Abstract: Methods for the production of recombinant peptides comprise fermenting cells to produce recombinant peptides. A metal salt is added to a concentrate of the fermented cells after the fermentation step, prior to peptide isolation, and the pH of the cell concentrate after the addition of the metal salt is less than or equal to 7, thereby reducing the amount of trifulsides formed in the production of the recombinant peptide, with the proviso that the production does not include conversion of formed trifulside peptide into native peptide form after the addition of the metal salt. In one embodiment, the recombinant peptide is recombinant growth hormone.

Abstract: The invention relates to treatment of patients in need of increasing insulin sensitivity by administration of growth hormone or analogues thereof, preferably human growth hormone, in a low dose and the use of growth hormone or analogues thereof, preferably human growth hormone, for the manufacturing of a medicament useful for increasing insulin sensitivity in low dose therapy. The patient is preferably a normal subject, i.e. not growth hormone deficient patient and/or a non-obese patients. By low dose therapy is preferably meant less than 0.008 mg/kg/day, preferably 0.007 mg/kg/day or less, more preferably 0.005 mg/kg/day or less and most preferably 0.003 mg/kg/day or less. The therapy is preferably performed during short term treatment, preferably less than one month.

Abstract: A system of marked medical containers comprises at least two containers having different properties in at least one respect, and at least one machine-readable marking on each of the containers, each marking being designed to allow discrimination between the difference in properties. Each marking allows discrimination between the difference by having at least one area with different absorbence or reflectance when irradiated with radiation in non-visible frequency ranges. A specific container comprises a syringe cartridge type container for use with a preparation delivery device.

Abstract: A method for treating a patient having Metabolic Syndrome comprising Primary Insulin Resistance and exhibiting lipoprotein aberrations or hypertension comprises administering to said patient human growth hormone or a functional analog thereof in an amount effective for decreasing lipoprotein aberrations or hypertension of said patient.

Abstract: The invention relates to an injector device for delivery of liquid from a high pressure source, and also to a method of performing such an injection. The device comprises a storage chamber 6, for the liquid or the liquid precursor components, comprising a storage barrel 16 with at least a section of substantially constant cross-section, defining a storage chamber axis, and a pressure chamber 4 comprising a pressure barrel 10 of substantially constant cross-section, defining a pressure chamber axis, for accommodation of at least one piston therein and having a front end opening 14 for ejection of the liquid. The pressure chamber being of sufficient strength to sustain the liquid pressure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and kit for diagnosing GH (growth hormone) deficiency, in particular isolated growth hormone deficiency II (IGHD II). The method comprises the steps of analysing the missense mutation G6191 to T in exon 4 of GH-1 which changes valine 110 to phenylalanine.

Abstract: The invention relates to an injector device for delivery of liquid from a high pressure source, and also to a method of performing such an injection. The device comprises a storage chamber 6, for the liquid or the liquid precursor components, comprising a storage barrel 16 with at least a section of substantially constant cross-section, defining a storage chamber axis, and a pressure chamber 4 comprising a pressure barrel 10 of substantially constant cross-section, defining a pressure chamber axis, for accommodation of at least one piston therein and having a front end opening 14 for ejection of the liquid. The pressure chamber being of sufficient strength to sustain the liquid pressure.

Abstract: A controlled release bead comprises: (i) a core unit of a substantially water-soluble or water-swellable inert material; (ii) a first layer on the core unit of a substantially water-insoluble polymer; (iii) a second layer covering the first layer and containing an active ingredient; and (iv) a third layer of polymer on the second layer effective for controlled release of the active ingredient, wherein the first layer is adapted to control water penetration into the core. A method of producing the controlled release bead is also disclosed.

Abstract: A modified extracellular domain of a cytokine receptor is capable of being crystallized without being complexed to a ligand molecule. The receptor preferably is a homo- or heterodemeric receptor having at least one molecule segment which contributes to a disorder structure deleted. A preferred receptor is human growth hormone receptor (hGHR).

Abstract: Provided is a method for operating a preparation delivery device wherein the device comprises a) a container for the preparation having, or being prepared for the arrangement of, an opening, b) a mechanism operable to deliver at least part of the preparation in the container through the opening, c) attachment means for connection of the container to the mechanism and d) a sensor system arranged to detect at least one predetermined property of the container or its content. The method comprises transmitting radiation towards the container position or a part thereof to allow the radiation to be affected by the container position, receiving at least a part of the affected radiation from at least an area part of the container position in a non-imaging way and comparing the characteristics of the received radiation with a predetermined characteristic representative for the predetermined property to establish whether or not the predetermined property of the container is present.

Abstract: Methods for treating a patient for insulin resistance to decrease the insulin resistance in a patient having Metabolic Syndrome comprising Primary Insulin Resistance and abdominal/visceral obesity comprise administering to the patient growth hormone or a functional derivative thereof in an amount effective for decreasing insulin resistance of the patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification of a human gene family expressed in metabolically relevant tissues. The genes encode a group polypeptides referred to as “Protein Cluster V” which are predicted to be useful in the diagnosis of metabolic diseases, such as obesity and diabetes, as well as in the identification of agents useful in the treatment of the said diseases.

