Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated and recombinant antimicrobial peptides thrombocidin-1 (TC-1) and thrombocidin-2 (TC-2), or variants thereof, which comprise at least in part the sequence as shown in FIG. 1 indicated by the label TC-1 and TC-2, and have antimicrobial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, for example Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Streptococcus sanguis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus epidermis, and Staphylococcus aureus, and/or against fungi, for example Candida albicans, C. glabarata, Cryptococcus neoformans, Aspergillus flavus, A. fumigatus, and Pseudoallescheria spec. The invention further relates to the use of said peptides, or variants thereof, for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of bacterial or fungal infections, such as endocarditis, in humans and animals and the use of said peptides, or variants thereof, in release systems for prevention of bacterial or fungal infections in humans and animals.

Abstract: The invention relates to new biologically degradable aliphatic copolymers of the polyesteramide or polyesterurethane type. The invention further relates to a method for preparing the copolymers and to products which can be manufactured from the new copolymers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for loading a polymer with one or more bioactive agents, using a wet spinning technique. The invention further relates to a polymer loaded with one or more bioactive agents, obtainable by said process and to the use thereof as a carrier for controlled drug release or as scaffold for tissue engineering.

Abstract: A fibrous polymer implant loaded with one or more bioactive agents is prepared using a wet spinning technique. Preferably, an aqueous solution of bioactive agent is added to a solution of amphiphilic block copolymer containing hydrophilic blocks such as polyalkylene glycol and hydrophobic blocks such as an aromatic ester dissolved in a first solvent immiscible with water to form an emulsion. The emulsion is injected through a nozzle into a second solvent miscible with the first solvent in which the copolymer is essentially insoluble to form a solid copolymer fiber loaded with the bioactive agent. The fiber is shaped into an implant. Water content of the aqueous solution of bioactive agent affects rate of release of the bioactive agent in vivo. Bioactive agents include peptides, oligopeptides, polypeptides and proteins. The implant may be used as a carrier for controlled drug release or as a scaffold for tissue engineering.

Abstract: The invention relates to new biologically degradable aliphatic copolymers of the polyesteramide or polyesterurethane type. The invention further relates to a method for preparing the copolymers and to products which can be manufactured from the new copolymers.

Abstract: The invention provide biodegradable copolymers of the copoly(ester-amide) or copoly(ester-urethane) type, which copolymers consist of building blocks with the general structure (I): [CB-VB] wherein CB and VB of different building blocks may be the same or different, and CB represents a block with a constant length and VB represents a block with a variable length.

Abstract: Bioprosthetic devices made of collagen-based material having collagen amine groups and collagen carboxyl groups are provided as well as methods for their formation. The methods comprise combining an epoxy functionalized crosslinking agent with the collagen-based material in an aqueous medium at an acidic pH to react a portion of the collagen carboxyl groups with the epoxy functionalized crosslinking agent to form crosslinked collagen-based material comprising residual collagen carboxyl groups.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for providing a surface with carboxyl groups. A compound is applied to the surface with at least one functional group which can be converted into a carboxyl group. Thereafter, this surface is treated with a plasma to immobilize the compound, and then the functional group is converted into a carboxyl group. Also provided is a surface having carboxyl groups which is obtained with this method and a product with such a surface for exposure to blood, typically in vivo blood flows.

Abstract: An article for the controlled delivery of an active substance, comprising a hollow space fully enclosed by a wall and filled in full or in part with one or more active substances, which wall is made using a biodegradable polymeric material permeable to the active substance, wherein the wall is composed mainly of a combination of at least two different polymeric materials in which one polymeric material is permeable to the active substance and is degradable and the other polymeric material is relatively poorly permeable to the active substance and is degradable and the conveyor path for the delivery of the active substance from the hollow space to the surroundings of the article is a continuous distance leading at least through the polymeric material permeable to the active substance.

Abstract: A dicarbonyl halide preferably a straight-chain-alkyl dicarbonyl dihalide, may be used to activate a substrate surface of preferably polyurethane or polyamide. Optionally, an amine-end blocked polymer may be reacted with the resulting activated surface by reaction between amine and dicarbonyl halide groups. Then, a material to be covalently bonded to said surface, such as heparin, may be reacted with free amine groups bonded to the surface by a carbodiimide process or the like.

Abstract: A substrate for medical devices and a process for making the substrate is provided, the substrate having on at least part of its surface a blood-compatible surface produced by coupling a physiologically active substance to the surface. The physiologically active substance is one having an inhibitory effect on the formation of blood clots and/or is capable of breaking down blood clots formed. The physiologically active substance is bonded to a polyacid, and the polyacid is attached to the surface by a covalent bond.

Abstract: A biodegradable hydrogel matrix is provided, useful for the controlled release of pharmacologically active agents. The matrix is formed by cross-linking a proteinaceous component and a polysaccharide or mucopolysaccharide, and then loading a selected drug therein. By varying temperature, ionic strength, and the composition of the hydrogel matrix, one can control degradation kinetics, the degree of uptake of a particular pharmacologically active agent, and the overall times release profile.

Abstract: Biodegradable hollow fibres with an asymmetric wall, the cavity of which containing an active substance like a drug, hormone etc. or a dilute form of the latter and both ends of the hollow fibre being closed for the controlled release of the active substance as well as a process for the manufacturing of such hollow fibres.

Abstract: A biodegradable hydrogen matrix is provided, useful for the controlled release of pharmacologically active agents. The matrix is formed by cross-linking a proteinaceous component and a polysaccharide or mucopolysaccharide, and then loading a selected drug therein. By varying temperature, ionic strength, and the composition of the hydrogel matrix, one can control degradation kinetics, the degree of uptake of a particular pharmacologically active agent, and the overall timed release profile.

Abstract: Conjugates are provided which are covalently bonded conjugates of an anticoagulant and protein that are prepared in the presence of a coupling agent that forms amide linkages between the anticoagulant and the protein. Such amide linking coupling agents exclude highly toxic coupling agents such as CNBr. These conjugates are useful for enhancing the blood compatibility of certain surfaces of a prosthetic device, a surgical apparatus, or an extra-corporeal medical device.

Abstract: Conjugates are provided which are covalently bonded conjugates of an anticoagulant and protein that are prepared in the presence of a coupling agent that forms amide linkages between the anticoagulant and the protein. Such amide linking coupling agents exclude highly toxic coupling agents such as CNBr. These conjugates are useful for enhancing the blood compatibility of certain surfaces of a prosthetic device, a surgical apparatus, or an extra-corporeal medical device.

Abstract: Conjugates are provided which are covalently bonded conjugates of an anticoagulant and protein that are prepared in the presence of a coupling agent that forms amide linkages between the anticoagulant and the protein. Such amide linking coupling agents exclude highly toxic coupling agents such as CNBr. These conjugates are useful for enhancing the blood compatibility of certain surfaces of a prosthetic device, a surgical apparatus, or an extra-corporeal medical device.

Abstract: A time-release chemical delivery system in which a bioactive compound is attached to a polymeric biodegradable carrier by a hydrolyzable bond is disclosed. The bioactive compound can either be bound directly to the polymer or be attached to the polymer via a spacer group. The composition of the system is particularly effective for delivering medication systemically to a host animal over a prolonged period of time after being surgically implanted or injected subcutaneously. Biodegradable condensation polymers having reactive pendant groups, for example, poly-L-(glutamic acid), or derivatized poly-L-(glutamic acid) are effective as polymeric carriers.