Abstract: The present invention provides a therapeutic delivery system comprising an extracted yeast cell wall comprising beta-glucan, a payload trapping molecule and a payload molecule, wherein the payload molecule and the payload trapping molecule are soluble in the same solvent system wherein the payload molecule supplements the function of the deficient lysosomal enzyme. The invention further provides methods of making and methods of using the therapeutic delivery system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a particulate delivery system comprising an extracted yeast cell wall comprising beta-glucan, a payload molecule and a payload trapping molecule. The invention further provides methods of making and methods of using the particulate delivery system.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for treating and preventing radiation and/or chemotherapy related injury and/or afflictions, such as myelosuppression and decreased macrophage activity, by administering a prophylactically or therapeutically effective amount of particulate, bioavailable ?(1,3; 1,6) glucan. The invention also relates to methods in which ?(1,3; 1,6) glucan is provided in the form of whole glucan particles, microparticulate ?-glucan particles or a combination thereof.

Abstract: In certain preferred embodiments, the present invention provides compositions and methods for the treatment of bone conditions associated with low bone density. In preferred embodiments, the present invention provides compositions and methods for the treatment of osteoprotegerin-responsive conditions.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for delivering agents (e.g., gene silencing agents) and molecules to cells using yeast cell wall particles are presented herein. Embodiments of the invention are particularly useful for the delivery of nucleic acids (e.g., siRNAs) to cells.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to yeast cell wall microparticles loaded with nanoparticles for receptor-targeted nanoparticle delivery. In particular, the present invention relates to trapping nanoparticles either on the surface or inside a yeast glucan particles, for example, yeast glucal particles. The present invention further relates to methods of making the yeast cell wall particles loaded with nanoparticles. The present invention also relates to methods of using the yeast cell wall particles loaded with nanoparticles for receptor-targeted delivery of the nanoparticles, e.g., drug containing nanoparticles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a therapeutic delivery system comprising an extracted yeast cell wall comprising beta-glucan, a payload trapping molecule and a payload molecule, wherein the payload molecule and the payload trapping molecule are soluble in the same solvent system wherein the payload molecule supplements the function of the deficient lysosomal enzyme. The invention further provides methods of making and methods of using the therapeutic delivery system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a therapeutic delivery system comprising an extracted yeast cell wall comprising beta-glucan, a payload trapping molecule and a payload molecule, wherein the payload molecule and the payload trapping molecule are soluble in the same solvent system wherein the payload molecule supplements the function of the deficient lysosomal enzyme. The invention further provides methods of making and methods of using the therapeutic delivery system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a means to broadly protect the military and the public from injury from biological warfare weapons, particularly infective agents such as anthrax. Beta (1,3)-glucans, particularly whole glucan particles, PGG-Glucan, and microparticulate glucan, provide general immune enhancement, thereby increasing the body's ability to defend against a wide variety of biological threats. Beta (1,3)-glucans have been shown to increase the resistance to infection by anthrax and other infectious organisms when administered before and after infection. The anti-infective mechanism of ?(1,3)-glucan appears to involve stimulation of the innate immune system through increased cytokine release and CR3 receptor activation. Beta (1,3)-glucan is pharmaceutically stable, relatively compact, and can also be used without significant side effects. Beta (1,3)-glucan can also enhance the effectiveness of other medical countermeasures such as antibiotics, vaccines, and immune antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention provides a particulate delivery system comprising an extracted yeast cell wall comprising beta-glucan, a payload molecule and a payload trapping molecule. The invention further provides methods of making and methods of using the particulate delivery system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a means to broadly protect the military and the public from injury from biological warfare weapons, particularly infective agents such as anthrax. Beta (1,3)-glucans, particularly whole glucan particles, PGG-Glucan, and microparticulate glucan, provide general immune enhancement, thereby increasing the body's ability to defend against a wide variety of biological threats. Beta (1,3)-glucans have been shown to increase the resistance to infection by anthrax and other infectious organisms when administered before and after infection. The anti-infective mechanism of ?(1,3)-glucan appears to involve stimulation of the innate immune system through increased cytokine release and CR3 receptor activation. Beta (1,3)-glucan is pharmaceutically stable, relatively compact, and can also be used without significant side effects. Beta (1,3)-glucan can also enhance the effectiveness of other medical countermeasures such as antibiotics, vaccines, and immune antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of using whole glucan particles and complement activating antibodies for antitumor therapy. Whole glucan particles enhance the tumoricidal activity of the innate immune system by binding to the C3 complement protein receptor CR3. This binding enhances innate immune system cytotoxicity, as well as stimulating the release of activating cytokines.

