Abstract: Disclosed are Fc-interferon-beta (Fc-IFN-?) fusion proteins and nucleic acid molecules encoding them. The Fc-IFN-? fusion proteins include variants of the interferon-beta (IFN-?) protein that are altered to achieve enhanced biological activity, prolonged circulating half-life and greater solubility. Also disclosed are methods of producing the fusion proteins and methods of using the fusion proteins and/or nucleic acid molecules for treating diseases and conditions alleviated by the administration of interferon-beta.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for the genetic construction and expression of antibody-based fusion proteins with enhanced circulating half-lives. The fusion proteins of the present invention lack the ability to bind to immunoglobulin Fc receptors, either as a consequence of the antibody isotype used for fusion protein construction, or through directed mutagenesis of antibody isotypes that normally bind Fc receptors. The fusion proteins of the present invention may also contain a functional domain capable of binding an immunoglobulin protection receptor.

Abstract: Modified interleukin-7 (IL-7) polypeptides are disclosed. The modified IL-7 polypeptides have alterations to one or more potential T-cell epitopes, thereby to reduce a T-cell response.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for enhancing the circulating half-life of antibody-based fusion proteins. Disclosed methods and compositions rely on altering the amino acid sequence of the junction region between the antibody moiety and the fused protein moiety in an antibody-based fusion protein. An antibody-based fusion protein with an altered amino acid sequence in the junction region has a greater circulating half-life when administered to a mammal. Disclosed methods and compositions are particularly useful for reducing tumor size and metastasis in a mammal.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for producing fusion proteins with reduced immunogenicity. Fusion proteins of the invention include a junction region having an amino acid change that reduces the ability of a junctional epitope to bind to MHC Class II, thereby reducing its interaction with a T-cell receptor. Methods of the invention involve analyzing, changing, or modifying one or more amino acids in the junction region of a fusion protein in order to identify a T-cell epitope and reduce its ability to interact with a T cell receptor. Compositions and methods of the invention are useful in therapy.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for enhancing the immunogenicity of a preselected protein or peptide antigen in a mammal. Immunogenicity is enhanced by fusing the preselected antigen to an immunoglobulin heavy chain constant region to produce an Fc-antigen fusion protein. The Fc-antigen fusion proteins bind Fc receptors on the surface of antigen presenting cells, thereby targeting the antigen to the antigen presenting cells in the mammal. In addition, disclosed is a family of adjuvants, for example, an Fc-adjuvant fusion protein, for use in combination with the Fc-antigen fusion proteins to enhance or modulate a particular immune response against the preselected antigen.

Abstract: The invention provides a family of antibodies that specifically bind the human epithelial cell adhesion molecule. The antibodies comprise modified variable regions, more specially, modified framework regions, which reduce their immunogenicity when administered to a human. The antibodies, when coupled to the appropriate moiety, may be used in the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of cancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides Fc-erythropoietin (“Fc-EPO”) fusion proteins with improved pharmacokinetics. Nucleic acids, cells, and methods relating to the production and practice of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides modified antibodies directed against GD2 that have diminished complement fixation relative to antibody-dependent, cell-mediated cytotoxicity, which is maintained. The modified antibodies of the invention may be used in the treatment of tumors such as neuroblastoma, glioblastoma, melanoma, small-cell lung carcinoma, B-cell lymphoma, renal carcinoma, retinoblastoma, and other cancers of neuroectodermal origin.

Abstract: The present invention provides Fc-erythropoietin (“Fc-EPO”) fusion proteins with improved pharmacokinetics. Nucleic acids, cells, and methods relating to the production and practice of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a fusion protein which includes a first portion including an immunoglobulin (Ig) chain and a second portion including interleukin-7 (IL-7).

