Abstract: An antibody or an antigen binding fragment thereof which binds to mammalian ?7 subunit of a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor or its functional variant and which is an agonist of said receptor or variant. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising same. A method of treating a subject suffering from an inflammatory condition comprising administering to said subject an antibody or an antigen-binding fragment as described herein.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for treating various types of cancer/tumor by administering the combination of Dll4 antagonists, in particular, Dll4 antibodies and fragments thereof that specifically bind human Dll4, and chemotherapeutic agents. Such combination therapies exhibit synergistic effects compared to the treatment with either agent alone. Thus, the methods of the invention are particularly beneficial for cancer patients who have low tolerance to the side effects caused by high dosages required for the treatment by either agent alone, by being able to reduce effective dosages. Pharmaceutical compositions and kits containing Dll4 antagonists and chemotherapeutic agents are also provided.

Abstract: The transporter that translocates ergothioneine has been identified. Described are methods for identifying and obtaining compounds capable of modulating ergothioneine transport as well as the use of such compounds for the treatment of diseases ergothioneine may be involved in such as autoimmune diseases, in particular rheumatoid arthritis, as well as other diseases arising from cell damage caused by radiation, radicals and relative oxidant species. Furthermore, diagnostic means and methods for determining the presence or susceptibility to such a disease are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antigen-binding proteins having specificity for hepcidin, and their use for treating and diagnosing diseases associated with hepcidin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an insulinotropic peptide conjugate having improved in-vivo duration of efficacy and stability, comprising an insulinotropic peptide, a non-peptide polymer and an immunoglobulin Fc region, which are covalently linked to each other, and a use of the same. The insulinotropic peptide conjugate of the present invention has the in-vivo activity which is maintained relatively high, and has remarkably increased blood half-life, and thus it can be desirably employed in the development of long acting formulations of various peptide drugs.

Abstract: Disclosed are exendin-3 or exendin-4 derivatives modified with biotin, a preparation method thereof and a pharmaceutical composition containing the same. More specifically, disclosed are exendin-3 or exendin-4 derivatives in which the lysine residue of exedin is modified with biotin. The disclosed exendin-3 or exendin-4 derivatives modified with biotin show biological activity similar to that of native exendin and at the same time, have increased in vivo stability and are easily absorbed through the mucosa. Thus, biotin-modified exendin-3 or exendin-4 derivatives are useful for treating diseases, which can be caused by the excessive secretion of insulin, the lowering of plasma glucose, the inhibition of gastric or intestinal motility, the inhibition of gastric or intestinal emptying or the inhibition of food intake. Particularly, the biotin-modified exendin-3 or exendin-4 derivatives are useful for the treatment of diabetes, obesity and irritable bowel syndromes.

Abstract: Brown adipose tissue (“BAT”) progenitor cells and methods for identifying BAT progenitor cells in a population of cells are provided. Methods are also provided for inducing differentiation of BAT progenitor cells into differentiated brown adipocytes, inducing expression or increased activity levels of BAT uncoupling protein-1 (“UCP1”), and for identifying agents capable of inducing differentiation of BAT progenitor cells into brown adipocytes and/or inducing expression or increased activity levels of UCP1. Differentiated brown adipocytes and agents and methods for inducing differentiation of BAT progenitor cells can be used for treatment of, or the making of medicaments for the treatment of, metabolic diseases or conditions in a patient such as obesity, overweight, impaired glucose tolerance, insulin-resistance, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, metabolic syndrome, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention provide purified Flt4 receptor tyrosine kinase polypeptides and fragments thereof, polynucleotides encoding such polypeptides, antibodies that specifically bind such polypeptides, and uses therefor.

Abstract: A fusion protein comprising at least one IGF1 variant component and a fusion component (F), and, optionally, a signal sequence, exhibits improved stability relative to the native IGF1 or IGF2 polypeptide. The fusion component (F) may be a multimerizing component, such as an immunoglobulin domain, in particular, the Fc domain of IgG or a heavy chain of IgG. IGF1 variants were shown to have improved ability to increase muscle mass in a subject suffering from muscle atrophy caused by cachexia, immobilization, aging, chronic disease, cancer, hereditary condition, an atrophy-causing agent, and the like. IGF1 variants are also effective in decreasing blood glucose in a subject suffering from diabetes or hyperglycemia.

