This technology is available from Temarex Corporation.

CONTROLLED & TIME RELEASE COMPOSITIONS

Title:A TIME-RELEASE DELIVERY MATRIX COMPOSITION AND CORRESPONDING CONTROLLED-RELEASE COMPOSITION

Inventor(s):V. Galiatsatos, L. Alabakovska

Disclosure 236 U.S. Patent 5,676,972

This "broad based" platform invention relates to a composition for use as a matrix in time and controlled-release compositions.Such compositions utilize an active ingredient dispersed in a matrix. Active ingredients include, for example, both pharmaceutical and agricultural agents.

The matrix is a blend of a poly(hydroxyethyl) methacrylate, polyethylene glycol and time-release extending agent which is a low molecular weight polymer having hydrophilic and hydrophobic side groups, such as diblock or triblock poly(ethylene oxide propyleneoxide).

The polymeric matrix composition is a biologically compatible, nontoxic, hydrophilic, water-soluble blend composition.In addition, the composition, optionally, eliminates the use of a Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) solvent which is currently on the Federal Food and Drug Administrations's list of non-approved substances.

The matrix resin comprises a blend from about 10-90 percent poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) or PHEMA, 5-85 percent polyethylene glycol or PEG, and 5-30 percent poly(ethylene oxide)/poly(propylene oxide) copolymer preferably having 25-80 percent poly(propylene oxide) repeating units.

One example of a suitable pharmaceutical active ingredient is diltiazem hydrochloride ("DTZ") which is a calcium channel blocking agent used in the treatment of angina and hypertension. DTZ is sold under the trade name Cardizem (MDL 20, 307A) by Hoechst Marion Roussel (formerly Marion Merrell Dow).

Examples of suitable agricultural active ingredients are insecticides, pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers.

The matrix composition can be optimized for controlled burst and\or sustained release attributes by manipulating matrix composition and based upon active ingredient(s) and specific end applications.