Abstract: The invention provides polyanhydrides with aliphatic hydrocarbon terminals having ester or amide bonds.

Abstract: A formulation for the administration of a cyclosporin. This formulation features a hydrophilic solvent which is characterized by being a lower alkyl ester of hydroxyalkanoic acid; and a surfactant, preferably a combination of a surfactant with a high HLB (hydrophilic/lipophilic balance) of at least about 8 and a surfactant with a low HLB of less than about 5. Other ingredients are optional, such as a fatty acid ester such as tricaprin, a phospholipid, and an ethoxylated fat such as Cremophor or another similar substance. Optionally, the ethoxylated fat is substituted for the surfactant. The preferred particle size of the resultant formulation is less than about 100 nm, more preferably less than about 60 nm, and most preferably from about 5 nm to about 50 nm. The formulation of the present invention is characterized by having high bioavailability.

Abstract: The present invention provides a biodegradable polycation composition for delivery of an anionic macromolecule, comprising a polysaccharide chain having an amount of saccharide units ranging from 2 to 2000 and at least one grafted oligoamine per 5 saccharide units, wherein said oligoamine is selected from the group consisting of a linear, branched and cyclic alkyl amine having at least two amino groups.

Abstract: The invention provides a polycation composition comprising a polysaccharide chain having an amount of saccharide units ranging from 2 to 2000, at least one oligoamine directly grafted to said polysaccharide chain per each segment of 5 saccharide units, wherein said oligoamine is selected from the group consisting of a linear, branched and cyclic alkyl amine having at least two amino groups, and at least one further grafted group selected from the group consisting of a hydrophobic and an amphiphilic group directly grafted to said polysaccharide chain per each segment of 50 saccharide units, wherein said hydrophobic or amphiphilic group includes an aliphatic chain of at least 4 carbons atoms.

Abstract: Poly(ester-anhydrides) or polyesters formed from ricinoleic acid and natural fatty diacids and their method of preparation and its use for delivering bioactive agents including small drug molecules, peptides and proteins, DNA and DNA complexes with cationic lipids or polymers or nano and microparticles loaded with bioactive agents are disclosed herein. The drug delivery compositions are administered to a patient in a liquid form, increase in viscosity in vivo to form a drug depot or implant, and are able to release the incorporated bioactive agent for weeks. In the preferred embodiment, the drug delivery formulations are administered by injection. In one embodiment, the compositions are suitable for local or regional delivery of drugs to diseased sites, such as treating solid tumors and bone infections.

Abstract: This invention is a method for the implantation of a combination of cells or cell-microcarrier aggregates wherein one component comprises a solid implantable construct and a second component comprises an injectable formulation. For example, in one embodiment, the solid implant may be first implanted to fill the majority of the cavity receiving the implant, and then cells or cell-microcarrier aggregates in an injectable format, with or without the addition of gelling materials to promote rapid gelling in situ, may be injected into spaces surrounding the solid implant in order to secure the solid implant in the site and/or to promote rapid adherence and/or integration of the solid implant to surrounding tissues. Also contemplated in this embodiment is that the cellular composition of the injectable component may differ from that of the solid component.

Abstract: The invention provides polyanhydrides with aliphatic hydrocarbon terminals having ester or amide bonds.

Abstract: The invention is directed to the culture of cells, and particularly chondrocytes for purpose of tissue replacement. The cells are cultured on polymer constructs. Integren expression is used as a measure of chondrocyte viability. Chondrocytes are obtained from the knee, nose and ankle cartilage. Mechanical strain is used to propagate chondrocytes, chitosan and arabinogalactan-chitosan are used as scaffolds. Progenitor, pluripotential, stem and mesenchymal cells are operative in this invention.

Abstract: This invention is a method for the implantation of a combination of cells or cell-microcarrier aggregates wherein one component comprises a solid implantable construct and a second component comprises an injectable formulation. For example, in one embodiment, the solid implant may be first implanted to fill the majority of the cavity receiving the implant, and then cells or cell-microcarrier aggregates in an injectable format, with or without the addition of gelling materials to promote rapid gelling in situ, may be injected into spaces surrounding the solid implant in order to secure the solid implant in the site and/or to promote rapid adherence and/or integration of the solid implant to surrounding tissues. Also contemplated in this embodiment is that the cellular composition of the injectable component may differ from that of the solid component.

Abstract: The invention is directed to the culture of cells, and particularly chondrocytes for purpose of tissue replacement. The cells are cultured on polymer constructs. Integren expression is used as a measure of chondrocyte viability. Chondrocytes are obtained from the knee, nose and ankle cartilage. Mechanical strain is used to propagate chondrocytes, chitosan and arabinogalactanchitosan are used as scaffolds. Progenitor, pluripotential, stem and mesenchymal cells are operative in this invention.

Abstract: The invention provides an electropolymerizable monomer comprising a chemically bound active agent, said agent being capable of affecting animal tissue.

