Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of distinguishing between active and inactive blood clots in vivo, including assisting in the determination of whether it is appropriate or not to continue anticoagulant therapy for an individual patient with previously diagnosed venous thrombo-embolic disease (VTE).

Abstract: Dendroaspin, a polypeptide neurotoxin analogue is modified by recombinant DNA techniques, particularly “loop grafting” to provide a modified polypeptide. The modified polypeptide is constructed so as to retain dendroaspin activity, for example, platelet adhesion to fibrinogen, in addition to possessing one or more further biological or biochemical activities not native to dendroaspin, for example, platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) activity or hirudin activity.

Abstract: Stable .alpha.-substituted boronic esters, e.g. for use in peptide synthesis, are prepared by reacting a substituted alkene of the formula: ##STR1## with a disubstituted borane of the formula: ##STR2## wherein: (i) R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each selected from various groups which are preferably not leaving groups;(ii) X is halogen or other leaving group;(iii) Y is H or lower alkyl;(iv) Q.sup.1 and Q.sup.2 are each selected from various groups which are preferably such that the borane is non-hydrolyzable, and particularly Q.sup.1 and Q.sup.2 together may represent a residue of a diol such as catechol or pinanediol.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition comprising dermatan sulphate, together with a low molecular weight heparin, free or fixed combination, is useful as a antithrombolytic agent with a low risk of bleeding complications.