Abstract: A dry powder inhaler having improved aerodynamic properties for diluting, dispersing, and metering drug particles for increasing the efficiency of pulmonary drug delivery to a patient is described. The inhaler comprises, in general, a housing having an air intake, an air flow-control/check-valve, a mixing section and a mouthpiece. A cartridge loaded with a single dose of medicament can be installed in the mixing section.

Abstract: Blister packages are described that comprise a blistered base sheet including one or more cavities and a lid bonded to said blister package. The cavities may include a void, a dome structure, and a shelf. The shelf may be configured to hold a cartridge, and the cartridge may contain a pharmaceutical formulation.

Abstract: A method for treating hyperglycemia and/or diabetes in a subject is provided. In particular, the method is directed for the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who have a fasting blood glucose concentration greater than about 8 mM, wherein the patient is administered a formulation comprising a GLP-1 molecule and a diketopiperazine by pulmonary inhalation with a dry powder inhalation system.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments detail improved methods for the synthesis of diketopiperazines from amino acids. In particular improved methods for the cyclocondensation and purification of N-protected 3,6-(aminoalkyl)-2,5-diketopiperazines from N-protected amino acids. Disclosed embodiments describe methods for the synthesis of 3,6-bis-[N-protected aminoalkyl]-2,5-diketopiperazine comprising heating a mixture of an amino acid in the presence of a catalyst in an organic solvent. The catalyst is selected from the group comprising sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, 1-propylphosphonic acid cyclic anhydride, tributyl phosphate, phenyl phosphonic acid and phosphorous pentoxide among others. The solvent is selected from the group comprising: dimethylacetamide, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, diglyme, ethyl glyme, proglyme, ethyldiglyme, m-cresol, p-cresol, o-cresol, xylenes, ethylene glycol and phenol among others.

Abstract: A breath-powered, dry powder inhaler, a cartridge, and a pulmonary drug delivery system are provided. The dry powder inhaler can be provided with or without a unit dose cartridge for using with the inhaler. The inhaler and/or cartridge can be provided with a drug delivery formulation comprising, for example, a diketopiperazine and an active ingredient, including, peptides and proteins such as insulin and glucagon-like peptide 1 for the treatment of diabetes and/or obesity. The dry powder inhaler is compact; can be provided in various shapes and sizes, colors, and comprises a housing, a mouthpiece, a cartridge placement area, and a mechanism for opening and closing the medicament cartridge. The device is easy to manufacture, provides a pre-metered single unit dose, it is relatively easy to use, and can be reusable or disposable.

Abstract: Disclosed are drug delivery systems for the delivery of small molecule and macromolecular drugs. More particularly, disclosed are substituted analogs of 3,6-di(alkyl-4 aminobutyl)-2,5-diketopiperazine (which may also be referred to DKP), their use in the formulation of both small molecule and macromolecular drugs including therapeutic, prophylactic and diagnostic agents, stabilizing agents and systems for their delivery.

Abstract: An apparatus, a closed-loop system and method for measuring the resistance of inhalation systems and/or devices are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods are provided for purifying peptides and proteins by incorporating the peptide or protein into a diketopiperazine or competitive complexing agent to facilitate removal one or more impurities, from the peptide or protein. Formulations and methods also are provided for the improved transport of active agents across biological membranes, resulting for example in a rapid increase in blood agent concentration. The formulations include microparticles formed of (i) the active agent, which may be charged or neutral, and (ii) a transport enhancer that masks the charge of the agent and/or that forms hydrogen bonds with the target biological membrane in order to facilitate transport. In one embodiment, insulin is administered via the pulmonary delivery of microparticles comprising fumaryl diketopiperazine and insulin in its biologically active form. This method of delivering insulin results in a rapid increase in blood insulin concentration that is comparable to the increase resulting from intravenous delivery.

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: 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: The disclosure relates to antibodies to the preferentially expressed antigen in melanoma (PRAME), and the synovial sarcoma X breakpoint 2 (SSX-2) antigens, methods of use, and diagnostic kits thereof. In exemplary embodiments, the disclosure relates to monoclonal antibodies to specific epitopes of the PRAME and SSX-2 antigens and methods of using such antibodies.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are diketopiperazine microparticles having a specific surface area of less than about 67 m2/g. The diketopiperazine microparticle can be fumaryl diketopiperazine and can comprise a drug such as insulin.

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.

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: 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: A method for treating migraines is disclosed. The method utilizes a rapid drug delivery system which prevents deactivation or degradation of the active agent, including small molecules and peptides being administered to a patient in need of treatment. In particular, the drug delivery system is designed for inhalation for delivery of drugs to the pulmonary circulation in a rapid and therapeutically effective manner.

Abstract: An inhaler is instantly activated upon its removal from a cover or cover unit, and by rotating a cartridge component of the inhaler with respect to a mouthpiece portion, so as to create a flow pathway for ambient air and particles. The cartridge component includes a chamber, whose contents typically include dry powders or the like. Upon creation of the flow pathway, the contents of the chamber are instantly accessible for immediate inhalation by a user through the mouthpiece portion.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are diketopiperazine microparticles having high capacity for adsorbing a drug or active agent. In particular, the diketopiperazine microparticle are formed using fumaryl diketopiperazine and can comprise a drug in large doses for the treatment of disease or disorders by pulmonary delivery via oral inhalation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are diketopiperazine microparticles having a specific surface area of less than about 67 m2/g. The diketopiperazine microparticle can be fumaryl diketopiperazine and can comprise a drug such as insulin.

Abstract: A method of treating functional dyspepsia and/or irritable bowel syndrome in mammals in need of treatment is disclosed herein. The method comprises administering to the mammal a formulation by inhalation, wherein the formulation avoids first pass metabolism of the active ingredient. The method comprises administering a formulation by pulmonary inhalation comprising a diketopiperazine and a glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1), analog, ROSE-010.