Abstract: The invention provides a CD16a-binding polypeptide which comprises at least one motif that binds to CD16a, wherein said polypeptide comprises the following structure: [N-terminal portion]-[Helix 1]-[Separating portion]-[Helix 2]-[C-terminal portion] the CD16a-binding motif being the portion [Helix 1]-[Separating portion]-[Helix 2]. The invention further provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the CD16a-binding polypeptide, and the use of the CD16a-binding polypeptide or pharmaceutical compositions as a medicament, particularly for use in the treatment or prophylaxis of cancers such as multiple myeloma.

Abstract: The invention provides a hBCMA-binding polypeptide which comprises at least one motif that binds to hBCMA, wherein said polypeptide comprises the following structure: [N-terminal portion]-[Helix 1]-[Separating portion]-[Helix 2]-[C-terminal portion] the hBCMA binding motif being the portion [Helix 1]-[Separating portion]-[Helix 2]. The invention further provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the hBCMA-binding polypeptide, and the use of the hBCMA-binding polypeptide or pharmaceutical compositions as a medicament, particularly for use in the treatment or prophylaxis of cancers.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a class of engineered polypeptides having a binding affinity for interleukin-6, and provides an IL-6 binding polypeptide comprising the sequence EEX3X4AWX7EIH X11 LPNLX16X17X18QX20 X21AFIX25X26LX28X29. The present disclosure also relates to the use of such an IL-6 binding polypeptide as a therapeutic, prognostic and/or diagnostic agent.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a class of engineered polypeptides having a binding affinity for interleukin-6, and provides an IL-6 binding polypeptide comprising the sequence EEX3X4AWX7EIH X11 LPNLX16X17X18QX20 X21AFIX25X26LX28X29. The present disclosure also relates to the use of such an IL-6 binding polypeptide as a therapeutic, prognostic and/or diagnostic agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting the presence or non-presence of an endotoxin, characterized in that an OmpT protein is brought into contact with a sample suspected of containing an endotoxin and the protease activity of the OmpT protein is assayed. It also relates to a method for detecting early onset of septicaemia using the inventive method and a kit for performing the method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nucleic acid molecule or a polypeptide that is selected from a method that includes cell-free expression of nucleic acid molecules immobilized on a sold support system. The present invention also relates to a molecular library that has a solid support system having a plurality of nucleic acid molecules immobilized thereon.

Abstract: A method for the selection of one or more desired polypeptides includes cell free expression of nucleic acid molecules immobilized on a solid support system to produce polypeptides. The solid support carrying system is for biospecific interaction with at least the desired polypeptide or a molecule attached thereto. The method also includes separation of the solid support carrying both the desired polypeptide and the nucleic acid encoding it. Finally, the method optionally includes recovery of the nucleic acid and/or the desired polypeptide, and molecular libraries for use in these methods.

Abstract: A sandwich assay method for detecting the presence of a target molecule in a sample comprising a complex biological fluid is provided. The assay comprises providing a first affinity ligand with affinity for the target molecule, which affinity ligand is capable of being immobilized to a solid support; applying the sample in such a way that binding of a target molecule, if present in the sample, to the first affinity ligand is enabled; applying a second affinity ligand with affinity for the target molecule, the application enabling binding of the second affinity ligand to the target molecule; removing second affinity ligand not bound to target molecule; and detecting the presence of the second affinity ligand, such presence being an indicator of the presence of a target molecule in the sample. The first affinity ligand is immobilized to the solid support at any stage before said detection, and at least one of the first and second affinity ligands is an affinity ligand other than an antibody.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of detecting the presence of target molecules in a sample, in particular protein target molecules. In particular, the invention provides a method of detecting the presence of a target molecule in a sample which comprises contacting said sample with a detector protein, said detector protein being a binding partner for said target molecule and being derivatized by two fluorescent reporter groups, the energy transfer between said reporter groups undergoing a detectable change on binding of the target molecule to said detector protein and a detector protein molecule having a binding site for a target molecule and having covalently attached thereto two fluorescent reporter groups, the energy transfer between said reporter groups undergoing a detectable change on binding of the target molecule to said detector protein. The detector protein comprises or consists f a combinatorial protein.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing an insulin C-peptide, which comprises expressing in a host cell a multimeric polypeptide comprising multiple copies of a said insulin C-peptide, and cleaving said expressed polypeptide to release single copies of the insulin C-peptide.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing an insulin C-peptide, which comprises expressing in a host cell a multimeric polypeptide comprising multiple copies of the insulin C-peptide, and cleaving the expressed polypeptide to release single copies of the insulin C-peptide. Also provided are nucleic acid molecules, expression vectors and host cells, for use in such a method and the multimeric insulin C-peptide polypeptide expressed and cleaved in such a method.