Abstract: The invention relates to peptides which contain N-methylated amino acid units and have improved water solubility. Medicaments in which the peptides according to the invention are contained can be used for the treatment of hormone-dependent tumors and hormone-influenced non-malignant disorders.

Abstract: Modified anti-angiogenic peptides are disclosed. The modified peptides are capable of forming a peptidase stabilized anti-angiogenic peptide. The modified anti-angiogenic peptides, particularly modified kringle 5 peptides are capable of forming a conjugate with a blood protein. Conjugates are prepared from anti-angiogenic peptides, particularly kringle 5 peptides, by combining the peptide with a reactive functional group with a blood protein. The conjugates may be formed in vivo or ex vivo. The conjugates are administered to patients to provide an anti-angiogenic effect.

Abstract: A haemostatic paste composition comprising powdered vancomycin mixed with a biocompatible carrier. The haemostatic paste composition is easily handled, adheres to a cut bone surface or an exposed bone surface, provides for effective haemostasis to prevent blood loss from a cut bone surface or an exposed bone surface, has no systemic or local adverse effect and provides bacteriostatic and bacteriocidal protection. The haemostatic paste composition is well suited for use with sternotomy incisions, but can also be used for any cut bone surface or exposed bone surface during surgery.

Abstract: Angiogenesis inhibitors and methods of use thereof are disclosed. The inhibitors are substantially pure oligopeptides consisting essentially of 7–20 amino acid residues and comprising a proline-rich sequence of five amino acid residues PPXPP, SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein X is an amino acid residue selected from the group consisting of alanine, glycine, serine, threonine, valine, leucine and methionine. In a preferred embodiment, the proline-rich polypeptide is covalently bound to a transport molecule such as a Tat-derived transport polypeptide.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel methods for assaying for modulators of GADD45 polypeptide activity. The invention also provides means to sensitize a proliferating cell to a DNA base-damaging agent by administration of novel inhibitors of GADD45 polypeptide activity. The invention further provides polypeptides which interfere with the ability of Cdc2/cyclin B1 complexes to cause a pause at the G2/M stage of the cell cycle in response to GADD45, and nucleic acids which encode such polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, compounds, and pharmaceutical compositions for inhibiting tumor cell proliferation, by administering an effective amount of angiotensinogen, angiotensin I (AI), AI analogues, AI fragments and analogues thereof, angiotensin II (AII), AII analogues, AII fragments or analogues thereof or AII AT2 type 2 receptor agonists to a subject.

Abstract: A novel collagen mimic comprising a tripeptide unit having the formula (flpYaaGly)n, where flp is 4(S)-fluoro-L-proline, is disclosed. The collagen mimic has increased stability relative to the collagen-related triple helices (ProYaaGly)n, (hypYaaGly)n, and (HypYaaGly)n.

Abstract: Binding polypeptides comprising specific amino acid sequences are disclosed that bind B Lymphocyte Stimulator (BLyS) protein or BLyS-like polypeptides. The binding polypeptides can be used in methods of the invention for detecting or isolating BLyS protein or BLyS-like polypeptides in solutions or mixtures, such as blood, tissue samples, or conditioned media.

Abstract: A composition having a variety of therapeutic and cosmetic uses comprises: (i) a vitamin; (ii) a metal salt that provides metal ions in vivo; and (iii) insulin or a growth hormone. Such a composition is useful for treating, for example, genetic disorders, skin diseases, cancer and viral infections.

Abstract: Herein it is shown that hemoproteins (e.g., Ascaris hemoglobin, myoglobin, flavohemoglobins) have NO-consuming and deoxygenase activities. The invention provides a method of reducing the concentration of oxygen and/or nitric oxide in a mammal. The method of the invention comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of a hemoprotein having NO-activated deoxygenase activity or an enzymatically active fragment thereof to a mammal. The method can be used to treat a mammal having pathologically proliferating cells, such as a tumor. In one embodiment, the hemoprotein is administered to reduce the oxygen concentration of a tumor. In another embodiment, the hemoprotein is administered together with a cytotoxic agent to treat a mammal having a tumor. The invention also provides a method of enzymatically generating toxic reactive oxygen species in a mammal for therapeutic purposes. The method comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of a hemoprotein to a mammal.

