Abstract: In an electronically controlled injection device for the administering of one or more injections from an injection cartridge, the readying of the device for administering and the subsequent administering therefrom are controlled by an electronic control unit. This control unit comprises a position or attitude sensor which transmits signals to the control unit such that the readying of the device optionally cannot take place unless the longitudinal axis of the injection cartridge is oriented in a predetermined direction.

Abstract: Method and means for delivery of drugs to the optic nerve head and the region surrounding it which comprises contacting the surface of the eye with an effective amount of a drug for treatment of said nerve head and a physiologically acceptable prostaglandin or prostaglandin derivative for enhancing delivery of the drug to the nerve head, in an opththalmologically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: The invention relates to monoclonal antibody capable of specific binding to the molecular weight of 20 kDa variant of human growth hormone. This monoclonal antibody has no substantial binding to hGH of molecular weight 22 kDa. The invention also relates to the use of this monoclonal antibody for measurement of hGH 20K, especially in body fluids. The antibodies can be used for detection and quantification of hGH 20K, especially in serum.

Abstract: A powdery pharmaceutical composition comprising nicotine or a derivative thereof and starch microspheres. The starch microspheres are preferably degradable epichlorhydrin cross-linked starch microspheres. The average diameter of the microspheres is from around 1 .mu.m to around 200 .mu.m, preferably around 45 .mu.m. The invention also encompasses a method for manufacturing a powdery pharmaceutical composition comprising nicotine and starch microspheres. The invention further comprises a method of diminishing the desire of a subject to use tobacco which comprises the step of administering to the subject the above powdery pharmaceutical composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical formulation for subcutaneous, intramuscular or intradermal administration comprising coagulation factor VIII or factor IX and use thereof for manufacture of a medicament for treating haemophilia A or B. The formulation comprises coagulation factor VIII or factor IX with an activity of at least 200 IU/ml and an additive increasing the bio-availability of factor VIII or factor IX. Tests with factor VIII gives a therapeutic level of active factor VIII in the blood stream for a surprisingly long period of time after subcutaneous, intramuscular or intradermal administration. The factor VIII is suitably a highly purified recombinant factor VII, and preferably a deletion derivative thereof, which can be used for the manufacture of a medicament for subcutaneous administration.

Abstract: A device for displacing a plunger (35), movably disposed in a container (23), e.g. a medical multi-chamber ampoule, which has at least one movable partition (29), sealingly isolating at least two substances to be mixed with each other, comprises a holder means (6) for releasable connection to the container (23), a screw actuator (4) engageable with the plunger (37) for displacing it in the container (23), the holder means (6) further having a female thread, engageable with the corresponding male thread of the screw actuator. The female thread is divided into at least two parts, which are movable between a first position, in which the parts of the female thread are not engageable with the screw actuator, and a second position, in which the parts of the female thread are engageable with the actuator. The bolder means (8) has actuating means for moving the female read parts between said first and second positions.

Abstract: A final drug product comprises a plasma protein selected from the group consisting of coagulation factor VIII and factor IX, in an aqueous solution. The concentration of oxygen in the solution is reduced and/or the solution contains an antioxidant. The solution further contains a carbohydrate in a concentration of at least 350 mg/ml. The protein activity after storage for at least 6 months at a temperature of from 0.degree. C. to 40.degree. C. is from 70% to 130% of its initial value. In a process for preparing the final drug product and a method for improving the long-term stability of coagulation factor VIII or factor IX in an aqueous solution, a carbohydrate is included in the solution in a concentration of at least 350 mg/ml and the solution is stored in its final container under an oxygen-reduced atmosphere or includes an antioxidant.

Abstract: Topical composition for transdermal delivery of morphine. The composition contains certain morphine esters in association with a carrier. The compositions relieved pain or tranquilize a mammal when delivered transdermally.

