Abstract: Modified amino acid compounds useful in the delivery of active agents are provided. Methods of administration and preparation are provided as well.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for orally delivering antigens. The antigen and an adjuvant are combined with an acylated amino acid or polyamino acid and, a sulfonated amino acids or polyamino acid, or a salt of the foregoing.

Abstract: Compositions useful in the delivery of active agents are provided. These delivery compositions include (a) an active agent; and (b) a carrier of at least one mono-C-substituted or di-C-substituted diketopiperazine. Methods for preparing these compositions and administering these compositions are also provided.

Abstract: Methods for transporting a biologically active agent across a cellular membrane or a lipid bilayer.

Abstract: Modified amino acid compounds useful in the delivery of active agents are provided. The active agents can be peptides, such as rhGH. Methods of administration, such as oral, subcutaneous, sublingual, and intranasal administration, are provided, and methods of preparation of the modified amino acid compound are provided.

Abstract: Methods for transporting a biologically active agent across a cellular membrane or a lipid bilayer. A first method includes the steps of: (a) providing a biologically active agent which can exist in a native conformational state, a denatured conformational state, and an intermediate conformational state which is reversible to the native state and which is conformationally between the native and denatured states; (b) exposing the biologically active agent to a complexing perturbant to reversibly transform the biologically active agent to the intermediate state and to form a transportable supramolecular complex; and (c) exposing the membrane or bilayer to the supramolecular complex, to transport the biologically active agent across the membrane or bilayer. The perturbant has a molecular weight between about 150 and about 600 daltons, and contains at least one hydrophilic moiety and at least one hydrophobic moiety.

Abstract: Methods for transporting a biologically active agent across a cellular membrane or a lipid bilayer. A first method includes the steps of: (a) providing a biologically active agent which can exist in a native conformational state, a denatured conformational state, and an intermediate conformational state which is reversible to the native state and which is conformationally between the native and denatured states; (b) exposing the biologically active agent to a complexing perturbant to reversibly transform the biologically active agent to the intermediate state and to form a transportable supramolecular complex; and (c) exposing the membrane or bilayer to the supramolecular complex, to transport the biologically active agent across the membrane or bilayer. The perturbant has a molecular weight between about 150 and about 600 daltons, and contains at least one hydrophilic moiety and at least one hydrophobic moiety.

Abstract: Methods for transporting a biologically active agent across a cellular membrane or a lipid bilayer. A first method includes the steps of:(a) providing a biologically active agent which can exist in a native conformational state, a denatured conformational state, and an intermediate conformational state which is reversible to the native state and which is conformationally between the native and denatured states;(b) exposing the biologically active agent to a complexing perturbant to reversibly transform the biologically active agent to the intermediate state and to form a transportable supramolecular complex; and(c) exposing the membrane or bilayer to the supramolecular complex, to transport the biologically active agent across the membrane or bilayer. The perturbant has a molecular weight between about 150 and about 600 daltons, and contains at least one hydrophilic moiety and at least one hydrophobic moiety.

Abstract: Methods for transporting a biologically active agent across a cellular membrane or a lipid bilayer. A first method includes the steps of:(a) providing a biologically active agent which can exist in a native conformational state, a denatured conformational state, and an intermediate conformational state which is reversible to the native state and which is conformationally between the native and denatured states;(b) exposing the biologically active agent to a complexing perturbant to reversibly transform the biologically active agent to the intermediate state and to form a transportable supramolecular complex; and(c) exposing the membrane or bilayer to the supramolecular complex, to transport the biologically active agent across the membrane or bilayer. The perturbant has a molecular weight between about 150 and about 600 daltons, and contains at least one hydrophilic moiety and at least one hydrophobic moiety.

Abstract: Carrier compounds, compositions, and dosage unit forms therefor which are useful in the delivery of active agents are provided. The present invention provides a compound having the formula: ##STR1## or a salt thereof, wherein the compound may be used in a composition or dosage unit form for delivery of at least one active agent, including a peptide, mucopolysaccharide, carbohydrate, or a lipid. Methods of administration and preparation of the compounds and compositions of the invention are provided as well, including oral administration. Further, the compositions of the invention may be prepared by mixing at least one active agent, at least one carrier compound, and, optionally, a dosing vehicle.

Abstract: Carrier compounds, compositions, and dosage unit forms therefor which are useful in the delivery of active agents are provided. The present invention provides a compound having the formula: ##STR1## or a salt thereof, wherein the compound may be used in a composition or dosage unit form for delivery of at least one active agent, including a peptide, mucopolysaccharide, carbohydrate, or a lipid. Methods of administration and preparation of the compounds and compositions of the invention are provided as well, including oral administration. Further, the compositions of the invention may be prepared by mixing at least one active agent, at least one carrier compound, and, optionally, a dosing vehicle.

