Abstract: Compounds of formula (I), wherein Ar is an aryl group optionally further substituted with one or more groups R3; A is a lipophilic, hydrophobic moiety; R1 is a phosphodiester, phosphotriester, thioether or amide group; X is an unsubstituted or substituted C6 to C24 alkylene or alkenylene group, which is optionally interrupted by one or more —NR9—, —O— or —S— linkages, R2 is —YC(R4)(R5)CO2R6; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts or solvates thereof are useful as endosomolytic agents particularly for the delivery of nucleic acids useful in gene therapy.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I), wherein Ar is an aryl group optionally further substituted with one or more groups R3; A is a lipophilic, hydrophobic moiety; R1 is a phosphodiester, phosphotriester, thioether or amide group; X is an unsubstituted or substituted C6 to C24 alkylene or alkenylene group, which is optionally interrupted by one or more —NR9—, —O— or —S— linkages, R2 is —YC(R4)(R5)CO2R6; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts or solvates thereof are useful as endosomolytic agents particularly for the delivery of nucleic acids useful in gene therapy.

Abstract: Targeted lipids and lipid particles are described which are assemblies of multipolar lipids, targeting molecules such as antibodies and polyanions. The lipids are of particular use for the delivery of bioactive substances such as nucleic acids to cells in vitro and especially in vivo.

Abstract: Bipolar lipids are described which are able to form complexes with polyanions. The lipids comprise a cationic head linked to a hydrophobic backbone and a hydrophilic tail and are capable of self assembly to form stable complexes in aqueous solutions. The lipids are of particular use for the delivery of bioactive substances such as nucleic acids to cells in vitro and especially in vivo.

Abstract: Bipolar lipids are described which are able to form complexes with polyanions. The lipids comprise a cationic head linked to a hydrophobic backbone and a hydrophilic tail and are capable of self assembly to form stable complexes in aqueous solutions. The lipids are of particular use for the delivery of bioactive substances such as nucleic acids to cells in vitro and especially in vivo.

Abstract: Bipolar lipids are described which are able to form complexes with polyanions. The lipids comprise a cationic head linked to a hydrophobic backbone and a hydrophilic tail and are capable of self assembly to form stable complexes in aqueous solutions. The lipids are of particular use for the delivery of bioactive substances such as nucleic acids to cells in vitro and especially in vivo.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (1) ##STR1## are described wherein Y represents a halogen atom or a group --OR.sup.1, where R.sup.1 is an optionally substituted alkyl group; R.sup.2 represents an optionally substituted cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl group; R.sup.3 is a monocyclic or bicyclic aryl group optionally containing one or more heteroatoms selected from oxygen or sulphur atoms or a group --N(R.sup.4)-- where R.sup.4 is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group; X is --O--, --S--, or --N(R.sup.5)--, where R.sup.5 is a hydrogen or an alkyl group; with the proviso that when X is --O-- then R.sup.3 is not a 3-cyanamino-6-pyridazinyl or a 3-chloro-6-pyridazinyl group; and the salts, solvates, hydrates and N-oxides thereof.The compounds are selective and potent inhibitors of phosphodiesterase IV and are useful for the prophylaxis and treatment of inflammatory diseases and the alleviation of conditions associated with central nervous malfunction.

Abstract: Compounds of general formula (1): ##STR1## wherein Y is a halogen atom or a group --OR.sup.1 where R.sup.1 is an optionally substituted alkyl group;X is --O--, --S-- or --N(R.sup.8)--, where R.sup.8 is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group;R.sup.2 is an optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl group;R.sup.3 is a hydrogen or halogen atom or an --OR.sup.9 group, where R.sup.9 is a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkoxyalkyl, or alkanoyl group, or a formyl, carboxamido or thiocarboxamido group;R.sup.4 is a group --(CH.sub.2).sub.n Ar, where Ar is a monocyclic or bicyclic aryl group optionally containing one or more heteroatoms selected from oxygen, sulphur or nitrogen atoms and n is zero or an integer 1,2 or 3;R.sup.5 is a C.sub.3-9 carbocyclic ketone optionally containing one or more heteroatoms selected from oxygen, sulphur or nitrogen atoms;R.sup.6 is a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted alkyl group;R.sup.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (1) ##STR1## are described wherein Y represents a halogen atom or a group --OR.sup.1, where R.sup.1 is an optionally substituted alkyl group; R.sup.2 represents an optionally substituted cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl group; R.sup.3 is a monocyclic or bicyclic aryl group optionally containing one or more heteroatoms selected from oxygen or sulphur atoms or a group --N(R.sup.4)-- where R.sup.4 is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group; X is --O--, --S--, or --N(R.sup.4)--, where R.sup.5 is a hydrogen or an alkyl group; with the proviso that when X is --O-- then R.sup.3 is not a 3-cyanamino-6-pyridazinyl or a 3-chloro-6-pyridazinyl group; and the salts, solvates, hydrates and N-oxides thereof.The compounds are selective and potent inhibitors of phosphodiesterase IV and are useful for the prophylaxis and treatment of inflammatory diseases and the alleviation of conditions associated with central nervous malfunction.

Abstract: Poly(5-hydroxycytidylic acids), produced by the enzymatic polymerization of 5-hydroxycytidylic acid, possess the ability to induce the production of interferon and, furthermore, exhibit anti-viral properties.