Abstract: The invention relates to the field of pharmacology. More specific, the invention relates to a controlled release composition. In one of the embodiments, the invention provides a method for preparing a controlled release composition comprising the steps of: providing a mixture of a recombinant gelatin and a pharmaceutical chemically cross-linking said recombinant gelatin to obtain a three dimensional network structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of pharmacology. More specific, the invention relates to a controlled release composition. This invention is related to a controlled release composition comprising a cross-linked gelatin and at least one therapeutic protein wherein the ratio of the average mesh size (?) of the gelatin matrix and the average hydrodynamic radius (RH) of the therapeutic protein is smaller than 2, preferably smaller than 1.5.

Abstract: Aqueous gel compositions are disclosed which are useful as drug carriers for controlled delivery applications, such as for parenteral depot formulations. The gels comprise ionically charged microparticles, and preferably mixtures of oppositely charged microparticles. The microparticles can be loaded with active compounds, such as therapeutic peptides and proteins. The gels can be prepared by combining oppositely charged microparticles in the presence of water.

Abstract: A prepolymer comprises polymerisable macromolecules, each polymerisable macromolecule comprises a polysaccharide backbone and at least two side units, wherein each of the at least two side units comprises a polymerisable group which is connected to the backbone via at least one group which is hydrolysable under physiological conditions; wherein the polymerisable group of each of the side units is independently selected from optionally alkylated and/or hydroxyalkylated acrylates and acrylamides; and wherein the at least one group which is hydrolysable under physiological conditions is selected from carbonate, lactate, glycolate, and succinate. The invention is also directed to biodegradable hydrogels useful in pharmaceutical compositions, comprising polymerized or co-polymerized prepolymers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising polymers whose solubility characteristics can be changed by incubation and particularly ploy (hydroxyalkyl (meth) acrylamide mono/di-lactate) interpolymers. Another aspect of this invention is the application of such temperature sensitive polymers as release systems of biologically active compounds. The polymers of the present invention comprise monomers, which have modifiable functionality. The functionality of the monomers can for example be modified by the presence of hydrolysable groups. The modification is effected by the incubation, leading to a change of the water solubility characteristics of the polymer. The polymers used in the present invention contain hydrolysable chemical groups. As a result the polymer's solution characteristics, specifically its lower critical solution temperature (LCST), change upon incubation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a biodegradable hydrogel comprising bonds which are hydrolyzable under physiological conditions. More particularly, the hydrogel consists of two interpenetrating polymer networks interconnected to one another through hydrolyzable spacers. In addition, the invention relates to a method for the preparation of a hydrogel, wherein macromolecules, e.g., polymers which contain bonds which are hydrolyzable under physiological conditions, are cross-linked in an aqueous solution.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermosensitive adhesive composition comprising: a) a first monomer chosen from the group of alkyl acrylates and alkyl methacrylates containing in the alkyl group 4 to 10 carbon atoms; b) a second monomer chosen from the group of alkyl acrylates or methacrylates containing in the alkyl group 1 to 3 carbon atoms, acrylamides, methacrylamides and other unsaturated monomers; and c) 1 to 15 mole % of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid and/or hydroxyethyl methacrylic acid, which copolymer has a glass transition temperature between 45 and 70° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a biodegradable hydrogel comprising bonds which are hydrolysable under physiological conditions. More particularly, the hydrogel consists of two interpenetrating polymer networks interconnected to one another through hydrolysable spacers. In addition, the invention relates to a method for the preparation of a hydrogel, wherein macromolecules, e.g., polymers which contain bonds which are hydrolysable under physiological conditions, are cross-linked in an aqueous solution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a biodegradable hydrogel comprising bonds which are hydrolysable under physiological conditions. More particularly, the hydrogel consists of two interpenetrating polymer networks interconnected to one another through hydrolysable spacers. In addition, the invention relates to a method for the preparation of a hydrogel, wherein macromolecules, e.g. polymers, which contain bonds which are hydrolysable under physiological conditions, are cross-linked in an aqueous solution.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the preparation of microencapsulated colloidal systems such as liposomes, i.e., microspheres which comprise colloidal systems. These microencapsulated colloidal systems can be used as controlled release systems for the delivery of active ingredients in in vivo and in vitro applications. A method is provided in which the colloidal systems are added to a phase which comprises a water soluble crosslinkable polymer followed by formation of microspheres.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a controlled release system, comprising forming of an aqueous two-phase system form at least two water soluble polymers which are incompatible in solution, at least one of these polymers being cross-linkable, the cross-linkable polymer phase being emulsified in the other polymer phase; adding at least one relesable compound which is soluble in the cross-linked polymer phase in the aqueous solution, allowing the releasable compound to diffuse in the cross linkable polymer phase; cross-linking the cross-linkable polymer before or after the releasable compound is added, preferably to a degree that the pores in the cross-liked structure are substantially smaller than the particle size of the releasable compound; and separating the cross-linked structures enclosing the release able compound from the other phase. Further, the invention relates to microspheres, at least 80 wt.

Abstract: Water soluble polymers or polymeric hydrogels are used to encapsulate antigen to form vaccines. The antigen is mixed with a polymer solution, microparticles are formed of the polymer and antigen, and, optionally, the polymer is crosslinked to form a stable microparticle. Preferred polymers are alginate and polyphospazenes, and mixtures thereof. Microparticles can be administered parenterally or mucosally. For oral delivery, the microparticles are preferably fifteen microns or less in diameter, and adhere to the mucosal lining of the gastointestinal tract, increasing uptake by the reticuloendothelium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a synthetic transfection or blocking system comprising as a carrier a cationic, water soluble or water dispersable polyacrylate, a polyacrylamide, a poly(C.sub.1-6 alkyl)acrylate or poly(C.sub.1-6 alkyl)acrylamide. In addition, it relates to a method for introducing DNA fragments in target cells, comprising contacting these DNA fragments with a polyacrylate, a polyacrylamide, a poly(C.sub.1-6 alkyl)acrylate or poly(C.sub.1-6 alkyl)acrylamide, which is at least partially substituted with cationic substituents and subsequently contacting the obtained transfection system with target cells. Finally, the invention involves the use of a polyacrylate, a polyacrylamide, a poly(C.sub.1-6 alkyl)acrylate or poly(C.sub.1-6 alkyl)acrylamide, which is at least partially substituted with cationic substituents as a DNA carrier system.

Abstract: The present invention to a synthetic transfection system comprising as a carrier a cationic, water dispersible polyphosphazene. In addition, it relates to a method for introducing DNA fragments in target cells, comprising contacting these DNA fragments with a polyphosphazene which is at least partially substituted with cationic substituents and subsequently contacting the obtained transfection system with target cells. Finally, the invention involves the use of a polyphosphazene which is at least partially substituted with cationic substituents as a transfection vehicle.