| abstract |
The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of vesicular phospholipid gels (VPG) prepared by means of screw extrusion. In particular, the invention relates to a method for producing VPG comprising at least one pharmaceutical agent, preferably a protein, peptide, polypeptide, nucleotide, antibody, antibody derivative, virus, virus-like particles, or low molecular weight drugs, the preparation comprising the steps of: (i) supplying at least one phospholipid, an aqueous liquid, optionally at least one pharmaceutical agent, optionally at least one further lipid selected from the group consisting of fatty acids, monoglycerides, diglycerides, triglycerides, sorbitan fatty acid esters, sphingolipids, cholesterol, waxes and salts thereof Fatty acids and derivatives thereof in a screw extruder, (ii) homogenizing the aforementioned ingredients in a screw extruder to form a VPG, and (iii) extruding the VPG, which steps may also take place simultaneously. The invention also relates to a process for the preparation of VPGs, which is characterized in that a pharmaceutical active substance is released over a prolonged period. |