Abstract: Molecular cloning and expression of a prostaglandin F2&agr; receptor which is linked to the signal transduction pathways via guanine nucleotide binding regulatory (G) proteins and measured by, for example, cAMP, IP3 or intracellular calcium. By constructing cell lines that express a prostaglandin F2&agr; receptor, the affinities and efficacies of agonist and antagonist drugs with the receptor can be assessed. A recombinant DNA construct includes a vector and a DNA fragment encoding a prostaglandin F2&agr; receptor. A host cell is transformed with a recombinant DNA construct, so that the DNA fragment is expressed and a prostaglandin F2&agr; receptor is produced. Suitable host systems include eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells, especially mamalian cells such as rat or human. Additionally, for diagnostic purposes, antibodies to a prostaglandin F2&agr; receptor can be prepared by producing all or a portion of the receptor protein and injecting these into various types of mammals.

Abstract: The invention relates to ophthalmological compositions for topical treatment of glaucoma or ocular hypertension comprising an effective intraocular pressure reducing amount of a prostaglandin derivative of PGA, PGB, PGD, PGE or PGF, in which the omega chain contains a ring structure, in an ophthalmologically compatible carrier. The invention further relates to the preparation of said compositions and their use for treatment of glaucoma or ocular hypertension.

Abstract: The invention relates to new heparin derivatives from bovine or porcine heparin which have a molecular weight equal to or larger than the standard heparin, show a sulfur content which is equal to or higher than that of the starting heparin or at least 13% w/w, have an anticoagulant activity in the anti-FXa assay of less than 10% of the standard heparin it was made from , show a ratio of APTT activity over anti-FXa activity of 3-35, show a reduced prolongation of bleeding time compared to the standard heparin it was made from as measured in the rat tail after i.v. administration and show enhancement of the rate of development of coronary collaterals in dogs equal to or better than clinically used heparin. The invention also relates to processes for preparation of the new bovine and porcine heparin derivatives.

Abstract: A medical lubricant suitable for injection into the blood stream of a patient. The lubricant is suitable for use with rotating equipment such as atherectomy drive shafts moving within sheaths and over guide wires. The lubricant is an oil-in-water emulsion including a surfactant and a co-surfactant. The lubricant can include a cryogenic agent and a pH buffer and be pH adjusted. One lubricant includes olive oil as an emulsified oil, egg yolk phospholipid as a surfactant, sodium deoxycholate as a co-surfactant, glycerin as a cryogenic agent, L-histidine as a pH buffer, and is pH adjusted using sodium hydroxide. The lubricant can withstand freeze/thaw cycles as well as saline dilution, heating, and shear stress without significant creaming, separation, or unacceptable increases in oil droplet size. Compared to saline, the lubricant provides significantly increased lubrication efficiency for rapidly moving parts.

Abstract: An injection device comprising a) a housing, b) a cartridge containing a preparation or precursor components for the preparation and having a front part and a rear part defining a general cartridge axis, an outlet for the preparation arranged at the front part and at least one movable wall arranged between the front part and the rear part, a displacement of which wall causes the preparation to be moved towards or expelled through the outlet, c) a piston rod, having a first end and a second end, at least partly contained within the housing and being operable to engage and displace the movable wall at its first end and d) actuating means within the housing arranged to move at least the rod.

Abstract: The invention relates to ophthalmological compositions for topical treatment of glaucoma or ocular hypertension comprising an effective intraocular pressure reducing amount of a prostaglandin derivative of PGA, PGB, PGD, PGE or PGF, in which the omega chain contains a ring structure, in an ophthalmologically compatible carrier. The invention further relates to the preparation of said compositions and their use for treatment of glaucoma or ocular hypertension.

Abstract: A piston rod for use in an injection device for an injection cartridge is provided with a single or multiple thread along a predetermined portion of its length, after which the thread changes into a longitudinal groove for each thread, such that a turning movement of the piston rod will turn into an axial movement after the predetermined length. The thread is shaped as one or more helicoidal grooves in the surface of the piston rod, the grooves turning into the longitudinal grooves after the predetermined length. A nut element cooperates with the thread and includes at least one radial inwardly directed projection for each thread, the projection or projections guiding the piston rod by the groove or grooves forming the thread.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical formulation for subcutaneous, intramuscular or intradermal administration comprising recombinant coagulation factor VIII and use thereof for manufacture of a medicament for treating haemophilia is provided. The formulation comprises a highly purified recombinant coagulation factor VIII in a concentration of at least 1000 IU/ml, which gives surprisingly high levels of active factor VIII in the blood stream after subcutaneous, intramuscular or intradermal administration. The formulation is intended for treatment of haemophilia by subcutaneous, intramuscular or intradermal administration. The recombinant factor VIII is preferably a deletion derivative thereof, which can be used for the manufacture of a medicament for subcutaneous administration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a final drug product comprising coagulation factor VIII in an aqueous solution with a reduced concentration of oxygen. In this way, the factor VIII activity can be retained during storage to a surprisingly high degree. The factor VIII activity can be retained for a prolonged period of time, if the final drug product further comprises an inert gas and/or an antioxidant. The present invention also relates to processes for reducing the oxygen concentration of the aqueous solution, and a method for improving the stability of factor VIII in an aqueous solution by storing the solution under an inert gas atmosphere. By the present invention it is possible to retain at least 50% of the initial activity of factor VIII after storage for at least 6 months at a temperature of 2 to 10.degree. C. and a pH of the solution of 6.5 to 8.5.

