Inventors:
Sachiko Hirosue - Cambridge MA
Bernhard G. Mueller - Kaltbach, CH
Robert S. Langer - Newton MA
Richard C. Mulligan - Lincoln MA
Assignee:
Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Cambridge MA
International Classification:
A61K 951
A61K 952
A61K 964
A61K 958
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.