Abstract: The present invention provides a compound having a formula: where R1 is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, CH2(OC2H4)OCH3, and —(OC2H4)OCH3; n is 0-4; Olig is an oligomer having a formula: -L-O-PAGR.R2]q where L is a optional linker moiety selected from the group consisting of —CH2O—, —CH2OX—, —OX—, —C(O)—, —C(O)X, —NH—, —NHC(O)—, —XNHC(O)—, —NHC(O)X—, —C(O)NH—, —C(O)NHX—, and where X is alky1-6 or is not present, Y is N or O or is not present, and R3 is alkyl1-6; PAG is a linear or branched polyalkylene glycol moiety; R2 is an alkyl1-22 capping moiety if X is present or alkyl2-22 if X is not present; and q is a number from 1 to the maximum number of branches on PAG; and m is 1-5.

Abstract: Modified natriuretic compounds and conjugates thereof are disclosed in the present invention. In particular, conjugated forms of hBNP are provided that include at least one modifying moiety attached thereto. The modified natriuretic compound conjugates retain activity for stimulating cGMP production, binding to NPR-A receptor, and in some embodiments an improved half-life in circulation as compared to unmodified counterpart natriuretic compounds. Oral, parenteral, subcutaneous, and intravenous forms of the compounds and conjugates may be prepared as treatments and/or therapies for heart conditions particularly congestive heart failure. Modifying moieties comprising oligomeric structures having a variety of lengths and configurations are also disclosed. Analogs of the natriuretic compound are also disclosed, having an amino acid sequence that is other than the native sequence.

Abstract: Modified natriuretic compounds and conjugates thereof are disclosed in the present invention. In particular, conjugated forms of hBNP are provided that include at least one modifying moiety attached thereto. The modified natriuretic compound conjugates retain activity for stimulating cGMP production, binding to NPR-A receptor, and in some embodiments an improved half-life in circulation as compared to unmodified counterpart natriuretic compounds. Oral, parenteral, enteral, subcutaneous, pulmonary, and intravenous forms of the compounds and conjugates may be prepared as treatments and/or therapies for heart conditions particularly congestive heart failure. Modifying moieties comprising oligomeric structures having a variety of lengths and configurations are also disclosed. Analogs of the natriuretic compound are also disclosed, having an amino acid sequence that is other than the native sequence.

Abstract: Methods for synthesizing proinsulin polypeptides are described that include a contacting a proinsulin polypeptide including an insulin polypeptide coupled to one or more peptides by peptide bond(s) capable of being cleaved to yield the insulin polypeptide with an oligomer under conditions sufficient to couple the oligomer to the insulin polypeptide portion of the proinsulin polypeptide and provide a proinsulin polypeptide-oligomer conjugate, and cleaving the one or more peptides from the proinsulin polypeptide-oligomer conjugate to provide the insulin polypeptide-oligomer conjugate. Methods of synthesizing proinsulin polypeptide-oligomer conjugates are also described as are proinsulin polypeptide-oligomer conjugates. Methods of synthesizing C-peptide polypeptide-oligomer conjugates are also described.

Abstract: Calcitonin drug-oligomer conjugates that include a calcitonin drug coupled to an oligomer including a single polyalkylene glycol moiety consisting of between 4 and 10 polyalkylene glycol subunits are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions including such conjugates and methods of treating bone disorders by administering such conjugates are also disclosed.

Abstract: Fatty acid compositions for administration of of pharmaceutical agents, such as proteins and peptides, protein and peptide conjugates, and/or cation-polypeptide conjugate complexes. In particular, the invention provides a solid pharmaceutical composition formulated for oral administration by ingestion, having from about 0.1 to about 75% w/w fatty acid component, where the fatty acid component comprises saturated or unsaturated C4, C5, C6, C7, C8, C9, C10, C11, or C12 fatty acids and/or salts of such fatty acids; and a therapeutic agent. Further, the invention provides a liquid pharmaceutical composition formulated for oral administration by ingestion, comprising: from about 0.1 to about 10% w/v fatty acid component, where the fatty acid component comprises saturated or unsaturated C4, C5, C6, C7, C8, C9, C10, C11, or C12 fatty acids and/or salts of such fatty acids; and a therapeutic agent.

