Patent ID: 6838089
Filing Date: 2005-01-04
Classification: A61K,A61P,B01D,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method for producing an antigen delivery system comprising a plurality of polymer particles, wherein a water-insoluble protein antigen is incorporated with the polymer particles, the polymer particles comprising a matrix polymer which comprises one or more homo- and/or copolymers, wherein the method comprises: (a) mixing an aqueous phase (W) comprising the water-insoluble protein and one or more hydrophilic surfactants at a concentration of 0.1 to 100 times the critical micelle concentration thereof with an organic phase (O) that comprises the matrix polymer in an organic solvent, which solvent does not denature the protein antigen and wherein O is immiscible with W, to produce a W/O emulsion, wherein either W or O or both further comprise one or more stabilizing agents added prior to mixing to stabilize the W/O emulsion in the presence of the solubilizing agent(s) and promote the incorporation of the water-insoluble protein within the polymer particles during step (b); and (b) forming droplets of said W/O emulsion by dispersing the emulsion in a fluid medium, and removing said solvent from the O phase of the W/O emulsion droplets to thereby form the polymer particles incorporating the water-insoluble protein antigen.