Abstract: The present invention provides specific peptides identified as having cell adhesion, growth, expression or secretion-enhancing activities. Many of the peptides of the invention may be produced in large quantity by such means as chemical synthesis or recombinant DNA methodology. They may be non-specifically adsorbed, or chemically attached to a surface or, alternatively, formulated in a culture medium to produce the desired effect on cultured cells.

Abstract: Novel peptides are disclosed that may be used as inhibitors of amyloidogenesis, as suppressors of amyloid toxicity, and as therapeutic agents for amyloid-associated diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's Disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, Huntington's Disease, and Type II Diabetes. These new ?-strand mimics (?-sheet “blockers”), containing C?,?-disubstituted amino acids, specifically interact with and block the development of the ?-sheet structure of the developing fibrils of amyloid diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease amyloid ?-peptide (A?). We have discovered that oligomerization of ?-sheet structures, including those implicated in amyloid-associated diseases, may be inhibited or even reversed by the presence of extended peptide structures that have only one edge available for hydrogen bonding. Without a second edge that is also available for hydrogen bonding, the extension of a developing ?-sheet is blocked by binding to the novel peptides.

Abstract: A drug conjugate comprising a targeting agent and an anti-cancer agent, wherein said targeting agent comprises an erythropoietin receptor ligand, is described. The drug conjugate can be used in methods of treating cancer. Also described are methods of treating cancer using the conjugate, methods of diagnosis, methods of imaging and pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: A liquid carrier medium is provided which is suitable for solubilizing growth factors, such as mixtures of bone morphogenetic proteins, that are found to induce an angiogenic response in ischemic tissues. The liquid medium comprises an aqueous solution of polyvinyl pyrrolidone.

Abstract: The compounds of the invention are modified forms of therapeutic agents. A typical prodrug compound of the invention comprises a therapeutic agent, an oligopeptide having an isoleucine residue, a stabilizing group and, optionally, a linker group. The prodrug is cleavable by an enzyme associated with the target cell. Methods of making and using the compounds are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the development of novel exendin-4 derivatives exhibiting advantageous glucose-regulatory properties, and to methods of producing these derivatives, including recombinant methods in which these derivatives are produced by cleavage of a fusion protein containing multiple copies of the exendin-4 derivative peptide. The methods of the present invention can be used to simplify the process of producing the disclosed exendin-4 derivatives, thereby lowering the cost of their production.

Abstract: The present invention provides peptides which stimulate the release of insulin. The peptides, based on GIP 1-42 include substitutions and/or modifications which enhance and influence secretion and/or have enhanced resistance to degradation. The invention also provides a process of N terminally modifying GIP and the use of the peptide analogues for treatment of diabetes.

Abstract: Compositions useful for treating membrane-associated diseases, conditions, and disorders, including inflammatory diseases, dry mouth, primary ciliary dyskinesia and platelet aggregating disorders, are disclosed which comprise at least one lantibiotic compound. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treatment for membrane-associated diseases such as inflammation and dermal irritation, as well as use of such compositions in the treatment of membrane-associated diseases, wherein the pharmaceutical compositions contain at least one lantibiotic.

Abstract: Methods for using modulating agents to enhance or inhibit cadherin-mediated cell adhesion in a variety of in vivo and in vitro contexts are provided. In particular, the modulating agents may be used in the therapy of multiple sclerosis and other demyelinating diseases. The modulating agents comprise at least one cadherin cell adhesion recognition sequence (HAV) or an antibody or fragment thereof that specifically binds to a cadherin cell adhesion recognition sequence. Modulating agents may additionally comprise one or more cell adhesion recognition sequences recognized by other adhesion molecules. Such modulating agents may, but need not, be linked to a targeting agent, drug and/or support material.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically or veterinarily acceptable salts thereof wherein R1 represents hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl or C1-C6 alkyl substituted by one or more halogen atoms; R2 represents a group R10-(ALK)m-, and A represents (i) a group of formula (IA): wherein the compounds inhibit the activity of bacterial PDF enzyme.

