Tuning of release kinetics in hydrogels
The present disclosure is directed to methods for tuning the release profile of a biologic disposed in a hydrogel. Parameters that can be used for the tuning include a molar ratio of a nucleophilic group to an electrophilic group, the number of the nucleophilic groups in the first precursor, the number of the electrophilic groups in the second precursor, the molecular weight of the first precursor, the molecular weight of the second precursor, a weight ratio of the biologic and excipient to the hydrogel, a weight percentage of the biologic in a solid state formulation, and a ratio of surface area to volume of the hydrogel. The methods described herein allow the formation of hydrogel with different release profiles suitable for different therapeutic applications.
1. A method of producing a hydrogel with a desired release profile for a biologic and excipient disposed therein, wherein the biologic and excipient are in a solid state formulation prior to being disposed in the hydrogel, the method comprising:
predetermining at least one of the following parameters:
(a) the number of nucleophilic groups in a first precursor;
(b) the number of electrophilic groups in a second precursor;
(c) the molecular weight of the first precursor;
(d) the molecular weight of the second precursor;
(e) a weight ratio of the biologic and excipient to the hydrogel;
(f) a weight percentage of the biologic in the solid state formulation; and
(g) a ratio of surface area to volume of the hydrogel;
determining a molar ratio of the nucleophilic group to the electrophilic group alone, or in combination with any one or more of the above parameters that is not predetermined, until the desired release profile is achieved; and
crosslinking the first precursor and the second precursor at the determined molar ratio around the solid state formulation under anhydrous conditions,
wherein the first precursor comprises (aminopropyl) m polyoxyethylene, wherein m is in the range of about 2 to about 10, and
the second precursor comprises (succinimidyloxyglutaryl) n polyoxyethylene, wherein n is in the range of about 2 to about 10.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the molar ratio of the nucleophilic group to the electrophilic group is in the range of 1.5 to 2, or wherein the molar ratio of the nucleophilic group to the electrophilic group is in the range of 1.3 to 1.8.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the biologic is:
a) a recombinant protein, or
b) a recombinant protein that is an antibody or a Trap protein (a fusion protein with decoy receptor domains).
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first precursor comprises 4 or 8 nucleophilic groups.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second precursor comprises 4 or 8 electrophilic groups.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the molecular weight of the first precursor and/or the second precursor is in the range of about 1 kDa to about 100 kDa.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the weight ratio of the biologic and excipient to the hydrogel is between about 10% to about 90%.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the weight percentage of the biologic in the solid state formulation is between about 30% to about 95%.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
a) the desired release period comprises a release period of about two months to six months for at least 90% biologic release;
b) the desired release period comprises a release period of about one week to two months for at least 90% biologic release;
c) during the desired release period, the hydrogel produces near-linear release of the biologic; or
d) the desired release period comprises a delayed-release portion, a sigmoidal shape, a linear portion, a near-linear portion, a logarithmic portion, an exponential portion or a combination thereof.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the crosslinking occurs in the presence of an organic solvent that is anhydrous and hydrophobic.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the organic solvent is methylene chloride, ethyl acetate, dimethyl carbonate, chloroform, or a combination thereof.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the determining step is performed with a predictive model.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the molar ratio has a continuous effect on release period in the predictive model, or wherein the molecular weights of the first and second precursors have a non-continuous effect on release period in the predictive model.
14. A method of producing a hydrogel having a biologic and excipient disposed therein, wherein the biologic and excipient are in a solid state formulation prior to being disposed in the hydrogel, and wherein the hydrogel is characterized by a desired release period of about one week to about six months for at least 90% biologic release, the method comprising:
selecting a first precursor that comprises two or more nucleophilic groups, wherein the first precursor has a molecular weight in the range of about 1 kDa to about 100 kDa;
selecting a second precursor that comprises two or more electrophilic groups, wherein the second precursor has a molecular weight in the range of about 1 kDa to about 100 kDa;
determining at least one of the following parameters alone, or in combination, until the desired release period is achieved:
(a) a molar ratio of the nucleophilic group to the electrophilic group;
(b) a weight ratio of the biologic and excipient to the hydrogel;
(c) a weight percentage of the biologic in the solid state formulation; and
(d) a ratio of surface area to volume of the hydrogel; and
crosslinking the first precursor and the second precursor at the determined molar ratio around the solid state formulation under anhydrous conditions, wherein the molar ratio of the nucleophilic group to the electrophilic group is in the range of 1.1 to 2,
wherein the first precursor is (aminopropyl) m polyoxyethylene, wherein m is in the range of about 2 to about 10, and
the second precursor is (succinimidyloxyglutaryl) n polyoxyethylene, wherein m is in the range of about 2 to about 10.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the molar ratio of the nucleophilic group to the electrophilic group is in the range of 1.5 to 2, or wherein the molar ratio of the nucleophilic group to the electrophilic group is in the range of 1.3 to 1.8.
16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the biologic is:
a) a recombinant protein, or
b) a recombinant protein that is an antibody or a Trap protein (a fusion protein with decoy receptor domains).
17. The method of claim 14 , wherein the first precursor comprises 4 or 8 nucleophilic groups.
18. The method of claim 14 , wherein the second precursor comprises 4 or 8 electrophilic groups.
19. The method of claim 14 , wherein the weight ratio of the biologic and excipient to the hydrogel is between about 10% to about 90%.