Provided is a triblock copolymer comprising a poly(3-hydroxypropionate) block, and polylactide blocks bonded to both ends of the poly(3-hydroxypropionate) block. Also provided is a method for preparing a triblock copolymer by ring-opening polymerization of lactide monomers in the presence of a poly(3-hydroxypropionate) initiator having hydroxy groups at both ends.

Poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate) foam particles are obtained by: introducing a blowing agent into an aqueous dispersion in a pressure-resistant vessel, the aqueous dispersion containing a crosslinking agent and resin particles containing a poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate); heating the contents of the pressure-resistant vessel to a given temperature in a range of 130 to 150° C.; holding the contents of the pressure-resistant vessel at the given temperature for 5 to 55 minutes; and opening one end of the pressure-resistant vessel to discharge the contents of the pressure-resistant vessel into a low-pressure atmosphere and foam the resin particles. The poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate) is a mixture containing a poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate) copolymer and a poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) homopolymer at a weight ratio of 99:1 to 80:20, and the crosslinking agent is an organic peroxide which is a percarbonate.

Biodegradable polymers with advantageous physical and chemical properties are described, as well as methods for making such polymers. In one embodiment, a new chemical synthesis route to technologically important biodegradable poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (P3HB) with high isotacticity and molecular weight required for a practical use is described. The new route can utilize racemic eight-membered cyclic diolide (rac-DL), meso-DL, or a rac-DL and meso-DL mixture, derived from bio-sourced dimethyl succinate, and enantiomeric (R,R)-DL and (S,S)-DL, optically resolved by metal-based catalysts. With a stereoselective racemic molecular catalyst, the ROP of rac-DL under ambient conditions produces rapidly P3HB with essentially perfect isotacticity ([mm]>99%), high crystallinity and melting temperature (T.sub.m=171° C.), as well as high molecular weight and low dispersity (M.sub.n=1.54×10.sup.5 g/mol, Ð=1.01).

A composition comprising water and a polyalkylene glycol having an allyl content of less than 20 ueq/g, which composition has reduced foaming properties and preferably a biodegradability of at least 60% as determined using OECD 301F. The polyalkylene glycol can be made by forming a first intermediate comprising an oxypropylene block by reacting propylene oxide with a polyol initiator in the presence of a Double Metal Cyanide catalyst, and then reacting the first intermediate with ethylene oxide in the presence of a KOH catalyst.

The present invention is a method to produce a biodegradable thermally induced shape memory polymer (SMP) based on poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and ethyl cellulose (EC). In this synthesis method, after grafting the PCL on the linear EC, the PCL chains are end-functionalized with furan and maleimide moieties. The cross-linked network is prepared via Diels-Alder (DA) reaction between furanyl and N- maleimidyl PCL chains. The synthesized SMP demonstrates excellent shape memory properties at near body temperature (41° C.). Moreover, the polymer network is recyclable and re-processable, since the DA reaction is thermally reversible. The SMP of the present invention is well suited for numerous applications, especially in medical devices, given their excellent shape memory performance, tunable materials properties, body temperature-based stimulus, biocompatibility, and potential for biodegradation and resorption.

A biodegradable composite material which is produced by polymerizing a mixture of an aqueous dispersion of a natural polymer nanofiber including any one or more of a chitin nanofiber and a cellulose nanofiber, a dicarboxylic acid or a derivative thereof, and a diol. The biodegradable composite material has excellent biodegradable and mechanical properties.

A process for preparing preferably degradable copolymers by free radical ring-opening polymerization using thionolactone monomers or thionocarbonate monomers, in the presence of a radical polymerization initiator. Also, the copolymers, which include thioester or thiocarbonate bonds, that are obtained by carrying out the process including the free radical ring-opening polymerization using thionolactone monomers or thionocarbonate monomers.

A method for manufacturing microcapsules containing an active substance, the method including: providing an aqueous solution of a surfactant, an oily phase comprising the active substance and a first monomer, and a polar phase comprising a second monomer; preparing an oil-in-water emulsion by adding the oily phase to the aqueous solution of the surfactant; adding the polar phase to the oil-in-water emulsion, in order to obtain a polymer in a reaction mixture, by polymerization of the first monomer and the second monomer; isolating the microcapsules, including a wall formed by the polymer and containing the active substance, from the reaction mixture; wherein the polymer is a poly(beta-amino ester). Microcapsules obtained by the method.

A biodegradable triblock copolymer comprising: an A-B-A′ structure wherein the A and A′ blocks each include polylactide, the B block includes from about 55 to about 100 mole percent of polytrimethylene carbonate and 0 to about 45 mole percent polylactide, and the biodegradable triblock copolymer overall includes from about 15 to about 25 mole percent of the polytrimethylene carbonate and from about 75 to about 85 mole percent of the polylactide. Also provided are compositions and implantable medical devices made therefrom.

The invention relates to novel a high-volume swelling hydrogel which comprises a plurality of pores which are defined by an interpenetrating network, and/or a semi-interpenetrating network and/or simple cross-linked arrangement of a plurality of one or more species of hydrophilic polymers, optionally together with one or more biocompatible polymers and optionally together with one or more plasticising agents, characterised in that at least some of the pores are at least partially collapsed and/or flattened, and further characterised in that the interpenetrating network and/or semi-interpenetrating network and/or cross-linked arrangement which defines the collapsed and/or flattened pores is substantially unbroken. The invention also relates to a process for preparing such hydrogels, and to their use as an appetite suppressant.