Gelatin sponge comprising an active ingredient, its preparation and use

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a method for manufacturing a cross-linked gelatin sponge having a surface by providing a cross-linked gelatin sponge, wetting the surface of the sponge by applying a sufficient amount of liquid comprising a protein or peptide active ingredient, wherein a sufficient amount of liquid is one that retains the flexibility of the sponge even after drying. The sponge is then dried the sponge to obtain a flexible, dry and ready to use cross linked gelatin sponge having a layer of protein or peptide active ingredient on the surface thereof

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         16 . An improved dry cross-linked gelatin sponge comprising a layer of a protein or peptide active ingredient on at least one surface of the sponge, the layer having an average thickness of not more than about 24% of the overall thick-ness of the sponge, wherein said layer is stable and is substantially homogenously distributed throughout said surface; and the thickness and the flexibility of the sponge are substantially similar to those found in the original counterpart non-layered gelatin sponge. 
     
     
         17 . The sponge according to  claim 16 , wherein wetting agents are absent from said layer. 
     
     
         18 . The sponge according to  claim 16  or  17 , wherein the active ingredient comprises thrombin. 
     
     
         19 . The sponge according to  claim 18 , wherein the thrombin activity is in the range of from about 1 to about 300 IU/cm2, in the range of from about 10 to about 40 IU/cm2, or in the range of from about 20 to about 40 IU/cm2. 
     
     
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         23 . A method for promoting blood coagulation, comprising administering to a wound or a bleeding site a cross-linked gelatin sponge according to any one of  claims 16  to  19 . 
     
     
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