Abstract: An oral pharmaceutical preparation containing a therapeutically effective amount of a salt of morphine for administration once daily is provided. The preparation contains particles which have a core containing a salt of morphine coated with a barrier layer. The barrier layer is formed from a coating liquid that contains at least one water insoluble barrier forming component selected from the group consisting of ethyl cellulose, copolymers of acrylic and methacrylic esters and natural or synthetic waxes, and a plasticizer. The mean serum concentration of morphine obtained is at least 50% of the maximum serum concentration during at least 12 hours after the administration of a single dose of the preparation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel composition comprising coagulation Factor VIII and a non-ionic surfactant such as block co-polymers, e.g. polyoxamers or polyoxyethylene (20) fatty acid esters e.g. polysorbate 20 or polysorbate 80 as a stabilizer. The composition can also comprise sodium chloride, calcium chloride, L-histidine and/or sugars or sugar alcohols.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of IGF-II for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of tumours, and especially for the manufacture of a medicament for growth inhibition of melanoma cells and for the treatment of cutaneous melanomas. The medicament can be systemically or locally administered.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of cultivating mammalian cells expressing recombinant Factor VIII in a serum-free cell culture medium of the type that normally requires the presence of human serum albumin (HSA) and which is substantially free from fatty acids, fattyacid esters and lipids, but wherein HSA is replaced by at least one glucose or sucrose based polysaccharide having an average molecular weight of from about 10,000 to about 450,000. The invention also relates to such a serum-free cell culture medium.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a therapy involving administering effective amounts of an organic osmolyte selected from the group consisting of polyols, amino acids and methyl amines, that regulate hydration of certain cells, for treating or preventing complications resulting from ischemia, hypoxia or oxidative stress.

Abstract: Substantially pure dimers of Apolipoprotein Al-Milano (Al-M/APO Al-M) isolated and characterized from plasma are provided. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the Apo Al-M/Apo Al-M are also provided. Apolipoprotein Al-M dimer can be produced in a recombinant Escherichia coli system or collected from plasma from Apolipoprotein Al-Milano carriers. Atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases can be treated with the dimer. Medicaments containing the dimer can also be used for preventing thrombosis in different clinical circumstances, both at the arterial and at the venous level. The dimer can also act as a prodrug for the monomer.

Abstract: Straight or cyclic pentapeptides with receptor affinity to .mu. or .delta. opioid receptors having a primary sequence backbone of Tyr-X-Phe-Leu-Z, Seq. ID Nos. 1, 2, and 3. X and Z can be covalently coupled to provide a heterocyclic structure according to the following conditions:i) when the pentapeptide is straight X is selected from the group consisting of Ser, Gly, Pro, AMCA and D-Ala and Z is selected from the group consisting of Glu, Gln or amino derivatives of Glu or Gln, Seq. ID No. 1, with the proviso that if X is Ser, then Z is Glu or amino derivatives of Glu; andii) where the pentapeptide is cyclic X is selected from the group consisting of D- or L-2,4-diaminobutyric acid, D- or L-lysine, D- or L-ornithine and D or L-cysteine and Z is selected from the group consisting of Gln or Glu or amino derivatives of Gln or Glu, Seq. ID No. 2, and 3, with the proviso that if X is D-or L-Cys, then Z is Cys, Seq. ID No. 3.

Abstract: Novel proteins obtainable by mutagenesis of surface-exposed amino acids of domains of natural bacterial receptors, said proteins being obtained without substantial loss of basic structure and stability of said natural bacterial receptors; proteins which have been selected from a protein library embodying a repertoire of said novel proteins; and methods for the manufacture of artificial bacterial receptor structures.

Abstract: Virus inactivating chemicals and/or detergents in an aqueous composition containing a water-soluble plasma protein are reduced by selecting a suitable combination of temperature and concentration above 0.5M of salt with a high salting out effect according to the Hofmeister series, thereby forming vesicles containing the virus inactivating chemical and/or detergent. These vesicles are removed from the aqueous phase, e.g. by phase separation or filtration, and the protein thereafter isolated from the aqueous phase. The water-soluble plasma protein can be e.g. antithrombin III, transferrin or albumin. When the aqueous phase comprises e.g. a salt of citrate or sulphate in a concentration above 1M at room temperature, the reduction of virus inactivating chemical or detergent can be as high as 2000 times or more, giving a final concentration below 5 ppm.

Abstract: An injection cartridge of the dual-chamber type, which comprises a cylindrical cartridge barrel having a front chamber for a solid product and a rear chamber for a liquid product. The chambers are sealingly separated by a displaceable piston of a resilient material, and have an openable bypass connection for liquid from the rear chamber to the front chamber and a resilient sealing closure of the front end of the front chamber.

Abstract: A method is provided for cleansing a protein from multivalent metal ions bound thereto, these ions being released from the protein by exchanging the ions with monovalent metal ions, whereafter the multivalent metal ions are removed. The release and removal of these ions is effected, in particular, by diafiltration or gel filtration processes.