Other

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The Penn State Research Foundation

Giovannia Caponetti

Robert Samuel Langer

David A Edwards

Justin Scot Hanes

Jeffrey S Hrkach

Noah Lotan

Abdell Aziz Ben-Jebria

Improved aerodynamically light particles for delivery to the pulmonary system, and methods for their preparation and administration are provided. In a preferred embodiment, the aerodynamically light particles are made of a biodegradable material and have a tap density less than 0.4 g/cmand a mass mean diameter between 5 &#x3bc;m and 30 &#x3bc;m. The particles may be formed of biodegradable materials such as biodegradable polymers. For example, the particles may be formed of a functionalized polyester graft copolymer consisting of a linear &#x3b1;-hydroxy-acid polyester backbone having at least one amino acid group incorporated herein and at least on poly(amino acid) side chain extending from an amino acid group in the polyester backbone. In one embodiment, aerodynamically light particles having a large mean diameter, for example greater than 5 &#x3bc;m, can be used for enhanced delivery of a therapeutic or diagnostic agent to the alveolar region of the lung. The aerodynamically light particles optionally can incorporate a therapeutic or diagnostic agent, and may be effectively aerosolized for administration to the respiratory tract to permit systemic or local delivery of a wide variety of incorporated agents.

Aerodynamically light particles for pulmonary drug delivery

Improved aerodynamically light particles for delivery to the pulmonary system, and methods for their preparation and administration are provided. In a preferred embodiment, the aerodynamically light particles are made of a biodegradable material and have a tap density less than 0.4 g/cm and a mass mean diameter between 5 &mgr;m and 30 &mgr;m. The particles may be formed of biodegradable mat as biodegradable polymers. For example, the particles may be formed of a functionalized polyester graft copolymer consisting of a linear &agr;-hydroxy-acid polyester backbone having at least one amino acid group incorporated therein and at least one poly(amino acid) side chain extending from an amino acid group in the polyester backbone. In one embodiment, aerodynamically light particles having a large mean diameter, for example greater than 5 &mgr;m, can be used for enhanced delivery of a therapeutic or diagnostic agent to the alveolar region of the lung. The aerodynamically light particles optionally can incorporate a therapeutic or diagnostic agent, and may be effectively aerosolized for administration to the respiratory tract to permit systemic or local delivery of wide variety of incrorporated agents.

Growing community of inventors

Piacenza, Italy

Giovannia Caponetti