Abstract: A contrast agent of the general formula (I): Z1-L-V-Z2 (I) wherein at least one of Z1 and Z2 is present and are equal or different reporter moieties detectable in in vivo imaging of the human or animal body, V is a targeting moiety with binding affinity for areas of collagen formation, L is a covalent bond, a biomodifier or a linker moiety.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical of the general formula Z—(L)n-V, wherein V denotes an amino acid sequence X1-X2-Val-Tyr-Ile-His-Pro-X8-X9-X10; L denotes a bond or a linker; Z denotes a group that optionally can carry an imaging moiety M; X1 denotes an amino acid; X2 denotes Arg or N-alkylated Arg or a mimetic of Arg; X8, X9 and X10 constitute an ACE cleavage site; Z forms a bond with the amino acid X1 optionally through the linker L; and M where denotes an imageable moiety capable of detection either directly or indirectly in a diagnostic imaging procedure.

Abstract: A contrast agent of the general formula (I): Z1-L-V-Z2 (I) wherein at least one of Z1 and Z2 is present and are equal or different reporter moieties detectable in in vivo imaging of the human or animal body, V is a targeting moiety with binding affinity for areas of collagen formation, L is a covalent bond, a biomodifier or a linker moiety.

Abstract: A contrast agent of formula I: V-L-R (I) where V is an organic group having binding affinity for an angiotensin II receptor site, L is a linear or branched amino acid-comprising biomodifier or linker moiety, and R is a reporter moiety detectable in in vivo imaging of a human or animal body.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical of the general formula Z-(L)n-V, wherein V denotes an amino acid sequence X1—X2-Val-Tyr-Ile-His-Pro-X8—X9—X10; L denotes a bond or a linker; Z denotes a group that optionally can carry an imaging moiety M; X1 denotes an amino acid; X2 denotes Arg or N-alkylated Arg or a mimetic of Arg ; X8, X9 and X10 constitute an ACE cleavage site; Z forms a bond with the amino acid X1 optionally through the linker L; and M where denotes an imageable moiety capable of detection either directly or indirectly in a diagnostic imaging procedure.

Abstract: Targetable diagnostic and/or therapeutically active agents, e.g. ultrasound contrast agents, comprising a suspension in an aqueous carrier liquid of a reporter comprising gas-containing or gas-generating material, said agent being capable of forming at least two types of binding pairs with a target.

Abstract: A method for the identification and characterization of a receptor in target tissue for which a selected vector has affinity, wherein a transfected cell line expressing the receptor is added to a suspension of encapsulated microbubbles to which the selected vector is coupled and allowing the microbubbles and cells coupled thereto to float to the surface of the suspension. Upon isolating the microbubble-bound cells at the surface, these may be cultured to study the receptor, or cells may be lysed, amplifying the receptor-encoding cDNA and sequencing the cDNA.

Abstract: Targetable diagnostic and/or therapeutically active agents, e.g. ultrasound contrast agents, having reporters comprising gas-filled microbubbles stabilised by monolayers of film-forming surfactants, the reporter being coupled or linked to at least one vector.

Abstract: Targetable diagnostic and/or therapeutically active agents, e.g. ultrasound contrast agents, comprising a suspension in an aqueous carrier liquid of a reporter comprising gas-containing or gas-generating material, said agent being capable of forming at least two types of binding pairs with a target.

Abstract: Separation of target material from a liquid sample is achieved by coupling the target to targetable encapsulated gas microbubbles, allowing the microbubbles and coupled target to float to the surface of the sample to form a floating microbubble/target layer, and separating this layer from the sample. In a positive separation process the microbubbles are then removed from the target, e.g. by bursting. In a negative separation process target-free sample material is recovered following separation of the floating layer. The method may also be used diagnostically to detect the presence of a disease marker in a sample. Novel separation apparatus is also described.

Abstract: A method for the identification and characterization of a receptor in target tissue for which a selected vector has affinity, wherein a transfected cell line expressing the receptor is added to a suspension of encapsulated microbubbles to which the selected vector is coupled and allowing the microbubbles and cells coupled thereto to float to the surface of the suspension. Upon isolating the microbubble-bound cells at the surface, these may be cultured to study the receptor, or cells may be lysed, amplifying the receptor-encoding cDNA and sequencing the cDNA.

Abstract: Targetable diagnostic and/or therapeutically active agents, e.g. ultrasound contrast agents, comprising a suspension in an aqueous carrier liquid of a reporter comprising gas-containing or gas-generating material, said agent being capable of forming at least two types of binding pairs with a target.

Abstract: Targetable diagnostic and/or therapeutically active agents, e.g. ultrasound contrast agents, having reporters comprising gas-filled microbubbles stabilized by monolayers of film-forming surfactants, the reporter being coupled or linked to at least one vector.

Abstract: Targetable diagnostic and/or therapeutically active agents, e.g. ultrasound contrast agents, having reporters comprising gas-filled microbubbles stabilised by monolayers of film-forming surfactants, the reporter being coupled or linked to at least one vector.

Abstract: Targetable diagnostic and/or therapeutically active agents, e.g. ultrasound contrast agents, having reporters comprising gas-filled microbubbles stabilised by monolayers of film-forming surfactants, the reporter being coupled or linked to at least one vector.