. . . . "The polymers of the invention comprise one or more units of formula (I) in the backbone: ???C(???O)R1???X???R2???X???R1???C(???O)???O??????(I) wherein each R1 is group that will provide a therapeutically active compound upon hydrolysis of the polymer; each X is independently an amide linkage, a thioester linkage, or an ester linkage; and R2 is a linking group; provided that the therapeutically act" .