Alkermes Controlled Therapeutics, Inc.

Other

Warren E Jaworowicz

Mark A Tracy

Henry R Costantino

James I Wright

Kevin L Ward

Christopher P Beganski

Gregory C Troiano

Josiah Brown

The present invention relates to a method for preparing an injectable composition of microparticles for the sustained release of a biologically active agent. The microparticles include a biocompatible polymer and a biologically active agent. The invention provides an improved process for the preparation of microparticles, wherein the physical characteristics of the microparticles, for example, the morphology, density and size, are independent of the process used to prepare the initially formed polymer/drug matrix. The method includes the steps of (a) providing a polymer/biologically active agent matrix; (b) compressing the polymer/biologically active agent matrix, thereby forming a compressed matrix; and (c) fragmenting the compressed matrix, thereby forming an injectable microparticle composition. The polymer/drug matrix can be provided by any suitable method.

Method of preparing sustained release microparticles

Method of producing submicron particles of a labile agent and use thereof

The invention relates to a sustained release composition and methods of forming and using said composition for the sustained release of biologically active agent. The sustained release compositions of the invention comprise a biocompatible polymer and a biologically active agent characterized by a porous center and a less porous outer layer wherein the center and outer layer consist of essentially the same materials. The sustained release compositions can be prepared by annealing at least a substantial portion of the exterior surface of a polymer/active agent matrix. The compositions which have been annealed exhibit a decrease in the release of agent over the first 24 hours following administration (i.e., reduced burst) and as a result can show an increase in the duration of sustained release thereby providing increased therapeutic benefits.

Process for the preparation of polymer-based sustained release compositions

A method of purifying human growth hormone (hGH) from deamidated hGH, oxidized hGH or both. The method comprises the steps of forming a metal cation complexed-hGH composition enriched in native hGH under conditions wherein none or less than all of the deamidated hGH, oxidized hGH or both complex with a metal cation and, isolating the metal cation-complexed hGH composition from the deamidated hGH, oxidized hGH or combination thereof. The method can further comprise the step of releasing purified hGH from the complex. Alternatively, the metal cation-complexed hGH can be encapsulated into a biocompatible polymer for sustained release of hGH. The purification method can be performed one or more times using the hGH released from the metal cation-complexed hGH composition, depending on the purity of the hGH desired.

Method for purifying human growth hormone

The present invention relates to a sustained release composition comprising micron particles of labile agent and a method of preparing and using the sustained release composition. The invention further relates to micron particles of a labile agent and a method of preparing the micron particles. The method of the invention for preparing a composition for the sustained release of a labile agent, comprises forming a suspension comprising the labile agent dispersed in a polymer solution comprising at least one biocompatible polymer and at least one polymer solvent. The suspension is then wet milled to achieve micron particles of the labile agent. The polymer solvent is then removed resulting in a solid polymer/labile agent matrix. The method for preparing micron particles of a labile agent comprises forming a suspension comprising the labile agent, dispersed in a polymer solution comprising at least one biocompatible polymer and at least one polymer solvent, and wet milling of the suspension.

Submicron particles of a biologically active agent are prepared by atomizing using multifluid atomization a dispersed system comprising at least one biologically active agent and at least one solvent to produce droplets, freezing the droplets to produce frozen droplets, lyophilizing the frozen droplets to obtain microstructures capable of being further fragmented into submicron particles by techniques such as probe sonication. The submicron particles can be incorporated into sustained release compositions having a reduced initial release of biologically active agent. The sustained release compositions can be administered to a human or animal.

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Boxboro, MA, United States of America

Warren E Jaworowicz