Fluoropolymer emulsions with perhalogenated stabilizer for the delivery of hydrophobic drugs

A method of delivering a therapeutic agent to a subject in need thereof, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing an emulsion comprising:
• an aqueous solution;
• semi-fluorinated block copolymers;
• wherein each of said semi-fluorinated block copolymers independently comprises a hydrophilic block, a hydrophobic block and a fluorophilic block;
• wherein said hydrophobic block of each of said semi-fluorinated block copolymers is provided between said fluorophilic block and said hydrophilic block;
• wherein the semi-fluorinated block copolymers have a concentration selected from the range of 10 mg mL−1 to 50 mg mL−1;
• said therapeutic agent comprising propofol;
• wherein the propofol has a concentration selected from the range of 0.2 mg mL−1 to 50 mg mL−1;
• and
• a perhalogenated fluorous compound;
• wherein the perhalogenated fluorous compound is 5% to 20% by volume of said emulsion;
• said emulsion comprising a continuous phase and a dispersed phase, wherein said continuous phase comprises said aqueous solution and said dispersed phase comprises said semi-fluorinated block copolymers, said therapeutic agent and said perhalogenated fluorous compound;
• and
• administering said emulsion to said subject, wherein said therapeutic agent is released from said emulsion, thereby delivering said therapeutic agent to said subject in need thereof.

A method of making an emulsion, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing a therapeutic formulation comprising:
• an aqueous solution;
• semi-fluorinated block copolymers;
• wherein each of said semi-fluorinated block copolymers independently comprises a hydrophilic block, a hydrophobic block and a fluorophilic block;
• wherein said hydrophobic block of each of said semi-fluorinated block copolymers is provided between said fluorophilic block and said hydrophilic block;
• wherein the semi-fluorinated block copolymers have a concentration selected from the range of 10 mg mL−1 to 50 mg mL−1;
• said therapeutic agent comprising propofol;
• wherein the propofol has a concentration selected from the range of 0.2 mg mL−1 to 50 mg mL−1;
• and
• a perhalogenated fluorous compound;
• wherein the perhalogenated fluorous compound is 5% to 20% by volume of said emulsion;
• and
• emulsifying said therapeutic formulation, thereby making an emulsion comprising a continuous phase and a dispersed phase, wherein said continuous phase comprises said aqueous solution and said dispersed phase comprises said semi-fluorinated block copolymers, said therapeutic agent and said perhalogenated fluorous compound.