Abstract: A recombinant human monoclonal pentameric IgM antibody comprising the capability of oligospecific binding to purified ganglioside epitopes GD3, GM3, GD2 and GM1 and the capability of specific binding to malignant cancer cells selected from the group consisting of melanoma cells, small cell lung cancer cells, glioblastoma cells, and estrogen receptor-negative metastatic breast cancer cells; a cell line producing the IgM antibody; and the use of the IgM antibody as a diagnostic tool and/or as a therapeutic agent.

Abstract: A recombinant human monoclonal pentameric IgM antibody comprising the capability of oligospecific binding to purified ganglioside epitopes GD3, GM3, GD2 and GM1 and the capability of specific binding to malignant cancer cells selected from the group consisting of melanoma cells, small cell lung cancer cells, glioblastoma cells, and estrogen receptor-negative metastatic breast cancer cells; a cell line producing the IgM antibody; and the use of the IgM antibody as a diagnostic tool and/or as a therapeutic agent.

Abstract: A recombinant human monoclonal pentameric IgM antibody comprising the capability of oligospecific binding to purified ganglioside epitopes GD3, GM3, GD2 and GM1 and the capability of specific binding to malignant cancer cells selected from the group consisting of melanoma cells, small cell lung cancer cells, glioblastoma cells, and estrogen receptor-negative metastatic breast cancer cells; a cell line producing the IgM antibody; and the use of the IgM antibody as a diagnostic tool and/or as a therapeutic agent.

Abstract: A recombinant human monoclonal pentameric IgM antibody comprising the capability of oligospecific binding to purified ganglioside epitopes GD3, GM3, GD2 and GM1 and the capability of specific binding to malignant cancer cells selected from the group consisting of melanoma cells, small cell lung cancer cells, glioblastoma cells, and estrogen receptor-negative metastatic breast cancer cells; a cell line producing the IgM antibody; and the use of the IgM antibody as a diagnostic tool and/or as a therapeutic agent.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition made from an active ingredient included in liposomes for topical application, whereby the liposomes have an aqueous medium in the interior thereof and contain at least one active ingredient therein which exerts a direct or indirect relaxing effect on smooth musculature and is preferably selected from the group of prostaglandins, adenylate cyclases, cAMP, AMP, ATP, NO-synthetases, nitrogen monoxide (NO), NO compounds, nitrates, guanylate cyclases, cGMP, GMP, GTP and phosphodiesterases, in particular, Sildenafil. The invention further relates to a method for production of said composition, optionally, in sterile form and the use of the liposomes supporting the active ingredient in various galenic forms for external application in the genital region, for prophylaxis and/or therapy of sexual disorders in men or women and/or for increase of sexual sensitivity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition made from an active ingredient included in liposomes for topical application, whereby the liposomes have an aqueous medium in the interior thereof and contain at least one active ingredient therein which exerts a direct or indirect relaxing effect on smooth musculature and is preferably selected from the group of prostaglandins, adenylate cyclases, cAMP, AMP, ATP, NO-synthetases, nitrogen monoxide (NO), NO compounds, nitrates, guanylate cyclases, cGMP, GMP, GTP and phosphodiesterases, in particular, Sildenafil. The invention further relates to a method for production of said composition, optionally, in sterile form and the use of the liposomes supporting the active ingredient in various galenic forms for external application in the genital region, for prophylaxis and/or therapy of sexual disorders in men or women and/or for increase of sexual sensitivity.

Abstract: The invention relates to Ab2-type anti-idiotypic antibodies and fragments thereof which mimic HVI-1 epitopes that are otherwise cryptic to the immune system and which antibodies or fragments thereof are directed against potently neutralizing anti-HIV-1 antibodies. The invention further relates to a hybridoma cell line 3H6 expressing the anti-idiotypic antibody and to pharmaceutical compositions containing the antibody or fragment thereof. The invention also relates to HIV-1 neutralizing Ab3-type antibodies elicited upon administration of the Ab2-type anti-idiotypic antibody or fragment thereof and to pharmaceutical compositions containing them. The invention also relates to the use of the present antibodies or fragments thereof as screening tools or as diagnostic or therapeutic agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to neutralizing anti-HIV-1 antibodies, particularly to mAb 4E10-IgG1, which has an HIV-1 neutralizing potency comparable to the one of mAb 2F5 and 2G12. 4E10-IgG1 binds to a novel conserved epitope (NWFDIT) C-terminal of the ELDKWA epitope recognized by 2F5.1 appears that both epitopes are cryptic epitopes within a region that may be accessible in a virus-cell fusion intermediate state only. 4E10-IgG1 potently neutralizes tissue culture adapted strains but also primary isolates of different clades, including A, B, C, D, and E, inclusing viruses that were found to be resistant to 2F5. None of the tested isolates was resistant to both anti-gp41-antibodies.

