Advanced drug delivery systems are having an enormous impact on human health. We start by discussing our early research on developing the first controlled release systems for macromolecules and how they were used in the isolation of the first angiogenesis inhibitors, and how these also led to numerous new therapies. We then examine the creation of new drug delivery technologies including nanoparticles which are now being studied for treating cancer and other illnesses. We then discuss ways of developing novel microchips for drug delivery. Approaches for creating new biomaterials are then evaluated and examples where such materials are used in brain cancer are discussed. Finally, by combining mammalian cells, including stem cells, with synthetic polymers, new approaches for engineering tissues are being developed that may someday help in various diseases. Examples in the areas of cartilage, skin, blood vessels and spinal cord repair are discussed.