BIODEGRADABLE POLYANHYDRIDES DERIVED FROM DIMERS OF BILE ACIDS, AND USE THEREOF AS CONTROLLED DRUG RELEASE SYSTEMS

摘要

New biodegradable polyanhydrides are disclosed,which are prepared by homopolymerization of dimer of bileacid, especially lithocholic acid, or bycopolymerization withlinear dicarboxylic acid, especially sebacic acid. Thesebiodegradable polyanhydrides have degradation kinetics and arelease rate that make them particularly useful for controlleddrug release. More specifically, the degradation kinetics ofsuch anhydrides and the release rate of molecules embeddedtherein make them useful as matrices for controlled drugrelease systems. The rates of degradation and release can beadjusted by the copolymer composition. The near zero-orderkinetrics of release of the drug embedded in the matrices madeof such anhydrides, make the same particularly useful sincethey can deliver an active ingredient at a constant rate forlong period of time, avoiding the inauspicious saw-toothpattern of conventional systemic administration.