Overview
Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) is a synthetic copolymer composed of lactic acid and glycolic acid monomers. Developed in the 1970s for biomedical applications, it has become one of the most widely used biodegradable polymers in medicine. The FDA has approved PLGA for numerous clinical applications due to its excellent safety profile. The material's popularity stems from its tunable degradation characteristics, which can be modified by adjusting the lactide-to-glycolide ratio and molecular weight. This versatility allows engineers to design PLGA-based products with degradation times ranging from weeks to several months, making it suitable for various temporary medical implants and controlled drug delivery systems.
Physical and Chemical Properties
PLGA exhibits amorphous morphology in most compositions, with glass transition temperatures typically between 40-60°C. The copolymer's hydrophilicity increases with higher glycolide content, affecting both degradation rate and drug release profiles. Its inherent viscosity, measured in dl/g, serves as an important indicator of molecular weight and processing characteristics. Degradation occurs through hydrolysis of ester bonds in the polymer backbone, producing lactic acid and glycolic acid as byproducts. These metabolites are naturally eliminated from the body via the Krebs cycle. The degradation rate depends on multiple factors including crystallinity, molecular weight, and the specific monomer ratio in the copolymer chain.
Main Applications
In pharmaceuticals, PLGA serves as the matrix for controlled-release formulations, particularly for injectable depot systems that deliver drugs over weeks or months. Common examples include long-acting antipsychotics, contraceptives, and local anesthetics. The polymer's ability to encapsulate both hydrophobic and hydrophilic drugs makes it exceptionally versatile. Surgical applications include absorbable sutures, bone fixation devices, and tissue engineering scaffolds. PLGA membranes find use in guided tissue regeneration for dental and orthopedic procedures. Recent advances explore PLGA nanoparticles for targeted cancer therapy and vaccine delivery, capitalizing on their ability to protect labile biological molecules until reaching the target site.
Safety and Storage
PLGA is classified as generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for medical applications. However, proper handling protocols should be followed to prevent degradation before use. The polymer is sensitive to moisture and should be stored in airtight containers with desiccants under nitrogen or argon atmosphere when possible. For pharmaceutical-grade PLGA, endotoxin levels must be carefully controlled (typically <20 EU/g). Sterilization methods include gamma irradiation (25-40 kGy) or ethylene oxide treatment, though these processes may affect molecular weight and mechanical properties. Residual solvents from synthesis should meet ICH guidelines for pharmaceutical excipients.
B2B Procurement Guide
When sourcing PLGA, buyers should specify: 1) lactide:glycolide ratio (e.g., 50:50 for fastest degradation), 2) molecular weight range (inherent viscosity), 3) end-group chemistry (carboxylate or ester), and 4) any required certifications (GMP, DMF, USP). Medical-grade material typically commands a 30-50% price premium over industrial-grade products. Lead times for custom ratios can extend to 8-12 weeks. Reliable suppliers provide comprehensive characterization data including GPC analysis, residual monomer content, and glass transition temperature. For critical applications, consider auditing the manufacturer's quality systems and requesting biocompatibility test reports per ISO 10993 standards.
Related Manufacturers
- 主营：[]
- 主营：[]
- 主营：三硫代碳酸钠、红色素-16、三乙二醇二异辛酸酯、聚乙烯亚胺、L-丙交酯、乙交酯、巯基苯并噻唑钠、石油酯-T50、多元醇苯甲酸酯、热压敏染料、光稳定剂、高分子降解材料
- 主营：架桥剂、YW100 锂萃取剂、端羧基液体丁腈橡胶、聚左旋乳酸、10-羟基癸酸、苯乙烯磷酸、肉豆蔻酸镁、硬脂酸钴、全氟三丁胺、乙烯基磷酸二乙酯、磷酸锰铁锂、β-磷酸三钙、十一烯酸、钨酸铝、1-乙炔基环已醇、间二异丙苯、锂硅合金、溴甲酚绿、生物活性玻璃、溴代海因树脂颗粒、红铝、龙涎酮、原丁酸三甲酯
- 主营：降解材料、化工试剂、环保材料、丙交酯材料、共聚物原料、合成聚乳酸、透明聚乳酸、可降解丙交酯、环保型乙交酯、聚乳酸共聚物、高纯度丙交酯、透明级丙交酯、可降解聚合物、食品级丙交酯、聚乳酸基础材料、医用乙交酯原料、乙交酯合成单体、高分子材料、医用级材料、高分子合成料、纯度合成单体、医用可吸收原料
- 主营：肌氨酸钠、硫化锰、V50偶氮二异丁脒盐酸盐、端羧基聚、腰果酚缩水甘油醚、乙硫氮、二新癸酸二甲基锡、三硫代碳酸钠、PX-4MP、芥酸PKO、四氧化三锰
- 主营：生物素修饰蛋白、fitc标记蛋白、pvc微球、聚苯乙烯微球、嵌段共聚物、聚合物、聚合物微球、生物素标记、荧光标记、纳米颗粒、核苷糖、aie、复合微球、功能化载玻片、荧光染料、金属配合物、Mxene、介孔二氧化硅微球、磁性纳米颗粒、小分子PEG、纳米金、荧光微球、荧光探针、点击化学、小分子
- 主营：DMG-PEG
- 主营：甲氧基聚乙二醇、氨基聚乙二醇、羧基聚乙二醇、巯基聚乙二醇、羟基聚乙二醇、马来酰亚胺聚乙二醇、四臂聚乙二醇、荧光素聚乙二醇、叠氮聚乙二醇、硅烷聚乙二醇、炔基聚乙二醇、生物素聚乙二醇、丙烯酸酯聚乙二醇、活性脂聚乙二醇、Boc保护基团聚乙二醇、Fmoc保护基团聚乙二醇、生物素小分子PEG衍生物、甲氧基小分子PEG衍生物
- 主营：pga颗粒、改性剂、热塑板、聚乳酸、乙交酯、共聚物、聚乙醇酸、聚己内酯、聚合物微球、丝、绳、高分子、康复板、压裂球、左旋乳酸、生物材料、塑料制品、微球原料、分散助剂、科技pga绳、可吸收线、记忆材料、塑料颗粒、工业增塑剂、甲基碳酸脂、二氧环己酮
- 主营：荧光染料、花青素染料
- 主营：2d碳化钒、单层mbene、陶瓷材料、mab相材料、mbene前驱体、ti3c2tx柔性膜、免疫因子纳米载体服务
- 主营：聚丙交酯乙交酯共聚物、纳米颗粒、脂质体
- 主营：磷脂聚乙二醇、胆固醇聚乙二醇、功能化聚乙二醇、硬脂酸聚乙二醇、聚乙内酯、聚乳酸、葡聚糖、PLGA、透明质酸、DOPE
- 主营：碳材料、c60粉体、cotg昂星、甲氧基聚乙二醇、双层昂星、分析仪bet、cvd石墨烯、单层昂星、3d多层独立、电位分析仪、富勒醇昂星、双层石墨烯、石墨烯昂星、油橄榄油荷、石墨烯粉体、荧光光谱仪、工业熔喷布、氧化石墨烯、氟化石墨烯、石墨烯薄膜、石墨烯浆料、水分测定仪、单层石墨烯、辅助激光解、水凝胶原液、漫反射测试昂
- 主营：合成磷脂、荧光染料、PEG、嵌段共聚物、点击化学、量子点
- 主营：杜仲素、对位酯、丙烯酸酯、乙交酯、二氧化硫脲、乙基麦芽酚、饲料添加剂、油酸基硬脂酸、二苯基硅二醇