Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating diabetes mellitus in a patient in need thereof are provided. The methods include administering to a patient a composition providing a gastrin/CCK receptor ligand, e.g., a gastrin, and/or an epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor ligand, e.g., TGF-&agr;, in an amount sufficient to effect differentiation of pancreatic islet precursor cells to mature insulin-secreting cells. The composition can be administered systemically or expressed in situ by cells transgenically supplemented with one or both of a gastrin/CCK receptor ligand gene, e.g., a preprogastrin peptide precursor gene and an EGF receptor ligand gene, e.g., a TGF-&agr; gene. The methods also include transplanting into a patient cultured pancreatic islets in which mature insulin-secreting beta cells are proliferated by exposure to a gastrin/CCK receptor ligand and an EGF receptor ligand.

Abstract: This invention discloses an orally administered pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of elevated levels of cholesterol and related conditions comprising a statin and fenofibrate in the form of microparticles of solid fenofibrate that are stabilized by phospholipid as a surface active substance, wherein a therapeutically effective amount of the composition provides the statin and a quantity of fenofibrate to a fasted human patient that is greater than 80% of the quantity of fenofibrate provided by the same amount of the composition when administered to the same patient who has been fed a high fat meal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel spray drying process for the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions containing small particles of phospholipid-stabilized fenofibrate. This invention also relates to spray dried powdered compositions prepared according to this process, and to dosage forms of fenofibrate (capsules, tablets, powders, granules, and dispersions) prepared from these powdered compositions. The powdered compositions and dosage forms are useful in the treatment of dyslipidemia and dyslipoproteinemia and have the advantage that they provide reduced in vivo variability in the bioavailability of fenofibrate active species among fed and fasted patients when administered orally.

Abstract: Rapidly dispersing solid dry therapeutic dosage form comprised of a water insoluble compound existing as a nanometer or micrometer particulate solid which is surface stabilized by the presence of at least one phospholipid, the particulate solid being dispersed throughout a bulking matrix. When the dosage form is introduced into an aqueous environment the bulking matrix is substantially completely dissolves within less than 2 minutes thereby releasing the water insoluble particulate solid in an unaggregated and/or unagglomerated state. The matrix is composed of a water insoluble substance or therapeutically useful water insoluble or poorly water soluble compound, a phospholipid and optionally also at least one non-ionic, anionic, cationic, or amphipathic surfactant, together with a matrix or bulking agent and if needed a release agent. The volume weighted mean particle size of the water insoluble particle is 5 micrometers or less.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition comprising microparticles of a water-insoluble or poorly soluble compound, at least one phospholipid, and at least one surfactant, produced by applying an energy to a mixture comprising particles of the compound, the at least one phospholipid, and the at least one surfactant so as to obtain the microparticles. The invention also provides a process for preparing microparticles of a water-insoluble or poorly soluble compound. The process includes mixing particles of a water-insoluble or poorly soluble compound with at least one phospholipid and at least surfactant to form a mixture and applying energy to the mixture sufficient to produce microparticles of the compound. The methods of the invention allow for the production of microparticles smaller than particles produced through previously known methods and the microparticles exhibit advantageous properties including remarkable resistance to particle size growth during storage.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating diabetes mellitus in a patient in need thereof are provided. The methods include administering to a patient a composition providing a gastrin/CCK receptor ligand, e.g., a gastrin, and/or an epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor ligand, e.g., TGF-&agr;, in an amount sufficient to effect differentiation of pancreatic islet precursor cells to mature insulin-secreting cells. The composition can be administered systemically or expressed in situ by cells transgenically supplemented with one or both of a gastrin/CCK receptor ligand gene, e.g., a preprogastrin peptide precursor gene and an EGF receptor ligand gene, e.g., a TGF-&agr; gene. The methods also include transplanting into a patient cultured pancreatic islets in which mature insulin-secreting beta cells are proliferated by exposure to a gastrin/CCK receptor ligand and an EGF receptor ligand.

Abstract: This invention discloses an orally administered pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of elevated levels of cholesterol and related conditions comprising a statin and fenofibrate in the form of microparticles of solid fenofibrate that are stabilized by phospholipid as a surface active substance, wherein a therapeutically effective amount of the composition provides the statin and a quantity of fenofibrate to a fasted human patient that is greater than 80% of the quantity of fenofibrate provided by the same amount of the composition when administered to the same patient who has been fed a high fat meal.

Abstract: This invention discloses an orally administered pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of elevated levels of cholesterol and related conditions comprising a statin and fenofibrate in the form of microparticles of solid fenofibrate that are stabilized by phospholipid as a surface active substance, wherein a therapeutically effective amount of the composition provides the statin and a quantity of fenofibrate to a fasted human patient that is greater than 80% of the quantity of fenofibrate provided by the same amount of the composition when administered to the same patient who has been fed a high fat meal.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions containing solid cyclic oligopeptide cyclosporine microparticles are prepared by applying energy input to solid cyclic oligopeptide cyclosporine in the presence of phospholipid and one or more non-ionic, anionic or cationic second surface modifiers. The microparticles consist essentially of a solid cyclic oligopeptide cyclosporine core coated with a combination of phospholipid and at least one second surface modifier. The combination of phospholipid and second surface modifier(s) provide volume-weighted mean particle size values of solid cyclic oligopeptide cyclosporine particles that are about 50% smaller than cyclic oligopeptide cyclosporine particles produced in the presence of the phospholipid and without the presence of the second surface modifier(s) using the same energy input.

