Abstract: The present invention provides a method of modifying the swelling behavior of a dietary fibre in an aqueous medium by providing a synergistic fibre composition comprising the dietary fibre embedded within a lipid material comprising a lipid selected from a free fatty acid exhibiting a melting point in the range of from 30 to 60° C., a glycerol- or sorbitan based fatty acid ester exhibiting a melting point in the range of from 30 to 75° C., a plant-derived wax exhibiting a melting point in the range of from 30 to 75° C., or a homogenous mixture of two or more of these lipids, wherein said homogenous mixture exhibits a melting point in the range of from 30 to 70° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to biodegradable polyethylene glycol based water-insoluble hydrogels comprising backbone moieties which are interconnected by hydrolytically degradable bonds, the backbone moieties further comprising reactive functional groups, wherein the water-insoluble hydrogel is further characterized in that the ratio between the time period for the complete degradation of the hydrogel by hydrolysis of the degradable bonds into water-soluble degradation products comprising one or more backbone moieties and the time period for the release of the first 10 mol-% of water-soluble degradation products comprising one or more backbone moieties based on the total amount of backbone moieties in the hydrogel is greater than 1 and equal to or less than 2. The invention further relates to conjugates of such hydrogels with ligands or ligating groups, prodrugs and pharmaceutical compositions as well as their use in a medicament.

Abstract: The present invention relates to biodegradable polyethylene glycol based water-insoluble hydrogels comprising backbone moieties which are interconnected by hydrolytically degradable bonds, the backbone moieties further comprising reactive functional groups, wherein the water-insoluble hydrogel is further characterized in that the ratio between the time period for the complete degradation of the hydrogel by hydrolysis of the degradable bonds into water-soluble degradation products comprising one or more backbone moieties and the time period for the release of the first 10 mol-% of water-soluble degradation products comprising one or more backbone moieties based on the total amount of backbone moieties in the hydrogel is greater than 1 and equal to or less than 2. The invention further relates to conjugates of such hydrogels with ligands or ligating groups, prodrugs and pharmaceutical compositions as well as their use in a medicament.

Abstract: The invention provides ingestible particles comprising a water-swellable or water-soluble polymeric component, a lipid component, and optionally an amino acid, a vitamin and/or a micro-nutrient. The polymeric component may be embedded in the lipid component. The particle may further comprise an inert core and/or an outer layer which rapidly disintegrates after oral ingestion. The invention further provides methods for preparing the ingestible particles and uses thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of inducing satiety in a subject comprising a step of orally administering a composition comprising an effective amount of a first agent capable of inducing satiety and of a second agent capable of augmenting the satiety-inducing effect of the first agent. Also disclosed are compositions for carrying out the method, and a body weight management system comprising such compositions in combination with a device configured for the collection, storage and/or display of information relating to a subject's response to a predefined therapeutic regimen of orally administering the composition.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of inducing satiety in a subject comprising a step of orally administering a composition comprising an effective amount of a first agent capable of inducing satiety and of a second agent capable of augmenting the satiety-inducing effect of the first agent. Also disclosed are compositions for carrying out the method, and a body weight management system comprising such compositions in combination with a device configured for the collection, storage and/or display of information relating to a subject's response to a predefined therapeutic regimen of orally administering the composition.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of inducing satiety in a subject comprising a step of orally administering a composition comprising an effective amount of a first agent capable of inducing satiety and of a second agent capable of augmenting the satiety-inducing effect of the first agent. Also disclosed are compositions for carrying out the method and a body weight management system comprising such compositions in combination with a device configured for the collection, storage and/or display of information relating to a subject's response to a predefined therapeutic regimen of orally administering the composition.

Abstract: A cascade carrier linked prodrug is described comprising a biologically active moiety and a masking group having at least one nucleophile and being distinct from the carrier.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymeric prodrug for use in the treatment, prevention and/or diagnosis a disease of the joint and pharmaceutical compositions and medical devices comprising said polymeric prodrugs.

