A water soluble polymer comprising multiple degradable carbonate linkages in a backbone and, for each carbonate linkage in the backbone, an oligomer linked thereto by the carbonate linkage, wherein the oligomer is branched.

Description of the Invention

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides a water soluble, nonpeptidic polymer having two or more oligomers linked together by hydrolytically degradable carbonate linkages. The polymer can be hydrolytically degraded into small oligomers in an aqueous environment, including in vivo conditions. The polymer is easy to prepare and the molecular weight of the oligomers resulting from polymer degradation can be easily controlled, which can be desirable for some applications. The polymer can be conjugated to a biologically active agent such as a protein or peptide. The polymer can impart desirable characteristics to the conjugates of improved water solubility and reduced immunogenicity. The polymer is useful for preparing insoluble cross linked structures, including hydrogels, that are hydrolytically degradable into soluble polymers of predetermined molecular weight.

The oligomers are alkylene oxide oligomers. Typically, the oligomers are ethylene oxide oligomers, and the polymer is a poly(ether carbonate) having the formula of: HO--[(--CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O).sub.n--CO.sub.2].sub.m--(--CH.sub.2CH.sub.2--O- ).sub.nH where n is from about 1 to 2,000, normally from 2 to 2,000, and m is from about 2 to 200. Since carbonate linkages are hydrolytically degradable under mild conditions, the polymer will hydrolyze to produce oligomer fragments of much lower molecular weight than the starting polymer: HO--[(--CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O).sub.n--CO.sub.2].sub.m--(--CH.sub.2CH- .sub.2--O).sub.nH+(m+1)H.sub.2O.fwdarw.(m+1)HO--(--CH.sub.2CH.sub.2--O--).- sub.n--H+mCO.sub.2

In addition to providing many of the desirable features of other polymers, including poly(ethylene glycol) as described above, this new polymer can degrade in the body and thus facilitates removal of the polymer from the body. The degradation products are themselves normally nontoxic small PEGs that typically are rapidly cleared from the body.

The polymer can be prepared in a number of ways. In one embodiment of this invention, the poly(ether carbonate) is prepared by polymerizing an activated oligomer having the formula of: HO--(--CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O).sub.n--CO.sub.2--Z where n can be from about 2 to 2000 and Z is a reactive leaving group such as N-succinimidyl, 1-benzotriazolyl, or p-nitrophenyl.

The polymer can be prepared by polymerizing ethylene oxide oligomers of the formula: HO--(--CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O).sub.n--H where n can be from about 2 to 2000 with an activating molecule of Z--O--CO.sub.2--Z, where Z is as described.

Alternatively, the ethylene oxide oligomer HO--(--CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O).sub.n--H can be polymerized with a bifunctional ethylene oxide oligomer: Z--OCO.sub.2--(--CH.sub.2CH.sub.2--O--).sub.n--CO.sub.2--Z where n and Z are as described above, to form the poly(ether carbonate).

The polymerization reactions may be conducted either in an organic solvent or in a melt, in the presence of an organic base. Examples of suitable solvents include acetonitrile, THF, dimethylformamide, dimethylsulfoxide, benzene, toluene, the xylenes, chloroform, and methylene chloride. Examples of suitable organic bases include triethylamine, pyridine, quinoline, 4,4-dimethylaminopyridine and triethylamine. The polymerization reactions can be conducted at a temperature of from about 37.degree. C. to 100.degree. C., typically from about 45.degree. C. to 100.degree. C., and advantageously from about 70.degree. C. to 90.degree. C.

The polymer of this invention can be modified at one terminus with alkyl or aryl groups to make one end of the polymer inert. The polymer can be activated at one or more of its termini to form a terminal reactive moiety. Thus, a modified or activated poly(ether carbonate) of this invention can be represented as: X--O--[(CH.sub.2CH.sub.2--O).sub.n--CO.sub.2].sub.m--(CH.sub.2CH.sub.2--O- ).sub.n--Y where m and n are as defined above, and where X and Y can independently be H, alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, and reactive terminal moieties, including N-succinimidyloxycarbonyl, 1-benzotriazolyloxycarbonyl, p-nitrophenyloxycarbonyl, or others. Alternatively, X and Y can include linker groups terminating in active groups such as aldehyde N-maleimidyl or --S--S-orthopyridyl. A wide variety of activating groups and linkers can be used.

