Sub-100nm biodegradable polymer spheres capable of transporting and releasing nucleic acids

US6254890A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology · US

Inventors

• Sachiko Hirosue · Cambridge, US
• Bernhard Mueller · Finsing, DE
• Robert S. Langer · Newton, US
• Richard C. Mulligan · Cambridge, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 10, 1998
• Grant date: Jul 3, 2001
• Expiry date: Dec 10, 2018

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10S977/916
• WIPO field: Pharmaceuticals
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The present invention provides biodegradable polymer nanospheres capable of transporting and releasing therapeutic agents, specifically nucleic acids. In preferred embodiments, a sub-150 nm nanosphere is formed containing nucleic acids. Thereafter, the agent is released from the nanosphere. In one embodiment a biodegradable polymer nanosphere surface has attached to it a targeting moiety. In another embodiment, the biodegradable polymer nanosphere surface has attached to it a masking moiety. In yet another embodiment both targeting and masking moieties are attached to the nanosphere surface.