Abstract: The present invention relates to a neuritogenic compound for neurite outgrowth, which comprises the amino acid sequence: Gly Leu His Asp Pro Ser His Gly Thr Leu Pro Asn Gly Ser Gly (SEQ ID NO:3), functional derivatives and/or fragments thereof and functional peptidometics thereof. There is also provided a method for repair and/or regeneration of peripheral nervous system in a patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to non-cross-linked micelles as delivery vehicles for steroid compounds and more particularly to a polycaprolactone-b-poly(ethylene oxide) copolymer micelle as a delivery vehicle for steroids. The delivery system comprises a population of diblock copolymer non-cross-linked micelles, each micelle defining a non-cross-linked core for containing the steroid compound. The delivery system of the present invention maintains the release of the steroid compound in a patient having a deficient steroid level.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medium for promoting the survival of islet cells, which comprises one or more growth factors in combination with FK506 in amounts having an anti-apoptotic effect on islet cells in a physiologically acceptable culture medium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medium for promoting the survival of islet cells, which comprises one or more growth factors in combination with FK506 in amounts having an anti-apoptotic effect on islet cells in a physiologically acceptable culture medium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to diblock copolymers and more particularly to polycaprolactone-b-polyethylene oxide (PCL-b-PEO) diblock copolymers used in micellar systems, for delivering a biologically active agent to a site There is provided a diblock copolymer compound comprising a hydrophilic block and a hydrophobic block, the hydrophilic block comprising a polyethylene oxide (PEO) polymer, the hydrophobic block comprising a polycaprolactone (PCL) polymer, the PCL polymer comprising a number of caprolactone monomers selected from 5 to 150, the PEO polymer comprising a number of ethylene oxide monomers selected from 30 to 100. The diblock copolymer compound of the present invention may be used to form a micellar delivery system for delivering biologically active agents such as lipophilic drugs to sites such as the central nervous system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to diblock copolymers and more particularly to polycaprolactone-b-polyethylene oxide (PCL-b-PEO) diblock copolymers used in micellar systems, for delivering a biologically active agent to a site. There is provided a diblock copolymer compound comprising a hydrophilic block and a hydrophobic block, the hydrophilic block comprising a polyethylene oxide (PEO) polymer, the hydrophobic block comprising a polycaprolactone (PCL) polymer, the PCL polymer comprising a number of caprolactone monomers selected from 5 to 150, the PEO polymer comprising a number of ethylene oxide monomers selected from 30 to 100. The diblock copolymer compound of the present invention may be used to form a micellar delivery system for delivering biologically active agents such as lipophilic drugs to sites such as the central nervous system.

Abstract: A hydrophilic or lipophilic drug is entrapped or microencapsulated in a polyhydroxyalkanoate homopolymer or copolymer. The homopolymer or copolymer is synthesized in an aqueous medium containing a dissolved hydrophilic drug by in vitro enzyme polymerization of a hydroxyalkanoate Coenzyme A monomer to form microporous granules entrapping the drug. The enzyme may be a polyhydroxyalkanoate synthase, and the monomer may be 3-hydroxybutyryl Coenzyme A or 3-hydroxyvalerate Coenzyme A. The monomer is produced by reaction of a carboxylic acid group of a hydroxyalkanoic acid with a thiol group of Coenzyme A. To microencapsulate a lipophilic drug, droplets of oil containing a lipophilic drug are formed dispersed in an aqueous medium such as in the form of an oil-in-water emulsion. The polyhydroxyalkanoate homopolymer or copolymer is formed in the aqueous medium by the enzyme polymerization to form microcapsules having a core of oil containing the drug. The granules or microcapsules containing the drug may be dried.