Viatel™ ultrapure bioresorbable polymers and newly launched high molecular weight grades represent Ashland’s latest advancements in bioresorbable material science for pharmaceutical and medical device applications. These polymers are produced from lactide/glycolide/caprolactone chemistries and are designed to meet rigorous requirements for controlled drug delivery and device biocompatibility, offering solutions that push the performance boundaries for parenteral excipients, implants, and regenerative medicine platforms.
Features and Benefits
Viatel™ ultrapure bioresorbable polymers are engineered for exceptional purity, with typical batches achieving about 0.1% residual monomer content. This ultrapure feature minimizes acidic byproducts, leading to improved stability of sensitive drug compounds and achieving longer, more consistent release profiles. The purification process includes prpre-filtrationwhich ensures the removal of impurities along with unreacted monomers, which means a more neutral pH environment that is beneficial for advanced formulations of larger drug compounds. Formulators also benefit from GMP-grade availability, flexibility in form (powders, granules, and others), and custom specifications that provide versatility for unique application needs.
The new high molecular weight viatel™ bioresorbable polymers are designed to support medical device and load-bearing applications. They are metabolized into non-toxic byproducts and are compatible with modern processing techniques, such as solvent-based processing, 3D printing, hot melt extrusion, and injection molding. Their tuneable molecular properties—tailored by Ashland to meet specific and use requirements—allow for the fabrication of robust, resorbable implants and device components suitable for clinical and commercial scale-up. Both product lines offer custom design capabilities to optimize physicochemical properties for demanding pharmaceutical and medical applications.
Applications
Viatel™ ultrapure bioresorbable polymers are ideal for long-acting injectable and implantable drug products, especially with sensitive compounds requiring precise, sustained release—such as microspheres, nanoparticles, in-situ depots, and advanced mRNA delivery systems. In the medical device realm, high molecular weight grades are used in the manufacture of resorbable sutures, screws, ffixationdevices and other implants, as well as regenerative medicine scaffolds and dermal fillers, where high purity is critical for cell compatibility and performance.
Viatel™ bioresorbable polymers with high molecular weight are an important enabler for the field of medical devices. Their strong mechanical properties and biocompatibility make them excellent materials for creating bioresorbable plates, screws, stents, device coatings, neural conduits, hernia meshes, dental and ophthalmic treatments, injectable hydrogels, soft and hard tissue regeneration scaffolds, and wound closure devices such as staples and sutures. These polymers enable next-generation drug delivery and device innovations—facilitating healing without the need for removal procedures and supporting minimally invasive medical technologies.
The viatel™ platform signifies SHL’s commitment to advancing bioresorbable polymer technology for pharmaceutical innovation, providing developers with the quality, flexibility, and support to address evolving therapeutic challenges. These innovations are supported by substantial infrastructure investments, including the completion of a $15 million facility expansion in Ireland in 2024, enabling faster lead times, customization capabilities, and the ability to serve a broader customer base more efficiently.