Solid polyglycol-based biocompatible pre-formulation

Abstract

Provided herein are pre-formulations forming a biocompatible hydrogel polymer comprising at least one nucleophilic compound or monomer unit, at least one electrophilic compound or monomer unit, and optionally a therapeutic agent and/or viscosity enhancer. In some embodiments, the biocompatible hydrogel polymer covers a wound in a mammal and adheres to the surrounding skin tissue. In other embodiments, the hydrogel polymer is delivered into a joint space to treat joint disease or navicular disease.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A polyglycol-based, fully synthetic pre-formulation, comprising:
 (a) at least one first compound comprising more than two nucleophilic groups; and   (b) at least one second compound comprising more than two electrophilic groups;   
       wherein the polyglycol-based, fully synthetic, pre-formulation polymerizes and/or gels to form a polyglycol-based, fully synthetic, biocompatible hydrogel polymer after addition of a liquid component and a therapeutic agent comprising a bisphosphonate, gallium nitrate, or stem cells. 
     
     
         2 . The polyglycol-based, fully synthetic pre-formulation of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid component comprises a buffer. 
     
     
         3 . The polyglycol-based, fully synthetic pre-formulation of  claim 1 , wherein the therapeutic agent is released from the biocompatible hydrogel polymer. 
     
     
         4 . The polyglycol-based, fully synthetic pre-formulation of  claim 1 , wherein the therapeutic agent is released from the biocompatible hydrogel polymer over an extended period of time. 
     
     
         5 . The polyglycol-based, fully synthetic pre-formulation of  claim 1 , wherein the therapeutic agent is released after a delay as a delayed burst. 
     
     
         6 . The polyglycol-based, fully synthetic pre-formulation of  claim 1 , wherein the therapeutic agent comprises stem cells. 
     
     
         7 . A polyglycol-based, fully synthetic biocompatible hydrogel polymer made by mixing:
 (a) at least one first compound comprising more than two nucleophilic groups; and   (b) at least one second compound comprising more than two electrophilic groups;   
       wherein the polyglycol-based, fully synthetic, biocompatible hydrogel polymer is formed after addition of a liquid component and a therapeutic agent comprising a bisphosphonate, gallium nitrate, or stem cells. 
     
     
         8 . The polyglycol-based, fully synthetic biocompatible hydrogel polymer of  claim 7 , wherein the liquid component comprises a buffer. 
     
     
         9 . The polyglycol-based, fully synthetic biocompatible hydrogel polymer of  claim 7 , wherein the therapeutic agent is released from the biocompatible hydrogel polymer. 
     
     
         10 . The polyglycol-based, fully synthetic biocompatible hydrogel polymer of  claim 7 , wherein the therapeutic agent is released from the biocompatible hydrogel polymer over an extended period of time. 
     
     
         11 . The polyglycol-based, fully synthetic biocompatible hydrogel polymer of  claim 7 , wherein the therapeutic agent is released after a delay as a delayed burst. 
     
     
         12 . The polyglycol-based, fully synthetic biocompatible hydrogel polymer of  claim 7 , wherein the therapeutic agent comprises stem cells. 
     
     
         13 . A method of treating a wound of a mammal by delivering the polyglycol-based, fully synthetic pre-formulation of  claim 1  to a target site of the wound of the mammal, wherein the polyglycol-based, fully synthetic, biocompatible formulation gels at the target site of the wound of the mammal to form a polyglycol-based, fully synthetic, biocompatible hydrogel polymer. 
     
     
         14 . A method of treating arthritis in a mammal by delivering the polyglycol-based, fully synthetic pre-formulation of  claim 1  into a target site in a joint space of the mammal, wherein the polyglycol-based, fully synthetic, biocompatible formulation gels at the target site in the joint space of the mammal to form a polyglycol-based, fully synthetic, biocompatible hydrogel polymer. 
     
     
         15 . A method of treating navicular disease in a horse by delivering the polyglycol-based, fully synthetic pre-formulation of  claim 1  into a target site in a hoof of the horse, wherein the polyglycol-based, fully synthetic, biocompatible formulation gels at the target site in the hoof of the horse to form a polyglycol-based, fully synthetic, biocompatible hydrogel polymer.