Description
General Description
PLGA Acid Capped (PLGA-COOH, 50:50) is a carboxyl-terminated biodegradable polyester composed of equal molar ratios of lactide and glycolide. Among commonly available PLGA compositions, the 50:50 ratio exhibits the fastest hydrolytic degradation due to its balanced copolymer composition, making it particularly suitable for short- to medium-term controlled drug release applications.
The terminal carboxylic acid group serves as a versatile reactive handle for conjugation with polyethylene glycol (PEG), peptides, proteins, antibodies, fluorophores, targeting ligands, and other bioactive molecules using carbodiimide (EDC/NHS) chemistry. As a result, PLGA-COOH (50:50) is frequently used as a precursor for functional PLGA derivatives and targeted drug delivery systems.
PLGA Acid Capped (50:50) is extensively employed in polymeric nanoparticles, microspheres, injectable depots, tissue engineering scaffolds, biodegradable implants, and controlled-release formulations.
Applications
- Controlled drug delivery
- Nanoparticle formulation
- Microsphere preparation
- Injectable depot systems
- PEG conjugation
- Protein conjugation
- Tissue engineering
- Surface modification
- Biomaterials development
- Biomedical research
Features and Benefits
- Terminal carboxylic acid functionality
- 50:50 lactide composition
- Fast degradation profile
- Efficient EDC/NHS coupling
- Excellent drug encapsulation capability
- Excellent biocompatibility
- Suitable for targeted polymer conjugates
- Available in multiple molecular weights
- Ideal precursor for PLGA derivatives
