Abstract: The invention relates to nanoparticles for the systemic or topical delivery of lipophilic diagnostic or therapeutic agents to a subject in need thereof. The nanoparticles of the invention comprise a water soluble polymer and at least one of a biocompatible lipid and a lipophilic agent. The invention further relates to ophthalmic treatment using the nanoparticles of the invention. In addition, the invention pertains to compositions and formulations comprising the nanoparticle of the invention. Such formulation may be an eye drop formulation.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of targeted drug delivery of antiviral compounds, including, chemical agents (like nucleoside analogs or protease inhibitors) and nucleic acid based drugs (like DNA vaccines, antisense oligonucleotides, ribozymes, catalytic DNA (DNAzymes) or RNA molecules, siRNAs or plasmids encoding thereof). Furthermore, the invention relates to targeted drug delivery of antiviral compounds to intracellular target sites within cells, tissues and organs, in particular to target sites within the central nervous system (CNS), into and across the blood-brain barrier, by targeting to internalizing uptake receptors present on these cells, tissues and organs. Thereto, the antiviral compounds, or the pharmaceutical acceptable carrier thereof, are conjugated to ligands that facilitate the specific binding to and internalization by these receptors.

Abstract: The invention relates to nanoparticles for the systemic or topical delivery of lipophilic diagnostic or therapeutic agents to a subject in need thereof. The nanoparticles of the invention comprise a water soluble polymer and at least one of a biocompatible lipid and a lipophilic agent. The invention further relates to ophthalmic treatment using the nanoparticles of the invention. In addition, the invention pertains to compositions and formulations comprising the nanoparticle of the invention. Such formulation may be an eye drop formulation.

Abstract: The invention relates to nanoparticles for the systemic or topical delivery of lipophilic diagnostic or therapeutic agents to a subject in need thereof. The nanoparticles of the invention comprise a water soluble polymer and at least one of a biocompatible lipid and a lipophilic agent. The invention further relates to ophthalmic treatment using the nanoparticles of the invention. In addition, the invention pertains to compositions and formulations comprising the nanoparticle of the invention. Such formulation may be an eye drop formulation.

Abstract: The invention relates to means and methods of targeted drug delivery of therapeutic agent to and across the blood-ocular barrier. In particular, the invention relates to cyclic guanosine-3?, 5?-monophosphate analogs as therapeutic agent for treating retinal diseases. The cGMPSs targeted to the blood-ocular barrier by glutathione-based ligands that facilitate the specific binding to and enhanced internalization by glutathione transporters present on the blood-ocular barrier. The glutathione-based ligands are conjugated to nanocontainers such as liposomes encapsulating the cGMPSs.

Abstract: The invention relates to nanoparticles for the systemic or topical delivery of lipophilic diagnostic or therapeutic agents to a subject in need thereof. The nanoparticles of the invention comprise a water soluble polymer and at least one of a biocompatible lipid and a lipophilic agent. The invention further relates to ophthalmic treatment using the nanoparticles of the invention. In addition, the invention pertains to compositions and formulations comprising the nanoparticle of the invention. Such formulation may be an eye drop formulation.

