ABSTRACT
The DUROS implant is a sterile, nonerodible, drug-dedicated, osmotically driven system developed by ALZA Corporation to provide long-term, controlled drug delivery. It was initially developed as a delivery platform for therapeutic agents that must be administered parenterally to avoid degradation following oral administration, including peptides, proteins, and other complex biologically active molecules. The first application of DUROS technology-Viadur (leuprolide acetate implant)—provides zero-order delivery of leuprolide, a synthetic nonapeptide gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist. DUROS technology is also well suited for delivery of other potent biomolecules that require long-term, controlled, parenteral administration, including those that require steady-state serum concentrations and those that have a narrow therapeutic window or a short half-life. Moreover, while Viadur provides zero-order delivery, DUROS technology can be adapted to produce other patterns of drug delivery [1].
