Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of in vivo and ex vivo gene delivery, for a variety of cells. More specifically, it relates to a novel carrier system and method for targeted delivery of nucleic acids to mammalian cells. More specifically, the present invention relates to carrier system comprising single-chain polypeptide binding molecules having an a region rich in basic amino acid and having the three dimensional folding and, thus, the binding ability and specificity, of the variable region of an antibody. The basic amino acid rich region can comprise oligo-lysine, oligo-arginine or combinations thereof. Such preparations of modified single chain polypeptide binding molecules also have ability to bind nucleic acids at the region rich in basic amino acid residues. These properties of the modified single chain polypeptide binding molecules make them very useful in a variety of therapeutic applications including gene therapy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to single-chain antigen-binding molecules capable of glycosylation. Compositions of, genetic constructions coding for, and methods for producing monovalent and multivalent single-chain antigen-binding molecules capable of glycosylation are described and claimed. Composition of, genetic constructions coding for, and methods for producing glycosylated monovalent and multivalent single-chain antigen-binding molecules capable of polyalkylene oxide conjugation are described and claimed. The invention also relates to methods for producing a polypeptide having increased glycosylation and the polypeptide produced by the described method. Uses resulting from the multifunctionality of a glycosylated/polyalkylene oxide conjugated antigen-binding protein are also described and claimed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the chemical modification of single chain polypeptides by means of covalent attachment of strands of poly(ethylene glycol) PEG and similar poly(alkylene oxides) to single chain polypeptide binding molecules that have the three dimensional folding and, thus, the binding ability and specificity, of the variable region of an antibody. Such preparations of modified single chain polypeptide binding molecules have reduced immugenicity and antigenicity as well as having a longer halflife in the bloodstream as compared to the parent polypeptide. These beneficial properties of the modified single chain polypeptide binding molecules make them very useful in a variety of therapeutic applications. The invention also relates to multivalent antigen-binding molecules capable of PEGylation. Compositions of, genetic constructions for, methods of use, and methods for producing PEGylated antigen-binding proteins are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to polymeric-prodrug transport forms of the formula: wherein: E1-4 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1-6 alkyls, C3-12 branched alkyls, C3-8 cycloalkyls, C1-6 substituted alkyls, C3-8 substituted cycloalkyls, aryls, substituted aryls, aralkyls, C1-6 heteroalkyls, substituted C1-6 heteroalkyls, C1-6 alkoxy, phenoxy, C1-6 heteroalkoxy, and at least one of E1-4 includes a B moiety, wherein B is a leaving group, OH, a residue of a hydroxyl-or amino-containing moiety or wherein J1 is the same as J, or another member of the group defining J and E5 is the same as E1-4, or another member of the group defining E1-4; Y1-2 are independently O, S or NR9; M is a heteroatom selected from either X or Q; wherein X is an electron withdrawing group and Q is a moiety containing a free electron pair positioned three to six atoms from C(=Y2); R2-5 and R7-9 are independently selected

