Abstract: The present invention provides wound dressings, optionally surgically implantable, containing biodegradable, polymers and hydrogels having allogenic or autologous precursor cells, such as stem cells and progenitor cells dispersed within. Alternatively, the wound dressings can have conditioned medium obtained from the precursor cells dispersed within. The wound dressings promote tissue restoration processes at a site of application or implantation. Additional bioactive agents can also be dispersed within the polymer/hydrogel matrix, which can be formulated to biodegrade at a controlled rate by adjusting the composition. Methods are also provided for using such biodegradable wound dressings as a delivery device or carrier for the precursor cells, conditioned medium and bioactive agents, or as coatings on implantable medical devices, to promote tissue restoration at a lesion site.

Abstract: The present invention provides intraocular polymer delivery compositions based on biodegradable polyester amide (PEA), polyester urethane (PEUR), and polyester urea (PEU) polymers, which contain amino acids. The compositions can be formulated as an implantable solid or as a liquid dispersion of polymer particles for sustained delivery of ophthalmologic agents dispersed therein or incorporated into the backbone of the polymers. Methods of delivering an ophthalmologic agent to the exterior or interior of the eye by implanting the composition in the eye of a subject are also included.

Abstract: The invention provides biodegradable, water soluble PEA, PEUR and PEU carrier polymers, which can be used to conjugate, and thereby stabilize and/or solubilize, bioactive agents via polar uncharged or charged groups and activated ester or amino groups contained in the building blocks that make up the backbone of the polymer. The bioactive agents are released at a controlled rate determined by biodegradation of the polymers. The highly versatile Active Polycondensation (APC) method, which is mainly carried out in solution at mild temperatures, readily allows synthesis of such polymers. The invention water soluble polymers can also be used as water solubilizing tethers to attach drugs, and biologics to the surface of such carrier constructs as liposomes, particles and micelles.

Abstract: A one-step method for assembly of delivery compositions for one or more antigens or therapeutic biologics is based on non-covalent affinity capture of molecules from solution using a biodegradable polymer having functional groups to which the affinity ligand binds. The polymer-bound affinity complex, which includes the molecule(s) of interest is then recovered from the reaction solution, for example, by size exclusion filtration, to yield the assembled delivery composition. The affinity ligand can be a monoclonal antibody or a metal affinity ligand with bound metal transition ion. The assembled delivery compositions can be formulated as polymer particles, which can then be lyophilized and reconstituted for in vivo delivery of the non-covalently complexed antigen(s) or therapeutic biologic(s) with substantial native activity.

Abstract: The present invention provides biodegradable polymer particle delivery compositions for delivery of macromolecular biologics, for example in crystal form, based on polymers, such as polyester amide (PEA), polyester urethane (PEUR), and polyester urea (PEU) polymers, which contain amino acids in the polymer. The polymer particle delivery compositions can be formulated either as a liquid dispersion or a lyophilized powder of polymer particles containing bound water molecules with the macromolecular biologics, for example insulin, dispersed in the particles. Bioactive agents, such as drugs, polypeptides, and polynucleotides can also be delivered by using particles sized for local, oral, mucosal or circulatory delivery. Methods of delivering a macromolecular biologic with substantial native activity to a subject, for example orally, are also included.

Abstract: The present invention provides biodegrable, biocompatible aromatic di-acid-containing poly(ester amide) (PEA) polymers with thermo-mechanical properties that can be readily tailored by selection of various combinations and proportions of the di-acid residues in the polymers. The polymers are suitable for use in production of drug-releasing biodegradable particles and implantable surgical devices, such as stents and internal fixation devices. The polymer compositions and surgical devices biodegrade in vivo by enzymatic action to release bioactive agents in a controlled manner over time as well as biocompatible breakdown products, including one to multiple different amino acids.

Abstract: The present invention provides an implantable solid polymer delivery composition that can be formulated to release a bioactive agent to an interior body site at a controlled rate over an extended period of time by adjusting the various components of the composition. The controlled delivery of the composition avoids an initial drug spike, resulting in a smooth delivery profile over time. Polymer layers in the composition can be porous and are both biodegradable in water and body enzymes and biocompatible. Methods of making the implantable solid polymer compositions and methods of delivering a bioactive agent at a controlled rate to an interior body site are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides biodegradable therapeutic polymer compositions based on poly(ester amide) (PEA), poly(ester urethane) (PEUR), and poly(ester urea) (PEU) polymers useful for in vivo delivery of at least one therapeutic diol or di-acid incorporated into the backbone of the biodegradable polymer. The therapeutic polymer compositions biodegrade in vivo by enzymatic action to release therapeutic diols or di-acids from the polymer backbone in a controlled manner over time. The invention compositions are stable, can be lyophilized for transportation and storage, and can be redispersed for administration. Due to structural properties of the PEA and PEUR polymers used, the invention therapeutic polymer compositions provide for high loading of the therapeutic diol or di-acid, as well as optional bioactive agents.

