Abstract: Substituted-4-quinolones of the formula (I): wherein R1 is a straight or branched chain, saturated or ethylenically-unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbyl group containing 1 to 18 carbon atoms which may optionally be substituted by one or more substituent groups selected from halo, 1-6C alkoxy, carboxy, 1-6C alkoxycarbonyl and NR6R7, wherein each of R6 and R7 is independently selected from H and 1-6C alkyl or R6 and R7 together with the N atom to which they are attached form a saturated heterocyclic group selected from piperidino, piperazino and morpholino; R2 is a group selected from H, —OH, halo, —CHO, —CO2H and CONHR8 wherein R8 is H or a 1-6C alkyl; each of R3, R4 and R5 is independently selected form H, —CH3, —OCH3 and halo; or a non-toxic pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof, have use in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of a disease of a living animal body, including a human, which disease is responsive to the activity of an immunosuppressant.

Abstract: Substituted-4-quinolones of the formula (I): wherein R1 is a straight or branched chain, saturated or ethylenically-unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbyl group containing 1 to 18 carbon atoms which may optionally be substituted by one or more substituent groups selected from halo, 1-6C alkoxy, carboxy, 1-6C alkoxycarbonyl and NR6R7, wherein each of R6 and R7 is independently selected from H and 1-6C alkyl or R6 and R7 together with the N atom to which they are attached form a saturated heterocyclic group selected from piperidino, piperazino and morpholino. R2 is a group selected from H, —OH, halo, —CHO, —CO2H and CONHR8 wherein R8 is H or a 1-6C alkyl; each of R3, R4 and R1 is independently selected form H, —CH3, —OCH3 and halo; or a non-toxic pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof, have use in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of a disease of a living animal body, including a human, which disease is responsive to the activity of an immunosuppressant.

Abstract: New N-acyl homoserine lactone compounds of the formula (I) in whichR is an acyl group of the formula (II) wherein one of R1 and R2 is H and the other is selected from OR4, SR4 and NHR4, wherein R4 is H or 1-6C alkyl, or R1 and R2 together with the carbon atom to which they are joined form a keto group, and R3 containing from 8 to 11 carbon atoms and is optionally substituted by one or more substituent groups selected from halo, 1-6C alkoxy, carboxy, 1-6C alkoxycarbonyl, carbamoyl optionally mono- or disubstituted at the N atom by 1-6C alkyl and NR5R6 wherein each of R5 and R6 is selected from H and 1-6C alkyl or R5 and R6 together with the N atom form a morpholino or piperazino group, or and enantiomer thereof, with the proviso that R is not a 3-oxododecanoyl group, having immuosuppressant properties are disclosed. The compounds are shown to have an inhibitory effect on lymphocyte proliferation and down-regulate TNF-&agr; secretion by monocytes/macrophages in the animal body, including the human body.

Abstract: Compounds having anti-fibrotic effects are provided. Also provided is a method for treating disorders, diseases or conditions associated with pathological fibrotic states. The compounds useful in the present invention are homocysteine thiolactone and selected derivatives thereof.

Abstract: A compound having formula (1) for use as a medicament wherein n is 2 or 3; Y is O, S or NH; X is O, S or NH; and R is C.sub.1 -C.sub.18 alkyl or acyl which may be substituted.

Abstract: DNA involved in the bacterial gene expression of carbapenem antibiotics comprising: a) at least one of the genes carA, carB, carC, carD, carE, carF, carG, carH, b) DNA capable of hybridizing to any of the genes defined in a) and capable of functioning as such genes in the biosynthetic pathway of a carbapenem, c) DNA which is a) or b) above by virtue of the degeneracy of the genetic code. Polypeptides encoded by such DNA.

Abstract: A compound having formula (1) for use as a medicament wherein n is 2 or 3; Y is O, S or NH; X is O, S or NH; and R is C.sub.1 -C.sub.18 alkyl or acyl which may be substituted.