Abstract: A mixture of conjugates in which each conjugate in the mixture comprises an insulin drug coupled to an oligomer that includes a polyalkylene glycol moiety is disclosed. The mixture may exhibit higher in vivo activity than a polydispersed mixture of similar conjugates. The mixture may also be more effective at surviving an in vitro model of intestinal digestion than polydispersed mixtures of similar conjugates. The mixture may also result in less inter-subject variability than polydispersed mixtures of similar conjugates.

Abstract: A non-polydispersed mixture of conjugates in which each conjugate in the mixture comprises a drug coupled to an oligomer that includes a polyalkylene glycol moiety is disclosed. The mixture may exhibit higher in vivo activity than a polydispersed mixture of similar conjugates. The mixture may be more effective at surviving an in vitro model of intestinal digestion than polydispersed mixtures of similar conjugates. The mixture may result in less inter-subject variability than polydispersed mixtures of similar conjugates.

Abstract: Compounds are disclosed having the structure of Formula I: where R1, R3, and R4 are independently hydrogen or C1 to C4 alkyl, and R2 is: where R5 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C1 to C4 alkyl, or where R6, R7 and R8 are independently hydrogen or C1 to C4 alkyl; or the esters or pharmacologically acceptable salts thereof. Such compounds may be utilized for the prophylaxis or treatment of various diseases, particularly inflammatory conditions of the GI tract. Methods of treating inflammatory conditions of the GI tract such as inflammatory bowel disease using compounds having the following formula are also disclosed: where R9, R10 and R11 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C1 to C4 alkyl, and R12 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and —C(O)R13, where R13 is a C1 to C6 alkyl or an aryl group.

Abstract: Methods of treating diabetes mellitus in a patient in need of such treatment include administering an effective amount of an insulin polypeptide-oligomer conjugate of formula V to the patient in order to treat diabetes mellitus in the patient. Methods according to the present invention may “activate” the liver, potentially restoring normal glucose homeostasis to individuals suffering from diabetes mellitus.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compound having a formula: where R1 is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, CH2(OC2H4)OCH3, and —(OC2H4)OCH3; n is 0-4; Olig is an oligomer having a formula: -L-O-PAGR.R2]q where L is a optional linker moiety selected from the group consisting of —CH2O—, —CH2OX—, —OX—, —C(O)—, —C(O)X, —NH—, —NHC(O)—, —XNHC(O)—, —NHC(O)X—, —C(O)NH—, —C(O)NHX—, and where X is alky1-6 or is not present, Y is N or O or is not present, and R3 is alkyl1-6; PAG is a linear or branched polyalkylene glycol moiety; R2 is an alkyl1-22 capping moiety if X is present or alkyl2-22 if X is not present; and q is a number from 1 to the maximum number of branches on PAG; and m is 1-5.

Abstract: Methods of treating diabetes mellitus in a patient in need of such treatment include administering an effective amount of an insulin drug to the patient in order to treat diabetes mellitus in the patient. Methods according to the present invention may “activate” the liver, potentially restoring normal glucose homeostasis to individuals suffering from diabetes mellitus.

Abstract: Methods for synthesizing proinsulin polypeptides are described that include a contacting a proinsulin polypeptide including an insulin polypeptide coupled to one or more peptides by peptide bond(s) capable of being cleaved to yield the insulin polypeptide with an oligomer under conditions sufficient to couple the oligomer to the insulin polypeptide portion of the proinsulin polypeptide and provide a proinsulin polypeptide-oligomer conjugate, and cleaving the one or more peptides from the proinsulin polypeptide-oligomer conjugate to provide the insulin polypeptide-oligomer conjugate. Methods of synthesizing proinsulin polypeptide-oligomer conjugates are also described as are proinsulin polypeptide-oligomer conjugates. Methods of synthesizing C-peptide polypeptide-oligomer conjugates are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compound having a formula: where R1 is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, —CH2(OC2H4)OCH3, and —(OC2H4)OCH3; n is 0-4; Olig is an oligomer having a formula: -L-O-PAGR2]q where L is a optional linker moiety selected from the group consisting of —CH2O—, —CH2OX—, —OX—, —C(O)—, —C(O)X, —NH—, —NHC(O)—, —XNHC(O)—, —NHC(O)X—, —C(O)NH—, —C(O)NHX—, and where X is alkyl1-6 or is not present, Y is N or O or is not present, and R3 is alkyl1-6; PAG is a linear or branched polyalkylene glycol moiety; R2 is an alkyl1-22 capping moiety if X is present or alkyl2-22 if X is not present; and q is a number from 1 to the maximum number of branches on PAG; and m is 1-5.

