Abstract: The invention relates to peroral pharmaceutical compositions which release levosimendan in a controlled fashion with reduced occurrence of undesired effects. Levosimendan, or (?)-[[4-(1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-4-methyl-6-oxo-3-pyridazinyl)phenyl]-hydrazono]propanedinitrile, is useful in the treatment of congestive heart failure.

Abstract: A sustained-release formulation of 5-acetyl-4,6-dimethyl-2-[2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazinyl]ethylamino]pyrimidine trihydrochloride coated with a release-controlling film comprising a water-insoluble polymer film having no hydrophilic group. The formulation of the present invention has such a release pattern that the drug release lasts for 20 hours or more, so that can be appropriately administered for treatment. Furthermore, the formulation itself is so stable that its release pattern does not change with pH and the formulation does not suffer from deterioration, coloration and the like with the lapse of time.

Abstract: A method of treating myocardial damage secondary to myocardial infarction using moxonidine or a physiologically compatible salt thereof. Pharmaceutical preparations containing moxonidine and its physiologically compatible acid addition salts are suitable for use in acute myocardial infarction and/or postmyocardial infarction management. In addition to a beneficial influence, promoting recovery and/or rehabilitation, on the myocardial status following myocardial infarction, moxonidine and its physiologically compatible acid addition salts, especially when used in the management of postmyocardial infarction patients in the chronic stage, also show a preventive effect against the progression of heart failure after myocardial infarction.

Abstract: Natural feel polymers exhibit an advantageous blend of flexibility and a strong affinity to natural fibers imparting a natural feel when applied to keratin-based fibers, e.g. hair, skin, or textiles, e.g. cotton, wool, and are water-soluble and water-resistant. The polymers include repeat units of a monomer (e.g. ?-olefin) maleic anhydride alkyl half-ester or full acid, maleamic acid and maleimide, which are derivatized with a polyether amine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new stable enteric coated pharmaceutical dosage forms for oral use containing Omeprazole or Lansoprazole, to a formulation and a method for the manufacture of such a dosage forms, and to a method of gastric acid pump inhibition and providing gastrointestinal cytoprotective benefit by using them.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of milling materials to form a fine powder with a median particle size below 10 micrometer which is suitable for inhalation and which has substantially no amorphous content generated during milling. The method is particularly suitable for milling materials which are soft. The method comprises milling the material in a fluid energy mill at reduced temperature using helium, or helium mixed with another gas, as milling fluid. Temperatures of ?30° C. or less are used.

Abstract: The invention provides fenofibrate tablets comprising granulates, wherein the granulates can comprise carrier particles, micronized fenofibrate, and at least one hydrophilic polymer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for treating a vascular condition, including a catheter, a stent coupled to the catheter, a polymeric coating on the stent including a segmented homochain copolyester, and a bioactive drug dispersed within the polymeric coating.

Abstract: Sheet cosmetics including a single-layered aqueous gel sheet having no supporting layer wherein the sheet of 1 mm in thickness has a light transmittance of 70% or more. These sheet cosmetics have high adhesion force to the skin, transparent appearance presenting no sense of incongruity and achieve excellent moistening and cooling effects on the skin.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing submicron sized particles of an organic compound, the solubility of which is greater in a water-miscible first solvent than in a second solvent which is aqueous, the process including the steps of: (i) dissolving the organic compound in the water-miscible first solvent to form a solution, (ii) mixing the solution with the second solvent to define a pre-suspension; and (iii) adding energy to the pre-suspension to form particles having an average effective particle size of 400 nm to 2 microns.

Abstract: A method and nutrient supplement composition for nocturnal administration to human subjects where the nutrient supplement composition includes both a sustained timed release portion and a rapid release portion, both portions containing a mixture of edible food proteins and edible amino acid building blocks with a portion of these key components being micro encapsulated for sustained timed release in a the human body during the growth hormone spikes that generally occur during nocturnal sleep.

Abstract: The invention provides an immediate-release fenofibrate composition comprising (a) an inert hydrosoluble carrier covered with at least one layer containing fenofibrate in a micronized form having a size less than 20 ?m, a hydrophilic polymer and, optionally, a surfactant, the polymer making up at least 20% by weight of (a); and (b) optionally one or several outer phase(s) or layer(s). The invention also provides a method for preparing said composition.

Abstract: A polymer-based preparation in film form for biphasic release of substances present therein to liquid surroundings, is characterized in that the preparation comprises at least two polymer matrix layers which differ in terms of their construction from polymers, with release taking place rapidly from one of the layers, and release taking place slowly from at least one other layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to formulations, e.g. film-coated tablets containing oxcarbazepine and to processes for the production of said formulations. The film-coated tablets have a tablet core comprising a therapeutically effective dose of oxacarbazepine being in a finely ground form having a mean particle size of from 4 to 12 ?m (median value), and a hydrophilic permeable outer coating.

Abstract: Novel burst-free, sustained release biocompatible and biodegrable microcapsules which can be programmed to release their active core for variable durations ranging from 1–100 days in an aqueous physiological environment. The microcapsules are comprised of a core of polypeptide or other biologically active agent encapsulated in a matrix of poly(lactide/glycolide) copolymer as a blend of uncapped (free carboxyl end group) and end-capped forms ranging in ratios from 100/0 to 1/99.

Abstract: The present invention involves the administration of Copolymer 1 (glatiramer acetate) to treat inflammatory, non-autoimmune central nervous system (CNS) diseases, alleviate the symptoms thereof, inhibit the activity of matrix metalloproteinases and suppress cytokine production by T lymphocytes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition comprising a) at least one antimycotic agent and b) at least one film forming agent wherein component b) is a derivative of chitosan selected from hydroxyalkylchitosans and carboxyalkylchitosans and its use as a nail varnish. The present invention is further directed to the use of a water soluble film forming agent selected from hydroxyalkylchitosans and carboxyalkylchitosans as an additive in a nail varnish.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a compressed, chewable tablet containing at least one active ingredient, a water-disintegratable, compressible carbohydrate and a binder. These components are dry blended and compressed into convex-shaped tablet having a hardness of about 2 to about 11 kp/cm2 and friability less than 1%.

Abstract: A transdermal therapeutic system having a backing layer, at least one nicotine-containing layer ore zone, which may have pressure-sensitive properties, as well as a removable protective layer is characterized by a content of at least one essential oil extracted from a mint species, or at least one monoterpene ketone contained in these essential oils.

Abstract: A process is provided for making dry, micronized particles of an agent, such as a drug. The method includes (a) dissolving a macromolecular material, preferably a polymer, in an effective amount of a solvent, to form a solution; (b) dissolving or dispersing the agent in the solution to form a mixture; (c) freezing the mixture; and (d) drying by vacuum the mixture to form solid particles of the agent dispersed in solid macromolecular material. The micronization in this process occurs directly in a macromolecular matrix and hardening of the particles of agent by solvent removal takes place by lyophilization of the bulk matrix, which stabilizes the drug particles during hardening and prevents coalesence, thereby resulting in smaller final drug particles. The method is particularly preferred for protein agents. The process can be used in conjunction with a standard microencapsulation technique, typically following separation of the agent from the macromolecular matrix.