| abstract |
The present invention provides an injectable formulation comprising a pharmacologically active substance; a biocompatible solvent system, a crosslinkable polymer such as a polysaccharide; and a crosslinker, the formulation being substantially free of water. The present invention also provides drug delivery depots formed from injectable formulations, where the polymer crosslinks in the presence of water in the patient's body or in air prior to implantation in the patient. Also provided are therapeutic methods using such formulations and drug delivery systems. The invention further comprises injecting the formulation into the patient's tissue, or injecting the formulation ex vivo and crosslinking the resulting matrix by contacting with ambient moisture to form an implant, thereafter Providing a method of delivering a pharmacologically active substance to a subject comprising inserting the resulting implant into a patient. |