Patent ID: 6123965
Filing Date: 2000-09-26
Classification: A61K

Abstract:
A method for delivering a therapeutic or diagnostic agent to a patient comprising administering to a mucosal membrane of the patient in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier the therapeutic or diagnostic agent within a microsphere,wherein the surface of the microsphere comprises a polymer having a water-insoluble metal compound incorporated therein which upon exposure of the metal compound at a surface of the polymer improves the adhesion of the polymer to the mucosal membrane,wherein the metal compound is derived from a metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum, tin, calcium, iron, copper, zinc, zirconium, nickel, and titanium, andwherein the polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyamides, polycarbonates, polyalkylenes, polyaryalkylenes, polyalkylene glycols, polyalkylene oxides, polyalkylene terephthalates, polyvinyl polymers, polyphosphazenes, polyacrylamides, polysiloxanes, polyurethanes, polymers of acrylic and methacrylic acid, celluloses, polyanhydrides, polyesters, poly(hydroxy acids), blends thereof, and copolymers thereof.