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Abstract

Biocompatible carrier materials are described herein for enhanced delivery of therapeutic agents. Embodiments include materials and methods for making a biodegradable coating on a surface of a medical device by forming a biodegradable layer on at least a portion of the surface of the medical device, the layer comprising a copolymer and a therapeutic agent releasable into a patient after implantation of the device into the patient, wherein the copolymer is a polyamino acid derivatized to have a hydrophobic hydrocarbon side chain that has a molecular weight from about 14 to about 5000. One embodiment is a polypeptide that includes at least one amino acid that has been modified to include a hydrophobic side chain. The number and type of amino acids and hydrophobic side chains may be altered to adjust the solubility of the material in solvents, and to control the hydrophobic-to-hydrophilic balance of the coatings made with the materials, so as to enhance therapeutic agent delivery. And hydrophilic groups may also be introduced as a further means to adjust the material's property.

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First Claim