Polymers containing cross-linked azo bonds, which polymers are useful for releasing therapeutic agents into the lower gastrointestinal tract

摘要

Polymers from ethylenically unsaturated monomers, cross-linked by a substituted divinylazobenzene are useful as pharmaceutical compositions for the delivery of medicaments. The polymers are degraded by the enzymes of the upper gastrointestinal tract or are transferred intact past the upper gastrointestinal tract, to deliver the medicament to the large intestine. In particular, the polymers contain divinylazobenzene compounds of the formulae wherein R1 and R2 are independently selected from the group consisting of H, (except that R1 and R2 are not both H), Cl, Br, I, NO2, NH2, RO, ArO, COOH or salts thereof, COOR, COOAr, CHO, COR, SO3H or salts thereof, R or Ar and wherein R is alkyl of up to 18 carbon atoms and Ar is mono- or bicyclic aryl of up to 15 carbon atoms.