A new aliphatic amino prodrug system for the delivery of small molecules and proteins utilizing novel PEG derivatives.

A new amino PEG prodrug system, based entirely on aliphatic structures, has been designed using ester derivatives easily synthesized from N-modified bis-N-2-hydroxyethylglycinamides. Hydrolysis of the various promoiety bonds, in vivo, regenerated amine in a predictable manner. Thus, a novel new methodology for controlled release of amino-containing drugs, peptides, and proteins has been accomplished. This work demonstrates the usefulness of a PEG prodrug strategy that results in solubilization of insoluble amino-containing drugs and provides prodrugs with relatively long circulating half-lives. It can be appreciated that this novel system should also be applicable for nonpolymer-containing prodrugs as well.