Patent ID: 6596293
Filing Date: 2003-07-22
Classification: A61F,A61K,A61L,C08G

Abstract:
A method for preparing a polymeric delivery vehicle for controlled-release of a bioactive agent comprising the steps oftreating with a cross-linking agent a biopolymer containing chemically reactive functionalities which react with said cross-linking agent, wherein said cross-linking agent comprises greater than two reactive sites per molecule which are chemically reactive with said functionalities, to form a cross-linked biopolymer; optionally, forming said cross-linked biopolymer into a desired shape; contacting said cross-linked biopolymer with a solution containing said bioactive agent to reversibly bind at least a portion of said bioactive agent to said cross-linked biopolymer to form said polymeric delivery vehicle, wherein the binding affinity of said cross-linked biopolymer with said bioactive agent is above 0.8.