IP Library Granted Patent US 7,074,883
Granted Patent B2
US 7,074,883 · App. 10/724,107 · Granted Jul 11, 2006

Acid end group poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) copolymers with high glycolide content

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,074,883
App. No.
10/724,107
Granted
Jul 11, 2006
Kind
B2
Abstract

Copolymers of lactide and glycolide with high glycolide content. The average glycolate block length is less then about 3, which allows the copolymer to be soluble in slightly polar solvents such as methylene chloride.

Claims (27)

1. A method for making microparticles, comprising:

preparing a solution of a solvent and a copolymer of D,L-lactide and glycolide comprising greater than 40 and less than 50 mole percent lactide and greater than 50 and less than 60 mole percent glycolide, wherein the average glycolate monomer block length is less than about 3;

dissolving or dispersing an active agent in the solution; and

removing the solvent under vacuum to form microparticles.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of methylene chloride, chloroform, ethyl acetate, methyl acetate, N-methyl 2-pyrrolidone, 2-pyrrolidone, propylene glycol, tetrahydrofuran (THF), acetone, dimethylformamide (DMF), dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), benzene, toluene, oleic acid, methyl ethyl ketone, and mixtures thereof.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the active agent is selected from the group consisting of human growth hormone (hGH), luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH), an analog of LHRH, insulin, an anti-inflammatory compound, and an anesthetic compound.

4. Microparticles prepared by the method of claim 1 .

5. The microparticles of claim 4 , wherein the active agent is selected from the group consisting of human growth hormone (hGH), luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH), an analog of LHRH, insulin, an anti-inflammatory compound, or an anesthetic compound.

6. A method for making microparticles, comprising:

passing an aqueous solution and an organic solution through a static mixer to form an emulsion, wherein the organic solution comprises an active agent dissolved or dispersed therein, a solvent, and a copolymer of D,L-lactide and glycolide comprising greater than 40 and less than 50 mole percent lactide and greater than 50 and less than 60 mole percent glycolide, wherein the average glycolate monomer block length is less than about 3;

quenching the emulsion in a quench liquid comprising water; and

separating microparticles from the quench liquid.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of methylene chloride, chloroform, ethyl acetate, methyl acetate, N-methyl 2-pyrrolidone, 2-pyrrolidone, propylene glycol, tetrahydrofuran (THF), acetone, dimethylformamide (DMF), dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), benzene, toluene, oleic acid, methyl ethyl ketone, and mixtures thereof.

8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the active agent is selected from the group consisting of human growth hormone (hGH), luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH), an analog of LHRH, insulin, an anti-inflammatory compound, and an anesthetic compound.

9. Microparticles prepared by the method of claim 6 .

10. The microparticles of claim 9 , wherein the active agent is selected from the group consisting of human growth hormone (hGH), luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH), an analog of LHRH, insulin, an anti-inflammatory compound, or an anesthetic compound.

11. A method for making microparticles, comprising:

preparing a mixture comprising an active agent dissolved or dispersed therein, a solvent, and a copolymer of D,L-lactide and glycolide comprising greater than 40 and less than 50 mole percent lactide and greater than 50 and less than 60 mole percent glycolide, wherein the average glycolate monomer block length is less than about 3;

adding a non-solvent to the mixture to form a coacervate, wherein the non-solvent is not a solvent for either the copolymer or for the active agent;

removing the solvent; and

recovering microparticles.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of methylene chloride, chloroform, ethyl acetate, methyl acetate, N-methyl 2-pyrrolidone, 2-pyrrolidone, propylene glycol, tetrahydrofuran (THF), acetone, dimethylformamide (DMF), dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), benzene, toluene, oleic acid, methyl ethyl ketone, and mixtures thereof.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the active agent is selected from the group consisting of human growth hormone (hGH), luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH), an analog of LHRH, insulin, an anti-inflammatory compound, and an anesthetic compound.

14. Microparticles prepared by the method of claim 11 .

15. The microparticles of claim 14 , wherein the active agent is selected from the group consisting of human growth hormone (hGH), luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH), an analog of LHRH, insulin, an anti-inflammatory compound, or an anesthetic compound.

16. The method of claim 11 , wherein the non-solvent is silicone oil.

17. The microparticles of claim 14 , wherein the non-solvent is silicone oil.

Assignments (5)
RELEASE OF PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (FIRST LIEN) Recorded Dec 24, 2024
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: ALKERMES, INC.; ALKERMES PHARMA IRELAND LIMITED
Reel/Frame 069771/0548 →
RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY (SECOND LIEN) Recorded Oct 12, 2012
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: ALKERMES, INC.; ALKERMES PHARMA IRELAND LIMITED; ALKERMES CONTROLLED THERAPEUTICS INC.
Reel/Frame 029116/0379 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (FIRST LIEN) Recorded Sep 29, 2011
From: ALKERMES, INC.; ALKERMES PHARMA IRELAND LIMITED; ALKERMES CONTROLLED THERAPEUTICS INC.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 026994/0186 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (SECOND LIEN) Recorded Sep 29, 2011
From: ALKERMES, INC.; ALKERMES PHARMA IRELAND LIMITED; ALKERMES CONTROLLED THERAPEUTICS INC.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 026994/0245 →
MERGER Recorded Aug 31, 2006
From: ALKERMES CONTROLLED THERAPEUTICS INC. II
To: ALKERMES, INC.
Reel/Frame 018194/0248 →