Abstract: A process of producing an immunogenic particle includes mixing an aqueous solvent A wherein an antigen(s) is/are dissolved and a water-immiscible organic solvent B wherein an amphiphilic polymer(s) whose hydrophobic segment(s) is/are poly(hydroxy acid) is/are dissolved, to form a reversed-phase emulsion; and removing the solvent from the reversed-phase emulsion to obtain an antigen-adjuvant microparticle complex, wherein the aqueous solvent A and/or the water-immiscible organic solvent B contains a surfactant.

Abstract: A process of producing an immunogenic particle includes mixing an aqueous solvent A wherein an antigen(s) is/are dissolved and a water-immiscible organic solvent B wherein an amphiphilic polymer(s) whose hydrophobic segment(s) is/are poly(hydroxy acid) is/are dissolved, to form a reversed-phase emulsion; and removing the solvent from the reversed-phase emulsion to obtain an antigen-adjuvant microparticle complex, wherein the aqueous solvent A and/or the water-immiscible organic solvent B contains a surfactant.

Abstract: An immunogenic composition includes as an effective ingredient an antigen-adjuvant microparticle complex containing an antigen encapsulated in an adjuvant microparticle composed of an amphiphilic polymer(s) whose hydrophobic segment is a poly(hydroxy acid), or a particle composed of the antigen-adjuvant microparticle complex associated together, can induce a high immune response against the antigen even with a small amount of the antigen and a small number of doses, so that the immunogenic composition is useful as a vaccine effective for therapy and prophylaxis of infectious diseases, cancer and the like.

Abstract: A method for nasal administration of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a hydrophilic bioactive substance and any one of (a) to (c): (a) a peptide having the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:1; (b) a peptide having the same amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO:1 except that one or several amino acids are deleted, substituted and/or added, the peptide having nasal mucosal permeability; (c) a peptide having an amino acid sequence represented by the reverse sequence of (a) or (b), the peptide having nasal mucosal permeability, with the proviso that a C-terminal amidated peptide is excluded. A hydrophilic bioactive substance having a low transmucosal absorption capability which has conventionally been able to be administered by only injection can be nasally administered. Such a pharmaceutical composition is useful for improvement of the pain and the inconvenience of patients caused by administration by injection.

Abstract: A cell-penetrating peptide of (A) to (D) below gives cell membrane permeability and transmucosal absorbability to a physiologically active substance: (A) a peptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1; (B) a peptide represented by SEQ ID NO:1 except that one or several basic amino acids are changed; (C) a peptide represented by SEQ ID NO:1 except that 1 to 5 amino acids are changed; (D) a peptide having: the reverse sequence of any of (A) to (C); an amino acid sequence which is the same as the reverse sequence of (A) except that one or several basic amino acids are changed; or an amino acid sequence which is the same as the reverse sequence of (A) except that 1 to 5 amino acids are changed.

Abstract: An immunogenic composition includes as effective ingredients: an immunogenic micro-particle composed of an antigen-adjuvant microparticle complex wherein an antigen(s) is/are encapsulated in an adjuvant microparticle composed of an amphiphilic polymer(s) whose hydro-phobic segment(s) is/are poly(hydroxy acid); and a surfactant encapsulated in the immunogenic microparticle.

Abstract: A microparticle includes an agglomerate of a hydrophilic active substance containing particle, which particle includes an amphiphilic polymer composed of a hydrophobic segment of poly(hydroxy acid) and a hydrophilic segment of polysaccharides or polyethylene glycol, and a hydrophilic active substance. It is characterized by an efficient inclusion of the hydrophilic active substance, and a release of the hydrophilic active substance at an appropriate speed in the human body, and is hence very useful as a DDS pharmaceutical preparation.

Abstract: A cell-penetrating peptide of (A) to (D) below gives cell membrane permeability and transmucosal absorbability to a physiologically active substance: (A) a peptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1; (B) a peptide represented by SEQ ID NO:1 except that one or several basic amino acids are changed; (C) a peptide represented by SEQ ID NO:1 except that 1 to 5 amino acids are changed; (D) a peptide having: the reverse sequence of any of (A) to (C); an amino acid sequence which is the same as the reverse sequence of (A) except that one or several basic amino acids are changed; or an amino acid sequence which is the same as the reverse sequence of (A) except that 1 to 5 amino acids are changed.

Abstract: An immunogenic composition includes as an effective ingredient an antigen-adjuvant microparticle complex containing an antigen encapsulated in an adjuvant microparticle composed of an amphiphilic polymer(s) whose hydrophobic segment is a poly(hydroxy acid), or a particle composed of the antigen-adjuvant microparticle complex associated together, can induce a high immune response against the antigen even with a small amount of the antigen and a small number of doses, so that the immunogenic composition is useful as a vaccine effective for therapy and prophylaxis of infectious diseases, cancer and the like.

Abstract: By a pharmaceutical composition for nasal administration comprising a hydrophilic bioactive substance and any one of (a) to (c) below, with the proviso that a C-terminal amidated peptide is excluded, a hydrophilic bioactive substance having a low transmucosal absorption capability which has conventionally been able to be administered by only injection can be nasally administered. Such a pharmaceutical composition is useful for improvement of the pain and the inconvenience of patients caused by administration by injection. (a) A peptide having the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:1. (b) A peptide having the same amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO:1 except that one or several amino acids are deleted, substituted and/or added, the peptide having nasal mucosal permeability. (c) A peptide having an amino acid sequence represented by the reverse sequence of (a) or (b), the peptide having nasal mucosal permeability.

Abstract: A microparticle includes an agglomerate of a hydrophilic active substance containing particle, which particle includes an amphiphilic polymer composed of a hydrophobic segment of poly (hydroxy acid) and a hydrophilic segment of polysaccharides or polyethylene glycol, and a hydrophilic active substance. It is characterized by an efficient inclusion of the hydrophilic active substance, and a release of the hydrophilic active substance at an appropriate speed in the human body, and is hence very useful as a DDS pharmaceutical preparation.

Abstract: A fine particle comprising an amphiphilic polymer, further comprising an inner nucleus of hydrophilic segment of amphiphilic polymer, and a hydrophobic outer layer of hydrophobic segment of amphiphilic polymer, and having a surface modifier bonded to the hydrophobic outer layer. A fine particle of the invention effectively enclose protein, peptide drug, nucleic acid medicine of hydrophilic property and large molecular weight in the inner nucleus of hydrophilic segment of amphiphilic polymer, and are preferable for stabilizing in the body and promoting absorption.