Abstract: A solid dispersion transdermal drug delivery system comprising a therapeutic agent in a stable amorphous form and a combination polymeric stabilizing and dispersing agent having a hydrogen bond-forming functional group, and a method of manufacturing these systems is provided. The weight ratio of the combination polymeric stabilizing and dispersing agent to the therapeutic agent is also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include methods for the treatment, prevention, or amelioration of vascular disease in diabetic patients. The methods include both implantation of a stent including a first drug. Some embodiments include additional therapy, such as the co-administration of another drug. Some embodiments involve different stent selection for a diabetic patient compared to a non-diabetic patient.

Abstract: Devices and methods for substantially reducing the caloric efficiency of the digestive tract by capturing food being digested in the stomach 10 and/or anywhere else in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, absorbing or encapsulating the captured food into multiple capturing members and moving such multiple capturing members containing the ingestible encapsulated food down the GI tract, practically out of reach of the GI absorption organs, thus excluding the entrapped ingredients from being involved in the digestion and\or absorption process. The device is designed for oral delivery. The system can be comprised of liquid, food bars or a capsule system. The capsule system is comprised of an external capsule that dissolves in accordance with a temporal or ph dependent preset, which allows the food intake to be at least partially fluidic. The capsule system is further comprised of a mechanism designed to capture and isolate a portion of the food being digested.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gel formulation comprising diclofenac sodium which has superior transdermal flux properties, which may be used for the topical treatment of pain, such as in osteoarthritis.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of reducing symptoms associated with an abrupt reduction in an endogenous or exogenous chemical in subjects, the methods comprising: (a) administering to the subject a single dosage form comprising an active agent, wherein the release rate of the active agent from the single dosage form tapers throughout the administration; and (b) removing the single dosage form from the subjects after the release rate of the active agent is at or below a terminal symptom threshold level.

Abstract: A method for improving the retention between the surfaces of medical devices. The method includes coating a surface of one medical device such as a stent with a coating that includes a functional group and coating a surface of another medical device such as a balloon with a coating that includes an identical or different functional group. The method further includes interacting the coated surfaces to produce a plurality of bonds between the surfaces, thereby improving retention.

Abstract: A medical device includes a substrate having at least one surface. The surface has a central portion and a peripheral portion. At least one bioactive agent is disposed over at least a portion of the surface. The medical device having a concentration gradient of the at least one bioactive between the central and peripheral portions.

Abstract: An object is to provide a medical device having excellent antithrombotic and sliding characteristics, which can exert a cell adhesion inhibitory effect. A medical device comprising: a substrate capable of forming hydroxyl groups; and a biocompatible material layer laminated on the substrate at an appropriate position, wherein the hydroxyl groups are formed on a surface of the substrate at least at a required position by a surface treatment, while the biocompatible material layer is formed from a polymer containing phosphorylcholine groups, and wherein the substrate and the biocompatible material layer are joined via a binder layer formed from silica being covalently bonded with the hydroxyl groups and the biocompatible material, respectively.

Abstract: Use of cilastatin to reduce the nephrotoxicity of different compounds. The invention refers to use of cilastatin to prepare a medicinal product to reduce the nephrotoxicity of a nephrotoxic compound that enters the cells of the proximal tubule through cholesterol rafts. The invention is based on the discovery that a great number of nephrotoxic compounds, including drugs, enter the cells of the proximal tubule through the cholesterol rafts, and that cilastatin is able to interfere with this transport mechanism, decreasing the nephrotoxicity of such compounds to a variable extent. The nephroprotective effect is common to compounds of different chemical nature and solubility and is specific for the kidney, causing no interference with the effects of nephrotoxic drugs having their targets in other organs. Therefore, administration of cilastatin allows for decreasing the nephrotoxic effects of different drugs without reducing their therapeutic effects.

Abstract: Described are lyophilized compositions comprising cidofovir, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) or hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) and, optionally, a plasticizer. In particular, described are such compositions that form a sheet-shaped porous solid matrix. Also described are methods for producing such compositions and their use in treating human papillomavirus (HPV) infections and HPV-associated malignancies, in particular, HPV lesions and cervical cancer.

Abstract: Controlled release vascular implants, such as vascular grafts, stents, wraps, and gels comprising a biocompatible polymer and all trans retinoic acid (ATRA), or its derivatives, can be used to treat, prevent, or inhibit thrombosis and/or neointimal hyperplasia which may otherwise be induced by prosthetic implantation. In particular, the implants herein can inhibit smooth muscle cell proliferation, neointimal hyperplasia, and upregulate antithrombotic genes and nitric oxide production in the vasculature. Further, the implants are capable of delivering controlled and predictable localized concentrations of ATRA.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a formulation comprising a hydrophilic polymer, a mixture of a polyalcohol and a sugar, wherein the weight ratio of polyalcohol to sugar is between 2:1 to 5:1 (wt-%), a detergent, and wherein the formulation is free of stabilizing proteins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for modulating melanin production, secretion and/or accumulation in human skin cells. In particular, the present invention relates to the use of A3 adenosine receptor antagonists in compositions and methods for the treatment and amelioration of hyper-pigmentation conditions and for the lightening of skin, and to the use of A3 adenosine receptor agonists in compositions and methods for the treatment and amelioration of hypo-pigmentation conditions and for the tanning of skin.

Abstract: Cosmetic bases consisting of alkylene oxide derivatives represented by the general formula (I): Z—{O(AO)l(EO)m—(BO)nH}a(I) wherein Z is a residue derived from a compound having three to nine hydroxyl groups by the removal of the hydroxyl groups; a is 3 to 9; AO is C3-4 oxyalkylone; EO is oxyethylene; l and m represent the average numbers of added C3-4 oxyalkylene molecules and oxyalkylene molecules respectively and satisfy the relationships: 1?1?50 and l?m?50 respectively; the AO/EO weight ratio is 1/5 to 5/1 and AO's and EO's may be added at random or in block; BO is oxyalkylene having 4 carbon atoms; and n represents the average number of added BO molecules and satisfies the relationship: 0.5?n?5.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of administering an active agent to a localized mucous membrane in the oral cavity of a mammal, as well as oral dissolving film formed therefore.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for coating catheter balloons with a defined amount of a pharmacologically active agent, wherein the coating method uses a coating device having a volume measuring device for releasing a measurable amount of a coating solution by means of a dispensing device specifically onto the surface of the catheter balloon.

Abstract: The present invention provides a crosslinked amine and amide polymers effective for binding and removing bile salts from the gastrointestinal tract. These bile acid binding polymers or pharmaceutical compositions thereof can be administered to subjects to treat various conditions, including hypercholesteremia, diabetes, pruritis, irritable bowel syndrome-diarrhea (IBS-D), bile acid malabsorption, and the like.

Abstract: Described are gel-based delivery systems for a compound of interest, like a drug or cosmetic agent. Described is a gel comprising at least one non-polymeric gelator and at least one polymer, wherein the polymer content of the gel is more than 5 weight percent (wt %), preferably at least 10 wt %, and more preferably at least 20 wt %. Also provided are a method for preparing the gel and a method of using the gel in a controlled delivery system, for example, a pH-sensitive drug delivery system.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a gradual disintegration-type, sustained-release pharmaceutical solid preparation whose pharmacologically active substance release behavior is controlled. The solid pharmaceutical preparation of the present invention is a matrix-type preparation containing: (a) a pharmacologically active substance; (b) calcium polycarbophil; and (c) a specific sugar and/or sugar alcohol.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gel formulation comprising diclofenac sodium which has superior transdermal flux properties, which may be used for the topical treatment of pain, such as in osteoarthritis.