Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of multiple doses of Cladribine combined with beta interferon for the treatment of multiple sclerosis in patients who are refractory to at least one conventional therapy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to modified immunoglobulin-binding proteins, e.g., Staphylococcus protein A, having improved binding specificity for immunoglobulins and methods of making and using the same.

Abstract: A method for purifying an antibody by cation exchange chromatography is described in which a high pH wash step is used to remove of contaminants prior to eluting the desired antibody using an elution buffer with increased conductivity.

Abstract: A mixed mode antibody affinity separation matrix comprises an antibody affinity ligand and a cation exchange group on a single separation matrix. According to such a matrix in the first step of a process for purifying an antibody or an Fc-containing target molecule, the antibody as the main target substance of the affinity purification can be purified at high purity, the selective separation properties of monomers can also be improved; and the burden on a subsequent impurity removal step can be reduced with respect to the removal of impurities such as aggregates.

Abstract: The present inventors discovered that antibodies having weaker antigen-binding activity at the early endosomal pH in comparison with that at the pH of plasma are capable of binding to multiple antigen molecules with a single antibody molecule, have long half-lives in plasma, and have improved durations of time in which they can bind to antigen.

Abstract: A method of purifying a sample containing a desired protein includes the steps of (i) providing a packed chromatographic column having positively charged porous particles, (ii) equilibrating the column to the conditions to which the desired protein in the sample is to elute, (iii) contacting the sample with the packed chromatographic column such that the sample volume applied to the packed chromatographic column is less than or equal to the interparticle space of the positively charged porous particles within the packed chromatographic column, (iv) eluting the desired protein from the packed chromatographic column, where the desired protein is in a purer state and in the conditions to which the packed chromatographic column was equilibrated; where the desired protein is an antibody, an antibody fragment, an antibody derivative, or an antibody fusion protein.

Abstract: The present inventors discovered that antibodies having weaker antigen-binding activity at the early endosomal pH in comparison with that at the pH of plasma are capable of binding to multiple antigen molecules with a single antibody molecule, have long half-lives in plasma, and have improved durations of time in which they can bind to antigen.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for identifying cognitive enhancers able to enhance CREB pathway function. Cognitive enhancers identified in accordance with the invention can be used in rehabilitating an animal with cognitive dysfunction and for enhancing memory or normal cognitive performance (ability or function) in the animal.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for the purification of a human IgG-CH1 domain comprising molecule using an antigen-binding protein that is capable of binding to an epitope that is comprised in the CH1 domain of each of human IgG1, human IgG2, human IgG3 and human IgG4. The disclosure further relates to the antigen-binding proteins that can be used in the method of the disclosure. The frame-work regions of the antigen-binding proteins of the invention preferably correspond to those of antibodies that naturally are devoid of light chains as may e.g. be found in camelids. The disclosure further relates to nucleic acids that encode such antigen-binding proteins, to immunoadsorbent materials that comprise such proteins, and to the uses of such immunoadsorbent materials for the purification of IgG-CH1 domain containing molecules from a variety of species.

Abstract: A method of purifying an antibody composition comprises application of anion exchange chromatography late in the purification process. An ultrafiltration/diafiltration-purified antibody composition is subjected to anion exchange chromatography (AEX) to form a pharmaceutically-pure antibody composition.

Abstract: Provided are novel specific binding molecules, particularly human antibodies as well as fragments, derivatives and variants thereof that recognize neoepitopes of disease-associated proteins which derive from native endogenous proteins but are prevalent in the body of a patient in a variant form and/or out of their normal physiological context. In addition, pharmaceutical compositions comprising such binding molecules, antibodies and mimics thereof and methods of screening for novel binding molecules, which may or may not be antibodies as well as targets in the treatment of neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease are described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for enriching IgA (and IgM) from IgA-comprising material. In particular, it relates to a sequential elution process of an anion exchanger that leads to an advantageous enrichment and separation of monomeric and dimeric IgA.

Abstract: A method of using biologics to treat chronic brain injury or spasticity due to stroke, trauma and other causes. Preferred embodiments include perispinal, parenteral, transepidermal or intranasal use of TNF antagonists. The TNF antagonists include TNF receptor fusion proteins, TNF monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), humanized TNF mAbs, fully human TNF mAbs, chimeric TNF mAbs, domain TNF antibodies, mAB fragments, anti-TNF nanobodies, dominant negative TNF constructs and TNF inhibitory single chain antibody fragments. One of the preferred embodiments of this invention is the perispinal administration of etanercept for treatment of mammals following stroke. The use of Trendelenburg positioning, catheters, pumps, or depot formulations are included.

Abstract: Oligodendrocytes (OLs), the predominant cell type found in cerebral white matter, are essential for structural integrity and proper neural signaling. Very little is known concerning stroke-induced OL dysfunction. Infusion of human umbilical cord blood (HUCB) cells protects striatal white matter tracts in vivo and directly protects mature primary OL cultures from oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD). Microarray studies of RNA prepared from OL cultures subjected to OGD and treated with HUCB cells showed an increase in the expression of 33 genes associated with OL proliferation, survival, and repair functions, such as myelination. Immunohistochemistry showed antioxidant protein expression was upregluated in the ipsilateral white matter tracts of rats infused with HUCB cells 48 hrs after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). These results show expression of genes induced by HUCB cell therapy that could confer oligoprotection from ischemia.

Abstract: The present invention features methods and compositions for the generation and use of conformation-specific antibodies or fragments thereof.

Abstract: Among other aspects, the present invention provides methods for the manufacture of blood protein compositions from pooled plasma. In one embodiment, the invention provides an alcohol fractionation scheme that allows for significant increases in the yield of blood proteins purified from the starting plasma sample. In a specific embodiment, a method for fractionating pooled plasma is provided, the method comprising an initial low pH, high alcohol precipitation step. The present invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions of therapeutic blood proteins.

Abstract: A method for detecting a neurological disease associated with cognitive impairment, wherein the extracellular domain of EphA4 is measured from a biological sample taken from a subject.

Abstract: Methods of treating neuronal disorders, such as mechanical neuronal traumas and neurodegenerative disorders, with TWEAK or a TWEAK receptor blocking agents are presented.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to, inter alia, compositions containing an inhibitor of human complement and use of the compositions in methods for treating or preventing complement-associated disorders. In some embodiments, the inhibitor is chronically administered to patients. In some embodiments, the inhibitor is administered to a patient in an amount and with a frequency to maintain systemic complement inhibition and prevent breakthrough. In some embodiments, the compositions contain an antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, that binds to a human complement component C5 protein or a fragment of the protein such as C5a or C5b.

Abstract: Methods for treating a cocaine-related disorder in an individual include administering to the individual a therapeutic amount of an antibody comprising a human immunoglobulin gamma heavy chain and a murine lambda light chain. In another embodiment, the light chain includes a human kappa light chain at least partially derived from 1B3. Other embodiments are directed toward the antibodies themselves and methods of binding the antibodies.