Patent ID: 8367113

Claim:
A nanoparticulate composition comprising a particle having an average characteristic dimension of less than about 1 micrometer, the particle formed of an amphiphilic macromolecule comprising (a) a first hydrophobic portion, (b) a second hydrophilic portion; and (c) a third portion comprising a moiety selected from the group consisting of a targeting moiety, an imaging moiety, a chelating moiety, a moiety having multiple charge groups, and a therapeutic moiety, wherein the first, second or both portions comprise a biocompatible polymer, and wherein the particles are formed by self-assembling the macromolecule into nanoparticles having a greater concentration of the third portion moiety on the surface of the nanoparticle and a detectable amount of the third portion moiety in the interior of the nanoparticle.