Abstract: A syringe type ampoule having a) a barrel with a front end and a rear end defining an axis therebetween, the barrel having substantially constant cross-section between the front end and the rear end, at least the front end ending in an opening, b) a sealer attached to the front end and sealing the opening, c) at least one piston movably and sealingly arranged within the barrel and d) a sleeve extending along at least a part of the barrel, the sleeve having a front part and a rear part, the front part being connected to the sealer. The barrel has a front end terminating in an edge surrounding the opening, the edge having an outer circumference substantially equal to the barrel outer circumference. The invention relates to methods and means for manufacture of pre-filled such ampoules or other ampoules.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the enantioselective preparation of tolterodine and analogues and salts thereof comprises the steps of: a) enantioselectively reducing the carbonyl function in a compound of formula (II): wherein R1, R2 and R3 independently of each other are hydrogen, methyl, methoxy, hydroxy, hydroxymethyl, carbamoyl, sulphamoyl or halogen, to form an enantiomerically enriched compound of formula (IIIa) or (IIIb): wherein R1, R2 and R3 are as defined above; b) subjecting the compound of formula (IIIa) or (IIIb) to a sigmatropic rearrangement to form a corresponding enantiomerically enriched compound of formula (IVa) or (IVb): wherein R1, R2 and R3 are as defined above; c) subjecting the compound of formula (IVa) or (IVb) to a Baeyer-Villiger oxidation to form a corresponding enantiomerically enriched compound of the general formula (Va) or (Vb).

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a method of treating an unstable or overactive urinary bladder by treating the patient with tolterodine or a tolterodine-related compound, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, with a controlled release formulation that maintains a substantially constant serum level of the active moiety or moieties for at least 24 hours. The present invention is further drawn to a formulation for the method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for purifying a hydrophobic or amphiphilic compound, by first mixing a starting material containing the hydrophobic or amphiphilic compound with a first polymeric material, water and at least one of a second polymeric material and a surfactant, wherein the first polymeric material and the second polymeric material and/or surfactant are immiscible in the resulting primary aqueous solution. The process further comprises maintaining the primary aqueous solution for a period of time sufficient for essentially separating the phases formed, and then removing the phase containing the main portion of the hydrophobic or amphiphilic compound and the second polymeric material and/or surfactant. The second polymeric material and/or surfactant are separated from the hydrophobic or amphiphilic compound, and subsequently recycled to the initial mixing step.

Abstract: A device and use method for ejecting a liquid stream towards an eye, the stream moving from a proximal position towards a distal position, the device comprising a) a housing, b) a container for the liquid, c) at least one opening arranged for ejection of the stream and being in fluid communication with the container, d) a pump mechanism operable to deliver at least part of the liquid from the container through the opening to form the stream and e) an eyecup with a contact surface arranged for contact with the eye or its facial surroundings. The eyecup is arranged movable with respect to the opening or housing between at least two positions i) an active position with said eyecup contact surface at a defined safety distance to the opening and ii) a rest position with the eyecup contact surface at a position more proximal than in the active position and a sensor is arranged to allow discrimination between the positions.

Abstract: The invention relates to an injector device for delivery of liquid from a high pressure source, and also to a method of performing such an injection. The device comprises a storage chamber 6, for the liquid or the liquid precursor components, comprising a storage barrel 16 with at least a section of substantially constant cross-section, defining a storage chamber axis, and a pressure chamber 4 comprising a pressure barrel 10 of substantially constant cross-section, defining a pressure chamber axis, for accommodation of at least one piston therein and having a front end opening 14 for ejection of the liquid. The pressure chamber being of sufficient strength to sustain the liquid pressure.

Abstract: Pressurisable container for storing and ejecting liquid, the container comprising a) a front wall having or surrounding a cavity corresponding to the form of an open vessel, b) an opening in the front wall adapted for ejection of the liquid from the container, said opening defining a container axis, c) optionally a sealing over the opening adapted for temporary use, and d) a rear wall closing and sealing the open part of the front wall vessel to confine a space for the liquid in the container, the rear wall running at least partially perpendicular to the container axis and being displaceable or deformable for movement towards the opening to pressurize the container liquid. The front wall is substantially rigid in relation to the rear wall, the rear wall before pressurizing the container is substantially flat or substantially single-curved and the rear wall is deformable under stretching to substantially fill out the container cavity.

Abstract: The invention relates to pharmaceutical closures for containers made of flexible polyolefinic materials which are suitable to be filled with parentally administrable fluids prior to their sealing and sterilization. The polyolefinic closures have an excellent resealing capacity after being penetrated by a piercing device for establishing fluid communication with the container, even after multiple entries into the container.