Patent ID: 8420601

Claim:
A method for inhibiting inflammation or for providing a chondroprotective effect, comprising introducing a biocompatible material locally to the site of inflammation in a patient in need thereof, the biocompatible material being in the form of a water insoluble covalently cross-linked gel, wherein the biocompatible material in the form of a water insoluble covalently cross-linked gel comprises: hyaluronan (HA), as a water insoluble covalently cross-linked HA gel or mutually cross-linked with at least one other polymer in a water insoluble covalently cross-linked gel; and TNF-stimulated gene 6 protein (TSG-6) in a stable complex with said HA, wherein said TSG-6 in said stable complex is capable of transferring heavy chains (HCs) of inter-α-inhibitor (IαI) to bound or free HA.