Abstract: Compounds which directly inhibit IRE-1? activity in vitro, prodrugs, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. Such compounds and prodrugs are useful for treating diseases associated with the unfolded protein response and can be used as single agents or in combination therapies.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to analogs of peptides corresponding to class I MHC-restricted T cell epitopes and methods for their generation. These analogs can contain amino acid substitutions at residues that directly interact with MHC molecules, and can confer improved, modified or useful immunologic properties. Additionally, classes of analogs, in which the various substitutions comprise the non-standard residues norleucine and/or norvaline, are disclosed.

Abstract: Powder dispensing and sensing apparatus and methods are provided. The powder dispensing and sensing apparatus includes a tray support structure to receive a cartridge tray holding cartridges, a powder dispenser assembly including powder dispenser modules to dispense powder into respective cartridges of a batch of cartridges in the cartridge tray, a powder transport system to deliver powder to the powder dispenser modules, a sensor module including sensor cells to sense respective fill states, such as the weights, of each of the cartridges in the batch of cartridges, and a control system to control the powder dispenser modules in response to the respective sensed fill states of each of the cartridges of the batch of cartridges.

Abstract: Dry powder formulations of drugs such as antihistamine for nasal administration are provided where the drug is retained in the nasal cavity, and systemic side effects minimized or eliminated, through the selection of a narrow particle size range, between approximately 10 and 20 microns in diameter. In a preferred embodiment wherein the drug is an antihistamine, retention of the antihistamine at the nasal mucosa is improved and the bitter aftertaste associated with liquid antihistamine formulations significantly reduced. By making a dry powder formulation of an antihistamine (e.g., azelastine) having an average particle size of between 10 and 20 microns, the antihistamine is restricted primarily to the desired target organ, the nasal mucosa. Because the active ingredient stays in the nasal region, a lower dose can be used to achieve the same desired effect.

Abstract: Dry powder formulations of drugs such as antihistamine for nasal administration are provided where the drug is retained in the nasal cavity, and systemic side effects minimized or eliminated, through the selection of a narrow particle size range, between approximately 10 and 20 microns in diameter. In a preferred embodiment wherein the drug is an antihistamine, retention of the antihistamine at the nasal mucosa is improved and the bitter aftertaste associated with liquid antihistamine formulations significantly reduced. By making a dry powder formulation of an antihistamine (e.g., azelastine) having an average particle size of between 10 and 20 microns, the antihistamine is restricted primarily to the desired target organ, the nasal mucosa. Because the active ingredient stays in the nasal region, a lower dose can be used to achieve the same desired effect.

Abstract: Methods are provided for coating crystalline microparticles with an active agent by altering the surface properties of the microparticles in order to facilitate favorable association on the microparticle by the active agent. Type of surface properties that are altered by the disclosed methods include by electrostatic properties, hydrophobic properties and hydrogen bonding properties.

Abstract: Drug delivery systems have been developed based on the formation of diketopiperazine carboxylate salts and microparticles containing the same. The systems may further comprise a bioactive agent. Related methods for making and using the biologically active agent delivery compositions are also provided. In certain embodiments, the pharmaceutically acceptable salts described can be formed by removal of solvent by methods including distillation, evaporation, spray drying or lyophilization.

Abstract: Methods are provided for promoting the adsorption of an active agent to microparticles by modifying the structural properties of the active agent in order to facilitate favorable association to the microparticle.

Abstract: Methods are provided for promoting the adsorption of an active agent to microparticles by modifying the structural properties of the active agent in order to facilitate favorable association to the microparticle.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an improved device and methods for adapting to a laser diffraction apparatus used for measuring particle size distribution and density of the plume of a powder composition emitted from a dry powder inhaler.

Abstract: Methods are provided for coating crystalline microparticles with an active agent by altering the surface properties of the microparticles in order to facilitate favorable association on the microparticle by the active agent. Type of surface properties that are altered by the disclosed methods include by electrostatic properties, hydrophobic properties and hydrogen bonding properties.

Abstract: Improved methods for forming fine particles of a material have been developed, wherein the method steps include dissolving the material in a solvent to form a dilute solution, immobilizing the dilution solution, and then removing the solvent to yield particles of the material. Methods of immobilizing the dilute solution include freezing, gelation, and chelation. In a preferred embodiment, the immobilized solvent is removed by lyophilization, i.e. reducing the ambient pressure while avoiding application of sufficient heat to power a phase transition. Essentially any material and solvent for the material can be used in the methods described herein. Proteins and peptides in an aqueous solvent are the preferred systems.

Abstract: Provided is a method for the synthesis of N-protected bis-3,6-[4-aminobutyl]-2,5-diketopiperazine including the step of heating a solution of ?-amino protected lysine in the presence of a catalyst selected from the group consisting of sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, and phosphorus pentoxide.