Unversität Zürich

Eidgenossische Technische Hochschule Zurich

Kuros Biosurgery Ag

California Institute of Technology

Other

Eldgenossische Technische Hochschule Zurich

Jason Schense

Jeffrey Alan Hubbell

Shelly E Sakiyama

Shelly E Sakiyama-Elbert

Anna Jen

John Watson

Isabelle Arrighi

Matthias Lutolf

Matthias Lütolf

Monica Alvisi

Franz Weber

Silke Mark

Maria Angeles Martinez Vargas

Hugo Schmoekel

A pharmaceutical formulation for use in a spinal fusion method, comprising a composition for forming a matrix, a kit comprising the composition, a pharmaceutical product obtainable from the pharmaceutical formulation, and an interbody spinal fusion cage containing the pharmaceutical formulation or the pharmaceutical product are described herein. The composition comprises at least a first matrix material precursor component and a second matrix material precursor component that are able to crosslink to form the matrix under appropriate conditions, a bioactive factor that is biologically active for stimulating bone formation between two vertebrae and for effecting or supporting spinal fusion. The bioactive factor is PTH, optionally a PTH fusion peptide. The bioactive factor is releasably incorporated in the matrix upon crosslinking of the matrix material precursor components.

Pharmaceutical formulation for use in spinal fusion

Supplemented matrices comprising a PTH releasably incorporated therein, optionally containing a granular material, which are used to heal bone fractures, particularly bone fractures with a risk of becoming delayed unions or non-unions, are described herein. The PTH is incorporated either through covalent linkage to the matrix or through non-covalent interaction with the matrix and/or the granules. These supplemented matrices decrease the time of healing compared to autograft and or trigger healing of bone fractures which otherwise would not heal. The matrices are biocompatible, preferably biodegradable, and can be formed in vitro or in vivo, at the time of implantation. The PTH may be a part of a fusion peptide. PTH can be incorporated into the matrices with full retention of its bioactivity. PTH can be releasably incorporated in the matrix.

Supplemented matrices for the repair of bone fractures

A method of local treatment of specific bone defects such as osteoporosis or bone cysts comprises the step of local administration of a formulation comprising a fusion peptide containing a first domain comprising PTH or BMP 2 or BMP 7, and a second domain comprising a covalently crosslinkable substrate domain; and a material suitable of forming a biodegradable matrix suitable for cellular growth or in-growth, wherein the fusion peptide is covalently linked to the matrix. In one embodiment, the matrix contains one or more contrast agents, and is preferably formed in the absence of a growth factor. The matrix may be used in the treatment of fluid-filled cysts such as Tarlov cysts, ovarian cysts, arachnoid cysts, aneurysmal bone cysts or hepatic cysts.

Local treatment of bone defects

Bioactive molecules are entrapped within a matrix for the controlled delivery of these compounds for therapeutic healing applications. The matrix may be formed of natural or synthetic compounds. The primary method of entrapment of the bioactive molecule is through precipitation of the bioactive molecule during gelation of the matrix, either in vitro or in vivo. The bioactive molecule may be modified to reduce its effective solubility in the matrix to retain it more effectively within the matrix, such as through the deglycosylation of members within the cystine knot growth factor superfamily and particularly within the TGF&#x3b2; superfamily. The matrix may be modified to include sites with binding affinity for different bioactive molecules, for example, for heparin binding.

Drug delivery matrices to enhance wound healing

Proteins are incorporated into protein or polysaccharide matrices for use in tissue repair, regeneration and/or remodeling and/or drug delivery. The proteins can be incorporated so that they are released by degradation of the matrix, by enzymatic action and/or diffusion. As demonstrated by the examples, one method is to bind heparin to the matrix by either covalent or non-covalent methods, to form a heparin-matrix. The heparin then non-covalently binds heparin-binding growth factors to the protein matrix. Alternatively, a fusion protein can be constructed which contains a crosslinking region such as a factor XIIIa substrate and the native protein sequence. Incorporation of degradable linkages between the matrix and the bioactive factors can be particularly useful when long-term drug delivery is desired, for example in the case of nerve regeneration, where it is desirable to vary the rate of drug release spatially as a function of regeneration, e.g. rapidly near the living tissue interface and more slowly farther into the injury zone. Additional benefits include the lower total drug dose within the delivery system, and spatial regulation of release which permits a greater percentage of the drug to be released at the time of greatest cellular activity.

