Abstract: Nanoparticle coacervates of nucleic acids and polycations serve as effective vaccines when administered orally. They can induce immunity to a variety of disease causing agents and raise a protective response to allergens.

Abstract: Biodegradable polymers are described comprising the recurring monomeric units shown in formula I or II: 1

Abstract: Biodegradable, flowable or flexible polymer compositions are described comprising a polymer having the recurring monomeric units shown in formula I: 1

Abstract: A multi-layered microcapsule has an inner extracellular matrix and an outer shell. The inner extracellular matrix includes a first inner layer of biopolymer and a second intermediate layer of polymer that provides partial immune-protection and holds the first layer in place. The outer shell can form an exoskeleton to provide mechanical stability. Each of the individual layers can be varied to optimize mechanical stability, cell function, and immuno-protection.

Abstract: An essentially non-osteoconductive medical device is described comprising a biodegradable terephthalate copolymer comprising the recurring monomeric units shown in formula I: wherein R is a divalent organic moiety; x is ≧1; and n is 3-7,500, where the biodegradable polymer is sufficiently pure to be biocompatible and is capable of forming biocompatible residues upon biodegradation. Compositions containing the copolymers and biologically active substances, articles useful for implantation or injection into the body fabricated from the compositions, and methods for controllably releasing biologically active substances using the copolymers, are also described.

Abstract: Biodegradable terephthalate polymers are described comprising the recurring monomeric units shown in formula I: 1

Abstract: A target-specific gene delivery system is made of enzymatically degradable gelatin and nucleic acids (DNA or RNA) microparticles with a linking moiety or a targeting ligand attached to the surface. The delivery system can be made by a simple method. Targeting ligands can be attached to the microparticle directly or via a linking moiety. The linkage design allows the attachment of any molecule onto the microparticle surface including antibodies, cell adhesion molecules, hormones and other cell-specific ligands.

Abstract: Biodegradable, flowable or flexible polymer compositions are described comprising a polymer having the recurring monomeric units shown in formula I: wherein: each of R and R′ is independently straight or branched alkylene, either unsubstituted or substituted with one or more non-interfering substituents; L is a divalent cycloaliphatic group; R″ is selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, alkoxy, aryl, aryloxy, heterocyclic or heterocycloxy; and n is 5 to 1,000, wherein said biodegradable polymer is biocompatible before and upon biodegradation. In one embodiment, one or more of R, R′ or R″ is a biologically active substance. Amorphous compositions containing a biologically active substance, in addition to the polymer, and methods for controllably releasing biologically active substances using the compositions, are also described.

Abstract: A medical device and method for transportation and release of a therapeutic agent into a mammalian body are disclosed. The medical device is coated with alternating layers of a negatively charged therapeutic agent and a cationic polyelectrolyte, following a controlled adsorption technique. The method is simple,' with minimal perturbation to the therapeutic agent and uses clinically acceptable biopolymers such as human serum albumin. The amount of the therapeutic agent that can be delivered by this technique is optimized by the number of the layers of the therapeutic agent adsorbed on the surface of medical device. There is a washing step between alternate layers of the therapeutic agent and cationic polyelectrolyte carrier, so that the amount of the therapeutic agent on the insertable medical device represents the portion that is stably entrapped and adsorbed on to the medical device.

Abstract: Biodegradable polymers are described comprising the recurring monomeric units shown in formula I or II: wherein X is —O— or —NR′—, where R′ is H or alkyl; L is a branched or straight chain aliphatic group having from 1-20 carbon atoms; M1 and M2 are each independently (1) a branched or straight chain aliphatic group having from 1-20 carbon atoms; or (2) a branched or straight chain, oxy-, carboxy- or amino-aliphatic group having from 1-20 carbon atoms; Y is —O—, —S— or —NR′—, where R′ is H or alkyl; R is H, alkyl, alkoxy, aryl, aryloxy, heterocyclic or heterocycloxy; the molar ratio of x:y is about 1; the molar ratio n:(x or y) is between about 200:1 and 1:200; and the molar ratio q:r is between about 1:99 and 99:1; wherein said biodegradable polymer is biocompatible before and upon biodegradat.

Abstract: Biodegradable terephthalate polymers are described comprising the recurring monomeric units shown in formula I: wherein R is a divalent organic moiety; R′ is an aliphatic, aromatic or heterocyclic residue; x is ≧1; and n is 0-5,000, wherein the biodegradable polymer is biocompatible before and upon biodegradation. Processes for preparing the polymers, compositions containing the polymers and biologically active substances, articles useful for implantation or injection into the body fabricated from the compositions, and methods for controllably releasing biologically active substances using the polymers, are also described.