The activated polymer of this invention can be reacted with an active group on a biologically active agent, such as a protein or peptide, to form a conjugate. For example, N-succinimiayloxy, 1-benzotriazolyloxy, and p-nitrophenyloxy are leaving groups suitable for the formation of a carbamate linkage between the polymer and a biologically active agent having an amino group. Thus proteins, peptides, amino drugs or amino carbohydrates can be linked to such activated polymers. For example, when X is H, and Y is N-succinimidyloxycarbonyl, a conjugate can be formed of the following formula: HO--[(CH.sub.2CH.sub.2--O).sub.n--CO.sub.2].sub.m--(CH.sub.2CH.sub.2--O).- sub.n--CONH-Protein

When a protein to be conjugated has an accessible thiol group, the polymer of this invention can be activated to contain a terminal reactive moiety that is reactive with thiol, including, for example, iodoacetamide, vinylsulfone, maleimide, or S--S-ortho-pyridyl, which moiety is then reacted with the thiol group to form a thiol site-specific conjugate of the protein.

When the polymer of this invention is activated at two termini, it can be used as a crosslinking agent to crosslink a multifunctional molecule to form a hydrolytically degradable hydrogel. Examples of multifunctional molecules suitable as "backbones" in formation of hydrogels include proteins such as collagen, aminocarbohydrates such as chitosan, polyamines such as polylysine and poly(vinylamine), and multi-armed or branched poly(ethylene glycol) amines. The hydrogels of this invention are useful in many biomedical applications such as drug delivery, surgical adhesion prevention, wound and scar healing, bioadhesives and surgical implants.

In another embodiment, the polymer of this invention can be activated by attachment of terminal vinyl groups. This activated polymer can be self-polymerized in the presence of a conventional vinyl polymerization catalyst to form a hydrolytically degradable hydrogel.

Thus, this invention provides a versatile polymer that is especially suited for conjugating to a biologically active agent and for forming a hydrogel. The polymer is easy to prepare and can be synthesized in large quantities. The polymer can be formed in a single reaction with multiple degradable carbonate linkages in the backbone. The conjugate and hydrogel of this invention can be degraded under physiological conditions. The degradation generates oligomers of predetermined molecular weight that can be easily cleared from the body.

The foregoing and other advantages and features of the invention, and the manner in which the same are accomplished, will become more readily apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying examples, which illustrate preferred and exemplary embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The oligomers used in the practice of the invention should be selected so that they and the degradation products of the polymer of this invention are water soluble and can easily be excreted from animal bodies under natural physiological conditions. They should be non-toxic, or at least of acceptable low toxicity, and should not cause a substantial adverse effect in human or animal bodies.

Many different types of alkylene oxide oligomers are useful in forming the polymer of this invention. In its simplest form, an alkylene oxide "homo-oligomer" is used having the formula of HO--(--CHRCH.sub.2--O).sub.n--H, where R is H or an alkyl, including methyl. Suitable oligomers also include alkylene oxide "co-oligomers," which are composed of different alkylene oxide monomers in which R is varied independently along the chain. An example of a co-oligomer is a structure in which two different R groups are present in a block such as HO--(--CHR.sub.1CH.sub.2--O--).sub.n--(--CHR.sub.2CH.sub.2--O--).sub.n--H- , where n and m can be varied independently. An example of this type of block structure is the case in which R.sub.1 is hydrogen and R.sub.2 is methyl.

Block oligomers can exhibit surface activity. Degradable surfactants are useful in drug delivery systems and can be used to form micelles and thermally reversible gels. Random oligomers in which R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are randomly placed along the oligomer chain are also useful. The oligomers can be branched, as in the formula R.sub.3[O--(--CHR.sub.1CH.sub.2--O--).sub.n--].sub.mH

where R.sub.3 is a core branching moiety, including glycerol or pentaerythritol, R.sub.1 is alkyl n can range from 2 to hundreds, and m is at least 3.

