Abstract: A transdermal patch assembly includes a pressure sensitive carrier having a central opening, one side being provided with a clear liner thereon extending across the central opening, and an opposite side being provided with a first adhesive coating thereon, the carrier having a thickness such that when combined with the clear liner, a cell is defined by walls of the central opening and an inwardly facing surface of the clear liner, the cell holding a pharmaceutical composition therein. The transdermal patch also includes a pharmaceutical diffusing cover having an overlying side with an outer periphery attached by the first adhesive coating to an inner periphery of the carrier opposite side, and an underlying side having a pair of opposed portions attached to a peelable release liner removably secured to an outer periphery of the carrier opposite side by the first adhesive coating.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fusogenic liposome comprising a lipid capable of adopting a non-lamellar phase, yet capable of assuming a bilayer structure in the presence of a bilayer stabilizing component; and a bilayer stabilizing component reversibly associated with the lipid to stabilize the lipid in a bilayer structure. Such fusogenic liposomes are extremely advantageous because the rate at which they become fusogenic can be not only predetermined, but varied as required over a time scale ranging from minutes to days. Control of liposome fusion can be achieved by modulating the chemical stability and/or exchangeability of the bilayer stabilizing component(s). The fusogenic liposomes of the present invention can be used to deliver drugs, peptide, proteins, RNA, DNA or other bioactive molecules to the target cells of interest.

Abstract: A skin-whitening cosmetic material which contains an unsaturated fatty acid or a derivative thereof as the active ingredient, is highly effective in making the color of pigmentation on the skin lighter at a lower concentration, and is highly safe. The skin-whitening cosmetic material comprises (A) at least one member selected from unsaturated fatty acids having from 18 to 22 carbon atoms and having from 2 to 6 double bonds in the molecular structure, and derivatives thereof, (B) a phospholipid, (C) an antioxidant, (D) at least one member selected from proteins and hydrolyzates thereof, and (E) at least one member selected from muco-polysaccharides and salts thereof.

Abstract: A liposome having a lipid bilayer, where the lipid bilayer includes either the L or D stereoisomer of an ether lipid or a non-equal mixture of both. Most preferably the liposome also comprises (a) an underivatized phosphatidylcholine; (b) a sterol; (c) about 5-20 mole % of a phosphatidylethanolamine linked to a dicarboxylic acid at the ethanolamine group of the phosphatidylethanolamine, and (d) greater than about 10 mole % to less than about 30 mole % of either the L or D stereoisomer of an ether lipid. The liposome may be used as an anti-cancer or anti-inflammatory agent.

Abstract: An aqueous liposome system comprises at least one phospholipid, a non-phospholipidic substance which is a bile acid or derivative thereof, and, optionally, a non-toxic organic solvent. The mass ratio of phospholipid to the non-phospholidic substance is in the range between 1:0.001 and 1:0.1. The diameter of the liposomes formed in this liposome system is in the range between 35 and 90 nm. The liposome system is stable over large periods of time, e.g., several months or years, and is highly transparent. The liposomes may be loaded with a pharmaceutically active ingredient.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of reducing intraocular fibrin comprising the administration of a pharmacologically effective dose of Protein C to an individual having elevated levels of intraocular fibrin. Also provided are various methods of preventing intraocular fibrin formation, treating intraocular diseases and reducing intraocular inflammation.

Abstract: The invention concerns liposome vectors, in powder form, of active principles, and more particularly active principles sensitive to digestive and/or plasmatic degradation, such as proteins, and their application as medicine. Said liposome vectors of active principles consist of a powder composition essentially constituted of unilamellar liposomes comprising an external lipid phase consisting of class 4 lipids (phospholipids), optionally associated with class 2 substances, class 3 substances and/or class 5 substances and an internal aqueous nucleus consisting of a mixture M of at least two different non-polymerisable gelling agents (G1 and G2) whereof the gel-sol phase transition is not less than 37° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel compositions based on hydrated lipidic lamellar phases or liposomal compositions, prepared by combining different lipid molecules, synthetic and/or from natural sources, said compositions comprising at least one of a) labd-13-ene-8&agr;, 15-diol and/or derivatives thereof; b) labd-14-ene-8, 13-diol or derivatives thereof; c) 3&bgr;-hydroxy-labd-14-ene-8, 13-epoxy and/or derivatives thereof, d) a plant extract containing the aforementioned labdenes or derivatives thereof. The compositions of the invention exhibit cytotoxicity against cancerous cells and are utilized for the treatment of tumors and leukemias.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a liposome based formulation of erythropoietin comprising: (a) an effective amount of an erythropoietin; (b) a lipidic phase comprising: (i) lecithin or hydrogenated lecithin; (ii) optionally, a charged electropositive or electronegative lipid compound; and (iii) cholesterol or a derivative thereof selected from cholesterol esters, polyethylene glycol derivatives of cholesterol (PEG-cholesterols), and organic acid derivatives of cholesterols; and (c) a phosphate buffer. The liposome based parenteral dosage form of the invention is prepared by means of an ethanol injection technique. The composition avoids the need for use of human serum albumin and exhibits superior stability.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of a composition for local percutaneous delivery of a drug such as a muscle relaxant, more particularly cyclobenzaprine in an organogel cream. The composition is applied by the patient directly to the skin over accessible muscles of mastication i.e., masseter and temporalis. The composition is rapidly absorbed through the skin to provide control of harmful habits such as bruxism and tooth clenching. The composition can also be applied to the skin overlying these muscles to control muscle hyperactivity (spasm) and/or trigger points, from other causes. The composition can be formulated to include another active agent such as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, for example ketoprofen.

