Development of Biodegradable Sustained Release Antibiotic Beads

This final report details the development, preparation, and characterization of biodegradable antibiotic beads for testing in animal models. A process was developed for preparing 3-6 mm beads from antibiotics and biodegradable polymers. The process was used to prepare 200 3-6 mm beads from each of the following antibiotics ceftriaxone, tobramycin, and placebo as well as a mixture of ceftriaxone and tobramycin for a total of 800 beads. The beads were delivered to the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command at Fort Detrick, Frederick, Maryland for evaluation in animal models. The beads were characterized by measurement of residual solvent levels, drug content, in vitro release, and in vitro bacterial inhibition against both gram positive and gram negative bacteria. The methods of development and results of in vitro studies are presented in the report. Biodegradable polymer, Antibiotics, Implants, Controlled-Release, RAD II.