Abstract: This invention relates to a technology of modifying low-molecular-weight bioactive substances with short in vivo half-life and low stability in order to achieve a stable and efficient in vivo delivery thereof. More specifically, the present invention relates to a stable bioactive substance-blood protein conjugate, wherein a low-molecular-weight bioactive substance is ex vivo conjugated with a specific functional group on a blood protein through a reactive group, the low-molecular-weight bioactive substance is available as a drug for treatment and prevention in mammals including human and selected from the group consisting of a natural substance; and a method of a stable and efficient in vivo delivery of the low-molecular-weight bioactive substance based on the use of the bioactive substance-blood protein conjugate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to non-mammalian Glucagon-like peptides (nmGLP-1), analogs thereof, related nucleic acids, and processes production of such peptides. The nmGLP-1 peptides and analogs thereof of the invention include one or more amino acid sequence modifications. In addition, methods and compositions are disclosed to treat and prevent obesity, reducing body weight, controlling glycemia, controlling or reducing appetite, and reducing food intake.

Abstract: Compositions and methods relating to epitopes of sclerostin protein, and sclerostin binding agents, such as antibodies capable of binding to sclerostin, are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides PEGylated hemoglobins and PEGylated albumins comprising polyethylene glycol (PEG) conjugated to hemoglobin or to albumin, wherein the PEG is a maleimide PEG, an alkylamide PEG, an iodoacetamide PEG, a p-nitro thio-phenyl PEG, a vinyl sulfone PEG, or a mixed disulfide PEG; and PEGylated albumins and PEGylated hemoglobins comprising polyethylene glycol (PEG) attached to a thiolated amino group of albumin or hemoglobin, wherein the amino group is thiolated using dithio sulfo succinimidyl propionate (DTSSP) or dithiosuccinimidyl propionate (DTSP) or dithiobispropionimidate. The invention also provides methods of preparing PEGylated hemoglobins and PEGylated albumins comprising a) reacting hemoglobin or albumin with a thiolating agent and with a PEGylating agent, and b) capping unPEGylated reactive thiols of hemoglobin or albumin with N-ethyl maleimide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the fields of Factor VII (FVII) and Factor VIIa (FVIIa) albumin linked polypeptides. More specifically, the invention relates to cDNA sequences coding for human Factor VII and Factor VIIa and derivatives genetically fused to a cDNA coding for human serum albumin which may be linked by oligonucleotides which code for intervening peptidic linkers such encoded derivatives exhibiting improved stability and extended functional plasma half-life, recombinant expression vectors containing such cDNA sequences, host cells transformed with such recombinant expression vectors, recombinant polypeptides and derivatives which do have biological activities of the unmodified wild type protein but having improved stability and prolonged shelf-life and processes for the manufacture of such recombinant proteins and their derivatives. The invention also covers a transfer vector for use in human gene therapy, which comprises such modified DNA sequences.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses albumin fusion proteins. Nucleic acid molecules encodings the albumin fusion proteins of the invention are also encompassed by the invention, as are vectors containing these nucleic acids, host cells transformed with these nucleic acids vectors, and methods of making the albumin fusion proteins of the intention and using these nucleic acids, vectors, and/or host cells. Additionally the present invention encompasses pharmaceutical compositions comprising albumin fusion proteins and methods of treating, preventing, or ameliorating diseases, disorders or conditions using albumin fusion proteins of the invention.

Abstract: Provided is a pharmaceutical agent capable of efficiently improving blood circulation in a region where a circulatory disorder occurs and fully preventing or improving tissue damage as a preventive or therapeutic agent for circulatory disorders in general. As a result of the study of pharmacological effects of a compound in which a porphyrin metal complex is clathrated in albumin, it was found that the compound efficiently improves decreases in blood flow in circulatory disorders and fully prevents or improves tissue damage, thus the invention was achieved. That is, the invention is directed to an agent for improving a circulatory disorder including a compound in which a porphyrin metal complex is clathrated in albumin.

Abstract: The invention pertains to the field of membrane protein immobilization onto supports. It relates to a product comprising a support and at least one membrane protein attached to the surface thereof, characterized in that said membrane protein is attached to said support using an amphiphilic molecule with which said membrane protein is complexed. It also relates to a process for preparing such product, as well as to various applications in the fields of diagnosis, drug design and biotechnologies. It further relates to a kit, together with a functionalized amphiphilic molecule, for preparing a product according to the invention comprising a support and an amphiphilic molecule, wherein the amphiphilic molecule and the support interact through a hydrophobic bond, an ionic bond, a specific bond or a covalent bond.