Abstract: A stabilized pharmaceutical composition in lyophilized form comprising: a cyclic polypeptide compound represented by the general formula (I): wherein R1 is a hydrogen atom or an acyl group and R2 and R3 are, the same or different, a hydrogen atom or a hydroxyl group, or a salt thereof and the stabilizer.

Abstract: Methods for treating FSH related conditions, such as prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia, pedophilia, infertility, or vaginal bleeding, with GnRH antagonists are disclosed. The methods of the invention generally feature administering to a subject a GnRH antagonist suitable for in vivo administration and able to reduce both plasma FSH and LH levels in a subject, in an amount or in a formulation effective to reduce plasma FSH levels in the subject to a symptom alleviating level. In vitro fertilization and male contraceptive methods are also provided.

Abstract: A compound with a relative molecular mass of less than 15000 comprising the peptide Ile-Gly-Asp (IGD) or a peptide or non-peptide mimic thereof. The compounds may be used to modulate cell migration and are useful in angiogenesis.

Abstract: The invention refers to the field of medicine and may be applied as a substance stimulating the functional activity of hepatocytes, restoring the synthesis of non-specific proteins, normalising metabolism activating the processes of proliferation and differentiation of the liver cells. There is proposed a new compound -tetrapeptide lysyl-glutamyl-aspartyl-alanine of the general formula Lys-Glu-Asp-Ala [SEQ ID NO:1]. There is proposed a pharmaceutical composition capable of stimulating the functional activity of hepatocytes and a pharmaceutical peptide substance containing as its active base a therapeutically effective quantity of tetrapeptide of the formula Lys-Glu-Asp-Ala [SEQ ID NO:1] or one of its salts intended for parenteral administration. There is proposed a method of stimulating the functional activity of hepatocytes including therapeutic administration to a patient of the pharmaceutical peptide substance in doses 0.

Abstract: The invention relates to short 3- to 10-mer bioactive oligopeptides composed of amino acid residues selected from the group consisting of glycine, alanine, ?-alanine, serine, histidine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, lysine and arginine. They are able to improve at least one cell culture parameter such as growth rate, viable cell number, viability on day 6 or 7, or final product yield, when added to the basal nutrient medium. The invention further relates to mixtures of such oligopeptides and to a method of improving cell culture parameters by incubating animal or plant cells in the presence of said oligopeptides.

Abstract: Claimed is a somatostatin agonist according to formula (I), D-Phe-c(Cys-Tyr(I)-D-Trp-Lys-Val-Cys)-Thr-NH2, ??(I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and uses thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel identification polypeptides containing multiple copies of an antigenic domain joined in tandem to provide increased sensitivity for the detection and purification of target peptides, a cleavable linking sequence and optionally a spacer domain. Further provided are hybrid polypeptide molecules composed of an identification polypeptide and a target peptide which are produced by recombinant DNA technology and purified using affinity chromatography using one or more ligands. Accordingly, also provided are DNA expression vectors containing DNA encoding for identification polypeptides and methods for using such identification polypeptides for the purification of target peptides. Also provided are methods of constructing DNA vectors encoding the novel identification polypeptides and DNA expression vectors encoding the identification polypeptides linked to a target peptide.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions relating to the attachment of water soluble polymers to proteins. Provided are novel methods for N-terminally modifying proteins or analogs thereof, and resultant compositions, including novel N-terminally chemically modified G-CSF compositions and related methods of preparation. Also provided is chemically modified consensus interferon.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I): wherein R1 is hydroxyl or sulfonamide derivative; R2 is t-butyl or —CH2—C(CH3)3 or —CH2-cyclopentyl; R3 is t-butyl or cyclohexyl and R4 is cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, are described as useful as inhibitor of the HCV NS3 protease.

Abstract: A substantially solid biomolecular solder for joining tissue comprising a partially denatured biomolecule. The solder can be formed into shapes to suit the needs of a user. The invention also relates to methods for joining tissue and methods for preparing the solder.