Abstract: The present invention provides optical agents comprising optically functional cross linked supramolecular structures and assemblies useful for tandem optical imaging and therapy. Supramolecular structures and assemblies of the present invention include optically functional shell-cross linked micelles wherein optical functionality is achieved via incorporation of one or more linking groups that include one or more photoactive moieties. The present invention further includes imaging and therapeutic methods using one or more optical agents of the present invention including optically functional shell cross-linked micelles having an associated therapeutic agent.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a number of photoactive compounds designed to bind and inhibit serine proteases. Compounds disclosed herein may be utilized in a number of appropriate medical diagnostic and/or therapeutic procedures such as the monitoring of hemostasis, imaging and/or treatment of vulnerable plaques, and/or tumor imaging and/or treatment.

Abstract: This invention is directed to the general method of transforming non-photoactive bioactive small molecule compounds of known structure and function into photoactive analogs of the small molecules which exhibit both photoactivity and the original biological targeting activity. The general method for the design of the photoactive analogs of the small molecules includes: (a) selecting a desired bioactive molecule; (b) identifying the region of the molecule that contains an aromatic or a heteroaromatic motif; and (c) either replacing said motif with a photoactive functional group of similar size, or modifying said motif to make it photoactive. Other aspects include photoactive analog compounds and photodiagnostic and phototherapeutic uses thereof.

Abstract: Provided are compounds and compositions of general Formula IX: E1-L-Ar-X-PA, that may be utilized in bioconjugation procedures, where Ar is a chromophore and PA is a functional group capable of being attached to any bioactive molecule of interest. The present invention provides Formulas I-III that are capable of being attached to a bioactive vector for the selective delivery of said photoactive pyrazine derivatives to a desired biological target.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to anti-angiogenesis agents and related methods of using to anti-angiogenesis agents for biomedical applications including direct monotherapy and combination therapy for treatment of an angiogenesis related condition. In an embodiment, the invention provides a class of opioid compounds and structurally related opioid derivatives exhibiting anti-VEGF activity for use in therapeutic procedures, including phototherapy. Opioid compounds and structurally related opioid derivatives of the invention may be administered alone or in combination with administration of a phototherapy agent and/or other therapeutic agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pyrazine derivatives such as those represented by Formulas I and II below. X1 to X4 of the compounds of Formulas I and II may be characterized as electron withdrawing groups. In contrast, Y1 to Y4 of the compounds of Formulas I and II may be characterized as electron donating groups. Pyrazine derivatives of the present invention may be utilized in assessing renal function. In particular, an effective amount of a pyrazine derivative of the invention may be administered into a body of a patient. The pyrazine derivative that is in the body may be exposed to visible and/or infrared light to cause spectral energy to emanate from the pyrazine derivative. This emanating spectral energy may be detected and utilized to determine renal function of the patient.

Abstract: The present invention provides tissue sealant compositions and vasculature closure devices useful for the optical detection of tissue seal and/or clot formation. Compositions and devices of the present invention comprise optical dyes which undergo an observable change as the compositions and/or devices are incorporated into a tissue seal and/or clot, for example a change in fluorescence quantum yield and/or a change in visual color including a change in emission and/or absorption wavelength. Tissue sealants and vasculature closure devices of the present invention are useful for visualizing seal and/or clot formation, for example, during or after surgical procedures, after catheter removal, etc. The present invention further provides methods for formation and optical detection of tissue seals or vasculature puncture closures as well as medical kits useful for the formation and optical detection of tissue seals or vasculature puncture closures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pyrazine derivatives such as those represented by Formulas (I) and (II) below. X1 to X4 of the compounds of Formulas I and II may be characterized as electron withdrawing groups. In contrast, Y1 to Y4 of the compounds of Formulas I and II may be characterized as electron donating groups. Pyrazine derivatives of the present invention may be utilized in assessing renal function. In particular, an effective amount of a pyrazine derivative of the invention may be administered into a body of a patient. The pyrazine derivative that is in the body may be exposed to visible and/or infrared light to cause spectral energy to emanate from the pyrazine derivative. This emanating spectral energy may be detected and utilized to determine renal function of the patient.

Abstract: The invention provides optical agents, including compositions, preparations and formulations, and methods of using and making optical agents. Optical agents of the present invention include oligomer dyes, and derivatives thereof, having a fused ring backbone structure having an oligothiophene core. In some embodiments, oligomer dyes of the present invention are fused ring thiophene dyes having an oligothiophene core comprising a plurality of fused thiophene, thiophene-oxide, and/or thiophene-dioxide rings, optionally functionalized to provide useful optical, biological, pharmacokinetic and/or physical properties. The compounds are dithieno[3,2-b;2?,3?-d]thiophene derivatives.