Abstract: The present invention relates to identification of a receptor for a satiety factor, which is involved in body weight homeostasis. Mutations in this receptor are associated with obese phenotypes. In particular, the present invention relates to identification and characterization of the receptor for leptin, including a naturally occurring soluble form of the receptor that is expected to modulate leptin activity, in particular to agonize leptin activity. The invention further relates to the nucleic acids encoding the receptor, and to methods for using the receptor, e.g., to identify leptin analogs, therapeutically, such as in gene therapy or in soluble form as an agonist or antagonist of leptin activity, or diagnostically.

Abstract: A process is provided for the preparation of albumin from a yeast culture medium which has extremely low levels of or is essentially free of colorants, metal ions, human proteins, host proteins, fragments of albumin, polymers or aggregates of albumin and viruses, and which is essentially non-glycated, relatively high in free thiol and with an intact C-terminus. The process comprises separating the yeast from the culture medium to yield an albumin solution; subjecting the albumin solution to positive mode cation exchange, affinity, and positive mode anion exchange chromatography; and concentrating and formulating the albumin with sodium octanoate and sodium chloride.

Abstract: The invention relates to proteins comprising HIV fusion inhibiting peptides, such as T-20 and/or T-1249 peptides (including, but not limited to, fragments and variants thereof), which exhibit anti-retroviral activity, fused to albumin (including, but not limited to fragments or variants of albumin). These fusion proteins exhibit extended shelf-life and/or extended or therapeutic activity.

Abstract: Formulations have been developed for pulmonary delivery to treat or reduce the infectivity of diseases such as vital infections, especially tuberculosis, SARS, influenza and respiratory synticial virus in humans and hoof and mouth disease in animals. Formulations for pulmonary administration include a material that significantly alters physical properties such as surface tension and surface elasticity of lung mucus lining fluid, which may be a surfactant and, optionally, a carrier. The formulation may be administered as a powder where the particles consist basically of the material altering surface tension. The carrier may be a solution, such as an alcohol, although an aqueous solution may be utilized, or a material mixed with the material altering surface tension to form particles.

Abstract: A preparation for the diagnosis of pancreatic exocrine function by determining the amount in which a substance administered to a subject or a degradation product or metabolite thereof migrates into the blood and/or is excreted out of the body, wherein the substance is carried by a carrier and released from the carrier when exposed to the action of a pancreatic exocrine function-related factor.

Abstract: A porphyrin compound represented by general formula (A): Also disclosed are a porphyrin metal complex-albumin inclusion compound having a porphyrin compound, in which M denotes Fe or Co, included in albumin, and an artificial oxygen carrier containing the porphyrin metal complex-albumin inclusion compound as an active component.

Abstract: A method for protecting a peptide from peptidase activity in vivo, the peptide being composed of between 2 and 50 amino acids and having a C-terminus and an N-terminus and a C-terminus amino acid and an N-terminus amino acid is described. In the first step of the method, the peptide is modified by attaching a reactive group to the C-terminus amino acid, to the N-terminus amino acid, or to an amino acid located between the N-terminus and the C-terminus, such that the modified peptide is capable of forming a covalent bond in vivo with a reactive functionality on a blood component. In the next step, a covalent bond is formed between the reactive group and a reactive functionality on a blood component to form a peptide-blood component conjugate, thereby protecting said peptide from peptidase activity. The final step of the method involves the analyzing of the stability of the peptide-blood component conjugate to assess the protection of the peptide from peptidase activity.

Abstract: Biologically active polypeptides comprising a therapeutically active polypeptide fused to human serum albumin or a variant thereof, methods for the preparation thereof, nucleotide sequences encoding such fusion polypeptides, expression cassettes comprising such nucleotide sequences, self-replicating plasmids containing such expression cassettes, and pharmaceutical compositions containing said fusion polypeptides.

Abstract: A preparation for the diagnosis of pancreatic exocrine function by determining the amount in which a substance administered to a subject or a degradation product or metabolite thereof migrates into the blood and/or is excreted out of the body, wherein the substance is carried by a carrier and released from the carrier when exposed to the action of a pancreatic exocrine function-related factor.

Abstract: Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) receptor antagonists are provided. The HGF receptor antagonists include HGF receptor antibodies and fragments thereof. The HGF receptor antagonists can be employed to block binding of HGF to HGF receptors or substantially inhibit HGF receptor activation. The HGF receptor antagonists may be included in pharmaceutical compositions, articles of manufacture, or kits. Methods of treating cancer using the HGF receptor antagonists are also provided.

