Abstract: Provided is a polymeric micelle pharmaceutical preparation that can increase the ratio of contrast at tumor site to background contrast in a short period of time after administration of a lactosome and can suppress the ABC phenomenon so that the lactosome can be administered more than once within a short span. A branched-type amphiphilic block polymer comprising: a multi-branched hydrophilic block comprising sarcosine; and a hydrophobic block comprising polylactic acid. The branched-type amphiphilic block polymer, wherein the number of branches of the hydrophilic block is 3. A molecular assembly comprising the branched-type amphiphilic block polymer. The molecular assembly further comprising a linear type amphiphilic block polymer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a safe polymer nanoparticle composite with few side effects, and an MRI contrast agent incorporating said polymer nanoparticle composite. The polymer nanoparticle composite is capable of specifically accumulating on a tumor tissue to selectively extract the tissue, exhibiting high contrast even when used in small amounts, and enabling imaging over prolonged periods of time. This polymer nanoparticle composite is characterized by containing a block copolymer that includes a non-charged hydrophilic polymer chain segment and an anionic polymer chain segment, and MnCaP.

Abstract: Simple mixing/blending of a special class of drug-depot forming tri-block copolymers polymers, with the opportunity to cost-effectively tailor drug delivery performances of such biodegradable, injectable depots in a clinical and an industrial setting. How to visualize these depots for various imaging related purposes is described.

Abstract: Among other aspects, the present invention provides methods for the manufacture of blood protein compositions from pooled plasma. In one embodiment, the invention provides an alcohol fractionation scheme that allows for significant increases in the yield of blood proteins purified from the starting plasma sample. In a specific embodiment, a method for fractionating pooled plasma is provided, the method comprising an initial low pH, high alcohol precipitation step. The present invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions of therapeutic blood proteins.

Abstract: Side-chain crystallizable (SCC) polymers are useful in various medical applications. In certain applications, heavy atom containing side-chain crystallizable polymers (HACSCCP's) are particularly useful. An example of a HACSCCP is a polymer that comprises a main chain, a plurality of crystallizable side chains, and a plurality of heavy atoms attached to the polymer. In certain configurations, the heavy atoms are present in an amount that is effective to render the polymer radiopaque. A polymeric material that includes an HACSCCP may be fabricated into a medical device useful for at least partially occluding a body cavity. For example, such a medical device may be an embolotherapy product. A polymeric material that includes a SCC polymer may also be fabricated into other medical devices, such as stents.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to, inter alia, compositions containing an inhibitor of human complement and use of the compositions in methods for treating or preventing complement-associated disorders. In some embodiments, the inhibitor is chronically administered to patients. In some embodiments, the inhibitor is administered to a patient in an amount and with a frequency to maintain systemic complement inhibition and prevent breakthrough. In some embodiments, the compositions contain an antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, that binds to a human complement component C5 protein or a fragment of the protein such as C5a or C5b.

Abstract: Provided is a compound having a high ICG content that has high accumulation property in a tumor and has a large intensity of a photoacoustic signal emitted from the tumor even when a time period elapses after administration. Specifically, provided is a hyaluronic acid derivative to which polyethylene glycol and an ICG derivative are conjugated.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel poly(diol citrates)-based nanocomposite materials created using completely biodegradable and biocompatible polymers that may be used in tissue engineering. More specifically, the specification describes methods and compositions for making and using nanocomposites comprised of citric acid copolymers and polymers including but not limited to poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA).

Abstract: Provided herein are block copolymers comprising a hydrophilic polymer segment and a hydrophobic polymer segment, wherein the hydrophilic polymer segment comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of: poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), poly(methacrylate phosphatidyl choline) (MPC), and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), wherein the hydrophobic polymer segment comprises wherein R? is —H or —CH3, wherein R is —NR1R2, wherein R1 and R2 are alkyl groups, wherein R1 and R2 are the same or different, wherein R1 and R2 together have from 5 to 16 carbons, wherein R1 and R2 may optionally join to form a ring, wherein n is 1 to about 10, and wherein x is about 20 to about 200 in total. Also provided are pH-sensitive micelle compositions for therapeutic and diagnostic applications.

Abstract: A method of selecting a genus of therapeutic antibodies includes selecting antibodies with the following criteria; a) do inhibit cell lysis under conditions wherein the alternative pathway is isolated from the classical pathway; and b) do not inhibit cell lysis under conditions wherein the classical pathway is isolated from the alternative pathway; and c) do not inhibit cell lysis under conditions wherein the classical pathway and alternative pathway are active; and d) do inhibit C3b produced exclusively by the alternative pathway.

