Abstract: The present invention provides wound dressings, optionally surgically implantable, containing biodegradable, polymers and hydrogels having allogenic or autologous precursor cells, such as stem cells and progenitor cells dispersed within. Alternatively, the wound dressings can have conditioned medium obtained from the precursor cells dispersed within. The wound dressings promote tissue restoration processes at a site of application or implantation. Additional bioactive agents can also be dispersed within the polymer/hydrogel matrix, which can be formulated to biodegrade at a controlled rate by adjusting the composition. Methods are also provided for using such biodegradable wound dressings as a delivery device or carrier for the precursor cells, conditioned medium and bioactive agents, or as coatings on implantable medical devices, to promote tissue restoration at a lesion site.

Abstract: The present invention provides biodegradable polymer particle delivery compositions for delivery of macromolecular biologics, for example in crystal form, based on polymers, such as polyester amide (PEA), polyester urethane (PEUR), and polyester urea (PEU) polymers, which contain amino acids in the polymer. The polymer particle delivery compositions can be formulated either as a liquid dispersion or a lyophilized powder of polymer particles containing bound water molecules with the macromolecular biologics, for example insulin, dispersed in the particles. Bioactive agents, such as drugs, polypeptides, and polynucleotides can also be delivered by using particles sized for local, oral, mucosal or circulatory delivery. Methods of delivering a macromolecular biologic with substantial native activity to a subject, for example orally, are also included.

Abstract: The present invention provides synthetic vaccine delivery compositions based on polyester amide (PEA), polyester urethane (PEUR), and polyester urea (PEU) polymers for stimulating an immune response to a variety of pathogenic organisms and tumor cells in humans and other mammals. The vaccine delivery compositions are formulated as a liquid dispersion of polymer particles or molecules including class I or class II antigen peptides derived from organism or tumor cell proteins, which are taken up by antigen presenting cells of the mammal to induce an immune response in the mammal. Methods of inducing an immune response to the pathogenic organism or tumor cells in the invention compositions are also included.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery that a vascular stent or other implantable medical device can be coated with a biodegradable biocompatible polymer to which is attached a bioligand that specifically captures progenitors of endothelial cells (PECs) from the circulating blood to promote endogenous formation of healthy endothelium in Type II diabetics. In one embodiment, the bioligand is a peptide that specifically binds to an integrin receptor on PECs. The invention also provides methods for using such vascular stents and other implantable devices to promote vascular healing in Type II diabetics, for example following mechanical intervention.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery that a vascular stent or other implantable medical device can be coated with a biodegradable biocompatible polymer to which is attached a bioligand that specifically captures progenitors of endothelial cells (PECs) from the circulating blood to promote endogenous formation of healthy endothelium in Type II diabetics. In one embodiment, the bioligand is a peptide that specifically binds to an integrin receptor on PECs. The invention also provides methods for using such vascular stents and other implantable devices to promote vascular healing in Type II diabetics, for example following mechanical intervention.