Abstract: Disclosed is an injectable, biocompatible and biodegradable composition, comprising at least one hyaluronic acid benzyl ester or auto-cross-linked derivative, in combination with at least one mammalian cell and/or at least one pharmacologically or biologically active substance and/or micro-particles such as fibres, granules, microspheres or sponge fragments of a hyaluronic acid derivative.

Abstract: A three-dimensional prosthesis is described in the shape of a body part comprising at least one three-dimensional matrix having an essentially fibrous or porous structure and containing a hyaluronic acid derivative, said prosthesis, contains at least two of said three-dimensional matrixes, the first of said three-dimensional matrixes incorporating or being adhered to the second and possible further matrixes, said three-dimensional matrix(es) optionally inicorporating and/or being adhered to a bidimensional perforated matrix and containing a hyaluronic acid derivative. This prosthesis is used for reconstruction of human or animal body part.

Abstract: The application discloses esters of hyaluronic acid, wherein a first part of the carboxylic functions is esterified with an araliphatic alcohol and a second part is esterified with at least one long-chain, straight aliphatic alcohol with between 10 and 22 carbon atoms. The possible remaining non-esterified carboxylic functions, if present, are salified. The application further discloses biocompatible threads having a multifilament conformation comprising filaments formed by the aforesaid esters, and their use in the fields of medicine and surgery.

Abstract: A biological material comprising two components is provided containing a first component comprising alternatively (1) a culture of autologous or homologous bone marrow stem cells partially or completely differentiated into specific connective tissue cellular lines or (2) a sole extracellular matrix free from any cellular component secreted by the specific connective tissue cellular lines; and a second component containing a three-dimensional biocompatible and biodegradable matrix consisting of a hyaluronic acid ester having a degree of esterification comprised between 25 and 100%. The specific tissue cell lines are selected from fibroblasts, osteoblasts, myoblasts, adipocytes, chondrocytes and endothelial cells. The biological material is suitable for use as a dermal substitute in cutaneous lesions as well as repairing damaged connective tissue.

Abstract: Crosslinked compounds of hyaluronic acid and the derivatives thereof, prepared by the technique of precipitation induced by supercritical antisolvent (SAS), can be used to advantage for the preparation of biomaterials for use in the field of medicine and surgery and in tissue engineering for medical and surgical purposes.

Abstract: Microspheres, having a size lower than 1&mgr; and comprising a biocompatible polysaccharidic polymer, are prepared with a process comprising the precipitation of polymer induced by means of a supercritical antisolvent (SAS). These microspheres are used as vehicling agents or carriers in the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions administrable by oral, nasal, pulmonary, vaginal or rectal route. These microspheres can also be advantageously used as vehicling agent or carriers in the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of human diseases associated with genic defects, for the preparation of diagnostics and in the agro-alimentary industry.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a pharmaceutical composition, comprising a pharmaceutically effective amount of an acidic polysaccharide and/or a derivative thereof, a gaseous vehicle, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient. Said acidic polysaccharide or derivative thereof can be hyaluronic acid, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of hyaluronic acid, a partial or total ester of hyaluronic acid with an alcohol, a partial or total intermolecular ester of hyaluronic acid, a partial or total intramolecular ester of hyaluronic acid, a cross-linked ester of hyaluronic acid, an alginic acid ester, an ester of carboxymethylcellulose, an ester of carboxymethylchitin, an ester of carboxymethyl starch, a gellan ester, a cross-linked gellan ester, a pectic acid ester, and a pectinic acid ester. The composition can contain one or more topical drugs, and can be in the form of an aerosol or liquid spray, a foam, or a dry spray.

Abstract: There are disclosed electronic or microelectronic components having on at least a portion of a surface thereof a coating containing hyaluronic acid or a derivative thereof wherein said coating has the ability to inhibit adhesion of microorganisms and formation of biofilms. Also disclosed are methods of inhibiting corrosion and changes in electrical conductivity by inhibiting biofilm formation on electronic or microelectronic components by applying a coating containing hyaluronic acid or a derivative thereof directly onto the surface of said components.

