Abstract: Fusion polypeptides with modified multimerization domains that provide high expression, solubility, stability, and low immunogenicity to the fusion polypeptides have been developed. TRAIL compositions with the modified multimerization domains show improved physico-chemical and biological properties relative to TRAIL compositions with unmodified multimerization domains. The TRAIL compositions also have lower immunogenicity in the mammalian host when compared to that of TRAIL compositions with unmodified multimerization domains. The TRAIL compositions induce apoptosis of cancer cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts in vivo, reducing tumor size.

Abstract: Methods of treating an autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, methods of increasing apoptosis of pro-inflammatory immune cells or synoviocytes, methods of increasing the quantity of the anti-inflammatory regulatory T cells, and methods of slowing the progression of inflammation in a subject include systemically administering to the subject a pharmaceutical composition including an effective amount of a TRAIL-conjugate. Preferably, the TRAIL-conjugate is effective for at least 3 days, more preferably at least 7 days, without being part of a nanocomplex that modulates the circulation half-life or release kinetics of the TRAIL-conjugate. Combination therapies including administering a second active agent, most preferably a TNF-? inhibitor, as well as pharmaceutical composition dosage units including a TRAIL-conjugate and a TNF-? inhibitor in an effective amount for a single once weekly dose for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis are also provided.

Abstract: Fusion polypeptides with modified multimerization domains that provide high expression, solubility, stability, and low immunogenicity to the fusion polypeptides have been developed. TRAIL compositions with the modified multimerization domains show improved physico-chemical and biological properties relative to TRAIL compositions with unmodified multimerization domains. The TRAIL compositions also have lower immunogenicity in the mammalian host when compared to that of TRAIL compositions with unmodified multimerization domains. The TRAIL compositions induce apoptosis of cancer cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts in vivo, reducing tumor size.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition including a polypeptide, and more particularly, to a pharmaceutical composition for preventing or treating obesity, diabetes, or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The pharmaceutical composition is safe without any side effects such as vomiting or nausea, and has effects of reducing food intake, enhancing insulin secretion, suppressing gastric emptying, promoting lipolysis, and lowering a level of triglycerides.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are an N-terminal modified PEG-TRAIL conjugates and methods of making and using thereof. The PEG-TAIL conjugates have bioactivity that is substantially similar to that of native TRAIL coupled with an extended in vivo half-life and enhanced stability. The disclosed PEG-TRAIL conjugates exhibit significantly reduced hepatotoxicity when compared to that of non-PEGylated trimeric TRAIL. The disclosed methods of making the PEG-TRAIL conjugates provide a homogeneous, highly pure, form of N-terminal modified PEG-TRAIL. Compared to native TRAIL, the PEG-TRAIL conjugates exhibits high solubility and solution stability. The PEG-TRAIL conjugates are useful in preventing and treating proliferative or autoimmune diseases.

Abstract: Pro-apoptotic agents such as ligands and agonists of agonistic TRAIL receptors can induce or increase apoptosis of cells that cause fibrosis and underlying diseases such as liver, pancreatic, lung and skin diseases characterized by fibrosis, cirrhosis, or complications thereof. The compositions and methods can be used to selectively remove activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), the originators of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis, and activated pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs), the originators of pancreas fibrosis and pancreatitis, and can be effective to reduce or prevent further chronic fibrosis by simultaneously reducing multiple fibrosis-associated molecules secreted or induced by such activated stellate cells. The compositions are typically effective to target agonistic TRAIL receptors such as TRAIL-R1/DR4 and TRAIL-R2/DR5 that are selectively expressed in activated HSCs and PSCs in physiological conditions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are an N-terminal modified PEG-TRAIL conjugates and methods of making and using thereof. The PEG-TAIL conjugates have bioactivity that is substantially similar to that of native TRAIL coupled with an extended in vivo half-life and enhanced stability. The disclosed PEG-TRAIL conjugates exhibit significantly reduced hepatotoxicity when compared to that of non-PEGylated trimeric TRAIL. The disclosed methods of making the PEG-TRAIL conjugates provide a homogeneous, highly pure, form of N-terminal modified PEG-TRAIL. Compared to native TRAIL, the PEG-TRAIL conjugates exhibits high solubility and solution stability. The PEG-TRAIL conjugates are useful in preventing and treating proliferative or autoimmune diseases.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are an N-terminal modified PEG-TRAIL conjugate and a preparation method and use thereof. The PEG-TAIL conjugate has pharmaceutical activity identical or similar to that of native TRAIL (TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand) with extended in vivo half-life and enhanced stability. Compared to native TRAIL, the PEG-TAIL conjugate exhibits high solubility and solution stability, with highly improved pharmacokinetic profiles. Thus, the PEG-TAIL conjugate may be very useful for preventing and treating proliferative diseases and autoimmune diseases.

Abstract: Pro-apoptotic agents such as ligands and agonists of agonistic TRAIL receptors can induce or increase apoptosis of cells that cause fibrosis and underlying diseases such as liver, pancreatic, lung and skin diseases characterized by fibrosis, cirrhosis, or complications thereof. The compositions and methods can be used to selectively remove activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), the originators of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis, and activated pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs), the originators of pancreas fibrosis and pancreatitis, and can be effective to reduce or prevent further chronic fibrosis by simultaneously reducing multiple fibrosis-associated molecules secreted or induced by such activated stellate cells. The compositions are typically effective to target agonistic TRAIL receptors such as TRAIL-R1/DR4 and TRAIL-R2/DR5 that are selectively expressed in activated HSCs and PSCs in physiological conditions.

