Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for treating an ocular condition and/or disease. In particular, compositions and methods of the invention are directed to a gene therapy for treatment of an ocular condition and/or disease. One particular aspect of the invention provides a recombinant DNA comprising (i) a therapeutic gene, a functional counterpart of a defective gene associated with manifestation said ocular condition or disease, or a combination thereof; and (ii) a delivery vehicle adapted for delivering said gene of (i) to cells in target ocular area for treating said ocular condition or disease, said delivery vehicle comprising an adeno-associated virus (AAV) serotype.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition comprising two or more of the following pharmaceutically active compounds: (i) an alpha 2 adrenergic agonist; (ii) a corticosteroid; (iii) a lymphocyte function-associated antigen antagonist; (iv) a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID); (v) a sodium channel blocker; and (vi) an antibiotic, provided at least one of the pharmaceutically active compound is selected from the group consisting of (i) alpha 2 adrenergic agonist and (ii) corticosteroid.

Abstract: Improved systems and methods for producing synthetic hypericin at high volume and high purity. In particular, systems and methods of preparing a purified synthetic hypericin resulting from irradiation, wherein the irradiation step is performed in a continuous flow micro-reactor. The process of manufacturing purified synthetic hypericin results in the synthetic yield of 30-100% of the dry product.

Abstract: Improved systems and methods for producing synthetic hypericin at high volume and high purity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ophthalmic composition comprising at least two active pharmaceutical ingredients. In particular, the active pharmaceutical ingredients are selected from the group consisting of: an alpha 2 adrenergic receptor agonist; a beta-adrenergic receptor agonist; an immunosuppressant; a lymphocyte associated antigen antagonist; an anti-inflammatory; a beta-blocker; a prostaglandin analog; a histamine receptor antagonist; a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor; and an antibiotic. In some embodiments, the composition of the invention is a nanoemulsion formulation. In one particular embodiment, the first active pharmaceutical ingredient is an alpha 2 adrenergic receptor agonist. The present invention also provides a method for treating various clinical conditions associated with an eye disorder or eye disease using the composition of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition comprising two or more of the following pharmaceutically active compounds: (i) an alpha 2 adrenergic agonist; (ii) a corticosteroid; (iii) a lymphocyte function-associated antigen antagonist; (iv) a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID); (v) a sodium channel blocker; and (vi) an antibiotic, provided at least one of the pharmaceutically active compound is selected from the group consisting of (i) alpha 2 adrenergic agonist and (ii) corticosteroid.

Abstract: A sterile-filtered nanoemulsion having oil globules with a median size (Dv50) of about 100 nm or less and containing an oil, emulsion stabilizing polymer, a water-soluble polymer a surfactant, a tonicity modifier or stabilizer, or a combination thereof is provided. The nanoemulsion, even in the absence of an active ingredient, has ameliorative effects including anti-inflammatory activity. The present invention also provides a method of using such a nanoemulsion as an artificial tear composition for treating an ocular surface disorder, including those resulting from contact lens use, by administering an effective amount of the oil-in-water nanoemulsion of the present invention topically to an eye of a subject.

Abstract: Improved systems and methods for producing synthetic hypericin at high volume and high purity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sustained release formulation of an active pharmaceutical ingredient (“API”). In particular, the sustained release formulation is adapted for topical administration or administration via injection and comprises a nanoemulsion of oil-in-water. In some embodiments, the API is an ophthalmic API. The present invention also provides a method for treating an eye disorder using a sustained release formulation. In one particular embodiment, the invention provides methods for treating dry eye syndrome using a sustained release formulation comprising a nanoemulsion of oil-in-water and alpha 2 adrenergic agonist, pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or a mixture thereof.

Abstract: Improved systems and methods for producing synthetic hypericin at high volume and high purity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to stable formulations of Neisseria meningitis rLP2086 Subfamily B Antigens in immunogenic compositions. The present invention also relates to methods of preserving the conformation of Neisseria meningitis rLP2086 Antigens and methods for determining the potency of Neisseria meningitis rLP2086 antigens.

Abstract: The present invention relates to stable formulations of Neisseria meningitis rLP2086 Subfamily B Antigens in immunogenic compositions. The present invention also relates to methods of preserving the conformation of Neisseria meningitis rLP2086 Antigens and methods for determining the potency of Neisseria meningitis rLP2086 antigens.