Abstract: To interrupt the current to the drive motor (3) of a motor-driven arm (1) which carries a pipette (2) when something or someone unintentionally contacts the pipette (2) during its movement, the arm 1) has a lower, rigid part (5), and an upper, flexible part (6) which, at its one end, carries the pipette (2) and, at its other end, is rigidly connected to the lower arm part (5). The upper, flexible part (6) is in releasable contact with the lower, rigid part (5) at the end that carries the pipette (2), and is adapted to, at least partially, the released from that contact when something or someone unintentionally contacts the pipette (2) during its movement. A detecting means (9) is adapted to detect when the upper, flexible part (6), at least partially, is released from the contact with the lower, rigid part (5) and in response hereto cause a switch to brake the current to the drive motor (3) for the arm (1).

Abstract: A novel process for sterilizing an article made from polymeric material by radiation sterilization. The article is enclosed in a gas impermeable package together with an oxygen absorber for a time sufficient to consume substantially all the oxygen in the package and the oxygen dissolved in the polymeric material. The article is prefereably intended for medical use and can contain a radiation sterilizable parenterally administerable preparation.

Abstract: A soluble antibody conjugate comprising an antibody linked to a structure which is recognizable by T-cells and has the ability to direct T-cells to lyse the target cell, which is recognized by the antibody. The conjugate is characterized by the structure being a superantigen. One important mode is a method for the lysis of target cells, wherein the target cells are contacted with a target cell lysis effective amount of the conjugate. The method of lysis is part of a potent treatment regime for cancer, autoimmunity, parasitic infestations and fungal, viral and bacterial infections The specification also describes modes such as the synthesis of the conjugate and pharmaceutical compositions and their manufacture.

Abstract: A process is presented for reducing the detrimental influence of certain proteases on recombinant human protein and polypeptide production in a cell culture, which comprises adding an inhibitor of metal-dependent proteases or chymotrypsins to the cell culture medium. The cell culture medium for cultivating cells expressing and secreting a biologically active recombinant human polypeptide contains an inhibitor of metal-dependent proteases or chymotrypsins, or a combination thereof. Recombinant factor VIII which has been produced in a cell culture medium according to the present process is useful for the manufacture of a medicament for administration to a patient having the symptoms of hemophilia A and for treatment of hemophilia A by administration of a therapeutically effective amount of recombinant factor VIII.

Abstract: A process for purifying apolipoprotein A (ApoA) or apolipoprotein E (ApoE), or variants or mixtures thereof, comprises contacting a first aqueous solution comprising ApoA or ApoE and endotoxins with a matrix comprising an immobilized compound with an end group comprising two or three nitrogen atoms bonded to a carbon atom for attaching the endotoxins to the matrix, and subsequently treating the matrix comprising the immobilized compound with a second aqueous solution comprising a surfactant for releasing the ApoA or ApoE while the endotoxins remain attached to the matrix.

Abstract: A process for reducing degradation of recombinant coagulation factor VIII caused by metal-dependent proteases requiring Zn.sup.2+ for activity or containing Zn.sup.2+ as an integral part of their structure comprises adding an inhibitor of Zn.sup.2+ dependent proteases to a recombinant factor VIII solution. The recombinant factor VIII solution is obtained after harvesting a conditioned medium from a cell culture used for producing the recombinant coagulation factor VIII. The inhibitor is selected from complexing agents with a stronger affinity for the Zn.sup.2+ ion of the protease than for the ion or ions stabilizing the factor VIII molecule, and compounds structurally related to the natural substrate of the protease and containing an electronegative moiety.

Abstract: The present invention is in the area of administration forms and delivery systems for drugs, vaccines and other biologically active agents. More specifically the invention is related to the preparation of suspensions of colloidal solid lipid particles (SLPs) of predominantly anisometrical shape with the lipid matrix being in a stable polymorphic modification and of suspensions of micron and submicron particles of bioactive agents (PBAs); as well as to the use of such suspensions or the lyophilizates thereof as delivery systems primarily for the parenteral administration of preferably poorly water-soluble bioactive substances, particularly drugs, and to their use in cosmetic, food and agricultural products.SLPs and PBAs are prepared by the following emulsification process:(1) A solid lipid or bioactive agent or a mixture of solid lipids or bioactive agents is melted.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treatment or prevention of secondary cataract, comprising contacting the surface of the eye with an effective amount of a therapeutically active and physiologically acceptable prostaglandin comprising a prostaglandin A, a prostaglandin J, a derivative of prostaglandin A or a derivative of prostaglandin J.