Abstract: The present invention relates to novel octapeptide compounds of general formula (I), R-AA1-cyclo(AA2-Tyr3-D-Trp4-AA5-Val6-Cys7)-Thr8-NH2??(I) As these products have a good affinity for certain sub-types of somatostatin receptors, they are particularly useful for treating the pathological states or diseases in which one (or more) of the somatostatin receptors is (are) involved. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing said products and their use for the preparation of a medicament.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing linear polymers having an amide end or having a star architecture comprising an amide core, by means of a ring opening using lactide and glycolide monomers or a lactide monomer ring in the presence of a catalyst, wherein the method includes the steps of: (i) reacting the excess monomer(s) with an initiator in a solvent, said initiator being selected from among an amine and an amino alcohol, given that the initiator has at least one primary or secondary amine function; (ii) adding a catalyst, said catalyst being a non-nucleophilic base and including at least one neutral sp2 nitrogen atom; and (iii) neutralizing the reaction mixture. Said novel method is particularly advantageous in that it can be easily monitored and enables better modulation of the polymers, and thus of the properties thereof, than the methods of the prior art. The invention also relates to novel polymers that are obtainable by means of said method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of injectable pharmaceutical compositions for the sustained release of somatostatin analogues and to pharmaceutical compositions prepared according to the process. In a preferred aspect the process comprises the steps of combining lanreotide acetate and acetic acid, lyophilizing the resulting mixture only once, and hydrating the lyophilizate. Acetic acid may be added to a desired pH during the final step of the process.

Abstract: The use of a catalytic ring-opening lactide and glycolide (co)oligomerization system consisting of a strongly acidic ion-exchange resin-type polymeric catalyst and a (co)oligomerization additive, and a lactide and glycolide (co)oligomerization method using said catalytic system, are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for injecting a solid medicine (10) comprising a body (2) inside which moves along a general forward moving axis (X-X) a bevelled (34) needle (4) wherein is introduced the medicine (10), said injection device (1) further comprising retaining means for preventing the medicine from falling (10) prior to being injected. The invention is characterized in that the medicine (10) is retained through an elastic deformation imparted to the needle (4) by the retaining means or by an elastic deformation of the retaining means themselves, or still by the combined flexibility of those two means.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to peptide analogues of glucagon-like peptide-1, the pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof, to methods of using such analogues to treat mammals and to pharmaceutical compositions useful therefore comprising said analogues.

Abstract: A liquid or semi-solid formulation of botulinum toxin for the preparation of a medicament intended to treat a disorder characterized by bladder spasms (e.g. urinary incontinence due to unstable bladder or unstable detrusor sphincter, voiding complications due to detrusor overactivity or unstable detrusor sphincter, urinary retention secondary to spastic sphincter or hypertrophied bladder neck and neurogenic bladder dysfunction secondary to Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injury, stroke or multiple sclerosis or characterized by a spasm reflex), wherein said medicament is for administration by infusion into the bladder or by other methods that do not involve injection into the bladder wall.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions for the controlled and sustained release of active substance comprising a biodegradable polymer or copolymer. Furthermore, the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions for the controlled and sustained release of at least one active substance such as peptides or hormones and analogues thereof and the manufacturing process of such pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to peptide analogues of glucagon-like peptide-1, the pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof, to methods of using such analogues to treat mammals and to pharmaceutical compositions useful therefore comprising said analogues.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device which is used to inject an implant (6) into tissues (50). The inventive device is characterized in that it comprises: a main hollow body (2; 2?) having a hollow needle (4; 4?) fixed thereto, into which the implant (6) is introduced; a secondary body (26; 26?) which is disposed coaxially inside the main body (2; 2?) and which surrounds the needle (4; 4?); and a plunger rod (36; 36?) which can slide coaxially inside the hollow needle (4; 4?).

