Abstract: Novel proteins or polypeptides having significant sequence homology to DPPIV, nucleic acids coding therefor, cells which have been modified with such nucleic acid so as to express these proteins, antibodies to these proteins, screening methods for the discovery of new therapeutic agents which are inhibitors of the activity of these proteins or of related proteins, and therapeutic agents discovered by such screening methods, as well as new therapeutic treatments, are all provided.

Abstract: Compounds according to general formula (1), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein V is a covalent bond or NH, X is selected from CH2, O and N-alkyl, Z is either S or —CH═CH—, R1 and R2 are independently selected from H, F, Cl, Br and alkyl, R3 is selected from OH, O-alkyl and NR4R5, R4 and R5 are each independently H or alkyl, or together are —(CH2)q—, p is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, and q is 4 or 5, are new. They are agonists at the asopressin V2 receptor and are useful as antidiuretics and pro-coagulants.

Abstract: Inhibitors of dipeptidyl peptidase IV and pharmaceutical compositions comprising these inhibitors are useful in the treatment of short stature due to Growth-Hormone deficiency and for promoting GH-dependent tissue growth or regrowth.

Abstract: Peptides are provided which have improved duration of GnRH antagonistic properties. These antagonists may be used to regulate fertility and to treat steroid-dependent tumors and for other short-term and long-term treatment indications. These antagonists have a derivative of aminoPhe or its equivalent in the 5- or the 5- and 6-positions. This derivative is modified so as to contain a carbamoyl group or heterocycle, including a urea moiety, in its side chain. Decapeptides having the formula: Ac-D-2Nal-D-4Cpa-D-3Pal-Ser-4Aph(L-hydroorotyl)-D-4Amf(Q2)-Leu-Lys(isopropyl)-Pro-Xaa10, wherein Q2 is Cbm or MeCbm and Xaa10 is D-Ala-ol or Ala-ol are particularly effective and continue to exhibit very substantial suppression of LH secretion at 96 hours following injection.

Abstract: Peptides which exhibit high selectivity for the kappa opioid receptor (KOR) and long duration of peripheral action without significant entry into the brain are created which are sequences of four D-isomer amino acid residues having a C-terminus which is a mono or di-substituted amide. Representative compounds, which have an affinity for the KOR at least 1,000 times their affinity for the mu opioid receptor and an ED.sub.50 of not greater than about 0.5 mg/kg, includeH-D-Phe-D-Phe-D-Nle-D-Arg-NHEt,H-D-Phe-D-Phe-D-Nle-D-Arg-morpholinyl,H-D-Phe-D-Phe-D-Nle-D-Arg-NH-4-picolyl,H-D-Phe-D-Phe-D-Nle-D-Arg-NHPr,H-D-Phe-D-Phe-D-Nle-D-Arg-thiomorpholinyl,H-D-Phe-D-Phe-D-Nle-D-Arg-NEt.sub.2,H-D-Phe-D-Phe-D-Nle-D-Arg-NHMe,H-D-Phe-D-Phe-D-Leu-D-Orn-morpholinyl,H-D-Phe-D-Phe-D-Nle-D-Arg-NHhEt,H-D-Phe-D-Phe-D-Nle-D-Arg-NH-cyclopropyl,H-D-Ala(2Thi)-D-4Cpa-D-Leu-D-Arg-morpholinyl,H-D-Phe-D-Phe-D-Nle-D-Arg-piperidinyl,H-D-Phe-D-Phe-D-Leu-D-Orn-NHEt,H-D-Phe-D-Phe-D-Leu-D-Lys-morpholinyl,andH-D-Phe-D-Phe-D-Nle-D-Arg-piperazinyl.

Abstract: A benzodiazepine derivative of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein (a) R.sup.1 is --CH.sub.2 CHOH(CH.sub.2).sub.a R.sup.4 or a ketone group --CH.sub.2 CO(CH.sub.2).sub.a R.sup.5 in which a is 0 or 1 and R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are selected from alkyl and cycloalkyl groups and saturated heterocyclic groups optionally substituted at a hetero-atom; (b) R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are independently selected from aromatic carbocyclic and heterocylic residues; and (c) W and X are selected independently from halogen and hydrogen atoms and alkyl and alkoxy groups. These compounds are gastrin and/or CCK-B receptor antagonists.

Abstract: Peptides are provided which have improved duration of GnRH antagonistic properties. These antagonists may be used to regulate fertility and to treat steroid-dependent tumors and for other short-term and long-term treatment indications. These antagonists have a derivative of aminoPhe or its equivalent in the 5- and/or 6-positions. This derivative contains a carbamoyl group or a heterocycle including a urea in its side chain. Particularly effective decapeptides, which continue to exhibit very substantial suppression of LH secretion at 96 hours following injection, have the formulae: Ac-D-2Nal-D-4Cpa-D-3Pal-Ser-4Aph(hydroorotyl)-D-4Aph(acetyl)-Leu-Lys(isopr opyl)-Pro-D-Ala-NH.sub.2, and Ac-D-2Nal-D-4Cpa-D-3Pal-Ser-4Aph(hydroorotyl)-D-4Amf(Q.sub.2)-Leu-Lys(isop ropyl)-Pro-D-Ala-NH.sub.2, wherein Q.sub.2 is Cbm or MeCbm.

Abstract: Peptides are provided which have improved duration of GnRH antagonistic properties and/or which can be synthesized more economically. These antagonists may be used in the same manner as the compounds of which they are analogs to regulate fertility and to treat steroid-dependent tumors and for other short-term and long-term treatment indications. One particularly effective peptide, a decapeptide analog of the GnRH antagonist Acyline, has the formula: Ac-D-2Nal-D-4Cpa-D-Dpr(methylcarbamoyl)-Ser-4Aph(acetyl)-D-4Aph(acetyl)-Le u-Lys(isopropyl)-Pro-D-Ala-NH.sub.2. It continues to exhibit very substantial suppression of LH secretion at 96 hours following injection. Other economically attractive and pharmacologically effective analogs have the formulas: Ac-D-2Nal-D-4Cpa-Xaa.sub.3 -Ser-4Aph(acetyl)-D-4Aph(acetyl)-Leu-Lys(isopropyl)-Pro-D-Ala-NH.sub.2 ; and Ac-D-2Nal-D-4Cpa-Xaa.sub.3 -Ser-4Aph(hydroorotyl)-D-4Aph(acetyl)-Leu-Lys(isopropyl)-Pro-D-Ala-NH.sub. 2, wherein Xaa.sub.3 is D-Gln or Gln.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of high purity desmopressin produced in single batches of substantial size and a method of treating diabetes insipidus with the high purity desmopressin produced therefrom.

Abstract: A composition for a foam and a process for preparing it are provided, the composition including by weight (a) more than 25% of an active ingredient in powder form; (b) from 1 to 20% of a surfactant; the balance being composed of water, wherein the powder of the active ingredient has a particle size below 20 .mu.m. Foams, notably for rectal administration, containing this composition with a propellant gas are also provided.