Patent ID: 8518963

Claim:
A method for identifying therapeutic polymeric nanoparticle compositions with a desired therapeutic agent release rate profile, comprising: a) separately preparing a plurality of first aqueous suspensions each comprising polymeric nanoparticles, wherein the nanoparticles comprise i) about 3 to about 40 weight percent of a therapeutic agent, and ii) about 40 to about 90 weight percent of a block copolymer having at least on hydrophobic portion, wherein the block copolymer is poly(D,L-lactic) acid-poly(ethylene)glycol or poly(lactic) acid-co-poly(glycolic) acid-poly(ethylene)glycol; wherein each first aqueous suspension is in a separate compartment; b) determining the nanoparticle glass transition temperature of each of the first aqueous suspensions; c) varying the amount or molecular weight of the hydrophobic portion of the block copolymer in each of the first aqueous suspensions, if the glass transition temperature of step b) is below 37° C.; d) repeating steps b) and c) until a second aqueous suspension with a glass transition temperature of between about 37° C. and about 50° C. and the desired therapeutic agent release rate profile is obtained.