National Science Review
Muco-infiltrating prodrug coacervates with prolonged colonic retention enhance IBD-associated depression therapy
Abstract Oral delivery of small-molecule drugs to the distal intestine is often hindered by short colonic retention, a key requirement for ensuring sustained colonic drug availability. Herein, we developed a library of minimalist, muco-infiltrating prodrug coacervates by exploiting the interfacial physics of liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS). By systematically tuning the length of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) spacer and the hydrophobicity of drug stickers in PEG–drug conjugates, we precisely modulated the molecu …