Abstract: A process useful for the preparation of intermediates in synthesis or semi-synthesis of paclitaxel analogs wherein a starting taxane such as 10-deacetylbaccatin III is deacetylated at the C-4 position using a microorganism or an enzyme derived therefrom to provide 4-deacetyltaxanes, such as 4,10-dideacetylbaccatin III.

Abstract: A high drug load enteric coated pharmaceutical composition is provided which includes a core in the form of a tablet and which is comprised of a medicament which is sensitive to a low pH environment of less than 3, such as ddl, and having an enteric coating formed of methacrylic acid copolymer and a plasticizer. The tablets may be of varying sizes and may be orally ingested individually or a plurality of tablets sufficient to attain a desired dosage may be encapsulated in a dissolvable capsule. The tablets have excellent resistance to disintegration at pH less than 3 but have excellent drug release properties at pH greater than 4.5. A novel method of making said pharmaceutical composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: Novel &bgr;-lactams finding utility as intermediates in the preparation of sidechain-bearing taxes such as tall and tall derivatives. The present invention also relates to novel methods of coupling &bgr;-lactams to form such sidechain-bearing taxes, and to novel sidechain-bearing taxes.

Abstract: Process for synthesizing paclitaxel by treating baccatin III with a strong base in a solvent, adding an electrophile to the solution to form a 7-O-protected baccatin III derivative, reacting the 7-O-protected baccatin III derivative with a protected paclitaxel sidechain in a solvent such that the protected paclitaxel sidechain is coupled to the 13-hydroxyl of the 7-O-protected baccatin III, and subsequently deprotecting the protected paclitaxel sidechain and the 7-O protecting group to form paclitaxel, and intermediates used therein.

Abstract: This invention provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising polymeric matrices, especially those comprising IL-6 as an active ingredient. Specific novel poly(ethylene carbomate) polymers are also provided for more general use as matrix materials in sustained release compositions containing pharmacologically active compounds, as are methods of using of IL-6 for treatment of conditions mediated by IL-1 and/or TNF&agr;, e.g., certain autoimmune and inflammatory conditions, as well as septic shock.

Abstract: It has been found that nonimmunosuppressive, cyclophilin-binding cyclosporins are useful in the treatment and prevention of AIDS and AIDS-related disorders. Such cyclosporins include novel Ciclosporin derivatives modified at the 4- and/or 5-positions.

Abstract: A process for the synthesis of a C-4 methyl carbonate paclitaxel analog from 10-deacetylbaccatin III by the selective reduction of the acetate at the C-4 position of 10-deacetylbaccatin using Red-Al.

Abstract: A process for the synthesis of paclitaxel from 10-deacetylbaccatin-III which is protected at the 7-position with a dialkylalkoxysilyl protecting group having the formula —Si(R)2(OR′).

Abstract: A synergistic combination of an IL-2 transcription inhibitor (e.g., cyclosporin A or FK506) and 40-O-(2-hydroxyethyl)-rapamycin is provided, which is useful in the treatment and prevention of transplant rejection and also certain autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, together with novel pharmaceutical compositions comprising an IL-2 transcription inhibitor in combination with a rapamycin, e.g., 40-O-(2-hydroxyethyl)-rapamycin.

Abstract: A high drug load enteric coated pharmaceutical composition is provided which includes a core comprised of a medicament which is sensitive to a low pH environment of less than 3, such as ddl, which composition is preferably in the form of beadlets having an enteric coating formed of methacrylic acid copolymer, plasticizer and an additional coat comprising an anti-adherent. The so-called beadlets have excellent resistance to disintegration at pH less than 3 but have excellent drug release properties at pH greater than 4.5. A novel method of making said pharmaceutical composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are crystalline complexes of baccatin III with imidazole, 2-methylimidazole or isopropanol, which are useful for isolating baccatin III from plant tissue cell culture and plant extracts containing baccatin Ill.

Abstract: The invention relates to new fluorescent dyes of formula (I) which can be used in high throughput screening both, on the solid phase as well as in homogeneous solution.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the use glycine in the preparation of a medicament or nutritional formulation for the prophylaxis and/or therapy of renal dysfunction induced by cyclosporins or ascomycins.

Abstract: Rapamycin derivatives are disclosed of the formula: wherein the variables are in the specification.

Abstract: A process for the recombinant preparation in a bacterial host of the mature form of a mammalian protein or peptide of formula X-Pro-Z, which is subject to processing by endogenous bacterial aminopeptidases is provided. In the formula X-Pro-Z, X is a single N-terminal amino acid other than proline, and Z is the remaining sequence of amino acid residues of the protein or peptide. The process comprises inserting into a cell of the bacterial host an appropriate vector containing DNA coding for Met-Y-X-Pro-Z, in which Y is a natural amino acid that is specifically cleavable in vitro from X-Pro-Z by an aminopeptidases and that imparts resistance to in vivo processing by endogenous bacterial aminopeptidases. The cell is then induced to express the expression product Met-Y-X-Pro-Z which is then treated with an appropriate aminopeptidase to cleave off Met and Y.

Abstract: An enzymatic hydroxylation method for the preparation of compounds useful as intermediates in the preparation of taxanes such as 6-.alpha.-hydroxy-7-deoxypaclitaxel, wherein one or more C-6 hydrogen-bearing taxanes are contacted with an enzyme or microorganism capable of hydroxylating said C-6 carbon to give C-6 hydroxyl-bearing taxane.

Abstract: Non-greasy topical solutions, emulsion gels or lotions comprising as the active agent a compound of formula I ##STR1## and a lower alkanol, and if desired together with a solubilizing agent or an oil phase such as isopropyl myristate are useful delivery systems.

Abstract: Plant-protecting mixtures of active ingredients having a synergistically increased action, wherein component I is a compound having a plant-immunizing action of the formula I ##STR1## in which Z is CN, COOH or a salt thereof, CO--OC.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl or CO--SC.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl;and wherein component II is a compound selected from the group consisting of propiconazole, difenoconazole, penconazole, fenpropimorph, fenpropidine, cyprodinil, metalaxyl, R-metalaxyl and pyroquilon.

Abstract: A method for the use of at least one amino acid selected from the group consisting of glycine, alanine and serine, or the physiologically acceptable salts thereof (component (a)), in the preparation of a medicament or nutritional formulation for the prophylaxis and/or therapy of renal dysfunction induced by cyclosporins or ascomycins.

Abstract: When used in admixture with mancozeb, chlorothalonil, a copper salt, folpet, fluazinam or cymoxanil (it being possible for the latter to be used also together with one of the other five components), metalaxyl having a high R-enantiomer content of more than 70% by weight, or pure R-metalaxyl, exhibits a markedly increased fungicidal action against plant diseases as compared with a similar mixture in which metalaxyl is used in the form of the racemate.