Abstract: 1,4,7,10-Tetrazacyclododecanes carrying a side chain terminating in a group capable of reacting with an antibody, and their complexes with a di- or tripositive metal having a coordination number of 6 or more can be used to prepare imaging agents. Typical metals are indium, copper, lead, bismuth, yttrium, terbium, gadolinium, and scandium. The compounds can be reacted with a monoclonal or polyclonal antibody or antibody fragment to target the metal to a specific type of tissue.

Abstract: Bis-maleimido cross-linking reagents join labelled antibodies having at least one sulphide interchain bridge. The conjugates have an enhanced binding capacity and have good blood clearance in vivo. The conjugates are of use in the diagnosis and therapy of tumors and may be prepared by reaction of the cross-linking reagent with the antibody.

Abstract: A33 antigen binding proteins are described for use in the diagnosis or treatment of colorectal tumors and metastases arising therefrom. The binding protein may be a humanized A33 antibody, including complete antibody molecules, fragments thereof, and particularly, multivalent monospecific proteins comprising two, three, four or more antibodies or fragments thereof, bound to each other by a cross-linking agent. For diagnosis or therapy, the humanized A33 antibody may be linked to a reporter or effector molecule.

Abstract: Methods for preparing Fv fragments which lack linking polypeptides in eukaryotic cells are provided.

Abstract: A combined preparation for simultaneous combined, simultaneous separate, or sequential use in the therapy of prophylaxis of disorders associated with undesirable high levels of TNF, e.g. septic or endotoxic shock and immunoregulatory and inflammatory disorders, which comprises an antibody to TNF or a TNF binding fragment thereof and a xanthine derivative. Particular preferred xanthine derivatives are 3,7-dimethyl-1(5-oxo-hexyl)xanthine (known as Pentoxifylline or TRENTAL) and 1-(5-hydroxy-5-methylhexyl)-3-methylxanthine and similar compounds. The anti-TNF antibody or fragment is preferably monospecific especially a humanized recombinant antibody or fragment.

Abstract: Methods of use for compounds of formula (I) are described wherein R represent a --CONHOH, carboxyl (--CO.sub.2 H) or esterified carboxyl group; R.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl or heteroarylthioalkyl group; R.sup.2 represents an optionally substituted phenylethyl, phenylpropyl or phenylbutyl group; R.sup.3 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group; R.sup.4 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group; R.sup.5 represents an optionally substituted alkyl or alkenyl group optionally interrupted by one or more --O-- or --S-- atoms or --N(R.sup.7)-- groups (where R.sup.7 is a hydrogen atom or a C.sub.1-6 alkyl group); X represents an amino (--NH.sub.2), or substituted amino, hydroxyl or substituted hydroxyl group; and the salts, solvates and hydrates thereof.

Abstract: A multivalent antigen-binding protein comprises a first Fv fragment bound to at least one further Fv fragment by a connecting structure which links the Fv fragments to each other but which maintains them spaced apart such that the proteins are capable of binding to adjacent antigenic determinants. Typically the connecting structure comprises a spacing polypeptide sequence, which may be about 3 to 16 amino acids in length, connected to a linkage unit which may be a synthetic chemical linker, e.g., a maleimide linker, or is a polypeptide sequence leading from the spacing sequence. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the multivalent antigen binding protein comprises a VH domain having attached to its C-terminal end a V-C joining sequence and an antibody hinge sequence. Preferably one or more of the Fv fragments is a single chain Fv (scFv). The proteins are preferably prepared by recombinant DNA techniques and are useful for in vivo therapeutic and especially diagnostic applications.

Abstract: CDR-grafted antibody heavy and light chains comprise acceptor framework and donor antigen binding regions, the heavy chains comprising donor residues at at least one of positions (6, 23) and/or (24, 48) and/or (49, 71) and/or (73, 75) and/or (76) and/or (78) and (88) and/or (91). The CDR-grafted light chains comprise donor residues at at least one of positions (1) and/or (3) and (46) and/or (47) or at at least one of positions (46, 48, 58) and (71). The CDR-grafted antibodies are preferably humanised antibodies, having non human, e.g. rodent, donor and human acceptor frameworks, and may be used for in vivo therapy and diagnosis. A generally applicable protocol is disclosed for obtaining CDR-grafted antibodies.

Abstract: A human gastric lipase protein for use in the treatment of lipase deficiency. A process is described for producing gastric lipase using recombinant DNA technology to produce a host organism (for example E. coli) capable of producing a methionine-gastric lipase or precursor of the gastric lipase which may be cleaved to yield the gastric lipase. The host organism is transformed with a vector including a gene coding for a methionine-gastric lipase or a precursor of gastric lipase. The precursor protein is for example, pregastric lipase protein, or a fusion protein comprising gastric lipase and a heterologous protein. A pharmaceutical composition in unit dosage or liquid form is described.

