Sustained drug delivery implant

Abstract

Biocompatible intraocular implants may include a brimonidine free base and a biodegradable polymer associated with the brimonidine free base to facilitate the release of the brimonidine free base into an eye with the polymer matrix lasts a period of time of not more than twice the drug release duration, but more than the drug release duration.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 765,554 filed on Feb. 15, 2013, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND[0002]1. Field[0003]The disclosure of the present application generally relates to drug delivery implants, and more specifically, drug delivery implants used to treat ocular conditions.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness among adults aged 20 to 74 years. It is estimated that 75,000 new cases of macular edema, 65,000 cases of proliferative retinopathy, and 12,000 to 24,000 new cases of blindness arise each year. Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a heterogeneous group of inherited neurodegenerative retinal diseases that cause the death of photoreceptor cells (rods and cones) that eventually leads to blindness. Glaucoma is a multifactorial optic neuropathy resulting from loss of retinal ganglion cells, cor...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent describes an intraocular implant for treating a posterior ocular condition in a human patient. The implant is made of a biodegradable polymer matrix containing a brimonidine free base agent. The implant can deliver the brimonidine free base agent to the vitreous of the eye for a period of up to six months. The biodegradable polymer matrix is designed to completely or almost completely degrade within a period of time of about two times the brimonidine free base agent delivery duration or less. The implant has a rod shape with a rod diameter of about 350 μm and a rod length of about 6 mm. The at least one biodegradable polymer used in the implant can include poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) and poly(D,L-lactide). The brimonidine free base agent delivery duration can be between about 1 month and about 6 months. Overall, this invention provides a safe and effective treatment option for patients with posterior ocular conditions.

Problems solved by technology

Retinal detachments are a significant cause of ocular morbidity.

However, certain limitations exist with the use of brimonidine tartrate in intraocular implants.

For example, because of the size of the brimonidine tartrate molecule, the amount of drug that can be loaded into an implant may be limited.

Also, the hydrophilic nature of brimonidine tartrate may limit the ability of the drug's use in sustained release formulations.

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