Abstract: A hydrogel composition for treatment of interstitial cystitis is described and comprises crosslinked hyaluronan particles dispersed throughout a crosslinked hyaluronan hydrogel matrix, wherein the hyaluronan is high molecular weight hyaluronan. The composition is formulated for direct bladder instillation in a human. The hyaluronan particles are nano-sized hyaluronan particles, or agglomerates of nano-sized hyaluronan particles, or a mixture thereof.

Abstract: An injectable elastin-like recombinamer (ELR) hydrogel for use in a method of treating a mammal that has suffered a myocardial infarction to modulate the response of cardiac muscle damaged by the infarct is described. The hydrogel is injected into the cardiac muscle damaged by the infarct at least two days after the myocardial infarction, and results in clinically significant repair of cardiac muscle evidenced by at least one or more of reduced scarring, positive remodelling of the damaged muscle, restoring cardiac muscle function to a clinically significant extent after infarction an improvement in angiogenesis, or a decreased pro-inflammatory response in the infarct zone, and typically within 10, 20 or 30 days of administration.

Abstract: A hydrogel composition for use in a method of regeneration of an intervertebral disc, or suppression of discogenic pain, in a mammal with intervertebral disc degeneration is described. The hydrogel composition comprises cross-linked high molecular weight hyaluronan. The hydrogel composition is implanted in the mammal at a site of intervertebral disc degeneration.

Abstract: A hydrogel composition for treatment of interstitial cystitis is described and comprises crosslinked hyaluronan particles dispersed throughout a crosslinked hyaluronan hydrogel matrix, wherein the hyaluronan is high molecular weight hyaluronan. The composition is formulated for direct bladder instillation in a human. The hyaluronan particles are nano-sized hyaluronan particles, or agglomerates of nano-sized hyaluronan particles, or a mixture thereof.

Abstract: A hydrogel composition for use in a method of regeneration of an intervertebral disc, or suppression of discogenic pain, in a mammal with intervertebral disc degeneration isdescribed. The hydrogel composition comprises cross-linked high molecular weight hyaluronan. The hydrogel composition is implanted in the mammal at a site of intervertebral disc degeneration.

Abstract: A polymer for transfecting a nucleic acid into a cell, the polymer comprising a plurality of polymeric branches, wherein at least one branch comprises at least one disulfide group and at least one vinyl group, which may an unsubstituted vinyl or a functionalized vinyl group.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the fabrication of multichannel nerve conduits for use in the repair of nerve injury. In particular, the invention relates to collagen multichannel nerve conduits which are suitable for use in repair of peripheral nerves.

Abstract: A polymeric hollow nanoshell or nanosphere for release of an agent is described, wherein the hollow nanosphere comprises at least one biodegradable polymer, characterized in that the polymer is cross-linked. The biodegradable mono-disperse nanospheres described are suitable for use as carriers of biomolecules, therapeutic agents and/or imaging agents.

Abstract: A polymeric hollow nanoshell or nanosphere for release of an agent is described, wherein the hollow nanosphere comprises at least one biodegradable polymer, characterised in that the polymer is cross-linked. The biodegradable mono-disperse nanospheres described are suitable for use as carriers of biomolecules, therapeutic agents and/or imaging agents.

Abstract: An activatable functionalised Nth generation dendrimer having: a core comprising a first monomer having at least two carboxylic acid functional groups; and N successive generations, where N=0 to 10, wherein each generation comprises: a second monomer having at least two alcohol functional groups, wherein at least one alcohol group is bonded to a carboxylic acid group of the first monomer of the prior generation, and an additional first monomer attached to a second alcohol function group of said second monomer of that generation; and the final generation having attached thereto at said second alcohol functional group of said second monomer, a moiety having a dicarboxylic acid functional group, activatable by treatment with a carboxylic acid activating reagent such that reactivity of the carboxylic acid functional group is increased. The dendrimer, when activated, may be used in applications such as polymer crosslinking and/or nanoshell production.

Abstract: A polymeric hollow nanoshell or nanosphere for release of an agent is described, wherein the hollow nanosphere comprises at least one biodegradable polymer, characterised in that the polymer is cross-linked. The biodegradable mono-disperse nanospheres described are suitable for use as carriers of biomolecules, therapeutic agents and/or imaging agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the fabrication of multichannel nerve conduits for use in the repair of nerve injury. In particular, the invention relates to collagen multichannel nerve conduits which are suitable for use in repair of peripheral nerves.

Abstract: An activatable functionalised Nth generation dendrimer having: a core comprising a first monomer having at least two carboxylic acid functional groups; and N successive generations, where N=0 to 10, wherein each generation comprises: a second monomer having at least two alcohol functional groups, wherein at least one alcohol group is bonded to a carboxylic acid group of the first monomer of the prior generation, and an additional first monomer attached to a second alcohol function group of said second monomer of that generation; and the final generation having attached thereto at said second alcohol functional group of said second monomer, a moiety having a dicarboxylic acid functional group, activatable by treatment with a carboxylic acid activating reagent such that reactivity of the carboxylic acid functional group is increased. The dendrimer, when activated, may be used in applications such as polymer crosslinking and/or nanoshell production.

Abstract: A polymeric hollow nanoshell or nanosphere for release of an agent is described, wherein the hollow nanosphere comprises at least one biodegradable polymer, characterised in that the polymer is cross-linked. The biodegradable mono-disperse nanospheres described are suitable for use as carriers of biomolecules, therapeutic agents and/or imaging agents.

Abstract: A porous substrate or implant for implantation into a human or animal body constructed from a structural material and having one or more regions which when implanted are subjected to a relatively lower mechanical loading. The region(s) are constructed with lesser mechanical strength by having a lesser amount of structural material in said region(s) relative to other regions. This is achieved by controlling pore volume fraction in the regions. A spacer is adapted to define an open-cell pore network by taking a model of the required porous structure, and creating the spacer to represent the required porous structure using three-dimensional modelling. Material to form the substrate about the spacer in infiltrated the scaffold structure formed.

Abstract: Bioengineered tissue graft scaffolds and method for producing such scaffolds are provided. The scaffolds are useful to replace or repair damaged mammalian tissues and organs.

Abstract: A method of evaluating biological material comprising forming a 3-dimensional scaffold of tubular biological material, delivering a fluid through the tubular biological material, and evaluating the biological material and in particular evaluating the effect of biomolecules, medical devices and medical devices containing biomolecules on biological material. The invention further relates to a bioreactor suitable for evaluating biological material.

Abstract: Bioengineered tissue graft scaffolds and method for producing such scaffolds are provided. The scaffolds are useful to replace or repair damaged mammalian tissues and organs.