There has been demand for an additional method for producing antibodies. The present invention provides: a polymer-coated crosslinked alginate gel fiber in which a core layer containing a crosslinked alginate gel and either antibody-producing cells (e.g., antibody-producing CHO cells) or bioactive-substance-producing cells (e.g., MIN6 cells derived from pancreatic ? cells) is coated with a cationic polymer; and a method for producing antibodies, a bioactive substance, etc., using the fiber.

A non-synthetic, hydrophilic, biodegradable, biocompatible polysaccharide based non-toxic anti-adhesion hydrogel barrier is disclosed herein. The barrier of the present invention is formed by constructing a unique interpenetrating, crosslinked network with a unique porosity. Furthermore, the barrier of the present invention is comprised of tunable biopolymers for controllable mechanical robustness and degradation. The barrier of the present invention effectively reduces unwanted adhesions using non-synthetic components.

The present invention relates to the unexpected discovery of novel hydrogel formulations that allow for the encapsulation and delivery of living cells and/or drugs to a subject in need thereof. In certain embodiments, the hydrogel compositions of the invention comprise bound bioactive molecules that promote long-term cell viability and allows for the development of vasculature. The invention further provides methods of delivering viable cells and/or drugs to a subject comprising administering the compositions of the invention to the subject in need thereof.

Provided is a slow release composition to promote bone growth, the slow release composition comprising: an oxysterol encapsulated in a biodegradable polymer to control the release of the oxysterol. Methods of making and use are further provided.

A sanitary aid with antibacterial effect for stabilization of physiological balance in vaginal environment and/or external genitalia is made by a backsheet impermeable layer, absorbent core formed by a mixture of absorbent and/or superabsorbent and a topsheet layer from woven or non-woven textile or from cellulose. The sanitary aid contains an effective component on the basis of at least one reactive form of oxygen, which is encapsulated by an encapsulation agent, where the effective substance is arranged on the topsheet layer of the sanitary aid designated for the contact with body and/or in the absorbent core. The sanitary aid is adapted for gradual release of reactive forms of oxygen, particularly hydrogen peroxide after contact with liquid from the sanitary aid, which causes the prolongation of the effect of reactive forms of oxygen with substantial disinfection ability.

Pharmaceutical compositions comprising embolic particles, that optionally comprise pharmaceutical actives, in oil or emulsion formulations that are useful in therapeutic embolization procedures, particularly for the treatment of vascularised neoplasias, such as liver carcinomas.

The present invention relates to the use of scaffolds to enhance the viability of cells implanted in the integumentary system such that the cell may release an agent. The scaffold is capable of protecting the cell, as well as allowing for adequate nutrient delivery at the implant site through vascularisation in and around the scaffold.

The present invention is an inflatable balloon which is enclosed by an expandable cover which becomes increasingly porous/permeable during expansion. The balloon is coated or enclosed with a matrix which contains a pharmaceutically active agent. During expansion of the balloon, the pharmaceutically active agent is released or extruded through the expandable cover into a body cavity such as an artery or vein. The present invention also provides for a method of treating a disease or condition by delivering the inflatable balloon to a particular body cavity.

A drug coated balloon includes a balloon body and a drug loaded coating layer. The drug loaded coating layer includes a first drug loaded coating component having at least two controllable sustained release drugs with different drug release kinetics, and a second drug loaded coating component including an active drug. The second drug loaded coating component is dispersed among the controllable sustained release drugs and couples the controllable sustained release drugs on the balloon body. The first and second drug loaded coating components are both non-hydrophilic compositions. The drug coated balloon provides sufficient initial drug loading dosage to the lesion site, and has adjustable drug release rate, thereby allowing the drug coated balloon to provide bioactive drugs to the treatment site at different stages of the cascade reaction of vascular restenosis, providing the controllable long-acting therapeutic drugs, and improving the overall vascular drug release efficacy.

This invention relates to microgel compositions, and in particular, to gel compositions fanned by binding a plurality of individual microgel particles together. The present invention also relates to processes for the preparation of these compositions and their use for particular applications, especially medical applications such as the repair of damaged, degenerated or inappropriately formed load-beating tissue (such as, for example, intervertebral discs).