Method of attaching drug compounds to non-reactive polymer surfaces

US7854941B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The University of Southern Mississippi · US

Inventors

• Marek W. Urban · Hattiesburg, US
• Nattharika Aumsuwan · Hattiesburg, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 12, 2008
• Grant date: Dec 21, 2010
• Expiry date: Apr 16, 2029

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61P31/00
• WIPO field: Pharmaceuticals
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Polymers are disclosed that are chemically modified to retard bacterial growth. Such modified polymers (e.g. ePTFE and polypropylene) are produced by first creating acid groups on the polymer surface through reactions with an anhydride. The acid groups are then linked to polyethylene glycol (PEG) through esterification or other reactions such as amidation. Preferably, at least two different molecular weight PEG species are employed. The antimicrobial surface is completed by linking antibiotics (e.g. β-lactam antibiotics) to the PEG extensions. One preferred embodiment of such a modified polymer is produced using ePTFE, maleic anhydride (MA), and penicillin (PEN) to yield PEN-PEG-MA-ePTFE, which inhibits gram-positive bacteria. The PEG spacer is critical for PEN function in this context, since PEN-ePTFE is ineffective against bacterial growth. Another preferred embodiment incorporates ampicillin (AMP) and a heterobifunctional PEG, HOOC—(CH2—CH2—O)n—NH2, to yield AMP-PEG-MA-ePTFE. This latter example inhibits both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria.