Abstract: A single polypeptide is provided which comprises first and second domains. The first domain enables the polypeptide to cleave one or more vesicle or plasma-membrane associated proteins essential to exocytosis, and the second domain enables the polypeptide to be translocated into a target cell or increases the solubility of the polypeptide, or both. The polypeptide thus combines useful properties of a clostridial toxin, such as a botulinum or tetanus toxin, without the toxicity associated with the natural molecule. The polypeptide can also contain a third domain that targets it to a specific cell, rendering the polypeptide useful in inhibition of exocytosis in target cells. Fusion proteins comprising the polypeptide, nucleic acids encoding the polypeptide and methods of making the polypeptide are also provided. Controlled activation of the polypeptide, is possible and the polypeptide can be incorporated into vaccines and toxin assays.

Abstract: There is provided a single-chain fusion protein comprising: (i) a thermostable kinase and (ii) a single-domain antibody or single-domain antibody fragment. There is also provided a method of preparing a single-domain antibody or single-domain antibody fragment, the method comprising: (i) expressing the single-domain antibody or antibody fragment as a single-chain fusion protein with a thermostable kinase, in a host cell such as E. coli; and (ii) purifying the fusion protein from the cytoplasm of the host cell.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I): are useful as inhibitors of human neutrophil elastase.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I) defined herein exhibit human neutrophil elastase inhibitory properties and are useful for treating diseases and conditions in which HNE is implicated.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I): are useful as inhibitors of human neutrophil elastase.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I): wherein R1, R2, R3, R5, R6, A1, A2, A3, A4 assume meanings as defined in formula (I) are inhibitors of neutrophil elastase.

Abstract: A kinase is used in a biological indicator for validation of treatment processes designed to reduce the amount or activity of a biological agent in a sample. The indication can be used for validation of sterilisation treatment. The formation of ATP from a substrate comprising ADP is measured via the liciferin/luciferate system in a luminameter. Thermostable adenylate kinase from sulfolobus acidocaldarius is especially suitable for the validation of procedures to inactivate transmissable spongiform encephalopathy agents.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I): are useful as inhibitors of human neutrophil elastase.

Abstract: A kinase is used in a biological indicator for validation of treatment processes designed to reduce the amount or activity of a biological agent in a sample. The indication can be used for validation of sterilization treatment. The formation of ATP from a substrate comprising ADP is measured via the liciferin/luciferate system in a luminameter. Thermostable adenylate kinase from sulfolobus acidocaldarius is especially suitable for the validation of procedures to inactivate transmissible spongiform encephalopathy agents.

Abstract: A non-toxic polypeptide, for delivery of a therapeutic agent to a neuronal cell, comprises a binding domain that binds to the neuronal cell, and a translocation domain that translocates the therapeutic agent into the neuronal cell, wherein the translocation domain is not a HN domain of a clostridial toxin and is not a fragment or derivative of a HN domain of a clostridial toxin.

Abstract: A transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) agent is inactivated by exposing the TSE agent to a thermostable proteolytic enzyme at elevated temperature and at acid or alkaline pH. Following this step, or separately, presence of TSE infectivity is detected by detection of dimers of prion protein.

Abstract: A compound of formula (III): or a salt, solvate and chemically protected form thereof, wherein: R5 is an optionally substituted C5-20 aryl or C4-20alkyl group; L? is a single bond, —O— or —C(?O)—; A is selected from the group consisting of: formula (i) (ii) (iii) wherein X and Y are selected from the group consisting of: O and CR3; S and CR3; NH and CR3; NH and N; O and N; S and N; N and S; and N and O, and where the dotted lines indicate a double bond in the appropriate location, and where Q is either N or CH; D is selected from: formula (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) (vii) (viii) (ix) B is selected from the group consisting of: formula (A) (B) where RP6 is selected from fluoro and chloro; and R2 is either: (i) —CO2H; (ii) —CONH2; (iii) —CH2—OH; or (iv) tetrazol-5-yl.