Abstract: The present invention relates to the chemical modification of single chain polypeptides by means of covalent attachment of strands of poly(ethylene glycol) PEG and similar poly(alkylene oxides) to single chain polypeptide binding molecules that have the three dimensional folding and, thus, the binding ability and specificity, of the variable region of an antibody. Such preparations of modified single chain polypeptide binding molecules have reduced immugenicity and antigenicity as well as having a longer halflife in the bloodstream as compared to the parent polypeptide. These beneficial properties of the modified single chain polypeptide binding molecules make them very useful in a variety of therapeutic applications. The invention also relates to multivalent antigen-binding molecules capable of PEGylation. Compositions of, genetic constructions for, methods of use, and methods for producing PEGylated antigen-binding proteins are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to polymeric-prodrug transport forms of the formula: wherein: G is a linear or branched, terminally functionalized polymer residue; Y1 is O, S, or NR1; M is X or Q; wherein X is an electron withdrawing group and Q is a moiety containing a free electron pair positioned three to six atoms from C(═Y1); R1-5 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1-6 alkyls, C3-12 branched alkyls, C3-8 cycloalkyls, C1-6 substituted alkyls, C3-8 substituted cycloalkyls, aryls, substituted aryls, aralkyls, C1-6 heteroalkyls, substituted C1-6 heteroalkyls; R6 is OR7 or N3, NH2, NO2 or CN, where R7 is selected from the same group which defines R1-5; R8-9 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo, or R6; and a and n are each independently zero or a positive integer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of in vivo and ex vivo gene delivery, for a variety of cells. More specifically, it relates to a novel carrier system and method for targeted delivery of nucleic acids to mammalian cells. More specifically, the present invention relates to carrier system comprising single-chain polypeptide binding molecules having an a region rich in basic amino acid and having the three dimensional folding and, thus, the binding ability and specificity, of the variable region of an antibody. The basic amino acid rich region can comprise oligo-lysine, oligo-arginine or combinations thereof. Such preparations of modified single chain polypeptide binding molecules also have ability to bind nucleic acids at the region rich in basic amino acid residues. These properties of the modified single chain polypeptide binding molecules make them very useful in a variety of therapeutic applications including gene therapy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to single-chain antigen-binding molecules capable of glycosylation. Compositions of, genetic constructions coding for, and methods for producing monovalent and multivalent single-chain antigen-binding molecules capable of glycosylation are described and claimed. Composition of, genetic constructions coding for, and methods for producing glycosylated monovalent and multivalent single-chain antigen-binding molecules capable of polyalkylene oxide conjugation are described and claimed. The invention also relates to methods for producing a polypeptide having increased glycosylation and the polypeptide produced by the described method. Uses resulting from the multifunctionality of a glycosylated/polyalkylene oxide conjugated antigen-binding protein are also described and claimed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to double prodrugs containing polymeric-based transport forms.

Abstract: Polymeric compounds of the formula: (D)n—M—(R1)m  (I) wherein (m) and (n) independently selected positive integers, preferably from about 1 to about 6 each; D is a residue of a biologically active moiety; M is a multifunctional linker/spacer moiety; and R1 is a polymer residue are disclosed. Methods of preparing the same and methods of treatment using the same are also included as part of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to double prodrugs containing polymeric-based transport forms.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of forming esters of tertiary alcohols. The methods include reacting a compound containing a tertiary alcohol with an acyl heteroaromatic ion-based compound of the formula: wherein R1 is an aromatic or aliphatic acid residue; Y is O or S; Z is CR2 or N; X is selected from the group consisting of wherein R2 and R3 are independently selected from the group consisting of H, C1-6 alkyls, C1-6 substituted alkyls, C1-6 heteroalkyls, C3-8 branched alkyls, C3-8 cycloalkyls, C1-6 substituted heteroalkyls, aryls, substituted aryls, C1-6 alkyl aralkyls, C1-6 heteroalkyl aralkyls, C3-8 branched alkyl aralkyls and C3-8 cycloalkyl aralkyls; and R2′ is the same as R2 except that R2′ is not H; in the presence of a lanthanideIII metal-based catalyst and a base.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to double prodrugs containing polymeric-based transport forms.

Abstract: Substantially non-antigenic polymers containing pI and/or pH optimum modulating moieties are disclosed. The polymers are useful as intermediates for synthesis of amine-based polymers and in the formation of activated polymers for conjugation with nucleophiles. Conjugates and methods of preparation and treatment with the conjugates are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to polymeric- prodrug transport forms of the formula: ##STR1## wherein: B is a leaving group, OH, a residue of a hydroxyl-containing moiety or ##STR2## wherein B.sub.1 is a leaving group, OH or a residue of a hydroxyl-containing moiety;Y.sub.1-2 are independently O or S;M is selected from either X or Q; wherein X is an electron withdrawing group and Q is a moiety containing a free electron pair positioned three to six atoms from C(.dbd.Y.sub.2); R.sub.2-5 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C.sub.1-6 alkyls, C.sub.3-12 branched alkyls, C.sub.3-8 cycloalkyls, C.sub.1-6 substituted alkyls, C.sub.3-8 substituted cycloalkyls, aryls, substituted aryls, aralkyls, C.sub.1-6 heteroalkyls and substituted C.sub.1-6 heteroalkyls;(m) is zero or one;(n) is a positive integer;(p) is zero or a positive integer;Z is an electron withdrawing group; andR.sub.

