– Highly reactive and hydrolytically unstable.
– Degrade by surface degradation without the need for catalysts.
- Aliphatic (CH2 in backbone and side chains) polyanhydrides degrade within days.
- Aromatic (benzene ring as the side chain) polyanhydrides degrade over several years.
– Excellent biocompatibility.
APPLICATIONS: Drug loaded devices prepared by compression molding or microencapsulation.
- Suitable for short term drug delivery.
- Used for vaccination and localized tumor therapy