Esterase-Mediated Sustained Release of Peptide-Based Therapeutics from a Self-Assembled Injectable Hydrogel.

A synthetic strategy for conjugating small molecules and peptide-based therapeutics, via a cleavable ester bond, to a lipidated β-tripeptide is presented. The drug-loaded β-peptide was successfully co-assembled with a functionally inert lipidated β-tripeptide to form a hydrogel. Quantitative release of lactose from the hydrogel, by the action of serum esterases, is demonstrated over 28 days.