Polymeric Drugs

Abstract

AbstractThis article summarizes opportunities and challenges associated with discovery and development of polymeric drugs. Polymeric drugs possess unique pharmaceutical properties that are fundamentally different from low molecular weight drugs. The basic principles associated with polymeric drugs are examined and intrinsically active polymers as pharmaceutical agents are distinguished from polymers that act as carriers for drug delivery. In some applications, polymeric drugs involve selective recognition, binding, and removal of target disease‐causing substances. The design, discovery, and clinical development of polymeric drugs that act as sequestrants for low molecular weight cations and anions (eg, potassium, phosphate, and bile salts), which are responsible for different disease states, are surveyed. Examples of polymeric drugs that are on the market are provided. The use of the principle of “polyvalent interaction” to develop polymeric drugs is described. After a brief discussion of the theoretical framework for polyvalency, this section surveys the design of polymeric agents for the complexation of pathogens and pathogen‐derived substances (ie, toxins, viruses, and bacteria). Approaches for designing polymer structures to achieve highly active materials are described.