Crosslinking HA

Since naturally occurring HA is quickly degraded and resynthesized by the body, most HA-based therapeutics require stabilization.  A common way to stabilize HA is to bind (“crosslink”) HA polymers to other HA polymers, which prevents their rapid, natural degradation.  Upon crosslinking, the HA polymers increase in viscosity (thickness), converting from a liquid to a gel.  The viscosity of the gel is determined by several factors, including the degree of crosslinking between the HA chains.  Crosslinked HA chains are degraded by the body, but the degradation process takes several months versus several hours for uncrosslinked HA polymers.  Therefore, crosslinked HA-based therapeutics have the ability to remain stable in the body long enough to produce the desired therapeutic effect.

Anika Therapeutics has developed a proprietary chemical modification that involves linking the HA chains together.  This leads to a more durable material that remains in the body for a longer period and has enhanced mechanical properties.