Abstract: A parenterally administrable, biodegradable microparticle preparation containing a biologically active substance which, during the first 24 hours after injection, exhibits a release of the active substance that is less than 25% of the total release, determined from a concentration-time curve in the form of the ratio between the area under the curve during the said first 24 hours and the total area under the curve in question

Abstract: A vaccine composition which comprises an immnunologically active substance embedded in microparticles essentially consisting of starch having an amylopectin content exceeding 85% by weight, of which at least 80% by weight has an average molecular weight within the range of 10-10000 kDa, and without any covalent chemical cross-linking between the starch molecules.

Abstract: A process for producing microparticles containing biologically active substance, in which process an aqueous solution of the said substance is prepared, this solution is mixed with an aqueous solution of PEG such that the substance is concentrated and/or solidified, the substance is optionally washed, the substance is mixed with an organic polymer solution, the composition obtained is mixed, after the admixture of said polymer solution, with an aqueous polymer solution, thereby forming an emulsion of droplets of first mentioned polymer as the internal phase, said droplets are solidified into microparticles, the microparticles are dried and a release-controlling shell is optionally applied to these.

Abstract: A process for producing microparticles containing biologically active substance, in which process an aqueous solution of the said substance is prepared, this solution is mixed with an aqueous solution of PEG such that the substance is concentrated and/or solidified, the substance is optionally washed, the substance is mixed with an aqueous starch solution, the composition obtained is mixed, after the admixture of the starch solution, with a polymer solution, thereby forming an emulsion of starch droplets in the polymer solution, the starch droplets are solidified into microparticles, the microparticles are dried and a release-controlling shell is optionally applied to these.

Abstract: Production of purified, parenterally administrable starch by washing starch containing more than 85% amylopectin in order to remove surface-localized proteins, lipids and endotoxins, subjecting the starch to a molecular weight reduction by acid hydrolysis, and optionally removing residual water-soluble proteins.

Abstract: A process for producing parenterally administrable microparticles, in which an at least 20% by weight aqueous solution of purified amylopectin-based starch of reduced molecular weight is prepared, the solution is combined with biologically active substance, an emulsion of starch droplets is formed in an outer phase of polymer solution, the starch droplets are made to gel, and the gelled starch particles are dried. A release-controlling shell is optionally also applied to the particles.

Abstract: Production of purified, parenterally administrable starch by washing starch containing more than 85% amylopectin in order to remove surface-localized proteins, lipids and endotoxins, dissolving the starch in aqueous medium, molecular weight reduction by shearing, and optionally removal of residual water-soluble proteins, preferably by anion exchange chromatography.