Embodiments of the invention relate to particulate agents and compositions comprising particulate agents for inhalation, and methods for preparing such particulate agents and compositions for inhalation, as well as therapeutic methods. Embodiments of the method comprise preparing an emulsion by combining an oil phase dispersion of hydrophobic seed particles and an aqueous dispersion comprising an emulsifier and an emulsion stabilizer and preparing a feedstock comprising encapsulated particles by homogenizing the emulsion, and forming a plurality of coated particles by spray drying the feedstock, wherein resulting particles comprises a porous shell disposed on or over a core and the core comprises at least one hydrophobic seed particle.
