A new family of branched polymers was synthesized for different biomedical applications such as the preparation of targeted nanoparticulate drug carriers. They are new copolymers of hydroxy-acids and allyl glycidyl ether. The functional groups (allyl-, hydroxyl- and carboxyl-) to which various groups will be grafted are linked to the polymer backbone. The resulting polymers were characterized by H-1 NMR, C-13 NMR, size exclusion chromatography (SEC), elemental analysis and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). In vitro cytotoxicity assays were also conducted to ensure biocompatibility of the polymers. In order to obtain some structural evidences, different molecules have been grafted oil the pendant groups. The method allows a rapid and easy synthesis of allyl-, hydroxyl- and carboxyl-branched degradable polymers for grafting various bioactive molecules. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.