Abstract: The present invention provides oral delivery systems for functional ingredients, such as drugs, nutritional supplements, botanicals, and vitamins. The delivery systems comprise an ingestible matrix within which the functional ingredient(s) are substantially uniformly and completely dispersed and in which degradation of the functional ingredient(s) is minimised. The matrix comprises 1) one or more carbohydrate; 2) one or more sugar, sugar syrup and/or sugar alcohol; 3) one or more hydrocolloid; 4) one or more polyhydric alcohol; 5) one or more source of mono- or divalent cations, and 5) water. The combination of carbohydrate and hydrocolloid in the matrix ensures that the delivery system readily retains the solvent component and thereby prevents separation of the solvent from other components of the matrix. The invention also provides methods of preparing and using the delivery systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of microparticles, with an extremely high encapsulation rate, comprising a water-soluble substance in a biodegradable polymer, said water-soluble substance and said biodegradable polymer being first incorporated in an organic liquid phase comprising at least one organic non-water miscible solvent. The organic phase is poured into an aqueous liquid phase having a volume which is sufficient to dissolve said organic solvent, said aqueous phase containing a surfactant, the resulting organic-aqueous phase being homogenised in order to perform in one single step the microparticle formation and the organic solvent removal. The thus obtained microparticles show surprisingly good agent retention qualities.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for treating neoplasias in a mammal. In particular, the invention provides methods for treating various types of lymphomas, including relapsed forms of non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. These methods involve the administration of liposome-encapsulated vinca alkaloids, e.g., vincristine, to a mammal with a lymphoma.

Abstract: A composition for use in delivering a bioactive agent to targeted tissues or cells comprises: (a) a site-specific targeting ligand; (b) a lipid encapsulated oil in water emulsion; and (c) a bioactive agent in or on the surface of the outer monolayer of the emulsion; the ligand being conjugated directly or indirectly to the emulsion and the composition providing facilitated delivery of the bioactive agent through prolonged association and increased contact of the ligand-bound lipid encapsulated emulsion particles with the lipid bilayer of the target tissues or cells. The composition may also comprise a lipid encapsulated oil in water emulsion and a combination site-specific targeting ligand/bioactive agent. Methods for improved delivery of a bioactive agent to targeted tissues or cells are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of loading preformed liposomes by transmembrane permeation induced by alcohols. Solutes loaded into liposomes by this ethanol mediated process include both small nonpolar molecules and larger species, such as proteins and carbohydrates.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method of administering a free arachidonic acid metabolite to an animal, the method involving administration of the free metabolite and an endocytosable particle. This method can be used to treat animals afflicted with disorders characterized by cell activation and adhesion, inflammation or toxemia. Also provided is a method of treating a animal for such disorders by administration to the animals of a composition containing an anti-disorder effective amount of an endocytosable particle.

Abstract: An alcoholic, aqueous gel-like phospholipid composition is disclosed which contains, as alcohols, ethanol, 1-propanol or 2-propanol, which is characterized in that this composition is a liposomal gel composed of 15.00 to 30.00 parts by weight of a phospholipid concentrate, 14.00 to 20.00 parts by weight of alcohol and 50 to 71.00 parts by weight of an aqueous solution as the remainder. The use of this phospholipid composition for the preparation of liposomal solutions by dilution with a solution and topical preparations which contain these solutions are additionally disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for preventing and treating corneal haze resulting from exposure of the eye to laser irradiation are disclosed. The methods include administration of compositions of wound healing modulators to the eye. Compositions for use in preventing and treating the corneal haze are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of fabricating hydrogel particles of controlled size within liposomes is provided, which entails encapsulating an effective amount of one or more hydrogel-forming substances in liposomes in a liquid medium, removing any unencapsulated hydrogel-forming substances from the liquid medium, adding initiator to the liquid medium and into the liposomes, thereby initiating reaction of the one or more hydrogel-forming substances, and removing any extra-liposomal initiators from the medium.