Abstract: A catalytic lactide and glycolide copolymerization system comprising a trifluoromethane sulfonate as a catalyst and copolymerization additive and a copolymerization process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel octapeptide compounds of general formula (I): H-2-Nal1-cyclo(Cys2-Tyr3-AA4-Lys5-Val6-Cys7)-Thr8-NH2. Since these products have a good affinity for certain somatostatin receptor subtypes, they are particularly advantageous for treating pathological states or diseases in which one (or more) somatostatin receptor(s) is (are) involved. These compounds furthermore have physiochemical properties that make it possible to envisage them in diverse solutions for the formulation of medicaments, for example as a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing said products and to the use thereof for the preparation of a medicament.

Abstract: The invention features a method of administering one or more therapeutic agents to a patient and delivering said agent or agents continuously over an extended period of time, said method comprising: obtaining a pharmaceutical composition including a peptide carrier, one or more therapeutic agents, and up to 30 percent, by weight, of a pharmaceutically acceptable, soluble, monomeric carrier; and parenterally administering said pharmaceutical composition to a subject by injection, wherein said composition automatically forms a gel after interaction with the patient's bodily fluids and releases said peptide carrier and said agent or agents continuously within the patient over an extended period.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a system composed of a base and of a sulphonamide, as a catalyst for the ring-opening (co)polymerization of lactones. The present invention also relates to novel sulphonamides and to a process for the ring-opening (co)polymerization of lactones comprising the use of sulphonamides in combination with a base as a catalytic system.

Abstract: A method for implanting or inserting a solid or semisolid formulation containing at least one active principle uses a device comprising one part set inside the body of the patient and which conditions the solid or semisolid form, brings these conditioning action to the deposit site, injects or inserts in this deposit site, and withdraws after injection or insertion, with one part remaining outside and activating the functions of the device. The invention also concerns a sustained-release solid formulation for parenteral administration comprising a homogeneous mixture of an active principle in non-dispersed state and of a biologically compatible and biodegradable excipient, in which the amount of active principle is at least 50% by weight.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for back injecting an implant (30) into the skin (22) of a subject, said device (1) include a hollow main body (10), to which a hollow needle (28) is fixed into which the implant (30) is introduced, a secondary body (12; 114) coaxially arranged inside the main body (10) and surrounding the needle (28) and a piston rod (88) able to slide coaxially inside said hollow needle (28) and whose position relative to said needle (28) remains unchanged when the back injection device (1) is pressed against the subject's skin (22) to allow the needle (28) to penetrate said subject's skin and when the secondary body (12) retracts inside the main body (10), the piston rod (88) penetrating the interior of the hollow needle (28) to hold the implant (30) at the required depth in the subject's skin (22) during withdrawal of the hollow needle (28) from the subject's skin (22), during which the secondary body (12; 114) exits the main body (10), characterized in that it includes means for the elasti

Abstract: The present invention relates to a parenteral, sustained and controlled release, semisolid formulation comprising an end-capped oligomer and at least one active substance without any supplementary viscosity reducing agent or excipient.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to peptide analogues of glucagon-like peptide-1, the pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof, to methods of using such analogues to treat mammals and to pharmaceutical compositions useful therefore comprising said analogues.

Abstract: A syringe for parenteral injection of a semi-solid formulation. The syringe includes a hollow element forming a reservoir for the semi-solid product to be injected between a plunger and a needle hub urged in contact with the reservoir end. The plunger comes into direct contact with the hub when the dose contained in the reservoir-forming element has been injected. The element forming a reservoir and the needle are maintained mutually interlocked at the hub through a mount or case receiving the element forming a reservoir.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to pharmaceutical composition comprising a clear solution or an aqueous mixture, a suspension or a semisolid of at least one peptide compound selected from the group consisting of hGLP-1(7-36)-NH2 and analogs and derivatives thereof, hGLP-1(7-37)-OH and analogs and derivatives thereof and/or exendin-4 and analogs and derivatives thereof, zinc and solvent wherein at least 95% of the said peptide compound is dissolved by the solvent.