Abstract: The present invention relates to a compound comprising one or more PEG moieties, wherein said compound is a therapeutic agent active for treating a respiratory disease. The present invention also relates to a method for preventing and/or treating a respiratory disease in a subject in need thereof comprising the administration of a PEGylated therapeutic agent. Another object of the invention is a method for enhancing the bioavailability of a therapeutic agent, for enhancing the pulmonary residency of a therapeutic agent and/or for reducing the pulmonary clearance of a therapeutic agent, wherein said methods comprise the PEGylation of the therapeutic agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a compound comprising one or more PEG moieties, wherein said compound is a therapeutic agent active for treating a respiratory disease. The present invention also relates to the use of a PEGylated therapeutic agent for treating a respiratory disease. Another object of the invention is a method for enhancing the bioavailability of a therapeutic agent, for enhancing the pulmonary residency of a therapeutic agent and/or for reducing the pulmonary clearance of a therapeutic agent, wherein said methods comprise the PEGylation of the therapeutic agent.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a method for pulmonary delivery of therapeutic, prophylactic and diagnostic agents to a patient wherein the agent is released in a sustained fashion, and to particles suitable for use in the method. In particular, the invention relates to a method for the pulmonary delivery of a therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agent comprising administering to the respiratory tract of a patient in need of treatment, prophylaxis or diagnosis an effective amount of particles comprising a therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agent or any combination thereof in association with a charged lipid, wherein the charged lipid has an overall net charge which is opposite to that of the agent upon association with the agent. Release of the agent from the administered particles occurs in a sustained fashion.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a method for pulmonary delivery of therapeutic, prophylactic and diagnostic agents to a patient wherein the agent is released in a sustained fashion, and to particles suitable for use in the method. In particular, the invention relates to a method for the pulmonary delivery of a therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agent comprising administering to the respiratory tract of a patient in need of treatment, prophylaxis or diagnosis an effective amount of particles comprising a therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agent or any combination thereof in association with a charged lipid, wherein the charged lipid has an overall net charge which is opposite to that of the agent upon association with the agent. Release of the agent from the administered particles occurs in a sustained fashion.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a method for pulmonary delivery of therapeutic, prophylactic and diagnostic agents to a patient wherein the agent is released in a sustained fashion, and to particles suitable for use in the method. In particular, the invention relates to a method for the pulmonary delivery of a therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agent comprising administering to the respiratory tract of a patient in need of treatment, prophylaxis or diagnosis an effective amount of particles comprising a therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agent or any combination thereof in association with a charged lipid, wherein the charged lipid has an overall net charge which is opposite to that of the agent upon association with the agent. Release of the agent from the administered particles occurs in a sustained fashion.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a method for pulmonary delivery of therapeutic, prophylactic and diagnostic agents to a patient wherein the agent is released in a sustained fashion, and to particles suitable for use in the method. In particular, the invention relates to a method for the pulmonary delivery of a therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agent comprising administering to the respiratory tract of a patient in need of treatment, prophylaxis or diagnosis an effective amount of particles comprising a therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agent or any combination thereof in association with a charged lipid, wherein the charged lipid has an overall net charge which is opposite to that of the agent upon association with the agent. Release of the agent from the administered particles occurs in a sustained fashion.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a method for pulmonary delivery of therapeutic, prophylactic and diagnostic agents to a patient wherein the agent is released in a sustained fashion, and to particles suitable for use in the method. In particular, the invention relates to a method for the pulmonary delivery of a therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agent comprising administering to the respiratory tract of a patient in need of treatment, prophylaxis or diagnosis an effective amount of particles comprising a therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agent or any combination thereof in association with a charged lipid, wherein the charged lipid has an overall net charge which is opposite to that of the agent upon association with the agent. Release of the agent from the administered particles occurs in a sustained fashion.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a method for pulmonary delivery of therapeutic, prophylactic and diagnostic agents to a patient wherein the agent is released in a sustained fashion, and to particles suitable for use in the method. In particular, the invention relates to a method for the pulmonary delivery of a therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agent comprising administering to the respiratory tract of a patient in need of treatment, prophylaxis or diagnosis an effective amount of particles comprising a therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agent or any combination thereof in association with a charged lipid, wherein the charged lipid has an overall net charge which is opposite to that of the agent upon association with the agent. Release of the agent from the administered particles occurs in a sustained fashion.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a method for pulmonary delivery of therapeutic, prophylactic and diagnostic agents to a patient wherein the agent is released in a sustained fashion, and to particles suitable for use in the method. In particular, the invention relates to a method for the pulmonary delivery of a therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agent comprising administering to the respiratory tract of a patient in need of treatment, prophylaxis or diagnosis an effective amount of particles comprising a polycationic complexing agent which is complexed with a therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agent or any combination thereof having a charge capable of complexing with the polycationic complexing agent upon association with the bioactive agent. The particles can further comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The amount of polycationic complexing agent present in the particles is an amount sufficient to sustain the release of diagnostic, therapeutic or prophylactic agent from the particles.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to methods of enhancing bioavailability, pulmonary absorption and/or optimal dosing of a biologically active agent. The methods of the invention enhance the pulmonary absorption and bioavailability of a biologically active agent by administering to the pulmonary system of a subject, a biologically active agent and a macrophage inhibiting agent that is suitable for administration to a subject's pulmonary system.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a method for pulmonary delivery of therapeutic, prophylactic and diagnostic agents to a patient wherein the agent is released in a sustained fashion, and to particles suitable for use in the method. In particular, the invention relates to a method for the pulmonary delivery of a therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agent comprising administering to the respiratory tract of a patient in need of treatment, prophylaxis or diagnosis an effective amount of particles comprising a therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agent or any combination thereof in association with a charged lipid, wherein the charged lipid has an overall net charge which is opposite to that of the agent upon association with the agent. Release of the agent from the administered particles occurs in a sustained fashion.

