Microparticles formed by mixing a macromolecule with a polymer at a pH near the isoelectric point of the macromolecule and incubating the mixture in the presence of an energy source for a predetermined length of time. The microparticles are composed of homogeneously distributed, intertwined macromolecule and polymer. Each microparticle allows aqueous fluids to enter and allows solubilized macromolecule and polymer to exit the microparticle and may be formulated to provide a sustained release of macromolecule and polymer from the interior of the microparticle when placed in an appropriate aqueous medium, such as under physiological conditions. Methods of production and methods of use for research, diagnostics and therapeutics are provided.

Claims

76 · 7 independent · depth 4

76 granted claims

›1.independentA microparticle comprising a macromolecule and a polymer in an aqueous solution, wherein the concentration of the macromolecule in the microparticle i…+14

›2.↳ 1The microparticle of claim 1 wherein the concentration of the polymer in the microparticle is greater than 0% and less than or equal to 30% by weight.d2

›3.↳ 1The microparticle of claim 1 wherein the macromolecule is a molecule having or capable of having a tertiary and quaternary structure.d2+1

›5.↳ 1The microparticle of claim 1 further comprising a pharmaceutical compound.d2

›6.↳ 1The microparticle of claim 1 wherein the polymer is water soluble or soluble in a water miscible solvent.d2

›7.↳ 1The microparticle of claim 1 wherein the polymer is selected from the group consisting of carbohydrate-based polymers, polyaliphatic alcohols, poly(vi…d2

›8.↳ 1The microparticle of claim 1 further comprising a biomolecule bound inside or on the surface of the microparticle.d2

›9.↳ 1The microparticle of claim 1 wherein the macromolecule is released from the microparticle under physiological conditions.d2+1

›11.↳ 1The microparticle of claim 1 further comprising luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) or an analog thereof, wherein the analog has LHRH agonist…d2+1

›13.↳ 1The microparticle of claim 1 wherein the polymer is selected from the group consisting of dextrans, polydextroses, chitins, starches and hetastarch.d2

›14.↳ 1The microparticle of claim 1 further comprising a small molecule or compound bound inside or on the surface of the microparticle by non-covalent inter…d2

›15.↳ 1The microparticle of claim 1 further comprising dextran sulfate.d2

›16.independentA method of making microparticles comprising combining a macromolecule and a polymer in an aqueous solution at a pH near the isoelectric point of the …+16

›17.↳ 16The method of claim 16 wherein the energy source is heat.d2

›18.↳ 16The method of claim 16 wherein the energy source is heat and the macromolecule and polymer are heated for between approximately 5 minutes and 24 hours…d2

›19.↳ 16The method of claim 16 wherein the pH is within 2 pH units of the pI of the macromolecule.d2

›20.↳ 16The method of claim 16 wherein the macromolecule is a molecule having or capable of having a tertiary and quaternary structure.d2+1

›22.↳ 16The method of claim 16 further comprising adding a pharmaceutical compound.d2

›23.↳ 16The method of claim 16 wherein the polymer is water soluble or soluble in a water miscible solvent and dehydrates the macromolecule.d2

›24.↳ 16The method of claim 16 wherein the polymer is selected from the group consisting of carbohydrate-based polymers, polyaliphatic alcohols, poly(vinyl) p…d2

›25.↳ 16The method of claim 16 further comprising binding a biomolecule inside or on the surface of the microparticle.d2

›26.↳ 16The method of claim 16 wherein the macromolecule is released from the microparticle under physiological conditions.d2+1

›28.↳ 16The method of claim 16 wherein the aqueous solution further comprises luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) or an analog thereof, wherein the a…d2+1

›30.↳ 16The method of claim 16 wherein the polymer is selected from the group consisting of dextrans, polydextroses, chitins, starches and hetastarch.d2

›31.↳ 16The method of claim 16 wherein the microparticle further comprises a small molecule or compound bound inside or on the surface of the microparticle by…d2

›32.↳ 16The method of claim 16 wherein the aqueous solution further comprises dextran sulfate.d2

›33.independentA microparticle prepared by a method comprising combining a macromolecule with a polymer in an aqueous solution at a pH near the isoelectric point of …+23

›34.↳ 33The microparticle of claim 33 wherein the energy source is heat.d2

›35.↳ 33The microparticle of claim 33 wherein the energy source is heat and the macromolecule and polymer are heated for between approximately 5 minutes and 2…d2

›36.↳ 33The microparticle of claim 33 wherein the pH is within 2 pH units of the pI of the macromolecule.d2

›37.↳ 33The microparticle of claim 33 wherein the concentration of the macromolecule in the microparticle is at least 40% and less than 100% by weight.d2+5

›38.↳ 33The microparticle of claim 33 wherein the concentration of the polymer in the microparticle is greater than 0% and less than or equal to 30% by weight…d2

›39.↳ 33The microparticle of claim 33 wherein the macromolecule is a molecule having or capable of having a tertiary and quaternary structure.d2

›40.↳ 33The microparticle of claim 33 wherein the macromolecule is selected from the group consisting of a protein, peptide, polypeptide, carbohydrate, polysa…d2

›41.↳ 33The microparticle of claim 33 wherein the method further comprises adding a pharmaceutical compound.d2

›42.↳ 33The microparticle of claim 33 wherein the polymer is water soluble or soluble in a water miscible solvent and dehydrates the macromolecule.d2

›43.↳ 33The microparticle of claim 33 wherein the polymer is selected from the group consisting of carbohydrate-based polymers, polyaliphatic alcohols, poly(v…d2

›44.↳ 33The microparticle of claim 33 wherein the method further comprises binding a biomolecule inside or on the surface of the microparticle.d2

›45.↳ 33The microparticle of claim 33 wherein the macromolecule is released from the microparticle under physiological conditions.d2+1

›47.↳ 33The microparticle of claim 33 wherein the aqueous solution further comprises luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) or an analog thereof, wherei…d2+1

›49.↳ 33The microparticle of claim 33 wherein the polymer is selected from the group consisting of dextrans, polydextroses, chitins, starches and hetastarch.d2

›50.↳ 33The microparticle of claim 33 further comprising a small molecule or compound bound inside or on the surface of the microparticle by non-covalent inte…d2

›51.↳ 33The microparticle of claim 33 wherein the aqueous solution further comprises dextran sulfate.d2

›52.independentA method for delivering a therapeutic agent to a patient comprising administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a microparticle…+5

›63.independentA method for forming a microparticle comprising: (1) forming an aqueous mixture containing a protein and a carbohydrate-based polymer; and (2) exposin…+5

›69.independentA microparticle comprising: (1) a protein; and (2) a carbohydrate-based polymer, wherein the protein represents at least 40% and less than 100% by wei…+5

›75.independentA microparticle comprising: (1) a protein; (2) a carbohydrate-based polymer, and (3) a luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) or an analog there…+1

Classifications

6 codes

USPC · US Patent Classification

530/410436/523530/402530/350530/812436/518

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