Hydrogel Forming Systems with Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Components

Many new therapeutic proteins and oligonucleotides are hydrophobic and therefore difficult to disperse homogeneously within a totally hydrophilic polymer hydrogel. This makes it difficult to achieve predictable drug release patterns. This invention consists of a novel class of biodegradable hydrogels composed of hydrophobic biodegradable polymers [e.g., polylactide (PLA)] and hydrophilic natural polymers (e.g., dextran) that are chemically cross linked using UV photopolymerization to form an interpenetrating polymer network structure (IPN). These gels can be tailored for drug control/release devices, wound coverage, skin substitutes, delivery of virus in gene therapy, coating of surgical implants, coatings of tissue culture plates for promoting cell adhesion and proliferation, and coatings for seeds promoting germination. The cross linking technique makes these gels stronger than those currently available and overcomes the poor integration of hydrophobic and hydrophilic components that is associated with physical blending techniques.

 

Selected rights available.

File Number: 2425