Stable Polymer Nanoparticles with Exceptionally High Drug Loading by Sequential Nanoprecipitation
Graphical Abstract
A simple nanoprecipitation approach is used to produce drug-core polymer-shell nanoparticles with exceptionally high drug loading (up to 58.5 %) from a wide range of polymers and drugs. This technology is based on tuning the precipitation time of drugs and polymers using a mixed-solvent system.
Abstract
Poor solubility often leads to low drug efficacy. Encapsulation of water-insoluble drugs in polymeric nanoparticles offers a solution. However, low drug loading remains a critical challenge. Now, a simple and robust sequential nanoprecipitation technology is used to produce stable drug-core polymer-shell nanoparticles with high drug loading (up to 58.5 %) from a wide range of polymers and drugs. This technology is based on tuning the precipitation time of drugs and polymers using a solvent system comprising multiple organic solvents, which allows the formation of drug nanoparticles first followed by immediate precipitation of one or two polymers. This technology offers a new strategy to manufacture polymeric nanoparticles with high drug loading having good long-term stability and programmed release and opens a unique opportunity for drug delivery applications.
Conflict of interest
The authors declare the following competing interests: The University of Queensland (UQ) filed a patent on the core-shell polymer nanoparticles (PCT/AU2019/050557, filed 31 May 2019). Y.L., G.Y., T.B. and C.-X.Z. are named inventors on this patent and through their employment with UQ hold an indirect interest in this intellectual property. The other authors declare no competing interest.
