Patent ID: 8617613

Claim:
A method of preparing a composition for the sustained release of a polypeptide comprising the steps of: a) forming a mixture by combining an aqueous phase comprising a sugar and a water soluble polypeptide with an oil phase comprising a biocompatible polymer and a solvent for the polymer; b) forming a water-in-oil emulsion of the mixture from step a), wherein the inner emulsion droplet size is less than about 0.5 microns; c) adding a coacervation agent to the mixture to form embryonic microparticles, wherein said coacervation agent is silicone oil added in an amount sufficient to achieve a silicone oil to polymer solvent ratio of from about 0.75:1 to about 2:1; d) transferring the embryonic microparticles to a quench solvent to harden the microparticles; e)collecting the hardened microparticles; and f) drying the hardened microparticles.