Abstract: Methods for synthesizing proinsulin polypeptides are described that include contacting a proinsulin polypeptide including an insulin polypeptide coupled to one or more peptides by peptide bond(s) capable of being cleaved to yield the insulin polypeptide with an oligomer under conditions sufficient to couple the oligomer to the insulin polypeptide portion of the proinsulin polypeptide and provide a proinsulin polypeptide-oligomer conjugate, and cleaving the one or more peptides from the proinsulin polypeptide-oligomer conjugate to provide the insulin polypeptide-oligomer conjugate. Methods of synthesizing proinsulin polypeptide-oligomer conjugates are also provided as are proinsulin polypeptide-oligomer conjugates. Methods of synthesizing C-peptide polypeptide-oligomer conjugates and other pro-polypeptide-oligomer conjugates are also provided.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions that include insulin, an insulin drug-oligomer conjugate, a fatty acid component, and a bile salt component or a bile salt component without a fatty acid component are described. The insulin drug is covalently coupled to an oligomeric moiety. The fatty acid component and the bile salt component, when together, can be present in a weight-to-weight ratio of between 1:15 and 15:1. Methods of treating an insulin deficiency in a subject in need of such treatment using such pharmaceutical compositions are also provided, as are methods of providing such pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to hydrolyzable drug-oligomer conjugates, pharmaceutical compositions comprising such conjugates, and to methods for making and using such conjugates and pharmaceutical compositions. For example, a conjugate of insulin, PEG, and oleic acid can be orally administered.

Abstract: Methods for synthesizing proinsulin polypeptides are described that include contacting a proinsulin polypeptide including an insulin polypeptide coupled to one or more peptides by peptide bond(s) capable of being cleaved to yield the insulin polypeptide with an oligomer under conditions sufficient to couple the oligomer to the insulin polypeptide portion of the proinsulin polypeptide and provide a proinsulin polypeptide-oligomer conjugate, and cleaving the one or more peptides from the proinsulin polypeptide-oligomer conjugate to provide the insulin polypeptide-oligomer conjugate. Methods of synthesizing proinsulin polypeptide-oligomer conjugates are also provided as are proinsulin polypeptide-oligomer conjugates. Methods of synthesizing C-peptide polypeptide-oligomer conjugates and other pro-polypeptide-oligomer conjugates are also provided.

Abstract: Methods of synthesizing a substantially monodispersed mixture of polymers comprising polyethylene glycol moieties include: reacting a substantially monodispersed mixture of compounds having the structure of Formula I: R1(OC2H4)n—O?X+ ??(I) wherein R1 is H or a lipophilic moiety; n is from 1 to 25; and X+ is a positive ion, with a substantially monodispersed mixture of compounds having the structure of Formula II: R2(OC2H4)m—OMs ??(II) wherein R2 is H or a lipophilic moiety; and m is from 1 to 25, under conditions sufficient to provide a substantially monodispersed mixture of polymers comprising polyethylene glycol moieties and having the structure of Formula III: R2(OC2H4)m+n—OR1 . ??(III) Substantially monodispersed mixtures of polymers comprising polyethylene glycol moieties are also disclosed.

Abstract: A mixture of conjugates in which each conjugate in the mixture comprises an insulin drug coupled to an oligomer that includes a polyalkylene glycol moiety is disclosed. The mixture may exhibit higher in vivo activity than a polydispersed mixture of similar conjugates. The mixture may also be more effective at surviving an in vitro model of intestinal digestion than polydispersed mixtures of similar conjugates. The mixture may also result in less inter-subject variability than polydispersed mixtures of similar conjugates.