A suitable oligomer can be formed from about 2 to 2000 monomers. However, the size of the oligomers used can vary so long as the above requirements are met. Normally an oligomer has from about 5 to 500 monomers. Advantageously, an oligomer has from about 10 to 50 monomers. An oligomer can be prepared by polymerizing or co-polymerizing monomers, and the size or molecular weight of the oligomer can be controlled by limiting the extent of this polymerization reaction.

As noted above, the oligomers contained in the polymer of this invention can be the same or different types of oligomers, or oligomers of the same type but different sizes. Therefore, the polymer of this invention can be either a homopolymer or heteropolymer.

The polymer of this invention typically has one single linear polymer backbone with two termini. However, branched polymers and star polymers are also contemplated that have two or more linear polymers, at least one of which is the linear polymer backbone of this invention, covalently linked to a central branching core.

The polymer of this invention can have an inert terminal moiety, typically H, alkyl, and aryl. The alkyl and aryl groups can be substituted or unsubstituted, and normally are methyl, ethyl, phenyl, etc. The polymer can also have one or more reactive moieties capable of reacting with a moiety in another molecule, such as an amino group or a thiol group on a protein. Examples of such reactive moieties include, but are not limited to, acryloyl, alkenyl, tresyl, N-succinimidyloxycarbonyl, 1-benzotriazolyloxycarbonyl, p-nitrophenyloxycarbonyl, N-maleimidyl, aldehydes, acetals, 1-imidazolylcarbonyl, vinylsulfone, iodoacetamide, o-pyridyldithiyl, and the like.

In one embodiment of this invention, the hydrolytically degradable polymer is a poly(ether carbonate) composed of two or more alkylene oxide oligomers and/or alkylene oxide monomers covalently linked together by carbonate linkages. For example, the poly(ether carbonate) can have the formula of X--O--{[(R.sub.1--O).sub.a--CO.sub.2--].sub.h--[(R.sub.2--O).sub.b--CO.su- b.2--].sub.i}.sub.m--{[(R.sub.3--O).sub.c--CO.sub.2--].sub.j--[(R.sub.4--O- ).sub.d--CO.sub.2--].sub.k}--(R.sub.5--O).sub.e--Y wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, and R.sub.5 are alkyl groups which may be linear, branched, substituted or unsubstituted, and they can be same or different; typically R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, and R.sub.5 are ethyl; a, b, c, d, e each is an integer of from 1 to about 2000, normally from about 5 to 500, and advantageously from about 10 to 50; h, i, j, and k each is an integer of from 0 to about 100, and the sum of h, i, j, and k is from about 2 to 200, normally from about 5 to 100, and advantageously from about 10 to 50; and each of X and Y is hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, or reactive moieties as described above, and X and Y can be same or different.

In a preferred embodiment, the poly(ether carbonate) of this invention has the formula of: X--O--[(--CH.sub.2CH.sub.2--O--).sub.n--CO.sub.2--].sub.m--(CH.sub.2CH.su- b.2O).sub.n--Y wherein n is an integer of from about 2 to 2000, normally from about 5 to 500, and advantageously from about 10 to 50; m is an integer of from about 2 to 100, typically from about 5 to 100, and advantageously from about 10 to 50, and wherein X and Y can be same or different and each independently is H, alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, or a reactive moiety, acryloyl, tresyl, N-succinimidyloxycarbonyl, 1-benzotriazolyloxycarbonyl, p-nitrophenyloxycarbonyl, N-maleimidyl, aldehydes, acetals, 1-imidazolylcarbonyl, vinylsulfone, iodoacetamide, and o-pyridyldithiyl.

This specific form of poly(ether carbonate) contains repeating ethylene oxide oligomers linked by carbonate linkages that can be hydrolytically cleaved. Such hydrolytic cleavage leads to ethylene oxide oligomers and carbon dioxide. Therefore, the poly(ether carbonate) differs substantially from poly(ethylene glycol) or PEG in having multiple degradable backbone carbonate linkages that allow the polymer to be broken down into many smaller oligomers. Since the rate of degradation of the polymer is proportional to the number of degradable carbonate linkages present and since the size and number of the oligomers can be predetermined, substantial control over both degradation rate and the size of the degradation products is thus possible.

