Abstract: The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition for the sustained release of C-peptide. The composition is in the form of a gel containing C-peptide. The gel formation is achieved by the adjustment of pH of the composition and/or by addition of divalent metal ions. The composition does not include any other gel-forming agents. Methods for producing the composition, medical uses of the composition and products containing two or more gel compositions as a combined preparation are also encompassed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of proinsulin C-peptide or a variant, derivative or fragment thereof in the manufacture of a medicament for reducing the OTc interval and the use of proinsulin C-peptide or a variant, derivative or fragment thereof in the manufacture of a medicament for reducing the risk of sudden death or ‘dead in bed’ syndrome; particularly in patients suffering from IDDM.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peptides being the N-terminal fragment of human proinsulin C-peptide and having the sequence EAEDLQVGQVEL (SEQ ID No: 2) or a fragment or peptide derivative thereof retaining the functional ability of the N-terminal fragment to contribute to C-peptide activity, wherein said fragment or peptide derivative comprises two acidic amino acid residues and is capable of adopting a conformation where said two acidic amino acid residues are spatially separated from one another by a distance of 9-14 ? between the ?-carbons thereof; and wherein said peptide derivative does not include native C-peptide of any species nor human C-peptide 1-15, 1-24 or 1-26 or rat C-peptide 1-26. The invention also relates to peptides having an amino acid sequence comprising (i) the N-terminal fragment of human insulin C-peptide having the sequence EAEDLQVGQVEL (SEQ ID NO. 2) or (ii) a fragment or peptide derivative of amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel absorbable polyesters, produced by ring-opening polymerisation of hydroxycarboxylic acids in the presence of a polyol containing an electrolyte, in an extruder. In particular, the invention relates to novel polylactide glycolide polyesters which are essentially free of dextran sulphate and which are produced by ring-opening polymerisation of lactide and glycolide in the presence of dextran sulphate in the extruder; to the production of the same and to their use in depot medicaments.

Abstract: The invention features peptides that are fragments of the human insulin C-peptide, which peptides include the sequence ELGGGPGAG or a fragment thereof, or the sequence EGSLQ or a fragment thereof. The peptides have the ability to stimulate Na+K+ATPase activity. Also provided are biomimetic organic compounds exhibiting activation of Na+K+ATPase activity and/or cellular binding to renal tubule cells and fibroblasts. Such peptides and compounds are useful in combating diabetes and diabetic complications, or for stimulating Na+K+ATPase activity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing an insulin C-peptide, which comprises expressing in a host cell a multimeric polypeptide comprising multiple copies of the insulin C-peptide, and cleaving the expressed polypeptide to release single copies of the insulin C-peptide. Also provided are nucleic acid molecules, expression vectors and host cells, for use in such a method and the multimeric insulin C-peptide polypeptide expressed and cleaved in such a method.