Abstract: Individually packaged topical formulations comprising about 0.25 to about 6% w/w of glycopyrrolate for the treatment of hyperhidrosis, wherein said wipe is contained within a pouch resistant to leakage. The formulations may further comprise ethanol, a buffering agent and water. In addition, the formulations may further comprise a polymer system comprising a hydrophobic polymer in combination with a hydrophilic polymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to storage stable nanoparticulate compositions of piperazine compounds. The pharmaceutical compositions comprising the nanoparticulate compositions that are useful for the treatment and prevention of proliferative diseases including cancer are also described.

Abstract: Anti-peptide antibodies (APAs) are extremely important tools for biomedical research. Many important techniques, such as immunoblots, ELISA immunoassays, immunocytochemistry, and protein microarrays are intrinsically linked to APA function and completely dependent on APA quality. Unfortunately, not all commercially-available APAs have good antigen binding characteristics; as a result, researchers are often unable to perform high quality protein analysis experiments. This disclosure describes a new method for the scalable production of polyclonal APAs using recombinant antigens. These recombinant peptide antigens have several advantages over traditional peptide antigens which improve the ease and speed of antibody production. The recombinant antigens can be scalably produced and purified much faster than traditional synthetic peptide-conjugates.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a class of fluorinated copolymers, such as a PTFE copolymers, that can be dissolved in low toxicity solvents, such as Class III Solvents, and that enable the creation of stable water-in-solvent emulsions comprising the fluorinated copolymers dissolved in a low toxicity solvents and a hydrophilic agent (e.g., a therapeutic agent) dissolved in an aqueous solvent, such as water or saline.

Abstract: Eculizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody against C5 that inhibits terminal complement activation, showed activity in a preliminary 12-week open-label trial in a small cohort of patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). The present study examined whether chronic eculizumab therapy could reduce intravascular hemolysis, stabilize hemoglobin levels, reduce transfusion requirements, and improve quality of life in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multi-center global Phase III trial. It has been found that eculizumab stabilized hemoglobin levels, decreased the need for transfusions, and improved quality of life in PNH patients via reduced intravascular hemolysis. Chronic eculizumab treatment appears to be a safe and effective therapy for PNH.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for concentrating a protein, in particular a method for concentrating a plasma product, in particular IgG, using glycine in a two-stage ultrafiltration/diafiltration approach.

Abstract: Eculizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody against C5 that inhibits terminal complement activation, showed activity in a preliminary 12-week open-label trial in a small cohort of patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). The present study examined whether chronic eculizumab therapy could reduce intravascular hemolysis, stabilize hemoglobin levels, reduce transfusion requirements, and improve quality of life in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multi-center global Phase III trial. It has been found that eculizumab stabilized hemoglobin levels, decreased the need for transfusions, and improved quality of life in PNH patients via reduced intravascular hemolysis. Chronic eculizumab treatment appears to be a safe and effective therapy for PNH.

Abstract: Paramagnetic, amphiphilic, biocompatible polymers were prepared comprising a carbonate repeat unit bearing a paramagnetic organic radical, more specifically a nitroxyl radical. The radical polymers can be produced in one step from a precursor polymer bearing an active ester side chain by treating the precursor polymer with a radical-bearing nucleophile. The precursor polymer can be prepared by organocatalyzed catalyzed ring opening polymerization (ROP) of a cyclic carbonate monomer bearing an active ester side chain. The radical polymers can be non-toxic and partially biodegradable. The radical polymers have utility as contrast enhancing agents in a medical imaging application and/or as therapeutic agents for treating a medical condition. The radical polymers can also serve as carriers for therapeutic agents (e.g., drugs) and/or medical image enhancing agents (e.g., NIRF dyes).

Abstract: Eculizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody against C5 that inhibits terminal complement activation, showed activity in a preliminary 12-week open-label trial in a small cohort of patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). The present study examined whether chronic eculizumab therapy could reduce intravascular hemolysis, stabilize hemoglobin levels, reduce transfusion requirements, and improve quality of life in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multi-center global Phase III trial. It has been found that eculizumab stabilized hemoglobin levels, decreased the need for transfusions, and improved quality of life in PNH patients via reduced intravascular hemolysis. Chronic eculizumab treatment appears to be a safe and effective therapy for PNH.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing a concentrate of polyvalent immunoglobulins with view to therapeutic use, from an initial solution of blood plasma or a plasma fraction enriched with immunoglobulins, comprising the steps for removing the protein contaminants by precipitation with caprylic acid in order to obtain a solution free of proteases, and for separating by chromatography on a fluidized bed the solution free of proteases, said method allowing a concentrate of human polyvalent immunoglobulins with a yield of more than 4.5 g of immunoglobulins per liter of blood plasma applied to be obtained.