IP Library Granted Patent US 12,485,181
Granted Patent B2
US 12,485,181 · App. 17/621,613 · Granted Dec 2, 2025

Polyoxazoline-drug conjugates with novel pharmacokinetic properties

Inventors: J Milton Harris (Huntsville, AL); Michael D Bentley (Huntsville, AL); Tacey X Viegas (Madison, AL); Randall W Moreadith (Huntsville, AL); Zhihao Fang (Madison, AL); Kunsang Yoon (Madison, AL); Rebecca Weimer (Huntsville, AL)
Assignee: Serina Therapeutics (AL), Inc.
A61K47/59A61K31/05
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,485,181
App. No.
17/621,613
Granted
Dec 2, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present disclosure provides for polyoxazoline (POZ) conjugates wherein the conformation of the POZ conjugate and the release rate of an agent from the POZ conjugate can be controlled by selecting one or more characteristics of the POZ polymer. Methods of controlling the conformation of a POZ conjugate and the release rate of an agent prior are provided as well as methods of treatment using such POZ conjugates and methods. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising a POZ conjugate are also provided.

Claims (53)

1 . A polyoxazoline (POZ) conjugate comprising a POZ polymer and an agent and having the structure:

R—{[N(CO-L 1 -R 1 )CH 2 CH 2 ] m —[N(COR 2 -A)CH 2 CH 2 ] o -[N(COX)CH 2 CH 2 ] n } a -T

wherein:

A is the agent;

R is hydrogen, unsubstituted alkyl or substituted alkyl;

R 1 is an inert pendent group, wherein the inert pendant group comprises one or more hydrophilic pendent moieties;

L 1 is a linking group linking R 1 to the POZ polymer or is absent;

R 2 is a pendent moiety comprising a physiologically degradable linkage linking the POZ polymer and A;

X is a pendent group;

T is a terminating group;

a is ran that indicates a random copolymer or block that indicates a block copolymer;

m is an integer from 1 to 50;

n is an integer from 0 to 1000; and

o is an integer from 1 to 50,

wherein a release rate of A from the POZ conjugate is modulated based on R 1 .

2 . The POZ conjugate of claim 1 , wherein the agent is a phytocannabinoid, a dopamine agonist, an anticholinergic, a monoamine oxidase-B inhibitor, a catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) inhibitor, or an adenosine A 2A receptor antagonist, or a GABA-uptake inhibitor.

3 . The POZ conjugate of claim 2 , wherein the phytocannabinoid is selected from the group consisting of: cannabidiol, cannabigerol, cannabigerolic acid, cannabidiolic acid, cannabidiolmonomethylether, cannabidiol-C4, cannabidarinic acid, cannabidivarin, cannabigerol propyl variant, tetrahydrocannabivarin, Δ 9 -THC, and dexanabinol.

4 . The POZ conjugate of claim 2 , wherein the dopamine agonist is selected from the group consisting of: apomorphine, arbutamine, carbidopa, dobutamine, dopamine, entacapone, epinephrine, fenoldopam, isoetharine, isoproterenol, levodopa, levonordefrin, masaprocol, methyldopa, methyldopate, norepinephrine, protokylol, tolcapone, or (r)-(+)-fenoldopam, rotigotine, pramipexole, quinagolide, 5-OH-DPAT, ropinirole, pergolide, cabergoline, and bromocriptine.

5 . The POZ conjugate of claim 2 , wherein the anticholinergic is selected from the group consisting of: trihexyphenidyl, biperidin and hyoscyamine.

6 . The POZ conjugate of claim 2 , wherein the monoamine oxidase-B inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of: seligiline and rasagiline.

7 . The POZ conjugate of claim 2 , wherein the COMT inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of: tolcapone and entacapone.

8 . The POZ conjugate of claim 2 , wherein the adenosine A 2A receptor antagonist is selected from the group consisting of: preladenant, theophylline and istradefylline.

9 . The POZ conjugate of claim 2 , wherein the GABA-uptake inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of: tiagabine and nipecotic acid.

