Carboxyalkyl Chitosan

Abstract

The present invention relates to a carboxyalkyl chitosan, compositions comprising same, a process for manufacturing same, and various applications thereof, in particular in the field of therapy, rheumatology, ophthalmology, esthetic medicine, plastic surgery, internal surgery, dermatology or cosmetics.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A carboxyalkyl chitosan having glucosamine units, N-acetyl-glucosamine units, and glucosamine units substituted by a carboxyalkyl group, wherein the chitosan is of fungal origin, wherein said carboxyalkyl chitosan has a degree of substitution by the carboxyalkyl group that is greater than 50%, expressed as the number of moles of the substituent carboxyalkyl group relative to the number of moles of total units, wherein said carboxyalkyl chitosan is has a degree of acetylation ranging from 30% to 80%, expressed in number of moles of N-acetyl-glucosamine units relative to the number of moles of total units, and wherein said carboxyalkyl chitosan is a N,O-carboxyalkyl chitosan. 
     
     
         2 . The carboxyalkyl chitosan of  claim 1 , wherein said degree of substitution by a carboxyalkyl group is greater than 70%, expressed as the number of moles of the substituent carboxyalkyl group relative to the number of moles of total units. 
     
     
         3 . The carboxyalkyl chitosan of  claim 1 , wherein said degree of substitution by a carboxyalkyl group is less than 200%, expressed as the number of moles of the substituent carboxyalkyl group relative to the number of moles of total units. 
     
     
         4 . The carboxyalkyl chitosan of  claim 1 , wherein said chitosan of fungal origin is derived from a fungus selected from the group consisting of Ascomycetes, Basidiomycetes and a mixture thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The carboxyalkyl chitosan of  claim 1 , wherein said carboxyalkyl chitosan has a degree of acetylation ranging from 40% to 80%, expressed in number of moles of N-acetyl-glucosamine units relative to the number of moles of total units. 
     
     
         6 . The carboxyalkyl chitosan of  claim 1 , wherein said carboxyalkyl is sterilized. 
     
     
         7 . A composition comprising at least one of the carboxyalkyl chitosan of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         8 . The composition according to  claim 7 , wherein said composition is an injectable composition. 
     
     
         9 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one of the carboxyalkyl chitosan of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         10 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 9  wherein said pharmaceutical composition is an artificial synovial fluid with a composition comprising said carboxyalkyl chitosan. 
     
     
         11 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 9  wherein said pharmaceutical composition is an aqueous solution. 
     
     
         12 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 9  wherein said composition is a mixture of a synovial fluid with a composition. 
     
     
         13 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 9  selected from the group consisting of: an injectable pharmaceutical composition, an injectable pharmaceutical composition suitable for delivery via an injectable medical device, an implantable pharmaceutical composition, a pharmaceutical composition for an implantable medical device and a pharmaceutical composition suitable for instillation via an instillation medical device. 
     
     
         14 . An article comprising one or more injection devices pre-filled with a pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 9 . 
     
     
         15 . The article according to  claim 14 , wherein said one or more injection devices are one or more pre-filled syringes. 
     
     
         16 . The article according to  claim 14 , wherein said pharmaceutical composition is sterile. 
     
     
         17 . An article comprising one or more instillation devices pre-filled with a pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 9 . 
     
     
         18 . A medical device comprising at least one of the carboxyalkyl chitosan of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         19 . A therapeutic treatment method, wherein said method comprises administering by instilling, implanting, or injecting a pharmaceutical composition of  claim 9 . 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein said method is for treating a subject in need of a treatment selected from the group consisting of a rheumatological treatment, an ophthalmological treatment, an aesthetic care, a plastic surgery and an internal surgery. 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein said method comprises administering said pharmaceutical composition via subcutaneous, intradermal, ocular, intraocular, or intra-articular route. 
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein said method comprises administering is instilled, implanted, or injected in a body tissue selected from the group consisting of vocal cords, muscles, ligaments, tendons, cartilages, sexual organs, bones, joints, eyes, dermis, epidermis, articular joints, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said carboxyalkyl chitosan is solubilised in an aqueous solution. 
     
     
         24 . A method of treatment or aesthetic care wherein said method comprises injecting subcutaneously or intradermally a composition according to  claim 8 . 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said method comprises a dermal filling with said composition. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said method is for a surface treatment of skin by multiple injections via the intradermal route. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said method is for an aesthetic purpose, plumping up the skin, for a treatment of wrinkles and/or fine lines. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said method is for treating one or more tissues or organs affected by excessive temperature or a burn. 
     
     
         29 . A method of an ophthalmic treatment wherein said method comprises instilling, implanting, or injecting to a subject in need thereof a pharmaceutical composition of  claim 9 . 
     
     
         30 . A method of preparing the composition of  claim 7 , the method comprising:
 dissolving the carboxyalkyl chitosan in an aqueous solution, optionally buffered, having a pH in a range of 6.2 to 8.5;   optionally adjusting the pH of the aqueous solution comprising the carboxyalkyl chitosan to a desired pH;   optionally adding a reducing sugar or other excipients;   optionally adjusting the osmolality of the aqueous solution comprising the carboxyalkyl chitosan and the optional reducing sugar or other excipients;   thereby forming said composition.