Therapeutic polyesters and polyamides

Abstract

Polymers (i.e. polyesters, polyamides, and polythioesters or a mixture thereof) which degrade hydrolytically into biologically active compounds are provided. Methods of producing these polymers, intermediates useful for-preparing these polymers, and methods of using these polymers to deliver biologically active compounds to a host are also provided.

1 . A polymer comprising a backbone, wherein the backbone comprises ester, thioester, or amide linkages, and wherein the backbone comprises one or more groups that will yield a biologically active compound upon hydrolysis of the polymer.  
     
     
         2 . The polymer of  claim 1  which comprises one or more units of formula (I) in the backbone: 
         —R 1 —A—L—A—  (I) 
       wherein 
 R 1 is group that will yield a biologically active compound upon hydrolysis of the polymer;  
 each A is independently an ester linkage, a thioester linkage, or an amide linkage; and  
 L is a linking group.  
 
     
     
         3 . The polymer of  claim 1  or  2  wherein the biologically active compound is a non-steriodal ant-inflammatory drug, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-cancer, anti-thrombotic, immmunosuppressive, or analgesic.  
     
     
         4 . The polymer of  claim 1  or  2  wherein the biologically active compound is atorvastatin; enalapril; ranitidine; ciprofloxacin; pravastatin; clarithromycin; cyclosporin; famotidine; leuprolide; acyclovir; paclitaxel; azithromycin; lamivudine; budesonide; albuterol; indinavir; metformin; alendronate; nizatidine; zidovudine; carboplatin; metoprolol; amoxicillin; diclofenac; lisinopril; ceftriaxone; captopril; salmeterol; imipenem; cilastatin; benazepril; cefaclor; ceftazidime; fluvastatin; quinapril; streptozocin; doxorubicin; daunorubicin; plicamycin; idarubicin; mitomycin C; pentostatin; mitoxantrone; cytarabine; fludarabine phosphate; floxuridine; cladribine; 6-mercaptopurine; thioguanine; capecitabine; paclitaxel; docetaxel; etoposide; gemcitabine; topotecan; vinorelbine; vincristine; vinblastine; teniposide; melphalan; 2-p-sulfanilyanilinoethanol; 4,4′-sulfinyldianiline; 4-sulfanilamidosalicylic acid; acediasulfone; acetosulfone; amikacin; amphotericin B; ampicillin; apalcillin; apicycline; apramycin; arbekacin; aspoxicillin; azidamfenicol; aztreonam; bacitracin; bambermycin(s); biapenem; brodimoprim; butirosin; capreomycin; carbenicillin; carbomycin; carumonam; cefadroxil; cefamandole; cefatrizine; cefbuperazone; cefclidin; cefdinir; cefditoren; cefepime; cefetamet; cefixime; cefimenoxime; cefmninox; cefodizime; cefonicid; cefoperazone; ceforanide; cefotaxime; cefotetan; cefotiam; cefozopran; cefpimizole; cefpiramide; cefpirome; cefprozil; cefroxadine; cefteram; ceftibuten; cefuzonam; cephalexin; cephaloglycin; cephalosporin C; cephradine; chloramphenicol; chlortetracycline; clinafloxacin; clindamycin; clomocycline; colistin; cyclacillin; dapsone; demeclocycline; diathymosulfone; dibekacin; dihydrostreptomycin; dirithromycin; doxycycline; enoxacin; enviomycin; epicillin; erythromycin; flomoxef; fortimicin(s); gentamicin(s); glucosulfone solasulfone; gramicidin S; gramicidin(s); grepafloxacin; guamecycline; hetacillin; isepamicin; josamycin; kanamycin(s); leucomycin(s); lincomycin; lomefloxacin; lucensomycin; lymecycline; meclocycline; meropenem; methacycline; micronomicin; midecamycin(s); minocycline; moxalactam; mupirocin; nadifloxacin; natamycin; neomycin; netilmicin; norfloxacin; oleandomycin; oxytetracycline; p-sulfanilylbenzylamine; panipenem; paromomycin; pazufloxacin; penicillin N; pipacycline; pipemidic acid; polymyxin; primycin; quinacillin; ribostamycin; rifamide; rifampin; rifamycin SV; rifapentine; rifaximin; ristocetin; ritipenem; rokitamycin; rolitetracycline; rosaramycin; roxithromycin; salazosulfadimidine; sancycline; sisomicin; sparfloxacin; spectinomycin; spiramycin; streptomycin; succisulfone; sulfachrysoidine; sulfaloxic acid; sulfamidochrysoidine; sulfanilic acid; sulfoxone; teicoplanin; temafloxacin; temocillin; tetroxoprim; thiamphenicol; thiazolsulfone; thiostrepton; ticarcillin; tigemonam; tobramycin; tosufloxacin; trimethoprim; trospectomycin; trovafloxacin; tuberactinomycin; vancomycin; azaserine; candicidin(s); chlorphenesin; dermostatin(s); filipin; fungichromin; mepartricin; nystatin; oligomycin(s); perimycin A; tubercidin;6-azauridine; 6-diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine; aclacinomycin(s); ancitabine; anthramycin; azacitadine; azaserine; bleomycin(s); carubicin; carzinophillin A; chlorozotocin; chromomycin(s); denopterin; doxifluridine; edatrexate; eflornithine; elliptinium; enocitabine; epirubicin; mannomustine; menogaril; mitobronitol; mitolactol; mopidamol; nogalamycin; olivomycin(s); peplomycin; pirarubicin; piritrexim; prednimustine; procarbazine; pteropterin; puromycin; ranimustine; streptonigrin; thiamiprine; N-[[5-[[(1,4-Dihydro-2-methyl-4-oxo-6-quinazolinyl)methyl]methylamino]-2-thienyl]carbonyl]-L-glutamic acid; trimetrexate, tubercidin, ubenimex, vindesine, zorubicin; argatroban; coumetarol; dicoumarol; ethyl biscoumacetate; ethylidene dicoumarol; iloprost; lamifiban; taprostene; tioclomarol; tirofiban; amiprilose; bucillamine; gusperimus; oxymorphone; buprenorphine; butorphanol; nalbuphine; mycophenolic acid; procodazole; romurtide; sirolimus (rapamycin); tacrolimus; butethamine; fenalcomine; hydroxytetracaine; naepaine; orthocaine; piridocaine; salicyl alcohol; 3-amino-4-hydroxybutyric acid; aceclofenac; alminoprofen; amfenac; bromfenac; bromosaligenin; bumadizon; carprofen;diclofenac; diflunisal; ditazol; enfenamic acid; etodolac; etofenamate; morphine; dopamine; bialamicol; fendosal; fepradinol; flufenamic acid; gentisic acid; glucamethacin; glycol salicylate; meclofenamic acid; mefenamic acid; mesalamine; niflumic acid; olsalazine; oxaceprol; S-adenosylmethionine; salicylic acid; salsalate; sulfasalazine; tolfenamic acid; or methotrexate.  
     
