Prodrugs as self-assembled hydrogels: a new paradigm for biomaterials

► Development of prodrug-based self-assembled hydrogels as a new class of biomaterials. ► Design of prodrugs that can self-assemble to form hydrogels. ► These hydrogels overcome limitations such as low-drug loading and burst release of drugs. ► Locally injectable self-assembled hydrogels exhibit potential as effective therapeutics.