Abstract: The present invention relates broadly to the field of sustained release formulations. More specifically, the invention describes compositions and methods relating to formulating proteins and/or peptides with purified gallic acid esters. In one example, the gallic acid ester is PentaGalloylGlucose (PGG) and in anther example the gallic acid ester is epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG).

Abstract: Systems, methods, and compositions achieve rapid closure of vascular puncture sites. The systems and methods form a vascular closure composition by mixing together a first component, a second component, and a buffer material. The first component includes an electrophilic polymer material having a functionality of at least three. The second component includes a nucleophilic material that, when mixed with the first component within a reaction pH range of between 7 to 9, cross-links with the first component to form a non-liquid, three-dimensional barrier. The buffer material has a pH within the reaction pH range. The systems and methods apply the composition to seal a vascular puncture site.

Abstract: Insulin derivatives having a built-in glucose sensor, capable of delivering insulin from a depot as a function of the glucose concentration in the surrounding medium (e.g. tissue), such that the rate of insulin release from the depot increases with an increased glucose concentration and decreases with a decreased glucose concentration.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of using polypeptide compounds based on the structures of insect peptides of the adipokinetic hormone family to mobilize lipids in humans. The compositions and methods described in the application are useful for modulating human body weight, such as inducing weight loss. The invention also includes screening methods for identifying other compounds effective for modulating lipid mobilization in humans.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a sunscreen formulation comprising a peptide-based metal oxide sunscreen agent, such as titanium dioxide nanoparticles, and a fluid vehicle.

Abstract: The compounds of the invention are modified forms of therapeutic agents. A typical prodrug compound of the invention comprises a therapeutic agent, an oligopeptide, a stabilizing group and, optionally, a linker group. The prodrug is cleavable by the CD10 enzyme. Methods of treatment using the prodrug and methods of designing a prodrug are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cytostatics which have a tumor-specific action as a result of linkage to ?v?3 integrin antagonists via preferred linking units which can be selectively cleaved by elastase, i.e. by an enzyme which can especially be found in tumor tissue. The preferred linking units provide sufficient stability of the conjugate of cytostatic and ?v?3 integrin antagonist in biological fluids and, at the same time, the desired intracellular action within tumor cells as a result of its specific enzymatic or hydrolytic cleavability with release of the cytostatic.

Abstract: Methods and protected amino acids useful as building blocks (protected monomers) for the synthesis of peptides and proteins that are selectively modified at one or more side-chain hydroxyl groups. Azide-bearing protecting groups allow the selective deprotection of side-chain hydroxyl groups of amino acids after synthesis of a peptide. Reaction conditions for removal of the azide-bearing protecting group can be selected which are substantially orthogonal to those that will remove ?-amino protecting groups typically employed in peptide synthesis, such that hydroxyl groups protected with the azide-bearing protecting group remain protected during synthesis of the peptide chain. Various protecting groups which are readily available can be used for protecting potentially reactive side chain groups of amino acids in the peptide or protein to be modified.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel peptides inhibitory of the activity of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and their use in the treatment of angiogenesis-related diseases, including cancer. A combinatorial library of peptides consisting of six amino acid residues were chemically synthesize and, from the library, specific amino acid residues for each amino acid position were screened by comparing their inhibitory activity against VEGF binding to the cell surface receptor. The novel peptide sequences thus obtained bind to VEGF and block the binding of VEGF to its receptors present on the surface of vascular endothelial cells, thereby inhibiting the hormonal activity of VEGF. The peptides inhibit the angiogenesis induced by VEGF and human cancer cells. Also, the peptides inhibit growth and metastasis of human cancer cells transplanted to mice. Thus, the peptides can be used to treat angiogenesis-related diseases, including cancer, diabetic retinopathy, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.

Abstract: A growth such as a tumor, hypertrophied tissue or cyst is biopsied or more completely excised subsequent to the administration of an effective amount of a gonadotropin releasing hormone analog or other inhibitor of ovarian steroid production or action.