Biodegradable aliphatic polyamides have been prepared from C10 and C14 dicarboxylic acids and amide-diamines containing one or two preformed amide linkages susceptible to enzymatic cleavage in their molecules. L-phenylalanine, either by itself or together with L-valine, was used to generate amide bonds which are cleavable by chimotrypsine. Improved chain flexibility and hydrophilicity of the polyamides was obtained using a triethyleneoxy based amide-diamine. Characterization of the novel monomers and polymers by FTIR and H-1-NMR spectroscopy confirms the expected structures. Thermal data and solubility tests indicate that both T-m and solubility depend on the length and nature of the aliphatic segment present in the amide-diamine as well as on the "density" of interchain hydrogen bonds. Finally the polymers tested are capable of supporting fibroblast adherence and proliferation, and proved to be non cytotoxic.