Abstract: The invention provides optical agents, including compositions, preparations and formulations, and methods of using and making optical agents. Optical agents of the present invention include dyes, and derivatives thereof, having a fused ring backbone structure having dithienopyrrole core. In some embodiments, dyes of the present invention are dithienopyrrole dyes having a dithienopyrrole core optionally functionalized to provide useful optical, biological, pharmacokinetic and/or physical properties.

Abstract: The invention provides optical agents, including compositions, preparations and formulations, and methods of using and making optical agents. Optical agents of the present invention include dyes, and derivatives thereof, having a fused ring backbone structure having dithienofuran core. In some embodiments, dyes of the present invention are dithienofuran dyes having a dithienofuran core optionally functionalized to provide useful optical, biological, pharmacokinetic and/or physical properties.

Abstract: Thiadiazole compounds, compositions, bioconjugates, and methods for targeting and photoactivation at target sites.

Abstract: Thiadiazole compounds, compositions, bioconjugates, and methods for targeting and photoactivation at target sites.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pyrazine derivatives capable of absorbing and emanating spectral energy in the visible and/or near infrared spectrum. Pyrazine derivatives of the invention may be administered to a patient in the form of a pharmaceutically acceptable composition and utilized in medical (e.g., diagnostic imaging) procedures.

Abstract: Cyanine dye bioconjugates useful for diagnostic imaging and therapy are disclosed. The conjugates include several cyanine dyes with a variety of bis- and tetrakis (carboxylic acid) homologes. The compounds are be conjugated to bioactive peptides, carbohydrates, hormones, drugs, or other bioactive agents. The small size of the compounds allows more favorable delivery to tumor cells as compared to larger molecular weight imaging agents. The various dyes are useful over the range of 350 to 1,300 nm, the exact range being dependent upon the particular dye. The use of a biocompatible organic solvent such as dimethylsulfoxide helps to maintain the fluorescence of the compounds. The inventive compounds are useful for diagnostic imaging and therapy, in endoscopic applications for the detection of tumors and other abnormalities, for localized therapy, for photoacoustic tumor imaging, detection and therapy, and for sonofluorescence tumor imaging, detection and therapy.

Abstract: This invention is directed to the general method of transforming bioactive compounds of known structure and function into photoactive molecules such that the original biological activity is retained. The molecules resulting from the integration of two fundamental properties of photoactivity and biological function into a single molecular entity are hereinafter generally referred to as ‘integrated photoactive analogs’ or ‘integrated photoactive peptides or pseudopeptides.” The general method for the design of integrated photoactive analogs principally involves: (a) selecting a desired bioactive peptide or pseudopeptide; (b) identifying the region of the molecule that contains an aromatic or a heteroaromatic motif; and (c) either replacing said motif with a photoactive functional group of similar size, or modifying said motif to render it photoactive. Other aspects include photoactive analog compounds and photodiagnostic and phototherapeutic uses thereof.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a number of photoactive compounds designed to bind and inhibit serine proteases. Compounds disclosed herein may be utilized in a number of appropriate medical diagnostic and/or therapeutic procedures such as the monitoring of hemostasis, imaging and/or treatment of vulnerable plaques, and/or tumor imaging and/or treatment.

Abstract: Cyanine and indocyanine dye compounds and bioconjugates are disclosed. The present invention includes several cyanine and indocyanine dyes, including bioconjugates of the same, with a variety of bis- and tetrakis (carboxylic acid) homologues. The compounds of the invention may be conjugated to bioactive peptides, carbohydrates, hormones, drugs, or other bioactive agents. The small size of compounds of the invention allows favorable delivery to tumor cells as compared to larger molecular weight imaging agents. Further, use of a biocompatible organic solvent such as dimethylsulfoxide may be said to assist in maintaining the fluorescence of compounds of the invention.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention may be said to be directed to metal complexes of Formula I wherein at least one of X1, X2, X3, R1, R2, R3, R4 or R5 is what may be characterized as an antenna capable of providing (e.g., absorbing and/or emitting) an appropriate electromagnetic signal. Some embodiments of the present invention are directed to ligands corresponding to metal complexes of Formula I. Some embodiments of the invention are directed to methods of determining renal function using at least one metal complex of Formula I.

Abstract: This invention is directed to the general method of transforming non-photoactive bioactive small molecule compounds of known structure and function into photoactive analogs of the small molecules which exhibit both photoactivity and the original biological targeting activity. The general method for the design of the photoactive analogs of the small molecules includes: (a) selecting a desired bioactive molecule; (b) identifying the region of the molecule that contains an aromatic or a heteroaromatic motif; and (c) either replacing said motif with a photoactive functional group of similar size, or modifying said motif to make it photoactive. Other aspects include photoactive analog compounds and photodiagnostic and phototherapeutic uses thereof.