Abstract: Compounds comprising an angiopoietin-like protein 6 (Angptl6) peptide for use in the treatment of metabolic syndrome, in particular, obesity and insulin resistance are described.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses albumin fusion proteins. Nucleic acid molecules encoding the albumin fusion proteins of the invention are also encompassed by the invention, as are vectors containing these nucleic acids, host cells transformed with these nucleic acids vectors, and methods of making the albumin fusion proteins of the invention and using these nucleic acids, vectors, and/or host cells. Additionally the present invention encompasses pharmaceutical compositions comprising albumin fusion proteins and methods of treating, preventing, or ameliorating diseases, disorders or conditions using albumin fusion proteins of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses albumin fusion proteins. Nucleic acid molecules encoding the albumin fusion proteins of the invention are also encompassed by the invention, as are vectors containing these nucleic acids, host cells transformed with these nucleic acids vectors, and methods of making the albumin fusion proteins of the invention and using these nucleic acids, vectors, and/or host cells. Additionally the present invention encompasses pharmaceutical compositions comprising albumin fusion proteins and methods of treating, preventing, or ameliorating diseases, disorders or conditions using albumin fusion proteins of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides an S-nitroso group-containing albumin, comprising an S-nitroso group introduced to at least one lysine in the amino acid sequence for albumin. The S-nitro group has been introduced into a lysine in the S-nitroso group-containing albumin of the invention to allow more S-nitroso groups to be included in the albumin, thus ensuring more potent inhibition of cancer cells in NO groups.

Abstract: Glycosylated albumin as a drug carrier for a DDS targeting the liver (particularly kupffer's cell) can be provided by mutating a DNA encoding albumin to encode a mutant albumin containing a partial amino acid sequence permitting glycosylation modification by eukaryotic cell, preferably a consensus sequence of N-linked sugar chain, introducing an expression vector containing the mutant DNA into a host eukaryotic cell, preferably a host cell permitting addition of a high-mannose type sugar chain, culturing the obtained transformant, and recovering a glycosylated albumin protein from the obtained culture.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses albumin fusion proteins. Nucleic acid molecules encoding the albumin fusion proteins of the invention are also encompassed by the invention, as are vectors containing these nucleic acids, host cells transformed with these nucleic acids vectors, and methods of making the albumin fusion proteins of the invention and using these nucleic acids, vectors, and/or host cells. Additionally the present invention encompasses pharmaceutical compositions comprising albumin fusion proteins and methods of treating, preventing, or ameliorating diseases, disorders or conditions using albumin fusion proteins of the invention.

Abstract: An isolated and purified nucleic acid molecule that encodes a polypeptide comprising at least eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO: 3, wherein the at least eight contiguous amino acids have anti-viral activity, as well as an isolated and purified nucleic acid molecule that encodes a polypeptide comprising at least eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO: 3, wherein the at least eight contiguous amino acids have anti-viral activity, and, when the at least eight contiguous amino acids comprise amino acids 1-121 of SEQ ID NO: 3, the at least eight contiguous amino acids have been rendered glycosylation-resistant, a vector comprising such an isolated and purified nucleic acid molecule, a host cell comprising the nucleic acid molecule, optionally in the form of a vector, a method of producing an anti-viral polypeptide or conjugate thereof, the anti-viral polypeptide itself, a conjugate or fusion protein comprising the anti-viral polypeptide, and compositions comprising an effective amount of the anti-viral

Abstract: A method for protecting a peptide from peptidase activity in vivo, the peptide being composed of between 2 and 50 amino acids and having a C-terminus and an N-terminus and a C-terminus amino acid and an N-terminus amino acid is described. In the first step of the method, the peptide is modified by attaching a react group to the C-terminus amino acid, to the N-terminus amino acid, or to an amino acid located between the N-terminus and the C-terminus, such that the modified peptide is capable of forming a covalent bond in vivo with a reactive functionality on a blood component. In the next step, a covalent bond is formed between the reactive group and a reactive functionality on a blood component to form a peptide-blood component conjugate, thereby protecting said peptide from peptidase activity. The final step of the method involves the analyzing of the stability of the peptide-blood component conjugate to assess the protection of the peptide from peptidase activity.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses albumin fusion proteins. Nucleic acid molecules encoding the albumin fusion proteins of the invention are also encompassed by the invention, as are vectors containing these nucleic acids, host cells transformed with these nucleic acids vectors, and methods of making the albumin fusion proteins of the invention and using these nucleic acids, vectors, and/or host cells. Additionally the present invention encompasses pharmaceutical compositions comprising albumin fusion proteins and methods of treating, preventing, or ameliorating diseases, disorders or conditions using albumin fusion proteins of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for increasing the yield of a protein produced by cultivating eukaryotic cells and adding an ionic substance to the culture medium prior to harvest of the protein. Suitable ionic substances are the salts of the Hofmeister series, amino acids and peptone.

