Alza Corporation

Fred P Ehnow

Wouter E Roorda

Karly S Wang

Sharon M Fujita

Estela Basso

Erosion rate modifier for use in bioerodible drug delivery devices and

The present invention is directed to erodible delivery devices and to the compositions comprising the devices. The devices comprise (a) a body formed of a bioerodible polymer or polymers together with a required excipient not generally considered to be a pore-former ('required excipient'), and (b) an active agent. The agent is released from the device at a controlled rate and in a therapeutically effective amount, with the rate being primarily independent of the erosion rate of the polymer. The rate of release of the active agent from the polymeric compositions of the present invention is significantly increased over the rate of release dependent on erosion of the polymer matrix. The invention makes possible the increased control over and improved reproducibility of the release profile of the agent from the polymer. The invention is further directed to a method of delivering to an environment of use an active agent, which method comprises placing an appropriately sized and shaped delivery device of the above description in the environment of use.

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San Carlos, CA, United States of America

Fred P Ehnow