Impact of Using Blended Polymers on the Structural and Functional Attributes of Eptifibatide-Loaded Microspheres

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Pharmaceutical Technology
• Drug Delivery Systems

Background:

• The pharmaceutical industry faces challenges in developing novel delivery systems for proteins and peptides due to generic saturation.
• Biodegradable polymer microspheres are promising for controlled protein and peptide delivery, but their development is hindered by polymer selection difficulties.
• Limited availability and high cost of GMP-grade polymers complicate the formulation of effective microsphere-based drug delivery systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the feasibility of using blended polymers for formulating Eptifibatide-loaded microspheres.
• To compare the performance of microspheres formulated with blended polymers versus original polymers.
• To address the challenges associated with selecting appropriate GMP-grade polymers for controlled drug delivery.

Main Methods:

• Eptifibatide-loaded microspheres were formulated using physically blended polymers (R202H and RG502H) at various ratios.
• Blended polymers with similar intrinsic viscosity (IV) values were prepared.
• Microspheres formulated with blended polymers were compared to those formulated with original/on-shelf polymers.

Main Results:

• Microspheres formulated using blended polymers demonstrated identical performance to those formulated with original polymers.
• The blending approach allowed for the creation of polymers with tailored comonomer ratios.
• This method provides a viable alternative for achieving desired physicochemical properties and drug release profiles.

Conclusions:

• Blending existing biodegradable polymers is an effective strategy to overcome challenges in polymer selection for microsphere formulation.
• This approach offers a cost-effective and practical solution for developing controlled protein and peptide delivery systems.
• The identical performance suggests that blended polymers can successfully replace original polymers without compromising therapeutic efficacy.