Durect Corporation

Dana Litmanovitz

Felix T Theeuwes

Andrew I Poutiatine

Edward M Gillis

James E Brown

James A Filice

Randolph Mellus Johnson

Barbara F Laidlaw

Peter Wickman

John Culwell

John S Dinka

Barbara J F Laidlaw

Su-Il Yum

The present invention provides high-concentration formulations of opioids such as fentanyl or fentanyl congeners. The formulation of the invention comprises fentanyl or a fentanyl congener in concentrations significantly in excess of conventional formulations, e.g., on the order about 2-fold to about 10,000-fold greater than conventional formulations, e.g., currently commercially available formulations. These formulations are particularly useful for long-term delivery to a subject suffering from pain. The invention further provides drug delivery devices comprising the high-concentration opioid formulations, and further provides methods of alleviating pain in a subject, comprising administering the high-concentration formulations to a subject in need thereof.

Opioid formulations

The invention features devices and methods for treatment of pain. The drug delivery device is a drug delivery system adapted for whole implantation in a subject and to provide pain relief by delivery of fentanyl or a fentanyl congener (e.g., sufentanil) over a protracted period of time (e.g., at least 3 days or more than 3 days). The device comprises a housing defining a reservoir that contains a drug formulation, a pump operatively connected to the housing so as to facilitate movement of drug out of the reservoir and out of the device, and a thermal expansion element which defines a flow pathway comprising a thermal expansion channel to accommodate thermal expansion of formulation in the reservoir. The device can further comprise a valve positioned within the flow pathway so as to prevent movement of drug out of the reservoir prior to use.

Implantable devices and methods for treatment of pain by delivery of fentanyl and fentanyl congeners

Growing community of inventors

Sunnyvale, CA, United States of America

Dana Litmanovitz