Abstract: Methods for reducing or inhibiting the irreversible inactivation of water-soluble biologically active agents in biodegradable polymeric delivery systems which are designed to release such agents over a prolonged period of time, such as PLGA delivery systems are provided. The method comprises preparing PLGA delivery systems whose microclimate, i.e. the pores where the active agent resides, uniformly or homogenously maintain a pH of between 3 and 9, preferably between 4 and 8, more preferably between 5 and 7.5 during biodegradation.

Abstract: A method for delivering a polypeptide to the central nervous system of a mammal is provided. The method involves attaching the polypeptide to an antibody or an antibody fragment and administering the fusion polypeptide intranasally, for delivery to the central nervous system. Methods of treatment are also provided, where a therapeutically effective amount of the composition is delivered to the nasal cavity of a mammal.

Abstract: Methods for reducing or inhibiting the irreversible inactivation of water-soluble biologically active agents in biodegradable polymeric delivery systems which are designed to release such agents over a prolonged period of time, such as PLGA delivery systems are provided. The method comprises preparing a PLGA delivery systems whose microclimate, i.e. the pores where the active agent resides, uniformly or homogenously maintain a pH of between 3 and 9, preferably between 4 and 8, more preferably between 5 and 7.5 during biodegradation.

Abstract: Methods for reducing or inhibiting the irreversible inactivation of water-soluble biologically active agents in biodegradable polymeric delivery systems which are designed to release such agents over a prolonged period of time, such as PLGA delivery systems are provided. The method comprises preparing a PLGA delivery systems whose microclimate, i.e. the pores where the active agent resides, uniformly or homogenously maintain a pH of between 3 and 9, preferably between 4 and 8, more preferably between 5 and 7.5 during biodegradation.

Abstract: Gel-infused sponge matrix comprising an absorbable sponge material, a gel and an active ingredient are disclosed, as are methods of enhancing tissue repair, regeneration or augmentation using the gel-infused sponge.

Abstract: Methods for reducing or inhibiting the irreversible inactivation of water-soluble biologically active agents in biodegradable polymeric delivery systems which are designed to release such agents over a prolonged period of time, such as PLGA delivery systems are provided. The method comprises preparing a PLGA delivery systems whose microclimate, i.e. the pores where the active agent resides, uniformly or homogenously maintain a pH of between 3 and 9, preferably between 4 and 8, more preferably between 5 and 7.5 during biodegradation.

Abstract: Affinity bound collagen matrices for the delivery of biologically active agents, and methods for preparing such matrices, are disclosed. A preferred method for preparing the matrices of the invention comprises mixing a binding ligand and an active agent together, allowing the resulting binding ligand-active agent mixture to form an affinity bound complex, then combining the resulting affinity bound complex with collagen to form a matrix. Particular affinity bound matrices comprising collagen, heparin, and an active agent are also disclosed, as well as methods for using the matrices of the invention for delivery of biologically active agents.

Abstract: Pharmaceutically acceptable, non-immunogenic compositions are formed by covalently binding atelopeptide collagen to pharmaceutically pure, synthetic, hydrophilic polymers via specific types of chemical bonds to provide collagen/polymer conjugates. The atelopeptide collagen can be type I, type II or type III and may be fibrillar or non-fibrillar. The synthetic hydrophilic polymer may be polyethylene glycol and derivatives thereof having a weight average molecular weight over a range of from about 100 to about 20,000. The compositions may include other components such as liquid, pharmaceutically acceptable, carriers to form injectable formulations, and/or biologically active proteins such as growth factors. The collagen-polymer conjugates of the invention generally contain large amounts of water when formed. The conjugates can be dehydrated to form a relatively solid object.

Abstract: Collagen, particularly atelopeptide collagen, exhibits improved handling characteristics when chemically conjugated and/or crosslinked with a synthetic hydrophilic polymer.

Abstract: Collagen, particularly atelopeptide collagen, exhibits improved handling characteristics when chemically conjugated and/or crosslinked with a synthetic hydrophilic polymer.

