The present invention relates to a branched peptide that includes a first peptide chain and a second peptide chain having its C-terminal amino acid covalently linked to a sidechain of an amino acid residue of the first peptide chain, wherein the first peptide chain includes a plurality of aromatic amino acids and, optionally, an aromatic group linked to an amino terminus of the first peptide chain； and the second peptide chain includes a plurality of hydrophilic amino acids and an enzyme cleavage site. Pharmaceutical compositions containing the branched peptide and one or more therapeutic agents in an aqueous medium are disclosed, where the branched peptides form micelle structures in the aqueous medium. Methods of using the pharmaceutical composition to deliver therapeutic agents, and for treating various disease conditions are also described.