Abstract: The invention provides a kit comprising a satiety inducing component A, useful for the treatment and/or prevention of obesity; and a component B complementing component A. Component A comprises a first ingestible solid formulation of a lipid material and a water-swellable or water-soluble polymer, said first ingestible solid formulation being provided in form of ingestible particles that may be used as a partial or full meal replacement. Component B complements component A in that it provides e.g. specific nutrients such as unsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, proteins, amino acids, micro-nutrients, dietary elements, dietary fibres or combinations thereof to a human subject in order to reduce the risk of any deficiencies thereof during a dieting schedule. These nutrients in component B may be provided in an oil, a granulate and/or a powder or powder blend.

Abstract: The invention provides ingestible particles comprising an intimate mixture of a water-soluble or water-insoluble polysaccharide component and a fatty acid glyceride component having a melting point of higher than 37° C. The invention further provides methods for preparing the ingestible particles and uses thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides ingestible solid phase comprising an intimate mixture of a water-soluble or water-insoluble polysaccharide component (e.g. dietary fibres) and a fatty acid glyceride component having a melting point of higher than 37° C.; this solid phase optionally being provided in particulate form. The invention further provides methods for preparing the ingestible solid phase and uses thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides a pharmaceutical or food composition comprising ingestible particles with a water-swellable or water-soluble polymeric material a lipid material; and optionally an amino acid, a vitamin, a micro-nutrient or any combination thereof. The polymeric material may be embedded in the lipid material. The particle may further comprise an inert core and/or an outer layer which rapidly disintegrates after oral ingestion. The composition comprises at least one further component, such as a source of protein, dietary fibre, dietary minerals or trace elements, or vitamins.

Abstract: A polymeric prodrug composition including a hydrogel, a biologically active moiety and a reversible prodrug linker. The prodrug linker covalently links the hydrogel and the biologically active moiety at a position and the hydrogel has a plurality of pores with openings on its surface. The diameter of the pores is larger than that of the biologically active moiety at least at all points of the pore between at least one of the openings and the position of the biologically active moiety.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of inducing satiety in a subject comprising a step of orally administering a composition comprising an effective amount of a first agent capable of inducing satiety and of a second agent capable of augmenting the satiety-inducing effect of the first agent. Also disclosed are compositions for carrying out the method and a body weight management system comprising such compositions in combination with a device configured for the collection, storage and/or display of information relating to a subject's response to a predefined therapeutic regimen of orally administering the composition.

Abstract: The invention provides a pharmaceutical combination product for oral administration comprising a lipase inhibitor and a plurality of ingestible particles, said particles comprising a water-swellable or water-soluble polymeric material and a lipid material. The lipase inhibitor may be provided in the ingestible particles or separate from these. The polymeric material may be embedded in the lipid material. The invention further provides methods for preparing the pharmaceutical combination product and uses thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of inducing satiety in a subject comprising a step of orally administering a composition comprising an effective amount of a first agent capable of inducing satiety and of a second agent capable of augmenting the satiety-inducing effect of the first agent. Also disclosed are compositions for carrying out the method, and a body weight management system comprising such compositions in combination with a device configured for the collection, storage and/or display of information relating to a subject's response to a predefined therapeutic regimen of orally administering the composition.

Abstract: The invention provides ingestible particles comprising a water-swellable or water-soluble polymeric component, a lipid component, and optionally an amino acid, a vitamin and/or a micro-nutrient. The polymeric component may be embedded in the lipid component. The particle may further comprise an inert core and/or an outer layer which rapidly disintegrates after oral ingestion. The invention further provides methods for preparing the ingestible particles and uses thereof.

Abstract: Long-acting polymer exendin-4 or exendin agonist derivatives of the formula Pol-L-E are provided wherein Pol is a polymer, L is a releasing linker undergoing slow autohydrolysis and E is an exendin or exendin agonist. These exendin or exendin agonists are slowly released from Pol-L upon administration to a living organism. The derivatives are useful e.g. for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

Abstract: A cascade carrier linked prodrug is described comprising a biologically active moiety and a masking group having at least one nucleophile and being distinct from the carrier.