Work with biodegradable polymers has also yielded polyorthoesters that are ph sensitive and that will degrade more quickly in acidic environments 3 such polymers have been studied as the central core of a drug delivery system in which the polymer insulin matrix is surrounded by a membrane containing grafted glucose oxidase which provides the reaction substrate and the change in ph necessary to enhance biodegradation and subsequent insulin delivery. Polymers for controlled drug delivery addresses the challenges of designing macromolecules that deliver therapeutic agents that function safely and in concert with living organisms the book. Smart polymers for the controlled delivery of drugs a concise overview 1 introduction pharmaceutical and biological therapeutics are often limited by short half lives poor bioavailability 2 stimuli responsive polymers a stimuli sensitive or smart polymer undergoes an abrupt change in its . Polymers for controlled drug delivery addresses the challenges of designing macromolecules that deliver therapeutic agents that function safely and in concert with living organisms the book primarily discusses classes of polymers and polymeric vehicles including particulates such as latexes coacervates ion exchange resins and liposomes