Abstract: The present invention relates to conjugates of a polypeptide and an oligosaccharide, wherein the polypeptide is conjugated to at least one oligosaccharide-spacer residue, the oligosaccharide being a synthetic sulfated oligosaccharide comprising 4-18 monosaccharide units and per se having affinity to antithrombin III and the spacer being a bond or an essentially pharmacologically inactive flexible linking residue, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The conjugates of the invention have improved pharmacokinetic properties when compared to the original polypeptides (i.e. the corresponding non-conjugated polypeptides per se).

Abstract: The present invention relates to conjugates of a polypeptide and an oligosaccharide, wherein the polypeptide is conjugated to at least one oligosaccharide-spacer residue, the oligosaccharide being a synthetic sulfated oligosaccharide comprising 4-18 monosaccharide units and per se having affinity to antithrombin III and the spacer being a bond or an essentially pharmacologically inactive flexible linking residue, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The conjugates of the invention have improved pharmacokinetic properties when compared to the original polypeptides (i.e. the corresponding non-conjugated polypeptides per se).

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel peptides derived from the autoantigen HC gp-39, said peptides comprising at least one of the amino acid sequences FGRSFTILAS (SEQ ID No. 1), FTLASSETG (SEQ ID No. 2), YDDQESVKS (SEQ ID No. 3) and FSKIASNTQ (SEQ ID No. 4). The peptides resemble MHC Class II restricted T-cell epitopes present on the autoantigen HC gp-39 in articular cartilage. HC gp-39, proteins comprising an amino acid sequence which exhibits at least 50% homology with the amino acid sequence YKLVCYYTSWSQYREGDGSCFPDALDRFLCTHIIYSFANISND (SEQ ID No: 10) and said peptides can be used in antigen-specific treatment of articular cartilage destruction in autoimmune diseases in mammals to induce systemic tolerance of the immune system. The autoantigen HC gp-39, proteins comprising an amino acid sequence which exhibits at least 50% homology with the amino acid sequence YKLVCYYTSWSQYREGDGSCFPDALDRFLCTHIIYSFANISND (SEQ ID NO: 10) and said peptides are also suitable to induce arthritis in animals, preferably mice.