Details for Patent: 9,254,307
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Title: | Polymeric delivery formulations of leuprolide with improved efficacy |
Abstract: | The present invention is directed to a flowable composition that is suitable for use as a controlled release implant. The flowable composition includes a biodegradable thermoplastic polyester that is at least substantially insoluble in aqueous medium or body fluid. The flowable composition also includes a biocompatible polar aprotic solvent. The biocompatible polar aprotic solvent is miscible to dispersible in aqueous medium or body fluid. The flowable composition also includes leuprolide acetate. |
Inventor(s): | Dunn; Richard L. (Fort Collins, CO), Garrett; John Steven (Fort Collins, CO), Ravivarapu; Harish (Union City, CA), Chandrashekar; Bhagya L. (Fort Collins, CO) |
Assignee: | Tolmar Therapeutics, Inc. (Fort Collins, CO) |
Filing Date: | May 20, 2010 |
Application Number: | 12/784,343 |
Claims: | 1. A flowable composition suitable for use to form an in situ, single body controlled release implant, the composition consisting essentially of a non-aqueous, liquid solution of: (a) a biodegradable thermoplastic copolymer of lactide and glycolide that has a carboxy terminal group, that is at least substantially insoluble in aqueous medium or body fluid, and that has a weight average molecular weight of 15,000 to 45,000; (b) N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone; and (c) leuprolide acetate, wherein the copolymer is present in the composition at 30 wt % to 50 wt %; the N-methyl-2- pyrrolidone is present in the composition at 50 wt % to 70 wt % and the leuprolide acetate is present in the composition at 2 wt % to 8 wt %; and the composition is formulated for administration to a male patient about once per month to produce in situ the single body implant thereby reducing serum testosterone levels in the male patient. 2. A biodegradable implant formed in situ, in a male patient, by the steps comprising: (a) injecting 0.2 to 0.5 ml of the flowable composition of claim 1 within the body of the patient; and (b) allowing the N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone to dissipate to produce a solid, monolithic biodegradable implant of a microporous matrix of a core surrounded by a skin. 3. A method of reducing serum testosterone levels in a male human comprising injecting subcutaneously into the male human 0.2 ml to 0.5 ml of a flowable composition consisting essentially of a non-aqueous, liquid solution of: (a) a biodegradable thermoplastic copolymer of lactide and glycolide that has a carboxy terminal group, that is at least substantially insoluble in aqueous medium or body fluid, and that has a weight average molecular weight of 15,000 to 45,000; (b) N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone; and (c) leuprolide acetate in an amount sufficient to reduce LHRH levels in a human; wherein the copolymer is present in the composition at 30 wt % to 50 wt %; the N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone is present in the composition at 50 wt % to 70 wt % and the leuprolide acetate is present in the composition at 2 wt % to 8 wt %; whereupon the flowable composition forms in situ a monolithic solid implant of a microporous matrix of a core surrounded by a skin within a body tissue of the male human by diffusion of the N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone into the body fluid of the male human and precipitation of the copolymer of lactide and glycolide. |