Microencapsulated bioactive agents and method of making

US6558698B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration · US

Inventors

• Dennis R. Morrison · Kemah, US
• Benjamin Mosier · Houston, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 6, 2000
• Grant date: May 6, 2003
• Expiry date: Dec 6, 2020

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B01F33/30
• WIPO field: Pharmaceuticals
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The invention is directed to microcapsules encapsulating an aqueous solution of a protein, drug or other bioactive substance inside a semi-permeable membrane. The microcapsules are formed by interfacial coacervation where shear forces are limited to 0-100 dynes per square centimeter. The resulting uniform microcapsules can then be subjected to dewatering in order to cause the internal solution to become supersaturated with the dissolved substance. This dewatering allows controlled nucleation and crystallization of the dissolved substance. The crystal-filled microcapsules can be stored, keeping the encapsulated crystals in good condition for further direct use in x-ray crystallography or as injectable formulations of the dissolved drug, protein or other bioactive substance.