CROSSLINKED POLYSACCHARIDE MICROPARTICLES AND PROCESS FOR PRODUCING THE SAME

摘要

It is intended to provide a long-lasting sustained release preparation of a drug such as a protein or a peptide which can hold the drug such as a protein or a peptide enclosed therein at a high enclosure ratio without inhibiting the biological activity of the drug, and is injectable, completely biodegradable and highly safe. A solution containing a polysaccharide (for example, hyaluronic acid) derivative having a crosslinkable functional group or its salt together with a drug, which has a low concentration so that the crosslinkage reaction can progress only at a low speed in the state of microparticles, is dehydrated to a concentration at which the crosslinkage can proceed. Thus, the crosslinkage reaction is induced during the concentration and the drug is enclosed in the crosslinked polysaccharide to give drug-carrying microparticles. Thus, an injectable sustained release preparation holding a drug such as a protein or a peptide highly efficiently enclosed therein while maintaining its biological activity and being capable of sustainedly releasing the drug over a long time can be obtained.