Poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA), 65:35, IV 0.4 dL/g, Acid-terminated, Powder
Intrinsic Viscosity 0.4 dL/g | Acid-terminated | Powder (micronized)
Poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) is a high-grade, biodegradable copolymer composed of D,L-lactide and glycolide
monomers in a 65:35 ratio, supplied as a micronized powder and suitable for biomedical and pharmaceutical research
applications.
This PLGA grade is acid-terminated and has an intrinsic viscosity (IV) of 0.4 dL/g, making it well suited for
applications requiring controlled molecular weight, predictable degradation, and excellent processability. PLGA
degradation behavior can be tuned by monomer ratio—higher glycolide content is generally associated with faster
degradation, while higher lactide content is generally associated with slower degradation. The 65:35 ratio is often
used when an intermediate degradation profile is desired.
PLGA is widely valued for its biocompatibility and controlled biodegradability and is one of the most extensively
studied polymers in medical and biomaterials research.
Key Properties
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Polymer type: Poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA)
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Monomer ratio: 65:35 (Lactide:Glycolide)
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Termination: Acid-terminated
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Intrinsic viscosity (IV): 0.4 dL/g
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Form: Powder (micronized)
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Biodegradability: Hydrolytically degradable
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Typical use: Biomedical and pharmaceutical research applications
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Degradation profile: Intermediate (ratio- and use-condition dependent)
Applications
Poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) 65:35 is widely used in medical, pharmaceutical, and research applications, including:
- Drug delivery systems (microspheres, nanoparticles, controlled-release matrices)
- Biomedical research and development
- Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine research
- 3D printing for biomedical prototypes (research use)
- Resorbable medical device research
- Pharmaceutical formulations as a biodegradable polymer matrix
- Biodegradable packaging research
FAQs
Common questions about PLGA 65:35 (acid-terminated), IV 0.4 dL/g.
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What does “PLGA 65:35” mean?
It refers to the copolymer composition: approximately 65% lactide-derived units and 35% glycolide-derived
units. The lactide:glycolide ratio is a primary variable used to tune PLGA degradation behavior.
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What does “acid-terminated” PLGA mean?
Acid-terminated PLGA has carboxylic acid end groups. End-group chemistry can influence properties such as
degradation behavior and the polymer’s suitability for further chemical modification.
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What does an intrinsic viscosity (IV) of 0.4 dL/g indicate?
Intrinsic viscosity is commonly used as an indirect indicator of polymer molecular weight when measured
under defined conditions. An IV of 0.4 dL/g generally corresponds to a lower molecular weight than higher-IV
PLGA grades.
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How does lactide:glycolide ratio affect PLGA degradation?
Increasing glycolide content is generally associated with faster hydrolytic degradation, while increasing
lactide content is generally associated with slower degradation. Actual degradation rate depends on multiple
factors, including molecular weight, processing, geometry, and use conditions.
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Why use micronized PLGA powder?
Micronized powder can support more uniform blending and dissolution/dispersion steps in processing workflows,
which may improve handling and batch-to-batch consistency for research formulations.
