Abstract: The present invention relates to a liposome comprising a poly(ethylene glycol)-lipid (PEG-lipid), cholesterol and an anti-LOX antibody and relative pharmaceutical formulation, medical uses in particular for the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: Multistage delivery vehicles are disclosed which include a first stage particle and a second stage particle. The first stage particle is a micro or nanoparticle that contains the second stage particle. The second stage particle includes an active agent, such as a therapeutic agent or an imaging agent. The multistage delivery vehicle allows sequential overcoming or bypassing of biological barriers. The multistage delivery vehicle is administered as a part of a composition that includes a plurality of the vehicles. Methods of making the multistage delivery vehicles are also provided.

Abstract: Methods of inducing cardiomyocytes from induced pluripotent stem cells by contacting induced pluripotent stem cells with silica nanoparticles comprising regulators of canonical Wnt signaling and coated with a biodegradable polymer.

Abstract: Disclosed are biomimetic proteolipid nanovesicles that possess remarkable properties for targeting compounds of interest to particular mammalian cell and tissue types. In particular embodiments, drug delivery vehicles are provided composed of synthetic phospholipids and cholesterol, enriched of leukocyte membranes, and surrounding an aqueous core. These nanovesicles are able to both avoid the immune system, thanks to the presence on their surface of self-tolerance proteins, as CD-45, CD-47, and MHC-1, and target inflamed endothelium, thereby diffusing in the tumor microenvironment. These properties make the composition highly suited for targeted drug delivery to mammalian tumor cells in vitro and in situ.

Abstract: Disclosed are trilaminate collagen-based tissue scaffolds that exhibit remarkable morphological mimicry to that of the natural mammalian periosteum tissue they are useful in remodeling. In particular embodiments, periosteum-modeling trizonal membranes for reforming and regrowing human bone tissue are provided that are composed of a first zone of compact collagen, a second layer of collagen-elastin, and a third layer of biomineralized collagen.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for designing and manufacturing biomimetic proteolipid nanovesicles using a microfluidic approach, and in particular, a NanoAssemblr®-based platform, which allows for the high-throughput, reproducible, and scalable production of nanoparticles, without affecting their pharmaceutical and biological properties. These nanovesicles, which are composed of synthetic phospholipids and cholesterol, enriched of leukocyte membranes, and surrounding an aqueous core, possess remarkable properties for targeting compounds of interest to particular mammalian cell and tissue types.

Abstract: Multistage delivery vehicles are disclosed which include a first stage particle and a second stage particle. The first stage particle is a micro or nanoparticle that contains the second stage particle. The second stage particle includes an active agent, such as a therapeutic agent or an imaging agent. The multistage delivery vehicle allows sequential overcoming or bypassing of biological barriers. The multistage delivery vehicle is administered as a part of a composition that includes a plurality of the vehicles. Methods of making the multistage delivery vehicles are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymer scaffold design and method for treating segmental long bone defects without amputation that permits permanent regrowth of bone in the area of the segmental defect, without external fixation or other problems inherent in current systems. The polymer scaffold is preferably made from a poly(ester urea) polymer and includes an outer shell, sized to fit over a segmental defect in a bone, and a collagen containing material. In some embodiments, the collagen containing material is placed in a polymer insert sized to fit within the segmental bone defect and within said outer shell. In some embodiments, the outer shell may contain struts running longitudinal struts along the inside surface of the outer shell. In some of these embodiments, the insert will have a corresponding set of grooves sized to receive the struts.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention provides compositions that comprise: (1) a biodegradable polymer matrix; and (2) at least one biodegradable reinforcing particle that is dispersed in the matrix. In some embodiments, the biodegradable reinforcing particle is selected from the group consisting of porous oxide particles and porous semiconductor particles. In additional embodiments, the compositions of the present invention further comprise a (3) porogen particle that is also dispersed in the matrix. In further embodiments, the compositions of the present invention are also associated with one or more active agents. In various embodiments, the active agents are associated with the biodegradable polymer matrix, the biodegradable reinforcing particle, and/or the porogen particle. In various embodiments, the compositions of the present invention may be utilized as scaffolds, such as scaffolds for treating bone defects.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention provides compositions that comprise: (1) a biodegradable polymer matrix; and (2) at least one biodegradable reinforcing particle that is dispersed in the matrix. In some embodiments, the biodegradable reinforcing particle is selected from the group consisting of porous oxide particles and porous semiconductor particles. In additional embodiments, the compositions of the present invention further comprise a (3) porogen particle that is also dispersed in the matrix. In further embodiments, the compositions of the present invention are also associated with one or more active agents. In various embodiments, the active agents are associated with the biodegradable polymer matrix, the biodegradable reinforcing particle, and/or the porogen particle. In various embodiments, the compositions of the present invention may be utilized as scaffolds, such as scaffolds for treating bone defects.

Abstract: Disclosed are biocompatible, biodegradable, implantable devices for the controlled release of bioactive molecules. In particular embodiments, nanotechnology-based tunable implants are disclosed for 1) localized delivery of analgesics to treat postoperative pain; 2) sustained delivery of growth factors to promote vascularization; and 3) directing tissue regeneration, including the self-direction of autologous stem cells for organ remodeling.