Abstract: The present invention id directed to novel sulphated compounds of hyaluronic acid and derivatives thereof, optionally salified, wherein the glucosamines are partially N-sulphated and partially or totally O-sulphated in position 6. The compounds of the invention have anticoagulant and antithrombotic activities and are useful in the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions and biomaterial and in the production of coatings for biomaterials compositions and biomaterials and in the production of coating for biomedical objects.

Abstract: Hyaluronic acid, hyaluronate esters and salts thereof are sulfated such that the number of sulfate groups per monomeric unit is in the range of from 0.5 to 3.5. The sulfated derivatives exhibit anticoagulant and cell adhesion reduction properties, and may be used to prepare biomaterials.

Abstract: A process for preparing a hyaluronic acid fraction having an average molecular weight comprised between 5000 and 300,000 and a polydispersion index lower than 1.7, comprising treating the starting high molecular weight hyaluronic acid, contemporaneously with sodium hypochlorite and ultrasounds.

Abstract: Microspheres, having a size lower than 1&mgr; and comprising a biocompatible polysaccharidic polymer, are prepared with a process comprising the precipitation of polymer induced by means of a supercritical antisolvent (SAS). These microspheres are used as vehicling agents or carriers in the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions administrable by oral, nasal, pulmonary, vaginal or rectal route. These microspheres can also be advantageously used as vehicling agent or carriers in the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of human diseases associated with genic defects, for the preparation of diagnostics and in the agro-alimentary industry.

Abstract: Artificial human skin is disclosed which is based on: (a) a microperforated membrane based on a hyaluronic acid derivative on which keratinocytes have been seeded and cultured; (b) an underlying non-woven tissue based on a hyaluronic acid derivative wherein fibroblasts have been seeded and left to proliferate.The artificial human skin may be used in medical, surgical, diagnostic and controlled release drug delivery applications. The artificial human skin may be safely frozen to -80.degree. C. or stored in liquid nitrogen in order to have a skin tissue bank.

Abstract: Hyaluronic acid, hyaluronate esters and salts thereof are sulfated such that the number of sulfate groups per monomeric unit is in the range of from 0.5 to 3.5. The sulfated derivatives exhibit anticoagulant and cell adhesion reduction properties, and may be used to prepare biomaterials.

Abstract: Hyaluronic acid, hyaluronate esters and salts thereof are sulfated such that the number of sulfate groups per disaccharide unit are in the range of from 0.5 to 3.5. The sulfated derivatives exhibit anticoagulant and cell adhesion reduction properties, and may be used to prepare biomaterials.

Abstract: A process for preparing a hyaluronic acid fraction having an average molecular weight comprised between 5000 and 300,000 and a polydispersion index lower than 1.7, comprising treating the starting high molecular weight hyaluronic acid, contemporaneously with sodium hypochlorite and ultrasounds.

Abstract: Provided are active esters of carboxy polysaccharides and semisynthetic derivatives of carboxy polysaccharides, wherein all or part of the carboxy groups thereof are esterified with an aromatic alcohol, a substituted aromatic alcohol, an aromatic heterocyclic alcohol, a substituted aromatic heterocyclic alcohol, an N-hydroxylamine, or a combination thereof. Also provided is a process for producing such active esters. These active esters can be used for the preparation of modified carboxy polysaccharides or modified semisynthetic derivatives of such carboxy polysaccharides, in the form of esters, thioesters, or amides. Such active esters, modified polysaccharides, and modified semisynthetic derivatives of carboxy polysaccharides can be used in the biomedical and pharmaceutical fields to prepare, for example, cosmetic articles, health care articles, surgical articles, and diagnostic kits.

Abstract: Provided is a multilayered of nonwoven material comprising a surface layer which comes into contact with the skin, and one or more other layers which do not come into contact with the skin, wherein said surface layer which comes into contact with the skin is a member selected from the group consisting of a surface layer comprising at least one hyaluronic acid ester, a surface layer comprising a mixture of said at least one hyaluronic acid ester and at least one natural polymer, semisynthetic polymer, or synthetic polymer, and a surface layer comprising a natural, synthetic, or semisynthetic biocompatible perforated membrane compatible with cell growth on its surface. This material can be employed in a wide variety of medical and sanitary applications, including surgery and as a non-adhesive covering material.