Use of simple amino acids to form porous particles

Particles produced by a method of preparing particles, comprising:

• (a) forming a mixture comprising a therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agent, or any combination thereof, and a hydrophobic amino acid or a salt thereof;
• and
• (b) spray-drying said mixture to produce particles having a tap density less than about 0.4 g/cm3 wherein the particles have a tap density less than about 0.4 g/cm3 and a median aerodynamic diameter of between about 1 and about 5 microns, an wherein the amino acid or salt thereof is present in the particles in an amount of at least 10% by weight.

A method comprising administering to the respiratory tract of a patient in need of treatment, prophylaxis or diagnosis an effective amount of particles produced by a method of preparing particles, comprising:

• (a) forming a mixture comprising a therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agent, or any combination thereof, and a hydrophobic amino acid or a salt thereof;
• and
• (b) spray-drying said mixture to produce particles having a tap density less than about 0.4 g/cm3 wherein the particles have a tap density less than about 0.4 g/cm3 and a median aerodynamic diameter of between about 1 and about 5 microns, an wherein the amino acid or salt thereof is present in the particles in an amount of at least 10% by weight.

Particles comprising a therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agent, or any combination thereof, and a hydrophobic amino acid or salt thereof;

• wherein the particles have a tap density less than about 0.4 g/cm3 wherein the particles have a tap density less than about 0.4 g/cm3 and a median aerodynamic diameter of between about 1 and about 5 microns, an wherein the amino acid or salt thereof is present in the particles in an amount of at least 10% by weight.

Particles having a tap density of less than about 0.4 g/cm3 comprising a phospholipid and a hydrophobic amino acid or salt thereof and a median aerodynamic diameter of between about 1 and about 5 microns, an wherein the amino acid or salt thereof is present in the particles in an amount of at least 10% by weight.

A composition for drug delivery to the pulmonary system comprising particles including a therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agent, or any combination thereof, and a hydrophobic amino acid or salt thereof, wherein the particles have a tap density of less than 0.4 g/cm3 and a median aerodynamic diameter of between 1 and about 5 microns, and wherein the amino acid or salt thereof is present in the particles in an amount of at least 10% by weight.

A method for drug delivery to the respiratory system comprising:

• administering to the respiratory tract of a patient in need of treatment or prophylaxis or an effective amount of particles comprising a therapeutic, a hydrophobic amino acid or salt thereof, and a phospholipid or combination of phospholipids;
• wherein the particles have a tap density less than about 0.4 g/cm3 and a median aerodynamic diameter of between 1 and about 5 microns, and wherein the amino acid or salt thereof is present in the particles in an amount of at least 10% by weight.

A method for drug delivery to the pulmonary system comprising:

• administering to the respiratory tract of a patient in need of treatment, prophylaxis or diagnosis an effective amount of particles wherein said particles consist of a therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agent, or any combination thereof, and a hydrophobic amino acid or salt thereof, and wherein the particles have a tap density less than about 0.4 g/cm3 and a median aerodynamic diameter of between 1 and about 5 microns, and wherein the amino acid or salt thereof is present in the particles in an amount of at least 10% by weight.

A method for drug delivery to the pulmonary system comprising:

• administering to the respiratory tract of a patient in need of treatment, prophylaxis or diagnosis an effective amount of particles wherein said particles consist of a therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agent, or any combination thereof, a hydrophobic amino acid or salt thereof, and a phospholipid or combination of phospholipids and wherein the particles have a tap density less than about 0.4 g/cm3 and a median aerodynamic diameter of between 1 and about 5 microns, and wherein the amino acid or salt thereof is present in the particles in an amount of at least 10% by weight.

Particles comprising a therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agent, or any combination thereof, an amino acid or salt thereof, and a phospholipid or combination of phospholipids;

• wherein the particles have a tap density less than about 0.4 g/cm3.

Particles consisting of a therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agent, or any combination thereof, and a hydrophobic amino acid or salt thereof;

• wherein the particles have a tap density less than about 0.4 g/cm3 and a median aerodynamic diameter of between 1 and about 5 microns, and wherein the amino acid or salt thereof is present in the particles in an amount of at least 10% by weight.