Methods of identifying potential components for targeted drug delivery compositions

Abstract

Methods of preparing compositions for preferential distribution of active agents to injury sites are provided. The compositions may comprise a polymer with hydrophilic properties and one or more active agents, such as compounds comprising hydrophilic metal ions. Because the delivery ligand and the active agent are specifically selected so the interactions between them are mainly of an ionic nature. Methods of identifying suitable components for such compositions are also disclosed.

1 . A method of preparing compositions for preferential distribution of active agents, the method comprises:
 preparing a solution comprising a delivery ligand comprising polyethylene glycol and one or more active agents comprising a magnesium salt;   subjecting the solution to one or more conditions to induce separation of phases in the solution; and   isolating a phase comprising delivery ligand-active agent complexes.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the isolated phase has a concentration of delivery ligand-active agent complexes above a threshold concentration. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the delivery ligand and the at least one active agent are selected so the interaction between them is mainly of an ionic nature. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the solution comprises between about 10% and about 60% weight per volume of the delivery ligand. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the polyethylene glycol has a molecular weight of about 200 Da to about 24,000 Da. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the magnesium salt is magnesium chloride. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the concentration of the active agent in the solution is about 0.8%. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the magnesium salt is magnesium sulfate. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the solution comprises between about 30 and about 40% of the delivery ligand. 
     
     
         10 . A method of identifying potential components for compositions for preferential distribution of active agents, the method comprises:
 preparing a solution comprising a delivery ligand comprising polyethylene glycol and one or more active agents comprising a magnesium salt;   subjecting the solution to one or more conditions to induce separation of phases in the solution; and   determining whether one or more phases comprise delivery ligand-active agent complexes.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein one or more phases have a concentration of delivery ligand-active agent complexes above a threshold concentration. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the delivery ligand and the at least one active agent are selected so the interaction between them is mainly of an ionic nature. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the solution comprises between about 10% and about 60% weight per volume of the delivery ligand. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the polyethylene glycol has a molecular weight of about 200 Da to about 24,000 Da. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the magnesium salt is magnesium chloride. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the concentration of the active agent in the solution is about 0.8%. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the magnesium salt is magnesium sulfate. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the solution comprises between about 30 and about 40% of the delivery ligand.