Abstract: The invention provides compound of the general formula: in which each X independently represents a polymer chain; n represents an integer greater than 1; Q represents a linker; Y represents an amide group; and Z represents either —CH.(CH2L)2 or —C(CH2L)(?CH2), in which each L independently represents a leaving group. The compounds are useful reagents for the conjugation of polymers to proteins, the resulting conjugates being novel and also forming part of the invention.

Abstract: A solid, compressed pharmaceutical composition comprises i) a peptide active pharmaceutical ingredient, ii) a polysaccharide excipient and/or an albumin, and iii) an oligosaccharide excipient. The polysaccharide excipient may be hyaluronic acid, or the potassium salt thereof, and the oligosaccharide excipient may be trehalose.

Abstract: A solid, compressed pharmaceutical composition comprises i) a peptide active pharmaceutical ingredient, ii) a polysaccharide excipient and/or an albumin, and iii) an oligosaccharide excipient. The polysaccharide excipient may be hyaluronic acid, or the potassium salt thereof, and the oligosaccharide excipient may be trehalose.

Abstract: The invention provides compound of the general formula: in which each X independently represents a polymer chain; n represents an integer greater than 1; Q represents a linker; Y represents an amide group; and Z represents either —CH.(CH2L)2 or —C(CH2L)(?CH2), in which each L independently represents a leaving group. The compounds are useful reagents for the conjugation of polymers to proteins, the resulting conjugates being novel and also forming part of the invention.

Abstract: A solid, compressed pharmaceutical composition comprises i) a peptide active pharmaceutical ingredient, ii) a polysaccharide excipient and/or an albumin, and iii) an oligosaccharide excipient. The polysaccharide excipient may be hyaluronic acid, or the potassium salt thereof, and the oligosaccharide excipient may be trehalose.

Abstract: A solid, implantable dosage form comprising a therapeutically active agent in solid form, optionally with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients, wherein the one or more excipients, when present, do not lead to a significant delay or prolongation of the release of active agent, as compared to an equivalent dosage form containing no excipients when tested in vitro.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel process for conjugating a polymer, especially PEG, to a protein or peptide, which comprises reacting a polymeric conjugation reagent with a protein or peptide containing a polyhistidine tag under conditions such that conjugation occurs via said polyhistidine tag. The resulting conjugates are novel.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to polyarylates comprising repeating units having the structure: as well as their preparation and use as cell growth substrates.

Abstract: A complex that comprises a narrow molecular weight distribution polymer that includes units derived from an acrylic acid or a salt thereof, and (i) a substance that has pharmacological activity against a pathogenic organism, or (ii) a substance that has pharmacological activity against a cancer, or (iii) one or more agents selected from antigens and immunogens is useful in treating and/or inducing immunity to the pathogenic organism or the cancer, and for inducing immunity to the antigen or immunogen.

Abstract: A stable composition of an amorphous component (such as a bioactive) and a carrier polymer is formed by mixing a bridging polymer with the bioactive and the carrier polymer, wherein the bridging polymer is a hydrogen bond donor to both the bioactive and the carrier polymer, thereby forming a composition in which the bioactive and the carrier polymer have less of a tendency to crystallise than if the bridging polymer were not present.

Abstract: Novel biologically active compounds of the general formula (I) in which one of X and X? represents a polymer, and the other represents a hydrogen atom; each Q independently represents a linking group; W represents an electron-withdrawing moiety or a moiety preparable by reduction of an electron-withdrawing moiety; or, if X? represents a polymer, X-Q-W- together may represent an electron withdrawing group; and in addition, if X represents a polymer, X? and electron withdrawing group W together with the interjacent atoms may form a ring; each of Z1 and Z2 independently represents a group derived from a biological molecule, each of which is linked to A and B via a nucleophilic moiety; or Z1 and Z2 together represent a single group derived from a biological molecule which is linked to A and B via two nucleophilic moieties; A is a C1-5 alkylene or alkenylene chain; and B is a bond or a C1-4 alkylene or alkenylene chain; are formed by conjugating a suitable polymer to a suitable biologically active molecule via nuc

Abstract: A method of forming a polymeric drug formulation in which a water-soluble drug is blended with a water-insoluble tissue-compatible polymer that is miscible in the solid phase with the drug, and with a poly(alkylene oxide), in a solvent system capable of forming a homogeneous solution of the drug, the tissue-compatible polymer and the poly(alkylene oxide), after which the solution is added to a non-solvent for the drug, the tissue-compatible polymer and the poly(alkylene oxide), so that a microdomain-separated solid co-precipitate of the drug, the tissue-compatible polymer and the poly(alkylene oxide) is formed, wherein the poly(alkylene oxide) is blended in an amount effective to form phase-separated microdomains in said co-precipitate.