10 . The POZ conjugate of claim 1 , wherein the release rate of the agent from the POZ conjugate is further modulated based on a loading percentage of the agent.

11 . The POZ conjugate of claim 1 , wherein the release rate of the agent from the POZ conjugate is further modulated based on an agent characteristic selected from the group consisting of agent solubility in water, agent molecular volume, total polar surface area, or a combination of the foregoing.

12 . The POZ conjugate of claim 1 , wherein the agent is a phytocannabinoid and the POZ conjugate comprises a loading percentage of the phytocannabinoid from 1.6% to 10.3% (w/w phytocannabinoid to POZ polymer), and the release rate of the phytocannabinoid from the POZ conjugate is further controlled by the loading percentage.

13 . The POZ conjugate of claim 1 , wherein R 1 is linked to the POZ polymer by a non-degradable linkage.

14 . A method for modulating the release rate of an agent from a polyoxazoline (POZ) conjugate comprising:

linking an agent to a water-soluble POZ polymer by a physiologically degradable linkage to form a POZ conjugate, wherein the water-soluble POZ polymer comprises one or more inert pendent groups with hydrophilic or hydrophobic character; and

modulating the release rate of the agent from the POZ conjugate by selecting the hydrophilic or hydrophobic character.

15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the agent is a phytocannabinoid, a dopamine agonist, an anticholinergic, a monoamine oxidase-B inhibitor, a catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) inhibitor, an adenosine A2A receptor antagonist, or a GABA-uptake inhibitor.

16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the dopamine agonist is selected from the group consisting of: apomorphine, arbutamine, carbidopa, dobutamine, dopamine, entacapone, epinephrine, fenoldopam, isoetharine, isoproterenol, levodopalevopoda, levonordefrin, masaprocol, methyldopa, methyldopate, norepinephrine, protokylol, tolcapone, or (r)-(+)-fenoldopam, rotigotine, pramipexole, quinagolide, 5-OH-DPAT, ropinirole, pergolide, cabergoline, and bromocriptine.

17 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the phytocannabinoid is selected from the group consisting of: cannabidiol, cannabigerol, cannabigerolic acid, cannabidiolic acid, cannabidiolmonomethylether, cannabidiol-C4, cannabidarinic acid, cannabidivarin, cannabigerol propyl variant, tetrahydrocannabivarin, Δ 9 -THC, and dexanabinol.

18 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the anticholinergic is selected from the group consisting of: trihexyphenidyl, biperidin and hyoscyamine.

19 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the monoamine oxidase-B inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of: seligiline and rasagiline.

20 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the POZ conjugate has the structure:

R—{[N(CO-L 1 -R 1 )CH 2 CH 2 ] m —[N(COR 2 -A)CH 2 CH 2 ] 0 —[N(COX)CH 2 CH 2 ] n } a -T

wherein:

A is the agent;

R is hydrogen, unsubstituted alkyl or substituted alkyl;

R 1 is an inert pendent group, and wherein the inert pendant group has hydrophilic character;

L 1 is a linking group linking R 1 to the POZ polymer or is absent;

R 2 is a pendent moiety comprising the physiologically degradable linkage linking the POZ polymer and A;

X is a pendent group;

T is a terminating group;

a is ran that indicates a random copolymer or block that indicates a block copolymer;

m is an integer from 1 to 50;

n is an integer from 0 to 1000; and

o is an integer from 1 to 50.

21 . The POZ conjugate of claim 1 , wherein R 1 is a water soluble polymer, a substituted alkyl, a substituted alkenyl, a substituted alkynyl, a substituted aralkyl or a substituted heterocyclylalkyl group.

22 . The POZ conjugate of claim 21 , wherein the water soluble polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol, poly(propylene glycol), copolymers of ethylene glycol and propylene glycol, and POZ.

23 . The method of claim 20 , wherein R 1 is a water soluble polymer.

