Polyethylene Glycol as a Versatile Agent in Modern Biomedicine (Review)

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is one of the most versatile tools in pharmaceutics and biomedicine, combining high biocompatibility with a wide range of functional capabilities. The demand for PEG and its derivatives is steadily increasing due to the dynamic expansion of the biotechnology drug market and the development of personalized and targeted therapies. The paper considers the physicochemical properties of PEG and presents the systemized derivatives of the polymer. Particular attention is paid to the technology of protein PEGylation: the modification methods are analyzed, and the study demonstrates how this process alters the therapeutic and pharmacodynamic profiles of biopharmaceuticals. The review highlights the key areas of PEG application: fr om traditional use as a solvent and an excipient to cutting-edge solutions in targeted drug delivery and polymer matrices for regenerative medicine. An important part of the work is the analysis of the regulatory aspects governing the distribution of PEG-modified drugs, both within the international legal framework and within the Russian Federation. PEG is a revolutionary medical tool of the XXI century. In the modern paradigm, it is viewed not as a mere excipient but as a multifunctional, high-tech agent with proven clinical efficacy that provides an innovative approach to solving medical challenges.