Abstract: The present invention relates to novel strains of pig that are highly suitable for xenotransplantation. The first novel pig strain lacks functional porcine endogenous retroviruses so is suitable as a donor for tissue and/or cell xenotransplantation into a human recipient. These pigs can also be used as a foundation pig for further manipulation, for example, by gene editing of xenoantigens to produce a second novel strain of pig that is not only free of infectious porcine retroviruses but is also free of the main xenoantigens responsible for hyperacute organ rejection. These pigs can be used for whole organ, tissue and/or cell transplantation into a human recipient.

Abstract: Disclosed are implant compositions and methods for treatment of neurological diseases of the central nervous system of a mammal.

Abstract: Milk-based products and drinks are provided including specified forms of identified proteins or fragments thereof, as are methods for the use of such milk-based products and drinks in the promotion of sleep.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved method of culturing hepatocyte cells and non-hepatocyte cells that are capable of secreting liver secretory factors and their use in implantable compositions for treating liver diseases and disorders in patients in need thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to developments in the treatment of diabetes in mammals. Particularly it relates to a method of preparing a xenotransplantable porcine islet preparation capable upon xenotransplantation of producing porcine insulin in an appropriate recipient mammal, the method including or comprising the steps of: (I) harvesting the pancreas of piglets at or near full term gestation, and (ii) extracting pancreatic ? islet cells from the harvested pancreas wherein the islets (at least at some stage in the performance of the method) are exposed to nicotinamide. Further, the invention relates to a method of encapsulation of a xenotransplantable porcine islet preparation, and transplantation of such a preparation, or a capsule containing such a preparation, into an appropriate recipient mammal.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of choroid plexus cells and/or choroid plexus conditioned media for enhancing the growth, survival and/or maintenance of function of non-choroid plexus cells grown in long term or short term culture.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of selecting and maintaining a population of pigs having a low copy number of porcine endogenous retrovirus, and the use of such pigs as a source of cells, tissue and/or organs suitable for xenotransplantation. The invention further relates to methods for selecting cells, tissue and/or organs from such pigs for suitability for use in xenotransplantation.

Abstract: Disclosed are implant compositions and methods for treatment of neurological diseases of the central nervous system of a mammal.

Abstract: Milk-based products and drinks are provided including specified forms of identified proteins or fragments thereof, as are methods for the use of such milk-based products and drinks in the promotion of sleep.

Abstract: A “supplementary choroid plexus” comprising preferably a xenotransplant of choroid plexus cells from a neonatal mammal provides a steady supply of trophic factors for administration to a central nervous system in need of treatment for a neurological disease. Choroid plexus cells manufacture a range of trophic factors, particularly during fetal development. This neurotrophic factor therapy may be useful in treating clinical and subclinical neurodegenerative diseases particularly those in which the choroid plexus has often become atrophic. The xenotransplant is cloaked in a protective layer (such as of alginate) capable of concealing the foreign nature of the transplant. Lateral ventricles are the preferred implantation site, from where the trophic factors are carried through the neuropil by the circulation of cerebrospinal fluid.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the prevention or treatment of autoimmune diseases, and in particular, of type I diabetes, by administering a therapeutically effective amount of an implantable composition comprising living choroid plexus cells.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of choroids plexus cells and/or choroids plexus conditioned media for enhancing the growth, survival and/or maintenance of function of non-choroid plexus cells grown in long term or short term culture.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel method of administration, and device employed in the method, for administering a treatment species to the lungs of a recipient patient. The method involves introducing the device of the invention to the venous system of the patient, the size of the treatment species being such that, upon introduction to the venous system of the patient, the device will impact in a region of a lung capillary of the patient. The treatment species gains access to the lung and/or lung epithelia due to proteases associated with the treatments species. The application of the method to the treatment of cystic fibrosis is also claimed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of choroid plexus cells and/or choroid plexus conditioned media for enhancing the growth, survival and/or maintenance of function of non-choroid plexus cells grown in long term or short term culture.

Abstract: The invention relates to developments in the treatment of diabetes in mammals. Particularly it relates to a method of preparing a xenotransplantable porcine islet preparation capable upon xenotransplantation of producing porcine insulin in an appropriate recipient mammal, the method including or comprising the steps of: (I) harvesting the pancreas of piglets at or near full term gestation, and (ii) extracting pancreatic ? islet cells from the harvested pancreas wherein the islets (at least at some stage in the performance of the method) are exposed to nicotinamide. Further, the invention relates to a method of encapsulation of a xenotransplantable porcine islet preparation, and transplantation of such a preparation, or a capsule containing such a preparation, into an appropriate recipient mammal.

Abstract: Aggregates and their method of preparation suitable for implantation into a recipient in order to produce insulin in vivo. The methods involve culturing islet cells isolated from the pancreas of donor piglets with isolated Sertoli cells from the testes of donor piglets. A preferred period of culturing is 5 days and may be followed by a purification procedure.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved method of culturing hepatocyte cells and non-hepatocyte cells that are capable of secreting liver secretory factors and their use in implantable compositions for treating liver diseases and disorders in patients in need thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of selecting and maintaining a population of pigs having a low copy number of porcine endogenous retrovirus, and the use of such pigs as a source of cells, tissue and/or organs suitable for xenotransplantation. The invention further relates to methods for selecting cells, tissue and/or organs from such pigs for suitability for use in xenotransplantation.

Abstract: The invention relates to developments in the treatment of diabetes in mammals. Particularly it relates to a method of preparing a xenotransplantable porcine islet preparation capable upon xenotransplantation of producing porcine insulin in an appropriate recipient mammal, the method including or comprising the steps of: (I) harvesting the pancreas of piglets at or near full term gestation, and (ii) extracting pancreatic ? islet cells from the harvested pancreas wherein the islets (at least at some stage in the performance of the method) are exposed to nicotinamide. Further, the invention relates to a method of encapsulation of a xenotransplantable porcine islet preparation, and transplantation of such a preparation, or a capsule containing such a preparation, into an appropriate recipient mammal.

Abstract: The invention relates to developments in the treatment of diabetes in mammals. Particularly it relates to a method of preparing a xenotransplantable porcine islet preparation capable upon xenotransplantation of producing porcine insulin in an appropriate recipient mammal, the method including or comprising the steps of: (I) harvesting the pancreas of piglets at or near full term gestation, and (ii) extracting pancreatic ? islet cells from the harvested pancreas wherein the islets (at least at some stage in the performance of the method) are exposed to nicotinamide. Further, the invention relates to a method of encapsulation of a xenotransplantable porcine islet preparation, and transplantation of such a preparation, or a capsule containing such a preparation, into an appropriate recipient mammal.