Abstract: A single polypeptide is provided which comprises first and second domains. The first domain enables the polypeptide to cleave one or more vesicle or plasma-membrane associated proteins essential to exocytosis, and the second domain enables the polypeptide to be translocated into a target cell or increases the solubility of the polypeptide, or both. The polypeptide thus combines useful properties of a clostridial toxin, such as a botulinum or tetanus toxin, without the toxicity associated with the natural molecule. The polypeptide can also contain a third domain that targets it to a specific cell, rendering the polypeptide useful in inhibition of exocytosis in target cells. Fusion proteins comprising the polypeptide, nucleic acids encoding the polypeptide and methods of making the polypeptide are also provided. Controlled activation of the polypeptide is possible and the polypeptide can be incorporated into vaccines and toxin assays.

Abstract: Antigenic compositions are provided comprising a single chain polypeptide comprising first and second domains, wherein said first domain is a clostridial neurotoxin light chain or a fragment or a variant thereof and is capable of cleaving one or more vesicle or plasma membrane associated proteins essential to exocytosis; and said second domain is a clostridial neurotoxin heavy chain HN portion or a fragment or a variant thereof, wherein said second domain is capable of (i) translocating the polypeptide into a cell or (ii) increasing the solubility of the polypeptide compared to the solubility of the first domain on its own or (iii) both translocating the polypeptide into a cell and increasing the solubility of the polypeptide compared to the solubility of the first domain on its own; and wherein the second domain lacks a functional C-terminal part of a clostridial neurotoxin heavy chain designated HC thereby rendering the polypeptide incapable of binding to cell surface receptors that are the natural cell sur

Abstract: A biological process indicator is provided for validating a treatment process in which the amount or activity of a contaminant in a sample is reduced. The indicator comprises a thermostable kinase covalently linked to a biological component, with the proviso that the biological component is not an antibody. Methods of preparing the indicator, and methods of using the indicator, are also provided.

Abstract: A single polypeptide is provided which comprises first and second domains. The first domain enables the polypeptide to cleave one or more vesicle or plasma-membrane associated proteins essential to exocytosis, and the second domain enables the polypeptide to be translocated into a target cell or increases the solubility of the polypeptide, or both. The polypeptide thus combines useful properties of a clostridial toxin, such as a botulinum or tetanus toxin, without the toxicity associated with the natural molecule. The polypeptide can also contain a third domain that targets it to a specific cell, rendering the polypeptide useful in inhibition of exocytosis in target cells. Fusion proteins comprising the polypeptide, nucleic acids encoding the polypeptide and methods of making the polypeptide are also provided. Controlled activation of the polypeptide is possible and the polypeptide can be incorporated into vaccines and toxin assays.

Abstract: A single polypeptide is provided which comprises first and second domains. The first domain enables the polypeptide to cleave one or more vesicle or plasma-membrane associated proteins essential to exocytosis, and the second domain enables the polypeptide to be translocated into a target cell or increases the solubility of the polypeptide, or both. The polypeptide thus combines useful properties of a clostridial toxin, such as a botulinum or tetanus toxin, without the toxicity associated with the natural molecule. The polypeptide can also contain a third domain that targets it to a specific cell, rendering the polypeptide useful in inhibition of exocytosis in target cells. Fusion proteins comprising the polypeptide, nucleic acids encoding the polypeptide and methods of making the polypeptide are also provided. Controlled activation of the polypeptide, is possible and the polypeptide can be incorporated into vaccines and toxin assays.

Abstract: The disclosure provides EP2 receptor agonist compounds and methods for using the compounds for treating conditions which can be alleviated by agonism of an EP2 receptor.

Abstract: The disclosure provides EP2 receptor agonist compounds and methods for using the compounds for treating conditions which can be alleviated by agonism of an EP2 receptor.

Abstract: A compound of formula (III): or a salt, solvate and chemically protected form thereof, wherein: R5 is an optionally substituted C5-20 aryl or C4-20alkyl group; L? is a single bond, —O— or —C(?O)—; A is selected from the group consisting of: formulae (i) (ii) (iii) wherein X and Y are selected from the group consisting of: O and CR3; S and CR3; NH and CR3; NH and N; O and N; S and N; N and S; and N and O, and where the dotted lines indicate a double bond in the appropriate location, and where Q is either N or CH; D is selected from: formulae (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) (vii) (viii) (ix) B is selected from the group consisting of: formulae (A) (B) where RP6 is selected from fluoro and chloro; and R2 is either: (i) —CO2H; (ii) —CONH2; (iii) —CH2—OH; or (iv) tetrazol-5-yl.