provided is a biomaterial comprising an interpenetrating polymer network , wherein one of the polymer components is an acidic polysaccharide or a semi - synthetic derivative thereof . the polysaccharide can be hyaluronic acid , and the second polymer component can be a non - toxic , non - carcinogenic synthetic chemical polymer . the derivative can be a total or partial hyaluronic acid ester or a hyaluronic acid salt . the ester or salt can be formed with a pharmacologically active molecule . methods for preparing the ipn are also disclosed . the acidic polysaccharide or derivative thereof and the synthetic chemical polymer comprising the ipn can be cross - linked , or the synthetic chemical polymer can be grafted onto the acidic polysaccharide . the cross - linking or grafting can be achieved using compounds capable of generating radicals , or via functional groups on the acidic polysaccharide and the synthetic chemical polymer . the ipn can be formed prior to cross - linking or grafting . the ipn biomaterial can be in the form of a film , a membrane , a sponge , a hydrogel , a guide channel , a thread , a gauze , or a non - woven tissue . such ipn biomaterials can be used in the biomedical and sanitary fields , including dermatology , urology , orthopedics , otologic microsurgery , otoneurology , functional , post - traumatic and rhinosinusal endoscopic microsurgery , plastic surgery , and in the cardiovascular system .