Abstract: The present invention discloses methods used to estimate the in vivo half-life of a binding protein of interest. The disclosed methods involve (a) determining for a binding protein of interest and for each of at least two different reference binding proteins an in vitro half-life using an in vitro protease reaction assay, wherein said reference binding proteins have known different in vivo half-lives, (b) determining the correlation between the known in vivo half-lives and the in vitro proteolytic half-lives of each of the reference binding proteins, and (c) estimating from said correlation between the known in vivo half-lives and the in vitro proteolytic half-lives of the reference binding proteins the in vivo half-life of the binding protein of interest that correlates with the in vitro proteolytic half-life of the binding protein of interest.

Abstract: Novel compounds of Formula (I) or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, prodrugs and biologically active metabolites thereof of Formula (I) wherein the substituents are as defined herein, which are useful as therapeutic agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to engineered multivalent and multispecific binding proteins, methods of making, and specifically to their uses in the prevention, diagnosis, and/or treatment of disease.

Abstract: Novel compounds of Formula (I) or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, prodrugs and biologically active metabolites thereof of Formula (I) wherein the substituents are as defined herein, which are useful as therapeutic agents.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods used to estimate the in vivo half-life of a binding protein of interest. The disclosed methods involve (a) determining for a binding protein of interest and for each of at least two different reference binding proteins an in vitro half-life using an in vitro protease reaction assay, wherein said reference binding proteins have known different in vivo half-lives, (b) determining the correlation between the known in vivo half-lives and the in vitro proteolytic half-lives of each of the reference binding proteins, and (c) estimating from said correlation between the known in vivo half-lives and the in vitro proteolytic half-lives of the reference binding proteins the in vivo half-life of the binding protein of interest that correlates with the in vitro proteolytic half-life of the binding protein of interest.

Abstract: Modified forms of human interleukin-1&bgr; converting enzyme (ICE) that display proteolytic activity and, furthermore, have increased stability compared to unmodified human ICE are disclosed. Nucleic acid molecules encoding a modified p10 subunit of ICE, and recombinant vectors and host cells incorporating such nucleic acid molecules, are also disclosed. A modified ICE protein of the invention can be used to cleave proteolytically ICE substrates and to identify modulators of ICE activity in screening assays. Moreover, due to its enhanced stability, the modified ICE of the invention is particularly suitable for use in the preparation of ICE crystals for X-ray crystallography.

Abstract: Modified forms of human interleukin-1&bgr; converting enzyme (ICE) that display proteolytic activity and, furthermore, have increased stability compared to unmodified human ICE are disclosed. Nucleic acid molecules encoding a modified p10 subunit of ICE, and recombinant vectors and host cells incorporating such nucleic acid molecules, are also disclosed. A modified ICE protein of the invention can be used to cleave proteolytically ICE substrates and to identify modulators of ICE activity in screening assays. Moreover, due to its enhanced stability, the modified ICE of the invention is particularly suitable for use in the preparation of ICE crystals for X-ray crystallography.

Abstract: Substrates and inhibitors for the cysteine protease Ich-1 are disclosed. These compounds are designed based on an optimal minimal substrate for Ich-1 and include reversible inhibitors, irreversible inhibitors, selectively reversible inhibitors, chromogenic substrates, fluorogenic substrates and radiolabeled substrates/inhibitors. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of the invention are also provided. Methods for inhibiting the proteolytic activity of Ich-1, methods for detecting the presence of Ich-1 and methods for isolating Ich-1 using the compounds of the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: Modified forms of human interleukin-1&bgr; converting enzyme (ICE) that display proteolytic activity and, furthermore, have increased stability compared to unmodified human ICE are disclosed. Nucleic acid molecules encoding a modified p10 subunit of ICE, and recombinant vectors and host cells incorporating such nucleic acid molecules, are also disclosed. A modified ICE protein of the invention can be used to cleave proteolytically ICE substrates and to identify modulators of ICE activity in screening assays. Moreover, due to its enhanced stability, the modified ICE of the invention is particularly suitable for use in the preparation of ICE crystals for X-ray crystallography.

Abstract: Modified forms of human interleukin-1.beta. converting enzyme (ICE) that display proteolytic activity and, furthermore, have increased stability compared to unmodified human ICE are disclosed. Nucleic acid molecules encoding a modified p10 subunit of ICE, and recombinant vectors and host cells incorporating such nucleic acid molecules, are also disclosed. A modified ICE protein of the invention can be used to cleave proteolytically ICE substrates and to identify modulators of ICE activity in screening assays. Moreover, due to its enhanced stability, the modified ICE of the invention is particularly suitable for use in the preparation of ICE crystals for X-ray crystallography.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to ICE and ICE-like compositions formed by combining two subunits of ICE and folding such subunits to form an active enzyme.