Crosslinked particles

Abstract

Disclosed are crosslinked particles (e.g., microparticles) that are capable of storing and releasing drugs. The particles can be macroparticles, microparticles, or nanoparticles and can be composed of polyester backbones. The particles can be loaded with a drug. The particles can degrade in vivo to release the drug. The particles can be prepared by crosslinking functionalized polyester backbones and loaded with a given drug. The particles of the present disclosure can be injected with a syringe. In some embodiments, the particles of the present disclosure are administered in connection with a surgery and release the drug after the site of the surgery for a period of 1-6 months.

1 . A crosslinked degradable particle, comprising:
 a plurality of polyester backbones, wherein the plurality of polyester backbones are crosslinked via thioethers, triazoles, or amides; and   a drug dispersed within the crosslinked degradable particle.   
     
     
         2 . The crosslinked particle of  claim 1 , wherein the polyester backbones are crosslinked via thioethers. 
     
     
         3 . The crosslinked particle of  claim 1 , wherein the polyester backbones are crosslinked via triazoles. 
     
     
         4 . The crosslinked particle of  claim 1 , wherein the polyester backbones are crosslinked via amides. 
     
     
         5 . The crosslinked particle of  claim 1 , wherein the particle is biodegradable. 
     
     
         6 . The crosslinked particle of  claim 1 , wherein the particle has a diameter between about 1 μm and about 100 μm. 
     
     
         7 . The crosslinked particle of  claim 6 , wherein the particle has a diameter between about 5 μm and about 20 μm. 
     
     
         8 . The crosslinked particle of  claim 7 , wherein the particle has a diameter between about 7 μm and about 15 μm. 
     
     
         9 . The crosslinked particle of  claim 8 , wherein the particle has a diameter of about 10 μm. 
     
     
         10 . The crosslinked particle of  claim 1 , wherein the drug is selected from the group consisting of triamcinolone, triamcinolone acetonide, triamcinolone hexacetonide, and paclitaxel. 
     
     
         11 . The crosslinked particle of  claim 1 , wherein the drug is covalently bonded to the particle. 
     
     
         12 . The crosslinked particle of  claim 1 , wherein the drug is contained within the particle by noncovalent interactions. 
     
     
         13 . The crosslinked particle of  claim 1 , wherein the particle releases the drug over a period of at least one month in an aqueous environment. 
     
     
         14 . The crosslinked particle of  claim 1 , wherein the particle degrades as it releases the drug. 
     
     
         15 . The crosslinked particle of  claim 1 , wherein the polyester backbone comprises polyvalerolactone, polycaprolactone, polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The crosslinked particle of  claim 1 , wherein the particle is a microparticle. 
     
     
         17 . The crosslinked particle of  claim 1 , wherein the particle is a nanoparticle. 
     
     
         18 . The crosslinked particle of  claim 1 , wherein the polyester backbone further comprises polyethylene glycol. 
     
     
         19 . A crosslinked degradable particle, comprising:
 a plurality of polymer backbones obtained from lactone monomer residues, wherein the plurality of polymer backbones are crosslinked via thioethers, triazoles, or amides; and   a drug dispersed within the crosslinked degradable particle, wherein the crosslinked degradable particle has a nominal diameter between 1 μm and 100 μm.   
     
     
         20 . The crosslinked particle of  claim 19 , wherein the polyester backbones are crosslinked via thioethers. 
     
     
         21 .- 257 . (canceled)