod-shaped segments, wherein:
- a) each of the segments comprises (i) an active agent for treating the ocular condition and (ii) a bioerodible polymer;
- b) at least some of the segments have drug release characteristics different from other that of other segments;
- c) the segments are joined together at the ends thereof to form a contiguous rod-shaped implant;
- and
- d) the segments are joined at the ends thereof in a manner to permit separation of the segments from each other in situ into individual segments following implantation into the ocular region of a patient.
A drug delivery system for treating an ocular condition which comprises a bioerodible implant comprising a plurality of rod-shaped segments, wherein:
- a) each of the segments comprises (i) an active agent for treating the ocular condition and (ii) a bioerodible polymer;
- b) at least some of the segments have drug release characteristics different from other of the segments;
- and
- c) at least some of the segments having at least one end thereof having a cut surface that is at an angle to the longitudinal axis of less than 90° or having at least one end which is of beveled shape.
The drug delivery system according to claim 16, wherein the active ingredient is a member selected from the group consisting of methotrexate, etinoic acid, aspirin, diclofenac, flurbiprofen, ibuprofen, ketorolac, naproxen, uprofen, dexamethasone, cortisone, fluocinolone, hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone, prednisolone, prednisone, and triamcinolone.
A method of manufacturing a drug delivery system which comprises a bioerodible implant, the method comprising:
- a) blending a first active agent with a first bioerodible polymer to form a first active agent polymer mixture;
- b) forming the first active agent polymer mixture into a rod shaped first implant segment having a longitudinal axis;
- c) blending a second active agent with a second bioerodible polymer to form a second active agent polymer mixture;
- d) forming at least some of the segments with at least one end thereof having a cut surface that is at an angle to the longitudinal axis of less than 90° or has a beveled shape.
The method according to 17, wherein the bioerodible polymer comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of poly(lactide) polymers and poly(lactide-co-glycolide) copolymers.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.