Patent ID: 7754272
Filing Date: 2010-07-13
Classification: A61L

Abstract:
1. A process for producing an implant, for immediate implant into a patient, that is loaded with a pharmaceutically active agent comprising the steps: a) providing a sterile coated implant comprising a biostable implant and a coating comprising a polymer matrix which has pendant zwitterionic groups; b) providing a pharmaceutical solution comprising a pharmaceutically active agent in solution in a solvent which is capable of swelling the coating; c) contacting the coated implant with the pharmaceutical solution at a temperature and for a time to allow swelling of the coating to an extent in the range 25 to 95% of the equilibrium swelling at 37° C. in the pharmaceutical solution; and d) drying the treated implant by solvent evaporation to remove 10 to 100% of total solvent, to produce a pharmaceutically active loaded implant, wherein providing the sterile coated implant comprises: a1) coating a biostable implant with a coating composition containing the polymer of the matrix, or a precursor thereof, a2) curing the polymer to form the said polymer matrix; and a3) sterilising the implant coated with the polymer matrix.