Abstract: A method is provided for identifying, isolating, and producing htrB mutants of gram-negative bacterial pathogens. The method comprises mutating the htrB gene of a gram-negative bacterial pathogen so that there is a lack of a functional htrB protein, resulting in a mutant that lacks one or more secondary acyl chains contained in the wild type gram-negative bacterial pathogen, and displays substantially reduced toxicity as compared to the wild type strain. Also, the present invention provides methods for using a vaccine formulation containing the htrB mutant, the endotoxin isolated therefrom, or the endotoxin isolated therefrom which is then conjugated to a carrier protein, to immunize an individual against infections caused by gram-negative bacterial pathogens by administering a prophylactically effective amount of the vaccine formulation.

Abstract: A method is provided for identifying, isolating, and producing htrB mutants of gram-negative bacterial pathogens. The method comprises mutating the htrB gene of a gram-negative bacterial pathogen so that there is a lack of a functional htrB protein, resulting in a mutant that lacks one or more secondary acyl chains contained in the wild type gram-negative bacterial pathogen, and displays substantially reduced toxicity as compared to the wild type strain. Also, the present invention provides methods for using a vaccine formulation containing the htrB mutant, the endotoxin isolated therefrom, or the endotoxin isolated therefrom which is then conjugated to a carrier protein, to immunize an individual against infections caused by gram-negative bacterial pathogens by administering a prophylactically effective amount of the vaccine formulation.

Abstract: A method of automated determination of saccharide concentration is provided herein. The method includes preparing one or more saccharide standards and one or more diluted polysaccharide test samples, transferring a portion of the one or more saccharide standards and the one or more diluted polysaccharide test samples along with a diluent to a series of wells in a multiwell plate, transferring a portion of an acid reagent to the series of wells in the multiwell plate, mixing the contents of the series of wells in the multiwell plate, heating and cooling the contents of the series of wells in the multiwell plate, shaking the multiwell plate, and measuring the radiant energy absorbance of the contents of the series of wells in the multiwell plate, where all steps are performed in the absence of human intervention.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of producing conjugates of A? peptide immunogens with protein/polypeptide carrier molecules, which are useful as immunogens, wherein peptide immunogens are conjugated to protein carriers via activated functional groups on amino acid residues of the carrier or of the optionally attached linker molecule, and wherein any unconjugated reactive functional groups on amino acid residues are inactivated via capping, thus retaining the immunological functionality of the carrier molecule, but reducing the propensity for undesirable reactions that could render the conjugate less safe or effective. Furthermore, the invention also relates to such immunogenic products and immunogenic compositions containing such immunogenic products made by such methods.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of producing conjugates of peptide immunogens with protein/polypeptide carrier molecules, which are useful as immunogens, wherein peptide immunogens are conjugated to protein carriers via activated functional groups on amino acid residues of the carrier or of the optionally attached linker molecule, and wherein any unconjugated reactive functional groups on amino acid residues are inactivated via capping, thus retaining the immunological functionality of the carrier molecule, but reducing the propensity for undesirable reactions that could render the conjugate less safe or effective. Furthermore, the invention also relates to such immunogenic products and immunogenic compositions containing such immunogenic products made by such methods.

Abstract: A method is provided for identifying, isolating, and producing htrB mutants of gram-negative bacterial pathogens. The method comprises mutating the htrB gene of a gram-negative bacterial pathogen so that there is a lack of a functional htrB protein, resulting in a mutant that lacks one or more secondary acyl chains contained in the wild type gram-negative bacterial pathogen, and displays substantially reduced toxicity as compared to the wild type strain. Also, the present invention provides methods for using a vaccine formulation containing the htrB mutant, the endotoxin isolated therefrom, or the endotoxin isolated therefrom which is then conjugated to a carrier protein, to immunize an individual against infections caused by gram-negative bacterial pathogens by administering a prophylactically. effective amount of the vaccine formulation.

Abstract: A method is provided for identifying, isolating, and producing htrB mutants of gram-negative bacterial pathogens. The method comprises mutating the htrB gene of a gram-negative bacterial pathogen so that there is a lack of a functional htrB protein, resulting in a mutant that lacks one or more secondary acyl chains contained in the wild type gram-negative bacterial pathogen, and displays substantially reduced toxicity as compared to the wild type strain. Also, the present invention provides methods for using a vaccine formulation containing the htrB mutant, the endotoxin isolated therefrom, or the endotoxin isolated therefrom which is then conjugated to a carrier protein, to immunize an individual against infections caused by gram-negative bacterial pathogens by administering a prophylactically effective amount of the vaccine formulation.

Abstract: Polypeptides, nucleotides, and compositions useful for preparing diagnostic reagents for and vaccines against human Respiratory Syncytial Virus are disclosed. The polypeptides include short polypeptides which are related to a neutralizing and fusion epitope of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus fusion protein or a neutralizing epitope of the G protein.