Abstract: The present invention concerns a delivery system administered to the lung preferably by inhalation comprising a polymer-based nanoparticle; and a linker comprising a first portion non-covalently anchored to said nanoparticle, wherein at least part of said first portion comprises a hydrophobic/lipophilic segment embedded in said nanoparticle; and a second portion comprising a coupling group, preferably a maleimide compound, exposed at the outer surface of said nanoparticle. In accordance with one embodiment, the delivery system comprises one or more targeting agents, each covalently bound to said coupling group, preferably maleimide compound, and is administered as an aerosol in the therapy or diagnosis of lung cancer or bronchial dysplasia. In accordance with yet another embodiment, the delivery system comprises a drug and/or a radiopharmaceutical and/or a contrasting agent. A specific example for a linker in accordance with the invention is octadecyl-4-(maleimideomethyl)cyclohexane-carboxylic amide (OMCCA).

Abstract: The pharmaceutical compositions described herein include a suspension which comprises an admixture in solid form of a therapeutically effective amount of a therapeutic agent (such as CCK-8, octreotide), at least one salt of a medium chain fatty acid, a matrix forming polymer and a hydrophobic(lipophilic) medium. A surfactant may be included in the suspension. The pharmaceutical compositions may be formulated in a capsule or tablet for oral delivery. Methods of treating or preventing diseases by administering such compositions to affected subjects are also disclosed.