Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The Brigham and Women's Hospital, Inc.

Archana Swami

Omid C Farokhzad

Robert Samuel Langer

Jeffrey Michael Karp

Gershon Golomb

Aleksandar Filip Radovic-Moreno

Pamela A Basto

Weiwei Gao

Bone- and metal-targeted polymeric nanoparticles are provided. Exemplary nanoparticles have three main components: 1) a targeting element that can selectively bind to bone, minerals, or metal ions; 2) a layer of stealth to allow the polymer to evade immune response; and 3) a biodegradable polymeric material, forming an inner core which can carry therapeutics or other diagnostics. Preferred nanoparticles contain a blend of target-element polymer conjugate and polymer that optimizes the ligand density on the surface of the nanoparticle to provide improved targeting of the nanoparticle. The ratio of target-element polymer conjugate to polymer can also be optimized to improve the half-life of the nanoparticles in the blood of the subject. The nanoparticles also exhibit prolonged, sustained release of therapeutic agents loaded into the particles.

Bone and metal targeted polymeric nanoparticles

The present invention generally relates to polymers and particles, such as nanoparticles. The particles and polymers generally include one or more buffering components. Additionally, the particles and polymers may include two or more components that impart useful properties (functionalities). The particles and polymers, for example, may include a buffering component and a degradable component. As described herein, the particles and polymers may also include a hydrophilic component and/or a cleavable bond component. The particles and polymers described herein have been found to be particularly effective when used for delivery of one or more agents, such as one or more pharmaceutical agents. Other aspects of the invention are directed to methods of using or administering such particles or polymers, kits involving such particles or polymers, and the like. The present invention also relates to particles containing a cleavable bond component and one or more fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) pairs as well as methods of detecting the cleavage of the cleavable bond component of such particles.

PH sensitive biodegradable polymeric particles for drug delivery

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Archana Swami