A composition comprising a human- or animal-derived extracellular matrix
and a macromolecular network which is prepared ex vivo is provided that
is useful in the repair of a tissue injury, particularly in repair of
tears or gaps between a tendon and a bone, such as in a rotator cuff
tear. In an embodiment, the composition comprises a human- or
animal-derived extracellular matrix having impregnated therein a
macromolecular network of hyaluronan macromolecules that have been
cross-linked via dihydroxyphenyl linkages, so that the cross-linked
network is interlocked within the extracellular matrix. The resulting
HA-incorporated extracellular matrix can be supplied in the form of a
patch to reinforce a tissue repair or cover a tissue defect.