     
         5 . The polymer of  claim 4  wherein the biologically active compound is morphine, dopamine, bialamicol, or tetracycline.  
     
     
         6 . The polymer of  claim 3  wherein the analgesic is oxymorphone, buprenorphine, butorphanol, nalbuphine, butethamine, fenalcomine, hydroxytetracaine, naepaine, orthocaine, piridocaine or salicyl alcohol.  
     
     
         7 . The polymer of  claim 3  wherein the anti-cancer compound is 6-azauridine, 6-diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine, 6-mercaptopurine, aclacinomycin(s), ancitabine, anthramycin, azacitadine, azaserine, bleomycin(s), capecitabine, carubicin, carzinophillin A, chlorozotocin, chromomycin(s), cladribine, cytarabine, daunorubicin, denopterin, docetaxel, doxifluridine, doxorubicin, edatrexate, eflornithine, elliptinium, enocitabine, epirubicin, etoposide, floxuridine, fludarabine, gemcitabine, idarubicin, mannomustine, melphalan, menogaril, methotrexate, mitobronitol, mitolactol, mitomycin C, mitoxantrone, mopidamol, mycophenolic acid, nogalamycin, olivomycin(s), paclitaxel, pentostatin, peplomycin, pirarubicin, piritrexim, plicamycin, podophyllinic acid 2-ethylhydrazine, prednimustine, procarbazine, pteropterin, puromycin, ranimustine, streptonigrin, streptozocin, teniposide, thiamiprine, thioguanine, N-[[5-[[(1,4-Dihydro-2-methyl-4-oxo-6-quinazolinyl)methyl]methylamino]-2-thienyl]carbonyl]-L-glutamic acid, toptecan, trimetrexate, tubercidin, ubenimex, vinblastine, vindesine, vinorelbine or zorubicin.  
     
