FOAM OR PARTICLES FOR APPLICATIONS SUCH AS DRUG DELIVERY

摘要

The present invention generally relates to foams and, in particular, to foams for applications such as drug delivery, and particles that are made from such foams. One aspect relates to foams or particles containing pharmaceutically active agents. The foam may comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable polymeric carrier. In some cases, the foam or particle has an unexpectedly high specific surface area. A high specific surface area may, in some cases, facilitate delivery or release of the pharmaceutically active agent when the foam or particles made from the foam (e.g., by milling) are administered to a subject. The foam may also exhibit a relatively high loading of the pharmaceutically active agent. In some cases, the foam may be a microcellular foam. In one set of embodiments, the foam is created using a supercritical fluid, such as supercritical C02. For example, a precursor to the foam, containing a pharmaceutically active agent, may be mixed with a foaming agent, then the pressure decreased to cause the foaming agent to expand, thereby causing a foam to form. The foam may then be subsequently ground or milled, or otherwise processed to form particles.