Abstract: A sustained-release preparation which comprises a physiologically active peptide of general formula ##STR1## wherein X represents an acyl group; R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.4 each represents an aromatic cyclic group; R.sub.3 represents a D-amino acid residue or a group of the formula ##STR2## wherein R.sub.3 ' is a heterocyclic group; R.sub.5 represents a group of the formula --(CH.sub.2).sub.n --R.sub.5 ' wherein n is 2 or 3, and R.sub.5 ' is an amino group which may optionally be substituted, an aromatic cyclic group or an O-glycosyl group;R.sub.6 represents a group of the formula --(CH.sub.2).sub.n --R.sub.6 ' wherein n is 2 or 3, and R.sub.6 ' is an amino group which may optionally be substituted;R.sub.7 represents a D-amino acid residue or an azaglycyl residue; andQ represents hydrogen or a lower alkyl group, or a salt thereof and a biodegradable polymer having a terminal carboxyl group.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microcapsule containing TRH, its analog or a salt thereof and a method of producing the same which attains the release of the active ingredient stably for a prolonged period of time with high rates of incorporation of the active ingredient thereinto and with little possibility of excessive initial release or burst.

Abstract: A novel microparticle preparation comprising microparticles of a polymer which contain a drug and are coated with a film of an agent for preventing aggregation of the microparticles is disclosed. The preparation is produced by spraying a solution of a polymer containing a drug and an aqueous solution of an agent for preventing aggregation of the microparticles separately from different nozzles and contacting them with each other in a spray dryer.

Abstract: This invention provides a microcapsule designed for zero order release of a physiologically active polypeptide over a period of at least two months, which is produced by preparing a water-in-oil emulsion comprising an inner aqueous layer containing about 20 to 70% (w/w) of said polypeptide and an oil layer containing a copolymer or homopolymer having a weight-average molecular weight of 7,000 to 30,000, wherein the composition ratio of lactic acid/glycolic acid in the copolymer or homopolymer is 80/10 to 100/0, and then subjecting said water-in oil emulsion to microencapsulation.

Abstract: A microcapsule produced by preparing a water-in-oil emulsion comprising an inner aqueous layer containing said water-soluble drug and a drug retaining substance therefor and an oil layer containing a polymer substance, then thickening or solidifying said inner aqueous layer to a viscosity of not lower than about 5000 centiposes and finally subjecting the resulting emulsion to in water drying gives prolonged release of water-soluble drug.

Abstract: A microcapsule produced by preparing a water-in-oil emulsion comprising an inner aqueous layer containing said water-soluble drug and a drug retaining substance therefor and an oil layer containing a polymer substance, then thickening or solidifying said inner aqueous layer to a viscosity of not lower than about 5000 centiposes and finally subjecting the resulting emulsion to in water drying gives prolonged release of water-soluble drug.

Abstract: A novel microparticle preparation comprising microparticles of a polymer which contain a drug and are coated with a film of an agent for preventing aggregation of the microparticles is disclosed. The preparation is produced by spraying a solution of a polymer containing a drug and an aqueous solution of an agent for preventing aggregation of the microparticles separately from different nozzles and contacting them with each other in a spray dryer.

Abstract: (1) A composition which comprises erythropoietin and hyaluronic acid shows a sustained-release of the medicine in a living body, and(2) A water-soluble composition which comprises (a) a pharmacologically active polypeptide secreted by an animal body or its derivative or a chemically synthesized pharmacologically active substance, (b) a water-soluble species' of hyaluronic acid or its nontoxic salt and (c) a water-soluble protein injectable into body fluids without showing any substantial pharmacological activity brings about a prolonged action in vivo of a pharmacologically active substance. In addition, the composition can be administered using a small-gauge needle and thereby contributes to relieving pain in patients.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of purifying biodegradable aliphatic polyesters which comprises dissolving, in a readily water-soluble organic solvent, a biodegradable aliphatic polyester which contains low-molecular substances and adding water to the resulting solution to thereby remove said low-molecular substances, biodegradable aliphatic polyesters obtained by said method and containing low-molecular substances with a molecular weight of 1,000 or less in an amount of not higher than 3%, and drug-containing compositions which comprise any of said biodegradable polyesters.

Abstract: A method of producing sustained-release microcapsules containing a biologically active substance from an W/O emulsion comprising an inner aqueous phase containing said biologically active substance and an external oil phase containing a biodegradable polymer, characterized in that microcapsules formed on microencapsulation of said biologically active substance with said biodegradable polymer are heated at a temperature not lower than the glass transition temperature of said biodegradable polymer but not so high as to cause aggregation of the microcapsules. This method enables the production of very useful sustained release microcapsules adapted to release a bologically active substance at a calculated rate over a protracted time period starting immediately following administration without an initial burst within one day following administration.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition comprising a slightly water-soluble drug, a cyclodextrin and a water-soluble organic solvent is disclosed. The composition improves water-solubility and stability of the slightly water-soluble drug. The pharmaceutical composition is particularly suitable for injection preparations.

