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.