Enzyme-promoted degradation of polymeric matrices for controlled drug delivery: Analytical model and numerical simulations

Abstract

Controlled drug delivery is one of the main avenues along which the multibillion dollar pharmaceutical industry is concentrating its efforts today. This emphasis is dictated by attempts to improve therapy efficiency and patient compliance, as well as by most stringent economic constraints. This chapter presents the design of an implantable, degradable, drug delivery device, the function of which is controlled by the concentration and activity of a given enzyme present at the site of implantation. Also, using an appropriately developed analytical model, the performance of this device is assessed in terms of its geometrical characteristics and functional parameters. The engineering procedures thus developed provide the efficient tools required for both the rational design and performance analysis of such devices.