Abstract: A sustained-release preparation which comprises a physiologically active peptide of general formula ##STR1## wherein X represents an acyl group; R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.4 each represents an aromatic cyclic group; R.sub.3 represents a D-amino acid residue or a group of the formula ##STR2## wherein R.sub.3 ' is a heterocyclic group; R.sub.5 represents a group of the formula --(CH.sub.2).sub.n --R.sub.5 ' wherein n is 2 or 3, and R.sub.5 ' is an amino group which may optionally be substituted, an aromatic cyclic group or an O-glycosyl group;R.sub.6 represents a group of the formula --(CH.sub.2).sub.n --R.sub.6 ' wherein n is 2 or 3, and R.sub.6 ' is an amino group which may optionally be substituted;R.sub.7 represents a D-amino acid residue or an azaglycyl residue; andQ represents hydrogen or a lower alkyl group, or a salt thereof and a biodegradable polymer having a terminal carboxyl group.

Abstract: This invention provides a microcapsule designed for zero order release of a physiologically active polypeptide over a period of at least two months, which is produced by preparing a water-in-oil emulsion comprising an inner aqueous layer containing about 20 to 70% (w/w) of said polypeptide and an oil layer containing a copolymer or homopolymer having a weight-average molecular weight of 7,000 to 30,000, wherein the composition ratio of lactic acid/glycolic acid in the copolymer or homopolymer is 80/10 to 100/0, and then subjecting said water-in oil emulsion to microencapsulation.

Abstract: A microcapsule produced by preparing a water-in-oil emulsion comprising an inner aqueous layer containing said water-soluble drug and a drug retaining substance therefor and an oil layer containing a polymer substance, then thickening or solidifying said inner aqueous layer to a viscosity of not lower than about 5000 centiposes and finally subjecting the resulting emulsion to in water drying gives prolonged release of water-soluble drug.

Abstract: (1) A composition which comprises erythropoietin and hyaluronic acid shows a sustained-release of the medicine in a living body, and(2) A water-soluble composition which comprises (a) a pharmacologically active polypeptide secreted by an animal body or its derivative or a chemically synthesized pharmacologically active substance, (b) a water-soluble species of hyaluronic acid or its nontoxic salt and (c) a water-soluble protein injectable into body fluids without showing any substantial pharmacological activity brings about a prolonged action in vivo of a pharmacologically active substance. In addition, the composition can be administered using a small-gauge needle and thereby contributes ot relieving pain in patients.

Abstract: Microcapsules are advantageously produced with high take-up of a water-soluble drug by preparing a W/O emulsion composed of a water-soluble drug-containing solution as the inner aqueous phase and a polymer-containing solution as the oil phase, dispersing said emulsion in an aqueous phase and subjecting the resulting W/O/W emulsion to an in-water drying, wherein the viscosity of the W/O emulsion used in preparing the W/O/W emulsion is adjusted to about 150 to about 10,000 centipoises.

Abstract: A polymer for a prolonged release preparation which comprises(A) a polylactic acid and(B) a copolymer of glycolic acid and a hydroxycarboxylic acid of general formula ##STR1## wherein R stands for an alkyl group having 2 to 8 carbons, wherein the weight ratio of (A) and (B) is in the range of 10/90 to 90/10. The drug is released at a constant rate from the preparation over the total release period without a large burst at the initial state. Furthermore, the drug release period of the preparation can be freely controlled by varying the blending ratio of (A) and (B).

Abstract: Sustained release microcapsules including a water soluble drug and an organic basic substance as a drug retaining substance of this invention not only have a high rate of incorporation (trapping rate), but also show little initial release so that they can be administered safely and bring about persistent, stable sustained release.

Abstract: A liposome composition is obtained by using as constituent components of the liposome membrane a polyoxyethylene derivative represented by the general formula:X--O--(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.n --Y (I)wherein X represents an alkanoyl group or an alkyl group, Y represents a residue of a compound having a negative charge, and n is an integer of 2 to 50, and a phospholipid. The liposome composition has good dispersibility, high drug-encapsulation property and high stability.

Abstract: An in-mold decorated illumination panel including an indicator sheet, an ink printed layer formed on a back surface of the indicator sheet, the ink printed layer having a printed indicator portion, and a molded layer formed on a back surface of the ink printed layer by injection molding, wherein the printed indicator portion is illuminated from the back surface of the ink printed layer to effect indication of the printed indicator portion on a front surface of the indicator sheet. An ink dissolution preventing sheet is interposed between the ink printed layer and the molded layer for preventing ink of the printed indicator portion from being dissolved away by pressure of a molding material in the injection molding.