Polyurethane-based drug delivery systems

Polyurethanes (PUs) are formed by a reaction between isocyanates and diols to yield polymers with urethane bonds (-NH-COO-) in their main chain. A great variety of building blocks is commercially available that allows the chemical and physical properties of PUs to be tailored to their target applications, particularly for the biomedical and pharmaceutical fields. This article reviews the synthesis and characterization of PUs and PU-copolymers, as well as their in vitro and in vivo biodegradability and biocompatibility. Particular emphasis is placed on the use of PUs for the controlled release of drugs and for the (targeted) delivery of biotherapeutics. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.