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US 7,589,057 B2Granted
Oil-in-water method for making alpha-2 agonist polymeric drug delivery systems
AssigneeAllergan, Inc.
InventorsJames Chang, Patrick Hughes
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Biocompatible microparticles include an ophthalmically active alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist and a biodegradable polymer. The microparticles include oil-in-water emulsified microparticles which can be used to treat an ocular condition, such as glaucoma.
Claims2
A method for making biodegradable polymeric microspheres for treating an ocular condition, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) combining a polylactic acid polyglycolic acid (PLGA) polymer with an alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist in an organic solvent to form a first oil phase;
- (b) adding an excess amount of the alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist to water to form a saturated aqueous phase;
- (c) emulsifying the first oil phase in the saturated aqueous phase by mixing the two phases together to form an oil in water emulsion;
- and;
- (d) removing the organic solvent from the oil phase of the oil in water emulsion using a second oil phase comprising a second organic solvent saturated with the alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist, thereby making biodegradable PLGA microspheres comprising the alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist, wherein the alpha-2 adrenergic agonist is brimonidine.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.