Abstract: A purified arginine deiminase (ADI) obtained from Mycoplasma arthritidis having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 as well as an isolated nucleic acid molecule containing a nucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 are disclosed. Other aspects of the invention include an expression vector, a cloned gene for expressing the Mycoplasma arthritidis derived ADI, (recombinant) host cells useful in expressing the ADI of the present invention and substantially non-antigenic polymer conjugates containing the ADI of the present invention as well as methods of treating arginine deiminase susceptible conditions in mammals. The arginine deiminase-polymer conjugates have high levels of retained enzyme activity and relatively long circulating lives.

Abstract: The present invention is directed compositions of the formula: ##STR1## wherein: D is a residue of a biologically active moiety;X is an electron withdrawing group;Y and Y' are independently O or S;(n) is zero (0) or a positive integer, preferably from 1 to about 12;R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are independently selected from the group consisting of H, C.sub.1-6 alkyls, aryls, substituted aryls, aralkyls, heteroalkyls, substituted heteroalkyls and substituted C.sub.1-6 alkyls;R.sub.3 is a substantially non-antigenic polymer, C.sub.1-12 straight or branched alkyl or substituted alkyl, C.sub.5-8 cycloalkyl or substituted cycloalkyl, carboxyalkyl, carboalkoxy alkyl, dialkylaminoalkyl, phenylalkyl, phenylaryl or ##STR2## R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 are independently selected from the group consisting of H, C.sub.1-6 alkyls, aryls, substituted aryls, aralkyls, heteroalkyls, substituted heteroalkyls, and substituted C.sub.1-6 alkyls or jointly form a cyclic C.sub.5 -C.sub.7 ring.

Abstract: Compositions of, genetic constructions coding for, and methods for producing multivalent antigen-binding proteins are described and claimed. The methods include purification of compositions containing both monomeric and multivalent forms of single polypeptide chain molecules, and production of multivalent proteins from purified monomers. Production of multivalent proteins may occur by a concentration-dependent association of monomeric proteins, or by rearrangement of regions involving dissociation followed by reassociation of different regions. Bivalent proteins, including homobivalent and heterobivalent proteins, are made in the present invention. Genetic sequences coding for bivalent single-chain antigen-binding proteins are disclosed. Uses include all those appropriate for monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies and fragments thereof, including use as a bispecific antigen-binding molecule.

Abstract: Branched, substantially non-antigenic polymers are disclosed. Conjugates prepared with the polymers and biologically active molecules such as proteins and peptides demonstrate extended circulating life in vivo. Substantially fewer sites on the biologically active material are used as attachment sites. Methods of forming the polymer, conjugating the polymers with biologically active moieties and methods of using the conjugates are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of forming esters of tertiary alcohols. The methods include reacting a compound containing a tertiary alcohol with an acyl heteroaromatic ion-based compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is an aromatic or aliphatic acid residue;Y is O or S;Z is R.sub.2 N;X is selected from the group consisting of ##STR2## wherein R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are independently selected from the group consisting ofH, C.sub.1-6 alkyls, C.sub.1-6 substituted alkyls, C.sub.1-6 heteroalkyls, C.sub.3-8, branched alkyls, C.sub.3-8 cycloalkyls, C.sub.1-6 substituted heteroalkyls, aryls, substituted aryls, except that R.sub.2 is not H when X is ##STR3## C.sub.1-6 alkyl aralkyls, C.sub.1-6 heteroalkyl aralkyls, C.sub.3-8, branched alkyl aralkyls and C.sub.3-8 cycloalkyl aralkyls; and R.sub.2 ' is the same as R.sub.2 except that R.sub.2 ' is not H;in the presence of a lanthanide.sup.III metal-based catalyst and a base.