Patent ID: 7595292

Claim:
A protein-polymer conjugate of formula I wherein X is a homo- or co-polymer selected from the group consisting of polyalkylene glycols, polyvinylpyrrolidones, polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polyoxazolines, polyvinylalcohols, polyacrylamides, polymethacrylamides, HPMA copolymers, polyesters, polyacetals, poly(ortho ester)s, polycarbonates, poly(imino carbonate)s, polyamides, copolymers of divinylether-maleic anhydride and styrene-maleic anhydride, polysacoharides, and polyglutamic acids; Q is a linking group selected from the group consisting of a direct bond, alkylenes, optionally-substituted aryls, and optionally-substituted heteroaryls, wherein the alkylene, aryl, or heteroaryl may be terminated or interrupted by one or more oxygen atoms, sulphur atoms, keto groups, —O—CO— groups, —CO—O— groups, or —NR groups in which R is an alkyl or aryl group; W is selected from the group consisting of a keto group, an ester group, a sulphone group, a reduced keto group, a reduced ester group, and a reduced sulphone group; X′-Q is hydrogen; A is a C 1-5 alkylene or alkenylene chain; B is a bond or a C 1-4 alkylene or alkenylene chain; and Z is a single protein linked to A and B via two thiol groups generated by reduction of a disulfide bridge in the protein.