Biodegradable targetable microparticle delivery system - Patents

Biodegradable targetable microparticle delivery system

Agent: Michael I. Stewart - Toronto, ON, CA
Inventors: Kenneth K. Sokoll, Pele Chong, Michel H. Klein
Class: 424078370 (USPTO), A61K031/785 (Intl Class)
#20050163745
07/28/05

Copolymers designed for use as particulate carriers containing functionalizable amino acid subunits for coupling with targeting ligands are described. The copolymers are polyesters composed of a-hydroxy acid subunits such as D,L-lactide and pseudo-a-amino acid subunits which may be derived from serine or terpolymers of D,L-lactide and glycolide and pseudo-a-amino acid subunits which may be derived from serine. Stable vaccine preparations useful as delayed release formulations containing antigen or antigens and adjuvants encapsulated within or physically mixed with polymeric microparticles are described. The particulate carriers are useful for delivering agents to the immune system of a subject by mucosal or parenteral routes to produce immune responses, including antibody and protective responses.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to biodegradable microparticles for delivery of a biologically active material and is particularly concerned with such microparticles that are targetable to particular cell types.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0023] The present invention is directed towards the production of a novel and useful polymer that has properties suitable for manufacturing by various processes into microparticles and microspheres. In this invention, modifications of existing processing procedures results in significant improvement in encapsulation efficiencies.
[0024] This invention is further directed to the production of useful vaccine delivery systems for antigen(s) or antigen and co-adjuvant cocktails by various immunization routes which include parenteral, oral and intranasal.
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