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for producing fusion proteins with the heterodimeric cytokine, interleukin-12. In order to insure that the proper ratio of fused and non-fused subunits are obtained in the fusion protein, a specific stepwise approach to genetic engineering is used. This consists of first expressing the non-fused p40 IL-12 subunit in a production cell line, followed by or simultaneously expressing in the same cell, a second recombinant fusion protein consisting of the fused polypeptide linked by a peptide bond to the p35 subunit of IL-12. Molecules containing the p35 fusion protein cannot be secreted from the transfected mammalian cell without first complexing in a one to one ratio with the p40 subunit, thus ensuring the production of active heterodimeric fusion proteins.

Abstract: A CD20-binding polypeptide composition of the invention comprises at least one polypeptide selected from the group consisting of a polypeptide having the amino acid residue sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 (Vh of 2B8 antibody), but which includes at least one amino acid residue substitution in SEQ ID NO: 1 selected from the group consisting of V12K, A14P, M20V, I48T, A68T, Q82E, T87R, S91T, and T106W; a polypeptide having the amino acid residue sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4 (Vk of 2B8 antibody), but which includes at least one amino acid residue substitution in SEQ ID NO: 4 selected from the group consisting of L11I, S12T, S27T, V29A, G40T, V59S, S69T, L72M, R76S, and V77L; a polypeptide having the amino acid residue sequence of SEQ ID NO: 9 (Vh of Leu16 antibody), but which includes at least one amino acid residue substitution in SEQ ID NO: 9 selected from the group consisting of V12K, M20V, A68T, Q82E, T87R, S91T, D93V, and A114T; and a polypeptide having the amino acid residue sequence of SEQ ID NO: 11 (Vk of Leu16 ant

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for enhancing the circulating half-life of interleukin-2 proteins.

Abstract: Disclosed are nucleic acid sequences, for example, DNA or RNA sequences, which encode an immunoglobulin Fc-Interferon-alpha fusion protein. The nucleic acid sequences can be inserted into a suitable expression vector and expressed in mammalian cells. Also disclosed is a family of immunoglobulin Fc-Interferon-alpha fusion proteins that can be produced by expression of such nucleic acid sequences. Also disclosed are methods of using such nucleic acid sequences and/or fusion proteins for treating conditions, for example, hepatitis, which are alleviated by the administration of interferon-alpha.

Abstract: The invention relates to artificial modified proteins, preferably fusion proteins, having a reduced immunogenicity compared to the parent non-modified molecule when exposed to a species in vivo. The invention relates, above all, to novel immunoglobulin fusion proteins which essentially consist of an immunoglobulin molecule or a fragment thereof covalently fused via its C-terminus to the N-terminus of a biologically active non-immunoglobulin molecule, preferably a polypeptide or protein or a biologically active fragment thereof. In a specific embodiment, the invention relates to fusion proteins consisting of an Fe portion of an antibody which is fused as mentioned to the non-immunological target molecule which elicits biological or pharmacological efficacy. The molecules of the invention have amino acid sequences which are altered in one or more amino acid residue positions but have in principal the same biological activity as compared with the non-altered molecules.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel Glucocerebrosidase bifunctional fusion proteins consisting essentially of an Immunoglobulin (Ig) molecule and a protein having the biological activity of Glucocerebrosidase, for enzyme replacement therapy and/or augmentation of glycolipid metabolism by the administration of bifunctional fusion proteins using a therapy based on the treatment of glycolipid storage disorders such as Gaucher's, Fabry's and Tay-Sachs diseases.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for the genetic construction and expression of antibody-based fusion proteins with enhanced circulating half-lives. The fusion proteins of the present invention lack the ability to bind to immunoglobulin Fc receptors, either as a consequence of the antibody isotype used for fusion protein construction, or through directed mutagenesis of antibody isotypes that normally bind Fc receptors. The fusion proteins of the present invention may also contain a functional domain capable of binding an immunoglobulin protection receptor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a compound of formula (I) which can inhibit the production of IL-12. Also disclosed is a method of inhibiting IL-12 production by administering to a patient in need thereof an effective amount of a compound of formula (I).

Abstract: A method for inhibiting retroviral infection in a subject comprising administering to said subject a therapeutically effective amount of a naphthalenesulfonic acid compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, as herein defined.