Abstract: Fenofibrate microparticles are prepared using a combination of surface modifiers with a phospholipid. Particle size growth and stability are controlled while significantly smaller sized fenofibrate particles are produced.

Abstract: Rapidly dispersing solid dry therapeutic dosage form comprised of a water insoluble compound existing as a nanometer or micrometer particulate solid which is surface stabilized by the presence of at least one phospholipid, the particulate solid being dispersed throughout a bulking matrix. When the dosage form is introduced into an aqueous environment the bulking matrix is substantially completely dissolves within less than 2 minutes thereby releasing the water insoluble particulate solid in an unaggregated and/or unagglomerated state. The matrix is composed of a water insoluble substance or therapeutically useful water insoluble or poorly water soluble compound, a phospholipid and optionally also at least one non-ionic, anionic, cationic or amphipathic surfactant, together with a matrix or bulking agent and if needed a release agent. The volume weighted mean particle size of the water insoluble particle is 5 micrometers or less.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating diabetes mellitus in a patient in need thereof are provided. The methods include administering to a patient a composition providing a gastrin/CCK receptor ligand, e.g., a gastrin, and/or an epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor ligand, e.g., TGF-&agr;, in an amount sufficient to effect differentiation of pancreatic islet precursor cells to mature insulin-secreting cells. The composition can be administered systemically or expressed in situ by cells transgenically supplemented with one or both of a gastrin/CCK receptor ligand gene, e.g., a preprogastrin peptide precursor gene and an EGF receptor ligand gene, e.g., a TGF-&agr; gene. The methods also include transplanting into a patient cultured pancreatic islets in which mature insulin-secreting beta cells are proliferated by exposure to a gastrin/CCK receptor ligand and an EGF receptor ligand.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel spray drying process for the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions containing small particles of phospholipid-stabilized fenofibrate. This invention also relates to spray dried powdered compositions prepared according to this process, and to dosage forms of fenofibrate (capsules, tablets, powders, granules, and dispersions) prepared from these powdered compositions. The powdered compositions and dosage forms are useful in the treatment of dyslipidemia and dyslipoproteinemia and have the advantage that they provide reduced in vivo variability in the bioavailability of fenofibrate active species among fed and fasted patients when administered orally.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions containing solid cyclic oligopeptide cyclosporine microparticles are prepared by applying energy input to solid cyclic oligopeptide cyclosporine in the presence of phospholipid and one or more non-ionic, anionic or cationic second surface modifiers. The microparticles consist essentially of a solid cyclic oligopeptide cyclosporine core coated with a combination of phospholipid and at least one second surface modifier. The combination of phospholipid and second surface modifier(s) provide volume-weighted mean particle size values of solid cyclic oligopeptide cyclosporine particles that are about 50% smaller than cyclic oligopeptide cyclosporine particles produced in the presence of the phospholipid and without the presence of the second surface modifier(s) using the same energy input.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions containing cyclosporin microparticles are prepared by applying energy to cyclosporin particles in the presence of phospholipid and one or more surface modifiers. These microparticles consist essentially of cyclosporin, a phospholipid and at least one surface modifier. The surface modifier or surface modifiers yield particles of a volume-weighted mean particle size the cyclosporin about 50% smaller than cyclosporin particles produced in the presence of a phospholipid only and without the presence of the surface modifier using the same energy input.

Abstract: Aerosol formulations containing stabilized particles of drug microparticles with a mean size range of 0.1 to 10 microns coated with a membrane-forming, amphiphatic lipid and dispersed in 1,1,1,2-tetaafluoroetiane (HFA 134a) of 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane (HFA 227) propellant.

Abstract: Submicron size particles of pharmaceutical or other water-insoluble or poorly water-insoluble substances are prepared using a combination of one or more surface modifiers/surfactants such as polaxomers, poloxamines, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters and the like together with natural or synthetic phospholipids. Particles so produced have a volume weighted mean particle size at least one-half smaller than obtainable using a phospholipid alone. Compositions so prepared are resistant to particle size growth on storage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to phospholipid-polysaccharide adjuvant compositions and to vaccine formulations comprising same, as well as to methods of making and using such adjuvants and vaccines.

Abstract: This invention comprises pharmaceutical compositions consisting essentially of an oil-in-water emulsion containing a synthetic medium chain triglyceride in which is dissolved a therapeutically effective amount of a cyclosporin, phospholipid and optionally free fatty acid or a salt thereof, non-ionic surfactant, ionic surfactant, glycerol, salts, buffers, preservative, osmotic modifier and antioxidant.

Abstract: The invention in growth factor compositions includes: a novel compound which is a separate pure nicked or pure non-nicked species of epidermal growth factor EGF1-48 or its hEGF1-47 or hEGF1-49 congener compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; a pharmaceutical composition in dosage form comprising an effective amount of the novel compound and/or the known hEGF1-53; and use thereof for treating abnormal cell growth conditions including gastrointestinal/duodenal lesions; and methods of making the pure novel hEGF species. This unique therapeutic utility is enhanced by the unexpected and heretofore unappreciated structural stability and resistance of the pure species to enzymatic degradation.