Claims for Patent: 7,014,846

Summary for Patent: 7,014,846

Title:	Phosphate-binding polymers for oral administration
Abstract:	Phosphate-binding polymers are provided for removing phosphate from the gastrointestinal tract. The polymers are orally administered, and are useful for the treatment of hyperphosphatemia.
Inventor(s):	Holmes-Farley; Stephen Randall (Arlington, MA), Manderville, III; W. Harry (Lynnfield, MA), Whitesides; George M. (Newton, MA)
Assignee:	Genzyme Corporation (Cambridge, MA)
Application Number:	10/766,638
Patent Claims:	1. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a carrier and a crosslinked, water insoluble polyallylamine homopolymer, wherein said polyallylamine homopolymer comprises repeat units represented by the structural formula: ##STR00028## wherein n is an integer, wherein said polyallylamine homopolymer is crosslinked with an epichlorohydrin crosslinking agent, and wherein the homopolymer is fully protonated, partially protonated or unprotonated. 2. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the amount of said crosslinking agent is about 2% to about 20% by weight of the polymer. 3. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein said polyallylamine homopolymer is fully or partially protonated. 4. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 3, wherein said polyallylamine homopolymer is protonated with HCl. 5. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 4, wherein said polyallylamine homopolymer is partially protonated. 6. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein said pharmaceutical composition consists essentially of one or more carriers and said polyallylamine homopolymer. 7. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein said pharmaceutical composition consists of one or more carriers and said polyallylamine homopolymer. 8. The pharmaceutical composition at claim 1, wherein said pharmaceutical composition is in the form of a tablet or a capsule. 9. A method for removing phosphate from a patient, comprising orally administering to said patient a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a crosslinked, water insoluble polyallylamine homopolymer, wherein said polyallylamine homopolymer comprises repeat units represented by the structural formula: ##STR00029## wherein n is an integer, and wherein the homopolymer is fully protonated, partially protonated or unprotonated. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein said polyallylamine homopolymer is crosslinked with an epichlorohydrin crosslinking agent. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the amount of said crosslinking agent is about 2% to about 20% by weight of the polymer. 12. The method of claim 9, wherein said polyallylamine homopolymer is fully or partially protonated. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein said polyallylamine homopolymer is protonated with HCl. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein said polyallylamine homopolymer is partially protonated.