This review focusses on recent developments of polyanhydrides, a class of degradable synthetic biopolymers. Polyanhydrides have been used as carriers for controlled delivery of drugs. A polyanhydride copolymer of carboxyphenoxy propane and sebacic acid has been used in Gliadel brain tumor implants for the controlled delivery of carmustine or bis‐chloroethylnitrosourea. They are easy and inexpensive to synthesize (especially scale up). However, polyanhydrides possess a short shelf‐life. Hydrolytic cleavage and anhydride interchanges lower their molecular weights during storage. One of the highlights in recent developments of polyanhydride chemistry is the discovery of alternating copolymers having extended shelf‐life. Other highlights include their applications in biomedical electronics, vaccine delivery, and nano/micro particulate delivery systems. This review examines approaches for polyanhydride synthesis followed by their recent developments in biomedical applications.