Abstract: The invention relates to new derivatives of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) and their use as photosensitizing agents. In particular, it relates to compounds of general formula I and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, to methods for preparing such compounds and their medical and cosmetic use, for example in methods of photodynamic therapy and diagnosis: wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted alkyl or cycloalkyl group; R2, each of which may be the same or different, represents a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted alkyl group; and X is a linking group.

Abstract: The invention relates to new derivatives of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) and their use as photosensitizing agents. In particular, it relates to compounds of general formula I and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, to methods for preparing such compounds and their medical and cosmetic use, for example in methods of photodynamic therapy and diagnosis: wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted alkyl or cycloalkyl group; R2, each of which may be the same or different, represents a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted alkyl group; and X is a linking group.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a photosensitiser which is 5-ALA or a precursor or derivative thereof (e.g. an ALA ester), in the manufacture of a pharmaceutical product for use in the photodynamic treatment or diagnosis of cancer, an infection associated with cancer, or in the treatment or diagnosis of a non-cancerous condition, wherein said pharmaceutical product is in the form of a solid. The invention also relates to solid pharmaceutical products for use in such methods, e.g. suppositories, pessaries, tablets, pellets and capsules which comprise 5-ALA or a precursor or derivative thereof (e.g. an ALA ester) and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient. Such products are particularly suitable for use in the photodynamic treatment or diagnosis of cancerous or non-cancerous conditions in the lower part of the gastrointestinal system or in the female reproductive system, e.g. in the treatment or diagnosis of colorectal cancer or cervical cancer.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel crystalline polymorph of hexyl-5-aminolevulinate hydrochloride, referred to hereinafter as Form C, which is useful as precursor of a photo sensitizer in the photodynamic diagnosis and treatment of metabolically active cells related to diseases such as cancer of the uterus, cervix, vagina, rectum, colon, lower gastrointestinal tract; infection associated with cancer caused by human papilloma virus; non-cancerous lower gastrointestinal tract a human; inflammatory bowel disease; ulcerative colitis; Crohn's disease; inflammatory bowel syndrome; dysplasia of the female reproductive system; anus; penis; rosacea; and acne and which is suitable for use as the active ingredient of a commercial pharmaceutical product. The invention relates further to methods of preparing Form C and using it in the described pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: The present invention provides an acid addition salt of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) or of a 5-ALA derivative (e.g. a 5-ALA ester) with an acid which has a pKa of about 5 or less, preferably about 3 or less, with the proviso that the acid is other than hydrochloric acid. Particularly preferred salts are those derived from acids selected from the group comprising sulphonic acid and its derivatives, hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid and phosphoric acid. The salts in accordance with the invention are particularly suitable for use as photosensitizing agents in diagnosis and photochemotherapy of disorders or abnormalities of external or internal surfaces of the body.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel crystalline polymorph of hexyl-5-aminolevulinate hydrochloride, referred to hereinafter as Form C, which is useful as precursor of a photo sensitizer in the photodynamic diagnosis and treatment of metabolically active cells related to diseases such as cancer of the uterus, cervix, vagina, rectum, colon, lower gastrointestinal tract; infection associated with cancer caused by human papilloma virus; non-cancerous lower gastrointestinal tract a human; inflammatory bowel disease; ulcerative colitis; Crohn's disease; inflammatory bowel syndrome; dysplasia of the female reproductive system; anus; penis; rosacea; and acne and which is suitable for use as the active ingredient of a commercial pharmaceutical product. The invention relates further to methods of preparing Form C and using it in the described pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: This invention relates to solid compositions and solid pharmaceutical products for use in methods of photodynamic diagnosis of cancer, pre-cancerous and non-cancerous conditions in the lower part of the gastrointestinal system. The solid pharmaceutical compositions and pharmaceutical products comprise an active ingredient which is 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) or a precursor or derivative of 5-ALA or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The invention relates further to methods of photodynamic diagnosis of cancer, pre-cancerous and non-cancerous conditions of the lower gastrointestinal tract, wherein the solid pharmaceutical compositions and pharmaceutical products are used.

