A drug delivery device and a method of making such device

摘要

A drug delivery device comprising a polymer matrix and a drug contained in or surrounded by the matrix which polymer matrix is a cross-linked hydrogel matrix comprising a dextranase degradable polymer and a cross-linking agent providing covalent bonded network linkage between the polymer chains. The device is suitable for delivering drug to the colon. A method of making the device comprising: (a) dissolving a dextranase degradable polymer in a solvent; (b) adding a cross linking agent capable of cross-linking the polymer with covalent bonds to the solution; (c) allowing the cross-linking agent to react with the dextranase degradable polymer to provide a cross-linked hydrogel matrix, and loading the drug into said solution before or after the reaction between the polymer and the cross-linking agent has finished.