To prepare polymers of the invention, in one example, one or more oligomers as described above are provided each having a hydroxyl group at one terminus and a functional group of --O--CO.sub.2--Z at another terminus. The oligomers are then polymerized or co-polymerized in a condensation polymerization reaction under conditions sufficient to form a hydrolytically degradable polymer.

The functional group --O--CO.sub.2--Z is capable of reacting with a hydroxyl group to form a carbonate linkage. Typically, Z can be any reactive leaving groups so long as the functional group can react with a hydroxyl group to form a carbonate linkage. Examples of suitable leaving groups include N-succinimidyl, 1-benzotriazolyl, and p-nitrophenyl. Methods for preparing an oligomer having a functional group --O--CO.sub.2--Z as described above are well known in the art, and are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,650,234, 5,281,698 and 5,468,478; Veronese, et al, Appl. Biochem. Biotech., 11:141 (1985); and Sartore et al., Appl. Biochem. Biotech., 27:45 (1991), all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

As discussed above, one or more types of oligomers can be polymerized together. In addition, if desired, monomers having a hydroxyl terminus and a functional group --O--CO.sub.2--Z at another terminus, can also be included in the polymerization mixture.

Thus, to give an example, the poly(ether carbonate) HO--[(--CH.sub.2CH.sub.2--O--).sub.n--CO.sub.2--].sub.m--(CH.sub.2CH.sub.- 2O).sub.n--H as described above can be prepared in accordance with this method by the following steps. First, an ethylene oxide oligomer is provided having a formula of HO--(--CH.sub.2CH.sub.2--O--).sub.n--O--CO.sub.2--Z, where Z is a reactive leaving group such as N-succinimidyl, 1-benzotriazolyl, and p-nitrophenyl. This oligomer is then polymerized under controlled conditions to provide the above poly(ether carbonate).

In another example of this invention, a first oligomer is provided, which is a bifunctional oligomer having a first functional group of --O--CO.sub.2--W at one terminus and, at another terminus, a second functional group of --O--CO.sub.2--Z. Both functional groups are capable of reacting with a hydroxyl group to form a carbonate linkage. Z and W are reactive leaving groups, and can be any leaving groups known in the art so long as the functional groups containing them, as stated above, are capable of reacting with a hydroxyl group to form a carbonate linkage. Z and W can be same or different. The preferred Z and W are N-succinimidyl, 1-benzotriazolyl, and p-nitrophenyl. Two or more different bifunctional oligomers can also be used in the same polymerization reaction.

Methods for preparing such bifunctional oligomers are similar to those for making the monofunctional oligomers described above. Preferably, Z and W are the same, and the bifunctional molecule Z-oligomer-Z can be provided by activating an oligomer having two hydroxyl terminal groups, with an activating molecule having the formula of Z--O--CO.sub.2--Z. Suitable examples of the activating molecule include, disuccinimidylcarbonate, bis(1-benzotriazolyl) carbonate and bis(p-nitrophenyl) carbonate. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,281,698; U.S. Pat. No. 5,650,234; Veronese, et al., Appl. Biochem. Biotech., 11:141 (1985); and Sartore et al., Appl. Biochem. Biotech., 27:45 (1991), all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

In addition to the first oligomer that is bifunctional, a second oligomer is also provided having two terminal hydroxyl groups. This second oligomer is then polymerized with the first oligomer to form the polymer of this invention.

Two or more types of bifunctional oligomers can be used in the same polymerization reaction. In addition, two or more types of oligomers having two terminal hydroxyl groups can also be used in a polymerization reaction. As will be apparent to a skilled artisan, when only one type of bifunctional oligomer and one type of dihydroxyl oligomer are used, and when the two oligomers are the same except for the terminal groups, the polymer formed therefrom will be a homopolymer having a single type of repeating unit or oligomer linked with hydrolytically degradable linkages. Otherwise, a heteropolymer or block polymer or terpolymer will be made containing different types of oligomers in the polymer backbone.

