Abstract: Hyaluronic acid or hyaluronic acid ester derivatives, wherein one or more hydroxy functions of its 1,4.beta.-D-glucuronic acid and 1,3-.beta.-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine alternating repeating units are esterified with a carboxyl group of succinic acid to form the succinic hemiester of hyaluronic acid or hyaluronic acid esters. These derivatives are used to prepare the corresponding heavy metal salts of succinic hemiesters of hyaluronic acid or with hyaluronic acid partial or total esters. These salts are used as active ingredients in the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions to be used as antibacterial and disinfectant agents for the treatment of wounds, burns and ophthalmia or as antiinflammatory agents in particular for the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of osteoarticular disorders.