     
         8 . The polymer of  claim 3  wherein the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug is 3-amino-4-hydroxybutyric acid, aceclofenac, alminoprofen, amfenac, bromfenac, bromosaligenin, bumadizon, carprofen, diclofenac, diflunisal, ditazol, enfenamic acid, etodolac, etofenamate, fendosal, fepradinol, flufenamic acid, gentisic acid, glucamethacin, glycol salicylate, meclofenamic acid, mefenamic acid, mesalamine, niflumic acid, olsalazine, oxaceprol, S-adenosylmethionine, salicylic acid, salsalate, sulfasalazine or tolfenamic acid.  
     
     
         9 . The polymer of  claim 3  wherein the anti-bacterial is 2-p -sulfanilyanilinoethanol, 4,4′-sulfinyldianiline, 4-sulfanilamidosalicylic acid, acediasulfone, acetosulfone, amikacin, amoxicillin, amphotericin B, ampicillin, apalcillin, apicycline, apramycin, arbekacin, aspoxicillin, azidamfenicol, azithromycin, aztreonam, bacitracin, bambermycin(s), biapenem, brodimoprim, butirosin, capreomycin, carbenicillin, carbomycin, carumonam, cefadroxil, cefamandole, cefatrizine, cefbuperazone, cefclidin, cefdinir, cefditoren, cefepime, cefetamet, cefixime, cefmenoxime, cefminox, cefodizime, cefonicid, cefoperazone, ceforanide, cefotaxime, cefotetan, cefotiam, cefozopran, cefpimizole, cefpiramide, cefpirome, cefprozil, cefroxadine, ceftazidime, cefteram, ceftibuten, ceftriaxone, cefuzonam, cephalexin, cephaloglycin, cephalosporin C, cephradine, chloramphenicol, chlortetracycline, ciprofloxacin, clarithromycin, clinafloxacin, clindamycin, clomocycline, colistin, cyclacillin, dapsone, demeclocycline, diathymosulfone, dibekacin, dihydrostreptomycin, dirithromycin, doxycycline, enoxacin, enviomycin, epicillin, erythromycin, flomoxef, fortimicin(s), gentamicin(s), glucosulfone solasulfone, gramicidin S, gramicidin(s), grepafloxacin, guamecycline, hetacillin, imipenem, isepamicin, josamycin, kanamycin(s), leucomycin(s), lincomycin, lomefloxacin, lucensomycin, lymecycline, meclocycline, meropenem, methacycline, micronomicin, midecamycin(s), minocycline, moxalactam, mupirocin, nadifloxacin, natamycin, neomycin, netilmicin, norfloxacin, oleandomycin, oxytetracycline, p-sulfanilylbenzylamine, panipenem, paromomycin, pazufloxacin, penicillin N, pipacycline, pipemidic acid, polymyxin, primycin, quinacillin, ribostamycin, rifamide, rifampin, rifamycin SV, rifapentine, rifaximin, ristocetin, ritipenem, rokitamycin, rolitetracycline, rosaramycin, roxithromycin, salazosulfadimidine, sancycline, sisomicin, sparfloxacin, spectinomycin, spiramycin, streptomycin, succisulfone, sulfachrysoidine, sulfaloxic acid, sulfamidochrysoidine, sulfanilic acid, sulfoxone, teicoplanin, temafloxacin, temocillin, tetracycline, tetroxoprim, thiamphenicol, thiazolsulfone, thiostrepton, ticarcillin, tigemonam, tobramycin, tosufloxacin, trimethoprim, trospectomycin, trovafloxacin, tuberactinomycin or vancomycin.  
     
     
         10 . The polymer of  claim 3  wherein the anti-fungal is azaserine, candicidin(s), chlorphenesin, dermostatin(s), filipin, fingichromin, mepartricin, nystatin, oligomycin(s), perimycin A or tubercidin.  
     
     
         11 . The polymer of  claim 3  wherein the anti-thrombotic is argatroban, coumetarol, dicoumarol, ethyl biscoumacetate, ethylidene dicoumarol, iloprost, lamifiban, taprostene, tioclomarol or tirofiban.  
     
