Background: Cellulose is a common material used in numerous medical veterinary and agricultural products. Oxidized cellulose is a biodegradable form of this product that suffers from a poor solubility in water and common organic solvents. Cellulose esters are more soluble in water and thus more commonly used as pharmaceutical excipients but lack some of the useful drug delivery characteristics of oxidized cellulose. Combining the properties of both of these reactive groups produces a superior drug delivery mechanism. Description: Researchers at the University of Iowa have discovered a new synthesis method for the production of biodegradable oxidized cellulose esters. The compounds produced by this method are suitable for use as drug carriers film-forming agents and applications in the medical veterinary and agricultural fields. They combine the attractive biological attributes of oxidized cellulose and cellulose esters to create a superior and cost-effective biomedical composition. Patent Status: UIRF has been issued patents for this technology 7595392 & 7662801.
1) Superior delivery properties of oxidized cellulose: Studies have shown that some therapeutics carried in oxidized cellulose are more effective than free drugs or drugs carried by other types of cellulose. In addition oxidized cellulose has excellent biodegradation properties. 2) Solubility of cellulose esters: Cellulose esters are a standard in conventional drug delivery due to their excellent solubility profile. 3) Trusted drug delivery agents: Cellulose has been used extensively in drug delivery and other sensitive medical applications and has a history of excellent performance and safety. 4) Cost effective: This synthesis method produces oxidized cellulose esters at a cost savings in comparison to other commonly used biodegradable polymers.
UIRF has been issued patents for this technology US7595392 & US7662801. (http://pimg-fpiw.uspto.gov/fdd/92/953/075/0.pdf)