Polypeptide-polymer conjugates and methods of use thereof

1. A conjugate of the formula:

[X—(Y) n ] 10-50 —Z,

where X is a biologically active polypeptide having a molecular weight of from about 5 kDa to about 50 kDa;

Y is an optional linker moiety, wherein n is 0 or an integer from 1 to about 10; and

Z is a biocompatible polymer having a molecular weight of at least about 50,000 Daltons, and wherein the polypeptide is covalently linked to the polymer directly or via the linker moiety.

2. The conjugate of claim 1 , wherein the polymer is a linear polymer comprising multiple subunits selected from hyaluronic acid, acrylic acid, ethylene glycol, methacrylic acid, acrylamide, hydroxyethyl methacrylate, mannitol, maltose, glucose, arabinose, taurine, betaine, modified celluloses, hydroxyethyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, modified starches, hydrophobically modified starch, hydroxyethyl starch, hydroxypropyl starch, amylose, amylopectin, oxidized starch, and copolymers thereof.

3. The conjugate of claim 1 , wherein the biologically active polypeptide is a receptor, a ligand for a receptor, a growth factor, an angiogenic factor, a polypeptide that induces cell differentiation, an antibody, or a polypeptide that inhibits cell proliferation.

4. The conjugate of claim 1 , wherein the polymer is linear poly(acrylic acid).

5. The conjugate of claim 1 , wherein the polymer is hyaluronic acid.

6. A pharmaceutical composition comprising:

a) the conjugate of claim 1 ; and

b) a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.

7. An implantable device comprising the conjugate of claim 1 .

8. The implantable device of claim 7 , wherein the implantable device is a stent, a shunt, an artificial valve, a lead, an artificial joint, a graft, or an electrode.

9. An implantable drug delivery device comprising the conjugate of claim 1 .