24 . The method of claim 23 , wherein the water soluble polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol, poly(propylene glycol), copolymers of ethylene glycol and propylene glycol, and POZ.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Apr 12, 2024
From: SERINA THERAPEUTICS, INC.
To: SERINA THERAPEUTICS (AL), INC.
Reel/Frame 067087/0743 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 11, 2022
From: HARRIS, J MILTON; BENTLEY, MICHAEL D.; VIEGAS, TACEY X.; MOREADITH, RANDALL W.; FANG, ZHIHAO; YOON, KUNSANG; WEIMER, REBECCA
To: SERINA THERAPEUTICS, INC.
Reel/Frame 061371/0834 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62868619 · Jun 28, 2019
Related Publication 20230009076A1 · Jan 12, 2023
References Cited (28)
US 7943141B2 · Harris et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 7960516B2 · Matheus · 2011 [cited by examiner]
US 8101706B2 · Yoon et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 8383093B1 · Moreadith et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 9155797B2 · Riggs-Sauthier et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20140112880A1 · Moreadith et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140271527A1 · Moreadith et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20190134208A1 · Harris et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
WO 2009099670 · 2009 [cited by applicant]
WO 2013067199 · 2013 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2016147186A1 · 2016 [cited by examiner]
WO 2020023947 · 2020 [cited by applicant]
Douillet et al (Journal of Crystal Growth , 2012, vol. 342, pp. 2-8) (Year: 2012). [cited by examiner]
Thakuria and Thakur, Comprehensive Supramolecular Chemistry II, 2017, vol. 5, pp. 283-309 (Year: 2017). [cited by examiner]
Chang et al (‘Lyophilized Biologics’ in Lyophilized Biologics and Vaccines, 2015, Varshney and Singh, Eds, pp. 93-119) (Year: 2015). [cited by examiner]
Anand et al (Brain Research Reviews, 2009, vol. 60, pp. 255-266) (Year: 2009). [cited by examiner]
Conjos-Sanchez et al (Journal of controlled Release, 2015, vol. 198, pp. 80-90) (Year: 2015). [cited by examiner]
Oliveira et al, Chem Society Review, 2017, vol. 46, pp. 4895-4950 (Year: 2017). [cited by examiner]
Scheunemann et al, Tetrahedron, 2011, vol. 67, pp. 3448-3456 (Year: 2011). [cited by examiner]
Haktaniyan et al (Polymer International, 2017, vol. 6, pp. 1851-1863) (Year: 2017). [cited by examiner]
Harris, J Milton et al., European Polymer Journal, “Tuning drug release from polyoxazoline-drug conjugates”, vol. 120, Sep. 11, 2019, pp. 1-11. [cited by applicant]
Extended European Search Report dated Dec. 4, 2023 of corresponding European Patent Application No. 20830744.7. [cited by applicant]
Mero et al., Journal of Controlled Release, Elsevier “Synthesis and Characterization of poly(2-ethyl 2-oxazoline)-conjugates with proteins and drugs: Suitable alternatives to PEG-conjugates?”, Oct. 22, 2007, vol. 125, N… [cited by applicant]
Moreadith, Randall et al., European Polymer Journal, “Clinical Development of a Poly(2-oxazoline) (POZ) Polymer Therapeutic for the treatment of Parkinson's Disease—Proof of Concept of POZ as a Versatile Polymer Platfor… [cited by applicant]
Supplementary European Search Report dated Jul. 26, 2023 of corresponding European Patent Application No. 20830744.7. [cited by applicant]
Eskow Jaunarajs, Karen et al., Rotigotine Polyoxazoline Conjugate SER-214 Provides Robust and Sustained Antiparkinsonian Benefit, Movement Disorders, 2013 [retrieved on Aug. 27, 2020]. Retrieved from the Internet: <URL:… [cited by applicant]
International Search Report dated Nov. 16, 2020 of International Patent Application No. PCT/US2020/040140. [cited by applicant]
Decision of Rejection dated Nov. 27, 2024 of corresponding Chinese Patent Application No. 202080060438.2. [cited by applicant]