Abstract: A composition for topical application of a botulinum toxin (including botulinum toxin derivatives) comprises a botulinum toxin and a carrier comprising a polymeric backbone comprising a long-chain polypeptide or nonpeptidyl polymer having attached positively charged branching or “efficiency” groups. The invention also relates to methods for reducing muscle paralysis and other conditions that may be treated with a botulinum toxin, particularly paralysis of subcutaneous, and most particularly, facial, muscles, by topically applying an effective amount of the botulinum toxin and carrier, in conjunction, to the subject's skin or epithelium. Kits for administration are also described.

Abstract: A composition for topical application of a botulinum toxin (including botulinum toxin derivatives) comprises a botulinum toxin and a carrier comprising a polymeric backbone comprising a long-chain polypeptide or nonpeptidyl polymer having attached positively charged branching or “efficiency” groups. The invention also relates to methods for reducing muscle paralysis and other conditions that may be treated with a botulinum toxin, particularly paralysis of subcutaneous, and most particularly, facial, muscles, by topically applying an effective amount of the botulinum toxin and carrier, in conjunction, to the subject's skin or epithelium. Kits for administration are also described.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and kits for safely removing and inactivating topical therapeutic or cosmetic compositions. The methods and kits according to the invention are particularly well suited for removing and inactivating highly toxic substances.

Abstract: This invention relates to botulinum toxin formulations that are stabilized without the use of any proteinaceous excipients. The invention also relates to methods of preparing and using such botulinum toxin formulations.

Abstract: The invention relates to the transdermal application of oligopeptides for reducing synaptic transmission in tissues of an animal. In one aspect, this invention relates to compositions comprising an oligopeptide and optionally a carrier comprising a positively charged “backbone” having positively charged branching or “efficiency” groups, as described herein. Most preferably the positively charged carrier is a long-chain positively charged polypeptide or a positively charged nonpeptidyl polymer, for example, a polyalkyleneimine. The invention further relates methods for producing a biologic effect of reducing synaptic transmission in a tissue by topically applying an effective amount of such a composition, preferably to the skin, of a subject or patient in need of such treatment.

Abstract: This invention provides compositions and methods for reducing hyperpigmentation. In preferred embodiments, the compositions are topical compositions that contain kojic acid and a carrier molecule for enhancing the transdermal penetration of kojic acid. This invention also provides kits for treating hyperpigmentation.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided that are useful for the delivery, including transdermal delivery, of biologically active agents, such as non-protein non-nucleotide therapeutics and protein-based therapeutics excluding insulin, botulinum toxins, antibody fragments, and VEGF. The compositions and methods are particularly useful for topical delivery of antifungal agents and antigenic agents suitable for immunization. Alternately, the compositions can be prepared with components useful for targeting the delivery of the compositions as well as imaging components.

Abstract: This invention provides novel injectable compositions comprising botulinum toxin that may be administered to a subject for various therapeutic, aesthetic and/or cosmetic purposes. The injectable compositions contemplated by the invention exhibit one or more advantages over conventional botulinum toxin formulations, including reduced antigenicity, a reduced tendency to undergo unwanted localized diffusion following injection, increased duration of clinical efficacy or enhanced potency relative, faster onset of clinical efficacy, and/or improved stability.

Abstract: The invention relates to the transdermal application of oligopeptides for reducing synaptic transmission in tissues of an animal. In one aspect, this invention relates to compositions comprising an oligopeptide and optionally a carrier comprising a positively charged “backbone” having positively charged branching or “efficiency” groups, as described herein. Most preferably the positively charged carrier is a long-chain positively charged polypeptide or a positively charged nonpeptidyl polymer, for example, a polyalkyleneimine. The invention further relates methods for producing a biologic effect of reducing synaptic transmission in a tissue by topically applying an effective amount of such a composition, preferably to the skin, of a subject or patient in need of such treatment.

Abstract: This invention relates to botulinum toxin formulations that are stabilized without the use of any proteinaceous excipients. The invention also relates to methods of preparing and using such botulinum toxin formulations.