Abstract: Particles incorporating a surfactant and/or a hydrophilic or hydrophobic complex of a positively or negatively charged therapeutic agent and a charged molecule of opposite charge for drug delivery to the pulmonary system, and methods for their synthesis and administration are provided. In a preferred embodiment, the particles are made of a biodegradable material and have a tap density less than 0.4 g/cm3 and a mass mean diameter between 5 &mgr;m and 30 &mgr;m, which together yield an aerodynamic diameter of the particles of between approximately one and three microns. The particles may be formed of biodegradable materials such as biodegradable polymers. For example, the particles may be formed of poly(lactic acid) or poly(glycolic acid) or copolymers thereof. Alternatively, the particles may be formed solely of a therapeutic or diagnostic agent and a surfactant.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a method for pulmonary delivery of therapeutic, prophylactic and diagnostic agents to a patient wherein the agent is released in a sustained fashion, and to particles suitable for use in the method. In particular, the invention relates to a method for the pulmonary delivery of a therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agent comprising administering to the respiratory tract of a patient in need of treatment, prophylaxis or diagnosis an effective amount of particles comprising a polycationic complexing agent which is complexed with a therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agent or any combination thereof having a charge capable of complexing with the polycationic complexing agent upon association with the bioactive agent. The particles can further comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The amount of polycationic complexing agent present in the particles is an amount sufficient to sustain the release of diagnostic, therapeutic or prophylactic agent from the particles.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a method for pulmonary delivery of therapeutic, prophylactic and diagnostic agents to a patient wherein the agent is released in a sustained fashion, and to particles suitable for use in the method. In particular, the invention relates to a method for the pulmonary delivery of a therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agent comprising administering to the respiratory tract of a patient in need of treatment, prophylaxis or diagnosis an effective amount of particles comprising a therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agent or any combination thereof in association with a charged lipid, wherein the charged lipid has an overall net charge which is opposite to that of the agent upon association with the agent. Release of the agent from the administered particles occurs in a sustained fashion.

Abstract: A method for measuring biopotential of an organism includes electroporating a portion of a tissue surface of the organism. The biopotential of the organism is then measured with electrodes at the electroporated portion of the organism. The portion of the organism that is electroporated can be, for example, a skin surface of the organism. A resistance-decreasing agent, such as heparin, sodium thiosulfate, thioglycolic acid solution and dithioglycolic acid can be applied to the tissue surface to facilitate reduction in electrical resistance. Another example of a resistance-decreasing agent is a keratin-disrupting agent, such as sulforhodamine. Examples of suitable biopotential measurements include electrocardiographic, electroencephalographic, electromyographic, electrohysterographic and elctrokymographic measurements. The method decreases skin resistance to diminish unwanted electrical voltages that compete with biopotential measurements, thereby significantly improving the biopotential measurement.

Abstract: Particles incorporating a surfactant and/or a hydrophilic or hydrophobic complex of a positively or negatively charged therapeutic agent and a charged molecule of opposite charge for drug delivery to the pulmonary system, and methods for their synthesis and administration are provided. In a preferred embodiment, the particles are made of a biodegradable material and have a tap density less than 0.4 g/cm.sup.3 and a mass mean diameter between 5 .mu.m and 30 .mu.m, which together yield an aerodynamic diameter of the particles of between approximately one and three microns. The particles may be formed of biodegradable materials such as biodegradable polymers. For example, the particles may be formed of poly(lactic acid) or poly(glycolic acid) or copolymers thereof. Alternatively, the particles may be formed solely of a therapeutic or diagnostic agent and a surfactant.

Abstract: A method of modifying epidermis for transport of a material by electroporation includes applying to epidermis an agent that, upon entry into the epidermis, will modify the epidermis to thereby cause and altered rate of transport of a material across the epidermis. Typically, the altered rate will be an increased rate of transport. The epidermis is electroporated, whereby at least a portion of the modifying agent enters the electroporated epidermis, thereby modifying the epidermis to cause an altered rate of transport of a material across the epidermis. In another embodiment, the modifying agent can modify the epidermis to enable measurement and/or monitoring of physiological conditions or change within or beneath the epidermis. The modifying agents can also be employed to facilitate discharge of fluids from within an organism, such as by providing pathways for discharge of fluids from a tumor.