| abstract |
A soft hydrogel containing a triblock copolymer and water is disclosed. The copolymer has formula (I): X-G-Y, wherein G is a non-hydroxylated hydrophilic linear polymer block containing p repetitive units, where p is a number from 10 to 150, each of X and Y is a polyester block containing m and n repetitive units, respectively, and the ratio (m+n)/p is high enough for said copolymer to be water-insoluble, said ratio (m+n)/p being selected in such a way that adding water to a solution of the copolymer in a water-miscible organic solvent leads to the formation of a soft hydrogel capable of retaining an amount of water at least as great as the weight of said copolymer. Said hydrogel is suitable for retaining and gradually releasing hydrophobic substance and/or hydrophilic macromolecules, including drugs. |