     
         12 . The polymer of  claim 3  wherein the immunosuppressive is 6-mercaptopurine, amiprilose, bucillamine, gusperimus, mycophenolic acid, procodazole, romurtide, sirolimus (rapamycin), tacrolimus or ubenimex  
     
     
         13 . The polymer of  claim 4  wherein the biologically active compound is amikacin; amphotericin B; apicycline; apramycin; arbekacin; azidamfenicol; bambermycin(s); butirosin, carbomycin; cefpiramide; chloramphenicol; chlortetracycline; clindamycin; clomocycline; demeclocycline; diathymosulfone; dibekacin, dihydrostreptomycin; dirithromycin; doxycycline; erythromycin; fortimicin(s); gentamicin(s); glucosulfone solasulfone; guamecycline; isepamicin; josamycin; kanamycin(s); leucomycin(s); lincomycin; lucensomycin; lymecycline; meclocycline; methacycline; micronomicin; midecamycin(s); minocycline; mupirocin; natamycin; neomycin; netilmicin; oleandomycin; oxytetracycline; paromomycin; pipacycline; podophyllinic acid 2-ethylhydrazine; primycin; ribostamycin; rifamide; rifampin; rifamycin SV; rifapentine; rifaximin; ristocetin; rokitamycin; rolitetracycline; rosaramycin; roxithromycin; sancycline; sisomicin; spectinomycin; spiramycin; streptomycin; teicoplanin; tetracycline; thiamphenicol; thiostrepton; tobramycin; trospectomnycin; tuberactinomycin; vancomycin; candicidin(s); chlorphenesin; dermostatin(s); filipin; fungichromin; mepartricin; nystatin; oligomycin(s); perimycin A; tubercidin; 6-azauridine; aclacinomycin(s); ancitabine; anthramycin; azacitadine; bleomycin(s); carubicin; carzinophillin A; chlorozotocin; chromomycin(s); doxifluridine; enocitabine; epirubicin; gemcitabine; mannomustine; menogaril; atorvastatin; pravastatin; clarithromycin; leuprolide; paclitaxel; mitobronitol; mitolactol; mopidamol; nogalamycin; olivomycin(s); peplomycin; pirarubicin; prednimustine; puromycin; ranimustine; tubercidin; vindesine; zorubicin; coumetarol; dicoumarol; ethyl biscoumacetate; ethylidene dicoumarol; iloprost; taprostene; tioclomarol; amiprilose; romurtide; sirolimus (rapamycin); tacrolimus; salicyl alcohol; bromosaligenin; ditazol; fepradinol; gentisic acid; glucamethacin; olsalazine; S-adenosylmethionine; azithromycin; salmeterol; budesonide; albuterol; indinavir; fluvastatin; streptozocin; doxorubicin; daunorubicin; plicamycin; idarubicin; pentostatin; mitoxantrone; cytarabine; fludarabine phosphate; floxuridine; cladribine; capecitabine; docetaxel; etoposide; topotecan; vinblastine; or teniposide.  
     
     
         14 . The polymer of  claim 4  wherein the biologically active compound is 2-p -sulfanilyanilinoethanol; 4,4′-sulfinyldianiline; acediasulfone; acetosulfone; amikacin; apramycin; arbekacin; bacitracin; brodimoprim; butirosin; colistin; capreomycin; dapsone; dibekacin; enviomycin; glucosulfone solasulfone; gramicidin S; polymyxin; teicoplanin; fortimicin(s); gentamicin(s); grepafloxin; imipenem; isepamicin; kanamycin(s); lymecycline; micronomicin; neomycin; netilmicin; p-sulfanilylbenzylamine; paromomycin; ribostamycin; ristocetin; sisomicin; sparfloxacin; spectinomycin; sulfachrysoidine; sulfamidochrysoidine; sulfoxone; tetroxoprim; thiazolsulfone; tobramycin; trimethoprim; edatrexate; eflornithine; mannomustine; mitoxantrone; peplomycin; piritrexim; procarbazine; pteropterin; trimetrexate; gusperimus; butethamine; naepaine; piridocaine; trospectomycin; tuberactinomycin; vancomycin; candicidin(s); mepartricin; perimycin A; ranitidine; famotidine; metformin; nizatidine; carboplatin; lisinopril; methotrexate; mitomuycin; bleomycin(s); or thioguanine.  
     
