Aoune Barhoumi

Abstract Long-acting formulations are increasingly sought after for the management of chronic diseases. Drug-conjugated microparticles with degradation-controlled release present a promising modular extended-release platform that can be delivered through minimally invasive approaches. However, many conventional drug-conjugated microparticles have relatively short durations of release and substantial release of pharmacologically inactive drug-conjugated oligomers.

Polyketals, which can be biodegradable, have good biocompatibility, and are pH-sensitive, could have broad applicability in drug delivery and other biomedical applications. However, facile synthesis of high molecular weight polyketals is challenging, and short durations of drug release from polyketal particulate formulations limit their application in drug delivery.