Modified collagen
The present invention relates to a modified collagen obtainable by providing isolated collagen; freezing the isolated collagen; dehydrating the frozen collagen; and maturing the dehydrated collagen. Also disclosed are methods of preparing the modified collagen and uses thereof.
1. A method for manufacturing a composition comprising a modified collagen, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) providing isolated collagen;
(b) freezing the isolated collagen to obtain frozen collagen;
(c) dehydrating the frozen collagen to obtain dehydrated collagen;
(d) maintaining the dehydrated collagen at a temperature of about 40° C. to about 65° C. for a period of at least one week;
(e) preparing an aqueous dispersion of the collagen obtained in step (d);
(f) mechanically degrading the aqueous dispersion; and
(g) dehydrating the aqueous dispersion.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the preparing step (e) comprises heating water to about 35° C. to about 42° C. prior to adding to the modified collagen.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the providing step (a) comprises providing a dispersion having a concentration of about 3-30% (w/w) collagen particles.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the freezing step comprises freezing to a temperature of about −33° C. to about −42° C.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the dehydrating step (c) comprises removing the aqueous phase by reducing the pressure to about 0.05 to about 0.5 mbar.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the dehydrating step (c) comprises increasing the temperature of the collagen to about +30° C.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the dehydrating step (c) comprises at least one equilibrating step, wherein each equilibrating step comprises maintaining the temperature at a constant temperature for at least 10 minutes.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the maintaining step is conducted at a temperature of at least 65° C. for a period of at least one week.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the maintaining step is conducted at a relative humidity of less than 80%.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the maintaining step is conducted for a period of at least two weeks.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the maintaining step is conducted for a period of at least four weeks.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the maintaining step is conducted for a period of at least six weeks.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the maintaining step is conducted at a temperature of a bout 40° C. for a period of at least six weeks.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the maintaining step is conducted at a tempera to re of a bout 40° C. for a period of six weeks to six months.
15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the maintaining step is conducted at a temperature of a bout 40° C. for a period of six weeks to two months.
16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the maintaining step is conducted at a temperature of a bout 40° C. and a relative humidity of 75% for a period of at least six weeks.
17. The method of claim 1 , wherein the preparing step (e) comprises preparing an aqueous dispersion of a drug and the collagen obtained in step (d).