Sustained drug delivery implant

Abstract

Biocompatible intraocular implants may include a brimonidine free base and a biodegradable polymer associated with the brimonidine free base to facilitate the release of the brimonidine free base into an eye with the polymer matrix lasts a period of time of not more than twice the drug release duration, but more than the drug release duration.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An intraocular implant for the treatment of a posterior ocular condition in a human patient comprising:
 a biodegradable polymer matrix comprising at least one biodegradable polymer; and   a brimonidine free base agent;   wherein the implant is configured to deliver the brimonidine free base agent to the vitreous of an eye of a patient suffering from a posterior ocular condition for a brimonidine free base agent delivery duration of up to six months and wherein the biodegradable polymer matrix is configured to completely or almost completely degrade, once placed into the vitreous of the eye, within a period of time of about two times the brimonidine free base agent delivery duration or less.   
     
     
         2 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the brimonidine free base agent is present in the implant in an amount of about 50% by weight of the implant, based on the total weight of the implant. 
     
     
         3 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the implant further comprises a rod shape, the rod shape having a rod diameter of about 356 μm and a rod length of about 6 mm. 
     
     
         4 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the brimonidine free base agent is dispersed evenly within the biodegradable polymer matrix. 
     
     
         5 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one biodegradable polymer comprises poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) and poly(D,L-lactide). 
     
     
         6 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the biodegradable polymer matrix comprises at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of acid-end capped poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) and acid-end capped poly(D,L-lactide). 
     
     
         7 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the brimonidine free base agent delivery duration is in the range of about 1 month to about 6 months.