Abstract: The invention features polypeptides that include an extracellular ActRIIB variant. In some embodiments, a polypeptide of the invention includes an extracellular ActRIIB variant fused to an Fc domain monomer or moiety. The invention also features pharmaceutical compositions and methods of using the polypeptides to treat diseases and conditions involving weakness and atrophy of muscles, bone damage, low red blood cell levels (e.g., anemia or blood loss), fibrosis, and/or pulmonary hypertension.

Abstract: The invention features polypeptides that include an extracellular ActRIIa variant. In some embodiments, a polypeptide of the invention includes an extracellular ActRIIa variant fused to an Fc domain monomer or moiety. The invention also features pharmaceutical compositions and methods of using the polypeptides to treat diseases and conditions involving weakness and atrophy of muscles, e.g., Duchenne muscular dystrophy, facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy, inclusion body myositis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, sarcopenia; or cancer cachexia; or metabolic diseases, e.g., obesity, Type-1 diabetes, or Type-2 diabetes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods of GDNF fusion polypeptides, wherein the GDNF fusion polypeptides include an Fc domain, an albumin-binding peptide, a fibronectin domain, or a human serum albumin, joined to a GDNF variant either directly or by the way of a linker. The GDNF fusion polypeptides may used to treat metabolic diseases, such as obesity and Type-1 and Type-2 diabetes, and neurological diseases, such as Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Parkinson's disease.

Abstract: The invention features polypeptides that include an extracellular ActRlla variant. In some embodiments, a polypeptide of the invention includes an extracellular ActRlla variant fused to an Fc domain monomer or moiety. The invention also features pharmaceutical compositions and methods of using the polypeptides to treat diseases and conditions involving bone damage, e.g., primary osteoporosis, secondary osteoporosis, osteopenia, osteopetrosis, facture, bone cancer or cancer metastasis-related bone loss, Paget's disease, renal osteodystrophy, treatment-related bone loss, diet-related bone loss, bone loss associated with the treatment of obesity, low gravity-related bone loss, or immobility-related bone loss.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating a wide range of inflammatory diseases and disorders, and for inhibiting selectin-mediated binding by administering a mocarhagin protein, or fragments thereof with mocarhagin protein activity are provided. The mocarhagin protein may be administered alone, or in combination with a cytokine, lymphokine, or hematopoietic factor.

Abstract: Novel compounds are disclosed which inhibit the activity of phospholipase enzymes in a mammal, particularly cytosolic phospholipase A2. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds and methods of treatment using such compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: Highly purified mocarhagin, a cobra venom protease, is disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions and therapeutic uses of the highly purified protease are also provided. Polynucleotides encoding such protease and related proteases are also disclosed.

Abstract: Novel compounds are disclosed which inhibit the activity of phospholipase enzymes, particularly cytosolic phospholipase A2. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds and methods of treatment using such compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides for crystalline cPLA2. The crystal structure of cPLA2 has also been solved using such material. Models based upon such crystal structure are also provided. Methods of identifying inhibitors of cPLA2 activity and membrane binding using such models are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention provides substituted indole and indoline compounds useful in inhibiting phospholipase activity, particularly including cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) activity, as well as pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds and methods of using them to treat various maladies, including pain and inflammatory conditions.

Abstract: Novel compounds are disclosed which inhibit the activity of phospholipase enzymes in a mammal, particularly cytosolic phospholipase A2. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds and methods of treatment using such compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: Crystallographic and NMR solution structures of human IL-6 are reported. The invention provides models and systems incorporating such structures which are useful for identifying IL-6/IL-6 receptor interactions and for identification of agonists and antagonists of such interactions. Crystalline human IL-6 is also provided.

Abstract: This invention concerns compounds and pharmaceutical compositions useful for treating or preventing inflammatory conditions in a mammal, the methods comprising administration of novel pharmaceutically useful compounds of the general formulae: or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein R1-R5 are as defined in the specification.

Abstract: Crystallographic and NMR solution structures of human IL-6 are reported. The invention provides models and systems incorporating such structures which are useful for identifying IL-6/IL-6 receptor interactions and for identification of agonists and antagonists of such interactions. Crystalline human IL-6 is also provided.

Abstract: Highly purified mocarhagin, a cobra venom protease, is disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions and therapeutic uses of the highly purified protease are also provided. Polynucleotides encoding such protease and related proteases are also disclosed.

Abstract: Highly purified mocarhagin, a cobra venom protease, is disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions and therapeutic uses of the highly purified protease are also provided. Polynucleotides encoding such protease and related proteases are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of treating mammalian soft tissue injuries such as thermal and chemical burns, surgical incisions, ulcers, abrasions, skin grafts, and nervous tissue damage by administering a therapeutically effective amount of homogeneous K-fibroblast growth factor are provided. Also provided are methods of treating mammalian musculo-skeletal disorders such as bone grafts, bone fractures, ligament tears, cartilage tears, tendon tears, bursa inflammation and tendon inflammation by administering a therapeutically effective amount of homogeneous K-fibroblast growth factor. In accordance with the methods of the invention, homogeneous K-fibroblast growth factor may be administered to the mammal alone or in combination with other growth factors.

Abstract: Homogeneous K-FGF and a process for its production are provided. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions for use in treating soft tissue injuries and musculo-skeletal disorders in mammals and methods of treatment. The purification of the bacterially produced K-FGF comprises reduction of a salt solution containing K-FGF to effect the precipitation of the product.

Abstract: A method for purifying erythropoietin is described. The method comprises treating partially purifying erythropoietin by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography to obtain homogeneous erythropoietin having a molecular weight of about 34,000 daltons on SDS PAGE and moving a single peak on reverse phase HPLC. The homogeneous erythropoietin protein preferably has a specific activity of at least 120,000 IU, more preferably at least 160,000 IU per absorbance unit at 280 nm.