Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of testing the mechanical integrity of a cartridge (10) containing a medicament and being arranged inside a drug delivery device (20). The invention also relates to a testing arrangement and to a respective drug delivery device, wherein the method comprises the steps of: acoustically stimulating the cartridge (10), measuring of the cartridge's (10) acoustic response (60) to the acoustic stimulation (32), comparing the acoustic response (60) with a standard response (62) of an intact cartridge (10), and determining the mechanical integrity of the cartridge (10) on the basis of the comparison.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of testing the mechanical integrity of a cartridge (10) containing a medicament and being arranged inside a drug delivery device (20). The invention also relates to a testing arrangement and to a respective drug delivery device, wherein the method comprises the steps of: acoustically stimulating the cartridge (10), measuring of the cartridge's (10) acoustic response (60) to the acoustic stimulation (32), comparing the acoustic response (60) with a standard response (62) of an intact cartridge (10), and determining the mechanical integrity of the cartridge (10) on the basis of the comparison.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for coupling proteins to a starch-derived modified polysaccharide. The binding interaction between the modified polysaccharide and the protein is based on a covalent bond which is the result of a coupling reaction between the terminal aldehyde group or a functional group of the modified polysaccharide molecule resulting from the chemical reaction of this aldehyde group and a functional group of the protein which reacts with the aldehyde group or with the resulting functional group of the polysaccharide molecule. The bond directly resulting from the coupling reaction can be optionally modified by a further reaction to the aforementioned covalent bond. The invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions that comprise conjugates formed in this coupling process and to the use of conjugates and compositions for the prophylaxis or therapy of the human or animal body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for coupling low-molecular weight substances to a starch-derived modified polysaccharide. The binding interaction between the modified polysaccharide and the low-molecular weight substance is based on a covalent bond which is the result of a coupling reaction between the terminal aldehyde group or a functional group of the modified polysaccharide molecule resulting from the chemical reaction of this aldehyde group and a functional group of the low-molecular weight substance which reacts with this aldehyde group or with the resulting functional group of the polysaccharide molecule. The bond directly resulting from the coupling reaction can be optionally modified by a further reaction to the aforementioned covalent bond. The invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions that comprise conjugates formed in this coupling process and to the use of said conjugates and compositions for the prophylaxis or therapy of the human or animal body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for coupling low-molecular substances to a starch-derived modified polysaccharide. The binding interaction between the modified polysaccharide and the low-molecular substance is based on a covalent bond which is the result of a coupling reaction between the terminal aldehyde group or a functional group of the modified polysaccharide molecule resulting from the chemical reaction of this aldehyde group and a functional group of the low-molecular substance which reacts with this aldehyde group or with the resulting functional group of the polysaccharide molecule. The bond directly resulting from the coupling reaction can be optionally modified by a further reaction to the aforementioned covalent bond. The invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions that comprise conjugates formed in this coupling process and to the use of said conjugates and compositions for the prophylaxis or therapy of the human or animal body.

