Abstract: Dehydrated liposomes are prepared by drying liposome preparations under reduced pressure in the presence of one or more protective sugars, e.g., the disaccharides trehalose and sucrose. Preferably, the protective sugars are present at both the inside and outside surfaces of the liposome membranes. Freezing of the liposome preparation prior to dehydration is optional. Alternatively, the protective sugar can be omitted if: (1) the liposomes are of the type which have multiple lipid layers; (2) the dehydration is done without prior freezing; and (3) the dehydration is performed to an end point which results in sufficient water being left in the preparation (e.g., at least 12 moles water/mole lipid) so that the integrity of a substantial portion of the multiple lipid layers is retained upon rehydration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hard capsules of cytarabine ocfosfate which is useful as an anti-leukemia drug applicable to oral administration.By providing the cytarabine ocfosfate hard capsule comprising (1) cytarabine ocfosfate, (2) a high molecular compound functioning as a disintegrator and (3) an alkali, there can be provided pharmaceutical preparations having excellent disintegration property and stability. The cytarabine ocfosfate hard capsules are applicable to clinical use.

Abstract: A bioabsorbable copolymer is obtained from the polymerization of a major amount of .epsilon.-caprolactone and a minor amount of at least one other copolymerizable monomer in the presence of an initiator possessing at least two carboxylic acid groups. The copolymer is useful, inter alia, as a coating for a surgical suture.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the dry cationization of galactomannans by means of reaction with alkylene epoxides in an alkaline medium in the presence of water at 5.degree. to 60.degree. and in the presence of a finely divided, hydrophilic silica.