Abstract: Polysaccaride polymers are employed in various medical applications. For example, chitosan—arabinogalactan and polysaccharide amine polymers are disclosed. The polymers can be used to prevent wound adhesion, to provide scaffolds for tissue transplantation and carriers for cell culture.

Abstract: The invention provides a polycation composition comprising a polysaccharide chain having an amount of saccharide units ranging from 2 to 2000, at least one oligoamine directly grafted to said polysaccharide chain per each segment of 5 saccharide units, wherein said oligoamine is selected from the group consisting of a linear, branched and cyclic alkyl amine having at least two amino groups, and at least one further grafted group selected from the group consisting of a hydrophobic and an amphiphilic group directly grafted to said polysaccharide chain per each segment of 50 saccharide units, wherein said hydrophobic or amphiphilic group includes an aliphatic chain of at least 4 carbons atoms.

Abstract: Cells grown on a microcarrier are separated from the microcarrier by enzymatically digesting the microcarrier. More specifically, chondrocytes may be grown on dextran microcarrier beadlets and then the beadlets digested using dextranase to separate the chondrocytes from the carrier. Cells can also be grown on chitosan microcarriers to be used for implantation. In addition, cells can be grown on polysaccharide polymers to be used as implant devices. Various polymers serve as scaffolds for cells to be used for implantation. The polymers can be used for cell culture as well as for preparing scaffolds useful for tissue replacement such as cartilage tissue.

Abstract: Cells grown on a microcarrier are separated from the microcarrier by enzymatically digesting the microcarrier. More specifically, chondrocytes may be grown on dextran microcarrier beadlets and then the beadlets digested using dextranase to separate the chondrocytes from the carrier. Cells can also be grown on chitosan microcarriers to be used for implantation. In addition, cells can be grown on polysaccharide polymers to be used as implant devices. Various polymers serve as scaffolds for cells to be used for implantation. The polymers can be used for cell culture as well as for preparing scaffolds useful for tissue replacement such as cartilage tissue.

Abstract: Cells grown on a microcarrier are separated from the microcarrier by enzymatically digesting the microcarrier. More specifically, chondrocytes may be grown on dextran microcarrier beadlets and then the beadlets digested using dextranase to separate the chondrocytes from the carrier. Cells can also be grown on chitosan microcarriers to be used for implantation. In addition, cells can be grown on polysaccharide polymers to be used as implant devices. Various polymers serve as scaffolds for cells to be used for implantation. The polymers can be used for cell culture as well as for preparing scaffolds useful for tissue replacement such as cartilage tissue.

Abstract: A polymeric carrier for delivery of bioactive or bioreactive molecules is provided, including a stereocomplex of one or more biocompatible polymers and having incorporated on or within the complex the molecules to be delivered. In a preferred embodiment, the biocompatible stereoselective polymers are linear or branched D-PLA homo- and block-polymers, linear or branched L-PLA homo- and block-polymers, copolymers thereof, or mixtures thereof, in stereocomplexed form. In one preferred embodiment, the polymeric carrier is complexed with a complementary stereospecific bioactive molecule. In other embodiments, the bioactive, or bioreactive (for example, for use in diagnostic applications), is bound to the complex by ionic, hydrogen, or other non-covalent binding reactions not involving stereocomplexation, or is physically entrapped within the complex, either at the time of complex formation or when the polymeric material is formulated into particles, tablets, or other form for pharmaceutical application.

Abstract: Polysaccaride polymers are employed in various medical applications. For example, chitosan-arabinogalactan and polysaccharide amine polymers are disclosed. The polymers can be used to prevent wound adhesion, to provide scaffolds for tissue transplantation and carriers for cell culture.

Abstract: This invention is a method for the implantation of a combination of cells or cell-microcarrier aggregates wherein one component comprises a solid implantable construct and a second component comprises an injectable formulation. For example, in one embodiment, the solid implant may be first implanted to fill the majority of the cavity receiving the implant, and then cells or cell-microcarrier aggregates in an injectable format, with or without the addition of gelling materials to promote rapid gelling in situ, may be injected into spaces surrounding the solid implant in order to secure the solid implant in the site and/or to promote rapid adherence and/or integration of the solid implant to surrounding tissues. Also contemplated in this embodiment is that the cellular composition of the injectable component may differ from that of the solid component.

Abstract: A method and devices for localized delivery of a chemotherapeutic agent to solid tumors, wherein the agent does not cross the blood-brain barrier and is characterized by poor bioavailability and/or short half-lives in vivo, are described. The devices consist of reservoirs which release drug over an extended time period while at the same time preserving the bioactivity and bioavailability of the agent. In the most preferred embodiment, the device consists of biodegradable polymeric matrixes, although reservoirs can also be formulated from non-biodegradable polymers or reservoirs connected to implanted infusion pumps. The devices are implanted within or immediately adjacent the tumors to be treated or the site where they have been surgically removed. The examples demonstrate the efficacy of paclitaxel and camptothecin delivered in polymeric implants prepared by compression molding of biodegradable and non-biodegradable polymers, respectively. The results are highly statistically significant.