Silk-based drug delivery system

US8530625B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• Trustees of Tufts College · US
• EIDGENOSSISCHES TECHNISCHE HOCHSCHULE (THE SWISS FEDERAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY) · CH

Inventors

• David L. Kaplan · Seattle, US
• Lorenz Meinel · Würzburg, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 10, 2012
• Grant date: Sep 10, 2013
• Expiry date: Apr 10, 2032

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61K9/209
• WIPO field: Pharmaceuticals
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The present invention provides for novel sustained release silk-based delivery systems. The invention further provides methods for producing such formulations. In general, a silk fibroin solution is combined with a therapeutic agent to form a silk fibroin article. The article is then treated in such a way as to alter its conformation. The change in conformation increases its crytallinity or liquid crystallinity, thus controlling the release of a therapeutic agent from the formulation. This can be accomplished as single material carriers or in a layer-by-layer fashion to load different therapeutic agents or different concentrations of these agents in each layer.