Abstract: Methods of treating an autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, methods of increasing apoptosis of pro-inflammatory immune cells or synoviocytes, methods of increasing the quantity of the anti-inflammatory regulatory T cells, and methods of slowing the progression of inflammation in a subject include systemically administering to the subject a pharmaceutical composition including an effective amount of a TRAIL-conjugate. Preferably, the TRAIL-conjugate is effective for at least 3 days, more preferably at least 7 days, without being part of a nanocomplex that modulates the circulation half-life or release kinetics of the TRAIL-conjugate. Combination therapies including administering a second active agent, most preferably a TNF-? inhibitor, as well as pharmaceutical composition dosage units including a TRAIL-conjugate and a TNF-? inhibitor in an effective amount for a single once weekly dose for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are exendin-3 or exendin-4 derivatives modified with biotin, a preparation method thereof and a pharmaceutical composition containing the same. More specifically, disclosed are exendin-3 or exendin-4 derivatives in which the lysine residue of exedin is modified with biotin. The disclosed exendin-3 or exendin-4 derivatives modified with biotin show biological activity similar to that of native exendin and at the same time, have increased in vivo stability and are easily absorbed through the mucosa. Thus, biotin-modified exendin-3 or exendin-4 derivatives are useful for treating diseases, which can be caused by the excessive secretion of insulin, the lowering of plasma glucose, the inhibition of gastric or intestinal motility, the inhibition of gastric or intestinal emptying or the inhibition of food intake. Particularly, the biotin-modified exendin-3 or exendin-4 derivatives are useful for the treatment of diabetes, obesity and irritable bowel syndromes.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are exendin singly modified with polyethylene glycole or a derivative thereof, a method for the preparation of the same, and uses thereof. Exendin modified at lysine (27) with polyethylene glycol shows biological activity similar to that of natural exendin, but is improved in half life. In addition, the modification position and the number of PEG or its derivative are restricted so as to minimize the side effects caused by a variety of combinations of such factors. The exendin is useful in the prevention and treatment of diseases caused by the over-secretion of insulin, or diseases caused due to a decrease in plasma glucose level, the inhibition of gastric or intestinal motility, the promotion of satiety, or the inhibition of food intake, especially diabetes, obesity and irritable colon syndrome.

Abstract: Disclosed are exendin-3 or exendin-4 derivatives modified with biotin, a preparation method thereof and a pharmaceutical composition containing the same. More specifically, disclosed are exendin-3 or exendin-4 derivatives in which the lysine residue of exedin is modified with biotin. The disclosed exendin-3 or exendin-4 derivatives modified with biotin show biological activity similar to that of native exendin and at the same time, have increased in vivo stability and are easily absorbed through the mucosa. Thus, biotin-modified exendin-3 or exendin-4 derivatives are useful for treating diseases, which can be caused by the excessive secretion of insulin, the lowering of plasma glucose, the inhibition of gastric or intestinal motility, the inhibition of gastric or intestinal emptying or the inhibition of food intake. Particularly, the biotin-modified exendin-3 or exendin-4 derivatives are useful for the treatment of diabetes, obesity and irritable bowel syndromes.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are exendin singly modified with polyethylene glycole or a derivative thereof, a method for the preparation of the same, and uses thereof. Exendin modified at lysine (27) with polyethylene glycol shows biological activity similar to that of natural exendin, but is improved in half life. In addition, the modification position and the number of PEG or its derivative are restricted so as to minimize the side effects caused by a variety of combinations of such factors. The exendin is useful in the prevention and treatment of diseases caused by the over-secretion of insulin, or diseases caused due to a decrease in plasma glucose level, the inhibition of gastric or intestinal motility, the promotion of satiety, or the inhibition of food intake, especially diabetes, obesity and irritable colon syndrome.

Abstract: The present invention relates to synthetic peptides having selectively protected amines of untargeted sites and to methods for production thereof and for specifically conjugating PEG to targeted sites of the synthetic peptides using the same. The present invention provides a much higher yield of PEG conjugated peptides in which PEG is specifically combined to amines at targeted sites.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are an N-terminal modified PEG-TRAIL conjugate and a preparation method and use thereof. The PEG-TAIL conjugate has pharmaceutical activity identical or similar to that of native TRAIL (TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand) with extended in vivo half-life and enhanced stability. Compared to native TRAIL, the PEG-TAIL conjugate exhibits high solubility and solution stability, with highly improved pharmacokinetic profiles. Thus, the PEG-TAIL conjugate may be very useful for preventing and treating proliferative diseases and autoimmune diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to synthetic peptides having selectively protected amines of untargeted sites and to methods for production thereof and for specifically conjugating PEG to targeted sites of the synthetic peptides using the same. The present invention provides a much higher yield of PEG conjugated peptides in which PEG is specifically combined to amines at targeted sites.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for the nasal transmucosal delivery of a biocompatible polymer-biologically active peptide conjugate. The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention increases the water solubility of peptide, which is sparingly soluble in water, improves its stability by protecting it from being degraded by proteases. As a result, the number of administrations of the drug and the side-effects induced by drug abuse are decreased. In addition, since the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention is delivered through the nasal cavity, it allows drug activity to be expressed in a short period of time and improves a bioavailability.