A novel composition for regenerating a cartilage has been demanded, which can achieve a good effect of regenerating a hyaline cartilage that is a nearly normal cartilage without requiring the use of any transplanted cell. The present invention provides a composition for regenerating a cartilage, wherein (a) a monovalent metal salt of low endotoxin alginic acid and (b) SDF-1 are used in combination.

A method of culturing a cell population containing cartilage-derived cells positive for expression of Tie2 (cartilage-derived Tie2-positive cells), the method including culturing a cell population containing cartilage-derived Tie2-positive cells in a culture medium containing at least one kind of Tie2 expression enhancer other than growth factors (e.g., an extract derived from a plant of the genus Cinnamomum). This culturing method is preferably performed in cultureware having a culture surface coated with a coating agent (e.g., a polylysine-containing agent).

A method for cartilage tissue engineering including fabricating a nanocomposite, injecting the nanocomposite into a defect site of cartilage, and forming a hydrogel in the defect site of the cartilage using a sol-gel transition responsive to increasing temperature of the nanocomposite from room temperature to 37° C. Fabricating a nanocomposite includes forming an activated copolymer by functionalizing a copolymer, forming a conjugated copolymer by grafting the activated copolymer to a polysaccharide, forming a protein-conjugated copolymer by crosslinking a protein with the conjugated copolymer, forming the nanocomposite by adding a plurality of nanoparticles to the protein-conjugated copolymer.

The present invention provides customized hybrid bone-implant grafts and a method of manufacture thereof.

The present invention relates to a field of implants and more specifically to a three dimensional material comprising synthetic needle punched carded mesh and recombinant human collagen. Also, the present invention relates to uses of the three dimensional material. Furthermore, the present invention relates to medical devices comprising the implantable material of the invention.

Bioactive liquid formulations are formed of combinations of absorbable, segmented aliphatic polyurethane compositions and liquid polyether for use as vehicles for the controlled release of at least one active agent for the conventional and unconventional treatment of different forms of cancer and the management of at least one type of bacterial, fungal, and viral infection.

The present invention concerns a method for obtaining an implantable cartilage gel for tissue repair of hyaline cartilage, comprising particles of chitosan hydrogel and cells that are capable of forming hyaline cartilage, said method comprising a step for amplification of primary cells in a three-dimensional structure comprising particles of physical hydrogel of chitosan or a chitosan derivative, then a step for re-differentiation and induction of the synthesis of extracellular matrix by said amplified cells, in the same three-dimensional structure, wherein said cells are primary articular chondrocytes and/or mesenchymal stem cells differentiated into chondrocytes. The present invention also concerns the cartilage gel obtained thereby, and its various uses for cartilage repair following a traumatic lesion or an osteoarticular disease such as osteoarthritis. The invention also concerns a three-dimensional matrix comprising particles of physical hydrogel of chitosan or of chitosan derivative, optionally supplemented with an anionic molecule such as hyaluronic acid or a derivative of hyaluronic acid or a complex of hyaluronic acid.

The present invention provides novel biomaterial compositions and methods having a technology to improve retention of hyaluronic acid (HA). The biomaterial compositions utilize small HA binding peptides that is tethered to synthetic biocompatible polymers. When tethered to the polymers, the peptide region allows the polymers to bind to HA. The biocompatible polymers are modified to contain a crosslinking group so that the HA can be incorporated into a scaffold and retained in place. The novel biomaterial 1 compositions can be made into hydrogel compositions and used in a variety of tissue applications, using mild crosslinking conditions and they also have the ability to be degraded with hyaluronidase if needed. Furthermore, the novel biomaterial compositions will enable enhanced interaction between the scaffold and encapsulated cells for a wide variety of tissue engineering applications. Methods of making hydrogel compositions and their use are also provided. The present invention also provides bifunctional biopolymer compositions comprising a biologically compatible polymer having at least one amine reactive moiety and at least one thiol reactive moiety and provides thiolated HA binding peptides which can be used together to coat or chemically modify cartilage or tissues having amine reactive residues with a biologically compatible polymer having HA binding peptides, which allow HA to bind to the surface of the cartilage or tissues. Methods of using same are also provided.

The invention relates to the field of pharmaceutical formulations. More particularly, it is directed to homogeneous hydrogels comprising Fibroblast Growth Factor 18 (FGF-18) compound and to methods of producing such hydrogels. The hydrogels of the invention can be used, once formed in situ, for the treatment of cartilage disorders such as osteoarthritis or cartilage injury.

A composition comprising Polyhydroxyurethanes, Glycosaminoglycans, hydrolysed glycosaminoglycans, glycosamines of glycosaminoglycans, chemically modified or not and a Protein or a peptide; said protein being collagen, elastin, keratin, fibronectin, actin, myosin, laminin, a peptide or a blend of those proteins or peptides, fibrillated, hydrolysed, chemically modified or not. This homogenous composition is obtained by the polymerisation or the covalent bounding of two preparations containing cyclic polycarbonates, polyamines, glycosaminoglycans, hydrolysed glycosaminoglycans, glycosamines, chemically modified or not and proteins or peptides or a blend of those proteins or peptides, fibrillated, hydrolysed, chemically modified or not.