Abstract: A human gastric lipase protein for use in the treatment of lipase deficiency. A process is described for producing gastric lipase using recombinant DNA technology to produce a host organism (for example E. coli) capable of producing a methionine-gastric lipase or precursor of the gastric lipase which may be cleaved to yield the gastric lipase. The host organism is transformed with a vector including a gene coding for a methionine-gastric lipase or a precursor of gastric lipase. The precursor protein is for example, pregastric lipase protein, or a fusion protein comprising gastric lipase and a heterologous protein. A pharmaceutical composition in unit dosage or liquid form is described.

Abstract: Methods for enhancing the production of tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) in cell culture are disclosed. The methods involve culturing TPA-producing cells in growth media supplemented with an alkanoic acid or salt thereof at a concentration which enhances TPA production. The most preferred methods utilize butyric acid or sodium butyrate at a concentration of between 0.5 mM and 2.5 mM.

Abstract: The invention provides expression vectors containing the promoter, enhancer and substantially complete 5'-untranslated region including the first intron of the major immediate early gene of human cytomegalovirus. Further vectors including the hCMV-MIE DNA linked directly to the coding sequence of a heterologous gene are described. Host cells transfected with the vectors and a process for producing heterologous polypeptides using the vectors and the use of the hCMV-MIE DNA for expression of a heterologous gene are also included within the invention.

Abstract: Metalloproteinase inhibitors are provided which are selective inhibitors of the action of gelatinase, and may be of use in the treatment of cancer to control the development of tumour metastases.

Abstract: A device for performing an enzyme-labelled binding assay comprises an absorbent material and a developing solution, wherein the absorbent material is provided with a plurality of reagent zones including an indicator reagent zone, and is capable of transporting the developing solution by capillary action sequentially through each reagent zone, and wherein the indicator reagent zone includes a reagent capable, directly or indirectly, of immobilising an enzyme-labelled reagent in an amount dependent upon the assay result, characterised in that the developing solution includes a signal producing substrate for the enzyme. The substrate moves slower through the absorbent material than the enzyme-labelled reagent or any compound of the enzyme-labelled reagent formed in the assay. The absorbent material is suitably in the form of an elongate strip provided with transverse reagent zones. The device is useful for performing immunoassays including immunometric assays and dual analyte assays.

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: Ti-aza macrocycles of formula (1), wherein m and n, which may be the same or different, is each zero or an integer 1, 2, or 3; p is zero or an integer 1 or 2; q is zero or an integer from 1 to 6 inclusive; R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3, which may be the same or different, is each a hydrogen atom or an alkyl, alkoxyalkyl, --CO.sub.2 H, --SO.sub.3 H, PO.sub.3 H.sub.2 or aryl group; L is a covalent bond or linker group; Z is a hydrogen atom or a reactive functional group, with the proviso that when L is a covalent bond Z is a reactive functional group; and metal complexes and/or salts thereof are described together with processes for their preparation and compositions containing them. The compounds are useful for imaging and in the treatment of abnormal cell disorders, such as in the treatment of tumours, and are particularly suitable for coupling to other molecules such as proteins for use in diagnosis and therapy.

Abstract: This invention relates to human gene related peptide pharmaceutical compositions containing the peptide and the method of treating hypertension with said pharmaceutical composition.

Abstract: Cross-linked labelled antibody conjugates are described which have at least one non-disulphide interchain bridge. The bridge may be the residue of a homo- or heterofunctional cross-linking reagent, and is located away from the antigen binding domains of the antibody. The antibody conjugates have an enhanced binding capacity and in vivo have good blood clearance and, in the presence of a tumour high tumour: blood and tumour: bone ratios. The conjugates are of use in the diagnosis and therapy of e.g. tumours and may be prepared by reaction of a cross-linking reagent with an antibody.

Abstract: In a process for the production of a soluble native protein, such as immunoglobulin or methionine-prochymosin, in which an insoluble form of the protein is produced by a host organism transformed with a vector including a gene coding for the protein, the insoluble form of the protein is reversibly denatured in an alkaline aqueous solution at a pH selected to promote dissociation of a group or groups of the protein involved in maintaining the conformation of the protein, and the protein is subsequently allowed to renature by reducing the pH of the solution below a pH effective to denature the protein to produce the soluble native form of the protein. The pH of the alkaline aqueous is suitably in the range 9.0 to 11.5.