The Azaborine-containing Polyolefin PB2VN and Derivatives

Unmet Need
Polymers have been instrumental for several advanced drug delivery systems. Specifically, synthetic polymers have been beneficial for the delivery of therapeutic proteins and small molecule drugs. These polymers fall under immediate release technology and only account for $116 million of the global advanced drug delivery market in 2015. Vinyl monomers with BN aromatic side chains are not very well explored. Exploration of BN aromatic side chains is motivated by reactivity, photophysics, and post-functionalization. The need for controlled changes in wettability is paramount for enhanced polymer micelles for drug delivery.

Technology Overview
Facile synthesis of BN aromatic bond formation followed by selective C-B bond oxidation or post-functionalization is described. Treatment of homopolymer BN2VN, a BN derivative, under strong oxidizing conditions led to selective C-B bond cleavage and the formation of hydrophilic polymers. The ease of synthesis allows for readily made tunable polymers for enhanced drug delivery. The motivations for exploring BN aromatic side chains have been met through studies of the reactivity, photophysics, as well as post-functionalization.

Stage of Development
The inventors have developed a facile two-step multigram scale synthesis of BN2VN. Moreover, to date, polymerization of polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinyl alcohol derivatives has been carried out on a multi-gram scale using the BN2VN monomer.

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