This invention pertains to the field of biopolymer-loaded (where the biopolymer(s) are active pharmaceutical ingredient(s) (API(s)) polymer-based nanoparticles formulated, for example, for curative, therapeutic prophylactic and/or diagnostic applications. The polymer used to formulate the nanoparticles can be any biodegradable synthetic polymer or combination of polymers, including combinations of PLGA and PEG. Biopolymers used as active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) can include natural and unnatural nucleic acids such as DNA, RNA and LNA. Biopolymers used as active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) can also include neutral and positively charged nucleic acid mimics (NPNAM) such as for example, peptide nucleic acids, morpholinos, pyrrolidine-amide oligonucleotide mimics, morpholinoglycine oligonucleotides and methyl phosphonates and derivatives thereof. In some embodiments, the nanoparticles are loaded with both nucleic acids and NPNAMs as the APIs. Nanoparticles so formulated can be used in curative, therapeutic, prophylactic and/or diagnostic applications. Certain preferred nanoparticles, formulation methodologies, de-formulation methodologies and apparatus are also disclosed.