Abstract: The invention relates to a simple and efficient process for isolating viruses from various sources and for producing live attenuated influenza vaccines in a serum-free Vero cell culture under conditions where alterations in the surface antigens of the virus due to adpative selection are minimized or prevented. The process does not require purification of the virus-containing supernatant harvested from the cell culture nor post-incubation treatment of the viruses for HA activation. The invention further relates to influenza A and B master strain candidates and to vaccines made thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to liposomes for drug delivery, wherein a liposome includes molecules of at least one desired drug distributed within an aqueous phase in the interior of the liposome and wherein the liposome further includes molecules of the same or of another drug attached to either or both sides of the liposomal membrane. More specifically, the invention relates to liposomes, wherein at least a part of the molecules of a desired drug bear a functional group that is reactive with a functional group present in at least one lipid fraction, and wherein the drug is covalently linked to the membrane lipids by chemical bonding, e.g. by ester bonding of a hydroxyl group of a lipid molecule and an acidic residue of the drug. In a preferred embodiment, the desired drug is a glycoprotein such as erythropoietin. The invention further relates to a method of manufacture of said liposomes and to pharmaceutical compositions containing them.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the manufacture and purification of recombinant trypsinogen and trypsin in E. coli and yeast, using high yield expression vectors with and without secretion leader sequences. The invention further relates to an improved method and apparatus for carrying out protein refolding specifically useful for processing trypsinogen that has accumulated intracellularly in the form of inclusion bodies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cell-regulatory proteins and to nucleotide sequences encoding said proteins wherein the proteins have been found to be potential tumor and/or senescense markers useful for medical diagnostics and additionally having therapeutical potential as well as antiapoptotic properties useful for improving cell viability in cell culture technology. The invention further relates to antibodies directed against the cell-regulatory proteins and to their use in medical diagnostics and therapy. The invention further relates to methods for the manufacture and application of the cell-regulatory proteins and of the corresponding nucleotide sequences.

Abstract: The invention relates to short 3- to 10-mer bioactive oligopeptides composed of amino acid residues selected from the group consisting of glycine, alanine, ?-alanine, serine, histidine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, lysine and arginine. They are able to improve at least one cell culture parameter such as growth rate, viable cell number, viability on day 6 or 7, or final product yield, when added to the basal nutrient medium. The invention further relates to mixtures of such oligopeptides and to a method of improving cell culture parameters by incubating animal or plant cells in the presence of said oligopeptides.

Abstract: The invention relates to Ab2-type anti-idiotypic antibodies and fragments thereof which mimic HVI-1 epitopes that are otherwise cryptic to the immune system and which antibodies or fragments thereof are directed against potently neutralizing anti-HIV-1 antibodies. The invention further relates to a hybridoma cell line 3H6 expressing the anti-idiotypic antibody and to pharmaceutical compositions containing the antibody or fragment thereof. The invention also relates to HIV-1 neutralizing Ab3-type antibodies elicited upon administration of the Ab2-type anti-idiotypic antibody or fragment thereof and to pharmaceutical compositions containing them. The invention also relates to the use of the present antibodies or fragments thereof as screening tools or as diagnostic or therapeutic agents.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for producing lipid vesicles, which is equipped with a line (1) for transporting a polar liquid phase, with a line (2) for transporting an organic liquid phase containing lipids, with a collecting receptacle (7) for accommodating produced lipid vesicles, and with means for conveying the liquid phases through lines (1) and (2). At at least one location, the outer side of line (1) forms a common contact surface with line (2) inside of which a common opening (3) is provided that permits the flow of liquid and joins the inside of line (2) to the inside of line (1). Lines (1) and (2) do not contain agitating or dispersing aids in the area of the opening (3).

Abstract: The present invention relates to neutralizing anti-HIV-1 antibodies, particularly to mAb 4E1O-IgG1, which has an HIV-1 neutralizing potency comparable to the one of mAb 2F5 and 2G12.4E1O-IgG1 binds to a novel conserved epitope (NWFDIT) C-terminal of the ELDKWA epitope recognized by 2F5.1 appears that both epitopes are cryptic epitopes within a region that may be accessible in a virus-cell fusion intermediate state only. 4E1O-IgG1 potently neutralizes tissue culture adapted strains but also primary isolates of different clades, including A, B, C, D, and E, inclusing viruses that were found to be resistant to 2F5. None of the tested isolates was resistant to both anti-gp41-antibodies.

Abstract: The invention relates to a simple and efficient process for isolating viruses from various sources and for producing live attenuated influenza vaccines in a serum-free Vero cell culture under conditions where alterations in the surface antigens of the virus due to adpative selection are minimized or prevented. The process does not require purification of the virus-containing supernatant harvested from the cell culture nor post-incubation treatment of the viruses for HA activation. The invention further relates to influenza A and B master strain candidates and to vaccines made thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cell-regulatory proteins and to nucleotide sequences encoding said proteins wherein the proteins have been found to be potential tumor and/or senescense markers useful for medical diagnostics and additionally having therapeutical potential as well as antiapoptotic properties useful for improving cell viability in cell culture technology. The invention further relates to antibodies directed against the cell-regulatory proteins and to their use in medical diagnostics and therapy. The invention further relates to methods for the manufacture and application of the cell-regulatory proteins and of the corresponding nucleotide sequences.

Abstract: The invention relates to short 3- to 10-mer bioactive oligopeptides composed of amino acid residues selected from the group consisting of glycine, alanine, &bgr;-alanine, serine, histidine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, lysine and arginine. They are able to improve at least one cell culture parameter such as growth rate, viable cell number, viability on day 6 or 7, or final product yield, when added to the basal nutrient medium. The invention further relates to mixtures of such oligopeptides and to a method of improving cell culture parameters by incubating animal or plant cells in the presence of said oligopeptides.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for producing lipid vesicles, which is equipped with a line (1) for transporting a polar liquid phase, with a line (2) for transporting an organic liquid phase containing lipids, with a collecting receptacle (7) for accommodating produced lipid vesicles, and with means for conveying the liquid phases through lines (1) and (2). At at least one location, the outer side of line (1) forms a common contact surface with line (2) inside of which a common opening (3) is provided that permits the flow of liquid and joins the inside of line (2) to the inside of line (1). Lines (1) and (2) do not contain agitating or dispersing aids in the area of the opening (3).