A Polymeric Drug Depot Based on 7‐(2′‐Methacryloyloxyethoxy)‐4‐methylcoumarin Copolymers for Photoinduced Release of 5‐Fluorouracil Designed for the Treatment of Secondary Cataracts

The synthesis of a polymeric, photoresponsive drug‐delivery system on the basis of 4‐methylcoumarin‐side‐chain‐functionalized methacrylic copolymers with different degrees of functionalization is reported. Drug‐release experiments in solution indicated a maximum release of 22 µg of 5‐fluorouracil per 1 mg of polymer. Polymer analogous photochemical drug immobilization does not lead to observable intermolecular cross‐linking. Miscibility experiments with PMMA suggest that the bulk polymerization of homogeneous, transparent polymer sheets for intraocular lens fabrication, using MMA as the matrix monomer and incorporating the polymer‐drug conjugates as a functional component, is possible.