To give an example of the method of this embodiment, the poly(ether carbonate) HO--[(--CH.sub.2CH.sub.2--O--).sub.n--CO.sub.2--].sub.m--(CH.sub.2CH.sub.- 2O).sub.n--H can be prepared by co-polymerizing a first ethylene oxide oligomer having a formula of Z--O.sub.2C--O--(--CH.sub.2CH.sub.2--O--).sub.n--CO.sub.2--Z and a second ethylene oxide oligomer HO--(--CH.sub.2CH.sub.2--O--).sub.n--OH, under suitable polymerization conditions. Z is preferably N-succinimidyl, 1-benzotriazolyl, or p-nitrophenyl. The oligomer Z--O.sub.2C--O--(--CH.sub.2CH.sub.2--O--).sub.n--CO.sub.2--Z can be prepared by reacting Z--O--CO.sub.2--Z with HO--(--CH.sub.2CH.sub.2--O--).sub.n--OH, under the conditions disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,281,698.

In yet another method, one or more oligomers having two hydroxyl terminal groups are polymerized directly with an activating molecule having the formula of Z--O--CO.sub.2--Z to form the hydrolytically degradable polymer. Thus, for example, the poly(ether carbonate) HO--[(--CH.sub.2CH.sub.2--O--).sub.n--CO.sub.2--].sub.m--(CH.sub.2CH.sub.- 2O).sub.n--H can also be prepared by co-polymerizing an activating molecule Z--O--CO.sub.2--Z and the oligomer HO--(--CH.sub.2CH.sub.2--O--).sub.n--OH, under conditions sufficient to form the poly(ether carbonate).

Again, in this method, either one oligomer is used to generate a homopolymer, or two or more different oligomers can be used in the same polymerization reaction to produce a heteropolymer, or block polymer or terpolymer.

The polymerization reactions are conducted under conditions sufficient to form the hydrolytically degradable polymer of this invention. The polymerization reaction in each of the above-described methods is a condensation reaction. Many different known reaction conditions can be used. Typically, a catalyst is included in the polymerization reaction mixture. Examples of suitable catalysts are organic bases, including triethylamine, pyridine, quinoline, and 4,4-dimethylaminopyridine. Amine bases such as 4,4-dimethylaminopyridine and triethylamine are preferred.

The polymerization can be conducted in either melt or solvent. Suitable solvents include, but are not limited to, acetonitrile, THF, dimethylformamide, dimethylsulfoxide, benzene, toluene, xylenes, chloroform, and methylene chloride. The polymerization reaction rate and the extent of polymerization, which determines the average molecule weight of the final hydrolytically degradable polymer product can be partly controlled by the reaction temperature and the reaction time. Suitable reaction temperature can vary from about 0.degree. C. to 100.degree. C. Higher reaction temperatures lead to greater reaction speed. Preferably, the polymerization reaction is conducted at a temperature of from about 37.degree. C. to 100.degree. C., typically from about 45.degree. C. to 100.degree. C. and advantageously from about 70.degree. C. to 90.degree. C. When the reaction is conducted in a melt, the temperature needs be maintained at a certain minimum temperature in order to keep the reaction mixture at a melt state.

In the above described three embodiments of the method of this invention, the polymerization reactions would be predicted to lead to polymers with an activated carbonate terminal group. In practice, however, NMR analysis of the polymer products indicates that the terminal groups of the hydrolytically degradable polymer prepared therefrom often are hydroxyl groups. While not wishing to be bound by any theory, it is believed that this is caused by reaction with a small amount of water present as an impurity in the reaction. Any small amount of remaining terminally activated carbonate may be removed by hydrolysis in water for a short period or near a neutral pH. The terminal activating groups are much more sensitive to water than are the degradable carbonate linkages.

The polymer of this invention can optionally be activated at one or all termini, thus providing an activated polymer capable of being covalently linked to another molecule, including, for example, a protein, to form a conjugate. The polymer can also be capped at one terminus by an inert group and at another terminus by a reactive moiety.

The polymer of this invention can be activated at its terminus to form a terminal reactive moiety by methods well known to those familiar with the art of organic or polymer chemistry. The well established methods in the broad field of poly(ethylene glycol) chemistry are generally useful, and such methods should be apparent to a skilled artisan. The polymer can be activated at one terminus, or all termini, in which case, the reactive moieties at different termini can be same or different.

