Abstract: A device for in-vivo detection comprises a housing having an optical window and enclosing an imager that is configured to image the optical window. An external surface of the optical window has trypsin immobilized thereon, and may also be coated with a steric barrier protection, which may be polyethylene glycol (PEG). A trypsin-Alpha-1-antitrypsin complex formed on the window may have an affinity to a binding agent, which is tagged by a tag selected from a group consisting of a colorant, a fluorescent moiety, and a radioactive moiety.

Abstract: Nanoparticulate assemblies of isolated beta-casein, are useful for encapsulation of bioactive therapeutic substances, particularly therapeutic agents with poor bioavailability. These nano-sized beta-casein assemblies are preferably formed at pH values which are at least one or more pH units below or above the pI of the protein. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the beta-casein micelles may be used to administer the agents to the GI tract for treatment of local or systemic conditions. These carriers are stable over a wide temperature range (optionally at least from about 1° C. to at least about 45° C.).

Abstract: Provided is the use of an amphipathic weak base having defined characteristics for the preparation of a pharmaceutical formulation for the treatment or prevention of neurodegenerative conditions. The amphipathic weak base can be encapsulated in a liposome. Also provided are pharmaceutical formulations and methods of use thereof for the treatment or prevention of neurodegenerative conditions. A specific and amphipathic weak base is tempamine (TMN). Further, tempamine can be loaded in sterically stabilized liposomes (SSL-TMN).

Abstract: A liposome composition having a protonatable therapeutic agent entrapped in the form of a salt with a glucuronate anion is disclosed. Methods for preparing the composition using an ammonium ion transmembrane gradient having glucuronate as the counterion are also disclosed. In one embodiment where the protonatable agent is doxorubicin, the method of the invention has comparable loading efficiency, faster release rate, without compromising the therapeutic efficacy compared to loading with an ammonium ion gradient having sulfate as the counterion.

Abstract: The present invention concerns novel sphingolipid-polyalkylamines conjugates, a process for their preparation and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same. In particular, the present invention concerns ceramide based polyalkylamine conjugates and its use as a capturing agent. A preferred ceramide polyalkylamine conjugate is a ceramide-spermine conjugate, more preferably, N-palmitoyl D-erythro sphingosyl-1-carbamoyl spermine.

Abstract: The present invention provides the use of a glucocorticoid (GC) or of a GC derivative encapsulated in a liposome for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of an inflammatory associated condition in a subject, provided that said condition is not associated with a neurodegenerative disease or disorder. A specific use concerns a liposomal formulation comprising methylprednisolone sodium hemisuccinate (MPS) for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods of joint lubrication and/or prevention of cartilage wear making use of liposomes having membranes with at least one phospholipid (PL) of the group consisting of a glycerophospholipid (GPL) having two, being the same or different, C12-C16 hydrocarbon chain and a sphingolipid (SPL) having a C12-C15 hydrocarbon chain, the one or more membranes having a phase transition temperature in which solid ordered (SO) to liquid disordered (LD) phase transition occurs, the phase transition temperature being within a temperature of about 20° C. to about 39° C. for lubrication of joints.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for loading of agents and substances into per-formed liposomes, preferably a suspension of pre-formed liposomes as well as to methods for the controlled quantum (step-wise) release of agents and substances from liposomes. One of the principle features of the methods of the invention is to expose the liposomes to ultrasound irradiation having predefined parameters, resulting in an increase in permeability of the liposomes, thereby permitting, respectively, the loading and/or release of agents and substances into and/or from the liposomes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel tool for designing a release profile of an active agent from a liposome in to which it is loaded. According to the invention, a method is provided for preparing a liposomal formulation for delivery of an active agent to a target, the release of said active agent from the liposome being designed to have a release profile in which the release is sustained for a time period to achieve an optimal effect of the active agent at said target, the method comprising preparing a liposomal formulation, wherein the liposome is loaded with said active agent and with a selected counter ion, the counter ion and the active agent interacting together to aggregate and/or to form a precipitate within the liposome, the counter ion being selected such that the release of the active agent from the liposome has said release profile.

Abstract: The present invention concerns novel sphingolipid-polyalkylamines conjugates, a process for their preparation and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same. In particular, the present invention concerns ceramide based polyalkylamine conjugates and its use as a capturing agent. A preferred ceramide polyalkylamine conjugate is a ceramide-spermine conjugate, more preferably, N-palmitoyl D-erythro sphingosyl-1-carbamoyl spermine.

Abstract: Liposomal bupivacaine compositions are prepared using an ammonium sulfate gradient loading procedure, at a pH which prevents precipitation of the drug from the loading solution. Also described are liposome suspensions comprising ‘GMV’ (giant multivesicular) liposomes and methods for their preparation. The liposomal compositions are characterized by high drug-to-lipid ratios and provide long term analgesia.