Abstract: The invention relates to compounds, comprising a conjugate of hydroxyalkyl starch (HAS) and an active agent, whereby the hydroxyalkyl starch is either directly covalently bonded to the active agent, or by means of a linker. The invention further relates to methods for the production of a covalent HAS-active agent conjugate, whereby HAS and an active agent are reacted in a reaction medium, characterised in that the reaction medium is water or a mixture of water and an organic solvent, comprising at least 10 wt. % water.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for coupling proteins to a starch-derived modified polysaccharide. The binding interaction between the modified polysaccharide and the protein is based on a covalent bond which is the result of a coupling reaction between the terminal aldehyde group or a functional group of the modified polysaccharide molecule resulting from the chemical reaction of this aldehyde group and a functional group of the protein which reacts with the aldehyde group or with the resulting functional group of the polysaccharide molecule. The bond directly resulting from the coupling reaction can be optionally modified by a further reaction to the aforementioned covalent bond. The invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions that comprise conjugates formed in this coupling process and to the use of conjugates and compositions for the prophylaxis or therapy of the human or animal body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for coupling proteins to a starch-derived modified polysaccharide. The binding interaction between the modified polysaccharide and the protein is based on a covalent bond which is the result of a coupling reaction between the terminal aldehyde group or a functional group of the modified polysaccharide molecule resulting from the chemical reaction of this aldehyde group and a functional group of the protein which reacts with the aldehyde group or with the resulting functional group of the polysaccharide molecule. The bond directly resulting from the coupling reaction can be optionally modified by a further reaction to the aforementioned covalent bond. The invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions that comprise conjugates formed in this coupling process and to the use of conjugates and compositions for the prophylaxis or therapy of the human or animal body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pharmaceutically active oligosaccharide conjugates having the formula: (X—Ym)n—S, wherein component X is a pharmaceutically active compound, Y is a bifunctional linker, and S is an oligosaccharide consisting of 1 to 20 saccharide units, n is equal or less than the number of the saccharide units in the oligosaccharide S, and m is, independent of n, 0 or 1. In addition, the present invention is directed to a process of preparing compounds of the present invention, comprising the step of coupling components X and S directly or indirectly by means of a bifunctional linker group. Furthermore, the present invention relates to the use of said pharmaceutically active oligosaccharide conjugates as a medicament as well as to pharmaceutical compositions, freeze-dried pharmaceutical compositions, and a kit, all of which comprise at least one of said pharmaceutically active oligosaccharide conjugates.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for coupling low-molecular weight substances to a starch-derived modified polysaccharide. The binding interaction between the modified polysaccharide and the low-molecular weight substance is based on a covalent bond which is the result of a coupling reaction between the terminal aldehyde group or a functional group of the modified polysaccharide molecule resulting from the chemical reaction of this aldehyde group and a functional group of the low-molecular weight substance which reacts with this aldehyde group or with the resulting functional group of the polysaccharide molecule. The bond directly resulting from the coupling reaction can be optionally modified by a further reaction to the aforementioned covalent bond. The invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions that comprise conjugates formed in this coupling process and to the use of said conjugates and compositions for the prophylaxis or therapy of the human or animal body.

Abstract: A naturally occurring protein isolated from the saliva of the medicinal leech Hirudo medicinalis is described which strongly binds to collagen thus acting as an inhibitor of natural platelet adhesion to collagen. The protein has a molecular weight of about 12,000, an acidic isoelectric point and contains six cysteins. The protein was sequenced and the gene was cloned from a H. medicinalis cDNA-library. Procedures for producing such polypeptide by recombinant techniques are disclosed. The recombinant and the natural occurring proteins are potent inhibitors of collagen-dependent platelet adhesion and therefore useful for the therapeutic treatment of various conditions related to heart disease and diseases of the circulation system. Furthermore, the protein is useful for coating natural or artificial collagen surfaces in order to render them nonadhesive for cells and prevent the activation of cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pharmaceutically active oligosaccharide conjugates having the formula: (X—Ym)n—S, wherein component X is a pharmaceutically active compound, Y is a bifunctional linker, and S is an oligosaccharide consisting of 1 to 20 saccharide units, n is equal or less than the number of the saccharide units in the oligosaccharide S, and m is, independent of n, 0 or 1. In addition, the present invention is directed to a process of preparing compounds of the present invention, comprising the step of coupling compounents X and S directly or indirectly by means of a bifunctional linnker group. Furthermore, the present invention relates ot the use of said pharmaceutically active oligosaccharide conjugates as a medicament as well as to pharmaceutical compositions, freeze-dried pharmaceutical compositions, and a kit, all of which comprise at least one of said pharmaceutically active oligosaccharide conjugates.

Abstract: A naturally occurring protein isolated from the saliva of the medicinal leech Hirudo medicinalis is described which strongly binds to collagen thus acting as an inhibitor of natural platelet adhesion to collagen. The protein has a molecular weight of about 12,000, an acidic isoelectric point and contains six cysteins. The protein was sequenced and the gene was cloned from a H. medicinalis cDNA-library. Procedures for producing such polypeptide by recombinant techniques are disclosed. The recombinant and the natural occurring proteins are potent inhibitors of collagen-dependent platelet adhesion and therefore useful for the therapeutic treatment of various conditions related to heart disease and diseases of the circulation system. Furthermore, the protein is useful for coating natural or artificial collagen surfaces in order to render them nonadhesive for cells and prevent the activation of cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to propofol derivatives comprising a cyclic or linear amino acid, or a poly- or (oligo)saccharide moiety, a process for preparing said derivatives, a method for anesthetizing a mammal as well as a method for treating convulsions, migraine or related diseases, or for the inhibition of free radicals in a mammal to which said compounds are administered. Furthermore, the present invention relates to said compounds for use as a medicament and the use of said compounds for the preparation of a medicament for anesthetizing a mammal or for treating convulsions, migraine or related diseases, or for inhibition of free radicals in a mammal.

