Functionalized Poly(glycolide) Polymers for Biomedical Applications

Executive Summary

Polylactic acid (PLA) and polyglycolides are attractive alternatives to petroleum-derived plastics for biomedical applications. They are biodegradable, thermoplastic, and derived from renewable resources. However, there are functional characteristics associated with these polymers that limit their use for some biomedical applications. These include their hydrophobicity and their lack of chemical functionality along their backbone. MSU researchers have developed a poly(glycolide) polymer that has pendent alkynyl groups along the backbone. This allows the attachment of various functional groups by convenient click chemistry, which opens the potential for various new biomedical applications.

Description of the Technology

This invention is a poly(glycolide) polymer consisting of a polymerized alkynyl substituted glycolide. A variety of alkynyl substituted glycolides made be used and the poly(glycolide) may further include lactide repeating units to form a copolymer. The poly(glycolide) polymer can be conveniently modified by the reaction of an azide containing compound to form a functionalized polymer.

Benefits

Lower Critical Solution Temperatures at physiological relevant temperatures. The polymers undergo solution to gel transition at or near room temperature, enabling usage for a number of in vivo drug delivery applications.
Low cost and less complex process for production. Lower production costs may favor these compounds as an alternative to petroleum-derived plastics.
Biocompatible and biodegradable

Applications