Abstract: The present invention provides the use of an amphipathic weak base having defined characteristics for the preparation of a pharmaceutical formulation for the treatment or prevention of neurodegenerative conditions. Preferably, the amphipathic weak base is encapsulated in a liposome. The invention also provides pharmaceutical formulations and methods of use thereof for the treatment or prevention of neurodegenerative conditions. A specific and preferred amphipathic weak base is tempamine (TMN). Further, preferably, tempamine is loaded in sterically stabilized liposomes (SSL-TMN).

Abstract: The present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising a glucocorticoid or glucocorticoid derivative stably encapsulated in a liposome. The glucocorticoid or glucocorticoid derivative is selected from an amphipathic weak base glucocorticoid or glucocorticoid derivative having a pKa equal or below 11 and a logD at pH 7 in the range between ?2.5 and 1.5; or an amphipathic weak acid GC or GC derivative having a pKa above 3.5 and a logD at pH 7 in the range between ?2.5 and 1.5. The therapeutic effect of the pharmaceutical composition of the invention was exhibited in vivo with appropriate models of multiple sclerosis and cancer.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a new medical treatment involving the combination of two active entities, as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising the two active entities. Specifically, the invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a stable lipid assembly comprising as a first active entity an apoptosis-affecting lipid which does not self-aggregate in a polar environment to form liposomes and a lipopolymer. The pharmaceutical composition further comprises, as the second active entity, a cytotoxic amphipathic weak base drug carried by the lipid assembly or by a different liposome. According to one embodiment, the apoptotic-affecting lipid is a pro-apoptotic lipid. A preferred pro-apoptotic lipid is ceramide, preferably C6-ceramide. The cytotoxic amphipathic weak base drug is preferably doxorubicin or a biologically active, anthracyline-based doxorubicin analog thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides the use of a glucocorticoid (GC) or of a GC derivative encapsulated in a liposome for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of an inflammatory associated condition in a subject, provided that said condition is not associated with a neurodegenerative disease or disorder A specific use concerns a liposomal formulation comprising methylprednisolone sodium hemisuccinate (MPS) for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract: The present application discloses methods for stimulating or enhancing an immune response of a subject to protect against an infection caused by an agent selected from Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), avian influenza virus, the bacterium Bacillus anthracis or the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae, the method comprising administering to said subject a combination of sphingoid-polyalkylamine conjugate and a biologically active molecule, the combination being effective to provide said stimulation or enhancement of the immune response. Also disclosed are vaccines comprising a combination of the sphingoid-polyalkylamine conjugate and a biologically active molecule for stimulating or enhancing an immune response of a subject to protect against an infection caused by such an agent. Preferred conjugates are N-palmitoyl D-erythro sphingosyl-1-carbamoyl spermine (C-1 CCS), N-palmitoyl D-erythro sphingosyl-3-carbamoyl spermine (C-3 CCS) and mixtures thereof. Also disclosed are uses of C-3 CCS for various applications.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the use of electrical surface charge as a docking tool to bring charged lipid assemblies in the vicinity of a diseased, e.g. inflamed epithelium of the mucosa, or alternatively, to a normal epithelium, for executing a desired medical procedure. Thus, the present invention provides a method for selecting a medicament for a medical procedure has now been designed. The medical procedure is selected from treatment, for the healing of a disease or disorder of a mucosa, prophylaxis of a disease or disorder or a mucosa, or a combination of same. The method steps are based on the observation that there are differences in the attachment properties of charged lipid assemblies, such as liposomes, when examined in healthy or inflamed mucosal tissues. The invention also provides a kit making use of the method of the invention.

Abstract: A liposome composition comprising small, surface-bound effector molecules is disclosed. The liposomes have a surface layer of hydrophilic polymer chains, for enhanced circulation time in the bloodstream. The effector molecules are attached to the distal ends of the polymer chains. In one embodiment, the effector is polymyxin B, for treatment of septic shock.

Abstract: The invention provides liposomal vehicles for encapsulating relatively high levels of water-soluble substances including immunogens directed against gastrin and gonadotropin releasing hormone. The liposome encapsulating large amounts of immunogens can be injected parentally to induce effective immune responses without exhibiting significant adverse tissue reactogenicity.

Abstract: The invention provides liposomal vehicles for encapsulating relatively high levels of water-soluble substances including immunogens directed against gastrin and gonadotropin releasing hormone. The liposome encapsulating large amounts of immunogens can be injected parentally to induce effective immune responses without exhibiting significant adverse tissue reactogenicity.