For example, the polymer may be activated to form a terminal moiety of N-succinimidyl carbonate (see e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,281,698, 5,468,478), amine (see, e.g., Buckmann et al. Makromol. Chem. 182:1379 (1981), Zaplipsky et al Eur. Polym. J. 19:1177 (1983)), hydrazide (See, e.g., Andresz et al. Makromol. Chem. 179:301 (1978)), succinimidyl propionate and succinimidyl butanoate (see, e.g., Olson et al. in Poly(ethylene glycol) Chemistry & Biological Applications, pp 170-181, Harris & Zaplipsky Eds., ACS, Washington, D.C., 1997; see also U.S. Pat. No. 5,672,662), succinimidyl succinate (See, e.g., Abuchowski et al. Cancer Biochem. Biophys. 7:175 (1984) and Joppich et al. Macrolol. Chem. 180:1381 (1979), succinimidyl ester (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,670,417), benzotriazole carbonate (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,650,234), glycidyl ether (see, e.g., Pitha et al. Eur. J. Biochem. 94:11 (1979), Elling et al, Biotech. Appl. Biochem. 13:354 (1991), oxycarbonylimidazole (see, e.g., Beauchamp, et al., Anal. Biochem. 131:25 (1983), Tondelli et al. J. Controlled Release 1:251 (1985)), p-nitrophenyl carbonate (see, e.g., Veronese, et al., Appl. Biochem. Biotech., 11:141 (1985); and Sartore et al., Appl. Biochem. Biotech., 27:45 (1991)), aldehyde (see, e.g., Harris et al. J. Polym. Sci. Chem. Ed. 22:341 (1984), U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,824,784, 5,252,714), maleimide (see, e.g., Goodson et al. Bio/Technology 8:343 (1990), Romani et al. in Chemistry of peptides and Proteins 2:29 (1984)), and Kogan, Synthetic Comm. 22:2417 (1992)), orthopyridyl-disulfide (see, e.g., Woghiren, et al. Bioconj. Chem. 4:314 (1993)), acrylol (see, e.g., Sawhney et al., Macromolecules, 26:581 (1993)), vinylsulfone (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,900,461). In addition, two molecules of the polymer of this invention can also be linked to the amino acid lysine to form a di-substituted lysine, which can then be further activated with N-hydroxysuccinimide to form an active of N-succinimidyl moiety (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,932,462). All of the above references are incorporated herein by reference.

To give an example, the polymer of this invention may be activated to form a terminal reactive moiety of N-succinimidyl carbonate or 1-benzotriazolyl carbonate by reacting the polymer with di-N-succinimidyl carbonate or di-1-benzotriazolyl carbonate respectively. To give another example, terminal reactive moieties such as N-maleimidyl and o-pyridyldithiyl may be prepared by reacting the polymer with activated carbonates connected to N-maleimidyl or o-pyridyldithiyl by linker groups. Terminal aldehyde and acetal moieties can be attached by linking groups. Terminal acid groups can be attached by reaction of the above active carbonates with amino acids or other acid linkers. These acids can then be activated by formation of active esters such as succinimidyl active esters.

The polymer of this invention, activated or not, as prepared by the above methods. can be easily purified from the reaction mixture. Many methods known in the art can be used. A preferred method for purifying the polymer and its derivatives is by precipitation from a solvent in which they are essentially insoluble while the reactants are soluble. Suitable solvents include ethyl ether or isopropanol. As is apparent to a skilled artisan, other methods such as ion exchange, size exclusion, silica gel, and reverse phase chromatography can also be useful.

In accordance with another aspect of this invention, the activated polymer is used to form a conjugate with a biologically active agent. The conjugate comprises the polymer of this invention covalently linked to a biologically active agent. Because the polymer of this invention is hydrolytically degradable in vivo and can be cleaved at the carbonate linkages, thus forming smaller oligomers, the conjugate is especially useful for controlled delivery of the bound agent into animal bodies. Since the polymer in the conjugate is susceptible to breakdown into smaller oligomers, the polymer typically is excreted from animal bodies faster than a polymer of similar size that is not degradable. Thus, potential adverse effects that may be caused by a large polymer's long period of stay in the body is avoided. Therefore, conjugation of the polymer of this invention to a biologically active agent can provide for a sufficient circulation period for the agent while minimizing any adverse effects of the polymer.