Abstract: Multistage delivery vehicles are disclosed which include a first stage particle and a second stage particle. The first stage particle is a micro or nanoparticle that contains the second stage particle. The second stage particle includes an active agent, such as a therapeutic agent or an imaging agent. The multistage delivery vehicle allows sequential overcoming or bypassing of biological barriers. The multistage delivery vehicle is administered as a part of a composition that includes a plurality of the vehicles. Methods of making the multistage delivery vehicles are also provided.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention provides compositions that comprise: (1) a biodegradable polymer matrix; and (2) at least one biodegradable reinforcing particle that is dispersed in the matrix. In some embodiments, the biodegradable reinforcing particle is selected from the group consisting of porous oxide particles and porous semiconductor particles. In additional embodiments, the compositions of the present invention further comprise a (3) porogen particle that is also dispersed in the matrix. In further embodiments, the compositions of the present invention are also associated with one or more active agents. In various embodiments, the active agents are associated with the biodegradable polymer matrix, the biodegradable reinforcing particle, and/or the porogen particle. In various embodiments, the compositions of the present invention may be utilized as scaffolds, such as scaffolds for treating bone defects.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention provides compositions that comprise: (1) a biodegradable polymer matrix; and (2) at least one biodegradable reinforcing particle that is dispersed in the matrix. In some embodiments, the biodegradable reinforcing particle is selected from the group consisting of porous oxide particles and porous semiconductor particles. In additional embodiments, the compositions of the present invention further comprise a (3) porogen particle that is also dispersed in the matrix. In further embodiments, the compositions of the present invention are also associated with one or more active agents. In various embodiments, the active agents are associated with the biodegradable polymer matrix, the biodegradable reinforcing particle, and/or the porogen particle. In various embodiments, the compositions of the present invention may be utilized as scaffolds, such as scaffolds for treating bone defects.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymer scaffold design and method for treating segmental long bone defects without amputation that permits permanent regrowth of bone in the area of the segmental defect, without external fixation or other problems inherent in current systems. The polymer scaffold is preferably made from a poly(ester urea) polymer and includes an outer shell, sized to fit over a segmental defect in a bone, and a collagen containing material. In some embodiments, the collagen containing material is placed in a polymer insert sized to fit within the segmental bone defect and within said outer shell. In some embodiments, the outer shell may contain struts running longitudinal struts along the inside surface of the outer shell. In some of these embodiments, the insert will have a corresponding set of grooves sized to receive the struts.

Abstract: Multistage delivery vehicles are disclosed which include a first stage particle and a second stage particle. The first stage particle is a micro or nanoparticle that contains the second stage particle. The second stage particle includes an active agent, such as a therapeutic agent or an imaging agent. The multistage delivery vehicle allows sequential overcoming or bypassing of biological barriers. The multistage delivery vehicle is administered as a part of a composition that includes a plurality of the vehicles. Methods of making the multistage delivery vehicles are also provided.

Abstract: A new fractionation device shows desirable features for exploratory screening and biomarker discovery. The constituent MSCs may be tailored for desired pore sizes and surface properties and for the sequestration and enrichment of extremely low abundant protein and peptides in desired ranges of the mass/charge spectrum. The MSCs are effective in yielding reproducible extracts from complex biological samples as small as 10 ?l in a time as short as 30 minutes. They are inexpensive to manufacture, and allow for scaled up production to attain the simultaneous processing of a large number of samples. The MSCs are multiplexed, label-free diagnostic tools with the potential of biological recognition moiety modification for enhanced specificity. The MSCs may store, protect and stabilize biological fluids, enabling the simplified and cost-effective collection and transportation of clinical samples.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention provides compositions that comprise: (1) a biodegradable polymer matrix; and (2) at least one biodegradable reinforcing particle that is dispersed in the matrix. In some embodiments, the biodegradable reinforcing particle is selected from the group consisting of porous oxide particles and porous semiconductor particles. In additional embodiments, the compositions of the present invention further comprise a (3) porogen particle that is also dispersed in the matrix. In further embodiments, the compositions of the present invention are also associated with one or more active agents. In various embodiments, the active agents are associated with the biodegradable polymer matrix, the biodegradable reinforcing particle, and/or the porogen particle. In various embodiments, the compositions of the present invention may be utilized as scaffolds, such as scaffolds for treating bone defects.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to therapeutic compositions and delivery systems comprising at least one microparticle or nanoparticle. In various embodiments, the surface of the microparticle or nanoparticle is modified or functionalized with at least a portion of an isolated cellular membrane, such as an isolated plasma membrane. In addition, the microparticle or nanoparticle contains at least one active agent, such as a therapeutic and/or imaging agent. In additional embodiments, the compositions and delivery systems of the present invention may be used for targeted delivery of an active agent. Also provided are methods of making the therapeutic compositions and delivery systems of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides modified stem cells that comprise a delivery system that comprises at least one microparticle or nanoparticle, wherein the at least one microparticle or nanoparticle comprises an active agent. The present invention also provides delivery methods that comprise the administration of the modified stem cells to a subject. Additional aspects of the present invention pertain to methods of making said modified stem cells.