| abstract |
There is described a water soluble compound having a molecular weight of from about 70,000 to about 2,000,000, and having the formula I, (PS)-X-(HB)-Z I where PS represents a physiologically acceptable polysaccharide of molecular weight from about 2,000 to about 2,000,000, X represents a covalently bonded chemical bridging group, HB represents a hemoglobin residue, and Z represents an oxygen affinity reducing ligand, containing 2 or more phosphate groups. There is also described hemoglobin linked to an oxygen affinity reducing ligand derived from inositol phosphate, and polymers of such linked hemoglobin. Processes for making the compounds, and their formulation and use as oxygen transporting agents, are also described. |