# US 2016/0256404 A1 · Drugs and Gene Carrier Particles That Rapidly Move Through Mucous Barriers > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2016/0256404 A1 - Document ID: US20160256404A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/620,333 - Filed: 2015-02-12 - Published: 2016-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2004-01-28 - Assignees: The Johns Hopkins University - Applicants: The Johns Hopkins University - Inventors: Justin Hanes; Michelle R. Dawson; Denis Wirtz; Jie Fu; Eric M. Krauland - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20160256404A1 ## CPC - A61K 9/5153: {Polyesters, e.g. poly(lactide-co-glycolide)} - A61K 9/0073: {Sprays or powders for inhalation; Aerolised or nebulised preparations generated by other means than thermal energy; (nasal sprays A61K9/0043; inhalation of vapours of volatile or heated drugs, e.g. essential oils or nicotine, A61K9/007; devices A61M)} - A61K 9/167: {with an outer layer or coating comprising drug; with chemically bound drugs or non-active substances on their surface (with further drug-free outer coating A61K9/5073)} - A61K 9/5031: {obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds, e.g. polyethylene glycol, poly(lactide-co-glycolide)} - A61K 9/5123: {Organic compounds, e.g. fats, sugars} - A61K 9/5146: {obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds, e.g. polyethylene glycol, polyamines, polyanhydrides} - A61K 47/543: {Lipids, e.g. triglycerides; Polyamines, e.g. spermine or spermidine} - A61K 47/6935: {the polymer being obtained otherwise than by reactions involving carbon to carbon unsaturated bonds, e.g. polyesters, polyamides or polyglycerol} - A61K 47/6937: {the polymer being PLGA, PLA or polyglycolic acid} - A61K 48/0033: {the non-active part being non-polymeric} - A61K 48/0041: {the non-active part being polymeric} - B82Y 5/00: Nanobiotechnology or nanomedicine, e.g. protein engineering or drug delivery - A61K: PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES (devices or methods specially adapted for bringing pharmaceutical products into particular physical or administering forms A61J3/00; chemical aspects of, or use of materials for deodorisation of air, for disinfection or sterilisation, or for bandages, dressings, absorbent pads or surgical articles A61L; soap compositions C11D) - B82Y: SPECIFIC USES OR APPLICATIONS OF NANOSTRUCTURES; MEASUREMENT OR ANALYSIS OF NANOSTRUCTURES; MANUFACTURE OR TREATMENT OF NANOSTRUCTURES ## Abstract The invention generally relates to polymeric particles suitable for transporting bioactive agents across mucosal barriers. The invention also relates to methods of making and using those polymeric particles. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for treating, preventing, or diagnosing a condition in a patient, comprising administering to the patient a pharmaceutical composition comprising a polymeric particle and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the polymeric particle comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable polymer core, a bioactive agent, and a surface-altering agent disposed on the surface of the polymer core that renders the surface of the polymeric particle mucus resistant and/or enhances the average rate at which the particles or a fraction of the particles moves in mucus. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the bioactive agent is encapsulated in the polymer core. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the bioactive agent is disposed on the surface of the polymeric particle. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the bioactive agent is covalently coupled to the polymer core. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable polymer is a poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic) acid, polyethylenimine, dioleyltrimethylammoniumpropane/dioleyl-sn-glycerolphosphoethanolamine, poly(anhydrides), or a polymer formed from clinically approved monomers. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein the clinically approved monomers are monomers of sebacic acid, 1,3-bis(carboxyphenoxy)propane, and/or ethylene glycol. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the bioactive agent is a therapeutic agent or an imaging agent. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein the therapeutic agent is a DNA, an RNA, a small molecule, a peptidomimetic, or a protein. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein the imaging agent is a diagnostic agent. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein the imaging agent further comprises a detectable label. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the polymeric particle further comprises a targeting moiety. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the polymeric particle further comprises an adjuvant. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the surface-altering agent is a cationic surfactant. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the cationic surfactant is dimethyldioctadecylammonium bromide. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the surface-altering agent enhances hydrophilicity of the surface of the polymeric particle. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the surface-altering agent is polyethylene glycol. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the polymeric particle is less than 200 nm in diameter. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the polymeric particle passes through a mucosal barrier at a greater rate than a polystyrene particle of a similar size. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the bioactive agent is a DNA, and wherein the polymeric particle comprising the DNA transfects a cell more efficiently than does naked DNA. ### Claim at position 20 20-24. (canceled) ### Claim 25 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the polymeric particle in the pharmaceutical composition passes through a mucosal barrier in the patient.