Biodegradable polymers: emerging excipients for the pharmaceutical and medical device industries

Worldwide many researchers are exploring the potential use of biodegradable polymerics as carriers for a wide range of therapeutic applications. In the past two decades, considerable progress has been made in the development of biodegradable polymeric materials, mainly in the biomedical and pharmaceutical industries due to their versatility, biocompatibility and biodegradability properties. The present review focuses on the use of biodegradable polymers in various therapeutic areas like orthopedic and contraceptive device, surgical sutures, implants, depot parenteral injections, etc. Biodegradable polymers have also contributed significantly to the development of drug-eluting stents (DES) used for the treatment of obstructive coronary artery disease, such as angioplasty. Biodegradable synthetic polymers have potential applications in orthopedic device fixation due to properties that impact bone healing, formation, regeneration or substitution in the human body. The present review also emphasizes areas such as the chemistry of polymer synthesis, factors affecting the biodegradation, methods for the production of biodegradable polymer based formulations, the application of biodegradable polymers in dental implants, nasal drug deliveries, contraceptive devices, immunology, gene, transdermal, ophthalmic and veterinary applications, as well as, the sterilization of biodegradable based formulations and regulatory considerations for product filing.