Abstract: Biodegradable polymer compositions that degrade in vivo into non-toxic residues are described. In part, the present invention is directed to such polymers containing phosphorus and desaminotyrosyl L-tyrosine linkages in the polymer backbone. Processes for preparing such polymers, compositions containing such polymers and biologically active substances, articles useful for implantation or injection into the body fabricated from the compositions, and methods for controllably releasing biologically active substances using the polymers, are also described.

Abstract: 4-Phenylbutyrate exerts many beneficial biological effects. It appears to induce the transcription of certain promoters, as well as having a remedial effect on proteins which are aberrantly localized within the cell. In addition, it appears to cause cells to developmentally differentiate. The present invention provides nanosphere formulations of 4-phenylbutyrate and other drugs which remediate defective protein localization intracellularly. These formulations permit lower concentrations of drugs to be administered, providing both cost and safety benefits.

Abstract: A method of stimulating a systemic immune response to a tumor cell or antigen associated with a pathogen by administering a mixture of a controlled release vehicle containing an immunopotentiating agent and antigen is described.

Abstract: Biodegradable polymers are described comprising the recurring monomeric units shown in formula I or II: wherein X is --O-- or --NR'--, where R' is H or alkyl; L is a branched or straight chain aliphatic group having from 1-20 carbon atoms; M.sub.1 and M.sub.2 are each independently (1) a branched or straight chain aliphatic group having from 1-20 carbon atoms; or (2) a branched or straight chain, oxy-, carboxy- or amino-aliphatic group having from 1-20 carbon atoms; Y is --O--, --S-- or --NR'--, where R' is H or alkyl; R is H, alkyl, alkoxy, aryl, aryloxy, heterocyclic or heterocycloxy; the molar ratio of x:y is about 1; the molar ratio n:(x or y) is between about 200:1 and 1:200; and the molar ratio q:r is between about 1:99 and 99:1; wherein said biodegradable polymer is biocompatible before and upon biodegradat.

Abstract: A delivery system that releases a diagnostic marker or therapeutic agent in a manner sensitive to the concentration of urease in a physiological compartment, particularly the gastrointestinal tract, and methods of use.

Abstract: A medical device is described comprising a biodegradable terephthalate copolymer comprising the recurring monomeric units shown in formula I below: ##STR1## wherein R is a divalent organic moiety; R' is an aliphatic, aromatic, or heterocyclic residue; x is .gtoreq.1; and n is 3-7,500, and where the biodegradable terephthalate copolymer is sufficiently pure to be biocompatible and is capable of forming biocompatible residues upon biodegradation. In addition, compositions containing the copolymers and biologically active substances, articles useful for implantation or injection into the body fabricated from the compositions, and methods for controllably releasing biologically active substances using the copolymers, are also described.

Abstract: A non-abusable, non-inflammatory, biocompatible, non-biodegradable, subcutaneous, polymeric implant for the prolonged, controlled release of hydromorphone with near zero-order kinetics is described. Methods of alleviating cancer pain and treating opioid drug addiction with the implant are also described.

Abstract: A target-specific gene delivery system is made of enzymatically degradable gelatin and nucleic acids (DNA or RNA) microparticles with a linking moiety or a targeting ligand attached to the surface. The delivery system can be made by a simple method. Targeting ligands can be attached to the microparticle directly or via a linking moiety. The linkage design allows the attachment of any molecule onto the microparticle surface including antibodies, cell adhesion molecules, hormones and other cell-specific ligands.

Abstract: A process for making a phosphoester polymer comprising the recurring monomeric units of formula I: ##STR1## wherein: X is --O-- or --NR"--, where R" is H or alkyl;L is a divalent organic moiety;R' is H, alkyl, alkoxy, aryl, aryloxy, heterocyclic, or heterocycloxy; andn is between about 25 to 2,000,is described. The process comprises the steps of:(a) polymerizing in the presence of a solvent p moles of a di-XH compound having formula II:H--X--L--X--H IIwherein X and L are as defined above, with q moles, where p.apprxeq.q, of a phosphorodihalo compound to form a polymer of formula I, wherein n is about 12 to 1000, having a first molecular weight Mw.sub.