Abstract: The present invention provides antimicrobial peptides that exhibit a broad range of antimicrobial activity to gram positive and gram negative bacteria, as well as fungi, mold, and virus. The antimicrobial peptide of the invention is a cationic peptide, and may contain an HIV-TAT or reverse HIV-TAT sequence, or derivative thereof. The present invention further provides antimicrobial compositions containing the cationic peptide. Such compositions are especially useful for topical application to the skin, hair, nail, vagina, urethra, ear, oral cavity, nasal passage, respiratory system, opthalmic region, and various mucosal regions. The compositions of the present invention improve the condition and/or appearance of the treated region, and are suited for long-term and/or routine use to, for example, prevent or prevent the recurrence of microbial infection. The present invention further provides kits for use in improving the condition or appearance of skin, nail, or treated area.

Abstract: This invention provides compositions and methods for reducing hyperpigmentation. In preferred embodiments, the compositions are topical compositions that contain kojic acid and a carrier molecule for enhancing the transdermal penetration of kojic acid. This invention also provides kits for treating hyperpigmentation.

Abstract: This invention provides novel injectable compositions comprising botulinum toxin that may be administered to a subject for various therapeutic, aesthetic and/or cosmetic purposes. The injectable compositions contemplated by the invention exhibit one or more advantages over conventional botulinum toxin formulations, including reduced antigenicity, a reduced tendency to undergo unwanted localized diffusion following injection, increased duration of clinical efficacy or enhanced potency relative, faster onset of clinical efficacy, and/or improved stability.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel transport molecules that comprise a polypeptide comprising amino acid residues arranged in a sequence that is the reverse-sequence of basic portion of the HIV-TAT protein. The novel transport polypeptides are useful for transmembrane or intracellular delivery of cargo molecules, non-limiting examples of which include polypeptides and nucleic acids. The novel transport polypeptides may be covalently or non-covalenty bound to the cargo molecules.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel compositions of botulinum toxin that are stabilized using HTV-TAT fragments or derivatives of HTV-TAT fragments. The composition can be administered for various therapeutic, aesthetic and/or cosmetic purposes. The invention also provides method for stabilizing botulinum toxin using HIV-TAT fragments or derivatives or HIV-TAT fragments.

Abstract: This invention provides anti-acne kits that are useful for treating acne, especially severe cases of acne. The anti-acne kits include a vasoconstrictor and an anti-acne agent, and optionally one or more of a a skin lightening therapeutic, a sealing layer, a skin cleanser, an astringent, a skin penetration enhancer, a sunscreen, and nutritional supplements that promote healing of acne lesions. This invention also provides methods for treating acne using a vasoconstrictor in conjunction with an anti-acne agent.

Abstract: Device, methods, and compositions to alter light interplay with skin to change appearance of wrinkles, pigmentation, stretch marks, and cellulite as well as other skin conditions are described. The present invention relates generally to the treatment of soft tissue volume deficiency and loss, facial wrinkles, facial lines, pigmentation patterns not desired by the subject, stretch marks, cellulite and more particularly, to treatments for volume restoration or coloration correction using light reflective materials such as micas and the like.

Abstract: The invention relates to the transdermal application of oligopeptides for reducing synaptic transmission in tissues of an animal. In one aspect, this invention relates to compositions comprising an oligopeptide and optionally a carrier comprising a positively charged “backbone” having positively charged branching or “efficiency” groups, as described herein. Most preferably the positively charged carrier is a long-chain positively charged polypeptide or a positively charged nonpeptidyl polymer, for example, a polyalkyleneimine. The invention further relates methods for producing a biologic effect of reducing synaptic transmission in a tissue by topically applying an effective amount of such a composition, preferably to the skin, of a subject or patient in need of such treatment.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a strategy for providing therapeutic or cosmetic benefit to skin by topically applying arginine chemically bound to a second (non-oligo arginine) compound in order to increase transepithelial delivery of arginine through a combination of increased solubility and flux across the skin. The arginine heteromers of the invention can add other complementary or beneficial properties for the skin beyond those that are arginine-related.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel compositions of botulinum toxin that can be applied topically for various therapeutic, aesthetic and/or cosmetic purposes. The compositions may include botulinum toxin complexes, wherein the amounts of hemagglutinin, non-toxin non-hemagglutinin and/or exogenous albumin are selectively and independently reduced compared to conventional commercially available botulinum toxin. The compositions may further contain molecules that are not native to botulinum toxin and that bind non-covalently to the botulinum toxin complexes, thereby acting as skin-tropic “adhesion molecules” to improve the ability of the toxin complexes to adhere to and to penetrate the skin epithelium. The compositions have an improved safety profile compared to existing botulinum-containing compositions that are injected subcutaneously. Methods for the use of such compositions are also contemplated by this invention.