     
         15 . The polymer of  claim 4  wherein the biologically active compound is 2-p -sulfanilyanilinoethanol; 4-sulfanilamidosalicylic acid; amikacin; amphotericin B; apramycin; arbekacin; aspoxicillin; butirosin; capreomycin; cefadroxil; cefatrizine; cefdinir; cefprozil; dibekacin; dihydrostreptomycin; dirithromycin; enviomycin; gramicidin(s); teicoplanin; fortimicin(s); gentamicin(s); glucosulfone solasulfone; isepamicin; kanamycin(s); lucensomycin; lymecycline; meropenem; micronomicin; natamycin; neomycin; netilmicin; paromomycin; ribostamycin; ristocetin; sisomicin; spectinomycin; streptomycin; thiostrepton; tobramycin; trospectomycin; tuberactinomycin; vancomycin; candicidin(s); mepartricin; nystatin; perimycin A; tubercidin; anthramycin; azacitadine; bleomycin(s); carubicin; carzinophillin A; cytarabine; denopterin; elliptinium; epirubicin; mannomustine; peplomycin; pirarubicin; pteropterin; puromycin; streptonigrin; tubercidin; ubenimex; vindesine; zorubicin; gusperimus; ubenimex; fenalcomine; hydroxytetracaine; orthocaine; 3-amino-4-hydroxybutyric acid; etofenamate; fepradinol; mesalamine; S -adenosylmethionine; leuprolide; acyclovir; paclitaxel; lamivudine; albuterol; indinavir; alendronate; zidovudine; metoprolol; amoxicillin; salmeterol; imipenem; doxorubicin; daunorubicin; idarubicin; pentostatin; mitoxantrone; fludarabine phosphate; floxuridine; cladribine; vinorelbine; vincristine; or vinblastine.  
     
     
         16 . The polymer of  claim 4  wherein the biologically active compound is bambermycin(s); carbenicillin; carzinophillin A; cefixime; cefminox; cefpimizole; cefodizime; cefonicid; ceforanide; cefotetan; ceftibuten; cephalosporin C; denopterin; edatrexate; moxalactam; olsalazine; penicillin N; quinacillin; temocillin; ticarcillin; N-[[5-[[(1,4-Dihydro-2-methyl-4-oxo -6-quinazolinyl)methyl]methylamino]-2-thienyl]carbonyl]-L-glutamic acid; lisinopril; cilastatin; ceftazidime; or methotrexate.  
     
     
         17 . The polymer of  claim 4  wherein the biologically active compound is 4-sulfanilamidosalicylic acid; amphotericin B; apalcillin; apicycline; aspoxicillin; bambermycin(s); biapenem; cefadroxil; cefamandole; cefatrizine; cefbuperazone; cefdinir; cefonicid; cefoperazone; cefpiramide; cefprozil; enviomycin; teicoplanin; flomoxef; glycol salicylate; lucensomycin; lymecycline; meropenem; moxalactam; mupirocin; nadifloxacin; natamycin; panipenem; podophyllinic acid 2-ethylhydrazine; ritipenem; salazosulfadimidine; sulfaloxic acid; vancomycin; 3-amino-4-hydroxybutyric acid; candicidin(s); carzinophillin A; denopterin; diflunisal; fendosal; gentisic acid; iloprost; lamifiban; mesalamine; nystatin; olsalazine; oxaceprol; pteropterin; romurtide; salicylic acid; salsalate; streptonigrin; sulfasalazine; taprostene; ubenimex; amoxicillin; pravastatin; xinafoate; imipenem; mycophenolic acid; or fluvastatin.  
     
     
         18 . The polymer of  claim 4  wherein the biologically active compound is 3-amino-4-hydroxybutyric acid; 4-sulfanilamidosalicylic acid; 6-diazo-5-oxo -L-norleucine; aceclofenac; acediasulfone; alminoprofen; amfenac; amphotericin B; ampicillin; argatroban; aspoxicillin; azaserine; aztreonam; bromfenac; bumadizon; candicidin(s); carprofen; carumonam; carzinophillin A; cefadroxil; cefatrizine; cefclidin; cefdinir; cefditoren; cefepime; cefetamet; cefixime; cefinenoxime; cefminox; cefodizime; ceforanide; cefotaxime; cefotiam; cefozopran; cefpirome; cefprozil; cefroxadine; ceftazidime; cefteram; ceftibuten; ceftriaxone; cefuzonam; cephalexin; cephaloglycin; cephalosporin C; cephradine; clinafloxacin; cyclacillin; denopterin; edatrexate; eflornithine; enfenamic acid; enoxacin; epicillin; etodolac; enviomycin; teicoplanin; flufenamic acid; grepafloxacin, hetacillin; imipenem; lomefloxacin; lucensomycin; lymecycline; meclofenamic acid; mefenamic acid; meropenem; mesalamine; natamycin; niflumic acid; norfloxacin; nystatin; pazufloxacin; penicillin N; pipemidic acid; procodazole; pteropterin; S-adenosyhnethionine; sparfloxacin; streptonigrin; succisulfone; sulfachrysoidine; temafloxacin; tigemonam; tirofiban; tolfenamic acid; tosufloxacin; trovafloxacin; ubenimex; vancomycin; enalapril; amoxicillin; ciprofloxacin; diclofenac; lisinopril; ceftriaxone; cilastatin; benazepril; cefaclor; ceftazidime; quinapril; melphalan; or methotrexate.  
     