PTH containing cell growth matrix

Growth factor modified protein matrices for tissue engineering

Heparin-binding regions of several proteins, such as neural cell adhesion molecule, fibronectin, laminin, midkine, and anti-thrombin III have been shown to promote neurite extension on two-dimensional surfaces. The effect of heparin-binding peptides on neurite extension through three-dimensional matrices was investigated by culturing embryonic chick dorsal root ganglia (DRG) within fibrin gels containing chemically attached heparin-binding peptide (HBP). The length of neurites within fibrin gels containing cross-linked HBP was increased by more than 70% over extension through fibrin gels containing no peptide. The HBP sequence of antithrombin III was incorporated into the fibrin gel as the C-terminal domain of a bidomian, chimeric peptide; the N-terminal second domain of this peptide contained the &#x2200;2-plasmin inhibitor substrate for Factor XIIIa. Factor XIIIa, a transglutaminase, was used to chemically attach the HBP-containing chimeric peptide to the fibrin gels during polymerization. The amount of HBP cross-linked into the fibrin gels was determined, after degradation by plasmin using gel permeation chromatography, to be approximately 8 moles of peptide per mole fibrinogen. A peptide (HBP), where the cross-linking glutamine was replaced with glycine, showed no increase in extension in comparison with fibrin gels. The additional of heparin to the gel percursors resulted in no increase in neurite extension in comparison with fibrin gels. HBPs promote neurite extension by binding to cell surface proteoglycans on the DRG.

Enzyme-mediated modification of fibrin for tissue engineering: fibrin formulations with peptides

Disclosed are materials that may be used in the design of improved devices and wound treatment platforms though covalent and/or non-covalent attachment of bioactive proteins. The proteins comprise any variety of cell growth and/or healing promoting proteins, such as growth factor. The incorporation of these whole proteins may be designed to provide controlled release thereof in a biological system through further use of enzyme degradation sites. Heparin-binding protein or fusion proteins synthesized to contain a heparin-binding domain are two mechanisms that may be used in providing these properties to a matrix, such as a fibrinogen matrix. The proteins will be used to provide enhanced healing in various tissues including vasculature, skin, nerve, and liver. The materials disclosed will be used to enhance would?? Healing and other generative processes by engineering the fibrin gel to contain appropriate proteins with specifically designed release and/or degradation characteristics.

Enzyme-mediated modification of fibrin for tissue engineering: incorporation of proteins

Proteins are incorporated into protein or polysaccharide matrices for use in tissue repair, regeneration and/or remodeling, and/or drug delivery. The proteins can be incorporated so that they are released by degradation of the matrix, enzymatic action, and/or diffusion. In one embodiment, a fusion protein, which contains a crosslinking region, such as a factor XIIIa substrate, and a native protein sequence, such as a bioactive factor, is constructed. Degradable linkages may be included between the crosslinking region and the bioactive factor.

The invention provides fibrin-based, biocompatible materials useful in promoting cell growth, wound healing, and tissue regeneration. These materials are provided as part of several cell and tissue scaffolding structures that provide particular application for use in wound-healing and tissue regenerating. Methods for preparing these compositions and using them are also disclosed as part of the invention. A variety of peptides may be used in conjunction with the practice of the invention, in particular, the peptide IKVAV, and variants thereof. Generally, the compositions may be described as comprising a protein network (e.g., fibrin) and a peptide having an amino acid sequence that comprises a transglutaminase substrate domain (e.g., a factor XIIIa substrate domain) and a bioactive factor (e.g., a peptide or protein, such as a polypeptide growth factor), the peptide being covalently bound to the protein network. Other applications of the technology include their use on implantable devices (e.g., vascular graphs), tissue and cell scaffolding. Other applications include use in surgical adhesive or sealant, as well as in peripheral nerve regeneration and angiogenesis.

Enzyme-mediated modification of fivrin for tissue engineering

Disclosed are materials that may be used in the design of improved devices and wound treatment platforms though covalent and/or non-covalent attachment of bioactive proteins. The proteins comprise any variety of cell growth and/or healing promoting proteins, such as growth factor. The incorporation of these whole proteins may be designed to provide controlled release thereof in a biological system through further use of enzyme degradation sites. Heparin-binding protein or fusion proteins synthesized to contain a heparin binding domain are two mechanisms that may be used in providing these properties to a matrix, such as a fibrinogen matrix. The proteins will be used to provide enhanced healing in various tissues including vasculature, skin, nerve, and liver. The materials disclosed will be used to enhance would healing and other generative processes by engineering the fibrin gel to contain appropriate proteins with specifically designed release and/or degradation characteristics.

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Zurich, Switzerland

Jason Schense