Enteric elastomers

US11083690B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology · US
• The Brigham and Women's Hospital, Inc. · US
• TOKITAE LLC · US

Inventors

• Shiyi Zhang · Shanghai, CN
• Andrew Bellinger · Wellesley, US
• Carlo Giovanni Traverso · Newton, US
• Robert S. Langer · Newton, US
• Dean Liang Glettig · Cambridge, US
• Lowell L. Wood, Jr. · Bellevue, US
• Philip A. Eckhoff · Bellevue, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 31, 2019
• Grant date: Aug 10, 2021
• Expiry date: Jul 31, 2039

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02A50/30
• WIPO field: Pharmaceuticals
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Enteric elastomers and related methods are generally provided. In some embodiments, the enteric elastomer is a polymer composite. Certain embodiments comprise a polymer composite in which hydrogen bonds within two carboxyl group-containing polymers cross-link the polymer networks into an elastic and pH-responsive polymer composite. Advantageously, this polymer composite has the capacity of being stable and elastic in an acidic environment such as that of the stomach but can be dissolved in a neutral pH environment such as that of the small and large intestines. In some embodiments, the polymer composites described herein comprise a mixture of two or more polymers with carboxyl functionality such that the two or more polymers form hydrogen bonds. In certain embodiments, the polymer composite has both enteric and elastic properties.