Abstract: Coupling of biological materials is disclosed via 4-hydroxy-3-nitrobenzene sulfonic acid sodium salt (HNSA) esters. The novel activated esters are structured so as to react at one end with an amine group of a selected biological or non-biological material, thereby releasing the spectroscopically monitorable HNSA dianion, and at the other end with, typically, a sulfhydryl group of a second material which may or may not be biological. The esters provide for a cross-linking reaction that may be easily controlled and monitored.

Abstract: Coupling of biological materials is disclosed via 4-hydroxy-3-nitrobenzene sulfonic acid sodium salt (HNSA) esters. The novel activated esters are structured so as to react at one end with an amine group of a selected biological or non-biological material, thereby releasing the spectroscopically monitorable HNSA dianion, and at the other end with, typically, a sulfhydryl group of a second material which may or may not be biological. The esters provide for a cross-linking reaction that may be easily controlled and monitored.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for preparing a pharmaceutical composition comprising a biologically active conjugated protein. It comprises a polyethylene glycol or a polyoxyethylated polyol conjugated to IL-2. This protein is conjugated to reduce its immunogenicity, and increase it solubility, and increase its circulating in vivo half-life.

Abstract: Succinylacetone derived or related medicaments and methods of synthesis of the same are shown wherein the medicaments consists of succinylacetonyl-proline-PEG, succinylacetonyl-NH-PEG, or compounds that have the formula: ##STR1## and that have immunosuppressive activity both in vivo and in vitro based on their activities in cellular immunologic assays and adjuvant induced arthritis in rats, respectively.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition is prepared wherein a biologically active conjugated protein is dissolved in an aqueous carrier medium in the absence of a solubilizing agent. The unconjugated protein, which is not readily water-soluble at pH 6-8 without such solubilizing agent, is covalently conjugated to polyproline via a flexible spacer arm and exhibits substantial biological activity.

Abstract: A novel class of polypeptides of the general formula (F-(Pro).sub.n).sub.m F, wherein F represents a flexible amino acid sequence wherein each amino acid is individually selected from the group consisting of serine, glycine, and threonine, and n is an integer from 4-8 inclusive and m is an integer from 1-4 inclusive, is disclosed. Thses polypeptides are useful in the construction of conjugates between antibodies and peptide toxins. The preparation of such conjugate toxins by linking antibodies to toxin/spacer composites prepared by recombinant techniques is also disclosed.

Abstract: Antibodies exhibit specificity toward single amino acid differences between proteins. These antibodies may be produced by synthesizing a peptide of the appropriate amino acid sequence contained in the protein, immunizing a host with the peptide, and extracting sera from the host to obtain the antibodies. The antibodies and the desired protein are then immunoprecipitated under conditions of partial denaturation to expose the epitope of the protein. The antibodies may be used for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.

Abstract: Bifunctional chemicals useful for linking aldehyde containing moieties to moieties containing functionalities which are or can be reactive with sulfhydryl are claimed and have the formula:L--S--(CH.sub.2).sub.n1 --CONH--SPACER--NH--Xwherein L is a leaving group selected from --H or --S--Ar, wherein Ar represents optionally substituted phenyl or pyridyl;n.sub.1 =2-4;X is selected from:--CO--Y--CONHNH.sub.2, a hydrazide; ##STR1## a hydrazine; ##STR2## a hydrazine; --CO--Y--NH--CONHNH.sub.2, a semicarbazide; and--CO--Z--NH--CSNHNH.sub.2, a thiosemicarbazide;wherein Y is alkylene or oxaalkylene and Z is alkylene or a polypeptide residue bridging the N-terminal amino group and C-terminal carboxy group thereof;the SPACER is oxaalkylene or oxaalkylene substituted with hydroxyl and specifically includes residues having formulas selected from--(CH.sub.2).sub.n2 --O--(CH.sub.2).sub.n2 --O--(CH.sub.2).sub.n2 --(a)wherein each n2 is independently 2-4 and ##STR3## wherein n3 is 2-6.

Abstract: Antibodies exhibit specificity toward single amino acid differences between proteins. These antibodies may be produced by synthesizing a peptide of the appropriate amino acid sequence contained in the protein, immunizing a host with the peptide, and extracting sera from the host to obtain the antibodies. The antibodies and the desired protein are then immunoprecipitated under conditions of partial denaturation to expose the epitope of the protein. The antibodies may be used for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition is prepared wherein a biologically active conjugated protein which is .beta.-interferon, interleukin-2, or an immunotoxin is dissolved in an aqueous carrier medium without the presence of a solubilizing agent. The unconjugated protein, which is poorly or not at all water-soluble at pH 6-8 without such solubilizing agent, is selectively conjugated to at least one heparin fragment having a terminal 2,5-anhydro-D-mannose residue which has an aldehyde not involved in intramolecular hemiacetal formation.

Abstract: Novel methods are provided for preparing peptide compounds involving functionalizing an available amino group with a carboxy group, esterifying the carboxy group with an hydroxylic compound which forms an ester which is stable under the conditions of cleavage of the oligopeptide from said resin, but which ester is capable of forming a peptide bond with an amino group in an aqueous medium, and without separation, either allowing the oligopeptide to react with itself or with a polypeptide compound.