Patents Assigned to Alkermes
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Patent number: 6379703Abstract: An improved method for preparing microparticles that exhibit controlled release of an effective amount of an active agent over an extended period of time. More particularly, a method is provided for preparing microparticles having a selected release profile for release of active agent contained in the microparticles. By adjusting the degree of drying that is performed during the preparation of the microparticles, the release profile can be controlled. By performing no intermediate drying, an initial burst and a substantially linear release profile is achieved. By performing substantially complete intermediate drying, an initial lag phase and a substantially sigmoidal release profile is achieved.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2000Date of Patent: April 30, 2002Assignee: Alkermes Controlled Therapeutics Inc., IIInventors: Shawn L. Lyons, J. Michael Ramstack, Steven G. Wright
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Patent number: 6379704Abstract: A method for preparing microparticles having a selected polymer molecular weight. The hold time and temperature of a solution containing a nucleophilic compound and a polymer having a starting molecular weight are controlled in order to control the molecular weight of the polymer in the finished microparticle product. In this manner, a selected polymer molecular weight in the finished microparticle product can be achieved from a variety of starting material molecular weights.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2001Date of Patent: April 30, 2002Assignee: Alkermes Controlled Therapeutics Inc. IIInventors: Steven G. Wright, Michael E. Rickey, J. Michael Ramstack, Shawn L. Lyons, Joyce M. Hotz
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Patent number: 6368632Abstract: Method of treating warm blooded animals suffering from psychotic disorders. The method includes administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of sustained-release microparticles that include risperidone, or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof, and a biodegradable and biocompatible polymeric matrix.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2000Date of Patent: April 9, 2002Assignees: Janssen Pharmaceutica, Alkermes Controlled Therapeutics Inc. IIInventors: Jean Mesens, Michael E. Rickey, Thomas J. Atkins
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Patent number: 6368630Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition for the modulated release of a biologically active agent. The composition comprises a biocompatible polymeric matrix, a biologically active agent which is dispersed within the polymeric matrix, and a metal cation component which is separately dispersed within the polymeric matrix, whereby the metal cation component modulates the release of the biologically active agent from the polymeric matrix. The present invention also relates to a method for modulating the release of a biologically active agent from a biocompatible polymeric matrix, comprising the steps of dissolving a biocompatible polymer in a solvent to form a polymer solution and also separately dispersing a metal cation component and a biologically active agent within the polymer solution.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 1999Date of Patent: April 9, 2002Assignee: Alkermes Controlled Therapeutics, Inc.Inventors: Howard Bernstein, Yan Zhang, M. Amin Khan, Mark A. Tracy
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Publication number: 20020037309Abstract: The invention relates to a sustained release composition and methods of forming and using said composition for the sustained release of biologically active agent. The sustained release compositions of the invention comprise a biocompatible polymer and a biologically active agent characterized by a porous center and a less porous outer layer wherein the center and outer layer consist of essentially the same materials. The sustained release compositions can be prepared by annealing at least a substantial portion of the exterior surface of a polymer/active agent matrix. The compositions which have been annealed exhibit a decrease in the release of agent over the first 24 hours following administration (i.e., reduced burst) and as a result can show an increase in the duration of sustained release thereby providing increased therapeutic benefits.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2001Publication date: March 28, 2002Applicant: Alkermes Controlled Therapeutics, Inc.Inventors: Warren E. Jaworowicz, James I. Wright
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Patent number: 6362308Abstract: Copolymers of lactide and glycolide with high glycolide content. The average glycolate block length is less then about 3, which allows the copolymer to be soluble in slightly polar solvents such as methylene chloride.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2000Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: Alkermes Controlled Therapeutics Inc. IIInventor: Chiem V. Pham
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Patent number: 6358443Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for forming microparticles of a material from microdroplets of a solution, wherein the solution comprises the material dissolved in a solvent. The method includes the steps of directing the microdroplets into a freezing zone, wherein the freezing zone is surrounded by a liquified gas, and wherein the microdroplets freeze. The frozen microdroplets are then mixed with a liquid non-solvent, whereby the solvent is extracted into the non-solvent, thereby forming the microparticles.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2000Date of Patent: March 19, 2002Assignee: Alkermes Controlled Therapeutics, Inc.Inventors: Paul F. Herbert, Michael S. Healy
