Amphiphilic prodrugs of general formula A-X are disclosed, wherein A is a biologically
active agent or may be metabolised to a biologically
active agent; and X is selected from the group consisting of R, or up to three R moieties attached to a
linker, Y1, Y2 or Y3, wherein R is selected from a group consisting of
alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, branched
alkyl, branched alkenyl, branched alkynyl, substituted
alkyl, substituted alkenyl and substituted alkynyl groups and their analogues; Y1 is a
linker group which covalently attached to an R group at one site and is attached to A at a further independent site; Y2 is a
linker group which is covalently attached to two R groups at two independent sites and is attached to A at a further independent site; and Y3 is a linker group which is covalently attached to three R groups at three independent sites and is attached to A at a further independent site. Self-
assembly of the amphiphilic prodrugs into reverse
lyotropic phases, particularly hexagonal, cubic and
sponge, is disclosed. In preferred embodiments A is
dopamine or a 5-
fluorouracil prodrug.