Abstract: Embodied herein are engineered fusion proteins that bind and target nociceptor neurons, compositions comprising these engineered fusion proteins, and methods for treatment of pain using these engineered fusion proteins or compositions containing the engineered fusion proteins. The engineered fusion proteins contain domains derived from protein toxins such as the anthrax toxin, clostridial botulinum family of toxins, disulphide-containing toxins, and AB component type toxins.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of ameliorating inflammation, inhibiting proinflammatory cytokine and/or chemokine expression and treating various diseases and/or conditions incidental to the onset of inflammation, in a subject in need of treatment for such conditions, by administering select analogues of native hGhrelin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating a transient impairment of the motility of the gastrointestinal system resulting from postoperative ileus in a patient wherein said method includes the step of administering a therapeutically effective amount of a peptidyl analog of ghrelin to said patient.

Abstract: A system for the identification of proteases and protease inhibitors is provided. The system has at least two components. The first component is a reporter construct with at least one binding site, a transcriptional promoter, an inducible promoter region, and at least one reporter gene, all functionally connected for expression of the reporter gene(s) in functional coordination with a transcriptional activation agent. The second component is a transcriptional activation agent comprising a nucleic acid binding domain, at least one protease substrate domain, and at least one transcriptional activation domain for an inducible promoter. The system allows detection and evaluation of agents affecting protease activity directed to the protease substrate domain. The system also allows for the detection of the presence of proteases in environmental samples.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compounds according to formula, (R2R3)-A1-c(A2-A3-A4-A5-A6-A7-A8-A9)-A10-R1, and pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof that act as ligands for one or more of the melanocortin receptors, to methods of using such compounds to treat mammals and to pharmaceutical compositions comprising said compounds.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition for a sustained release of peptide therapeutics, in particular for a sustained release compatible with therapeutic treatments of at least two months. In an embodiment, the composition comprises lanreotide as an active agent, a hydrosoluble co-solvent, and water with the pH of the composition being from 4.0 to 7.5.

Abstract: Disclosed are peptide and peptidomimetic compounds generally according to formula (I) that are useful as GHRP analogs: R1-A1-A2-A3-A4-A5-R2??(I) wherein: A1 is Aib, Apc or Inp; A2 is D-Bal, D-Bip, D-Bpa, D-Dip, D-1Nal, D-2Nal, D-Ser(Bzl), or D-Trp; A3 is D-Bal, D-Bip, D-Bpa, D-Dip, D-1Nal, D-2Nal, D-Ser(Bzl), or D-Trp; A4 is 2Fua, Orn, 2Pal, 3Pal, 4Pal, Pff, Phe, Pim, Taz, 2Thi, 3Thi, Thr(Bzl); A5 is Apc, Dab, Dap, Lys, Orn, or deleted; R1 is hydrogen, (C1-6)alkyl, (C5-14)aryl, (C1-6)alkyl(C5-14)aryl, (C3-8)cycloakyl, or (C2-10)acyl; and R2 is OH or NH2; and pharmaceutical compositions and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating a transient impairment of the motility of the gastrointestinal system resulting from postoperative ileus in a patient wherein said method includes the step of administering a therapeutically effective amount of a peptidyl analog of ghrelin to said patient.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of an injectable pharmaceutical composition for the sustained release of somatostatin analogues. Composition prepared according to such a process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peptide ligands of the melanocortin receptors, in particular the melancortin-4 receptor, and as such, are useful in the treatment of disorders responsive to the activation of this receptor, such as insulin resistance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peptide ligands of the melanocortin receptors, in particular the melancortin-4 receptor, and as such, are useful in the treatment of disorders responsive to the activation of this receptor, such as obesity, diabetes mellitus and sexual dysfunction.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of injectable pharmaceutical compositions for the sustained release of somatostatin analogs and compositions prepared according to the process. The process may comprise lyophilizing a mixture of lanreotide acetate and acetic acid to form a lyophilizate and hydrating the lyophilizate, wherein the lyophilization is performed only once.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peptide ligands of the melanocortin receptors, in particular the melancortin-4 receptor, and as such, are useful in the treatment of disorders responsive to the activation of this receptor, such as insulin resistance.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compounds according to formula, (R2R3)-A1-c(A2-A3-A4-A5-A6-A7-A8-A9)-A10-R1, and pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof that act as ligands for one or more of the melanocortin receptors, to methods of using such compounds to treat mammals and to pharmaceutical compositions comprising said compounds.

Abstract: Imidazolidine-2,4-dione derivatives of formula (I): These compounds have anti-proliferative activity and are useful for treating pathological states and diseases linked to an abnormal cell proliferation, such as cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peptide ligands of the melanocortin receptors, in particular the melancortin-4 receptor, and as such, are useful in the treatment of disorders responsive to the activation of this receptor, such as obesity, diabetes mellitus and sexual dysfunction.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compounds according to formula, (R2R3)-A1-c(A2-A3-A4-A5-A6-A7-A8-A9)-A10-R1, and pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof that act as ligands for one or more of the melanocortin receptors, to methods of using such compounds to treat mammals and to pharmaceutical compositions comprising said compounds.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of derivatives of thiazoles having general formula (I) for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment or prevention of dyskinesias caused by a chemical treatment. The invention also relates to a combination of thiazole derivatives having general formula (I) and at least one compound selected from among neuroleptics or products that act on the dopaminergic system for the treatment or prevention of dyskinesias caused by a chemical treatment.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compounds according to formula, (R2R3)-A1-c(A2-A3-A4-A5-A6-A7-A8-A9)-A10-R1, and pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof that act as ligands for one or more of the melanocortin receptors, to methods of using such compounds to treat mammals and to pharmaceutical compositions comprising said compounds.

Abstract: The present invention provides a storage-stable composition containing a parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) and methods of using a PTHrP and the PTHrP compositions described herein to treat osteoporosis, to increase bone mass or to increase bone quality. The composition is storage stable, in sterile form, and in general may be stored at room temperature for at least several weeks to allow convenient parenteral administration to human patients.