US Patent 7846479 Microparticle compositions and methods for the manufacture thereof

Microparticles with adsorbed complexes of macromolecule and detergent, methods of making such microparticles, and uses thereof, are disclosed. The microparticles comprise a polymer, such as a poly(α-hydroxy acid), a polyhydroxy butyric acid, a polycaprolactone, a polyorthoester, a polyanhydride, and the like, and are formed using cationic, anionic, or nonionic detergents. The surfaces of the microparticles have adsorbed thereon a complex of biologically active macromolecules, such as nucleic acids, polypeptides, antigens, and adjuvants, and a detergent. Preferred polymers are poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolides), more preferably those having a lactide/glycolide molar ratio ranging from 40:60 to 60:40 and having a molecular weight ranging from 30,000 Daltons to 70,000 Daltons. Preferred macromolecules are bacterial and viral antigens (such as HIV antigens, meningitis B antigens, streptococcus B antigens, and Influenza A hemagglutinin antigens) as well as polynucleotides that encode for such antigens.