Keratec Limited

Keraplast Technologies, Ltd.

Robert James Kelly

Gillian Helen Worth

Gregory David Ellis

Paul Johannes Roy Mesman

Diane Joyce Singleton

Conal Garth Summers

Alisa Dawn Roddick-Lanzilotta

Douglas Alexander Rankin

Mohammad Azam Ali

Subasinghe Nisanke George Premalal Jayantha Dias

Philip Victor Peplow

Paul Middlewood

Alan John McKinnon

John Robert McLaughlin

Warren Glenn Bryson

Rebecca J Macdonald

Robert A McPherson

Mark G Nuthall

Gillian Worth

Guang-Feng Rao

Mohammad Mahbubul Hassan

Gudmundur F Sigurjonsson

The invention provides a biocompatible material derived from keratin that is useful for many aspects of medical treatment of bone. The keratin material is preferably S-sulfonated and enriched in intermediate filament proteins of high molecular weight. The keratin material may be porous for use as a bone replacement and augmentation product but also provided is the use of dense keratin materials in bone treatment for use as an internal fixation appliance in the treatment of bone fractures and bone regeneration, and a method for preparing the keratin material for use in the preservation, restoration and development of form and function of bone.

Orthopaedic materials derived from keratin

The application describes materials derived from keratin proteins in combination with polymers, either as intimate mixtures with water soluble polymers, or as chemically bound copolymers. The keratin protein is a specific keratin protein fraction, and is preferably intact, s-sulfonated and from the intermediate filament protein family. The application also describes the process for production of these materials.

Composite materials containing keratin

The invention relates to a would care product that provides a biochemical environment around a wound to promote wound healing. The wound care product includes a keratin protein fraction material in which the protein fraction is intact, is from the intermediate filament protein family or the high sulfur protein family and in which the protein fraction is S-sulfonated. The invention also described a method of making a wound care product.

Wound care products containing keratin

Keratin and derivatives thereof, preferably S-sulfonated keratin intermediate filament protein, S-sulfonated keratin high sulfur protein, and S-sulfonated peptides provide antioxidant activity, e.g., that equal to 200-2200 &#x3bc;mol TEAC/100 g or 100 ml, and are useful in an oral supplement to cause reduction in oxidative stress and benefits stemming therefrom, e.g., promoting skin health and to provide anti-inflammatory effect.

Nutraceutical composition comprising soluble keratin or derivative thereof

Film, fibre, foam and adhesive materials are produced from soluble S-sulfonated keratins. Once formed, the films, fibres, foams or adhesives are treated to modify the properties of the materials, in particular to improve the wet strength of the materials. Treatments used include removal of the S-sulfonate group by treatment with a reducing agent, treatment with an acid or treatment with a common protein crosslinking agent or treatment with a reduced form of keratin or keratin protein. The films are made by solvent casting a solution of S-sulfonated keratin proteins, the foam made by freeze-drying a solution of S-sulfonated keratin proteins and the fibres made by extruding a solution of a S-sulfonated keratin protein.

Production of biopolymer film, fibre, foam and adhesive materials from soluble S-sulfonated keratin derivatives

A process for the preparation of soluble proteins of high molecular weight with little or no damage to the structural integrity of the proteins. The process is economically and environmentally acceptable by virtue of the cost of reagents that are used, and the recycling of some of those reagents, and is suitable for the production of soluble proteins on a large scale. The process includes a first stage using oxidative sulfitolysis followed by a second stage using mild conditions to extract the soluble protein. In the case of wool as the protein source the process leads to the production of soluble keratin proteins fractionated into the classes S-sulfonated keratin intermediate filament proteins and S-sulfonated keratin high sulfur proteins.

Production of soluble keratin derivaties

Growing community of inventors

Christchurch, New Zealand

Alisa Dawn Roddick-Lanzilotta