Abstract: Disclosed are hyaluronic acid (HA) compositions including crosslinked, water-insoluble, hydrated HA gel particles. Also disclosed are methods of making the HA compositions, and methods of using the HA composition to augment tissue in a subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to biscarbodiimides, thiourea derivatives, urea derivatives, and cross-linked hyaluronan derivatives having at least one intramolecular disulfide bond, and methods of preparation thereof. The invention also includes thiolated hyaluronan derivatives and salts thereof having at least one pendant thiol group or a modified pendant thiol group, and methods of preparation thereof. An example of a modified pendant thiol group is a sulfhydryl group linked to a small molecule such as a bioactive agent, for example a drug or pharmaceutically active moiety. A hyaluronan derivative having a sulfhydryl group linked to a pharmaceutically active moiety is useful as a sustained or controlled release drug delivery vehicle. Compositions containing the hyaluronan derivatives of the invention can reversibly viscosify in vivo or in vitro, in response to mild changes in condition, and are thus useful in ophthalmic surgery and in tissue engineering.

Abstract: The present invention relates to biscarbodiimides, thiourea derivatives, urea derivatives, and cross-linked hyaluronan derivatives having at least one intramolecular disulfide bond, and methods of preparation thereof. The invention also includes thiolated hyaluronan derivatives and salts thereof having at least one pendant thiol group or a modified pendant thiol group, and methods of preparation thereof. An example of a modified pendant thiol group is a sulfhydryl group linked to a small molecule such as a bioactive agent, for example a drug or pharmaceutically active moiety. A hyaluronan derivative having a sulfhydryl group linked to a pharmaceutically active moiety is useful as a sustained or controlled release drug delivery vehicle. Compositions containing the hyaluronan derivatives of the invention can reversibly viscosify in vivo or in vitro, in response to mild changes in condition, and are thus useful in ophthalmic surgery and in tissue engineering.

Abstract: The present invention relates to biscarbodiimides, thiourea derivatives, urea derivatives, and cross-linked hyaluronan derivatives having at least one intramolecular disulfide bond, and methods of preparation thereof. The invention also includes thiolated hyaluronan derivatives and salts thereof having at least one pendant thiol group or a modified pendant thiol group, and methods of preparation thereof. An example of a modified pendant thiol group is a sulfhydryl group linked to a small molecule such as a bioactive agent, for example a drug or pharmaceutically active moiety. A hyaluronan derivative having a sulfhydryl group linked to a pharmaceutically active moiety is useful as a sustained or controlled release drug delivery vehicle. Compositions containing the hyaluronan derivatives of the invention can reversibly viscosify in vivo or in vitro, in response to mild changes in condition, and are thus useful in ophthalmic surgery and in tissue engineering.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite and a method for reducing post-operative adhesion of tissues. The composite includes a biocompatible, biodegradable support, and a water-insoluble hyaluronic acid derivative at the support. The hyaluronic acid derivative includes an N-acylurea that results from cross-linking by the reaction of hyaluronic acid with a multifunctional carbodiimide. Optionally, a monocarbodiimide also may be employed. A pharmaceutically-active molecule may be added to the N-acylurea derivative of hyaluronic acid. Although the composite includes material that prevents adhesion between tissues, in order to reduce the need for suturing when the composite is being used during a surgical procedure, a material that enhances adhesion of the composite to tissues may be applied to a surface of the composite.

Abstract: The present invention relates to biscarbodiimides, thiourea derivatives, urea derivatives, and cross-linked hyaluronan derivatives having at least one intramolecular disulfide bond, and methods of preparation thereof. The invention also includes thiolated hyaluronan derivatives and salts thereof having at least one pendant thiol group or a modified pendant thiol group, and methods of preparation thereof. An example of a modified pendant thiol group is a sulfhydryl group linked to a small molecule such as a bioactive agent, for example a drug or pharmaceutically active moiety. A hyaluronan derivative having a sulfhydryl group linked to a pharmaceutically active moiety is useful as a sustained or controlled release drug delivery vehicle. Compositions containing the hyaluronan derivatives of the invention can reversibly viscosify in vivo or in vitro, in response to mild changes in condition, and are thus useful in ophthalmic surgery and in tissue engineering.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite and a method for reducing post-operative adhesion of tissues. The composite includes a biocompatible, biodegradable support, and a water-insoluble hyaluronic acid derivative at the support. The hyaluronic acid derivative includes an N-acylurea that results from cross-linking by the reaction of hyaluronic acid with a multifunctional carbodiimide. Optionally, a monocarbodiimide also may be employed. A pharmaceutically-active molecule may be added to the N-acylurea derivative of hyaluronic acid. Although the composite includes material that prevents adhesion between tissues, in order to reduce the need for suturing when the composite is being used during a surgical procedure, a material that enhances adhesion of the composite to tissues may be applied to a surface of the composite.

Abstract: A process for preparing difucosyl Y.sub.2 antigen (dimeric Le.sup.x) , said process comprising: (1) preparing a lactonorhexaosylceramide backbone or a lactonorhexaosylsaccharide backbone linked to a carrier molecule; and (2) enzymatically fucosylating said backbone at the III.sup.3 and V.sup.3 positions through an .alpha.1.fwdarw.3 linkage. A process for preparing Le.sup.y antigen analogues, said process comprising: (1) preparing a lactonorhexaosyl-ceramide backbone or a lactonorhexaosylsaccharide backbone linked to a carrier molecule; and (2) enzymatically fucosylating said backbone at the terminal .beta.-Gal through an .alpha.1.fwdarw.2 linkage; and (3) enzymatically fucosylating said backbone at one or more positions through an .alpha.1.fwdarw.3 linkage, provided that steps (2) and (3) can be conducted simultaneously or in any order.