Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition for local application is disclosed, said composition comprising a nucleic acid as a therapeutic agent, an excipient and a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle therefor, said excipient comprising a liposome. The excipient comprises an amphoteric liposome having an isoelectric point between 4 and 7.4 and said composition is formulated to have a pH in the range 3 to 5. The composition may administered in the form of a colloidal suspension and may be buffered to the lower pH at the time of use by the addition of a suitable acidifying means to a substantially neutral suspension of the nucleic acid and excipient that may be more suitable for long-term storage of the composition. Alternatively, the composition may be lyophilised at the lower pH for subsequent reconstitution just prior to use with a suitable aqueous medium, such for example as substantially unbuffered water or saline.

Abstract: The invention relates to a liposomal formulation comprising water-soluble glucocorticoids, to the use of said formulation in the treatment of inflammatory diseases, and to a kit comprising said liposomal formulation, e.g. in the form of a pharmaceutical agent.

Abstract: The invention suggests a pH-sensitive cationic lipid with a pKa value between 3.5 and 8, according to the general formula cation-spacer-Y-spacer-X-lipid, wherein Y and X represent linking groups. Furthermore, liposomes are described, which liposomes include said optionally cationic lipids.

Abstract: The invention suggests amphoteric lipids wherein one or more amphoteric groups having an isoelectric point between 4 and 9 are substituted on a membranous or membrane-forming amphiphilic substance, as well as liposomes containing such compounds.

Abstract: The invention relates to nanocapsules with a size ranging between 50 nm and 10 &mgr;m diameter whose envelope layer consists of at least two different, cross-linked polymers P1 and P2. Optionally, a lipid layer may be present underneath said envelope layer. The inventive nanocapsules are produced by covalently cross-linking at least two different water-soluble polymers P1 and P2 on the surface of liposomes. Optionally, the liposomes are dissolved once the polymers are cross-linked. The inventive nanocapsules can carry biologically active compounds.

Abstract: A method for the production of nano- or microcapsules having a diameter of from 20 nm to 40 &mgr;m is suggested, wherein template particles are supplied in an aqueous medium, electrically recharged with a polyelectrolyte, re-recharged without separation or washing steps using a second polyelectrolyte having a complementary charge with respect to the first polyelectrolyte, and said process is optionally continued with alternately charged polyelectrolytes.

Abstract: Amphoteric liposomes are proposed, which comprise positive and negative membrane-based or membrane-forming charge carriers as well as the use of these liposomes.