     
         19 . The polymer of  claim 4  wherein the biologically active compound is phenamidine, acriflavine, chloroazodin, arsphenamine, amicarbilide or aminoquinuride.  
     
     
         20 . The polymer of  claim 2  which is a polymer of formula (7), (8), (9), (10), (11), (12), (13), (14), (15), or (16), or a polymer of formula (III), (IV), (V), or (VI), as illustrated herein above.  
     
     
         21 . The polymer of  claim 1  which comprises one or more units of formula (II) in the backbone: 
         —R 2 —A—L—A—R 3 —A—L—A—  (II) 
       wherein 
 R 2  and R 3  are each independently a group that will yield a biologically active compound upon hydrolysis of the polymer;  
 each A is independently an amide or ester linkage; and  
 each L is independently a linking group.  
 
     
     
         22 . The polymer of  claim 2  wherein L is a divalent, branched or unbranched, saturated or unsaturated, hydrocarbon chain, having from 1 to 25 carbon atoms, wherein one or more (e.g. 1, 2, 3, or 4) of the carbon atoms is optionally replaced by (—O—) or (—NR—), and wherein the chain is optionally substituted on carbon with one or more (e.g. 1, 2, 3, or 4) substituents selected from the group consisting of (C 1 -C 6 )alkoxy, (C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl, (C 1 -C 6 ) alkanoyl, (C 1 -C 6 )alkanoyloxy, (C 1 -C 6 )alkoxycarbonyl, (C 1 -C 6 )alkylthio, azido, cyano, nitro, halo, hydroxy, oxo, carboxy, aryl, aryloxy, heteroaryl, and heteroaryloxy.  
     
     
         23 . The polymer of  claim 2  wherein L is a divalent, branched or unbranched, saturated or unsaturated, hydrocarbon chain, having from 1 to 25 carbon atoms, wherein the chain is optionally substituted on carbon with one or more (e.g. 1, 2, 3, or 4) substituents selected from the group consisting of (C 1 -C 6 )alkoxy, (C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl, (C 1 -C 6 )alkanoyl, (C 1 -C 6 )alkanoyloxy, (C 1 -C 6 )alkoxycarbonyl, (C 1 -C 6 )alkylthio, azido, cyano, nitro, halo, hydroxy, oxo, carboxy, aryl, aryloxy, heteroaryl, and heteroaryloxy.  
     
     
         24 . The polymer of  claim 2  wherein L is a peptide.  
     
     
         25 . The polymer of  claim 2  wherein L is an amino acid.  
     
     
         26 . The polymer of  claim 2  wherein L is a divalent, branched or unbranched, saturated or unsaturated, hydrocarbon chain, having from 1 to 25 carbon atoms, wherein one or more (e.g. 1, 2, 3, or 4) of the carbon atoms is optionally replaced by (—O—) or (—NR—).  
     
     
         27 . The polymer of  claim 2  wherein L is a divalent, branched or unbranched, saturated or unsaturated, hydrocarbon chain, having from 3 to 15 carbon atoms, wherein one or more (e.g. 1, 2, 3, or 4) of the carbon atoms is optionally replaced by (—O—) or (—NR—), and wherein the chain is optionally substituted on carbon with one or more (e.g. 1, 2, 3, or 4) substituents selected from the group consisting of (C 1 -C 6 )alkoxy, (C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl, (C 1 -C 6 ) alkanoyl, (C 1 -C 6 )alkanoyloxy, (C 1 -C 6 )alkoxycarbonyl, (C 1 -C 6 )alkylthio, azido, cyano, nitro, halo, hydroxy, oxo, carboxy, aryl, aryloxy, heteroaryl, and heteroaryloxy.  
     