Abstract: This invention relates to C34 peptide derivatives having improved aqueous solubility that are inhibitors of viral infection and/or exhibit antifusogenic properties. In particular, this invention relates to C34 derivatives having inhibiting activity against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), respiratory synctial virus (RSV), human parainfluenza virus (HPV), measles virus (MeV), and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) with long duration of action for the treatment of the respective viral infections.

Abstract: Modified insulinotropic peptides are disclosed. The modified insulinotropic peptides are capable of forming a peptidase stabilized insulinotropic peptide. The modified insulinotropic peptides are capable of forming covalent bonds with one or more blood components to form a conjugate. The conjugates may be formed in vivo or ex vivo. The modified peptides are administered to treat humans with diabetes and other related diseases.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses albumin fusion proteins. Nucleic acid molecules encoding the albumin fusion proteins of the invention are also encompassed by the invention, as are vectors containing these nucleic acids, host cells transformed with these nucleic acids vectors, and methods of making the albumin fusion proteins of the invention and using these nucleic acids, vectors, and/or host cells. Additionally the present invention encompasses pharmaceutical compositions comprising albumin fusion proteins and methods of treating, preventing, or ameliorating diseases, disorders or conditions using albumin fusion proteins of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds comprising modified thrombopoietin peptides and conjugates of such modified peptides to serum components, typically serum proteins or peptides. The compounds and conjugates of the invention comprise a reactive group or a residue of a reactive group, which is covalently attached to a modified peptide, optionally through a linking group. The present invention also provides methods for the covalent attachment of a modified peptide to a serum protein or peptide to form a conjugate of the invention. The conjugates of the invention typically exhibit a longer in vivo circulating half-life compared to the corresponding unconjugated peptides. The conjugates of the invention also retain at least some of the biological activity of the unconjugated peptides, and typically exhibit increased biological activity compared to the unconjugated peptides.

Abstract: Conjugates comprising one or more steroids conjugated with one or more mammalian proteins are disclosed. The conjugates are useful for diagnosis or treatment of solid cancer and haematological malignancies. Further the conjugates exhibits a synergistic action together with a cytoskeleton acting drug such as Taxol®, which enable the treatment of cancers that otherwise would be non responsive to Taxol®.

Abstract: The invention concerns X-ray contrast medium-protein conjugates and in particular X-ray contrast medium-albumin conjugates, medicaments comprising X-ray contrast medium-protein conjugates, processes for the production of such conjugates as well as the use thereof.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses albumin fusion proteins. Nucleic acid molecules encoding the albumin fusion proteins of the invention are also encompassed by the invention, as are vectors containing these nucleic acids, host cells transformed with these nucleic acids vectors, and methods of making the albumin fusion proteins of the invention and using these nucleic acids, vectors, and/or host cells. Additionally the present invention encompasses pharmaceutical compositions comprising albumin fusion proteins and methods of treating, preventing, or ameliorating diseases, disorders or conditions using albumin fusion proteins of the invention.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide highly safe nanoparticles made from highly biocompatible materials without the use of a surfactant or synthetic polymer. The present invention provides a protein nanoparticle which is obtained by enzymatic crosslinking during and/or after the formation of protein nanoparticle.

Abstract: A scytovirin domain 1 (SD1) polypeptide, a nucleic acid encoding the polypeptide, and related fusion proteins, conjugates, isolated cells, vectors, and antibodies, as well as a method of inhibiting a viral infection using the same.

Abstract: This invention relates to enfuvirtide peptide derivatives that are inhibitors of viral infection and/or exhibit antifusogenic properties. In particular, this invention relates to enfuvirtide derivatives having inhibiting activity against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), human parainfluenza virus (HPV), measles virus (MeV), and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) with long duration of action for the treatment of the respective viral infections.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods related to clot binding compounds. The disclosed targeting is useful for treatment of cancer and other diseases and disorders.

Abstract: The present invention concerns NSAR (non-steroidal antirheumatic agents)-protein conjugates and in particular NSAR-albumin conjugates, processes for their production and their use as pharmaceutical preparations especially for treating inflammations.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fusion protein comprising an albumin, or a fragment or a variant or a derivative thereof and at least one biologically active peptide which activates the ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) receptor, or a fragment or variant or a derivative thereof.