Abstract: The present invention provides an acid addition salt of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) or of a 5-ALA derivative (e.g. a 5-ALA ester) with an acid which has a pKa of about 5 or less, preferably about 3 or less, with the proviso that the acid is other than hydrochloric acid. Particularly preferred salts are those derived from acids selected from the group comprising sulphonic acid and its derivatives, hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid and phosphoric acid. The salts in accordance with the invention are particularly suitable for use as photosensitizing agents in diagnosis and photochemotherapy of disorders or abnormalities of external or internal surfaces of the body.

Abstract: The present invention provides an acid addition salt of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) or of a 5-ALA derivative (e.g. a 5-ALA ester) with an acid which has a pKa of about 5 or less, preferably about 3 or less, with the proviso that the acid is other than hydrochloric acid. Particularly preferred salts are those derived from acids selected from the group comprising sulphonic acid and its derivatives, hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid and phosphoric acid. The salts in accordance with the invention are particularly suitable for use as photosensitizing agents in diagnosis and photochemotherapy of disorders or abnormalities of external or internal surfaces of the body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a photosensitiser which is 5-ALA or a precursor or derivative thereof (e.g. an ALA ester), in the manufacture of a pharmaceutical product for use in the photodynamic treatment or diagnosis of cancer, an infection associated with cancer, or in the treatment or diagnosis of a non-cancerous condition, wherein said pharmaceutical product is in the form of a solid. The invention also relates to solid pharmaceutical products for use in such methods, e.g. suppositories, pessaries, tablets, pellets and capsules which comprise 5-ALA or a precursor or derivative thereof (e.g. an ALA ester) and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient. Such products are particularly suitable for use in the photodynamic treatment or diagnosis of cancerous or non-cancerous conditions in the lower part of the gastrointestinal system or in the female reproductive system, e.g. in the treatment or diagnosis of colorectal cancer or cervical cancer.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds for use in photochemotherapy or diagnosis, said compounds being branched alkyl esters or substituted alkyl esters of 5-aminolevulinic acid, or derivatives or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. In particular, the invention provides compounds of formula (I): R22N—CH2COCH2CH2CO—OR1 (wherein R1 represents an optionally substituted branched alkyl (e.g.

Abstract: The present invention provides an acid addition salt of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) or of a 5-ALA derivative (e.g. a 5-ALA ester) with an acid which has a pKa of about 5 or less, preferably about 3 or less, with the proviso that the acid is other than hydrochloric acid. Particularly preferred salts are those derived from acids selected from the group comprising sulphonic acid and its derivatives, hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid and phosphoric acid. The salts in accordance with the invention are particularly suitable for use as photosensitizing agents in diagnosis and photochemotherapy of disorders or abnormalities of external or internal surfaces of the body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds being esters of 5-aminolevulinic acids or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, including compounds of formula (I) R22N—CH2COCH2—CH2CO—OR1 (wherein R1 may represent alkyl optionally substituted by hydroxy, alkoxy, acyloxy, alkoxycarbonyloxy, amino, aryl, oxo or fluoro groups and optionally interrupted by oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur or phosphorus atoms; and R2 represents a hydrogen atom or a group R1, and both R2 groups may be the identical or different), and their use in diagnosis and photochemotherapy of disorders or abnormalities of external or internal surfaces of the body, and products and kits for performing the invention.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds for use in photochemotherapy or diagnosis, said compounds being branched alkyl esters or substituted alkyl esters of 5-aminolevulinic acid, or derivatives or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. In particular, the invention provides compounds of formula (I): R22N—CH2COCH2CH2CO—OR1 (wherein R1 represents an optionally substituted branched alkyl (e.g.

Abstract: A photodynamic therapy lamp has a cover (10, 11, 12, 13) which contains a light source formed from two arrays (20) of LEDs (21). The LEDs are arranged in a honeycomb pattern and have a peak wavelength of 630-640 nm. Beneath the LEDs is a lens pack (22) containing a lens (23) for each LED. Beneath this is a diffuser (7). The lenses are arranged in a honeycomb pattern and serve to concentrate the light in a substantially parallel and narrow beam.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds for use in photochemotherapy or diagnosis, said compounds being branched alkyl esters or substituted alkyl esters of 5-aminolevulinic acid, or derivatives or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. In particular, the invention provides compounds of formula (I): R22N—CH2COCH2CH2CO—OR1 (wherein R1 represents an optionally substituted branched alkyl (e.g.