Abstract: The invention concerns human trkB and trkC receptors and their functional derivatives. The invention further concerns immunoadhesins comprising trk receptor sequences fused to immunoglobulin sequences.

Abstract: Variant immunoglobulins, particularly humanized antibody polypeptides are provided, along with methods for their preparation and use. Consensus immunoglobulin sequences and structural models are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of preparing heteromultimeric polypeptides such as bispecific antibodies, bispecific immunoadhesins and antibody-immunoadhesin chimeras. The invention also relates to the heteromultimers prepared using the method. Generally, the method provides a multispecific antibody having a common light chain associated with each heteromeric polypeptide having an antibody binding domain. Additionally the method futher involves introducing into the multispecific antibody a specific and complementary interaction at the interface of a first polypeptide and the interface of a second polypeptide, so as to promote heteromultimer formation and hinder homomultimer formation; and/or a free thiol-containing residue at the interface of a first polypeptide and a corresponding free thiol-containing residue in the interface of a second polypeptide, such that a non-naturally occurring disulfide bond is formed between the first and second polypeptide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for adjusting the affinity of a polypeptide to a target molecule by a combination of steps, including: (1) the identification of aspartyl residues which are prone to isomerization; (2) the substitution of alternative residues and screening the resulting mutants for affinity against the target molecule. In a preferred embodiment, the method of subtituting residues is affinity maturation with phage display (AMPD). In a further preferred embodiment the polypeptide is an antibody and the target molecule is an antigen. In a further preferred embodiment, the antibody is anti-IgE and the target molecule is IgE. In another embodiment, the invention relates to an anti-IgE antibody having improved affinity to IgE.

Abstract: NGF variants which have trkC-binding activity and trkC-signal inducing activity are provided. The variants optionally have trkA or trkB binding and signal induction activity. The NGF variants of the present invention are useful in the treatment of neuronal disorders. Nucleic acids and expression vectors encoding the NGF variant neurotrophins are also provided.

Abstract: Humanized and variant anti-VEGF antibodies and various uses therefor are disclosed. The anti-VEGF antibodies have strong binding affinities for VEGF; inhibit VEGF-induced proliferation of endothelial cells in vitro; and inhibit tumor growth in vivo.

Abstract: The present application describes engineered antibodies, with three or more functional antigen binding sites, and uses, such as therapeutic applications, for such engineered antibodies.

Abstract: NGF variants which have trkC-binding activity and trkC-signal inducing activity are provided. The variants optionally have trkA or trkB binding and signal induction activity. The NGF variants of the present invention are useful in the treatment of neuronal disorders. Nucleic acids and expression vectors encoding the NGF variant neurotrophins are also provided.

Abstract: Two classes of polypeptides derived from human IgE are described. One class binds selectively to the high affinity IgE receptor on mast cells and basophils, but not to the low affinity IgE receptor on B-cells, monocytes, eosinophils and platelets. The other class binds to the low affinity receptor, but not the high affinity receptor. The differential binding polypeptides of this invention are useful in diagnostic procedures for IgE receptors or in the therapy of IgE-mediated disorders such as allergies. They also are useful in preparing antibodies capable of binding regions of IgE that participate in receptor binding.

Abstract: The present invention describes IgE antagonists (including variant anti-IgE antibodies) and their use in diagnosis, therapy or prophylaxis of allergic and other IgE-mediated disorders, including asthma, food allergies, hypersensitivity and anaphylactic reactions.

Abstract: The present invention describes IgE antagonists (including variant anti-IgE antibodies) and their use in diagnosis, therapy or prophylaxis of allergic and other IgE-mediated disorders, including asthma, food allergies, hypersensitivity and anaphylactic reactions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for adjusting the affuinity of a polypeptide to a target molecule by a combination of steps, including: (1) the identification of aspartyl residues which are prone to isomerization; (2) the substitution of alternative residues and screening the resulting mutants for affinity against the target molecule. In a preferred embodiment, the method of subtituting residues is affinity maturation with phage display (AMPD). In a further preferred embodiment the polypeptide is an antibody and the target molecule is an antigen. In a further preferred embodiment, the antibody is anti-IgE and the target molecule is IgE. In another embodiment, the invention relates to an anti-IgE antibody having improved affinity to IgE.

Abstract: NGF variants which have trkC-binding activity and trkC-signal inducing activity are provided. The variants optionally have trkA or trkB binding and signal induction activity. The NGF variants of the present invention are useful in the treatment of neuronal disorders. Nucleic acids and expression vectors encoding the NGF variant neurotrophins are also provided.

Abstract: A variant of a polypeptide comprising a human IgG Fc region is described, which variant comprises an amino acid substitution at amino acid position 329, or at two or all of amino acid positions 329, 331 and 322 of the human IgG Fc region. Such variants display altered effector function. For example, C1q binding and/or complement dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) activity may be reduced or abolished in the variant polypeptide. The application also describes an immune complex and an assay for determining binding of an analyte, such as an Fc region-containing polypeptide, to a receptor.

Abstract: A variant of a polypeptide comprising a human IgG Fc region is described, which variant comprises an amino acid substitution at amino acid position 329, or at two or all of amino acid positions 329, 331 and 322 of the human IgG Fc region. Such variants display altered effector function. For example, C1q binding and/or complement dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) activity may be reduced or abolished in the variant polypeptide. The application also describes an immune complex and an assay for determining binding of an analyte, such as an Fc region-containing polypeptide, to a receptor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for adjusting the affinity of a polypeptide to a target molecule by a combination of steps, including: (1) the identification of aspartyl residues which are prone to isomerization; (2) the substitution of alternative residues and screening the resulting mutants for affinity against the target molecule. In a preferred embodiment, the method of substituting residues is affinity maturation with phage display (AMPD). In a further preferred embodiment the polypeptide is an antibody and the target molecule is an antigen. In a further preferred embodiment, the antibody is anti-IgE and the target molecule is IgE. In another embodiment, the invention relates to an anti-IgE antibody having improved affinity to IgE.

Abstract: The invention concerns human trkB and trkC receptors and their functional derivatives. The invention further concerns immunoadhesins comprising trk receptor sequences fused to immunoglobulin sequences.

Abstract: Humanized anti-IL-8 monoclonal antibodies and variants thereof are described for use in diagnostic applications and in the treatment of inflammatory disorders. Also described is a conjugate formed by an antibody fragment covalently attached to a non-proteinaceous polymer, wherein the apparent size of the conjugate is at least about 500 kD. The conjugate exhibits substantially improved half-life, mean residence time, and/or clearance rate in circulation as compared to the underivatized parental antibody fragment.

Abstract: Polypeptides that are cleared from the kidney and do not contain in their original form a Fc region of an IgG are altered so as to comprise a salvage receptor binding epitope of an Fc region of an IgG and thereby have increased circulatory half-life.

Abstract: Humanized anti-IL-8 monoclonal antibodies and variants thereof are described for use in diagnostic applications and in the treatment of inflammatory disorders.