In the conjugates of this invention, the linkage between the biologically active agent and the polymer of this invention can be stable or hydrolytically degradable. When it is degradable, substantially all of the polymer can be cleaved off the biologically active agent under physiological conditions, releasing the agent substantially in its native form inside the body. Methods for forming a hydrolytically degradable linkage between a biologically active agent and a water soluble polymer are well known in the art and should be apparent to a skilled artisan. For example, ester linkages formed by the reaction of PEG carboxylic acids or activated PEG carboxylic acids with alcohol groups on a biologically active agent generally hydrolyze under physiological conditions to release the agent. Other hydrolytically degradable linkages include carbonate linkages; imine linkages resulted from reaction of an amine and an aldehyde (see, e.g., Ouchi et al., Polymer Preprints, 38(1):582-3 (1997), which is incorporated herein by reference.); phosphate ester linkages formed by reacting an alcohol with a phosphate group; hydrozone linkages which are reaction product of a hydrazide and an aldehyde; acetal linkages that are the reaction product of an aldehyde and an alcohol; orthoester linkages that are the reaction product of a formate and an alcohol; peptide linkages formed by an amine group, e.g., at an end of a polymer such as PEG, and a carboxyl group of a peptide; and oligonucleotide linkages formed by a phosphoramidite group, e.g., at the end of a polymer, and a 5' hydroxyl group an oligonucleotide.

Methods for conjugating the polymer of this invention to a biologically active agent should be apparent based on the above discussion. Typically, the polymer of this invention must be activated to form the activated polymer of this invention as described above, having at least one terminal reactive moiety. The terminal reactive moiety may vary depending on the reactivity of a target moiety on the biologically active agent to be conjugated. Examples of reactive groups on proteins are thiols and amines, while on small molecule drugs, amines, alcohols, thiols, and carboxylic acids are common reactive groups. The conjugate is then formed by reacting the terminal reactive moiety of the activated polymer with the target moiety on the biologically active agent. Such methods are well known in the art, and are discussed in the patents and publications referred to above in the context of forming terminal reactive moieties.

In a preferred embodiment, the polymer of this invention used for forming a conjugate is a poly(ether carbonate) composed of alkylene oxide oligomers, more preferably ethylene oxide oligomers, linked together by carbonate linkages. Ethylene oxide oligomers are poly(ethylene glycol)s with a predetermined molecular weight, typically from about 88 to about 8000, preferably from about 88 to about 2000. Thus, in this embodiment of the invention, the polymer behaves in a similar manner as polyethylene glycol. However, when delivered in vivo, the polymer in the conjugate will break down into a number of smaller oligomer fragments. If the linkage between the polymer and the biologically active agent is stable, then, after degradation, one oligomer is linked to the agent.

In accordance with another aspect of this invention, a hydrolytically degradable hydrogel and method of making thereof are also provided. As is known in the art, a hydrogel typically is a polymeric network formed by crosslinking one or more multifunctional backbone molecules or polymers. The resulting polymeric network is hydrophilic and swells in an aqueous environment thus forming a gel-like material, i.e., hydrogel. Hydrogels are useful for drug delivery as they can be implanted or injected into animal bodies. Typically a hydrogel comprises a backbone bonded to a crosslinking agent.

In accordance with this invention, the polymer of this invention is used as the crosslinking agent in the hydrogel. The polymer must be activated so that it has at least two terminal reactive moieties that are capable of reacting with multiple moieties on the backbone to form covalent linkages.

Alternatively, two or more types of activated polymer are used as crosslinking agents. Each activated polymer has one terminal reactive moiety capable of reacting with a moiety on the backbone, and another terminal reactive moiety capable of reacting with the corresponding terminal reactive moiety on the other type of activated polymer. An example of this other moiety is, for example, a vinyl-containing group such as an acrylate group that can participate in chain polymerization among the different types of activated polymers. When the polymer of this invention is activated so that it has two terminal vinyl groups, the polymer itself may act as both crosslinking agent and backbone, and self-polymerize into a hydrolytically degradable hydrogel through a chain polymerization reaction.

