Nerve repair and regeneration remains one of the most challenging problems in medicine. Current methods of treatment for defects smaller than 1 cm include direct end-to-end reconstruction; larger defects are bridged using autograft tissue. In both approaches, nerve regeneration can take up to 18 months, and complete functional recovery is not achieved. The long recovery time and permanent change in function associated with these procedures are frustrating to patients. Nerve regeneration can be facilitated by neurotrophic factors (NTFs), cytokines, and extracellular matrix molecules known to promote neuron survival and repair. Challenges to developing a drug delivery system for these molecules include the need for a delivery material that can release these critical biomolecules in a sustained manner.