Parenteral Drug Delivery - Functional Polymers

At Evonik, we help pharmaceutical innovators elevate the performance of parenteral drug delivery systems through our advanced portfolio of bioabsorbable functional polymers. Whether you're developing long-acting injectables, targeted therapies, or sustained-release formulations, our RESOMER®, LACTEL®, and custom polymer solutions are designed to meet your exact needs and support your path to market.

Functional polymers are more than just structural components—they’re precision tools in drug formulation. These materials are designed to interact with active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in ways that control release rates, improve stability, and enhance biocompatibility. In parenteral applications, they serve as excipients that shape how and when a drug is delivered in the body.

Parenteral drug delivery refers to administering medications via injection, bypassing the digestive system. This route is essential for drugs that are poorly absorbed orally, require rapid onset, or need to be delivered directly to specific tissues. It includes intravenous, intramuscular, and subcutaneous injections—and demands excipients that are safe, effective, and tailored to the formulation.

Bioabsorbable polymers have been a cornerstone of parenteral drug delivery for decades—but their potential continues to evolve. At Evonik, we’ve been at the forefront of this evolution for over 30 years, setting industry standards with our RESOMER® portfolio and supporting countless pharmaceutical innovations worldwide.

These polymers are designed to safely degrade in the body after fulfilling their therapeutic role, eliminating the need for surgical removal and enabling long-term efficacy. Their value is especially clear in controlled release systems, where timing is everything—ensuring that patients receive the right dose, at the right moment, over extended periods.

With Evonik’s expertise, the benefits of bioabsorbable polymers include:

• Precisely engineered degradation and release profiles
• Fewer administrations and improved dosing schedules
• Enhanced patient comfort and adherence
• Materials backed by global regulatory acceptance
• Tailored molecular properties to meet specific formulation goals

Evonik’s deep knowledge and commitment to quality make us a trusted partner for developers seeking reliable, high-performance excipients for injectable therapies.

RESOMER® polymers are trusted by pharmaceutical companies worldwide for their reliability and performance. Based on PLGA and PLA chemistries, they offer:

• Controlled degradation kinetics
• High purity and GMP-grade quality
• Proven performance in microspheres, implants, and injectable formulations

RESOMER® is ideal for applications requiring sustained release over days, weeks, or even months, and is widely recognized for its regulatory acceptance and formulation flexibility.

LACTEL® polymers provide a flexible solution for developers seeking biodegradable excipients with a broad range of molecular weights and end-group functionalities. They are well-suited for microsphere formulations and injectable systems where versatility and cost-effectiveness are key.

While both RESOMER® and LACTEL® are based on similar polymer families, RESOMER® is often selected for its extensive customization options and global regulatory track record. LACTEL® offers a more standardized approach, ideal for common applications and rapid development timelines.

No two drug delivery challenges are the same. That’s why Evonik offers custom polymer synthesis to meet your specific needs. Whether you require unique copolymer ratios, specialized end-groups, or targeted degradation profiles, our team works closely with you to design materials that align with your therapeutic goals.

Evonik’s bioabsorbable polymers are used in a wide range of injectable therapies, including:

• Long-acting injectables for chronic conditions
• Cancer treatments requiring sustained release
• Hormonal therapies and contraceptives
• Vaccine delivery systems
• Biodegradable implants and microspheres

These applications benefit from the ability to fine-tune drug release, reduce side effects, and improve patient outcomes.

Evonik is more than a supplier - we’re your partner in formulation science. With decades of experience in polymer chemistry and drug delivery, we’re here to support your development from concept to commercialization.

Contact our team today to start the conversation.