Synthesis and processing of poly(pro-drug) materials for extended drug release and uses thereof

Abstract

The poly(pro-drug) material includes one or more alternating therapeutic compounds and biodegradable hydrocarbyl groups. The therapeutic compounds and biodegradable hydrocarbyl groups are separated by cleavable linker compounds. The therapeutic compounds, such as estrogen, curcumin, and fingolimod, include a plurality of substitutable functional groups that provide reaction sites for complexing with the cleavable linkers and in turn one or more polymers, such that the poly(pro-drug) material ends up composed of the therapeutic compound itself. In aqueous media and at physiological temperature and pH, the poly(pro-drug) materials degrade to release the therapeutic compounds from the material with a zero-order release profile, Advantageously, the poly(pro-drug) materials release the therapeutic compounds on time scales of years. The poly(pro-drug) materials also exhibit reduced to allow for prolonged implantation within a patient. These materials are enticing for a myriad of biomedical applications, including veterinary medicine, cancer treatments, birth control, and hormone replacement therapy.