Bone and metal targeted polymeric nanoparticles

Polymeric nanoparticles comprising a blend of

• (a) amphiphilic polymers comprising hydrophobic ends and hydrophilic ends, the hydrophilic ends of the amphiphilic polymers having bound thereto a targeting element specifically binding to bone, mineral, or metal ions, and
• (b) hydrophobic or amphiphilic polymer not having a targeting element bound thereto,
• the nanoparticles being formed by self-assembly of the blend, wherein the hydrophobic ends of the amphiphilic polymers are predominantly oriented toward the nanoparticle core, and the targeting elements are predominantly on the surface of the nanoparticle, and
• one or more therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agents encapsulated therein,
• wherein the amphiphilic polymer having the targeting element bound thereto is in a percentage relative to the hydrophobic or amphiphilic polymer not having targeting element bound thereto of between 10 and 30% weight/weight.