Abstract: The present invention provides novel fusion peptides having GLP-1 activity and enhanced stability in vivo, in particular resistancy to dipeptidyl peptidase IV. The fusion peptide comprises as component (I) N-terminally a GLP-1(7-35, 7-36 or 7-37) sequence and as component (II) C-terminally a peptide sequence of at least 9 amino acids or a functional fragment, variant or derivative thereof. Component (II) is preferably a full or partial version of a homologue of native IP2 (intervening peptide 2). A preferred embodiment comprises the sequence GLP-1(7-35, 36 or 37)/IP2-homologue/GLP-1(7-35, 36 or 37) or GLP-2. The fusion peptide may be produced in engineered cells or synthetically and may be used for the preparation of a medicament for treating various diseases or disorders, e.g. diabetes type 1 or 2, apoptosis related diseases or neurodegenerative disorders.

Abstract: The present invention provides fusion peptides having GLP-1 activity and enhanced stability in vivo, in particular resistancy to dipeptidyl peptidase IV conjugated to polymers, thereby forming conjugate molecules. The fusion peptide of the conjugate molecule comprises as component (I) N-terminally a GLP-1(7-35, 7-36 or 7-37) sequence and as component (II) C-terminally a peptide sequence of at least 9 amino acids or a functional fragment, variant or derivative thereof. A synthetic polymer and/or a protein, e.g transferrin or albumin, is covalently or non-covalently bound to the fusion peptide to form the conjugate molecule. Component (II) is preferably a full or partial version of IP2 (intervening peptide 2). A preferred embodiment comprises the sequence GLP-1(7-35, 36 or 37)/IP2/GLP-1(7-35, 36 or 37) or GLP-2 and a polymeric component, e.g. a natural or non-natural polymer. The fusion peptide may be produced in engineered cells or synthetically and is e.g.

Abstract: The present invention provides spherical microcapsules comprising at least one surface coating and a core, wherein the at least one surface coating comprises cross-linked polymers, and wherein the core comprises cross-linked polymers and cells capable of expressing and secreting a GLP-1 peptide, a fragment or variant thereof or a fusion peptide comprising GLP-1 or a fragment or variant thereof. The present application is furthermore directed to methods for production of these spherical microcapsules and to the use of these microcapsules e.g. in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, weight disorders and diseases or conditions associated thereto, neurodegenerative disorders and diseases or conditions associated thereto, or for the treatment of disorders and diseases or conditions associated to apoptosis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for production of double- or multi-layered micro-capsules, comprising an inner microcapsule of cross-linked polymers and biological cells and one or more layers of cross-linked polymers without biological cells, which completely enclose(s) the inner microcapsule, whereby, in a first method step, single-layered microcapsules of cross-linked polymers with biological cells are produced and, in at least one further method step, at least one outer layer shell of cross-linked polymer is applied which contains no biological cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the molecular integration or disintegration of solid, liquid and/or gaseous flowing, entrained and/or countercurrent components by means of cavitation in order to modify, build or disintegrate molecular compounds. The invention allows to obtain stable mixtures from immiscible or difficult-to-mix components or to separate such mixtures. The supercavitation molecular reactor allows to build up or disintegrate or modify, with low expenditure in terms of energy, even complex compounds that so far have not been accessible to modification and/or production or only by very extensive multiple processes and a large amount of technical complexity.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of implantable microcapsules, or microparticles or gels produced from alginates that are crosslinked with bivalent or multivalent cations or that are uncrosslinked, for the treatment of skin defects such as e.g. wrinkles, for the treatment of gastro-oesophageal reflux, urinary incontinence and vesico-ureteral reflux.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for operating a centrifuging unit with a centrifuging container, in particular a centrifuging bowl, for separating the components of a liquid, in particular blood, containing components with different specific weights. The centrifuging container has a separation chamber, a liquid inlet into the separation chamber. The inlet and the outlet extend through a revolving passage at the upper end of the container. The inlet is in communication with an inlet duct which opens in a defined area of the container into the separation chamber. A pumping device is provided for filling and/or emptying the centrifuging container. The liquid to be centrifuged is supplied through the inlet. After a desired amount is separated, the flow direction between the inlet and the outlet is reversed while the centrifuging container continues to rotate at its full working speed, so that at least one of the separated components is discharged from the separation chamber through the inlet duct and the inlet.