Abstract: A method of preparing conjugates by means of covalent coupling of a polysaccharide selected from heparin, heparin derivatives, at least partially deacerylated dermatan sulphate and dextran sulphate and a solid substance containing primary amino groups, said method comprising the following steps: a) reduction of the saccharide so that its terminal monosaccharide unit is converted to an alditol; b) periodate oxidation of the alditol formed in step a) to the formation of a terminal aldehyde group under cleavage of the monosaccharide unit between two vicinal groups selected from hydroxyl and amino groups; and c) reductive coupling of the alditol via the aldehyde group to the amino group of the solid substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for promoting the healing of dermal wounds by applying a composition containing chitosan and the polysaccharide, heparin or heparan sulfate. Heparin or heparan sulfate can be immobilized to chitosan by ionic or covalent bonds, and the degree of N-acetylation of chitosan can range from 25% to 90%. The composition can include a cellulose derivative as an additional polysaccharide to increase the viscosity of the composition. The combination of chitosan and polysaccharide, when applied to a wound site, effectively stimulates and accelerates wound healing.

Abstract: A process for coating of an intraocular lens to impart tissue compatibility thereto, comprising the steps: a) priming said lens using a solution of a polyamine; b) coating the lens treated in step a) above with a solution of a periodate-oxidized polysaccharide selected from heparin, heparain sulphate, and chondroitin sulphate to stabilize said polyamine by covalent and/or ionical cross-linking; c) coating the lens treated in step b) above with a solution of a polyamine; and d) coating the lens treated according to step c) above with a solution of a periodate-oxidized polysaccharide selected from heparin, heparain sulphate, and chondroitin sulphate in the presence of a cyanoborohydride to convert formed labile Schiff's bases to stable secondary amines.

Abstract: A solid substrate, the surface of which has been modified to introduce reactive groups of a hydrophilic nature thereon, the modification being provided by a primer comprising a first polysaccharide containing as reactive groups amino and hydroxyl groups; and a process for the preparation of such solid substrate.