| abstract |
Polymers with improved bioadhesive properties and methods for improving bioadhesion of polymers have been developed. A compound containing an aromatic group which contains one or more hydroxyl groups is grafted onto a polymer or coupled to individual monomers. In one embodiment, the polymer is a biodegradable polymer. In another embodiment, the monomers may be polymerized to form any type of polymer, including biodegradable and non-biodegradable polymers. In some embodiments, the polymer is a hydrophobic polymer. In the preferred embodiment, the aromatic compound is catechol or a derivative thereof and the polymer contains reactive functional groups. In the most preferred embodiment, the polymer is a polyanhydride and the aromatic compound is the catechol derivative, DOPA. These materials display bioadhesive properties superior to conventional bioadhesives used in therapeutic and diagnostic applications. These bioadhesive materials can be used to fabricate new drug delivery or diagnostic systems with increased residence time at tissue surfaces, and consequently increase the bioavailability of a drug or a diagnostic agent. In a preferred embodiment, the bioadhesive material is a coating on a controlled release oral dosage formulation and/or forms a matrix in an oral dosage formulation. |