Abstract: The present invention provides wound healing or wound care polymer compositions that can be formulated to release a wound healing agent at a controlled rate by adjusting the various components of the composition. The compositiona can be used in an external wound dressing, as a polymer implant for delivery of the wound healing agent to an internal body site, or as a coating on the surface of an implantable surgical device to deliver wound healing agents that are dispersed in a biodegradable polymer or hydrogel, or both. Methods of using the invention bioactive polymer compositions to deliver wound healing agents that promote natural healing of wounds, especially chronic wounds, are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides synthetic vaccine delivery compositions based on polyester amide (PEA), polyester urethane (PEUR), and polyester urea (PEU) polymers for stimulating an immune response to a variety of pathogenic organisms and tumor cells in humans and other mammals. The vaccine delivery compositions are formulated as a liquid dispersion of polymer particles or molecules including class I or class II antigen peptides derived from organism or tumor cell proteins, which are taken up by antigen presenting cells of the mammal to induce an immune response in the mammal. Methods of inducing an immune response to the pathogenic organism or tumor cells in the invention compositions are also included.

Abstract: The present invention provides biodegradable polymer particle delivery compositions based on polymers, such as polyester amide (PEA) and polyester urethane (PEUR) polymers, that contain amino acids in the polymer. The polymer particle delivery compositions can be formulated as a liquid dispersion of polymer particles with the bioactive agents dispersed in the particle or conjugated attached to polymer molecules or particle surfaces. The bioactive agents can include drugs, polypeptides, DNA and cells for cell-based therapies using particles sized for local, mucosal or circulatory delivery. Methods of treating a disease by administering to a subject the polymer particle delivery composition, which incorporates a bioactive agent suitable for treatment of the disease, or its symptoms, are also included.

Abstract: The present invention provides bioactive polymer compositions that can be formulated to release a wound healing agent at a controlled rate by adjusting the various components of the composition. The composition can be used in an external wound dressing, as a polymer implant for delivery of the wound healing agent to an internal body site, or as a coating on the surface of an implantable surgical device to deliver wound healing agents that are covalently attached to a biocompatible, biodegradable polymer and/or embedded within a hydrogel. Methods of using the invention bioactive polymer compositions to promote natural healing of wounds, especially chronic wounds, are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery that a vascular stent or other implantable medical device can be coated with a biodegradable biocompatible polymer to which is attached a bioligand that specifically captures progenitors of endothelial cells (PECs) from the circulating blood to promote endogenous formation of healthy endothelium in Type II diabetics. In one embodiment, the bioligand is a peptide that specifically binds to an integrin receptor on PECs. The invention also provides methods for using such vascular stents and other implantable devices to promote vascular healing in Type II diabetics, for example following mechanical intervention.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery that a vascular stent or other implantable medical device can be coated with a biodegradable biocompatible polymer to which is attached a bioligand that specifically captures progenitors of endothelial cells (PECs) from the circulating blood to promote endogenous formation of healthy endothelium in Type II diabetics. In one embodiment, the bioligand is a peptide that specifically binds to an integrin receptor on PECs. The invention also provides methods for using such vascular stents and other implantable devices to promote vascular healing in Type II diabetics, for example following mechanical intervention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the provision of novel medicaments for the treatment, prevention or amelioration of allergic disease. In particular, the novel medicaments are isolated peptides incorporating epitopes or mimotopes of surface exposed regions of the C?2 domain of IgE. The inventors have found that these novel regions may be the target for both passive and active immunoprophylaxis or immunotherapy. The invention further relates to methods for production of the medicaments, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use in medicine. Also forming an aspect of the present invention are ligands, especially monoclonal antibodies, which are capable of binding the surface exposed IgE regions of the present invention, and their use in medicine as passive immunotherapy or in immunoprophylaxis.

Abstract: Compounds according to general formulae (Ia to Ie) wherein: X?O or S; Y is O, S or CH2, CHR, CRR, where R is C1-7 alkyl; Z is O or S; R1 is H or C1-7 alkyl; R2 is H or C1-7 alkyl; R4 is H or C1-7 alkyl at any vacant position on the aromatic ring; R3 is C1-7 alkyl-L1-R5-L2-R6—COOH, C3-10 cycloalkyl-L1-R5-L2-R6—COOH or Ar—C0-7 alkyl-L1-R5-L2-R6—COOH; each of L1 and L2 is absent or a suitable linker such as an amide CONH; or an ether —O—, or a thioether —S— or a sulphone —SO2—; R5 is C1-7 alkyl, C3-10 cycloalkyl or Ar—C0-7 alkyl each of which is substituted with either NR8R9, where the nitrogen atom is capable of being protonated in solution to give N+HR8R9; or a quaternary nitrogen atom N+R8R9R10, such that R5 contains a positive charge; each of R8, R9 and R10 is independently C1-7 alkyl, C3-10 cycloalkyl or Ar—C0-7 alkyl, or any two or more of R8, R9 and R10 together form an alicyclic or arylalicyclic ring system; R6 is C1-7 alkyl, C3-10 cycloalkyl or Ar—C0-7 alkyl; and their salts, hydrates, solvates, complex

Abstract: The present invention relates to the provision of novel medicaments for the treatment, prevention or amelioration of allergic disease. In particular, the novel medicaments are epitopes or mimotopes derived from the C?3 or C?4 domains of IgE. These novel regions may be the target for both passive and active immunoprophylaxis or immunotherapy. The invention further relates to methods for production of the medicaments, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use in medicine. Also forming an aspect of the present invention are ligands, especially monoclonal antibodies, which are capable of binding the IgE regions of the present invention, and their use in medicine as passive immunotherapy or immunoprophylaxis.