Abstract: Compositions useful in the delivery of active agents are provided. These delivery compositions include (a) an active agent; and either (b)(1) a carrier of (i) at least one amino acid and (ii) at least one diketopiperazine or (b)(2) at least one mono-N-substituted, di-N-substituted, or unsubstituted diketopiperazine. Methods for preparing these compositions and administering these compositions are also provided.

Abstract: Modified hydrolyzed vegetable protein microspheres and methods for their preparation and use as oral delivery systems for pharmaceutical agents are described.

Abstract: Carrier compounds, compositions, and dosage unit forms therefor which are useful in the delivery of active agents are provided. The present invention provides a compound having the formula: ##STR1## or a salt thereof, wherein the compound may be used in a composition or dosage unit form for delivery of at least one active agent, including a peptide, mucopoly-saccharide, carbohydrate, of a lipid. Methods of administration and preparation of the compounds and compositions of the invention are provided as well, including oral administration. Further, the compositions of the invention may be prepared by mixing at least one active agent, at least one carrier compound, and, optionally, a dosing vehicle.

Abstract: Carrier compounds, compositions, and dosage unit forms therefor which are useful in the delivery of active agents are provided. The present invention provides a compound having the formula: ##STR1## or a salt thereof, wherein the compound may be used in a composition or dosage unit form for delivery of at least one active agent, including a peptide, mucopolysaccharide, carbohydrate, or a lipid. Methods of administration and preparation of the compounds and compositions of the invention are provided as well, including oral administration. Further, the compositions of the invention may be prepared by mixing at least one active agent, at least one carrier compound, and, optionally, a dosing vehicle.

Abstract: Improved proteinoid carriers and methods for their preparation and use as oral delivery systems for pharmaceutical agents are described. The proteinoid carriers are soluble within selected pH ranges within the gastrointestinal tract and display enhanced stability towards at least one of photolysis or decomposition over time. The proteinoid carriers are prepared from proteinoids having between 2 and 20 amino acids and having a molecular weight of between about 250 and 2400 daltons.

Abstract: Compositions useful in the delivery of fragrances and flavorant active agents, and particularly vaporous fragrances and flavorants, are provided. These compositions include a microsphere which includes (a) the active agent; and (b) (i) a proteinoid, (ii) a modified hydrolyzed vegetable protein wherein the protein is modified with an amino reactive agent, or (iii) a combination thereof. Also contemplated is a method for preparing these compositions wherein the active agent is mixed with the proteinoid of hydrolyzed vegetable protein solution and the proteinoid or modified hydrolyzed vegetable protein is precipitated out of the solution, thereby forming a microsphere containing the active agent. In a further embodiment, the active agent is applied to a substrate.

Abstract: Diamide-dicarboxylic acid microspheres are provided. The diamide-dicarboxylic acids may be combined with active agent(s). The resultant composition may be in microsphere form. Also disclosed are methods for administering the microsphere and/or composition that includes the active agent. The microsphere, with or without active agent, may be prepared by (A) solubilizing, in a solvent, at least one diamide-dicarboxylic acid, to yield a first solution; and (B) contacting the first solution with a precipitator solution in which the diamide-carboxylic acid is insoluble and optionally with an active agent.

Abstract: Modified amino acids and methods for their preparation and use as oral delivery systems for pharmaceutical agents are described. The modified amino acids are preparable by reacting single amino acids or mixtures of two or more kinds of amino acids with an amino modifying agent such as benzene sulfonyl chloride, benzoyl chloride, and hippuryl chloride. The modified amino acids may form encapsulating microspheres in the presence of the active agent under sphere-forming conditions. Alternatively, the modified amino acids may be used as a carrier by simply mixing the amino acids with the active agent. The preferred acylated amino acid carrier is salicyloyl-phenylalanine. The modified amino acids are particularly useful in delivering biologically active agents, e.g., desferrioxamine, insulin or cromolyn sodium, or other agents which are sensitive to the denaturing conditions of the gastrointestinal tract.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an oral drug delivery system, and in particular to modified amino acids and modified amino acid derivatives for use as a delivery system of sensitive agents such as bioactive peptides. The modified amino acids and derivatives can form non-covalent mixtures with active biological agents and in an alternate embodiment can releasably carry active agents. Modified amino acids can also form drug containing microspheres. These mixtures are suitable for oral administration of biologically active agents to animals. Methods for the preparation of such amino acids are also disclosed.