The present invention relates to novel hexa-arm polyethylene glycol (6-arm
PEG) and its derivatives. The core of 6-arm PEG derivatives is sorbitol
and the end groups can be derivatized into many different reactive
functionalities that are useful in conjugating with many different
targets. The present invention also provides a biodegradable polymeric
hydrogel-forming composition comprising the 6-arm PEG and its derivatives,
and methods of using such 6-arm PEG derivatives as surgical or biological
implants or sealants.
