Microparticle preparation

1. A parenterally administrable, biodegradable microparticle preparation containing a biologically active substance that is sensitive to or unstable in organic solvents, in which the microparticles are substantially composed of sheared, highly branched starch, which has an amylopectin content in excess of 85% by weight, of which at least 80% by weight has an average molecular weight in the range of 10-10 000 kDa, and which exhibits a release of the biologically active substance in which the bioavailability of said substance is at least 35% of the bioavailability that is obtained when the substance in question is injected intravenously in soluble form.

2. A preparation according to claim 1 , in which the starch has an amino acid nitrogen content of less than 50 μg per g dry weight of starch and which lacks covalent chemical cross-linking between the starch molecules.

3. A preparation according to claim 1 , in which said bioavailability is at least 45%, preferably at least 50% of the bioavailability that is obtained when the biologically active substance is injected intravenously.

4. A parenterally administrable, biodegradable microparticle preparation containing a biologically active substance that is sensitive to or unstable in organic solvents, in which the microparticles are substantially composed of sheared, highly branched starch, which has an amylopectin content in excess of 85% by weight, of which at least 80% by weight has an average molecular weight in the range of 10-10 000 kDa, and which exhibits a release of the active substance characterized in that in the release that takes place during any continuous seven-day period the quotient between the highest serum or plasma concentration of the biologically active substance divided by the mean concentration during said seven-day period is less than 5, provided that the chosen seven-day period does not include the first 24 hours after injection.

5. A preparation according to claim 4 , in which the starch has an amino acid nitrogen content of less than 50 μg per g dry weight of starch and which lacks covalent chemical cross-linking between the starch molecule.

6. A preparation according to claim 4 , in which said release is less than 4 times, preferably less than 3 times, and more preferably less than twice.

7. A parenterally administrable, biodegradable microparticle preparation containing a biologically active substance that is sensitive to or unstable in organic solvents, in which the microparticles are substantially composed of sheared, highly branched starch, which has an amylopectin content in excess of 85% by weight, of which at least 80% by weight has an average molecular weight in the range of 10-10 000 kDa, and which exhibits a release of the biologically active substance in which the mean residence time for said biologically active substance is at least 14 days.

8. A preparation according to claim 7 , in which the starch has an amino acid nitrogen content of less than 50 μg per g dry weight of starch and which lacks covalent chemical cross-linking between the starch molecules.

9. A preparation according to claim 7 , in which said mean residence time is at least 7 days, preferably at least 9 days, more preferably at least 11 days, and most preferably at least 13 days.

10. A preparation according to claim 1 , in which the microparticles are substantially composed of starch, which has an amylopectin content in excess of 85% by weight, of which at least 80% by weight has an average molecular weight in the range of 10-100000 kDa, which has an amino acid nitrogen content of les than 50 μg per dry weight of starch and which lack covalent chemical cross-linking between the starch molecules.

11. A preparation according to claim 1 , in which said average molecular weight is in the range of 100-4000 kDa, preferably 100-1000 kDa.

12. A preparation according to claim 1 , in which said average molecular weight is in he range of 200-1000 kDa, preferably 300-600 kDa.