Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided that are useful for the delivery of therapeutic agents, including nucleic acids. The compositions can be prepared with components useful for targeting the delivery of the compositions as well as imaging components.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided that are useful for the delivery of therapeutic agents, including nucleic acids. The compositions can be prepared with components useful for targeting the delivery of the compositions as well as imaging components.

Abstract: The invention comprises: An introducer for delivering into the vasculature a straight or bifurcated stent or prosthesis; a method for delivering into the vasculature a straight or bifurcated stent or prosthesis; a method of treating and angeological disease using a bifurcated stent; an endoluminal stent having perpendicular hoop members, each hoop member formed of wire in a sinuous configuration, at least some of juxtaposed apices in neighboring hoops being secured to one another, such stents also forming axially aligned segments in straight stents, and segments of bifurcated stents in particular embodiments. Certain embodiments of such stents also include barbs, fabric covering and radiopaque markers.

Abstract: Improved formulations for transdermal delivery of botulinum toxin are disclosed. The formulations include, for example, botulinum toxin non-covalently associated with a positively charged backbone having branching or efficiency groups. The formulations also include a partitioning agent, oligo-bridge, or polyanion bridge, and may optionally contain a viscosity modifying agent. The formulations are designed for topical application onto the skin of a patient and may be used to treat wrinkles, hyperhidrosis, and other health-related problems. Kits for administration are also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to the transdermal application of oligopeptides for reducing synaptic transmission in tissues of an animal. In one aspect, this invention relates to compositions comprising an oligopeptide and optionally a carrier comprising a positively charged “backbone” having positively charged branching or “efficiency” groups, as described herein. Most preferably the positively charged carrier is a long-chain positively charged polypeptide or a positively charged nonpeptidyl polymer, for example, a polyalkyleneimine. The invention further relates methods for producing a biologic effect of reducing synaptic transmission in a tissue by topically applying an effective amount of such a composition, preferably to the skin, of a subject or patient in need of such treatment.

Abstract: Compositions of matter comprise linked pluralities of mTOR-binding molecules, such as rapamycin. The compositions may be directly polymerized or may comprise rapamycin or other mTOR-binding molecules covalently or non-covalently attached to a backbone molecule. The compositions may be bound to vascular prostheses and other implantable devices in order to inhibit hyperplasia or for other therapeutic purposes.

Abstract: Compositions of matter comprise linked pluralities of mTOR-binding molecules, such as rapamycin. The compositions may be directly polymerized or may comprise rapamycin or other mTOR-binding molecules covalently or non-covalently attached to a backbone molecule. The compositions may be bound to vascular prostheses and other implantable devices in order to inhibit hyperplasia or for other therapeutic purposes.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided that are useful for the delivery, including transdermal delivery, of biologically active agents, such as non-protein non-nucleotide therapeutics and protein-based therapeutics excluding insulin, botulinum toxins, antibody fragments, and VEGF. The compositions and methods are particularly useful for topical delivery of antifungal agents and antigenic agents suitable for immunization. Alternately, the compositions can be prepared with components useful for targeting the delivery of the compositions as well as imaging components.

Abstract: Oligomers of L-arginine may be used to provide prophylactic or therapeutic cosmetic or other enhancements to keratinous tissues such as skin, hair, lips and gums through vasodilation. Topical compositions preferably comprise (a) an enhancing effective amount of an oligomer having from 7 to 15 subunits, each subunit consisting of a member of the group selected from L-arginine and physiologically acceptable salts of L-arginine that enhance vasodilation through production of nitric oxide, and (b) a cosmetically or dermatologically acceptable vehicle.

Abstract: A composition for topical application of a botulinum toxin (including botulinum toxin derivatives) comprises a botulinum toxin and a carrier comprising a polymeric backbone comprising a long-chain polypeptide or nonpeptidyl polymer having attached positively charged branching or “efficiency” groups. The invention also relates to methods for reducing muscle paralysis and other conditions that may be treated with a botulinum toxin, particularly paralysis of subcutaneous, and most particularly, facial, muscles, by topically applying an effective amount of the botulinum toxin and carrier, in conjunction, to the subject's skin or epithelium. Kits for administration are also described.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided that are useful for the delivery, including transdermal delivery, of biologically active agents, including nucleic acids and therapeutic proteins including insulin, larger therapeutic proteins such as botulinum toxin and other biologically active agents such as a therapeutic protein which does not therapeutically alter blood glucose levels, a therapeutic nucleic acid-based agent, a non-protein non-nucleic acid therapeutic agent such as an antifungal agent or alternately an agent for immunization. The compositions can be prepared with components useful for targeting the delivery of the compositions as well as imaging components.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided that are useful for the delivery of therapeutic agents, including nucleic acids. The compositions can be prepared with components useful for targeting the delivery of the compositions as well as imaging components.

Abstract: A method for inducing or stimulating new hair growth, increasing hair growth or preventing hair regression in a mammalian subject in need of or desirous of such treatment is provided that comprises administering to the subject a pharmaceutically or cosmeceutically effective amount of a composition comprising vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a VEGF receptor agonist, a prodrug form of the foregoing or a salt form thereof in a non-covalent association complex with a positively-charged backbone having a plurality of attached efficiency groups.