Abstract: Solid pharmaceutical compositions and methods of their use suitable for the oral delivery of pharmacologically active agents, e.g. peptides, comprising a therapeutically-effective amount of a pharmacologically active agent; a crospovidone or povidone; and a delivery agent for said pharmacologically active agent are disclosed. The compositions utilize micronized forms of the delivery agent which provides enhanced bioavailability of pharmacologically active agents, particularly calcitonin.

Abstract: A protein hydrolysate having a degree of hydrolysis between 1 and 40% and containing between 1 and 70 wt. % of peptides having a molecular weight of less than 500 Da and less than 55 wt. % of peptides or proteins having a molecular weight of more than 5000 Da, on the basis of the total proteinaceous material of the composition, is effective in stimulating secretion of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). In addition, the hydrolysate may have DPP-IV inhibiting activity. The hydrolysate is suitable for the manufacture of a medicament, or food product for prophylaxis and/or treatment of a GLP-1 mediated condition, in particular obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus and an immunological disorder.

Abstract: The present invention provides fusion peptides having GLP-1 activity and enhanced stability in vivo, in particular resistancy to dipeptidyl peptidase IV. The fusion peptide comprises as component (I) N-terminally a GLP-1 (7-35, 7-36 or 7-37) sequence and as component (II)C-terminally a peptide sequence of at least 9 amino acids or a functional fragment, variant or derivative thereof. Component (II) is preferably a full or partial version of IP2 (intervening peptide 2). A preferred embodiment comprises the sequence GLP-1 (7-35, 36 or 37)/IP2/GLP-1(7-35, 36 or 37) or GLP-2. The fusion peptide may be produced in engineered cells or synthetically and may be used for the preparation of a medicament for treating various diseases or disorders, e.g. diabetes type 1 or 2, apoptosis related diseases or neurodegenerative disorders.

Abstract: Provided herein are antibodies and antigen-binding antibody fragments that bind to human soluble Growth Stimulation-Expressed Gene 2 (ST2) protein, kits containing these antibodies and antibody fragments, and methods of using these antibodies and antibody fragments.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are exendin singly modified with polyethylene glycole or a derivative thereof, a method for the preparation of the same, and uses thereof. Exendin modified at lysine (27) with polyethylene glycol shows biological activity similar to that of natural exendin, but is improved in half life. In addition, the modification position and the number of PEG or its derivative are restricted so as to minimize the side effects caused by a variety of combinations of such factors. The exendin is useful in the prevention and treatment of diseases caused by the over-secretion of insulin, or diseases caused due to a decrease in plasma glucose level, the inhibition of gastric or intestinal motility, the promotion of satiety, or the inhibition of food intake, especially diabetes, obesity and irritable colon syndrome.

Abstract: Binding proteins, such as antibodies directed to IGF-II with cross-reactivity to IGF-I and uses of such antibodies are described. In particular, fully human monoclonal antibodies directed to the IGF-II with cross-reactivity to IGF-I are disclosed. Also discussed are nucleotide sequences encoding, and amino acid sequences comprising, heavy and light chain immunoglobulin molecules, particularly sequences corresponding to contiguous heavy and light chain sequences spanning the framework regions and/or complementarity determining regions (CDR's), specifically from FR1 through FR4 or CDR1 through CDR3.

Abstract: This invention relates to an isolated protein MONaKA and methods of its use. Specifically, the invention is directed to a protein that modulates the Na,K-ATPase and glutamate transporters, by binding to the b-subunit of the plasma membrane Na,K-ATPase (Na pump).

Abstract: Methods for treating obesity or obesity related disorders are disclosed. These methods include the use of anti-obesity agents directed to the forebrain in combination with anti-obesity agents directed to the hindbrain.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for preparing a cell-binding agent chemically coupled to a drug. The process comprises covalently attaching a linker to a cell-binding agent, a purification step, conjugating a drug to the cell-binding agent and a subsequent purification step.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for treating metabolic diseases and conditions associated with metabolic diseases.

Abstract: The chimeric polypeptide R3(B?23-27)R/I5 is described, which is a high-affinity antagonist for GPCR1 35 and GPCR1 42 over LGR7.