Device having osteoinductive and osteoconductive properties

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device having osteoinductive and osteoconductive properties in vivo comprising a carrier containing calcium phosphate and an osteoinductive protein, wherein the carrier is homogenously coated with the protein. Moreover, the present invention relates to a method for the production of a device having osteoinductive and osteoconductive properties in vivo. The invention encompasses a pharmaceutical composition comprising the device of the invention or a device which is obtainable by the method of the invention and relates to the use of the device for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition to be used for bone augmentation, for treating bone defects, for treating degenerative and traumatic disc disease, for treating bone dehiscence or to be used for sinus floor elevation. Finally, the invention relates to a kit comprising the device of the invention or a device which is obtainable by the method of the invention.

1 - 27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . A device having osteoinductive and osteoconductive properties in vivo comprising a carrier containing calcium phosphate and an osteoinductive protein, wherein said carrier is entirely coated with said osteoinductive protein and wherein essentially identical amounts of said osteoinductive protein are present in each and every area of the surface of said carrier. 
     
     
         29 . A method for the production of a device having osteoinductive and osteoconductive properties in vivo comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing a solution comprising dissolved osteoinductive protein and a buffer containing a weak acid having a pK value between 3 and 7, preferably between 4 and 6, said buffer keeping said protein dissolved for a time sufficient to allow homogenous coating of a carrier containing calcium phosphate when brought into contact with said carrier and said buffer being capable of balancing the increase of pH caused by contacting the buffer solution with the calcium phosphate carrier so that the protein does not immediately precipitate because of said pH increase;   (b) contacting the solution of step (a) with a carrier containing calcium phosphate;   (c) allowing homogenous coating of the surface of said carrier with said dissolved protein; and   (d) drying of the coated carrier obtained in step (c).   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein said buffer has a buffer concentration of less than 100 mmol/l, less than 560 mmol/l or less than 20 mmol/l. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein said weak acid is acetic acid or succinic acid. 
     
     
         32 . The method of any one of  claims 29  to  31 , wherein said buffer further comprises saccharides. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein said saccharide is a disaccharide. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein said disaccharide is sucrose or trehalose. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claims 29  to  31 , wherein said buffer comprises ethanol or mannitol. 
     
     
         36 . The device of  claim 28 , or the method of any one of  claims 29  to  31 , wherein said osteoinductive protein is a member of the TGF-β family or BMP subfamily. 
     
     
         37 . The device or method of  claim 36 , wherein said member of the BMP sub family is BMP2 or BMP7. 
     
     
         38 . The device or method of  claim 36 , wherein said member of the TGF-β family is a protein of the group of GDF-5, GDF-β and GDF-7.