The backbone of the hydrogel is a nontoxic biocompatible macromolecule or small molecule, having at least two or preferably more active groups available to react with the terminal reactive moieties of the crosslinking agent to form covalent linkages. By "biocompatible" it is intended that the molecule used as backbone would not substantially adversely affect the body and tissue of the living subject into which the hydrogel is to be implanted or injected. More particularly, the material does not substantially adversely affect the growth and any other desired characteristics of the tissue cells surrounding the implanted hydrogel. It is also intended that the material used does not cause any substantially medically undesirable effect in any other parts of the living subject. In addition, if the molecule is degradable inside the body, the degradation products should also be substantially biocompatible as defined above. Generally, the methods for testing the biocompatibility of a material well known in the art.

Examples of suitable backbones include, but are not limited to, proteins, modified proteins such as glycoproteins, phosphorylated proteins, acylated proteins, and chemically modified proteins, peptides, aminocarbohydrates, glycosaminoglycans, aminolipids, polyols, polythiols, polycarboxylic acids, polyamines such as dilysine, poly(vinylamine) and polylysine, poly(ethylene glycol) amines, pharmaceutical agents having at least two active groups, etc. Specific examples of the backbone include, but are not limited to, branched PEG amines, fibrin, fibrinogen, thrombin, albumins, globulins, collagens, fibronectin, chitosan, and the like. In addition, the backbone may also be microorganisms such as viral particles, bacterial or yeast cells, animal or human cells or tissues.

The activated polymer of this invention used as a crosslinking agent can be in a linear, branched or star form. In branched or star forms, three or more linear polymers are covalently linked, at one terminus, to a central, branched core moiety. The central branch core moiety can be derived from the amino acid lysine, or polyols such as glycerol, pentaerythritol and sorbitol. Branched PEGs are known in the art. These branched PEGs can be incorporated as components of the poly(ether carbonate)s of this invention.

As will be apparent, because of the carbonate linkages incorporated in the crosslinking agent, the hydrogel of this invention is hydrolytically degradable. In addition, the linkages between the backbones and the crosslinking agents formed from the crosslinking reactions can also be made hydrolyzable, by methods described in the context of the conjugate of this invention. Thus, the hydrogel of this invention can gradually break down or degrade in the body as a result of the hydrolysis of the hydrolytically degradable linkages.

Therefore, the hydrogel of this invention is suitable as a biomedical material and a carrier for the delivery of biologically active agents. For example, the hydrogel can carry therapeutic drugs and can be implanted or injected in the target area of the body. The hydrogel may also carry other agents such as nutrients or labeling agents for imaging analysis. A hydrogel containing a biologically active agent is termed herein as "a delivery system".

In the various applications of the hydrogel of this invention, the biologically active agents to be delivered can be used as the backbone, or part of the backbone of the hydrogel. Alternatively, biologically active agents can be "hinged" to the hydrogel through a polymer of this invention or a linker molecule with one terminus of the polymer or the linker linked to the biologically active agent, and the other being connected through a covalent linkage to the hydrogel. In addition, biologically active agents or other substances to be delivered can also be loaded into the hydrogel during the formation of the hydrogel, or afterwards by, for example, diffusion into the matrix of the hydrogel without being covalently bonded to the hydrogel structure.

Because the crosslinking agents (i.e., the polymers of this invention) in the hydrogel are water soluble, the hydrogel can be substantially water swellable. The degradation or breakdown of the hydrogel in the body is gradual in nature and subject to control because of the hydrolytically degradable carbonate linkages in the crosslinking agents. Thus, the hydrogels of the invention are particularly useful for sustained release of a biologically active agent or other substance in the body. The hydrogels have potential utility for adhesion prevention, bioadhesives, surgical sealants, and related surgical applications.

Claim 1 of 10 Claims

1. A conjugate of a biologically active agent and a polyalkylene oxide-based water soluble polymer in activated form, wherein the polyalkylene oxide-based water soluble polymer comprises multiple carbonate linkages in a backbone and, for each carbonate linkage in the backbone, an oligomer linked thereto by the carbonate linkage, wherein the oligomer is branched and, prior to being linked by the carbonate linkage, has the formula: R.sub.3[O--(--CHR.sub.1CH.sub.2--O--).sub.n--].sub.mH where R.sub.3 is a core branching moiety, R.sub.1 is H, (n) can range from 2 to 2000, and m is at least 3.
 

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