Description
General Description
PLGA Ester Capped (50:50) is a biodegradable aliphatic polyester composed of equal molar ratios of lactide and glycolide. The polymer terminates with an ester end group rather than a free carboxylic acid, resulting in reduced water uptake, improved hydrolytic stability, and slower degradation compared with the corresponding acid-capped PLGA.
The 50:50 lactide composition provides the fastest degradation among common PLGA copolymers. However, ester end-capping moderates the degradation rate by reducing the autocatalytic effect associated with free carboxyl end groups. This makes PLGA Ester Capped (50:50) suitable for controlled-release formulations requiring improved stability while maintaining relatively rapid biodegradation.
PLGA Ester Capped (50:50) is extensively used for preparing nanoparticles, microspheres, injectable depots, implantable drug delivery systems, tissue engineering scaffolds, and biodegradable medical devices.
Applications
- Controlled drug delivery
- Nanoparticle formulation
- Microsphere preparation
- Injectable depot systems
- Controlled-release formulations
- Tissue engineering
- Biodegradable implants
- Vaccine delivery
- Medical devices
- Biomaterials research
Features and Benefits
- Ester-terminated PLGA
- 50:50 lactide composition
- Lower hydrophilicity than acid-capped PLGA
- Improved hydrolytic stability
- Controlled degradation profile
- Excellent drug encapsulation capability
- Excellent biocompatibility
- Available in multiple molecular weights
- Suitable for sustained-release formulations
