A biodegradable foam which includes a poly-ester-based polyurethane foam and a mixture comprised of a soil-dwelling carbon-digesting bacteria embedded in a carrier compound. The mixture of the soil-dwelling carbon-digesting bacteria is homogenously dispersed throughout the polyester-based polyurethane foam. This biodegradable foam exhibits biodegradation rates higher than a polyester-based polyurethane foam absent the soil-dwelling carbon-digesting bacteria.

A process for preparing a polymeric membrane for materials used in crop production comprising: a) providing an aqueous dispersion of a polyurethane or polyurethane-urea elastomer comprising segments formed from the copolymer segment of Formula I
A.sup.1-[Y.sup.1].sub.n-L-[Y.sup.2].sub.q-A.sup.2  Formula I
wherein A.sup.1 is an end capping group; A.sup.2 is hydrogen or an end capping group; each [Y.sup.1].sub.n and [Y.sup.2].sub.q is independently selected from a polyether macrodiol, polycarbonate macrodiol, polyester macrodiol, and wherein at least one of [Y.sup.1].sub.n and [Y.sup.2].sub.q is a polyester macrodiol; L is a divalent linking compound independently selected from urethane, urea, carbonate, ester, and phosphonate; n is an integer of 2 to 50; q is an integer of 2 to 50; and b) spraying the aqueous dispersion onto materials to be used in crop production to form a polymeric membrane on the materials.

The invention is directed to a biodegradable, phase separated, thermoplastic multi-block copolymer, to a process for preparing a biodegradable, phase separated, thermoplastic multi-block copolymer, to the use of a biodegradable, semi-crystalline, phase separated, thermoplastic multi-block copolymer, and to a composition for the delivery of at least one biologically active compound to a host.

The biodegradable, phase separated, thermoplastic multi-block copolymer of the invention comprises at least one amorphous hydrolysable pre-polymer (A) segment and at least one semi-crystalline hydrolysable pre-polymer (B) segment, wherein said multi-block copolymer under physiological conditions has a T.sub.g of 37° C. or less and a T.sub.m of 50-110° C.; the segments are linked by a multifunctional chain extender; the segments are randomly distributed over the polymer chain; and the pre-polymer (B) segment comprises a X-Y-X tri-block, wherein Y is a polymerisation initiator, and X is a poly(p-dioxanone) segment with a block length expressed in p-dioxanone monomer units of 7 or more.

Provided herein are poly(ether ester) multi-block copolymers (PEE-MBCP). Also provided herein are injectable delivery systems or pharmaceutical compositions, comprising a PEE-MBCP provided herein, either alone or in combination with a binding protein, such as abicipar. Also provided herein are methods of using these injectable delivery systems or pharmaceutical compositions provided herein for the treatment of ocular disorders.

The present invention relates to a polyester consisting of (A) repeat units derived from an acid component, which consists of (a1) 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid, (a2) an aliphatic C.sub.4-C.sub.36 dicarboxylic acid or a mixture of a plurality of aliphatic C.sub.4-C.sub.36 dicarboxylic acids, and (a3) a sulfonate group-containing dicarboxylic acid, and of (B) repeat units derived from a di-ol/amine component, and optionally of further repeat units (C) and/or branching components (E), and of (D) repeat units derived from at least one di- or oligofunctional compound selected from the group consisting of a di- or oligoisocyanate and a di- or oligoisocyanurate. In addition, the present invention relates to the production of these polyesters and their use.

The invention is directed to biomedical polyurethanes. The invention is particularly directed to biomedical polyurethanes with improved biodegradability and to an improved preparation of the biomedical polyurethanes. In particular the present invention provides a biomedical polyurethane having the formula (A-B-C-B).sub.n, wherein A denotes a polyol, B denotes a diisocyanate moiety, C denotes a diol component and n denotes the number of recurring units, and wherein the B-C-B segment is bioresorbable.

The present invention provides new classes of phenol compounds, including those derived from tyrosol and analogues, useful as monomers for preparation of biocompatible polymers, and biocompatible polymers prepared from these monomeric phenol compounds, including novel biodegradable and/or bioresorbable polymers. These biocompatible polymers or polymer compositions with enhanced bioresorbabilty and processibility are useful in a variety of medical applications, such as in medical devices and controlled-release therapeutic formulations. The invention also provides methods for preparing these monomeric phenol compounds and biocompatible polymers.

A hyperbranched polymer includes a hyperbranched, hydrophobic molecular core, respective low molecular weight polyethyleneimine chains attached to at least three branches of the hyperbranched, hydrophobic molecular core, and respective polyethylene glycol chains attached to at least two other branches of the hyperbranched, hydrophobic molecular core. Examples of the hyperbranched polymer may be used to form hyperbranched polyplexes, and may be included in DNA or RNA delivery systems.

Provided are a polylactate stereocomplex exhibiting excellent heat resistance and remarkably improved elongation characteristics while maintaining biodegradability, and a preparation method thereof.

Disclosed are biodegradable polyester polymers comprising lignin-containing segments and vegetable-oil based segments. Also disclosed herein are methods of making biodegradable polyester polymers and the articles made from these polymers.