Abstract: The present invention provides a particulate delivery system comprising an extracted yeast cell wall comprising beta-glucan, a payload molecule and a payload trapping molecule. The invention further provides methods of making and methods of using the particulate delivery system.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for delivering agents (e.g., gene silencing agents) and molecules to cells using yeast cell wall particles are presented herein. Embodiments of the invention are particularly useful for the delivery of nucleic acids (e.g., siRNAs) to cells.

Abstract: In certain preferred embodiments, the present invention provides compositions and methods for the treatment of bone conditions associated with low bone density. In preferred embodiments, the present invention provides compositions and methods for the treatment of osteoprotegerin-responsive conditions.

Abstract: The invention pertains to compositions and therapeutic and prophylatic methods for treating/preventing infections in an animal or human by administering a soluble ?-glucan composition comprising ?-glucan molecules having an average molecular weight of at least 1,000,000 daltons, as determined by multi-angle laser light scattering (VHMW-glucan).

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for treating and preventing radiation and/or chemotherapy related injury and/or afflictions, such as myelosuppression and decreased macrophage activity, by administering a prophylactically or therapeutically effective amount of particulate, bioavailable ?(1,3; 1,6) glucan. The invention also relates to methods in which ?(1,3; 1,6) glucan is provided in the form of whole glucan particles, microparticulate ?-glucan particles or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The invention pertains to compositions and therapeutic and prophylatic methods for treating/preventing infections in an animal or human by administering a soluble ?-glucan composition comprising ?-glucan molecules having an average molecular weight of at least 1,000,000 daltons, as determined by multi-angle laser light scattering (VHMW-glucan).

Abstract: The present invention relates to neutral, aqueous soluble &bgr;-glucans which exert potent and specific immunological effects without stimulating the production of certain cytokines, to preparations containing the novel &bgr;-glucans, and to a novel manufacturing process therefor. The neutral, aqueous soluble &bgr;-glucan preparation has a high affinity for the &bgr; glucan receptor of human monocytes and retains two primary biological (or immunological) activities, (1) the enhancement of microbicidal activity of phagocytic cells, and (2) monocyte, neutrophil and platelet hemo-poietic activity. Unlike soluble glucans described in the prior art, the neutral, aqueous soluble &bgr;-glucan of this invention neither induces nor primes IL-1&bgr; and TNF&agr; production in vitro and in vivo.

Abstract: The present invention provides a means to broadly protect the military and the public from injury from biological warfare weapons, particularly infective agents such as anthrax. Beta (1,3)-glucans, particularly whole glucan particles, PGG-Glucan, and microparticulate glucan, provide general immune enhancement, thereby increasing the body's ability to defend against a wide variety of biological threats. Beta (1,3)-glucans have been shown to increase the resistance to infection by anthrax and other infectious organisms when administered before and after infection. The anti-infective mechanism of &bgr;(1,3)-glucan appears to involve stimulation of the innate immune system through increased cytokine release and CR3 receptor activation. Beta (1,3)-glucan is pharmaceutically stable, relatively compact, and can also be used without significant side effects. Beta (1,3)-glucan can also enhance the effectiveness of other medical countermeasures such as antibiotics, vaccines, and immune antibodies.