     
         28 . The polymer of  claim 2  wherein L is a divalent, branched or unbranched, saturated or unsaturated, hydrocarbon chain, having from 3 to 15 carbon atoms, wherein one or more (e.g. 1, 2, 3, or 4) of the carbon atoms is optionally replaced by (—O—) or (—NR—).  
     
     
         29 . The polymer of  claim 2  wherein L is a divalent, branched or unbranched, saturated or unsaturated, hydrocarbon chain, having from 3 to 15 carbon atoms.  
     
     
         30 . The polymer of  claim 2  wherein L is a divalent, branched or unbranched, hydrocarbon chain, having from 3 to 15 carbon atoms.  
     
     
         31 . The polymer of  claim 2  wherein L is a divalent, branched or unbranched, hydrocarbon chain, having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms.  
     
     
         32 . The polymer of  claim 2  wherein L is a divalent hydrocarbon chain having 7, 8, or 9 carbon atoms.  
     
     
         33 . The polymer of  claim 2  wherein L is a divalent hydrocarbon chain having 8 carbon atoms.  
     
     
         34 . A biocompatible and biodegradable polyester or polyamide comprising a biologically active compound containing at least two alcohol or phenol groups or at least two amine groups co-polymerized to bis(acyl) chlorides or carboxylic acids.  
     
     
         35 . The polymer of  claim 1  further comprising another therapeutic agent dispersed in the matrix of the polymer.  
     
     
         36 . The polymer of  claim 1  further comprising another therapeutic agent appended to the polymer backbone.  
     
     
         37 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising a polymer of  claim 1  and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.  
     
     
         38 . A therapeutic method for treating a disease in an animal comprising administering to an animal in need of such therapy, an effective amount of a polymer of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         39 . A therapeutic method for producing an analgesic effect in an animal comprising administering to an animal in need of such therapy, an effective amount of a polymer of  claim 6 .  
     
     
         40 . A therapeutic method for treating cancer comprising administering to an animal in need of such therapy, an effective amount of a polymer of  claim 7 .  
     
     
         41 . A therapeutic method for producing an anti-inflammatory effect in an animal comprising administering to an animal in need of such therapy, an effective amount of a polymer of  claim 8 .  
     
     
         42 . A therapeutic method for producing an anti-bacterial effect in an animal comprising administering to an animal in need of such therapy, an effective amount of a polymer of  claim 9 .  
     
     
         43 . A therapeutic method for producing an anti-flngal effect in an animal comprising administering to an animal in need of such therapy, an effective amount of a polymer of  claim 10 .  
     
     
         44 . A therapeutic method for producing an immunosuppressive effect in an animal comprising administering to an animal in need of such therapy, an effective amount of a polymer of  claim 12 .  
     
     
         45 . A therapeutic method for producing an anti-thrombotic effect in an animal comprising administering to an animal in need of such therapy, an effective amount of a polymer of  claim 11 .  
     
     
         46 . A method for producing a biocompatible and biodegradable polyester or polyamide which degrades into a biologically active compound comprising co-polymerizing a biologically active compound containing at least two alcohol or phenol groups or at least two amine groups with carboxylic acid groups or bis(acyl) chlorides.  
     
     
         47 . A method of delivering a biologically active compound to a host comprising administering to the host a biocompatible and biodegradable polyester or polyamide of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         48 . A therapeutic method for treating psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, skin cancer, or a brain tumor comprising administering to a mammal in need of such therapy, an effective amount of a polymer of any one of formulae 10, 11, 12 or 20 as described herein.  
     
     
         49 . A therapeutic method for producing an anti-infective effect in an animal comprising administering to an animal in need of such therapy, an effective amount of a polymer of any one of formulae 10, 11, 12 or 20 as described herein.  
     
     
         50 . A therapeutic method for treating cancer comprising administering to an animal in need of such therapy, an effective amount of a polymer of any one of formulae 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 or 20 as described herein.  
     
     
         51 . A therapeutic method for treating pain comprising administering to an animal in need of such therapy, an effective amount of a polymer of formula 7 as described herein.  
     
     
         52 . A therapeutic method for treating Parkinson's disease comprising administering to a mammal in need of such therapy, an effective amount of a polymer of formula 8 as described herein.