NOVEL IN-SITU FORMING CONTROLLED RELEASE MICROCARRIER DELIVERY SYSTEM

A ready-to use, stable, gelled polymer droplet-in-oil dispersion is describe d which helps in in-situ formation of a multitude of small solid, semisolid, o r gelled microcarriers. The dispersion is placed into a body in a semisolid fo rm and cures to form the delivery system in-situ. The process for making such a dispersion comprises the steps of (i) dissolving a polymer in a biocompatibl e solvent at an elevated temperature to form a polymer solution, (ii) preparin g a second oil phase solution of a biocompatible emulsifier at an elevated temperature, (iii) mixing the polymer solution with the oil phase solution a t an elevated temperature and subsequently cooling to refrigeration temperatur e. Placing the gelled dispersion within a body produces the microcarrier delive ry system in-situ. The composition of a syringeable, biodegradable dispersion incorporating an effective level of a biologically active agent before injection into a body provides a novel controlled delivery system of drugs f or healthcare applications.