Abstract: The invention relates to means and methods of targeted drug delivery of therapeutic agent to and across the blood-ocular barrier. In particular, the invention relates to cyclic guanosine-3?,5 ‘-monophosphate analogues as therapeutic agent for treating retinal diseases. The cGMPSs targeted to the blood-ocular barrier by glutathione-based ligands that facilitate the specific binding to and enhanced internalization by glutathione transporters present on the blood-ocular barrier. The glutathione-based ligands are conjugated to nanocontainers such as liposomes encapsulating the cGMPSs.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of targeted drug delivery of antiviral compounds, including, chemical agents (like nucleoside analogs or protease inhibitors) and nucleic acid based drugs (like DNA vaccines, antisense oligonucleotides, ribozymes, catalytic DNA (DNAzymes) or RNA molecules, siRNAs or plasmids encoding thereof). Furthermore, the invention relates to targeted drug delivery of antiviral compounds to intracellular target sites within cells, tissues and organs, in particular to target sites within the central nervous system (CNS), into and across the blood-brain barrier, by targeting to internalizing uptake receptors present on these cells, tissues and organs. Thereto, the antiviral compounds, or the pharmaceutical acceptable carrier thereof, are conjugated to ligands that facilitate the specific binding to and internalization by these receptors.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of targeted drug delivery of compounds, including, chemical agents, (poly)peptides and nucleic acid based drugs (like DNA vaccines, antisense oligonucleotides, ribozymes, catalytic DNA (DNAzymes) or RNA molecules, siRNAs or plasmids encoding thereof). Furthermore, the invention relates to targeted drug delivery of compounds to extravascular and intracellular target sites within cells, tissues and organs, in particular to target sites within the central nervous system (CNS), into and across the blood-brain barrier, by targeting to glutathione transporters present on these cells, tissues and organs. Thereto, the compounds, or the pharmaceutical acceptable carrier thereof, are conjugated to glutathione-based ligands that facilitate the specific binding to and internalization by these glutathione transporters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of encapsulation of substances with low aqueous solubility in liposomes, especially via active loading. The present inventors have surprisingly found that efficient active loading of liposomes with high liposome loading can be achieved by first solubilizing a functional compound, which is itself hardly soluble in water using a solubility enhancer. This significantly increases the functional-substance-to-lipid mass ratio to levels above those attained by conventional active or passive loading techniques and enlarges the range of functional compounds, including drugs, amenable to encapsulation in liposomes. One aspect of the invention provides the active loading process. Liposomal compositions with high drug-load are provided by the present invention as well.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of targeted drug delivery of compounds, including, chemical agents, (poly)peptides and nucleic acid based drugs (like DNA vaccines, antisense oligonucleotides, ribozymes, catalytic DNA (DNAzymes) or RNA molecules, siRNAs or plasmids encoding thereof). Furthermore, the invention relates to targeted drug delivery of compounds to extravascular and intracellular target sites within cells, tissues and organs, in particular to target sites within the central nervous system (CNS), into and across the blood-brain barrier, by targeting to glutathione transporters present on these cells, tissues and organs. Thereto, the compounds, or the pharmaceutical acceptable carrier thereof, are conjugated to glutathione-based ligands that facilitate the specific binding to and internalization by these glutathione transporters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acids and polypeptides encoded thereby, whose expression is modulated in brain microvascular endothelial cells undergoing early dynamic inflammation-induced changes in blood-brain bather functionality. Such polypeptides are referred to as lipopolysaccharide-sensitive (LPSS) polypeptides. These nucleic acids and polypeptides may be useful in methods for controlling blood-brain bather properties in mammals in need of such biological effects. This includes the diagnosis and treatment of disturbances in the blood-brain/retina barrier, brain (including the eye) disorders, as well as peripheral vascular disorders. Additionally, the invention relates to the use of anti-LPSS polypeptide antibodies or ligands as diagnostic probes, as blood-brain barrier targeting agents or as therapeutic agents as well as the use of ligands or modulators of expression, activation or bioactivity of LPSS polypeptides as diagnostic probes, therapeutic agents or drug delivery enhancers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acids and polypeptides encoded thereby, whose expression is modulated in brain microvascular endothelial cells undergoing early dynamic inflammation-induced changes in blood-brain barrier functionality. Such polypeptides are referred to as lipopolysaccharide-sensitive (LPSS) polypeptides herein. These nucleic acids and polypeptides may be useful in methods for controlling blood-brain barrier properties in mammals in need of such biological effects. This includes the diagnosis and treatment of disturbances in the blood-brain/retina barrier, brain (including the eye) disorders, as well as peripheral vascular disorders. Additionally, the invention relates to the use of anti-LPSS polypeptide antibodies or ligands as diagnostic probes, as blood-brain barrier targeting agents or as therapeutic agents as well as the use of ligands or modulators of expression, activation or bioactivity of LPSS polypeptides as diagnostic probes, therapeutic agents or drug delivery enhancers.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of targeted drug delivery of antiviral compounds, including, chemical agents (like nucleoside analogs or protease inhibitors) and nucleic acid based drugs (like DNA vaccines, antisense oligonucleotides, ribozymes, catalytic DNA (DNAzymes) or RNA molecules, siRNAs or plasmids encoding thereof). Furthermore, the invention relates to targeted drug delivery of antiviral compounds to intracellular target sites within cells, tissues and organs, in particular to target sites within the central nervous system (CNS), into and across the blood-brain barrier, by targeting to internalizing uptake receptors present on these cells, tissues and organs. Thereto, the antiviral compounds, or the pharmaceutical acceptable carrier thereof, are conjugated to ligands that facilitate the specific binding to and internalization by these receptors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acids and polypeptides encoded thereby, whose expression is modulated in brain microvascular endothelial cells undergoing early dynamic inflammation-induced changes in blood-brain barrier functionality. Such polypeptides are referred to as lipopolysaccharide-sensitive (LPSS) polypeptides herein. These nucleic acids and polypeptides may be useful in methods for controlling blood-brain barrier properties in mammals in need of such biological effects. This includes the diagnosis and treatment of disturbances in the blood-brain/retina barrier, brain (including the eye) disorders, as well as peripheral vascular disorders. Additionally, the invention relates to the use of anti-LPSS polypeptide antibodies or ligands as diagnostic probes, as blood-brain barrier targeting agents or as therapeutic agents as well as the use of ligands or modulators of expression, activation or bioactivity of LPSS polypeptides as diagnostic probes, therapeutic agents or drug delivery enhancers.