	US 7,598,338 B2
	Methods for the formation of hydrogels using thiosulfonate compositions and uses thereof
Zhihao Fang, Madison, Ala. (US); and Michael D. Bentley, Huntsville, Ala. (US)
Assigned to Nektar Therapeutics, San Carlos, Calif. (US)
Filed on Sep. 27, 2007, as Appl. No. 11/904,985.
Application 11/904985 is a division of application No. 10/751010, filed on Dec. 31, 2003, granted, now 7,312,301.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/437252, filed on Dec. 31, 2002.
Prior Publication US 2008/0033105 A1, Feb. 07, 2008
Int. Cl. C09K 5/06 (2006.01)

U.S. Cl. 528—391 [523/122]

8 Claims

1. A crosslinked polymer composition produced according to a method comprising:

providing a first composition comprising at least one thiosulfonate polymer derivative, wherein said at least one thiosulfonate polymer derivative has the formula,

wherein POLY is a water-soluble polymer, (n) is 3 to about 25, X is a linking group, Y is a moiety derived from a molecule having at least three nucleophilic groups, and R is hydrogen, or an organic radical;

exposing said first composition to a base under conditions sufficient to initiate crosslinking between said thiosulfonate functional groups; and

allowing said crosslinking to proceed to thereby form said crosslinked polymer composition,

and wherein said crosslinked polymer composition is substantially free from by-products of crosslinking agents or redox catalysts.