PROCESS FOR PRODUCING SMALL PARTICLES OF BIOLOGICALLY A...

PROCESS FOR PRODUCING SMALL PARTICLES OF BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE MOLECULES

12) Patent: (11) CA 2030551
ABSTRACT:
Small diameter particles of biologically active molecules are produced by atomizing solutions of the molecules through a nozzle into very cold liquified gases, which immediately freeze the atomized droplets. The resulting frozen particles having diameters of approximately 10 to 90 micrometers are lyophilized to produce porous particles, suspended in a non-solvent for the molecules, and exposed to ultrasonic energy or homogenization to produce particles having diameters of 0.1 to 10 micrometers with greater than 70 to 95% of the initial biological activity of the molecules in solution.
(72) Inventors (Country): GOMBOTZ, WAYNE (United States)
HEALY, MICHAEL S. (United States)
BROWN, LARRY R. (United States)
AUER, HENRY E. (United States)
(73) Owners (Country): ALKERMES CONTROLLED THERAPEUTICS INC. (United States)
(71) Applicants (Country):
(74) Agent: BERESKIN & PARR
(45) Issued: Aug. 25, 1998
(86) PCT Filing Date: May 1 , 1990
(87) PCT Publication Date: Nov. 2 , 1990
Examination requested: Mar. 13, 1992
(52) Canadian Class (CPC): 167/164
(51) International Class (IPC): B01J 10/00
A61K 9/16
Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT): Yes (85) National Entry: Nov. 30, 1990
(86) PCT Filing number: PCT/US1990/002421
(87) International publication number: WO1990/013285
(30) Application priority data: Application No. Country Date
07/345,684 United States May 1 , 1989
Availability of licence: N/A
Language of filing: English