Techniques for enhancing the selectivity and efficacy of antimicrobial and anticancer polymer agents

A therapeutic, agent, comprising:

• a cationic polymer and an anionic polymer;
• wherein the cationic polymer and the anionic polymer form a coacervate complex in a fluid;
• wherein the anionic polymer comprises a polycarbonate backbone comprising anionic functional groups bound to the polycarbonate backbone;
• and
• wherein the cationic polymer has a chemical structure characterized by Formula I:
• wherein n represents an integer between 10 and 50,
• wherein R1 comprises a biotin-based functional group that improves at least one of an antimicrobial functionality or an anticancer functionality provided by at least one therapeutic functional group of the cationic polymer, and
• wherein R2 comprises a spacer group.

A therapeutic agent, comprising:

• a cationic polymer and an anionic polymer;
• wherein the cationic polymer and the anionic polymer form a coacervate complex in a fluid;
• wherein the anionic polymer comprises a polycarbonate backbone comprising anionic functional groups bound to the polycarbonate backbone;
• and
• wherein the cationic polymer has a chemical structure characterized by Formula I:
• wherein n represents an integer between 10 and 50, and
• where the therapeutic gent is effective against a plurality of different cancer cell lines.