Poly(2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate)_(HPMA)

Poly(2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate) or HPMA is a synthetic hydrophilic polymer derived from methacrylate chemistry, characterized by hydroxyl-bearing pendant groups that promote water absorption and biocompatibility. The material is primarily investigated and employed in biomedical applications where its water-compatible nature and tunable cross-linking enable use as a versatile platform for drug delivery systems, tissue engineering scaffolds, and soft contact lenses. HPMA is notable for its ability to be chemically modified and conjugated with therapeutic agents, making it a preferred research polymer for targeted pharmaceutical delivery and regenerative medicine applications where conventional plastics lack the necessary biological tolerance.