Abstract: A naturally occurring protein isolated from the saliva of the medicinal leech Hirudo medicinalis is described which strongly binds to collagen thus acting as an inhibitor of natural platelet adhesion to collagen. The protein has a molecular weight of about 12,000, an acidic isoelectric point and contains six cysteins. The protein was sequenced and the gene was cloned from a H. medicinalis cDNA-library. Procedures for producing such polypeptide by recombinant techniques are disclosed. The recombinant and the natural occurring proteins are potent inhibitors of collagen-dependent platelet adhesion and therefore useful for the therapeutic treatment of various conditions related to hard disease and diseases of the circulation system. Furthermore the protein is useful for coating natural or artificial collagen surfaces in order to render them nonadhesive for cells and prevent the activation of cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for coupling proteins to a starch-derived modified polysaccharide. The binding interaction between the modified polysaccharide and the protein is based on a covalent bond which is the result of a coupling reaction between the terminal aldehyde group or a functional group of the modified polysaccharide molecule resulting from the chemical reaction of this aldehyde group and a functional group of the protein which reacts with the aldehyde group or with the resulting functional group of the polysaccharide molecule. The bond directly resulting from the coupling reaction can be optionally modified by a further reaction to the aforementioned covalent bond. The invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions that comprise conjugates formed in this coupling process and to the use of said conjugates and compositions for the prophylaxis or therapy of the human or animal body.

Abstract: A naturally occurring protein isolated from the saliva of the medicinal leech Hirudo medicinalis is described which strongly binds to collagen thus acting as an inhibitor of natural platelet adhesion to collagen. The protein has a molecular weight of about 12 000, an acidic isoelectric point and contains six cysteins. The protein was sequenced and the gene was cloned from a H. medicinalis cDNA-library. Procedures for producing such polypeptide by recombinant techniques are disclosed. The recombinant and the natural occurring proteins are potent inhibitors of collagen-dependent platelet adhesion and therefore useful for the therapeutic treatment of various conditions related to hard disease and diseases of the circulation system. Furthermore the protein is useful for coating natural or artificial collagen surfaces in order to render them nonadhesive for cells and prevent the activation of cells.

Abstract: A naturally occurring protein isolated from the saliva of the medicinal leech Hirudo medicinalis is described which strongly binds to collagen thus acting as an inhibitor of natural platelet adhesion to collagen. The protein has a molecular weight of about 12,000, an acidic isoelectric point and contains six cysteins. The protein was sequenced and the gene was cloned from a H. medicinalis cDNA-library. Procedures for producing such polypeptide by recombinant techniques are disclosed. The recombinant and the natural occurring proteins are potent inhibitors of collagen-dependent platelet adhesion and therefore useful for the therapeutic treatment of various conditions related to heart disease and diseases of the circulation system. Furthermore, the protein is useful for coating natural or artificial collagen surfaces in order to render them nonadhesive for cells and prevent the activation of cells.

Abstract: A protein isolated from crude extracts of Hirudo medicinalis is disclosed, which strongly inhibits the binding to collagen of platelets and their subsequent activation, which leads to platelet aggregation and thrombus formation. Additionally the protein prevents binding of von Willebrand factor to collagen. Described is a method for isolation and purification of the protein as well as its use for blocking collagen-stimulated platelet aggregation. The new protein (Brandinin) has a molweight of approximately 15 kD, binds to collagen but has no collagen-cleaving activity. The protein is useful in the prophylaxis, prevention and treatment of thrombotic diseaeses and for coating of blood-contacting materials, rendering them thromboresistant.

Abstract: The invention relates to sorbents for for ?sic! affinity chromatography which are based on hydroxyl-containing base supports on whose surfaces polymers are covalently bonded, characterized in thata) the base support contains aliphatic hydroxyl groups,b) the covalently bonded polymers are bound to the base support by a terminal monomer unit,c) the polymers contain monomer units of the formula IId) the monomer units are linked linearly, ##STR1## in which R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 independently of one another are H or CH.sub.3,R.sup.4 is H, C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 -alkyl or C.sub.6 -C.sub.12 -aryl,n is an integer between 1 and 5 andone of the radicals X is OH and the other radical X is a nucleoside-containing radical,and to their preparation and use, especially for affinity chromatography.