Abstract: The use of polyethoxylated castor oils in prostaglandin compositions enhances the prostaglandin's chemical stability.

Abstract: A flexible ocular insert device adapted for the controlled sustained release of an ophthalmic drug into the eye. In one embodiment, the device includes an elongated body of a polymeric material in the form of a rod or tube containing a pharmaceutically active ingredient and with at least two anchoring protrusions extending radially outwardly from the body. The device has a length of at least 8 mm and the diameter of its body portion including the protrusions does not exceed 1.9 mm. The sustained release mechanism may, for example, be by diffusion or by osmosis or bioerosion. The insert device is advantageously inserted into the upper or lower fornix of the eye so as to be independent of movement of the eye by virtue of the fornix anatomy. The protrusions may be of various shapes such as, for example, ribs, screw threads, dimples or bumps, truncated cone-shaped segments or winding braid segments.

Abstract: A high integrity liposome comprising at least one stabile lipid and at least one peptide-like therapeutic agent associated with the liposome, adapted for parenteral administration to an animal, including a human, and method according to manufacture and use.Immunizing dosage forms comprising a liposome and an immunogen, wherein the liposome and immunogen are present in an immunization dose. Additionally, a dosage form, including such form particularly adapted to producing an immune response, comprising a salt according to an organic acid derivative of a sterol and an immunogen are present in an immunization dose, and method according to uses is disclosed. Further, a dosage form, including such form particularly adapted to producing an immune response, comprising dimyristolyphosphatidylcholine (DMPC)/cholesterol liposomes, optionally in an aluminum hydroxide gel, and an immunogen wherein the DMPC/cholesterol and immunogen are present in an immunization dose, and method according to use.

Abstract: A novel oil and water emulsion useful for delivery of a bioactive agent is disclosed. The emulsion comprises a first HLB requirement amount of surfactant dioleoyl phosphatidylethanolamine. In particular embodiments the emulsion includes a secondary surfactant other than dioleoyl phosphatidylethanolamine except in the limiting case wherein the HLB requirement is the HLB value of dioleoyl phosphatidylethanolemine in which case the the HLB requirement amount of a secondary surfactant is 0. By appropriate selection of dioleoyl phosphatidylethanolamine to secondary surfactant ratios, it is possible to prepare emulsions for pharmaceutical delivery of a bioactive agent using an oil phase having a required HLB value up to about 17.4. Above a required HLB value of about 17.4. dioleoyl phosphatidylethanolamine may be used to reduce the amount of secondary surfactant required to form an emulsion.

Abstract: A tack for intraocular drug delivery and a method for insertion and removal of an intraocular device for sustained release of a drug are provided. The tack comprises a post, an anchoring region and a head. The post is for being positioned within the vitreous region of the eye. The post has a first end and a second end, and includes a drug to be administered. The anchoring region is affixed to the second end of the post, and includes a width measured perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the tack which varies to provide the anchoring region with a configuration to anchor the tack within at least one of a sclera, a retina and a choroid. The head extends radially outwardly from the anchoring region such that upon insertion of the anchoring region and post within the eye, the head remains external to the eye and abuts a scleral surface of the eye. Other embodiments include a tack comprising a post, a central portion, a head and a suture hole through the head for anchoring the head to the sclera.

Abstract: A flexible ocular insert device adapted for the controlled sustained release of an ophthalmic drug into the eye. In one embodiment, the device includes an elongated body of a polymeric material in the form of a rod or tube containing a pharmaceutically active ingredient and with at least two anchoring protrusions extending radially outwardly from the body. The device has a length of at least 8 mm and the diameter of its body portion including the protrusions does not exceed 1.9 mm. The sustained release mechanism may, for example, be by diffusion or by osmosis or bioerosion. The insert device is advantageously inserted into the upper or lower fornix of the eye so as to be independent of movement of the eye by virtue of the fornix anatomy. The protrusions may be of various shapes such as, for example, ribs, screw threads, dimples or bumps, truncated cone-shaped segments or winding braid segments.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical dosage form comprising gelatin encapsulating a pharmaceutical composition wherein said composition is at least about 6% (weight %) ethanol and lipid wherein said lipid comprises at least about 60% (weight %) and a method of protecting gelatin from deterioration is disclosed.

Abstract: This invention encompasses new and substantially improved methods and compositions for delivery of therapeutic agents to specifically chosen body sites. Conjugation of fibronectin to bioactive agents or to lipids or to liposomes which entrap the bioactive agents permits immobilization of the bioactive agent when administered at collagen-, heparin-, hyaluronic acid-, fibrin/fibrinogen-, or ganglioside-rich sites. Covalent conjugation is achieved by two methods: (1) the enzymatically catalyzed cross-linkage of fibronectin to an amine containing compound, and (2) by a modified NHS method which permits formation of peptide bonds between fibronectin and lipid compounds.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are described for the preparation of alpha-tocopherol vesicles, the bilayers of which comprise a salt form of an organic acid derivative of alpha-tocopherol such as the Tris salt form of alpha-tocopherol hemisuccinate. The method is rapid and efficient and does not require the use of organic solvents. The alpha-tocopherol vesicles may be used to entrap compounds which are insoluble in aqueous solutions. Such preparations are especially useful for entrapping bioactive agents of limited solubility, thus enabling administration in vivo.

