Patent ID: 8575311

Claim:
A synthetic collagen conjugate capable of forming a type II helix, the conjugate comprising one or more metal-binding moieties, and a peptide comprising a plurality of tripeptides, each of which comprises proline or hydroxyproline, or a combination thereof; where the one or more metal-binding moieties are covalently attached to the peptide, optionally with a divalent linker; wherein one of said metal-binding moieties is covalently attached to the N-terminus of the peptide, and one of said metal-binding moieties is covalently attached to the C-terminus of the peptide; or wherein one of said one or more metal-binding moieties is covalently attached to a non-terminal amino acid of the peptide; or wherein one of said metal-binding moieties is covalently attached to the N-terminus of the peptide, one of said metal-binding moieties is covalently attached to the C-terminus of the peptide, and one of said metal-binding moieties is covalently attached to a non-terminal amino acid of the peptide; and wherein the conjugate may further comprise a drug or a diagnostic or imaging agent, where the drug or the diagnostic or imaging agent is covalently attached to the peptide, optionally with a divalent linker.