Hybrid polymer-ceramic particles, methods for preparing the same and uses thereof

1 . A composition comprising a plurality of particles characterized by an average particle size in a range from 10 to 500 nm as determined by DLS, wherein each of the plurality of particles is a hybrid nanoparticle comprising:

(i) an amphiphilic block-copolymer comprising at least one first block forming a hydrophobic core, and at least one second block having a water solubility greater than said first block; and

(ii) a transition metal oxide consisting of titanium oxide in an amorphous state;

wherein said transition metal oxide is bound to said amphiphilic block-copolymer;

wherein the amphiphilic block-copolymer is a sole polymer in the composition; wherein the amphiphilic block-copolymer and the transition metal oxide are homogeneously distributed within the hybrid nanoparticle; wherein said at least one first block is PPG and wherein said at least one second block is PEG; and wherein said amphiphilic block-copolymer is a PEG-PPG block copolymer characterized by an average molecular weight (Mw) of between 500 and 20000 Da.

2 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein said amphiphilic block-copolymer is characterized by an average molecular weight (Mw) of between 1000 and 10000 Da.

3 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein said amphiphilic block-copolymer is characterized by spontaneous self-assembly above a critical micellar concentration (CMC) in an aqueous solution; and wherein said amphiphilic block-copolymer is characterized by a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) value that ranges from 1 to 24.

4 . The composition of claim 1 , further comprising a hydrophobic compound; wherein said hydrophobic compound is water-insoluble, and wherein said PEG-PPG block copolymer is selected from

5 . The composition of claim 4 , wherein the hydrophobic compound is selected from the group consisting of: a pharmaceutically active agent, a labeling agent, a diagnostic agent, a prophylactic agent, a nutraceutical, or any combination thereof; and wherein a w/w concentration of said hydrophobic compound within said particle ranges from 1 to 50%.

6 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of particles are characterized by sono-responsiveness.

7 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein any one of: (i) a weight per weight (w/w) ratio of said at least one first block to said at least one second block within said amphiphilic block-copolymer is in a range from 1 to 99%; (ii) a w/w ratio of said metal oxide to said amphiphilic block-copolymer ranges from 10 to 90% of said nanoparticle; and (iii) said particle retains its structural and chemical identity in a physiological environment for at least 2 h.

8 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of particles is characterized by an average particle size in a range from 10 to 300 nm and a polydispersity index being in a range from 0.01 to 0.3, as determined by DLS.

9 . The composition of claim 8 , wherein less than 10% of said plurality of particles undergo aggregation in an aqueous dispersion after two weeks of storage at a temperature between 15° C. to 30° C.

10 . A composition comprising a plurality of particles characterized by an average particle size in a range from 10 to 500 nm as determined by DLS, wherein each of the plurality of particles is a hybrid nanoparticle comprising an amphiphilic block-copolymer and a transition metal oxide consisting of titanium oxide in an amorphous state; wherein the amphiphilic block-copolymer is a sole polymer in the composition; wherein the amphiphilic block-copolymer and the transition metal oxide are homogeneously distributed within the hybrid nanoparticle; and wherein said amphiphilic block-copolymer is a PEG-PPG block copolymer selected from

11 . A method for treating a medical condition, comprising administering the pharmaceutical composition of claim 1 to a subject in need thereof, thereby treating said medical condition.

12 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising applying an acoustic wave to said subject, thereby generating reactive oxygen species.

13 . A process of manufacturing the particle of claim 1 , comprising the steps of:

providing an amphiphilic copolymer comprising a first block and a second block, wherein the second block has a solubility greater than said first block; wherein said first block is PEG and wherein said second block is PPG; and wherein said amphiphilic block-copolymer is a PEG-PPG block copolymer;

mixing said amphiphilic copolymer with a first solvent to form a first solution;

mixing an organometallic precursor with a second solvent, thereby forming a complex;

aging said complex, thereby forming a cluster;

mixing the first solution with the cluster thereby forming a mixture;

adding an aqueous solution to said mixture, thereby forming said particle.

14 . The process of claim 13 , wherein said aging comprises incubating said complex with said second solvent at a temperature ranging from 10 to 100° C., for a time period ranging from 1 to 40 days, optionally wherein said aging predetermines a size of said particle.

15 . The process any one of claim 13 , wherein said mixing further comprises adding a hydrophobic compound, thereby obtaining said hydrophobic compound encapsulated within said particle.

16 . The process of any one of claim 13 , further comprising freeze-drying and/or spray-drying said particle to obtain a dry particle.

17 . The process of any one of claim 13 , wherein said second solvent has a water content of less than 1% w/w.

18 . The process of any one of claim 13 , wherein said second solvent is selected from the group comprising an aldehyde and a ketone.

19 . The process of claim 13 , wherein said organometallic precursor comprises a transition metal alkoxide.