Abstract: Pharmaceutically acceptable, non-immunogenic compositions are formed by covalently binding atelopeptide collagen to pharmaceutically pure, synthetic, hydrophilic polymers via specific types of chemical bonds to provide collagen/polymer conjugates. The atelopeptide collagen can be type I, type II or type III and may be fibrillar or non-fibrillar. The synthetic hydrophilic polymer may be polyethylene glycol and derivatives thereof having a weight average molecular weight over a range of from about 100 to about 20,000. The compositions may include other components such as liquid, pharmaceutically acceptable, carriers to form injectable formulations, and/or biologically active proteins such as growth factors. The collagen-polymer conjugates of the invention generally contain large amounts of water when formed. The conjugates can be dehydrated to form a relatively solid object.

Abstract: Pharmaceutically acceptable, non-immunogenic compositions are formed by covalently binding atelopeptide collagen to pharmaceutically pure, synthetic, hydrophilic polymers via specific types of chemical bonds to provide collagen/polymer conjugates. The atelopeptide collagen can be type I, type II or type III and may be fibrillar or non-fibrillar. The synthetic hydrophilic polymer may be polyethylene glycol and derivatives thereof having a weight average molecular weight over a range of from about 100 to about 20,000. The compositions may include other components such as liquid, pharmaceutically acceptable, carriers to form injectable formulations, and/or biologically active proteins such as growth factors. The collagen-polymer conjugates of the invention generally contain large amounts of water when formed. The conjugates can be dehydrated to form a relatively solid object.

Abstract: Bone morphogenetic proteins -2 and -3 (BMPs -2 and -3) work in synergistic combination with TGF-.beta.z to provide compositions with increased osteogenic activity. Methods of treating bone defects, inducing bone growth and increasing bone marrow cell production using these compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: Collagen, particularly atelopeptide collagen, exhibits improved handling characteristics when chemically conjugated and/or crosslinked with a synthetic hydrophilic polymer.

Abstract: Pharmaceutically acceptable, non-immunogenic compositions are formed by covalently binding atelopeptide collagen to pharmaceutically pure, synthetic, hydrophilic polymers via specific types of chemical bonds to provide collagen/polymer conjugates. The atelopeptide collagen can be type I, type II or type III and may be fibrillar or non-fibrillar. The synthetic hydrophilic polymer may be polyethylene glycol and derivatives thereof having a weight average molecular weight over a range of from about 100 to about 20,000. The compositions may include other components such as liquid, pharmaceutically acceptable, carriers to form injectable formulations, and/or biologically active proteins such as growth factors. The collagen-polymer conjugates of the invention generally contain large amounts of water when formed. The conjugates can be dehydrated to form a relatively solid object.

Abstract: Pharmaceutically acceptable, non-immunogenic compositions are formed by covalently binding biologically inactive, natural, biocompatible polymer to pharmaceutically pure, synthetic, hydrophilic polymers via specific types of chemical bonds to provide biocompatible conjugates. The synthetic hydrophilic polymer may be polyethylene glycol and derivatives thereof having a weight average molecular weight over a range of from about 100 to about 20,000. The compositions may include other components such as liquid, pharmaceutically acceptable, carriers to form injectable formulations, and/or biologically active proteins such as growth factors. The conjugates of the invention generally contain large amounts of water when formed. The conjugates can be dehydrated to form a relatively solid object. The dehydrated, solid object can be ground into particles which can be suspended in a non-aqueous fluid such as an oil and injected into a living (preferably human) being for the purpose of providing soft tissue augmentation.

Abstract: Collagen, particularly atelopeptide collagen, exhibits improved handling characteristics when chemically conjugated and/or crosslinked with a synthetic hydrophilic polymer.

Abstract: Collagen, particularly atelopeptide collagen, exhibits improved handling characteristics when chemically conjugated and/or crosslinked with a synthetic hydrophilic polymer.

Abstract: Collagen, particularly atelopeptide collagen, exhibits improved handling characteristics when chemically conjugated and/or crosslinked with a synthetic hydrophilic polymer.

Abstract: Two proteins that are found in bone and that have in vivo chondrogenic/osteogenic activity in combination with a co-factor are described. Both proteins also were active in combination with EGF in the in vitro TGF-.beta. assay. Each has a molecular weight of approximately 26,000 daltons by SDS-PAGE. Each is reduced to a single polypeptide indicating that the proteins are probably homodimers. One has an N-terminal sequence identical to that of human placenta-derived TGF-.beta. whereas the other has an N-terminal sequence that is different from that of TGF-.beta. derived from human placenta. The two proteins may be purified to homogeneity using RP-HPLC or acetic acid-urea gel electrophoresis.