Abstract: A flexible ocular insert device adapted for the controlled sustained release of an ophthalmic drug into the eye. In one embodiment, the device includes an elongated body of a polymeric material in the form of a rod or tube containing a pharmaceutically active ingredient and with at least two anchoring protrusions extending radially outwardly from the body. The device has a length of at least 8 mm and the diameter of its body portion including the protrusions does not exceed 1.9 mm. The sustained release mechanism may, for example, be by diffusion or by osmosis or bioerosion. The insert device is advantageously inserted into the upper or lower fornix of the eye so as to be independent of movement of the eye by virtue of the fornix anatomy. The protrusions may be of various shapes such as, for example, ribs, screw threads, dimples or bumps, truncated cone-shaped segments or winding braid segments.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are described for the preparation of bioactive agents entrapped in lipid vesicles the bilayers of which comprise a salt form of an organic acid derivative of a sterol, such as the tris-salt form of a sterol hemisuccinate, and to compositions comprising a mixture of tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane salt of cholesteryl hemisuccinate with either an antifungal compound or a peptide. These compositions have various applications in vivo.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are described for the preparation of alpha-tocopherol vesicles, the bilayers of which comprise a salt form of an organic acid derivative of alpha-tocopherol such as the Tris salt form of alpha-tocopherol hemisuccinate. The method is rapid and efficient and does not require the use of organic solvents. The alpha-tocopherol vesicles may be used to entrap compounds which are insoluble in aqueous solutions. Such preparations are especially useful for entrapping bioactive agents of limited solubility, thus enabling administration in vivo.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are described for the preparation of bioactive agents entrapped in lipid vesicles the bilayers of which comprise a salt form of an organic acid derivative of a sterol, such as the tris-salt form of a sterol hemisuccinate, and to bompositions comprising a mixture of tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane salt of cholesteryl hemisuccinate with either an antifungal compound or a peptide. These compositions have various applications in vivo.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are described for liquid or gel forms of a lipid excipient to be used in pharmaceutical or cosmetic preparations. The lipid excipient comprises a phospholipid such as a lysophospholipid, for example, mono-oleoyl-phosphatidylethanolamine ("MOPE"). Relatively low concentrations of the lipid can be employed in forming the gel, e.g., about 1-2%. The invention discloses the use of a lipid delivery system at a relatively low lipid concentration as a non-toxic, non-irritating carrier or excipient alone or in combination with other agents, for both drugs and cosmetics. For example, the lipid excipient in sprayable or droppable form has special utility in the non-irritating delivery of peptides (e.g., calcitonin and insulin) to the nasal mucosa, due to the ability of the excipient to enhance absorption across nasal membranes. As a cosmetic, it can be used alone or in combination with biologically active agents.

Abstract: A novel oil and water emulsion useful for delivery of a bioactive agent is disclosed. The emulsion comprises a first HLB requirement amount of surfactant dioleoyl phosphatidylethanolamine. In particular embodiments the emulsion includes a secondary surfactant other than dioleoyl phosphatidylethanolamine except in the limiting case wherein the HLB requirement is the HLB value of dioleoyl phosphatidylethanolamine in which case the HLB requirement amount of a secondary surfactant is 0. By appropriate selection of dioleoyl phosphatidylethanolamine to secondary surfactant ratios, it is possible to prepare emulsions for pharmaceutical delivery of a bioactive agent using an oil phase having a required HLB value up to about 17.4. Above a required HLB value of about 17.4. dioleoyl phosphatidylethanolamine may be used to reduce the amount of secondary surfactant required to form an emulsion.

Abstract: Preparations of drugs in admixture with certain ligands are described which, when administered to animals or humans, are less toxic than conventional drug preparations. Although the toxicity of the drug-ligand preparations described is greatly reduced, the drug retains pharmacological activity.

Abstract: Osmotically derived liposomal vesicles loaded with an active agent are disclosed. Liposomes, including an entrapped osmotic agent, are contacted one or more times with a washing solution which is hypotonic to the entrapped osmotic agent and which contains active agent. The entrapped osmotic agent in the liposome and the active agent in the washing solution are each present in concentrations causing the liposomes to swell, rupture under osmotic pressure, spill osmotic agent into the washing solution and re-form to encapsulate active agent.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are described for the preparation of alpha-tocopherol vesicles, the bilayers of which comprise a salt form of an organic acid derivative of alpha-tocopherol such as the Tris salt form of alpha-tocopherol hemisuccinate. The method is rapid and efficient and does not require the use of organic solvents. The alpha-tocopherol vesicles may be used to entrap compounds which are insoluble in aqueous solutions. Such preparations are especially useful for entrapping bioactive agents of limited solubility, thus enabling administration in vivo.

Abstract: Preparations of drugs in admixture with certain ligands are described which, when administered to animals or humans, are less toxic than conventional drug preparations. Although the toxicity of the drug-ligand preparations described is greatly reduced, the drug retains pharmacological activity.

Abstract: Steroidal liposomes comprising a bioactive agent and method for their administration are disclosed, the bilayers of said steroidal liposomes comprising a salt form of a carboxylic acid derivative of a sterol, a salt form of a polycarboxylic acid derivative of a sterol, a salt form of a hydroxy carboxylic acid derivative of a sterol, a salt form of an amino acid derivative of a sterol or a salt form of a poly (amino acid) derivative of a sterol; or a salt form of an organic acid derivative of cholesterol, a vitamin D, a phytosterol, or a steroidal hormone.