Abstract: A composition comprises: a base oil; an additive; and a drug. The additive has segments which are conjugated, e.g. covalently linked, together. A first segment facilitates solubility in the base oil, whereas a second segment facilitates drug solubility and/or modifies drug release or other behaviour. The first segment may for example comprise a poly(dimethylsiloxane)-containing moiety. The second segment may for example resemble a drug molecule. The composition may for example be used as a tamponade or as a component for a tamponade administered to the eye.

Abstract: A composition comprises: a base oil; an additive comprising a copolymer comprising hydrophobic and hydrophilic units; and a drug. The copolymer may for example have a comb structure in which the hydrophobic units and hydrophilic units are pendant chains on a backbone of the copolymer. The hydrophobic units and hydrophilic units may for example comprise polydimethylsiloxane moieties and ethylene glycol residues respectively. The composition may for example be used as a tamponade or as a component for a tamponade administered to the eye. The invention is useful for solubilising and/or releasing drugs.

Abstract: Polymer-of-prodrug (POP) materials enable new nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) therapy strategies. The materials are prodrugs of NRTIs in the form of polymers. Suitable materials include products which are polymeric NRTI delivery systems comprising polymeric materials which are capable of degradation after administration to release NRTIs or NRTI prodrugs which themselves are capable of metabolism to the parent NRTIs. The NRTIs may optionally be selected from tenofovir (TFV), emtricitabine (FTC), lamivudine (3TC) and MK-8591 (EFdA). The invention facilitates long-acting (LA) regimens. Constructs of the materials may be in the form of injectable compositions or implants.

Abstract: A method of preparing a branched polymer comprises the free radical polymerisation of a multivinyl monomer in the presence of a chain transfer agent, using a source of radicals, wherein the extent of propagation is controlled relative to the extent of chain transfer to prevent gelation of the polymer. The average length of each vinyl polymer chain within the product is short.

Abstract: A method of preparing a polymer comprises the use of free radical vinyl polymerisation to form carbon-carbon backbone segments of the polymer, wherein the longest chains in the polymer comprise vinyl polymer chains interspersed with other chemical groups and/or chains. The product has the characteristics of a step-growth polymer comprising a mixture of polyfunctional step-growth monomer residues formed by vinyl polymerization.

Abstract: Particles comprising a branched polymer and either a block copolymer or a linear dendritic hybrid represent a category of useful materials. They may be used in for example drug delivery applications. They may be prepared by a method comprising the steps of: dissolving the branched polymer and block copolymer or linear dendritic hybrid, and optionally other component(s), in a solvent to form a solution; adding said solution to a different liquid; and removing said solvent to form a dispersion of co-precipitated particles.

Abstract: An oil-in-water emulsion comprises an emulsifier which is a non-gelled branched polymer (e.g. a branched vinyl polymer), wherein the ends of at least some of the chains of said polymer terminate in an alkyl chain of 5 carbon atoms or more, and wherein the oil-in-water emulsion takes the form of particles having a z-average diameter of no greater than about 1000 nm. This is useful in, for example, facilitating the carrying of hydrophobic materials within aqueous systems, to enhance oral drug delivery. The oil-in-water emulsion may be prepared by mixing an oil phase with an aqueous phase in the presence of an emulsifier, wherein said emulsifier is a non-gelled branched polymer, wherein the ends of at least some of the chains of said polymer terminate in an alkyl chain of 5 carbon atoms or more, and wherein the oil-in-water emulsion takes the form of particles having a z-average diameter of no greater than about 1000 nm.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a branched amphiphilic polymer, suitable for stabilizing an emulsion, comprising a plurality of polymer chains comprising hydrophobic chain ends; a plurality of polymer chains comprising functional chain ends capable of associating to a biological substrate; and a plurality of branching units. The present invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing said branched amphiphilic polymers, their methods of use, and methods for their preparation.

Abstract: A composition comprises: a base oil; an additive; and a drug. The additive has segments which are conjugated, e.g. covalently linked, together. A first segment facilitates solubility in the base oil, whereas a second segment facilitates drug solubility and/or modifies drug release or other behaviour. The first segment may for example comprise a poly(dimethylsiloxane)-containing moiety. The second segment may for example resemble a drug molecule. The composition may for example be used as a tamponade or as a component for a tamponade administered to the eye.

Abstract: A composition comprises: a base oil; an additive comprising a copolymer comprising hydrophobic and hydrophilic units; and a drug. The copolymer may for example have a comb structure in which the hydrophobic units and hydrophilic units are pendant chains on a backbone of the copolymer. The hydrophobic units and hydrophilic units may for example comprise polydimethylsiloxane moieties and ethylene glycol residues respectively. The composition may for example be used as a tamponade or as a component for a tamponade administered to the eye. The invention is useful for solubilising and/or releasing drugs.

Abstract: An oil-in-water emulsion comprises an emulsifier which is a non-gelled branched polymer (e.g. a branched vinyl polymer), wherein the ends of at least some of the chains of said polymer terminate in an alkyl chain of 5 carbon atoms or more, and wherein the oil-in-water emulsion takes the form of particles having a z-average diameter of no greater than about 1000 nm. This is useful in, for example, facilitating the carrying of hydrophobic materials within aqueous systems, to enhance oral drug delivery. The oil-in-water emulsion may be prepared by mixing an oil phase with an aqueous phase in the presence of an emulsifier, wherein said emulsifier is a non-gelled branched polymer, wherein the ends of at least some of the chains of said polymer terminate in an alkyl chain of 5 carbon atoms or more, and wherein the oil-in-water emulsion takes the form of particles having a z-average diameter of no greater than about 1000 nm.

Abstract: Particles comprising a branched polymer and either a block copolymer or a linear dendritic hybrid represent a category of useful materials. They may be used in for example drug delivery applications. They may be prepared by a method comprising the steps of: dissolving the branched polymer and block copolymer or linear dendritic hybrid, and optionally other component(s), in a solvent to form a solution; adding said solution to a different liquid; and removing said solvent to form a dispersion of co-precipitated particles.