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Publication number: 20020028252Abstract: Submicron particles of a biologically active agent are prepared by atomizing using multifluid atomization a dispersed system comprising at least one biologically active agent and at least one solvent to produce droplets, freezing the droplets to produce frozen droplets, lyophilizing the frozen droplets to obtain microstructures capable of being further fragmented into submicron particles by techniques such as probe sonication. The submicron particles can be incorporated into sustained release compositions having a reduced initial release of biologically active agent. The sustained release compositions can be administered to a human or animal.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2001Publication date: March 7, 2002Applicant: Alkermes Controlled Therapeutics, Inc.Inventors: Henry R. Costantino, Warren E. Jaworowicz, Mark A. Tracy, Christopher P. Beganski
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Publication number: 20020025308Abstract: The invention relates to an improved method for administering live cells to a patient and compositions useful in the method. The composition comprises live cells and biocompatible, biodegradable polymer microparticles. The cells and microparticles of the cell/microparticle composition can be contacted immediately prior to administration, or can be contacted in culture for a specified period of time prior to administration. In the method of the invention, an effective amount of the cell/microparticle composition is administered to a patient in need thereof by injection to a treatment site of the patient to provide a therapeutic effect in the patient. The therapeutic effect can be, for example, the formation of new tissue at the treatment site, or the production and secretion of a biologically active secretory molecule at the treatment site. The composition comprising lives cells and biocompatible, biodegradable polymer microparticles can be used in a method of generating new tissue in vitro.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2001Publication date: February 28, 2002Applicant: Alkermes Controlled Therapeutics, Inc.Inventors: Henry R. Costantino, Lawrence J. Bonassar, Mark A. Tracy
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Patent number: 6331317Abstract: Apparatus and method for preparing microparticles. An emulsion is formed by combining two phases in a static mixing assembly. The static mixing assembly preferably includes a preblending static mixer and a manifold. The emulsion flows out of the static mixing assembly into a quench liquid whereby droplets of the emulsion form microparticles. The residence time of the emulsion in the static mixing assembly is controlled to obtain a predetermined particle size distribution of the resulting microparticles.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1999Date of Patent: December 18, 2001Assignee: Alkermes Controlled Therapeutics II Inc.Inventors: Shawn L. Lyons, Steven G. Wright
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Patent number: 6329508Abstract: The present invention pertains to chimeric antibodies that are reactive with transferrin receptors on brain capillary endothelial cells. These antibodies are composed of a variable region, immunologically reactive with the transferrin receptors, that is obtained from one animal source, and a constant region that is derived from an animal source other than the one that provided the variable region. These chimeric antibodies can exist either as isolated entities or as conjugates with a neuropharmaceutical agent for transferal across the blood brain barrier.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 1994Date of Patent: December 11, 2001Assignee: Alkermes, Inc.Inventor: Phillip M. Friden
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Patent number: 6296842Abstract: The invention relates to a sustained release composition and methods of forming and using said composition for the sustained release of biologically active agent. The sustained release compositions of the invention comprise a biocompatible polymer and a biologically active agent characterized by a porous center and a less porous outer layer wherein the center and outer layer consist of essentially the same materials. The sustained release compositions can be prepared by annealing at least a substantial portion of the exterior surface of a polymer/active agent matrix. The compositions which have been annealed exhibit a decrease in the release of agent over the first 24 hours following administration (i.e., reduced burst) and as a result can show an increase in the duration of sustained release thereby providing increased therapeutic benefits.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2000Date of Patent: October 2, 2001Assignee: Alkermes Controlled Therapeutics, Inc.Inventors: Warren E. Jaworowicz, James I. Wright
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Patent number: 6290983Abstract: A method for preparing biodegradable, biocompatible microparticles. A first phase is prepared that includes a biodegradable, biocompatible polymer, an active agent, and a solvent. A second phase is prepared. The first and second phases are combined to form an emulsion in which the first phase is discontinuous and the second phase is continuous. The discontinuous first phase is separated from the continuous second phase. The residual level of solvent in the discontinuous first phase is reduced to less than about 2% by weight.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2000Date of Patent: September 18, 2001Assignee: Alkermes Controlled Therapeutics Inc. II.Inventors: Michael E. Rickey, J. Michael Ramstack, Danny H. Lewis