Abstract: Polymeric drug formulations containing a non-releasing single-phase dispersion of a water-soluble drug in a water-insoluble tissue-compatible polymer matrix. Polymeric drug formulations are also disclosed containing a single-phase dispersion of a water-soluble drug and a water-insoluble tissue-compatible polymer matrix, and a second, phase-disrupting polymer that is non-miscible with the tissue-compatible polymer and is present in an amount sufficient to form phase-separated microdomains of the second polymer in the tissue-compatible polymer matrix, so that the release rate of the water-soluble drug from the tissue-compatible polymer matrix is related to the amount of the second polymer. Methods of preparing the polymeric drug formulations are also described, as well as methods for site-specific drug delivery utilizing the polymeric drug formulations.

Abstract: Novel block copolymers are described, together with the production therefrom of physiologically soluble polymer therapeutics.

Abstract: The present invention provides a particulate substrate suitable for carrying a drug for delivery, comprising a substantially crystalline core and a surface coating, wherein the particulate substrate has a proportion of amorphous character of 2% of greater by weight of particulate substrate, and a process for the production of carrier particles comprising the steps of: a) mixing crystalline particles having an average diameter greater than 10 &mgr;m with at least partially amorphous particles having average diameters less than 10 &mgr;m; b) exposing the mixture to conditions capable of inducing crystallization of the amorphous particles for a predetermined period in order that partial crystallization takes place.

Abstract: A method of forming a polymeric drug formulation in which a water-soluble drug is blended with a water-insoluble tissue-compatible polymer that is miscible in the solid phase with the drug, and with a poly(alkylene oxide), in a solvent system capable of forming a homogeneous solution of the drug, the tissue-compatible polymer and the poly(alkylene oxide), after which the solution is added to a non-solvent for the drug, the tissue-compatible polymer and the poly(alkylene oxide), so that a microdomain-separated solid co-precipitate of the drug, the tissue-compatible polymer and the poly(alkylene oxide) is formed, wherein the poly(alkylene oxide) is blended in an amount effective to form phase-separated microdomains in said co-precipitate.

Abstract: Polymeric drug formulations containing a non-releasing single-phase dispersion of a water-soluble drug in a water-insoluble tissue-compatible polymer matrix. Polymeric drug formulations are also disclosed containing a single-phase dispersion of a water-soluble drug and a water-insoluble tissue-compatible polymer matrix, and a second, phase-disrupting polymer that is non-miscible with the tissue-compatible polymer and is present in an amount sufficient to form phase-separated microdomains of the second polymer in the tissue-compatible polymer matrix, so that the release rate of the water-soluble drug from the tissue-compatible polymer matrix is related to the amount of the second polymer. Methods of preparing the polymeric drug formulations are also described, as well as methods for site-specific drug delivery utilizing the polymeric drug formulations.

Abstract: Polymeric drug formulations containing a non-releasing single-phase dispersion of a water-soluble drug in a water-insoluble tissue-compatible polymer matrix. Polymeric drug formulations are also disclosed containing a single-phase dispersion of a water-soluble drug and a water-insoluble tissue-compatible polymer matrix, and a second, phase-disrupting polymer that is non-miscible with the tissue-compatible polymer and is present in an amount sufficient to form phase-separated microdomains of the second polymer in the tissue-compatible polymer matrix, so that the release rate of the water-soluble drug from the tissue-compatible polymer matrix is related to the amount of the second polymer. Methods of preparing the polymeric drug formulations are also described, as well as methods for site-specific drug delivery utilizing the polymeric drug formulations.

Abstract: A method for preparing diphenol compounds, which method includes the steps of coupling a hydroxyphenyl carboxylic acid with a L-tyrosine ester in a water-miscible organic reaction solvent containing a carbodiimide capable of forming a water-soluble urea by-product, thereby forming a diphenol reaction product; and combining the reaction mixture with an amount of water effective to precipitate the diphenol as a water-immiscible organic phase, so that a water-immiscible organic phase is formed containing the diphenol reaction product. New diphenol monomers and polymers polymerized therefrom are also discussed.