Biodegradable macromers for the controlled release of biologically active substances

Abstract

A method for delivering a biologically active substance including the steps of: (a) combining said biologically active substance with a macromer; (b) forming a mixture of the combination formed in step (a); (c) polymerizing said mixture to form articles; and (d) administering said articles, or a portion thereof, to a mammal, where step (c) takes place in the absence of a polymerizable monovinyl monomer, is disclosed.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 - 58 . (Canceled)  
     
     
         59 . A composition comprising a protein within a biodegradable polymerized macromer, said macromer comprising at least one water soluble region, at least one degradable region which is hydrolyzable under in vivoconditions, and polymerized end groups, wherein said polymerized end groups are separated by at least one degradable region and wherein said composition contains at least 5% by weight of said protein.  
     
     
         60 . The composition of  claim 59 , wherein said water soluble region comprises poly(ethylene glycol).  
     
     
         61 . The composition of  claim 59 , wherein said said degradable region comprises a polyester.  
     
     
         62 . The composition of  claim 59 , wherein said protein is bovine somatotropin, human growth hormone, granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor, insulin-like growth factor-I, insulin-like growth factor-II, an interferon, an antibody, or an immunoglobulin.  
     
     
         63 . The composition of  claim 62 , wherein said antibody is selected from anti-HER, anti-VEGF, and anti-Tac antibodies.  
     
     
         64 . The composition of  claim 62 , wherein said immunoglobulin is selected from immunoglobulin A, immunoglobulin D, immunoglobulin E, immunoglobulin G, and immunoglobulin M.  
     
     
         65 . The composition of  claim 62 , wherein said interferon is selected from interferon alpha and interferon beta.  
     
     
         66 . A composition comprising a peptide within a biodegradable polymerized macromer, said macromer comprising at least one water soluble region, at least one degradable region which is hydrolyzable under in vivoconditions, and polymerized end groups, wherein said polymerized end groups are separated by at least one degradable region and wherein said composition contains at least 5% by weight of said peptide.  
     
     
         67 . The composition of  claim 66 , wherein said water soluble region comprises poly(ethylene glycol).  
     
     
         68 . The composition of  claim 66 , wherein said degradable region comprises a polyester.  
     
     
         69 . The composition of  claim 66 , wherein said peptide is LHRH, glucagon like peptide-1, insulin, calcitonin, somatostatin, or GLP-1 amylin.