Impact and Future Directions

Seventy-five years have passed since hyaluronan was discovered. In the world of scientific research, at this point past a substance s discovery, research is usually limited to a fairly narrow and specialized group of academics. However, the interest in this compound is far from decreasing it is acmaUy growing. Publications dedicated to the structure, synthesis, degradation, the biological role of HA and its application in various fields of chemistry, medicine and biology are on the constant rise. Between 1966 and 1975,790 articles had been published between 1976 and 1985 the number reached 2200, between 1986 and 1996 -3300, between 1996 and 2006 - more than 7000. Two fundamental monographs [25,26] and a review [27] have also been published recently. 

It is important to mention the most recent fundamental monograph - the series of five volumes under the title Hyaluronan From Basic Science to Clinical Application by Balazs etal. [28], The monograph covers many aspects of hyaluronan science and application, but what makes this book special is the comprehensive early history overview, followed by the chapters that desoibe contributions of the most outstanding scientists to hyaluronan chemistry and biology. 

HA patents are also on the rise between 1979 and 1987 USA patent bureau issued five patents regarding HA per year. In 1988 the amount reached a number 35. The same level was till 1995. In 1996 the sharp increase of the patents related to HA was observed, and the amount of the new patents is stiU increasing every year. As of February 2013, the number of patents involving the keywords hylauronic acid total almost 80 000. 

In the beginning of the 1980s it was obvious that hyaluronic acid attracted attention of scientists in chemistry, biology, physics, medicine, and so on from all over the world. It became necessary to gather in order to discuss the latest results and perspectives. The first international meeting dedicated to HA took place in 1985 in Saint-Tropez (France). After that the conferences were held in London (UK) (1988), Stockholm (Sweden) (1996), Padua (Italy) (1999), Wales (UK) (2000), Cleveland (USA) (2003), Charleston (USA) (2007) and Kyoto, Japan (2010). In October 2004 The International Society for Hyaluronan Sciences (ISHAS, www.ishas.org) was created. Initially, it brought together scientists from 16 countries. 

In June 2013 Oklahoma City (USA) was the host of the latest International Conference of Hyaluronic Acid. It brought together more than 200 scientists from 22 countries. Since then similar conferences have been carried out every two years, the next one will be in Florence (Italy) in 2015. 

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