The present invention provides semi-fluorinated block copolymers and
related methods of synthesizing and using semi-fluorinated block
copolymers for drug delivery and drug formulation applications.
Semi-fluorinated block copolymers of this aspect of the invention include
block copolymers having discrete hydrophilic, fluorophilic and
hydrophobic structural domains that are capable of forming supramolecular
structures in aqueous solutions, such as micelles, for encapsulating
hydrophobic and/or fluorophilic therapeutic agents. Encapsulation by
semi-fluorinated block copolymers of the present invention allows for
enhanced solubilization and stabilization of hydrophobic and/or
fluorophilic therapeutic agents relative to conventional drug delivery
compositions and methods.