a glycopolymer composition is provided comprising glycopolymer molecules having a polymer backbone ; a first pendent unit comprising a linking group connected to said polymer backbone and a saccharide moiety connected to said linking group , optionally a second pendent unit ; a phenyl ring at a first end of the polymer backbone ; and a cyanoxyl group at the second end of the polymer backbone , useful as intermediates for making bioactive glycopolymers which bind to bioactive molecules , viruses , cells and substrates for protein separation , cell culture , ad drug delivery systems , as well as in targeting for treatment of wound healing and other pathological conditions .