Abstract: A method of producing microparticles having a median diameter up to 100 ?m and the microparticles so produced are described. The method includes the steps of providing a solvent having a bioactive dispersed or dissolved therein and a vehicle dissolved therein, carrying out an emulsification in a non-solvent phase to produce an emulsion containing the bioactive and the vehicle in a solvent phase, and evaporating the solvent to leave the microparticles, wherein a mixture of at least two surfactants is employed to stabilize the emulsion and wherein the mixture has a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) of up to 8.

Abstract: Contemplated methods and compositions further increase susceptibility of sensitized MRSA against various antibiotic drugs. Most preferably, the MRSA is already sensitized with a galloylated catechin (e.g., ECG), and further sensitization is achieved by exposure to a non-galloylated catechin (e.g., EC), and most preferably the corresponding non-galloylated catechin.

Abstract: Compositions comprising a lipophilic derivative of a hydrophilic drug and an amphiphile compound for use in therapy of the human or animal body are provided. Methods of medical treatment, wherein a composition according to the invention is administered to a human or animal body also form part of the invention. It is preferred that the drug is delivered to the brain.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel carbohydrate polymers with hydrophobic and hydrophilic side-groups suitable for solubilising, for example, hydrophobic drugs. The chain length of the carbohydrate polymeric backbone, and the type and number of the hydrophobic and hydrophilic side-groups are specifically chosen to improve the solubility properties of the carbohydrate polymers.

Abstract: Compounds of general formula (I) or a salt thereof in which R1 is preferably an aromatic DNA binding subunit are oxidation-activated prodrugs. The compounds are expected to be converted into an epoxide at the alkene to which R2 is attached by cytochrome P450, in particular CYPIBI, expressed at high levels in tumours. R3 preferably comprises a Nitrogen mustard to provide a prodrug which has 2 alkylating groups. The prodrugs are expected to be activated preferentially in tumour cells.

Abstract: A delayed release coating comprising a mixture of a first material selected from starch; amylose; amylopectin; chitosan; chondroitin sulfate; cyclodextrin; dextran; pullulan; carrageenan; scleroglucan; chitin; curdulan and levan, and a second material which has a pH threshold at about pH 5 or above, is used to target release of a drug from a core to the intestine, particularly the colon

Abstract: Compounds of the general formula I or IA or a salt in which X is H, Y is a leaving group, R1 preferably being an aromatic DNA binding subunit are prodrug analogues of duocarmycin. The compounds are expected to be hydroxylated at the carbon atom to which X is joined, by cytochrome P450, in particular by CYP1B1, expressed at high levels in tumours.

Abstract: There is provided a novel compound of the general formula I in which each of R8 to R10 is hydrogen, aryl, C1-6 alkyl, trialkylsilyl or acyl; R1 to R5 are individually selected from hydrogen, hydroxy, C1-6 alkoxy and acyloxy; R6 and R7 are H, C1-4 alkyl, trialkylsilyl or acyl; X is O or NR, and R is H or Me; in which any of the alkyl groups including alkyl groups in alkoxy, acyl and acyloxy groups may be substituted by aryl, C1-4 alkyl, C1-4 alkoxy, hydroxyl, trialkylsiloxy or acyloxy groups; with the proviso that R2 and R3 are not both OH when R4 is H or OH, R1 and R5 are both H, and X is O. The amide compounds (X is NR) are analogues of epigallocatechin gallate or epicatechin galate, with an amide bond in place of the natural ester bond, with resistance to hydrolysis by esterase enzymes. The ester compounds (X is O) have a different hydroxylation pattern on the B ring as compared to the natural products.

Abstract: Dendrimers comprising a dentritic polypeptide with one dendron having terminal cationic groups and a lipidic anchor, preferably comprising C6-24-alkyl group containing ?-amino acyl groups, preferably joined to the focal group, are used to assist transfection of cells in vitro and in vivo by DNA. The complex of dendrimer and DNA may be used in gene therapy, for instance to delivery clotting factor genes to cells.

Abstract: A polymer comprising: a polymeric backbone comprising at least one unit having the structure (I), wherein R-R4 comprise groups selected from the group consisting of H, C1-C12 alkyl, C6-C18 aryl, C7-C18 aralkyl, C6-C18 cycloalkyl or any of the group consisting of C1-C12 alkyl, C6-C18 aryl, C7-C18 aralkyl, C6-C18 cycloalkyl substituted, within the carbon chain or appended thereto, with one or more heteroatoms; R and R2 or R and R4 or R and R1 or R2 and R3 may be joined so that with the carbon atom(s) to which they are attached they together form a saturated, partially unsaturated or unsaturated ring system respectively, may have a pendent group which may incorporate a linker unit, (for example a peptide linkage) or a unit having the structure (I); A comprises a proton donating moiety selected from the group consisting of formula (1).

Abstract: Prodrugs which can be activated by enzymes, are formulated for sequential administration, with enzyme conjugates. Either or each component comprises a polymeric carrier which allows it to be directed preferentially to the target tissue. A new polymer-prodrug conjugate is cleavable by cathepsin-B or othe invention is of particular utility for targeting solid tumours.

Abstract: Synthetic peptides are widely used to generate antibodies. To induce high antibody response, it is known to conjugate the peptide to a carrier protein (e.g. KLH, BSA) or to incorporate it into polylysine to form a multiple antigenic peptide. Anchors may be built in which are based on fatty acids. According to the invention there is provided a novel lipidic amino acid based anchor system which can maximally enhance the antigenicity of a short synthetic peptide. These novel compounds are entirely peptide-based and may therefore be produced automatically by some step wise peptide synthesis, preferably solid phase step wise peptide synthesis. According to the invention there is also provided such a process.

Abstract: Polysaccharides comprising at least 5 sialic acid residues per molecule are used to increase the circulation time of an active ingredient, for instance by decreasing the immunogenicity and/or increasing the stability in vivo of pharmaceutically active compounds. The pharmaceutically active compound may be a foreign protein which is covalently bound to the polysaccharide. Alternatively, the active compound may be associated with a drug delivery system (DDS), for instance a macro-molecular DDS or a particulate DDS, such as liposomes. The polysaccharide is usually a bacterial polysaccharide, e.g., a glycolipid or a derivative thereof, for instance polysaccharide B or E. Coli K1, N. meningitidis, Moraxella liquifaciens or Pasteurella aeroginosis, or K92 of E. Coli K92 strain.