Abstract: A method for controlling the encapsulation efficiency and burst release of water soluble molecules from nanoparticle and microparticle formulations produced by the inverted Flash NanoPrecipitation (iFNP) process and subsequent processing steps is presented. The processing steps and materials used can be adjusted to tune the encapsulation efficiency and burst release of the encapsulated water-soluble material. The encapsulation efficiency of the soluble agent in the particles and the burst release of the soluble agent from the particles can be controlled by: (1) the copolymers used in the assembly or coating process, (2) the degree of crosslinking of the nanoparticle core, (3) the incorporation of small molecule or polymeric additives, and/or (4) the processing and release conditions employed.

Abstract: Compositions including dihydromyricetin (DHM) and methods for forming them through hot melt extrusion.

Abstract: Nanoparticles including a cellulosic polymer and a hydrophobic material and methods for forming them.

Abstract: A method for controlling the encapsulation efficiency and burst release of water soluble molecules from nanoparticle and microparticle formulations produced by the inverted Flash NanoPrecipitation (iFNP) process and subsequent processing steps is presented. The processing steps and materials used can be adjusted to tune the encapsulation efficiency and burst release of the encapsulated water-soluble material. The encapsulation efficiency of the soluble agent in the particles and the burst release of the soluble agent from the particles can be controlled by: (1) the copolymers used in the assembly or coating process, (2) the degree of crosslinking of the nanoparticle core, (3) the incorporation of small molecule or polymeric additives, and/or (4) the processing and release conditions employed.

Abstract: The invention described herein relates to colloidal particles useful for photoacoustic imaging. The particles comprise a photoacoustic imaging agent with an absorbance maximum or plateau in the range of wavelengths 700-1100 nm. The imaging agent also displays low optical absorbance at some wavelength in the range 700-1100 nm. This combination of high and low optical absorbance enables background subtraction in photoacoustic imaging applications. The imaging agent is an organic compound having low aqueous solubility so that it is stably encapsulated in the hydrophobic core of the particle. The particle is stabilized by a polymeric surface coating, and the polymeric stabilizing layer on the surface of the particle may contain targeting ligands for targeted diagnostics or therapeutic delivery. The particle core may also contain therapeutic agents or other imaging agents.

Abstract: Compositions that increase the bioavailability of dihydromyricetin are presented. The bioavailability is increased by methods including formulating dihydromyricetin in nanoparticle form, delivering dihydromyricetin with permeabilizers, and encapsulating dihydromyricetin with an enteric coating.

Abstract: An “inverse” precipitation route to precipitate aqueous soluble species with copolymers as nanoparticles having a hydrophilic, polar core and a less polar shell is described.

Abstract: An “inverse” precipitation route to precipitate aqueous soluble species with copolymers as nanoparticles having a hydrophilic, polar core and a less polar shell is described.

Abstract: A precipitation route to form nanoparticles with a hydrophilic core containing water soluble materials and a hydrophobic shell is described. The process requires a stabilizing polymer composed of more polar and more non-polar regions. These regions can be arranged as a linear block copolymer, or as a comb polymer with a linear or branched polar backbone and non-polar side chains or substituents. Nucleic acids, including DNA and RNA, as well as proteins, peptides, and polysaccharides or combinations can be encapsulated in the nanoparticle core. The encapsulation of nucleic acids can require partially or fully neutralizing the acid with a base to enhance the solubility of the nucleic acid in the process solvent stream. The core or the shell of the resulting nanoparticles can be crosslinked. The nanoparticles may be coated with additional polymer to bring them into water, or processed into microparticles or larger monoliths.

Abstract: Formulations including dihydromyricetin (DHM) and a fatty acid salt or a fatty acid.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process to make nanoparticles highly loaded with water soluble actives, including biologics such as proteins and peptides, which are stabilized by random copolymers. The random copolymers used have all been approved by the FDA for oral formulations. The nanoparticles have a hydrophilic core and a hydrophobic corona and can be further processed through a number of different routes. The process to make these particles is highly scalable and could be used industrially.

Abstract: The invention described herein relates to sterically stabilized colloidal constructs comprising preformed colloidal particles encapsulated within a polymeric shell. The constructs, which are controllably sized, are nanoparticles comprising hydrophobic elements, electrostatically charged particles with hydrophobic surfaces, hydrophobic inorganic nanostructures, and amphiphilic copolymers with hydrophobic domains and hydrophilic domains. The constructs are made by a process that allows for the simultaneous encapsulation of a preformed colloidal agent as well as a dissolved hydrophobic active within the core of the polymeric nanoparticle. Among the actives incorporated in various embodiments are organic fluorescent dyes, metal nanostructures and superparamagnetic materials for use in combined fluorescence, optical and magnetic resonance imaging applications, and hydrophobic drugs for therapeutic applications.

Abstract: Nanoemulsion compositions, processes, and methods that include dihydromyricetin (DHM).

Abstract: Compositions including dihydromyricetin (DHM) and methods for forming them through spray drying.

Abstract: Hybrid polymer-inorganic nanocolloids and methods of making them are described.

Abstract: Janus particles, including biodegradable, biocompatible, anisotropic, amphiphilic Janus nanocolloids, and their use in stabilizing emulsions and cleansing are described.

Abstract: An “inverse” precipitation route to precipitate aqueous soluble species with copolymers as nanoparticles having a hydrophilic, polar core and a less polar shell is described. The aggregation of these nanoparticles to form larger microparticles and monoliths provides a highly loaded construct (e.g., a depot) for the sustained and controlled release of actives.

Abstract: In one aspect, methods of preparing composite nanoparticle compositions are described herein. For example, in some embodiments, a method comprises providing a zein solution stream, an organic fluid stream including at least one additive and at least one buffer fluid stream. The zein solution stream, organic fluid stream and buffer fluid stream are delivered to a chamber for mixing at one or more rates sufficient to flash precipitate composite nanoparticles including the additive encapsulated by a shell comprising the zein.

Abstract: Hydrophilic molecules such as biologics, which can include peptides, proteins, and other biologically-derived materials, can be used as therapeutic agents in medical applications. They can face administration challenges because of poor membrane permeability and rapid clearance from the blood stream. Methods for the formation of a core-shell-brush nanoparticle from an A-B-C triblock copolymer are set forth. A hydrophilic core can contain the biologic and the C Block of the copolymer. The shell can be comprised of the precipitated B Block, and the A Block can form a stabilizing brush layer. The particles can be assembled by sequential precipitations under defined mixing conditions. Presented herein are methods to tune release based on process parameters during particle assembly and triblock characteristics.

Abstract: In one aspect, methods of preparing composite nanoparticle compositions are described herein. For example, in some embodiments, a method comprises providing a zein solution stream, an organic fluid stream including at least one additive and at least one buffer fluid stream. The zein solution stream, organic fluid stream and buffer fluid stream are delivered to a chamber for mixing at one or more rates sufficient to flash precipitate composite nanoparticles including the additive encapsulated by a shell comprising the zein.