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Patent number: 6284283Abstract: Submicron particles of a biologically active agent are prepared by atomizing using multifluid atomization a dispersed system comprising at least one biologically active agent and at least one solvent to produce droplets, freezing the droplets to produce frozen droplets, lyophilizing the frozen droplets to obtain microstructures capable of being further fragmented into submicron particles by techniques such as probe sonication. The submicron particles can be incorporated into sustained release compositions having a reduced initial release of biologically active agent. The sustained release compositions can be administered to a human or animal.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 1999Date of Patent: September 4, 2001Assignee: Alkermes Controlled Therapeutics, Inc.Inventors: Henry R. Costantino, Warren E. Jaworowicz, Mark A. Tracy, Christopher P. Beganski
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Patent number: 6265389Abstract: This invention relates to a composition, and method of forming and using said composition, for the sustained release of oligonucleotides, in particular antisense ODNs. The sustained release composition of this invention comprises a polymer matrix of a biocompatible polymer and stabilized oligonucleotide, wherein the stabilized oligonucleotide is dispersed within the biocompatible polymer. The method of the invention, for forming a composition for the sustained release of oligonucleotide, in particular an antisense ODN, includes dissolving a polymer in a polymer solvent to form a polymer solution, dispersing stabilized oligonucleotide in the polymer solution, and then solidifying the polymer to form a polymeric matrix containing a dispersion of the stabilized oligonucleotide.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 1998Date of Patent: July 24, 2001Assignee: Alkermes Controlled Therapeutics, Inc.Inventor: Paul A. Burke
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Patent number: 6264987Abstract: A method for preparing microparticles having a selected polymer molecular weight. The hold time and temperature of a solution containing a nucleophilic compound and a polymer having a starting molecular weight are controlled in order to control the molecular weight of the polymer in the finished microparticle product. In this manner, a selected polymer molecular weight in the finished microparticle product can be achieved from a variety of starting material molecular weights.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2000Date of Patent: July 24, 2001Assignee: Alkermes Controlled Therapeutics Inc. IIInventors: Steven G. Wright, Michael E. Rickey, J. Michael Ramstack, Shawn L. Lyons, Joyce M. Hotz
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Patent number: 6194006Abstract: An improved method for preparing microparticles that exhibit controlled release of an effective amount of an active agent over an extended period of time. More particularly, a method is provided for preparing microparticles having a selected release profile for release of active agent contained in the microparticles. By adjusting the degree of drying that is performed during the preparation of the microparticles, the release profile can be controlled. By performing no intermediate drying, an initial burst and a substantially linear release profile is achieved. By performing substantially complete intermediate drying, an initial lag phase and a substantially sigmoidal release profile is achieved.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1998Date of Patent: February 27, 2001Assignee: Alkermes Controlled Therapeutics Inc. IIInventors: Shawn L. Lyons, J. Michael Ramstack, Steven G. Wright
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Patent number: 6183781Abstract: The present invention includes a method for producing an implantable polymer/drug matrix mass, comprising the steps of (1) forming a polymer solution/drug mixture comprising a polymer dissolved in an organic solvent and a suspended labile drug; (2) removing the solvent from the polymer solution/drug mixture, thereby forming a solid polymer/drug matrix; and (3) mechanically compressing the polymer/drug matrix, thereby forming an implantable polymer/drug matrix mass.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 1997Date of Patent: February 6, 2001Assignee: Alkermes Controlled Therapeutics, Inc.Inventor: Paul A. Burke
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Patent number: 6165508Abstract: This invention relates to a composition, and method of forming said composition, for the controlled release of interferon. The controlled release composition of this invention comprises a biocompatible polymer and particles of metal cation-stabilized interferon, wherein the particles are dispersed within the biocompatible polymer. The method of the invention, for producing a composition for the controlled release of interferon, includes dissolving a polymer in a polymer solvent to form a polymer solution, dispersing particles of metal cation-stabilized interferon particles in the polymer solution, and then solidifying the polymer to form a polymeric matrix containing a dispersion of the interferon particles.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 1997Date of Patent: December 26, 2000Assignee: Alkermes Controlled Therapeutics, Inc.Inventors: Mark A. Tracy, Howard Bernstein, M. Amin Khan
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Patent number: 6153129Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for forming microparticles of a material from microdroplets of a solution, wherein the solution comprises the material dissolved in a solvent. The method includes the steps of directing the microdroplets into a freezing zone, wherein the freezing zone is surrounded by a liquified gas, and wherein the microdroplets freeze. The frozen microdroplets are then mixed with a liquid non-solvent, whereby the solvent is extracted into the non-solvent, thereby forming the microparticles.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 1999Date of Patent: November 28, 2000Assignee: Alkermes Controlled Therapeutics, Inc.Inventors: Paul F. Herbert, Michael S. Healy