Abstract: Gaseous nitric oxide (NO) can be delivered to a mammal for prophylactic or therapeutic purposes using a composition capable of delivering NO, comprising a compound capable of forming a reversible bond or association with NO. Methods for the manufacture and use of said composition are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to proteins comprising serine protease inhibiting peptides, such as Kunitz domain peptides (including, but not limited to, fragments and variants thereof) fused to albumin, or fragments or variants thereof. These fusion proteins are herein collectively referred to as “albumin fusion proteins of the invention.” These fusion proteins exhibit extended shelf-life and/or extended or therapeutic activity in solution. The invention encompasses therapeutic albumin fusion proteins, compositions, pharmaceutical compositions, formulations and kits. The invention also encompasses nucleic acid molecules and vectors encoding the albumin fusion proteins of the invention, host cells transformed with these nucleic acids and vectors, and methods of making the albumin fusion proteins of the invention using these nucleic acids, vectors, and/or host cells. The invention also relates to compositions and methods for inhibiting neutrophil elastase, kallikrein, and plasmin.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses albumin fusion proteins. Nucleic acid molecules encoding the albumin fusion proteins of the invention are also encompassed by the invention, as are vectors containing these nucleic acids, host cells transformed with these nucleic acids vectors, and methods of making the albumin fusion proteins of the invention and using these nucleic acids, vectors, and/or host cells. Additionally the present invention encompasses pharmaceutical compositions comprising albumin fusion proteins and methods of treating, preventing, or ameliorating diseases, disorders or conditions using albumin fusion proteins of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses albumin fusion proteins. Nucleic acid molecules encodings the albumin fusion proteins of the invention are also encompassed by the invention, as are vectors containing these nucleic acids, host cells transformed with these nucleic acids vectors, and methods of making the albumin fusion proteins of the intention and using these nucleic acids, vectors, and/or host cells. Additionally the present invention encompasses pharmaceutical compositions comprising albumin fusion proteins and methods of treating, preventing, or ameliorating diseases, disorders or conditions using albumin fusion proteins of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses albumin fusion proteins. Nucleic acid molecules encodings the albumin fusion proteins of the invention are also encompassed by the invention, as are vectors containing these nucleic acids, host cells transformed with these nucleic acids vectors, and methods of making the albumin fusion proteins of the intention and using these nucleic acids, vectors, and/or host cells. Additionally the present invention encompasses pharmaceutical compositions comprising albumin fusion proteins and methods of treating, preventing, or ameliorating diseases, disorders or conditions using albumin fusion proteins of the invention.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for producing an aqueous albumin solution from a starting albumin solution which contains stabilizer molecules which are capable of occupying binding sites of the albumin, wherein in a method for increasing the albumin binding capacity (ABiC) for other molecules, at least a portion of the stabilizer molecules is removed from the albumin of the starting albumin solution and separated from the starting albumin solution.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses albumin fusion proteins. Nucleic acid molecules encodings the albumin fusion proteins of the invention are also encompassed by the invention, as are vectors containing these nucleic acids, host cells transformed with these nucleic acids vectors, and methods of making the albumin fusion proteins of the intention and using these nucleic acids, vectors, and/or host cells. Additionally the present invention encompasses pharmaceutical compositions comprising albumin fusion proteins and methods of treating, preventing, or ameliorating diseases, disorders or conditions using albumin fusion proteins of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses albumin fusion proteins. Nucleic acid molecules encodings the albumin fusion proteins of the invention are also encompassed by the invention, as are vectors containing these nucleic acids, host cells transformed with these nucleic acids vectors, and methods of making the albumin fusion proteins of the intention and using these nucleic acids, vectors, and/or host cells. Additionally the present invention encompasses pharmaceutical compositions comprising albumin fusion proteins and methods of treating, preventing, or ameliorating diseases, disorders or conditions using albumin fusion proteins of the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to therapeutic fusion proteins in which a coagulation factor is fused to a half-life enhancing polypeptide, and in which both are connected by a linker peptide that is proteolytically cleavable. The cleavage of such linkers liberates the coagulation factor from activity-compromising steric hindrance caused by the half-life enhancing polypeptide and thereby allows the generation of fusion proteins may show relatively high molar specific activity when tested in coagulation-related assays. Furthermore, the fact that the linker is cleavable can enhance the rates of inactivation and/or elimination after proteolytic cleavage of the peptide linker compared to the rates measured for corresponding therapeutic fusion proteins linked by the non-cleavable linker having the amino acid sequence GGGGGGV.