Poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide), 50:50, IV 0.6 dL/g

Intrinsic Viscosity ~0.6 dL/g

Poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) is a well-established, biodegradable copolymer composed of D,L-lactide and glycolide monomers in a 50:50 molar ratio. This composition is widely recognized for producing one of the fastest hydrolytic degradation rates among PLGA variants, making it particularly suitable for short-term biomedical and pharmaceutical applications.

Compared to poly(L-lactide) (PLLA), PLGA offers greater control over degradation behavior and a lower glass transition temperature, which is primarily influenced by glycolide content. Increasing glycolide content generally accelerates degradation and reduces chain regularity, enabling tunable material performance for applications where devices or delivery systems are required for weeks rather than months.

Due to its biocompatibility, predictable degradation, and extensive regulatory history, PLGA remains one of the most extensively studied polymers for medical device and drug delivery research.

Key Properties

• Polymer Type: Poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA)

• Monomer Ratio: 50:50 (D,L-lactide:glycolide)

• Intrinsic Viscosity (ηinh): 0.50 – 0.65 dL/g

• Degradation Behavior: Relatively rapid hydrolytic degradation compared to lactide-rich PLGA grades

• Glass Transition Temperature: Lower than PLLA due to glycolide incorporation

• Biocompatibility: Well documented in biomedical literature

Specifications

• Inherent Viscosity (ηinh): 0.50 – 0.65 dL/g

Solubility

• Soluble in:

  • Dichloromethane (DCM)

  • Tetrahydrofuran (THF)

  • Ethyl acetate

  • Acetone

Typical Applications

Poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) 50:50 is commonly used in applications requiring short-term structural integrity and controlled degradation, including:

• Drug Delivery Systems (microspheres, nanoparticles, controlled-release matrices)

• Temporary Medical Devices (research and development use)

• Pharmaceutical Formulation Development

• Biomedical and Polymer Degradation Studies

Synonyms

• PDLGA

• PLGA

• DL-PLGA