The invention relates to a polysaccharide comprising carboxyl functional groups, one at least of which is substituted by a derivative of a hydrophobic alcohol. The invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising one of the polysaccharides according to the invention and at least one active principle. It also relates to a pharmaceutical composition, wherein the active principle is chosen from the group consisting of proteins, glycoproteins, peptides and nonpeptide therapeutic molecules. The invention also relates to the use of the functionalized polysaccharides according to the invention in the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions as described above.
