Chapter 14: Multicomponent Hydrogels in Clinical and Pharmaceutical Applications

Multicomponent hydrogels have been widely recognized as potential candidates in clinical and pharmaceutical applications due to their outstanding biocompatibility, good mechanical properties, and simplicity of functionalization. Regulatory approval has been granted for the application of hydrogel technology in the medical field, including cancer treatment, wound dressings, contact lenses, and drug delivery. In clinical trials, hydrogels are being evaluated for bone repair, tissue regeneration, spinal correction, and other illness treatments. This chapter focuses on the current applications of multicomponent hydrogels, including those that have been approved for clinical use or are currently under investigation at the clinical level. We broadly introduce the commonly selected materials as the major components of hydrogels for pharmaceutical and clinical studies. We highlight the ongoing success of hydrogels in the clinical field and further discuss the design considerations and clinical translation procedures required for hydrogel technology for clinical applications. Finally, we provide a comprehensive overview of the commercialized hydrogel products for various biomedical applications to enhance the healthcare of humans and express our perspective on possible optimization of future developments of hydrogels for better translational applications.