Oxidized collagen formulations for use with non-compatible pharmaceutical agents

#This invention is directed to novel collagen compositions and to methods of using such compositions. In particular, the collagen compositions of this invention are directed to oxidized collagen compositions wherein the thiomethyl group of one or more of the methionine residues of the collagen has been replaced with methylsulfoxy and/or methylsulfonyl groups.

#Surprisingly, the oxidized collagen compositions described herein are compatible with pharmaceutical drugs which are otherwise non-compatible with non-oxidized collagen. Accordingly, the oxidized collagen compositions described herein provide for improved drug delivery, administration, clinical utility and/or therapeutic use of certain non-compatible pharmaceutical drugs, particularly cytotoxic drugs, when used in combination with the oxidized collagen. In addition, the oxidized collagen compositions described herein will provide for improved drug delivery when used with compatible pharmaceutical drugs.

#The following publications are cited in this application as superscript numbers:

#FIG. 1 illustrates a Fibrillogenesis Profile of Oxidized Collagen Solutions.

#FIGS. 2A-B illustrates a comparison of the DSC Profiles of Non-Oxidized and Oxidized Collagen Gels.

#This invention is directed to novel collagen formulations adapted for use with pharmaceutical drugs (particularly non-compatible pharmaceutical drugs) and methods for using such novel collagen formulations.

#When used with non-compatible pharmaceutical drugs, the collagen formulations and methods described herein provide for improved drug delivery, administration, clinical utility and/or therapeutic effect of non-compatible pharmaceutical drugs, particularly cytotoxic drugs. In addition, the collagen compositions described herein can be used with compatible pharmaceutical agents. Prior to describing this invention in further detail, the following terms will first be defined:

#The phrases “non-compatible pharmaceutical drug” or “non-compatible drug” refer to one or more pharmaceutical drugs which, over time, participate in undesirable reactions, such as cross-linking, with un-modified collagen. Accordingly, these terms include drugs which, while initially compatible with unmodified collagen for a limited period of time, become non-compatible over time with the unmodified collagen.