Abstract: A stable aqueous dispersion which comprises a cationic lipid which is a molecule which comprises a cholesterol-derived lipophilic group, a linker bond which is hydrolyzable by cellular enzymes and relatively resistant to base-catalyzed hydrolysis, a spacer arm and a cationic amino group, and an appropriate co-lipid. The invention also includes the cationic lipids and mammalian plasmid DNA or other cells in admixture with the aqueous dispersion.

Abstract: The invention relates to new uses for 1-O-alkylglycerols and notably such of those compounds naturally present in fish liver oils and notably the liver oils of sharks. More precisely, the invention relates to the use of such compounds for the production of medicines for human use to combat sterility, to produce alimentary adjuvants for veterinary use that permit an increase in fertilization yields in animal breeding, to produce sperm storage adjuvants and to produce factors that encourage the mobility of spermatozoons during in vitro fertilization.

Abstract: The invention concerns liposomal preparations comprising as the active agent a compound of formula I in free base form or in acid addition salt form. It also concerns a method of preparation of such liposomal preparations by encapsulating a compound of formula I with an appropriate liposome forming material, a corresponding pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of treatment of systemic, topical and pulmonal fungal infections.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a composite material, especially a biomedical device, e.g. an ophthalmic device, preferably a contact lens, with one or more wettable surfaces capable of holding a continous layer of aqueous fluid thereon which composite material comprises a bulk material and a hydrophilic coating characterized in that the hydrophilic coating consists of a carbohydrate attached covalently to reactive groups at the surface of the bulk material, either directly or via functional groups of an oligofunctional compound, said oligofunctional compound in turn having functional groups being capable of reacting with said reactive groups at the surface of the bulk material and with the carbohydrate, wherein said reactive groups are either inherently (a priori) present in the bulk material or wherein said reactive groups have been attached to the surface of the bulk material by a plasma surface preparation, as well as to a process of manufacture of such a composite material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a liposomal formulation that is capable of fusing with cells. The liposomal formulation may contain an agent for delivery to cells. The invention also provides compositions and methods for making the liposomal formulation and for liposomal drug delivery. These include methods of killing microbes and of treatment and prevention of microbial infections through the administration of such a formulation.

Abstract: This invention includes emulsion formulations comprising an aqueous carrier and the following components: triglyceride, cholesterol, phospholipid, at least one charged lipid, at least one hydrophilic biologically active molecule and, optionally, cholesteryl ester, and/or apoprotein; methods of preparing these emulsions; and the use of these emulsions for the delivery of hydrophilic biologically active molecules to cells.

Abstract: A liposome suspension forms spontaneously upon adding a diacylglycerol-PEG lipid to an aqueous solution when the lipid has appropriate packing parameters and the adding occurs above the melting temperature of the lipid. Combinations of lipids may be used in the invention. The liposome suspensions are useful for a variety of purposes, including delivery of theraputic agents.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition for delivering at least one biologically active compound to a living organism, said composition comprising at least one micelle-forming membrane lipid

Abstract: A non-toxic oil-in-water or bicontinous microemulsion used as a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle for administration of one or more active compounds having a low solubility in water as well as a process for the preparation and the use thereof.

Abstract: A composition suitable for restoring bone tissue in a human or animal body, which comprises a solid, preferably particulate, calcium phosphate as a biocompatible bone tissue substitute material distributed in a lamellar liquid crystalline phase comprising at least one phospholipid and water or other aqueous liquid as a bioacceptable carrier therefor, said lamellar crystalline phase being pre-formed or being formed in situ in said body in the presence of said water or other aqueous liquid, e.g., body fluid.