| DESCRIPTION |
Our bioerodible hydrogel technology is one of our priority internal development focuses. Our scientists have developed a novel series of bioerodible hydrogels which have the potential to be utilized in a number of drug delivery applications, as well as several non-pharmaceutical applications. Hydrogels are very large molecules with complex three-dimensional structures capable of storing either small molecule drugs or much larger peptide and protein therapeutics. These molecules are stored within the matrix of the hydrogel. Most hydrogels are not bioerodible, therefore, they deliver their payload of drug by diffusion of these molecules through the interconnecting chambers of the hydrogel. Once all of the drug has been delivered, non-bioerodible hydrogels remain in the body, unless surgically removed, as they cannot be broken down and eliminated. By comparison, our hydrogel possess bioerodible linking groups with well-defined rates of degradation in biological systems, and so release their payload of drugs by both diffusion and erosion of the hydrogel matrix. By selecting linkers with appropriate degradation rates, much greater control of drug release rates can be achieved. Once the drug has been released, erosion of the hydrogel continues until no solid hydrogel remains, eliminating the need to use an additional procedure to remove the drug delivery device. The hydrogel erodes to form much smaller water-soluble fractions which are readily eliminated from the body. A number of possible drug delivery systems can be developed using the Co.'s bioerodible hydrogel technology, ranging from nanoparticles for intravenous administration, to larger devices which may be implanted, wound packaging materials, medicated and non-medicated for decubitus and vascular ulcers, medicated films and gels for topical applications, burn dressings and dressings for skin donor sites. Our bioerodible hydrogel technology has the following properties: contains a network polymer that swells in water; it has cleavable bonds in a linear polymer backbone; breakdown occurs in a biological or aqueous environment; controlled degradation rates ranging from hours to months can be achieved; and offers the ability to control drug incorporation and release by the choice of polymer, crosslink and link degradation rate |
| COMPANY | This data is not available for free |
|
Want more information ? Interested in the hidden information ? Click here and do your request. |